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Premium Series

From Transformers Wiki

ThePremium Seriessub-line was the second and finalsubline imprintof the2007Transformersmovie toyline,following theAllSpark Powersub-line.

ThePremium Seriesconsisted entirely ofredecosof existing toys from the movie line, each sporting an improved (oftentimes metallic) and moremovie-accuratefinish and paint applications, plus movie-accurate or movie-inspiredretoolsand new accessories in two cases. Four of the toys were released as store exclusives, whereas the rest was available as part of the mass retail assortments.

When thePremium Serieswas officially announced by Hasbro in October 2007, it was confirmed to include a few redecos that had already been released by that point (and therefore didn't sport any indication that they were supposed to be part of aPremium Serieson the packaging), as well as various other toys that wouldn't be revealed until later.

Contents

Toyline

Mass retail Deluxe Class toys

  • Autobot Jazz(redeco of Deluxe Autobot Jazz)
  • Barricade(redeco of Deluxe Barricade)
  • Bumblebee(redeco/remold of Deluxe Concept Camaro Bumblebee, sporting the same "battle mask" head sculpt asAllSpark PowerStealth Bumblebee)
Bumblebee was one of the threePremium Seriestoys also released byTakaraTomyin Japan, as MA-22 Bumblebee Battle Mode. Other than a sticker on the packaging (which was the same one also used by Hasbro) identifying him as a Japanese release, he was entirely identical to the Hasbro version.

Mass retail Voyager Class toys

  • Ironhide(redeco of Voyager Class Ironhide)
  • Blackout(redeco of Voyager Class Blackout, including a redeco of theScorponokmini-figure in a color scheme based on the Deluxe Class Scorponok toy)
Blackout was one of the threePremium Seriestoys also released byTakaraTomyin Japan. Unlike the other two, however, which were available as mass market releases, Blackout was a Lawsonexclusive,officially named "Blackout version 4500X", sold in the original toy's packaging (which was identical to the original version's Hasbro packaging) with additional stickers, one identifying the toy as a Japanese release, the other one as a "limited" release, and availablebeforethe mass retail Hasbro version came out. So essentially, Hasbro used the same colors and paint masks from the Lawson exclusive Blackout for their mass-marketPremium SeriesBlackout, save for minimally different details.

Mass retail Leader Class toys

  • Optimus Prime(redeco/remold of Leader Class Optimus Prime, sporting a new, moremovie-accuratehead sculpt and replacing the gun with a detachable, movie-inspired blade)
Optimus Prime was one of the threePremium Seriestoys also released byTakaraTomyin Japan, as MA-21 Optimus Prime Battle Mode. Unlike Bumblebee and Blackout, there are noticeable differences between the Hasbro and the TakaraTomy versions of Optimus Prime: The Hasbro version only uses a few, semi-random and incomplete silver paint applications for the vehicle mode and omits several paint details from the original release of the mold in return; whereas the TakaraTomy version, on the other hand, sports avacuum metallized(chromed) paint job on almost all gray/silver vehicle mode parts, most notably the front grille.
  • Megatron(redeco of Leader Class Megatron)

Target exclusives

This toy was available long before thePremium Serieswas officially announced by Hasbro. As a consequence, no indication that it is supposed to be part of any kind ofPremium Seriescan be found on its packaging. Even more oddly, this version was actually available from Target stores a few weeksbeforethe regular, non- "Premium" version of this mold was officially released.

Best Buy exclusives

These toys were available shortly before thePremium Serieswas officially announced by Hasbro. As a consequence, no indication that they are supposed to be part of any kind ofPremium Seriescan be found on their packaging.

Walmart exclusives

While not technically a distinctPremium Seriesrelease, thisWalmartexclusive three-pack contains a "Premium" Bumblebee that is unchanged from its single release.

Legacy

ThePremium Serieswas later revived by Hasbro Asia with theAsia Premium Series.

The idea of "premium" redecos of previously released toys was also later revived with thePlatinum Editionline, which was eventually absorbed into theAge of Extinctiontoyline.

The TakaraTomy lineTransformers Movie The Best,celebrating the 10th anniversary of the films, included screen-accurate versions of various toys, including a couple from all the way back in the 2007 line.

Notes

  • In case you weren't keeping track,BrawlandBonecrusherare the only characters from the film who didn't getPremium Seriesredecos. But they did show up inAsia Premium SeriesandTransformers Movie The Bestrespectively, if that's any consolation.

Foreign names

  • French:Série Excellence(Canada)
  • Spanish:Serie Excelencia(America)
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