COUNTDOWN: 10 G1 Transformers toys that could be Retro resurrected!

In case you missed it, we recently had the pleasure of hosting Evan Brooks from Hasbro on the Triple Takeover podcast!

Among the many exciting behind-the-scenes revelations to be spilt through the course of the chat, we learned that the new Retro Optimus Prime features new tooling for the trailer based on the classic mould. This means the toy has been saved from the same fate faced by so many 1980s toy moulds in being relegated to a meme memory and can now be enjoyed by both new and old collectors all over again!

However, this is intriguing beyond just the restored trailer because it creates potential for other long-lost moulds to receive similar treatment. Whether it’s for the Retro line specifically or reissues in general, we can’t help but imagine what might be! So today, here are 10 G1 toys which could be similarly ressurected using new tooling, with the only caveat being they all represent characters who appeared in the 1986 movie!

#10: The Minibots

We’re starting on a catch-all, but there’s no doubt that any of these little lads would be a real treat to see brought back for new outings! Bumblebee and Gears were both used during the recent “Vintage G1” reissue in 2018-9, so assuming those moulds are OK, it would be wonderful to see faithful recreations of the rest of this roster, including Cliffjumper, Windcharger, Brawn and Huffer (all of whom were in the ’86 film!). Weirdly, three of those were newly tooled already back in 2001 for the keychain releases.

#9: The Autobot cars

Another general entry here to kick us off, but with Hound the only current ‘carbot’ making a presence in the Retro line, it’s safe to assume plenty of lost or damaged moulds remain elsewhere in the ranks. It’s long been suggested that toys such as Sunstreaker or Wheeljack have become unavailable, and I’ve had it confirmed that the Ironhide tool is only partially useable. Beyond that, imagine seeing stunners like Jazz, Bluestreak or Sidwswipe restored to their full glory yet again!

#8: Wreck Gar

It’s weird to consider that a toy like Wreck Gar has never once been reissued in the last forty years, although one has to assume the ability to do so has been lost to time. It’s a terrific design, though, and features the first example of ball joints on any Transformers figure, so it deserves to be resurrected! Plus, additional tooling could perhaps be incorporated to produce further G1 Junkions!

#7: The Dinobots

Come on. Come ON. It has to happen, surely! Grimlock and the gang are basically top of the pile when it comes to ultra-desirable long-lost moulds, not to mention fan-favourite characters with tons of repaint potential thrown into the bargain! If any G1 toys are indeed brought back from the grave in the near future, it would shock me if the Dinobots weren’t some of the first candidates for it.

#6: Springer

Springer has technically been reissued once, as a gold box Classics release in 1991, but that aside, it’s quite evidently a mould that needs new life! This one carries no obvious repaint potential, but it still could be great to experience again, especially if they decided to use it in some unorthodox colours down the line just for fun!

#5: Kup & Blurr

Retro Hot Rod remains one of the most astonishing and delightful releases of the last however many years in Transformers collecting. Naturally though, you can’t help but imagine the same treatment for his classic buddies, Kup and Blurr, who both would benefit from a new lease of life. The Kup mould was last used in 2005 to great effect, though Blurr has not been seen since the 1987 Targetmaster days! Please make it happen, Hasbro.

#4: Galvatron

Technically – technically – you could argue that the Galvatron toy has been “Retrofied” already, as the 2005 e-HOBBY exclusive purple version is a much more cartoon-accurate affair than its original counterpart. That said, it would be terrific to see it given another chance in the modern era, especially in a new, darker paint job. Just keep those weird & wonderful sound effects intact!

#3: Scourge & Cyclonus

If you’re going to do their master, Cyclonus & Scourge surely deserve similar treatment, especially as this gorgeous pair of toys has been consigned to history since their last outing in 1987. Add to that how difficult it is to find nice minty copies of the vintage figures nowadays (those vehicle mode decals on Scourge are a nightmare!), and these two go straight to the upper tiers of the wishlist.

#2: Ultra Magnus

This one seems extraordinarily likely – or at least in the purely hypothetical world we’re currently carving out for ourselves! With the Optimus Prime cab robot still in circulation, it’s evidently the trailer section that would need new life to make Ultra Magnus happen, and we can’t help but feel it would be worth it! After all, this one has tons of repaint potential, and it’s one of the most popular characters. Let’s hope they can deal with it now, eh?

SPECIAL MENTION: G2 Megatron

OK, yes, this isn’t a G1 toy, and it certainly isn’t a design that appeared in the 1986 movie, but hear me out! We know from our chat with Evan that a Hasbro-produced gun-mode Megatron toy will never happen again, so sadly, that also rules out any resurgence of the vintage original. But, what if we played a little fast and loose with the Retro idea on this occasion and brought back the awesome Generation 2 Megatron mould instead? I’m now imagining it in the Decepticon leader’s classic grey and black colour scheme and frankly, I need it to happen.

#1: Rodimus Prime

Pink Rodimus Prime. ‘Nuff said. Retro Hot Rod has already shown the potential for this one, and now we need his world-weary old-man persona to be given his time to shine, too. For me, this one tops the list, no question.

So that’s our list! Which of these would you like to happen?

TTFN