In 1996, "War of the Beasts" achieved unprecedented success, and the "Transformers" series regained widespread public attention. Of course, there are still many old players who have been acquainted with "Transformers" since the first generation but failed to accept the new beast style and style.
Due to the great success of the "War of the Beasts" series, Kenner also took part in the 1996 BotCon (Transformers Annual Conference). At the annual meeting, Kenner's representative and Anthony Gould impassionedly announced " We will release a series that will resurrect the first generation of Transformers!" As soon as the words came out, they shocked the audience, and the news quickly spread among fans.
At that time, the popularity of the "Transformers" series reached a new height. "War of the Beasts" attracted countless new generations of fans and attracted social attention. The perfect time for players to return. Such news is tantamount to dropping a blockbuster in everyone's minds. Old fans in North America have also begun to imagine how beautiful this series is...
But the ideals are full , The reality is very skinny...
In 1997, Kenner released the "Transformers: Machine Wars" series (hereinafter referred to as KB) through KB toys (hereinafter referred to as KB) Referred to as "Mechanical Warfare"), this is a series exclusively sold exclusively by KB.
KB was once the second largest toy chain store brand in the United States. As for the once largest toy chain store brand, it is well-known toy R Us . KB's strategy at the time was also very clear, that is, it mainly opened stores in large shopping malls.
After KB Toys went bankrupt in 2009, the trademark rights were also acquired by Toys R Us. After Toys R Us took over, the KB stores that were originally located in large shopping malls were renamed
In North America, large toy retailers, and even large-scale comprehensive supermarkets, are often selected by Hasbro to sell stores exclusively (limited) Transformers toys_ span4span, we are more familiar with R Us, Target Store, Wal-Mart and so on.
As one of the most important toy retailers in the United States, KB also had many stores that limited the Transformers toy series, the most representative of which was "Mechanical Warfare" in 1997.
Mechanical War Autobot
Mechanical War Decepticon
"Mechanical Warfare" series does not have any comics or animation story support, only on the back of each character’s box, It is printed with character introduction and a short background story, which is relatively rare in many Transformers product lines. It can also be understood as the return of the characters of the same name in G1 with new bodies or new shapes.
The reason why this series will be understood as the return of G1 characters is mainly because the series uses a lot of character names in the G1 series- Optimus Prime, sandstorm, police car, phantom, pulley, wheel cover, Megatron, Starscream, Sonic, Shocking Thunder, Skywarping, etc., have led many fans to believe that these characters still belong to the G1 universe. After all, this is since the end of the "Transformers" G2 series, once again seeing these familiar G1 characters return and appear in the toy line.
After the end of G2, Kenner released "War of the Beasts" in 1996. In that year (1996), only Megatron was named after the familiar G1.
"Mechanical Warfare" series includes 8 Basic (basic) level, 2 Mega (huge) level, 2 Ultra level (Strong/Charge level), a total of 12 models.
We will explain it in three parts according to the level.
Part 1 Basic level:
8 basic products were designed in the G2 period, but 4 of them were designed in the G2 period. Like the Basic-level toys in the first year of "War of the Beasts" (1996), they all have a spring mechanism that can achieve an effect similar to a quick one-click deformation. From today's perspective, the deformed structure does not have any bright spots (it is estimated that it will give people the same feeling back then). The color matching of these 8 toys is even more inexplicable.
Decepticons:
The two roles are completely repainted in grass-green color with the same name as G1 and G1. connect.
Megatron is cyan, while its clone Megaplex is gray.
But,If we look at the portrait of the character (Boxart) on the toy packaging, Megatron is mainly gray, but the shadow warrior is green. As we all know, gray is the main color of G1 Megatron, so many people guess that it is probably either There was an error in the packaging design, or the toy was packaged upside down when it was released.
After reading the four Basic Decepticons, let’s take a look at the Autobots:
The trolley is transformed into a black truck, which is similar to G1, similar to yellow Although the shape of the color wheel cover is very different from that of the G1, the color is still reliable.
The phantom transformed into a blue and white F1 car is the most like G1, but there is a white model of the same model named as a police car...
strong Part 15 pbr 2 Mega class:
The 1992 Decepticon predator squad member Stalker's mold used by the Decepticon’s sound waves is transformed into a red and white guided missile vehicle. The color scheme and camouflage are inexplicable and indistinguishable. Association with the role of the same name in the G1 period.
"I am not G2"
And the observation hole (Megavisor) that was originally one of Stalker's gameplay is gone. Taking into account the restrictions of the US toy safety law, the original Stalker's handheld weapon (with projectile bullets) has also been cancelled.
Autobots:
"I am really a sandstorm. If you don’t believe me, I’m an airplane"
The sandstorm uses the mold of the 1992 European version of the Autobot Turbo Warrior member Rotorstorm, which is transformed into a green camouflage color. military helicopter,Speaking of the association with the character of the same name in G1, there should be only G1 sandstorm that also has a helicopter form.
In addition, due to the original mold in 1992, the mobility of the toy figure is very limited. In addition to the restrictions of the US toy safety law, the original Rotorstorm's hand-held weapon (with projectile bullets) has also been cancelled.
So far, the 10 toys mentioned above are either color matching or camouflage reasons, which leads to a weak sense of existence in this series. And the only two that might make an impression are the Ultra-class Optimus Prime and Starscream.
Part 3 Ultra level:
Autobots:
"I can become a truck, and the carriage can also become a battle platform"
Optimus Prime uses the 1992 European version of the Autobot Turbo Warrior Leader Thunder (Thunder The color of the mold of Clash has been changed, and the head sculpture has also been changed. The reason for using this mold to repaint Optimus Prime is also very good: a truck head that can be transformed into a human shape, with a carriage that can be opened, is really suitable.
In addition, in the era of underdeveloped Internet, ThunderClash was once rumored to be "G2 Youth Optimus Prime". I am afraid that the main reason is that it is confused with Optimus Prime of "Mechanical Warfare", even though Lightning Strike does not belong to the G2 series. Nor is it Optimus Prime. In addition, there is also a version of the rumor that "Mechanical Warfare" Optimus Prime is called "G2 Youth Optimus Prime". It can only be said that the first one is not wrong, but it is still problematic. After all, "Mechanical Warfare" "It's impossible to fight with G2.
Decepticons:
"This time, I am the true leader of the Decepticons"
Starscream uses the 1992 European version of the Decepticon predator team leader Skyquake (Skyquake) The main color of the mold of) has been changed from green to black. The body is huge and looks very majestic.
For everyone, it may be a bit difficult to accept the black "Starscream" for a while, but it seems that the official does not object to this.In 2001, the Transformers Collector’s Edition (Collector’s Edition), which was sold exclusively in e-HOBBY online stores, had a black re-engraved Starscream.
The black katakana on the black background next to Starscream’s name is called "Black Version"
This black re-engraved Starscream is on sale at the same time as the original color re-enacted version and the transparent version. It is considered by many to be the "dead version" Starscream. In fact, this black starscream is officially recognized as "Starscream (black version)" by Japanese Tejiali company (TAKARA company, now TAKARATOMY) (the text on the package is marked) instead of a "dead version", which is interesting Yes, the character data attached to the toy also proves that its background comes from the "Mechanical Warfare" series.
The words above the Decepticon logo are also "Black Version"
and even other subsequent series also appeared black as the main color of Starscream, such as the limited edition Robotmasters in the September 2004 magazine "Figure King" Starscream series is the "black version" of the same series of G1 animated color Starscream. We can say that "Mechanical Warfare" created a precedent for the color matching of Starscream toy.
Back to "Mechanical Warfare" Starscream,
Till Galvatron is gone
There is also a fanart on the Internet. In the middle of the screen, "Mechanical Warfare" Starscream seems to restore the 1986 "Transformers: Great". The scene in "The Movie", wearing the same lavender cloak as in the movie, standing on the high platform where he was briefly crowned. This time, Starscream is obviously a winner, showing off that he might be torn off from Shocking Heaven’s arm. Starscream’s hand cannon is fascinating...Perhaps the constant rebirth and revenge are the most impressive impressions of Starscream’s character in the hearts of most fans.
In general, in the 1997 "Mechanical Warfare" series, 8 Basic grades used 4 unsold old molds, 2 Mega grades and 2 Ultra grades were all derived from the European front at the end of G1— —The "Transformers Robot In Disguise" series released independently in 1992 (including the Decepticons Predator Squad and the Autobot Turbo Warrior Squad).
1992 European Front Poster Ad
In other words, there is not a new developed mold for the "Mechanical Warfare" series, and the background story is very vague, so this series appears in the entire product history of the "Transformers" series Very unpopular. To this day, many fans still speculate that it was Hasbro's plan to abolish the resurrection of G1 (assuming that this project was actually done). After all, the quality of the "Mechanical Warfare" series is obviously relatively ordinary, and there is no new idea, which is really unbelievable. , This is what Kenner declared "a brand new series of resurrecting G1 classic characters".
Although the "Mechanical Warfare" series failed to achieve commercial success, Fun Publications, as an official company authorized by Hasbro, chose this series as the theme at the 2013 Transformers Annual Conference (BotCon) .
BotCon 2013 limited toy
9 out of the 12 characters in "Mechanical Warfare" that year were introduced in new styles with the help of some of the more excellent molds from the classic series, the leader's proof series, and the movie series, but This unpopular subject matter could not be saved even with a new model.
Transformers Collectors' Club (TFCC, also affiliated to Fun Publications) also planned to use the BotCon 2013 pulley (repainted with a classic series cup (Generations Sergeant Kup) mold) A mechanical warfare wheel pedal toy was sold as a Club Member Toy Subscription Service (Transformers Figure Subscription Service, referred to as TFSS). However, due to the poor sales of toys at the annual meeting, it was not implemented in the end. There is no product on the subject of "Mechanical Warfare".
So far, the "Mechanical Warfare" series has been placed high hopes of "Resurrection G1",However, because of the lack of background story and the mediocre quality of the toy itself (after all, it is a mold from five years ago), even the collector’s club with its core fans has failed to regain its popularity. It is still in "War of the Beasts". In 1997, "Mechanical Warfare" was like a meteor in the night sky. After a brief appearance, it disappeared in the long river of history in a hurry...
Author: Jin Teng Cheng (from Metal Core Giant 1)
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