Transformers – 1984
Hasbro launched their Transformers line in 1984, which borrowed from the mega popular Japanese Diaclone line. Hasbro secured the North American toy licensing rights and produced a revamped Diaclone line called the Transformers. The line was such a success, that it launched an animated series and a new Marvel comic book series. The premier wave gave us several new figures across six different sub-sets, with each one based on either the heroic Autobots or evil Decepticons. In addition, Hasbro began their run of exclusive figures with the Power Dasher series and Time Warrior watch.
For more information about Hasbro’s Transformers line from 1984, see bottom of the page for a complete summary.
Transformers (1984): Autobot Cars
The Autobots were the good guys of the Transformers universe, and this series focused on them and the various vehicles they transformed into. They ranged in everything from an Army Jeep to a Lamborghini Sports Car. These guys would go on to make up a huge part of the Transformers universe.
Bluestreak
Market Value:
Boxed $275 – $375
Loose $65 – $90
Bluestreak
Vehicle Mode: Sports Car
Years Released: 1984, 1985
Scarcity Factor: Can be found but getting tougher
Notes: Bluestreak is one of the original Autobots and is among the fastest. He can convert into a Datsun 280ZX Sports Car when in vehicle mode.
Hound
Market Value:
Boxed $300 – $400
Loose $70 – $95
Hound
Vehicle Mode: Army Jeep
Years Released: 1984, 1985
Scarcity Factor: Can be found but getting tougher
Notes: Hound is one of the original Autobots and is one of their best fighters. He converts into an Army Jeep, complete with a gun turret.
Ironhide
Market Value:
Boxed $275 – $375
Loose $60 – $85
Ironhide
Vehicle Mode: Van
Years Released: 1984, 1985
Scarcity Factor: Can be found but getting tougher
Notes: Ironhide is one of the original Autobots and is one of their best fighters. He converts into a van and has a toughened exterior, making it difficult to damage him.
Jazz
Market Value:
Boxed $350 – $450
Loose $90 – $120
Jazz
Vehicle Mode: Porsche Sports Car
Years Released: 1984, 1985
Scarcity Factor: Can be found but getting tougher
Notes: Jazz is one of the original Autobots and is the most cultured Autobot as well. He converts into an Porsche Sports Car, complete with a photon rifle.
Mirage
Market Value:
Boxed $225 – $300
Loose $70 – $95
Mirage
Vehicle Mode: Racing Car
Years Released: 1984, 1985
Scarcity Factor: Can be found but getting tougher
Notes: Mirage is one of the original Autobots and is the most cultured Autobot. He converts into a Monte Carlo Racing Car, complete with a electro disruptor.
Prowl
Market Value:
Boxed $325 – $425
Loose $90 – $120
Prowl
Vehicle Mode: Police Car
Years Released: 1984, 1985
Scarcity Factor: Can be found but getting tougher
Notes: Prowl is one of the original Autobots and is a true soldier in the Autobot army. He converts into a Police Car, complete with shoulder cannon.
Ratchet
Market Value:
Boxed $200 – $275
Loose $50 – $75
Ratchet
Vehicle Mode: Ambulance
Years Released: 1984, 1985
Scarcity Factor: Can be found but getting tougher
Notes: Ratchet is one of the original Autobots and is the medic in the Autobot army. He converts into an Ambulance (of course), complete with medical equipment.
Sideswipe
Market Value:
Boxed $210 – $285
Loose $65 – $90
Sideswipe
Vehicle Mode: Lamborghini Sports Car
Years Released: 1984, 1985
Scarcity Factor: Can be found but getting tougher
Notes: Sideswipe is the twin brother of Sunstreaker and an original member of the Autobots. He can transform into a red Lamborghini Sports Car.
Sunstreaker
Market Value:
Boxed $210 – $295
Loose $65 – $90
Sunstreaker
Vehicle Mode: Lamborghini Sports Car
Years Released: 1984, 1985
Scarcity Factor: Can be found but getting tougher
Notes: Sunstreaker is the twin brother of Sideswipe and an original member of the Autobots. He can transform into a yellow Lamborghini Sports Car.
Tailbreaker
Market Value:
Boxed $210 – $285
Loose $65 – $90
Tailbreaker
Vehicle Mode: Pick-Up Truck w/ Cab
Years Released: 1984, 1985
Scarcity Factor: Can be found but getting tougher each year
Notes: Tailbreaker is one of the original Autobots and is among the funniest. He can convert into a Pick-Up Truck with a cab on the back when in vehicle mode.
Wheeljack
Market Value:
Boxed $275 – $375
Loose $90 – $120
Wheeljack
Vehicle Mode: Racing Car
Years Released: 1984, 1985
Scarcity Factor: Can be found but getting tougher each year
Notes: Wheeljack is one of the original Autobots and acts as their scientist and inventor. He can convert into a Racing Car when in vehicle mode.
Transformers (1984): Autobots Mini Cars
Hasbro created a wonderful world full of amazing characters, both good and bad. This series of Mini Cars focused on the Autobots, but just because they were smaller than the regular Autobot vehicles, doesn’t mean they were any less important or cooler looking. This first wave of Autobot Mini Cars would be released the following year as well. The 1985 releases show the Autobots in robot form in package, while the 1984 releases show them in vehicle form.
Brawn
Market Value:
Carded $150 – $225
Loose $20 – $30
Brawn
Vehicle Mode: Jeep
Years Released: 1984, 1985
Scarcity Factor: Can be found but getting tougher
Notes: Brawn is one the first wave of heroic Autobots, and transforms into a jeep. Brawn was also available in the McDonald’s Happy Meal line in 1985.
Bumblebee
Market Value:
Carded $300 – $450
Loose $75 – $100
Market Value:
Carded $500 – $700
Loose $90 – $120
Bumblebee
Vehicle Mode: Volkswagen Beetle
Years Released: 1984, 1985
Scarcity Factor: Tough to find on secondary market
Notes: Bumblebee can boast of being one of the more popular Autobots, and transforms into a VW Beetle. The main release of Bumblebee was yellow, but a red version was also made available with some packaging.
Cliffjumper
Market Value:
Carded $475 – $625
Loose $60 – $85
Market Value:
Carded $300 – $400
Loose $40 – $65
Cliffjumper
Vehicle Mode: Porsche 924
Years Released: 1984, 1985
Scarcity Factor: Can be found but getting tougher
Notes: Cliffjumper gets mistaken for Bumblebee at times, but uses a different mold, and transforms into a Porsche 924. The main release of Cliffjumper was red, but a yellow version was also made available with some packaging.
Gears
Market Value:
Carded $225 – $300
Loose $22 – $35
Gears
Vehicle Mode: Pick-Up Truck w/ Canopy
Years Released: 1984, 1985
Scarcity Factor: Can be found but getting tougher
Notes: Gears is one the first wave of heroic Autobots, and transforms into a Pick-Up Truck with Canopy. Gears was also available in the McDonald’s Happy Meal line in 1985.
Huffer
Market Value:
Carded $150 – $225
Loose $20 – $30
Huffer
Vehicle Mode: Truck Cab
Years Released: 1984, 1985
Scarcity Factor: Can be found but getting tougher
Notes: Huffer seems like a curious name for a robot/vehicle but he is one the first wave of heroic Autobots, and transforms into a Semi Truck Cab.
Windcharger
Market Value:
Carded $200 – $275
Loose $20 – $30
Windcharger
Vehicle Mode: Camaro
Years Released: 1984, 1985
Scarcity Factor: Can be found but getting tougher
Notes: Who wouldn’t want a robot that turns into a Camaro? Windcharger is one the first wave of heroic Autobots, and transforms into a red Camaro. He remained very popular during his run.
Transformers (1984): Cassettes/Communications
The 1980’s were all about the transition from albums to the new fancy cassette tapes, so the Transformers jumped on this by creating these figures that transformed from robots into cassette tapes and even a tape player.
Frenzy and Laserbeak
Market Value:
Carded $215 – $290
Loose $45 – $65
Frenzy and Laserbeak
Alternate Mode: Cassette Tapes
Years Released: 1984, 1985
Scarcity Factor: Tough to find on secondary market
Notes: Frenzy can change from a Micro-Cassette into a Humanoid Robot, while Laserbeak changes into a Robotic Condor. Both are able to fit inside of Soundwave.
Ravage and Rumble
Market Value:
Carded $200 – $275
Loose $40 – $60
Ravage and Rumble
Alternate Mode: Cassette Tapes
Years Released: 1984, 1985
Scarcity Factor: Can be found but getting tougher
Notes: Ravage can change from a Micro-Cassette into a Robotic Jaguar, while Rumble changes into a Humanoid Robot. Both are able to fit inside of Soundwave.
Soundwave and Buzzsaw
Market Value:
Boxed $300 – $400
Loose $80 – $110
Soundwave and Buzzsaw
Alternate Mode: Cassette Tape Player
Years Released: 1984, 1985
Scarcity Factor: Tough to find on secondary market
Notes: Soundwave and Buzzsaw came together to form a unique looking and working cassette tape player. Soundwave was also without a doubt, one of the coolest looking Decepticons from the first wave.
Transformers (1984): Decepticon Jets
Just Like the Autobots had their transforming vehicles, so did the evil Decepticons. Instead of the ground though, they utilized air power, so they took to the skies as F-15 fighter jets.
Skywarp
Market Value:
Boxed $300 – $400
Loose $75 – $100
Skywarp
Vehicle Mode: F-15 Eagle Fighter Jet
Years Released: 1984, 1985
Scarcity Factor: Tough to find on secondary market
Notes: Skywarp is one the first wave of the evil Decepticons, and transforms into a F-15 Jet. Skywarp came with missile launchers and missiles, as well as machine guns.
Starscream
Market Value:
Boxed $375 – $525
Loose $90 – $120
Starscream
Vehicle Mode: F-15 Eagle Fighter Jet
Years Released: 1984, 1985
Scarcity Factor: Tough to find on secondary market
Notes: Starscream is among the first wave of evil Decepticons, and transforms into a F-15 Jet. He came with missiles and launchers, as well as machine guns. He was one of the more popular bad guys.
Thundercracker
Market Value:
Boxed $300 – $400
Loose $75 – $100
Thundercracker
Vehicle Mode: F-15 Jet
Years Released: 1984, 1985
Scarcity Factor: Tough to find on secondary market
Notes: Thundercracker is one the first wave of the evil Decepticons, and transforms into a F-15 Jet. Thundercracker came with missile launchers and missiles, as well as machine guns.
Transformers (1984): Leaders/Commanders
There are many valuable figures in the first 1984 wave of Transformers, but it doesn’t get much bigger than these two beauties. Optimus Prime and Megatron are the standard setters for the Transformers line, and if you are lucky enough to have either of these, you must have done something good in your life…..
Megatron
Market Value:
Boxed $650 – $850
Loose $150 – $225
Megatron
Vehicle Mode: Walther P-38 Handgun
Years Released: 1984, 1985
Scarcity Factor: Tough to find on secondary market
Notes: Every great franchise and storyline has to have a big bad guy who is a constant threat to the good guys, like a Darth Vader, Skeletor, or Cobra Commander. For the Transformers, that person is none other than Megatron, the leader of the evil Decepticons. The first wave G1 versions of Megatron had him transforming from big bad robot to a Walther P-38 Handgun. Once this was considered dangerous in many countries, he was changed to a jet instead, so if you own an original P-38 Megatron in box, you must have done something right in this world.
Optimus Prime
Market Value:
Boxed $550 – $750
Loose $140 – $215
Optimus Prime
Vehicle Mode: Semi Truck and Trailer
Years Released: 1984, 1985
Scarcity Factor: Can be found, but it will cost you
Notes: Optimus Prime is to the Transformers, what He-Man is to Masters of the Universe or Lion-O to Thundercats. Sure there are other really cool characters, but it begins and ends with Optimus Prime, the commander of the Autobots. Optimus is the heart and soul of the Autobots team, and the Transformers franchise itself. If you are lucky enough to own a first wave G1 Optimus Prime in box, then consider yourself among the lucky ones because this will set you back a pretty penny on the secondary market.
Transformers (1984): Kronoform
The Kronoform series was a mini set of Transformer robots that could change into digital watches or even a digital calculator watch. They weren’t the traditional Transformers figures, but still deserve a place on this page.
Autoceptor
Market Value:
Boxed $350 – $450
Loose $40 – $60
Autoceptor
Accessories: None
Years Released: 1984
Scarcity Factor: Tough to find on secondary market
Notes: The Autoceptor was a digital watch that could change from a robot into a sports car. Also, he was available in multiple colors, such as Grey, Red, Blue or Black.
Deceptor
Market Value:
Boxed $350 – $450
Loose $40 – $60
Deceptor
Accessories: None
Years Released: 1984
Scarcity Factor: Tough to find on secondary market
Notes: The Deceptor was a digital watch that could change from a robot into a jet. Also, he was available in multiple colors, such as Grey, Blue or Gold.
Kaltor
Market Value:
Boxed $1,250 – $1,750
Loose $300 – $450
Kaltor
Accessories: None
Years Released: 1984
Scarcity Factor: This item is rare and expensive
Notes: Kaltor was a robot that could change into a digital calculator watch. He was only available in one color, Grey.
Transformers (1984): Mail-Order/Promotions
Hasbro offered many, many different mail-away promotions over the years, connected to the Transformers line, but the Power Dasher series and Time Warrior watch were the first that utilized the mail-away offer on the packaging.
Power Dashers
Drill Dasher (Power Dashers)
Market Value:
W/ Packaging $150 – $250
Loose $32 – $50
F1 Dasher (Power Dashers)
Market Value:
W/ Packaging $150 – $250
Loose $32 – $50
Sky Dasher (Power Dashers)
Market Value:
W/ Packaging $150 – $250
Loose $32 – $50
Hasbro began their “Robot Points” in 1984, and allowed them to be redeemed for the Power Dashers, who were three Autobot vehicles that could be obtained (via Mail Order). All it required was sending in $3 and two Robot Points for one of the Power Dashers. The frustrating part was that it was a random draw and you never knew which Power Dasher you were going to get in the mail.
Time Warrior
Market Value:
Boxed $750 – $1,000
Loose $275 – $375
Time Warrior
Accessories: None
Years Released: 1984, 1985
Scarcity Factor: This item is rare and it will cost you
Notes: Similar to the Kronoform figures, the Time Warrior was a digital watch that changed into an Autobot symbol. The Time Warrior was only available as a mail-away offer, advertised on various Transformer packaging inserts.
In 1984, Hasbro Toys was beginning to gain a real foothold in the action figure market with their newly revamped GI Joe 3.75 inch line. It was quickly becoming a huge global success, but Hasbro still wanted more and ended up going across the planet to get it. A toy company called Takara had been making transforming robots and vehicles since 1980 under the Diaclone line. Each of the vehicles were controlled by a miniature pilot called Micro Man. In 1982, Takara combined the robots and vehicles into what we now know as Transformers. Hasbro, realizing the massive potential of this toy line, quickly jumped on the North American toy licensing rights to this line and went into production of a slightly revamped Diaclone line simply called, the Transformers. The toy line was released in 1984 and became an instant smash hit! The toy line was such a success, that Marvel Comics jumped on the bandwagon to create a new Comic Book Series that also debuted in 1984, and would run until 1990 after 80 issues. The success of the comics led to the biggest Transformers promotion of all….the animated series. The Transformers animated television show first episode aired on September 17, 1984 and ran for 98 episodes until 1987. This show promoted the characters of the world of Transformers in a way the toys could never do on their own. The animated series ushered in an unprecedented wave of popularity for Optimus Prime, Megatron and friends.
The first premier wave of the Transformers line, gave us several new figures that were spun across six different sub-sets. Each sub-set was based on a specific team, whether it be the heroic Autobots or evil Decepticons. The Autobots got all of their initial main characters to include heavy hitters such as Bumblee, Ironhide, Jazz, Wheeljack and of course, the main robot himself, Optimus Prime. For the the Decepticons, we also got some pretty major characters, such as Soundwave, Starscream, Thundercracker, Skywarp, and the master of mayhem himself, Megatron. These new figures would build the foundation of the Transformers world for all future storylines and adventures. We did not get any playsets for the Transformers line, but we did get an accessory set of transforming watches called the Kronoforms. In addition, Hasbro began their mail-order and promotional figures with the Power Dasher series and the Time Warrior watch.
The packaging for the Transformers line was bright and eye catching, and definitely had that futuristic look in design. Keeping with the traditional Autobot and Decepticon color schemes, each blister pack or box matched the color of the affiliated team with the Autobots being red and Decepticons being purple. The carded blister packs were all different designs, with the mini Autobots series having the figure to the right and artwork to the left, while the Cassette series had the figure on the bottom with the artwork being directly above it. The packaging on the boxed figures however, remained fairly consistent with the figure name being across the bottom of the box and artwork being on the right side of the package. This is evident in the Autobot Car, Decepticon Jets, and Leaders series. Again, the color schemes were each different, depending on whether the figure was an Autobot or Decepticon. One thing that did not change with any of the packaging was the iconic Transformers logo. The logo was prominently splashed across the top of each type of package with the only variation being the color and team affiliation as described earlier.
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