TRANSFORMERS: THE BASICS on BATTLE BEASTS

[@KeyanCarlile]

Man, I’ve never even HEARD of this. I find it interesting that Hasbro didn’t bother adding lore or character descriptions to this toyline. I feel like that’s the main thing that made Transformers so successful.

[@ghosteyesriderdragon187]

I have. When Chris did a Basics on the Monsterbots, he also mentioned how the Battle Beasts became Headmasters for the Monsterbots

[@antifurryfoundation55]

I remember having the lizard moose, and shark ones but I never knew what the hell they were

[@ianbrewster8934]

My father bought a bunch of these for me as they were cheap two and three packs.

[@Da_ComputerMonster]

*Pulls string* _"Maybe someday?"_

[@Endrgamr262]

Maybe that’s the reason they weren’t successful because hasbro didn’t give them any lore

[@JoleneBlake]

"Fire burns wood!" "Water put out fire!" "Wood... uh, beats water!" They really stopped trying very quickly, huh.

[@ChrisMcFeely]

Some sources go with "Wood floats on water!" which doesn't make any more SENSE, but is... a true statement, at least?

[@DarthPrime52]

You are familiar this little obscure franchise called Pokémon yes? Kinda ahead of its time if you think about it that way. Then again it’s just rock-paper-scissors but plants beating water makes a bit more sense than paper beating rock.

[@manjackson2772]

​@@DarthPrime52in Pokémon it's more like, attacks are imbued with essence of plant. It's just abstract enough to overlook the actual mechanics

[@gabrielchee8470]

Then again some grass type moves involve wood (e.g. Wood Hammer)

[@leetri]

@@manjackson2772 The logic is that you water plants to make them grow

[@jaykoblue172]

Fire, Wood and Water being used in a game of rocks paper scissors reminds me of home Fire, Grass and Water was used as the main typings for the Starter Pokemon of each generation.

[@GoGojiraGo]

Fortunately Pokemon didn't go the "one Type to defeat them all" route Battle Beasts did, even if some Types like Fairy can feel OP at times. Fun little fact, if there was a Pokemon that was all 18 Types in one, it would still be weak to the Rock-type.

[@vincentleonard3797]

​@@GoGojiraGo Just picturing this affront to Arceus rampaging across the land entering Lycanroc territory. The pack alpha, a wizened Midnight form, is alerted to this monstrosity, which looks like a monotype Pokémon from every type Frankensteined together (I don't have clear idea of which ones aside from not Lycanroc). She is led to the abomination, which notices its arrival with a glance over its shoulder (at least it looks like a shoulder) and a roar like a legion. The alpha Lycanroc is unfazed, shielding her eyes against some embers before stomping the ground, sending a line of sharpened stones racing along the ground towards the beast, splitting to surround and stab it from all angles. The beast roars in pain,attempting to flee once the rocks retract into the ground, but the alpha already foresaw that, having ordered some Midday forms to flank it. In its agony, it had failed to notice this until it turned to run. The alpha barks an order, and the Middays howl to the sky, causing large boulders to fly out the ground and rain onto the monster. It braces for impact, but in vain. The boulders crash into it hard enough to batter it with its own arms, which it seems to weather before the effort of standing becomes too demanding and it collapses, unconscious. The pack circles it, uncertain if this is real or a ruse, but some prodding convinces them that it's not getting up quickly. They howl in victory, the alpha questioning how to dispose of it before noticing some humans in the distance. This beast looks nothing like anything it's familiar with living here, and looking at it closer, its own body conflicts with itself in several places. It could only be a human creation. She barks to the others and motions to back off, allowing it to watch the humans reactions to the monster. One of the humans looks at the alpha directly, and nods once while closing his eyes, a motion she has learned is a display of trust among humans. After thinking for a moment, she return the motion as the humans restrain the beast's misshapen limbs and carry it away to wherever it came from.

[@ShadowEclipex]

​@@GoGojiraGoDragon type was almost that in Gen 1, in the way it resisted most of the common typings (especially the starter types) and it's only weakness was effectively Ice type since the only damaging dragon type move in those first games dealt a garunteed set number.

[@DeamonChocobo]

Headcanon: the 3 Wise Ones and their Gems were created by the 13 Primes before the fall of Megatronus. Specifically Solus Prime, Quintus Prime, & Onyx Prime as a way to test the Emberstones power at creating non-Cyberonian life and also to hone in on how to make "Mass Produced" versions of their artifacts for the future of expansion & colonization of unpopulated planets.

[@SuperSuperSpork]

Surprised that they didn't have any connections to the Pretender Shells, they share a lot if aesthetic similarities

[@JetstreamGW]

Maybe they would've if they'd lasted longer, but Pretenders weren't introduced until 1988, looks like, right at the end of Battle Beasts' run.

[@SuperSuperSpork]

@JetstreamGW I wonder if the same artist made the concept art

[@jerryrichburg2458]

Just a different Time.

[@dungeonsanddragonsbutformo9835]

I was thinking this

[@anthonybird546]

I remember as a kid getting Battle Beasts and finding it *really interesting* that the suits they wore had very Japanese mecha elements to them, and I noticed the Takara connection. It wasn't until decades later when I learned of the Beastformers connection

[@Phanto5692]

"With the rise of the internet, many eighties kids who only knew the toys as Battle Beasts were shocked to learn their connection to Transformers in Japan." I am living proof of this.

[@TheVeritas1]

Me too.

[@toddwood440]

Yep, I saw this video pop up and I was baffled how there was any connection between the two. We owned some battle beasts and never thought of any relationship with transformers.

[@ancienpseudocool]

I just love the battle beasts. I purchased a lot of them during my childhood. 20 years later, I learned about their connection to the Transformers and that the shadow beasts I own were exclusive to France and were pretty rare.

[@beastmanreview009]

I learned about the Transformers connection a quite few years back from TFWiki!

[@pinkstargalexy865]

Oh cool. I only knew them from the Headmasters, thinking they were backround alien characters thought up, but just found out they were an entire toyline and branch. They look super cool for sure.

[@FoxyAlopex]

​@@pinkstargalexy865same

[@beastmanreview009]

@@pinkstargalexy865 I didn't know till quite a few years ago through TFWiki:)

[@marvelousball]

What a terrible childhood you had.

[@LadiesMan217ebayuser]

Came here from Beastman Review! I wanna learn more about these! They look so rad!

[@RedJax69]

I remember loving these toys when I was young! Beastformers and Beast Wars seem like a perfect lore pairing.

[@ikecarr5989]

I didn't know until 2001, where I read a BEAST WARS/BATTLE BEASTS crossover fan fic, that the lines intersected. I have the Dreamwave book where Megatron recruited the Predacons on the Planet Beast. Where the Predacons had gone native.

[@gojirafan0577]

This is a toyline I had never even heard of until now I honestly think hasbro should bring something like this back maybe if they made a battlebeasts tv series maybe exploring the lore of the characters I do think this series does have some potential

[@jaysonraphaelmurdock8812]

I hope some of their designs end up in the MOTU figures universe.

[@HelloMisterJAMWAH]

I remember the original line in shops but the only time I actually held one was at primary school when a kid I knew brought some in. It was one of the Shadow Warriors, so my assumption all these years has been that all Battle Beasts had the 'look inside' gimmick. Kind of want to collect some now, they've got Monster in My Pocket energy.

[@TheDarkComicNerd]

Oh man....I had a BUNCH of these. What a good childhood memory.

[@ShinGallon]

I had so many of these guys, thankfully I still have a few of them. The pirate bat guy was always my favorite. Imagine my surprise years later when I discovered the Transformers connection! This kind of thing is ripe to make a comeback, I really wish HasTak would either re-issue or reboot these guys.

[@Templar462]

"Collect every one of these incredible creatures that battle FOR FUN!" I loved these toys! Good gravy I had a lot of them.

[@mattfrank85]

When I was a kid, probably kindergarten, I remember someone bringing a whole mess of Battle Beasts to school. I had never seen them before and hadn’t seen them since until probably well into adulthood. They were this mysterious little blip on my radar that came and went so fast… It’s nice to know they never truly vanished!

[@soundsofstabbing3627]

I love how in the commercial they just say "wood BEATS water!" because they couldn't think of an actual reason why wood would beat water

[@DeubenRavy]

It's especially strange since water rots wood as well, so I'm not sure why they thought wood would be the best choice against both of them!

[@mischagriffiths2894]

My parents didn't allow me to collect more than one toyline at a time so I didn't own any of the Battle Beasts, but I remember thinking they looked cool; I also remember the slogan/chant from the UK commercials: "Battle Beasts! Battle Beasts! They battle for FUN!"

[@tanman99]

I had a few of these. And just learned today, in 2023, some 40 years later. Of the connection to the Transformers. Picking my jaw off the floor right now.

[@OmegaCorsair]

A Weird Part of Beast wars history uncovered again by Chris

[@LadiesMan217ebayuser]

Beastman Review was talking about how he would pretend the gorilla one was Primal lol. I'm loving this channel!🎉

[@DBWalks2010]

Oh I remember the commercial now! 😮 It’s been so long!👍👍

[@michaelrlomax1977]

Before I start rattling on, great video Chris. One I really enjoyed gets a thumbs up. Battle Beasts never caught my interest as a toy I wanted. I do remember the advert being shown on Saturday morning tv. Seeing these in my local Woolworths and John Menzies. Very cool toys with the rub symbols. The connections to Transformers takes it to a new high. I wonder if we will get more crossover with Transformers in the toyline. It would be cool if it ever happened.

[@lisaandethanc4284]

Honestly I have never heard of these things before but I feel like the entire co-branding between the battle beasts and the transformers that they had in Japan would’ve worked really well here in the states especially with Beast wars

[@liamwilliams1794]

I wondered why the titans return mosterbots titan masters looked like animals. That was actually really interesting revelation 😀

[@rigelc.hoffman2496]

I discovered their existence when I investigated online why the headmaster of my Doublecross/Twinferno had an eyepatch. Having the Battle Beasts and the Monsterbots meet again, not only in media, but in the form of a Headmaster gimmick, was pretty awesome, and made perfect sense. I believe these guys have a chance of an even greater comeback. Hasbro can give them the treatment they gave to the Pretenders for the Legacy line, not strictly following their play pattern from the 80s, and instead making them regular transformers figures, that convert into their battle sleds, or something like that

[@TFfangeek]

I wonder if the Battle Beasts characters will ever become prominent Transformers characters, since they have unique designs and potential to bring about new adventures for the Autobots and Decepticons.

[@JetstreamGW]

I mean, the comics license has been picked up by Image, and there's some kind of weird Transformers/GI Joe/Void Rivals (??????) crossover nonsense going on. So if Hasbro's picked Battle Beasts back up, it *could* happen.

[@SkyStarNova]

Epic! One of the best Basics videos ever.

[@darkdeity2012]

Used to love these figures when I was young but at the time never knew they were connected to Transformers. I still have a few of the figures - brilliantly designed characters. Think I have an issue of the comic from the Diamond Select version somewhere too.

[@talljoke]

"Water puts out Fire!" "Fire burns Wood!" "Wood... uh... wood!"

[@sivanlevi3867]

I've wanted to know more about these guys ever since your Monsterbots video. Thanks a lot, Chris! And to Greg too.

[@xp3labs]

Have some shadow warriors and the originals as well

[@snakesolid2279]

I love how wood moose guy is like “fuck am I spose to do with this?”

[@OnDavidsBrain]

Don't give up Sheep Commander!

[@KamenRiderSeiryuXV0]

Theres episode of Transformers Headmasters, Beastformers debut. I liked it. Later an anime called Beastars popular.

[@HappyBirthdayRoboto]

Amazing, I have the Titans Return Monsterbots and I had no idea they had a connection to the Battle Beasts! 😮

[@SuperShreddertron666]

New subscriber good sir! Just saw Beastman mentioned you and I had some of those growing up. I had no idea whst they were from. I had a drill car for one and a red base they all came in. Great channel💯

[@TheYoungDoctor]

I remember the Battle Beast advertisements on the back of the Marvel UK Transformers comic.

[@librarianseth5572]

So basically the Legends of Chima

[@frankforttheorangee2produc110]

Yup. If they were from outer space and without chi.

[@Rabbitlord108]

I'm glad to see an episode about this line following the Rubsigns one.

[@hyshade5132]

I have at least 1 of every series 1 and 2 of the Battle Beasts, each of the 3 mini vehicles as well as the Fire and Water bases ( was always missing the wood ) and I had NO IDEA that they were linked in any way, shape, or form to the Transformers, which I also love. This is amazing and really made my day.

[@ultra_marcus]

I loved my small collection of a dozen or so Battle Beasts when I was a kid. Great topic for a video.

[@main.ignisha]

So from what I'm understanding, Battle Beasts is one of those fandoms that have almost died a long time ago, but managed to survive to today through the machinations of both the fans and the loose connections to other fandoms

[@mr.harvey8547]

Me while watching the video "I had the bat with the green hook" 😂 love it. Keep up the great vids!

[@BBQHotPocket]

Thank you, this was an excellent video. As someone said below, what a blast to the past

[@beastmanreview009]

Weird....I was just talking to OptiNation Review about these like literally 2 hours ago! I have the red armored gorilla with the fire rub sign. When I was a kid I had zero idea what it was, I just made a connection to Transformers because of the rub sign (I had a few G1 bots that were hand downs). I recall it was around the time when season 2 of Beast Wars came out and I'd find myself pretending it was Optimus Primal. Odd how there was so much lore behind it, never knew that till quite a few years ago while reading through TFWiki. Great video man!

[@LadiesMan217ebayuser]

Hey! You got a ❤ from this guy!!

[@LadiesMan217ebayuser]

Thanks for exposing me to this channel Ner-Ner!!!🎉

[@SuperShreddertron666]

Same! I just learned what these toys are. Had some years and years ago. I thought they looked cool, but had no idea what they were called till this morning haha!

[@ChrisMcFeely]

Glad you enjoyed, thanks for the shout-out in your new video! 😁

[@daroachdoggjr8426]

This channel is so full of information! Thanks for sending me this way!

[@andrewshearsby8125]

My first exposure to them was watching Headmasters when we got the Takara collection

[@lordelcorion]

I had a handful of these way back when. The elemental aspect drew me in, always loved anything to do with fire, water, and so on.

[@genbu2366]

One day I hope we get a white Leo Lio convoy crossover it’s so perfect that I’m legitimately surprised it hasn’t been done

[@MarkusSeaberry]

I didn’t know about their Transformers connection until I started watching Headmasters a few years ago.

[@ToyFanx38x]

Back in 2004 I found some at a toy store, I remembered playing with these all the time. I had the playsets too!

[@GoGojiraGo]

I vaguely remember seeing these in toy stores and the commercials on TV when I was little. Talk about a long and storied history, the best kinds to hear when talking about the world of the Transformers.

[@RaggedyMan78]

I had dozens of these. Never could get a sunburst warrior though.

[@michaelkibble740]

I still have my battle beast they were fun to collect

[@johnrhogan2908]

I was surprised when I saw them on Headmasters. Interesting connection. I owned a few of them back in the day.

[@cliffjumper1984]

I liked a lot of these designs of the figures. I had like maybe less then 8 pairs. I liked the white horse with the loght blue armor you had a picture of very early on in the video. The octopus was pretty cool too. They now go for between 28 to 50 for a single figure if they have their weapon

[@marcomcdowell8861]

Battle Beasts were one of the few series that my mom let me collect. She seemed to be interested in them as well. So I had every one of them. I need to go home and check the attic. I'm sure they're still in a box. I haven't thought about those things until today.

[@MultiBrawler]

Damn, didn't know that the battle beast name continued onwards from hasbro to another company and from takara but under a different name. Also nice of them to get referenced in modern media.

[@Dinorizer]

I constantly go through the tfwiki and see these constantly and have always wanted to know the story behind them, so I'm really glad you did this!

[@cattlebane]

I still have about a dozen of these from my childhood, and I never knew they had a Transformers connection until now!!! 🤯

[@JollyMcCrowner]

The theme song is stuck in my head. These Rock,Paper,Scissors figures look so fun!

[@mightybluespider]

Go Cobrander. Cobraaaaaaander

[@theKBP]

Wow man. I've never even heard of these much less seen them....how interesting

[@xaviermonarch]

That was a blast from the past. I still have the old annual at home somewhere. Thank you Chris keep up the amazing content

[@mekman4]

I’ve seen these as a kid, but I definitely didn’t know their relations to the Transformers. Great Stuff, as always!

[@destroyedbyfeds]

Yes I knew about the link to the Transformers, back in the 80s us kids just assumed they were part of the same universe. I'd love to see the original toys get remade again, I'd collect them all.

[@deanthorne4984]

Please do a basics on tarantulas. He is my favorite beast wars character.

[@Kellyourselfmondragon]

Made my way here from Beastman Review, he mentioned youuu in his video talking about these!

[@mikesurlygentlemanwalton]

I still have some of my battle beasts from back in the day. It's more than a little worn, and the rub sign is gone, but I still got it. Need to get that remake of doublecross he was my favorite monsterbot

[@MPScrimshaw]

Whoah I had that dragon head chariot thing as a kid and could never figure out what it was from! I must have gotten it second-hand

[@darrenheideman2546]

If things had been different, I could imagine the names Battle Beasts or Breastformers could have been used in place of "Beast Wars".

[@daverage4729]

I remember having me and my brother having bought a bunch of Battle Beasts. Fun little toys and great ot see their connection with Transformers. Really brings me back. :)

[@Steven-ip8xo]

Hi Chris,Great video about Transformers The Basics on Battle Beasts aka Battleformers, Keep them coming, Also your latest video was excellent, Also The Battle Beasts aka Battleformers are not only my favorite Transformers Factions but also my favorite Transformers Subgroups of all time, I too find it interesting that Hasbro didn't bother adding lore or character description to this toyline. I feel like that's the main thing that made Transformers so successful. Also When Chris did a Basics on the Monsterbots, he also mentioned how the Battle Beasts became Headmasters for the Monsterbots, I too wonder if The Battle Beasts characters will ever become prominent Transformers charcters since they have unique designs and potential to bring about new adventures for the Autobots and Decepticons.Also This is a ToyLine i had nevet even heard of until now i Honestly think hasbro should bring something like this back maybe if they made a Battlebeasts Tv Series maybe exploring the lore of the characters i do think this series does have some potential. I really hope HasTak would eitheir re-issue or reboot these guys. Also i too wondered why the Titans Return Monsterbots Titan Masters looked like animals. That was actually really interesting revelation.🙂Also Headcanon the 3 Wise Ones and their Gems were created by the 13 Primes before the fall of Megatronus. Specifically Solus Prime, Quintus Prime, & Onyx Prime as a way to test the Emberstones power at creating non- Cybertronian life and also to hone in on how to make "Mass Produced" Versions of their artifacts for the future of expansion & Colonization of unpopulated planets. Also my favorite Battle Beasts versions are The North American Versions of The Battle Beasts, Also the elemental aspect drew me in, always loved anything to do with fire, water, and so on. Also I've wanted to know more about these guys ever since Your Monsterbots video. Thanks Chris! And to Greg too not only for posting but also for sharing all i can say is: keep up the good work stay safe out there have a good day And until next time TILL ALL ARE ONE.🙂💪🦸🏋️✌️🇺🇲 10:11 pm.

[@TimboFromLimbo]

My bro and I had these as kids and I would totally buy them again if they ever made a resurgence. I had that giant beetle mobile fortress! Thank you for my daily dose of nostalgia.

[@zhmihlo]

Also one of Battle beasts merged with Foretress Maximus, using Spike Withwicky's suit ( prototype of master bracelets ). Also Beasts developed 5th way of master technology - getmaster. And new chokon power - jutchokon. ( or something ). With battle on the Beast begins one of the most impactful stories - The road to Legends's revival. And few about this Galvatron : This Galvatron is homage to Galvatron from Marvel comics ( the time-traveller ). He traveled in time and was present in the battle of Autobot city, but was killed by Metroplex. He was a city commander. Later he overthrew Megatron of normal timeline and became leader himself, later joining Unicron Neo ( second Dark Nova ) and Violetjaguar, who possesed bodies of 3 powered masters ( there 5 of them )

[@joshuakanapkey6570]

I had tons of the original Battle Beasts, but had no idea of the Transformers crossovers until right now!

[@rickychen3360]

Now I remember where the name repugnus ringed a bell, he did actually show up in a modern tv show it was in bumblebee cyberverse adventures,

[@daroachdoggjr8426]

New subscriber here, if Beastman Review likes your stuff, then thats a good sign to sub to you! I saw he mentioned you and I had to check this out!

[@brandongregory6869]

Had a large bin of these figures and loved them. Many battles in the dirt pile out back with them.

[@Christian_H3rnand3z]

I swear, I've never heard or seen them before. I almost thought you were gonna talk about Invisible's Battle Beast and how he possibly had a crossover story with the Transformers. Hasbro should do a modern remake on the original Battle Beasts action figures, in a Star Wars Black Series or G.I. Joe Classified Series level quality.

[@lasersnake]

I had a rake of Battle Beasts in Ireland in the late 80s. I had an annual with the same cover as the first image in this video. It’s so great to see them again here.

[@MrDEMarq]

I remembered my favorite Transformers G1 episode where both the Autobots and Decepticons had to fight against a bunch of cyborg animals and then a giant energy eating worm 🪱 monster from (Quintison creation) that turned some of them into energy vampires, as a kid I thought that was a nod or reference to Battle Beast somehow since the commercials were still airing with moble vehicles just coming out. Sadly it still wasn't enough for me to want them.

[@mattr75]

I own all 3 of the Titans Return Monsterbots. The Battle Beasts homages was such a great idea

[@ToyFanx38x]

Thanks beastman for bringing me to this battle beast vid 😺

[@ActionFigureHunter4Lyfe]

You also saw his video? Haha niceeee! I'm gonna look at my monsterbots now, never knew they were made to look like them! I have the whale thing, not the best condition, but still in my office.

[@Beast_WarsFan597]

This is the best Transformers lore ever.

[@tombrand236]

I don’t remember seeing any of these as a kid!? Look quite cool though. I imagine I’d have been a fan if I had.

[@12345legofreak]

You know i just realized. The 80s toylines all had a lot of playsets such as, he-man, gi-joe, transformers, star trek, star wars. versus today where we rarely get toysets in mainline or collector lines. Now playsets are solely ages 3+ sets normally. Like the transformers dotm ark playset they made that thing was a toddler set. The cyberverse and rid whole lines were purely targeted at ages 3+ evidently by the engineering and extremely simplistic transformation. Id really love to see some remade playsets from the micromaster, actionmaster or pretender lines in legacy evo or selects that would be pretty cool. Or hell even in 86 a autobot city playset would be sick.

[@LordProteus]

I remember having a few of these. My favourite was the Orange Lobster.

[@truckrobo147]

A while ago I got one of those little dudes at a flea market "knight owl" and I really like him though if Hasbro relaunched these back in the late 2000s they might've done well but who knows

[@cdr2691]

I swear I remember having these little guys as like a hand-me-down

[@ThomasMHead]

I still have the pair I got as a kid. It's a shame these didn't catch on. I really like their design aesthetic.

[@ramonvandebeek]

I collected them all, quite difficult!

[@WelshGiraffa]

Wait a ruling Lion tribe and evil Alligator anyone else getting Deja vu with a certain Lego set?

[@burner555]

Chima😂😂

[@leemcateer3717]

I remember battle beast been sold in our local £1 shop and spending my pocket money on collecting them all

[@briximusprime]

I’m always happy to learn new things from the world of transformers and beyond.

[@originaluddite]

The rub-signs were patented? I just assumed it was a pretty common technology even then, used in a range of products, not that I can think of any others right now.

[@AR-xd3dp]

Hasbro could bring Battlebeasts back by reinventing their concept and giving them a major connection to the transformers lore

[@bairdduvessa]

I had a badger one it was cool

[@Lucsld]

Man... I really hoping that in the future there will be a video about the Junkions, I don't have money to go on the pantreon to make the request.

[@AlexReynard]

I remember getting the blue bunny as a Christmas present once, and then bunches more of them at flea markets. I did not know of their connection to Transformers. Though, for some reason, I thought they were associated with *Slime Slurps* candy. Possibly the candy packaging reminded me of their tummy rubsigns. ...wait. Were Battle Beasts just the more action-oriented versions of the Care Bear Cousins?

[@lowkee1205]

I never knew of their connection to Transformers until I saw the Headmaster series many years later. Interesting enough though I did collect them, and even incorporate them, unknowing they were connected, while playing with my Transformers as a kid.

[@benkocsis414]

Ive had the rhino with the mace laying round the house since i was a kid. Took me ages to find out what he was. Both his arms have come off which sucks. Hopefully they glue on well enough