Transformers – 1989

Transformers – 1989

The sixth wave of Transformers saw multiple new figures, distributed across ten different sub-sets from either the Micromaster or Pretender series. The Pretenders series, from the year before, featured five sub-sets. This included the Classic Pretenders, which were a re-issue of four past popular Transformer characters. The Micromaster series also spawned five different sub-sets. A Legends set was released as a K-Mart exclusive, with the same characters from the Classic Pretenders series.

 

For more information about Hasbro’s Transformers line from 1989, see bottom of the page for a complete summary.

Transformers (1989): Micromaster Bases

There were several different types of Micromasters released for the 1989 wave and these two new releases used their side vehicles to change into base stations to use with the figure.

Groundshaker w/ ATV

Market Value:
Boxed $125 – $175
Loose $45 – $75

Groundshaker w/ ATV
Alternate Mode: Fighter Jet, Launch Pad
Years Released: 1989
Scarcity Factor: Moderately easy to find
Notes: This Micromaster Base Set contains Groundshaker and an ATV. Groundshaker transforms into a Fighter Jet, and the ATV can change into a launch pad.

Skyhopper w/ Helicopter

Market Value:
Boxed $100 – $150
Loose $45 – $75

Skyhopper w/ Helicopter
Alternate Mode: Fighter Jet, Battle Base
Years Released: 1989
Scarcity Factor: Moderately easy to find
Notes: This Micromaster Base Set contains Skyhopper and a Helicopter. Skyhopper transforms into a Fighter Jet, and the Helicopter can change into a battle base.

Transformers (1989): Micromaster Command Center Assortment

Hasbro released two Command Center sets for the Micromaster series with Countdown and Skystalker. Each of them transformed from vehicle mode into the bases for the Autobots and Decepticons.

Countdown w/ Rocket Base

Market Value:
Boxed $185 – $285
Loose $75 – $100

Countdown w/ Rocket Base
Alternate Mode: Moon Rover Vehicle, Command Center
Years Released: 1989
Scarcity Factor: Can be found but getting tougher
Notes: Countdown transforms into a cool looking Moon Rover Vehicle and combines with the Rocket Base to form the Autobots Command Center.

Skystalker w/ Interstellar Shuttle

Market Value:
Boxed $185 – $285
Loose $75 – $100

Skystalker w/ Interstellar Shuttle
Alternate Mode: Porsche 959, Command Center
Years Released: 1989
Scarcity Factor: Can be found but getting tougher
Notes: Skystalker transforms into a Porsche 959 Sports Cart and combines with the Interstellar Shuttle to form the Decepticons Command Center.

Transformers (1989): Micromaster Patrols

The Micromaster Patrols released for the 1989 wave were a set of four mini-figures that formed a certain type of themed patrol for each set. It should be noted, there were two different assortments for this series, with the 1st assortment having the traditional looking Red/Purple Transformer packaging and the 2nd assortment having the newer silver Micromaster packaging.

Air Strike Patrol

Market Value:
Carded $80 – $130
Loose $20 – $35

Air Strike Patrol (Assortment 1)
Alternate Mode:
Nightflight, Storm Cloud, Tailwind, Whisper
Years Released: 1989
Scarcity Factor: Can still be found but getting tougher
Notes: The Air Strike Patrol members all came packaged on one card and included Nightflight, Storm Cloud, Tailwind, and Whisper.

Battle Patrol

Market Value:
Carded $80 – $130
Loose $20 – $35

Battle Patrol (Assortment 2)
Alternate Mode:
Big Shot, Flak, Sidetrack, Sunrunner
Years Released: 1989
Scarcity Factor: Can still be found but getting tougher
Notes: The Battle Patrol members all came packaged on one card and included Big Shot, Flak, Sidetrack, and Sunrunner.

Off-Road Patrol

Market Value:
Carded $80 – $130
Loose $20 – $35

Off-Road Patrol (Assortment 1)
Alternate Mode:
Highjump, Mudslinger, Powertrain, Tote
Years Released: 1989
Scarcity Factor: Can still be found but getting tougher
Notes: The Off-Road Patrol members all came packaged on one card and included Highjump, Mudslinger, Powertrain, and Tote.

Race Car Patrol

Market Value:
Carded $70 – $120
Loose $20 – $35

Race Car Patrol (Assortment 1)
Alternate Mode:
Free Wheeler, Roadhandler, Swindler, Tailspin
Years Released: 1989
Scarcity Factor: Can still be found but getting tougher
Notes: The Race Car Patrol members all came packaged on one card and included Free Wheeler, Roadhandler, Swindler, and Tailspin.

Rescue Patrol

Market Value:
Carded $80 – $130
Loose $20 – $35

Rescue Patrol (Assortment 2)
Alternate Mode:
Fixit, Red Hot, Seawatch, Stakeout
Years Released: 1989
Scarcity Factor: Can still be found but getting tougher
Notes: The Rescue Patrol members all came packaged on one card and included Fixit, Red Hot, Seawatch, and Stakeout.

Sports Car Patrol

Market Value:
Carded $70 – $120
Loose $20 – $35

Sports Car Patrol (Assortment 2)
Alternate Mode:
Blackjack, Detour, Hyperdrive, Roadhugger
Years Released: 1989
Scarcity Factor: Can still be found but getting tougher
Notes: The Sports Car Patrol members all came packaged on one card and included Blackjack, Detour, Hyperdrive, and Roadhugger.

Transformers (1989): Micromaster Stations

The Micromaster Stations series was released for the 1989 wave, and included four different figures that came with accessory stations with each that also transformed.

Airwave w/ Airport

Market Value:
Boxed $90 – $130
Loose $40 – $65

Airwave w/ Airport
Alternate Mode: F-14 Tomcat Fighter Jet, Missile Base
Years Released: 1989
Scarcity Factor: Can still be found but getting tougher
Notes: Airwave transforms into a F-14 Tomcat Fighter Jet, and comes packaged with an accessory airport that transforms into a missile base.

Greasepit w/ Gas Station

Market Value:
Boxed $90 – $130
Loose $40 – $65

Greasepit w/ Gas Station
Alternate Mode: Monster Truck, Battle Station
Years Released: 1989
Scarcity Factor: Can still be found but getting tougher
Notes: Greasepit transforms into a Monster Truck with oversized tires, and comes packaged with an accessory gas station that transforms into a battle station.

Hot House w/ Fire Station

Market Value:
Boxed $90 – $130
Loose $40 – $65

Hot House w/ Fire Station
Alternate Mode: A-10 Thunderbolt Plane, Tank
Years Released: 1989
Scarcity Factor: Can still be found but getting tougher
Notes: Hot House transforms into an A-10 Thunderbolt Plane, and comes packaged with an accessory fire station that transforms into a tank.

Iron Works w/ Construction Station

Market Value:
Boxed $90 – $130
Loose $40 – $65

Iron Works w/ Construction Station
Alternate Mode: Semi-Truck Cab, Communications Tower
Years Released: 1989
Scarcity Factor: Can still be found but getting tougher
Notes: Ironworks transforms into a Semi-Truck Cab, and comes packaged with an accessory communication station that transforms into a communications tower.

Transformers (1989): Micromaster Transports

The Micromaster Transports series was released for the 1989 wave, and included four different figures that came with accessory pieces with each that also transformed.

Erector w/ Crane

Market Value:
Carded $70 – $90
Loose $20 – $35

Erector w/ Crane
Alternate Mode: Semi-Truck Cab w/ Crane Trailer
Years Released: 1989
Scarcity Factor: Can still be found but getting tougher
Notes: Erector transforms into a Semi-Truck Cab, and comes packaged with an accessory crane that transforms into a crane pulling trailer.

Flattop w/ Aircraft Carrier

Market Value:
Carded $70 – $90
Loose $20 – $35

Flattop w/ Aircraft Carrier
Alternate Mode: F-4 Phantom Jet, Space Plane
Years Released: 1989
Scarcity Factor: Can still be found but getting tougher
Notes: Flattop transforms into a F-4 Phantom Jet, and comes packaged with an accessory aircraft carrier transport that transforms into a space plane.

Overload w/ Car Carrier Transport

Market Value:
Carded $70 – $90
Loose $20 – $35

Overload w/ Car Carrier Transport
Alternate Mode: Semi-Truck Cab w/ Car Carrier
Years Released: 1989
Scarcity Factor: Can still be found but getting tougher
Notes: Overload transforms into a Semi-Truck Cab, and comes packaged with an accessory car carrier transport that transforms into a trailer.

Roughstuff w/ Military Transport

Market Value:
Carded $70 – $90
Loose $20 – $35

Roughstuff w/ Military Transport
Alternate Mode: Military Truck, Fighter Jet
Years Released: 1989
Scarcity Factor: Can still be found but getting tougher
Notes: Roughstuff transforms into a Military Truck, and comes packaged with an accessory military transport that transforms into a fighter jet.

Transformers (1989): Pretenders

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. This was the second year that Pretenders were released, following the 1988 wave.

Bludgeon

Market Value:
Carded $400 – $500
Loose $150 – $225

Bludgeon
Alternate Mode: Tank, Human Samurai
Years Released: 1989
Scarcity Factor: This item is rare and hard to find
Notes: Bludgeon is one of the Pretenders, and has the ability to transform into a Tank or a Human Samurai with his outer-shell. Bludgeon is the hardest to find of all Pretenders released in 1989.

Doubleheader

Market Value:
Carded $175 – $275
Loose $50 – $100

Doubleheader
Alternate Mode: Twin-Cockpit Jet, Two-Headed Human in Armor
Years Released: 1989
Scarcity Factor: Tough to find on secondary market
Notes: Doubleheader is one of the Pretenders, and has the ability to transform into a Twin-Cockpit Jet or a 2-headed Human with his outer-shell.

Longtooth

Market Value:
Carded $175 – $275
Loose $50 – $100

Longtooth
Alternate Mode: Amphibious Transport Vehicle, Walrus
Years Released: 1989
Scarcity Factor: Tough to find on secondary market
Notes: Longtooth is one of the Pretenders, and has the ability to transform into a Amphibious Vehicle or a Walrus with his outer-shell.

Octopunch

Market Value:
Carded $175 – $275
Loose $50 – $100

Octopunch
Alternate Mode: Robotic Crab, Octopus
Years Released: 1989
Scarcity Factor: Tough to find on secondary market
Notes: Octopunch is one of the Pretenders, and has the ability to transform into a Robotic Crab or an Octopus with his outer-shell.

Pincher

Market Value:
Carded $175 – $275
Loose $50 – $100

Pincher
Alternate Mode: Robotic Scorpion, Human in Armor
Years Released: 1989
Scarcity Factor: Tough to find on secondary market
Notes: Pincher is one of the Pretenders, and has the ability to transform into a Robotic Scorpion or a Human in Armor with his outer-shell.

Stranglehold

Market Value:
Carded $175 – $275
Loose $50 – $100

Stranglehold
Alternate Mode: Robotic Rhino, Human Warrior
Years Released: 1988
Scarcity Factor: Tough to find on secondary market
Notes: Stranglehold is one of the Pretenders, and has the ability to transform into a Robotic Rhino or a Human Warrior with his outer-shell.

Transformers (1989): Pretender Monsters

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. This was the second year that Pretenders were released, following the 1988 wave The Pretender Monsters can transform into a robotic beast or a more realistic looking one.

Birdbrain

Market Value:
Carded $150 – $200
Loose $30 – $45

Birdbrain
Alternate Mode: Robotic Bird Monster, Realistic Giant Bird
Years Released: 1989
Scarcity Factor: Tough to find on secondary market
Notes: Birdbrain is one of the Monster Pretenders, and has the ability to transform into either a Robotic Bird or a Realistic Bird with his outer-shell.

Bristleback

Market Value:
Carded $250 – $300
Loose $40 – $60

Bristleback
Alternate Mode: Robotic Shark, Realistic Turtle
Years Released: 1989
Scarcity Factor: Tough to find on secondary market
Notes: Bristleback is one of the Monster Pretenders, and has the ability to transform into either a Robotic Shark or a Realistic Turtle with his outer-shell.

Icepick

Market Value:
Carded $250 – $300
Loose $40 – $60

Icepick
Alternate Mode: Robotic Monster, Realistic Pincher Monster
Years Released: 1989
Scarcity Factor: Tough to find on secondary market
Notes: Icepick is one of the Monster Pretenders, and has the ability to transform into either a Robotic Monster or a Realistic Beast with his outer-shell.

Scowl

Market Value:
Carded $250 – $300
Loose $40 – $60

Scowl
Alternate Mode: Robotic Monster, Realistic Beast Monster
Years Released: 1988
Scarcity Factor: Tough to find on secondary market
Notes: Scowl is one of the Monster Pretenders, and has the ability to transform into either a Robotic Monster or a Realistic Beast Monster with his outer-shell.

Slog

Market Value:
Carded $150 – $200
Loose $30 – $45

Slog
Alternate Mode: Robotic Monster, Realistic Beast Monster
Years Released: 1989
Scarcity Factor: Tough to find on secondary market
Notes: Slog is one of the Monster Pretenders, and has the ability to transform into either a Robotic Monster or a Realistic Beast Monster with his outer-shell.

Wildfly

Market Value:
Carded $250 – $300
Loose $40 – $60

Wildfly
Alternate Mode: Robotic Monster, Realistic Winged Monster
Years Released: 1989
Scarcity Factor: Tough to find on secondary market
Notes: Wildfly is one of the Monster Pretenders, and has the ability to transform into either a Robotic Monster or a Realistic Winged Monster with his outer-shell.

Transformers (1989): Classic Pretenders

The Classic Pretenders are four of the original Autobots and Decepticons that were re-released for the 1989 wave to try and capture more sales from those nostalgic fans that were wanting the original figures back. These same four figures were also released as K-Mart exclusives without the Pretender brand packaging and features.

Bumblebee

Market Value:
Boxed $150 – $250
Loose $40 – $60

Bumblebee
Alternate Mode: Volkswagen Beetle, Human in Armor
Years Released: 1989
Scarcity Factor: Tough to find on secondary market
Notes: Bumblebee returns for the 1989 wave, as part of the Classic Pretenders. He still transforms into a Volkswagen Beetle, but his outer shell now changes into a Human in Armor.

Grimlock

Market Value:
Boxed $175 – $275
Loose $50 – $75

Grimlock
Alternate Mode: Robotic Tyrannosaurus Rex, Human in Knight Armor
Years Released: 1989
Scarcity Factor: Tough to find on secondary market
Notes: Grimlock returns for the 1989 wave, as part of the Classic Pretenders. He still transforms into a Robotic Tyrannosaurus Rex, but his outer shell now changes into a Human in Knight Armor.

Jazz

Market Value:
Boxed $150 – $250
Loose $40 – $60

Jazz
Alternate Mode: Porsche 935, Human in Armor
Years Released: 1989
Scarcity Factor: Tough to find on secondary market
Notes: Jazz returns for the 1989 wave, as part of the Classic Pretenders. He still transforms into a Porsche 935, but his outer shell now changes into a Human in Armor.

Starscream

Market Value:
Boxed $175 – $275
Loose $50 – $75

Starscream
Alternate Mode: F-15 Fighter Jet, Human in Samurai Armor
Years Released: 1989
Scarcity Factor: Tough to find on secondary market
Notes: Starscream returns for the 1989 wave, as part of the Classic Pretenders. He still transforms into a F-15 Fighter Jet, but his outer shell now changes into a Human in Samurai Armor.

Transformers (1989): Mega Pretenders

The Mega Pretenders are Autobots and Decepticons that take disguise to another level with additional external and internal shells, that can even further hide their robot forms. This was the second year that Pretenders were released, following the 1988 wave.

Crossblades

Market Value:
Boxed $300 – $400
Loose $75 – $125

Crossblades
Alternate Mode: Cybertronic Dragster, Human in Armor, Helicopter
Years Released: 1989
Scarcity Factor: Tough to find on secondary market
Notes: Crossblades transforms into a Cybertronian Dragster or a Helicopter, and an outer shell that transforms into a human in armor.

Thunderwing

Market Value:
Boxed $300 – $400
Loose $75 – $125

Thunderwing
Alternate Mode: Cybertronic Shuttlecraft, Alien Warrior, Starship
Years Released: 1989
Scarcity Factor: Tough to find on secondary market
Notes: Thunderwing transforms into a Cybertronian Shuttlecraft or a Starship, and an outer shell that transforms into an Alien Warrior.

Vroom

Market Value:
Boxed $300 – $400
Loose $75 – $125

Vroom
Alternate Mode: Cybertronic Dragster, Human in Armor, Motorcycle
Years Released: 1989
Scarcity Factor: Tough to find on secondary market
Notes: Vroom transforms into a Cybertronian Dragster or a Motorcycle, and an outer shell that transforms into a human in armor.

Transformers (1989): Ultra Pretenders

The Ultra Pretenders are Autobots and Decepticons that take disguise to another level with a transformable inner robot, a transformable humanoid inner shell, and a non-transforming outer vehicular shell for each figure.

Roadblock

Market Value:
Boxed $200 – $300
Loose $75 – $100

Roadblock
Alternate Mode: Large Tank, Demon Creature, Battle Vehicle, Small Tank
Years Released: 1989
Scarcity Factor: Tough to find on secondary market
Notes: Roadblock was an Ultra Pretender that could transform a few different ways. He has an inner robot that changes into a tank, humanoid inner shell that changes into a demon like creature and outer vehicle shell that resembles a battle vehicle.

Skyhammer

Market Value:
Boxed $200 – $300
Loose $75 – $100

Skyhammer
Alternate Mode: Cybertronic Car, Hoverjet, Human in Armor, Cybertronian Fortress
Years Released: 1989
Scarcity Factor: Tough to find on secondary market
Notes: Skyhammer was an Ultra Pretender that could transform a few different ways. He has an inner robot that changes into a Cybertronian Car, humanoid inner shell that changes into a human in armor and outer vehicle shell that resembles a Cybertronian flying fortress.

Transformers (1989): Mail-Order/Exclusives

Hasbro did not offer any mail-order exclusives to the public in 1989, but did offer an exclusive series of Legends figures only available at the retail store, K-Mart. These figures were basically the same Classic Pretender figures without the Pretenders brand.

Legends Bumblebee

Market Value:
Carded $120 – $200
Loose $25 – $40

Legends Bumblebee
Alternate Mode: Volkswagen Beetle, Human in Armor
Years Released: 1989
Scarcity Factor: Tough to fin on secondary market
Notes: Bumblebee returns for the 1989 wave, as a K-Mart Exclusive. He still transforms into a VW Beetle, but his outer shell now changes into a Human in Armor.

Legends Grimlock

Market Value:
Carded $120 – $200
Loose $25 – $40

Legends Grimlock
Alternate Mode: Robotic T- Rex, Human in Armor
Years Released: 1989
Scarcity Factor: Tough to fin on secondary market
Notes: Grimlock returns for the 1989 wave, as a K-Mart Exclusive. He still transforms into a Robotic T – Rex, but his outer shell now changes into a Human in Armor.

Legends Jazz

Market Value:
Carded $150 – $225
Loose $25 – $40

Legends Jazz
Alternate Mode: Porsche 935, Human in Armor
Years Released: 1989
Scarcity Factor: Tough to fin on secondary market
Notes: Jazz returns for the 1989 wave, as a K-Mart Exclusive. He still transforms into a Porsche 935, but his outer shell now changes into a Human in Armor.

Legends Starscream

Market Value:
Carded $120 – $200
Loose $25 – $40

Legends Starscream
Alternate Mode: F-15 Fighter Jet, Human in Armor
Years Released: 1989
Scarcity Factor: Tough to fin on secondary market
Notes: Starscream returns for the 1989 wave, as a K-Mart Exclusive. He still transforms into a F-15 Fighter Jet, but his outer shell now changes into a Human in Armor.

Since their wildly successful launch in 1984, the Transformers toy line quickly became a global phenomenon, but this was 1989 now and the story was much different. The Transformers remained a recognizable franchise, but they were now being outsold by newer brands, such as Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Ghostbusters, Batman, and Nintendo items. Hasbro decided to circle the wagons and come up with a new plan of attack for the 1989 wave. The result was a slight consolidation of the line with many of the various sub-sets being eliminated, leaving only two series now, the Pretenders and Micromasters. All of the sub-sets were now related to one of the two series. Another new innovation for the line was the packaging. The Transformers packaging had remained fairly consistent up to now, and Hasbro rolled out a complete re-do of the packaging artwork and design. As for other merchandising, the Marvel Comics Transformers comic was still rolling along, but sales was continuing to drop in 1989. Hasbro was also still reeling from the cancellation of their Transformers animated series as well. Many other merchandising items had also long since dropped the Transformers brand for newer and more popular ones.

Like past years, the sixth wave of the Transformers line, gave us a bunch of new figures, distributed across ten different sub-sets, all branched off from the Micromaster or Pretender series. Each sub-set was a mixed bag of both, the heroic Autobots and evil Decepticons. The Pretenders series, which was added the year before, was brought back in 1989, with five sub-sets, including Pretender Monsters, Ultra Pretenders, Mega Pretenders the basic Pretenders set and finally the Classic Pretenders. The Classic Pretenders were a re-issue of four of the more popular Transformers characters, Bumblebee, Grimlock, Jazz and Starscream. Like the previous year, the Pretender series included an external shell that would disguise the robot even further to look like a sentient life form. Hasbro also released a Micromaster series, which also spawned five different sub-sets. The Micromaster sets were Micromaster Bases, Micromaster Command Centers, Micromaster Patrols, Micromaster Stations, and Micromaster Transports. No mail-order exclusives were offered, but a four figure Legends set was released as a K-Mart exclusive, which featured the same characters from the Classic Pretenders figures, but in their more traditional packaging.

Despite minor differences, the packaging for the Transformers figures remained basically the same through the years with a bright and colorful eye catching design, but 1989 saw a completely new packaging design. Gone were the traditional Transformers Autobot and Decepticon color schemes, in favor of a new gold color scheme for the Pretenders and Silver for the Micromasters. The boxed and carded blister packs for the Pretenders were still pretty much laid out the same way, but with the new colors and artwork. The Transformers logo was tweaked a bit to look more modern. The Micromasters, however, were completely different. The boxes did not feature the usual see through window, in favor of a closed box. The blister cards featured multiple mini vehicles on them with the new Transformers logo prominently featured across the top of each type of package. The new package designs were an effort by Hasbro to break up the usual look and offer something new to the public. Some aspects of this proved popular while others simply did not.