Transformers – 1988

Transformers – 1988

The fifth wave of Transformers gave us a several new figures, distributed across eleven different sub-sets based on the heroic Autobots and evil Decepticons. Hasbro added a new Powermaster series to go with the Headmasters and Targetmasters. The pilots could merge with the vehicles to create a section of a bigger robot form. A new Pretenders series was also added in 1988, that included an external shell that disguised the robot even further.

 

For more information about Hasbro’s Transformers line from 1988, see bottom of the page for a complete summary.

Transformers (1988): Autobots Six Changers

The Six Changer series was continued from the previous year with an Autobot version of the six changers now. Quickswitch had the ability to transform into six different battle modes.

Quickswitch

Market Value:
Boxed $125 – $185
Loose $50 – $75

Quickswitch
Alternate Mode: Cybertronic Jet, Drill Tank, Laser Pistol, Hovercraft and Robotic Puma
Years Released: 1988
Scarcity Factor: Can be found but getting tougher
Notes: Quickswitch is the first six changer Autobot, following in the footsteps of Six Shot from the previous year. Quickswitch can transform into not one or two, but SIX different modes. He can change from robot mode into a Cybertronic Jet, Drill Tank, Laser Pistol, Hovercraft and Robotic Puma (which is actually not a vehicle at all).

Transformers (1988): Cassettes

For the fifth year in a row, Hasbro released a series of Mini Cassette figures. These were previously released characters re-configured for the Mini-Cassette line.

Grand Slam/Raindance

Market Value:
Carded $325 – $425
Loose $60 – $100

Grand Slam/Raindance
Alternate Mode: Mini Cassettes
Years Released: 1988
Scarcity Factor: Tough to find on the secondary market
Notes: This Autobot two-pack featured Grand Slam and Raindance, who can both transform into mini-cassettes that would fit into the player of Shockwave or Blaster.

Squawktalk/Beastbox

Market Value:
Carded $325 – $425
Loose $60 – $100

Squawktalk/Beastbox
Alternate Mode: Mini Cassettes
Years Released: 1988
Scarcity Factor: Tough to find on the secondary market
Notes: This Decepticon two-pack featured Squawktalk and Beastbox, who can both transform into mini-cassettes that would fit into the player of Shockwave or Blaster.

Transformers (1988): Headmasters

The Headmasters are a group of Autobots and Decepticons that use a pilot mini-figure to act as the head or back of the main character when they Transform back into their robot form, hence the name, Headmasters. This is the 2nd year of Headmaster releases from Hasbro.

Decepticon Headmasters

Fangry w/ Brisko

Market Value:
Boxed $225 – $325
Loose $75 – $100

Fangry w/ Brisko
Alternate Mode: Robotic Bat
Years Released: 1988
Scarcity Factor: Tough to find on secondary market
Notes: Fangry is a Robotic Bat like creature, who works with his pilot, Brisko. When transforming to robot mode, Brisko becomes a part of Fangry to produce their Headmaster form.

Horri-Bull w/ Kreb

Market Value:
Boxed $250 – $350
Loose $90 – $120

Horri-Bull w/ Kreb
Alternate Mode: Robotic Bull
Years Released: 1988
Scarcity Factor: Tough to find on secondary market
Notes: Horri-Bull is a Robotic Bull like creature, who works with his pilot, Kreb. When transforming to robot mode, Kreb becomes a part of Horri-Bull to produce their Headmaster form.

Squeezeplay w/ Lokos

Market Value:
Boxed $210 – $300
Loose $75 – $100

Squeezeplay w/ Lokos
Alternate Mode: Robotic Crab
Years Released: 1988
Scarcity Factor: Tough to find on secondary market
Notes: Squeezeplay is a Robotic Crab like creature, who works with his pilot, Lokos. When transforming to robot mode, Lokos becomes a part of Squeezeplay to produce their Headmaster form.

Autobot Headmasters

Hosehead w/ Lug

Market Value:
Boxed $240 – $340
Loose $75 – $100

Hosehead w/ Lug
Alternate Mode: Fire Truck
Years Released: 1988
Scarcity Factor: Tough to find on secondary market
Notes: Hosehead is a Fire Truck, who works with his pilot, Lug. When transforming to robot mode, Lug becomes a part of Hosehead to produce their Headmaster form.

Nightbeat w/ Muzzle

Market Value:
Boxed $240 – $340
Loose $75 – $100

Nightbeat w/ Muzzle
Alternate Mode: Porsche 959
Years Released: 1988
Scarcity Factor: Tough to find on secondary market
Notes: Nightbeat is a Porsche 959, who works with his pilot, Muzzle. When transforming to robot mode, Muzzle becomes a part of Nightbeat to produce their Headmaster form.

Siren w/ Quig

Market Value:
Boxed $225 – $325
Loose $75 – $100

Siren w/ Quig
Alternate Mode: Mazda RX-7 Fire Chief Vehicle
Years Released: 1988
Scarcity Factor: Can be found but getting tougher
Notes: Siren is a Mazda RX-7 Fire Chief Vehicle, who works with his pilot, Quig. When transforming to robot mode, Quig becomes a part of Siren to produce their Headmaster form.

Transformers (1988): Powermasters

The Powermasters are a group of Autobots and Decepticons that use a pilot mini-figure to act as the power source of the main character when they Transform into their robot form, hence the name, Powermasters. There were three each of the regular Autobots and five Decepticons in this series, along with the return of Optimus Prime as the leader of the Autobot Powermasters.

Decepticon Powermasters

Darkwing w/ Throttle

Market Value:
Boxed $265 – $365
Loose $80 – $110

Darkwing w/ Throttle
Alternate Mode: Tornado Fighter Jet
Years Released: 1988
Scarcity Factor: Can be found but getting tougher
Notes: Darkwing is a Tornado Fighter Jet, who works with his pilot, Throttle. When transforming to robot mode, Throttle becomes a part of Darkwing to produce their Powermaster form.

Dreadwind w/ Hi-Test

Market Value:
Boxed $200 – $275
Loose $75 – $100

Dreadwind w/ Hi-Test
Alternate Mode: F-16 Falcon Jet
Years Released: 1988
Scarcity Factor: Can be found but getting tougher
Notes: Dreadwind is a F-16 Falcon Jet, who works with his pilot, Hi-Test. When transforming to robot mode, Hi-Test becomes a part of Dreadwind to produce their Powermaster form.

Doubledealer w/ Knok & Skar

Market Value:
Boxed $200 – $275
Loose $75 – $100

Doubledealer w/ Knok & Skar
Alternate Mode: Missile Launch Truck, Robotic Bird
Years Released: 1988
Scarcity Factor: Tough to find on secondary market
Notes: Doubledealer is a Missile Launcher & Robotic Bird, who works with his two pilots, Knok & Skar. When transforming to robot mode, they becomes a part of Doubledealer to produce their Powermaster form.

Autobot Powermasters

Getaway w/ Rev

Market Value:
Boxed $75 – $125
Loose $25 – $40

Getaway w/ Rev
Alternate Mode: Mazda RX-7
Years Released: 1988
Scarcity Factor: Can be found but getting tougher
Notes: Getaway is a Mazda RX-7, who works with his pilot, Rev. When transforming to robot mode, Rev becomes a part of Getaway to produce their Powermaster form.

Joyride w/ Hotwire

Market Value:
Boxed $215 – $265
Loose $50 – $75

Joyride w/ Hotwire
Alternate Mode: Dune Buggy
Years Released: 1988
Scarcity Factor: Can be found but getting tougher
Notes: Joyride is a Dune Buggy, who works with his pilot, Hotwire. When transforming to robot mode, Hotwire becomes a part of Joyride to produce their Powermaster form.

Slapdash w/ Lube

Market Value:
Boxed $250 – $350
Loose $50 – $75

Slapdash w/ Lube
Alternate Mode: Formula-One Race Car
Years Released: 1988
Scarcity Factor: Tough to find on secondary market
Notes: Slapdash is a Formula-One Race Car, who works with his pilot, Lube. When transforming to robot mode, Lube becomes a part of Slapdash to produce their Powermaster form.

Optimus Prime w/ Hi-Q

Market Value:
Boxed $180 – $260
Loose $60 – $85

Optimus Prime w/ Hi-Q
Alternate Mode: Semi-Truck Cab and Trailer
Years Released: 1988
Scarcity Factor: Can be found but getting tougher each year
Notes: Like the other Powermasters, Optimus Prime combines with his sentient pilot, Hi-Q, when transforming to robot mode. Hi-Q becomes an additional engine for Optimus. This was the first release of Optimus Prime since the original figure was released in 1984, and Hasbro did not disappoint. The cab and trailer are two separate parts that come together to form a Super Optimus Prime figure.

Transformers (1988): Pretenders (Wave 1)

The Pretenders are a group of Autobots and Decepticons that take disguise to another level with an additional external armor shell, that can even further hide their robot forms. The armor shell can take the form of a natural being from whatever planet they are on, to allow the Transformer to blend in more seamlessly.

Bomb-Burst

Market Value:
Boxed $200 – $285
Loose $30 – $50

Bomb-Burst
Alternate Mode: Cybertronic Jet, Bat
Years Released: 1988
Scarcity Factor: Can be found but getting tougher
Notes: Bomb-Burst is one of the Pretenders, and has the ability to transform into a Cybertronic Jet or a Bat with his outer-shell.

Cloudburst

Market Value:
Boxed $140 – $200
Loose $25 – $40

Cloudburst
Alternate Mode: Star Cruiser, Human in Armor
Years Released: 1988
Scarcity Factor: Can be found but getting tougher
Notes: Cloudburst is one of the Pretenders, and has the ability to transform into a Star Cruiser or a Human in Armor with his outer-shell.

Landmine

Market Value:
Boxed $200 – $285
Loose $30 – $50

Landmine
Alternate Mode: Cybertronic ATV, Spacesuit Human
Years Released: 1988
Scarcity Factor: Can be found but getting tougher
Notes: Landmine is one of the Pretenders, and has the ability to transform into a Cybertronic ATV or a Human in Spacesuit with his outer-shell.

Skullgrin

Market Value:
Boxed $220 – $300
Loose $30 – $50

Skullgrin
Alternate Mode: Cybertronic Tank, Ram Skull
Years Released: 1988
Scarcity Factor: Can be found but getting tougher
Notes: Skullgrin is one of the Pretenders, and has the ability to transform into a Cybertronic Tank or a Ram Skull with his outer-shell.

Submarauder

Market Value:
Boxed $200 – $285
Loose $25 – $40

Submarauder
Alternate Mode: Cybertronic Submarine, Sea Creature
Years Released: 1988
Scarcity Factor: Can be found but getting tougher
Notes: Submarauder is one of the Pretenders, and has the ability to transform into a Cybertronic Submarine or a Sea Creature with his outer-shell.

Waverider

Market Value:
Boxed $200 – $285
Loose $25 – $40

Waverider
Alternate Mode: Cybertronic Submarine, Spacesuit Human
Years Released: 1988
Scarcity Factor: Can be found but getting tougher
Notes: Waverider is one of the Pretenders, and has the ability to transform into a Cybertronic Submarine or a Human in Spacesuit with his outer-shell.

Transformers (1988): Pretenders (Wave 2)

The Pretenders are a group of Autobots and Decepticons that take disguise to another level with an additional external armor shell, that can even further hide their robot forms. The armor shell can take the form of a natural being from whatever planet they are on, to allow the Transformer to blend in more seamlessly.

Bugly

Market Value:
Boxed $250 – $350
Loose $50 – $75

Bugly
Alternate Mode: Hovercraft Jet, Insect Creature
Years Released: 1988
Scarcity Factor: Tough to find on secondary market
Notes: Bugly is one of the Pretenders, and has the ability to transform into a Hovercraft or an Insect Type Creature with his outer-shell.

Finback

Market Value:
Boxed $200 – $300
Loose $50 – $75

Finback
Alternate Mode: Hovercraft, Fish Type Creature
Years Released: 1988
Scarcity Factor: Can be found but getting tougher
Notes: Finback is one of the Pretenders, and has the ability to transform into a Hovercraft or a Fish Type Creature with his outer-shell.

Groundbreaker

Market Value:
Boxed $250 – $350
Loose $50 – $75

Groundbreaker
Alternate Mode: Cybertronian Race Car, Human in Armor
Years Released: 1988
Scarcity Factor: Tough to find on secondary market
Notes: Groundbreaker is one of the Pretenders, and has the ability to transform into a Cybertronic Race Car or a Human in Armor with his outer-shell.

Iguanus

Market Value:
Boxed $250 – $350
Loose $50 – $75

Iguanus
Alternate Mode: Cybertronian Motorcycle, Iguana
Years Released: 1988
Scarcity Factor: Tough to find on secondary market
Notes: Iguanus is one of the Pretenders, and has the ability to transform into a Cybertronic Motorcycle or an Iguana with his outer-shell.

Sky High

Market Value:
Boxed $250 – $350
Loose $50 – $75

Sky High
Alternate Mode: Cybertronian Helicopter, Spacesuit Human
Years Released: 1988
Scarcity Factor: Tough to find on secondary market
Notes: Sky High is one of the Pretenders, and has the ability to transform into a Cybertronic Helicopter or a Human in Spacesuit with his outer-shell.

Splashdown

Market Value:
Boxed $250 – $350
Loose $50 – $75

Splashdown
Alternate Mode: Cybertronian Hovercraft, Spacesuit Human
Years Released: 1988
Scarcity Factor: Tough to find on secondary market
Notes: Splashdown is one of the Pretenders, and has the ability to transform into a Cybertronic Hovercraft or a Human in Spacesuit with his outer-shell.

Transformers (1988): Pretender Beasts

The Pretender Beasts are a group of Autobots and Decepticons that take disguise to another level with an additional external armor shell, that can even further hide their robot forms. The armor shell takes the form of a natural being from whatever planet they are on, to allow the Transformer to blend in more seamlessly. The Pretender Beasts can transform into a robotic beast or a more realistic looking one.

Carnivac

Market Value:
Boxed $185 – $265
Loose $50 – $75

Carnivac
Alternate Mode: Robotic and Real Wolf
Years Released: 1988
Scarcity Factor: Can be found but getting tougher each year
Notes: Carnivac is one of the Beast Pretenders, and has the ability to transform into either a Robotic Wolf or a Realistic Wolf with his outer-shell.

Catilla

Market Value:
Boxed $185 – $265
Loose $50 – $75

Catilla
Alternate Mode: Robotic and Real Saber-Tooth Tiger
Years Released: 1988
Scarcity Factor: Can be found but getting tougher each year
Notes: Catilla is one of the Beast Pretenders, and has the ability to transform into a Robotic Saber-Tooth Tiger or Realistic Saber-Tooth Tiger with his outer-shell.

Chainclaw

Market Value:
Boxed $185 – $265
Loose $50 – $75

Chainclaw
Alternate Mode: Robotic and Real Bear
Years Released: 1988
Scarcity Factor: Can be found but getting tougher each year
Notes: Chainclaw is one of the Beast Pretenders, and has the ability to transform into either a Robotic Bear or a Realistic Bear with his outer-shell.

Snarler

Market Value:
Boxed $185 – $265
Loose $50 – $75

Snarler
Alternate Mode: Robotic and Real Boar
Years Released: 1988
Scarcity Factor: Can be found but getting tougher each year
Notes: Snarler is one of the Beast Pretenders, and has the ability to transform into either a Robotic Boar or a Realistic Boar with his outer-shell.

Transformers (1988): Pretender Vehicles

The Pretenders are a group of Autobots and Decepticons that take disguise to another level with an additional external armor shell, that can even further hide their robot forms. The armor shell can take the form of a natural being from whatever planet they are on, to allow the Transformer to blend in more seamlessly.

Gunrunner

Market Value:
Boxed $140 – $190
Loose $40 – $70

Gunrunner
Alternate Mode: Hypersonic Jet & Pilot
Years Released: 1988
Scarcity Factor: Can be found but getting tougher
Notes: Gunrunner, part of the Pretender series, can transform into a hypersonic jet. His outer shell changes from a Cybertronic car to a pilot.

Roadgrabber

Market Value:
Boxed $140 – $190
Loose $40 – $70

Roadgrabber
Alternate Mode: Cybertronic Jet & Chariot Pilot
Years Released: 1988
Scarcity Factor: Can be found but getting tougher
Notes: Roadgrabber, part of the Pretender series, can transform into a purple Cybertronic jet. His outer shell changes from a car to a Chariot pilot.

Transformers (1988): Seacons

The Seacons were a group of Decepticons that are able to transform into various robotic sea creatures. All of the mini vehicle figures also came together to form one giant robot, Pinacron.

Nautilator

Market Value:
Carded $100 – $175
Loose $25 – $50

Nautilator
Alternate Mode: Robotic Lobster
Years Released: 1988
Scarcity Factor: Can be found but getting tougher each year
Notes: Nautilator is part of the Seacons that come together to form Piranacon. He is also able to change into a Robotic Lobster.

Overbite

Market Value:
Carded $125 – $200
Loose $25 – $50

Overbite
Alternate Mode: Robotic Shark
Years Released: 1988
Scarcity Factor: Can be found but getting tougher each year
Notes: Overbite is part of the Seacons that come together to form Piranacon. He is also able to change into a Robotic Shark.

Seawing

Market Value:
Carded $100 – $175
Loose $25 – $50

Seawing
Alternate Mode: Robotic Manta Ray
Years Released: 1988
Scarcity Factor: Can be found but getting tougher each year
Notes: Seawing is part of the Seacons that come together to form Piranacon. He is also able to change into a Robotic Manta Ray.

Skalor

Market Value:
Carded $125- $200
Loose $25 – $50

Skalor
Alternate Mode: Robotic Coelacanth Fish
Years Released: 1988
Scarcity Factor: Can be found but getting tougher each year
Notes: Skalor is part of the Seacons that come together to form Piranacon. He is also able to change into a Robotic Coelacanth Fish.

Snaptrap

Market Value:
Carded $100 – $175
Loose $25 – $50

Snaptrap (Large)
Alternate Mode: Robotic Land Tortoise
Years Released: 1988
Scarcity Factor: Can be found but getting tougher
Notes: Snaptrap is part of the Seacons that come together to form Piranacon. He is also able to change into a Robotic Land Tortoise.

Tentakil

Market Value:
Carded $250 – $350
Loose $35 – $60

Tentakil
Alternate Mode: Robotic Squid
Years Released: 1988
Scarcity Factor: Tough to find on secondary market
Notes: Tentakil is part of the Seacons that come together to form Piranacon. He is also able to change into a Robotic Squid.

Pinacron (Gift Set)

Market Value:
Boxed $1,500 – $3,000
Loose $200 – $300

Piranacon
Alternate Mode: All Six Seacon Figures
Years Released: 1988
Scarcity Factor: This item is rare and will cost you
Notes: Piranacon is the large robot, made up from all six of the Seacon figures. This gift set featured all six figures in one box. Piranacon is the rarest of all the gift sets.

Transformers (1988): Sparkabots/Firecons

The Sparkabots and Firecons are a group of Autobots and Decepticons that are able to release flames from their vehicle forms for maximum damage.

Cindesaur

Market Value:
Carded $85 – $135
Loose $15 – $30

Cindesaur
Alternate Mode: Dinosaur Type Creature
Years Released: 1988
Scarcity Factor: Can be found but getting tougher
Notes: Cindesaur is one of the Firecons, who can change into a Dinosaur Type Creature.

Fizzle

Market Value:
Carded $85 – $135
Loose $15 – $30

Fizzle
Alternate Mode: Dune Buggy
Years Released: 1988
Scarcity Factor: Can be found but getting tougher
Notes: Fizzle is one of the Sparkabots, who can change into a Baja Dune Buggy.

Flamefeather

Market Value:
Carded $140 – $200
Loose $25 – $40

Flamefeather
Alternate Mode: Bird Type Creature
Years Released: 1988
Scarcity Factor: Tough to find of secondary market
Notes: Flamefeather is one of the Firecons, who can change into a Bird Type Creature.

Guzzle

Market Value:
Carded $85 – $135
Loose $15 – $30

Guzzle
Alternate Mode: Tank
Years Released: 1988
Scarcity Factor: Can be found but getting tougher
Notes: Guzzle is one of the Sparkabots, who can change into a Military Tank.

Sizzle

Market Value:
Carded $85 – $135
Loose $15 – $30

Sizzle
Alternate Mode: Black Generic Car
Years Released: 1988
Scarcity Factor: Can be found but getting tougher
Notes: Sizzle is one of the Sparkabots, who can change into a Black Generic Looking Car.

Sparkstalker

Market Value:
Carded $85 – $135
Loose $15 – $30

Sparkstalker
Alternate Mode: Insect Type Creature
Years Released: 1988
Scarcity Factor: Can be found but getting tougher
Notes: Sparkstalker is one of the Firecons, who can change into a Insect Type Creature.

Transformers (1988): Targetmasters

The Targetmasters are a group of Autobots and Decepticons that use a pilot mini-figure to act as the weapon of the main character when they Transform back into their robot form, hence the name, Targetmasters. There were three Autobots and three Decepticons in this series.

Autobot Targetmasters

Landfill w/
Flintlock & Silencer

Market Value:
Carded $200 – $300
Loose $30 – $55

Landfill w/ Flintlock & Silencer
Alternate Mode: Nissan Dump Truck
Years Released: 1988
Scarcity Factor: Tough to find on secondary market
Notes: Landfill is a Dump Truck, who works with his pilots, Flintlock & Silencer, when transforming to robot mode. They becomes a part of Landfill to produce their Targetmaster form.

Quickmix w/
Boomer & Ricochet

Market Value:
Carded $200 – $300
Loose $30 – $55

Quickmix w/ Boomer & Ricochet
Alternate Mode: Cement Mixer Truck
Years Released: 1988
Scarcity Factor: Tough to find on secondary market
Notes: Quickmix is a Cement Mixer Truck, who works with his pilots, Boomer & Ricochet, when transforming to robot mode. They becomes a part of Quickmix to produce their Targetmaster form.

Scoop w/
Holepunch & Tracer

Market Value:
Carded $200 – $300
Loose $30 – $55

Scoop w/ Holepunch & Tracer
Alternate Mode: Front Payloader
Years Released: 1988
Scarcity Factor: Tough to find on secondary market
Notes: Scoop is a Front Payloader, who works with his pilots, Holepunch & Tracer, when transforming to robot mode. They becomes a part of Scoop to produce their Targetmaster form.

Decepticon Targetmasters

Needlenose w/
Sunbeam & Zigzag

Market Value:
Carded $200 – $300
Loose $30 – $55

Needlenose w/ Sunbeam & Zigzag
Alternate Mode: F-16 Falcon Jet
Years Released: 1988
Scarcity Factor: Tough to find on secondary market
Notes: Needlenose is a F-16 Falcon Jet, who works with his pilots, Sunbeam & Zigzag, when transforming to robot mode. They becomes a part of Needlenose to produce their Targetmaster form.

Quake w/
Tiptop & Heater

Market Value:
Carded $200 – $300
Loose $30 – $55

Quake w/ Tiptop & Heater
Alternate Mode: Battle Tank
Years Released: 1988
Scarcity Factor: Tough to find on secondary market
Notes: Quake is a Battle Tank, who works with his pilots, Tiptop & Heater, when transforming to robot mode. They becomes a part of Quake to produce their Targetmaster form.

Spinster w/
Hairsplitter & Singe

Market Value:
Carded $200 – $300
Loose $30 – $55

Spinster w/ Hairsplitter & Singe
Alternate Mode: Apache Helicopter
Years Released: 1988
Scarcity Factor: Tough to find on secondary market
Notes: Spinster is an Apache Helicopter, who works with his pilots, Hairsplitter & Singe, when transforming to robot mode. They becomes a part of Spinster to produce their Targetmaster form.

Transformers (1988): Triggerbots/Triggercons

The Triggerbots and Triggercons are a group of Autobots and Decepticons that house a concealed weapon when in robot form for sneak attacks.

Backstreet

Market Value:
Carded $90 – $130
Loose $15 – $30

Backstreet
Alternate Mode: Formula One Race Car
Years Released: 1988
Scarcity Factor: Can be found but getting tougher
Notes: Backstreet is one of the Triggerbots, who can change into a Formula One Race Car.

Crankcase

Market Value:
Carded $90 – $130
Loose $15 – $30

Crankcase
Alternate Mode: Off-Road Vehicle
Years Released: 1988
Scarcity Factor: Can be found but getting tougher
Notes: Crankcase is one of the Triggercons, who can change into a Off-Road Vehicle.

Dogfight

Market Value:
Carded $90 – $130
Loose $15 – $30

Dogfight
Alternate Mode: Jet Fighter
Years Released: 1988
Scarcity Factor: Can be found but getting tougher
Notes: Dogfight is one of the Triggerbots, who can change into a Blue Jet Fighter.

Override

Market Value:
Carded $90 – $130
Loose $15 – $30

Override
Alternate Mode: Touring Motorcycle
Years Released: 1988
Scarcity Factor: Can be found but getting tougher
Notes: Override is one of the Triggerbots, who can change into a Suzuki Touring Motorcycle.

Ruckus

Market Value:
Carded $90 – $130
Loose $15 – $30

Ruckus
Alternate Mode: Dune Buggy
Years Released: 1988
Scarcity Factor: Can be found but getting tougher
Notes: Ruckus is one of the Triggercons, who can change into a Baja Dune Buggy.

Windsweeper

Market Value:
Carded $100 – $140
Loose $20 – $35

Windsweeper
Alternate Mode: B-1 Bomber
Years Released: 1988
Scarcity Factor: Can be found but getting tougher
Notes: Windsweeper is one of the Triggercons, who can change into a B-1 Lancer Bomber.

Transformers (1988): Mail-Order/Promotions

Once again, Hasbro did not offer any mail-order or promotional exclusives to the public in 1988.

After a wildly successful launch in 1984, the Transformers toy line was still a global phenomenon in 1988, but the Transformers were definitely on the downside of the mountain. The public still loved the Transformers, but things were beginning to drastically change. Since being released in 1984, Hasbro had the luxury of choosing their characters from from the popular Japanese Diaclone series for their American Transformers line, but that well was now dry with the Diaclone characters having already been brought over to Transformers. Now, all new characters released by Hasbro were original concept designs and the Hasbro creative team had its share of hits and misses when it came to new characters. Another massive blow to the toy line was the cancellation of the animated television series the year before in November of 1987. The popular animated show ran for 98 episodes, and was a fantastic way for Hasbro to promote the characters for their toy line, but now without that constant promotion, sales were declining. The Marvel Comics Transformers comic was still selling well, but sales began to drop in 1988. This trend carried over to other merchandising areas as well, where many items that normally featured familiar Transformers characters and logos were shifting to other popular franchises at the time, such as Ghostbusters and Nintendo.

Like past years, the fifth wave of the Transformers line, gave us a bunch of new figures, distributed across eleven different sub-sets. Each sub-set was based on a specific team, whether it be the heroic Autobots or evil Decepticons. Since the Headmaster and Targetmaster series were so popular the year before, Hasbro added a new Powermaster series as well. These three lines used a concept where the sentient pilot of the vehicle would actually merge with the vehicle, to create a certain part of the robot form. A new Pretenders series was also added in 1988. This new series included an external shell that would disguise the robot even further to look like a sentient life form. The Autobots team got even bigger with more main characters added to the roster, with characters such as Quickswitch, Nightbeat, Siren, Joyride and all of the incredibly cool Pretenders, Sparkabot and Triggerbot teams. For the the Decepticons, we also got some pretty great new characters, such as Fangry, Squeezeplay, Dreadwind, Doubledealer, and of course all of the Pretenders, Seacons, Firecon and Triggercon teams. These figures would continue to build the foundation of the Transformers world. One definite highlight for the 1988 wave of figures was the return of fan-favorite, Optimus Prime. Prime was brought back as the leader of the Powermaster Autobots, along with his sentient pilot, Hi-Q.

Despite minor differences, the packaging for the Transformers figures was basically the same as the previous years with a bright and eye catching design, that still kept that futuristic robot look. 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 essentially the same design, with the figure in the center and artwork to either side and above. The packaging on the boxed figures also remained fairly consistent with the figure being across the bottom of the box and artwork being on the right side of the package. This is evident in the Headmasters, Pretenders, Powermasters, and Targetmasters 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.