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This section is meant to cover information on Euro toys from the begining (MB), through the Classics line, and beyond. Something to note: There will always be arguments as to whether or not certain Euro TFs (like Pyro) are considered late Euro G1, or G2. (Some have taken to calling it G1.5.) I brook no arguments one way or the other. :-) I mention it merely out of courtesy. Call it by whatever makes you feel more comfortable. Argus notes: "On Trakkons and Lightformers...boxed versions released first, followed by carded versions second. Some countries received one version, others both. Note how the cards have the G2 look. The boxes do have the G2 font though. ;)" This section covers a listing of what was available in the 'Classic' line of Euro TFs. It also houses the Maz discussion of package changes within the Classics line itself. Finally, we have a brief mention of Beats Wars and RiD toys, as they pertain to package changes. It's interesting to see the progression; from remolded toys and different packages, to same toys different packages, to packages and toys being nearly the same. ;-)
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To quote Maz: "When the Transformers came to be released in France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, etc Hasbro was in the process of taking over a company called Milton Bradley (MB). At that time, Hasbro did not yet have the facilities required to manufacture Transformers on a large scale in the aforementioned countries. The Transformers were subsequently manufactured using MB factories and that's why the early TFs released in countries like France, Germany, Holland and Belgium have an MB badge on them. Many series 1 and 2 Transformers were released in such packaging. When Hasbro had completed their takeover of Milton Bradley in 1985, the "MB" was taken off the boxes, and in other countries the copyrights on the box went from "1984 Hasbro Industries Inc." to "1984 Hasbro Bradley Inc."
 Leaders: Optimus Prime, Megatron Autobot Cars (All w/Styro Inserts): Prowl, Tracks, Wheeljack, Ratchet, Mirage, Jazz Autobot Minicars: Windcharger, Warpath, Cosmos, Beachcomber, Seaspray, Gears, Powerglide Autobot Others: Blaster, Roadbuster, Whirl, Jetfire, Topspin, Twintwist Dinobots: Grimlock, Slag, Snarl, Sludge Decepticon Jets: Starscream (Some w/Blue Jet - Thundercracker), Dirge, Ramjet, Thrust Decepticon Others: Blitzwing, Astrotrain, Soundwave, Shockwave Constructicons (All 6): Front | Back Insecticons: All 3 Minis, All 4 Deluxes "The MB logo can clearly be seen on the bottom left hand corner of the box fronts. Also the text that usually says? Transforms from whatever to robot and back again? in the top left hand corner of the box front (not the flap) has been removed. That's probably because these MB boxes are multilingual and they couldn?t fit all 4 languages on the box front. If you look at the back of the box, you can see the enlarged tech spec. It was made larger to accommodate the four languages which are German, French, Dutch and Spanish. The tech spec no longer has a verbal description of the character's abilities and weaknesses, just a translation of his function and his quote. The box copyright is on the bottom of the box instead of under the tech spec as with most TF boxes." Between the text-changes and the language-changes, it is also interesting to note that a number of the boxed cars came with styro inserts, instead of sealed to a bubbleback. Thanks to Maz! His complete article on MB toys can be found here. What's interssting to note is that, as soon as the takeover of MB by Hasbro was complete, the format of the packages stayed the same. ;-) *Just* the MB logos were removed. The multilingual boxes remained the same otherwise (for example, the 'large' tech specs).
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I've uploaded some pictures of some UK Classic Transformers in boxes from the 90s. Some are from the first run of releases; Wheeljack and Jazz. Some are later run releases; Onslaught and the Dinobots. The boxes for the two waves have some notable differences I wish to highlight. Here they all are together:
 Immediately, some differences between the cars and the rest should be apparent. Above the window where the character's name is written, the cars have white writing on black background, but if you look at the later Dinos and Onslaught, the background depends on the toy's faction: White writing on red for Autobot, white writing on purple for Decepticon. The font for "Classic" also became a litle more stylized for the later releases, something that's evident all over the later boxes. The early boxes have the character's function/"Transformers" bar connected to the faction logo in thebottom left of the box front, the later releases have those separated, and instead of the function (eg "Autobot Agent") it just says "Autobot" or "Decepticon". The blue Hasbro logo has also shifted to next to the boxart as opposed to being in the bottom left corner of the box front as with earlier Classics. The "Transformers" text on the function/TF bar had the yellow background removed for the later releases.
The box backs were altered also to have a different picture for the later releases. The cars/earlier Classics have a picture of what appears to be a Micromasters battle scene. Later Classics had original characters featured like Sideswipe, Astrotrain, Tracks etc. |
Another point of interest is that here in NZ we got both the US and UK verions of the Axelerators, Skyscorchers, and Colour Changers. We definately got the US Combat Heros and Laser Rods, but I'm not sure if we got the UK ones. Hope it's of some use to you. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 I'll likely leave that 'in-process' tag up there forever. ;-) The reason being, I'm not convinced that all the packaging is universal across the pond just yet. Granted, it's gotten close (with the multi-lingual packaging; 4 to 6 languages as compared to our trilingual packs) but there are still 'quirks' in the system. :-) For example, the package variant on the RiD train pictured below (a turkish variant). Note that Midnight Express was replaced with 'Euro-Express'. Further Turkey variants make themselves known in Armada, on Tidalwave...
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An interesting change in Energon: The error-box on Ultra Magnus in the USA (showing Speed Team, when the Space Team was included) was covered over with a sticker in Japan, and finally corrected in the Euro edition. (Pic) This can be found all over Europe, apparently. |
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Euro Micromaster Variants: Basically, the units that were 'exclusive' to Kaybe toys (in Universe packaging) recieved the European energon 6-language package treatment ;-) It is unknown as to whether the euro versions mimick the japanese or american version of the product. More... |
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Nonetheless, as time goes on, we'll find a way to streamline the newer package listings from across the pond. ;-) |