Transformers: A History of Gimmicks

[GoktimusPrime]

PART 1: Generation 1, the 1980s

1984: In the Beginning
Beyond the ability to transform from alt mode to robot and back the first 'gimmick' we had was the Decepticon Micro-Change figures' 1:1 scale role-play... we were able to hold Megatron and Soundwave like a life-size gun or Walkman and likewise the Decepticon cassettes were life-size microcassettes (although TF mythos portrayed them as "macro" cassettes). The interactivity between the microcassettes and Soundwave was also very popular.

1985
+ Jumpstarters: The first one-step transforming Transformers - the great grand-daddy of Activators.
+ Electronic gimmicks: Omega Supreme could walk and roll around in tank mode. Shockwave gave us the first Transformer toy with lights and sound!
+ Triple-changers!
+ Two words: "Constructicons unite!"

1986
+ Scramble Gattai! The first generation of gestalts with interchangeable limbs!
+ Ultra Magnus - the first Transformer whose basic robot mode is able to combine with his trailer to form a super robot mode. Canon portrayed the super robot mode as his "standard" robot mode.
+ Battlechargers: Like Jumpstarters but with different execution, relying on springing up rather than flipping over. It made from a more stable auto-transformation (Jumpstarters rarely stand upright after transforming) but the robot mode suffered as a result (lack of arm articulation and the back-support would "flop down" after a while).

1987
+ Throttlebots gave us Transformers with pull back motors, usable in both vehicular and robot modes!
+ Sixshot - the first six-changer
+ Monsterbots - the first Transformers with friction-motors allowing them to shoot sparks. Something that would probably never pass modern toy safety standards!
+ Clones - they look the same in robot mode but transform into different alt modes.
+ Punch/Counterpunch - the first double-agent; able to transform from a friendly to an enemy robot.
+ And the main gimmick for that year - MASTERS! Headmasters and Targetmasters - we saw Transformers whose heads and guns could transform into smaller Transformers.
+ Decibel and Legout were the first combiner cassettes. Exclusively sold in Japan, Hasbro would produce their own combiner cassettes a year later.
+ Fortress Maximus - the first Transformer with a working elevator! Also the biggest Transformer mould ever made to date (55cm tall in robot mode, 78cm long in starship mode). Also a "double" Headmaster - his head is a Transformer and that Transformer's head is also another Transformer!

1988
+ Power-/Godmasters - the engines transform into little Transformers.
+ Double-Targetmasters - like Targetmasters but with two guns.
+ Headmaster Juniors - unlike Headmasters from the previous year their tech specs meters did not alter when different Nebulans were attached. Cockpits also did not
+ Triggerbots/Triggercons - first Transformer with spring-loaded or motorised flip-out weapons.
+ Pretenders - robots who can fit inside a shell resembling humans, monsters etc.
+ Sparkabots/Firecons - like Monsterbots also feature friction-motors that shoot sparks but the motor also rolls them around.

1989
+ Monstructor/Dinoking - the first Pretender gestalt
+ Mega & Ultra Pretenders - Pretenders whose shells can also transform.
+ In an effort to compete with Galoob's Micro Machines, we get Micromasters!
+ Over in Japan we get Brainmasters (later to be released by Hasbro as Motorvators), Breastmasters (the basis for Hasbro's Autobot Rescue Force) and Multi-Force - the precursor to Transformers like Energon/Super Link's Powerlinx gimmick and Animated Safeguard.