The Transformers - Generation 1
What?: C'mon. You know who the Transformers are. They're still going strong for goodness sake. For the uninitiated though Transformers were a line of toy robots that could transform into various different guises such as cars, planes, guns and cassettes. In terms of a storyline, the Transformers are two tribes of sentient alien robots known as the heroic Autobots and the eeevil Decepticons. For years they two have been embroiled in a bitter civil war that has left their own planet uninhabitable and has now spilled to Earth. After being frozen in time for millions of years the Transformers awake in 1984 and pick up where they left off only this time the human race is caught in the middle. Uh oh!
Who?: Hasbro were responsible for Generation 1 as well as subsequent releases. Apparently they were inspired to action after visiting the Tokyo Toy Show in 1983 and witnessing first hand the new craze sweeping Japan for transforming robots. Prior to Hasbro releasing Transformers similar Japan exclusive figures were sold in specialty shops in the US under the 'Diakron' moniker. Upon it's release the toy line was supported by a Marvel comic, an animated series and a classic animated movie. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kcC7_bf6GmU
Amusement Factor: For many the Transformer's were the ultimate 1980's toy. Not for me though. I preferred my He-Man and Ghostbuster toys. That didn't mean the Transformers were any less awesome it just means they were probably a bit more expensive than my meager pocket money would stretch to in those days. Kids the world over though would tell you that hours and hours were passed re-enacting the battles between Optimus Prime and Megatron and many more will tell you that the Transformers are as big as ever even today. My fondest memory of the Transformers however was going round to some kids house when I was about 8 and punching (and breaking) his Optimus Prime after I grew weary of his spoilt, only child ways. The boy cried. I did not. He now trains the military in some kind of secret martial art but I still made him cry.
Awesome Rating: More than meets the eye