TRANSFORMERS: THE BASICS on MICROMASTERS

They've just returned to toy store shelves as part of the "Siege" toyline - now it's time to get The Basics on the original micro-size Transformers, MICROMASTERS!
Support the show on Patreon: www.patreon.co...
Buy me a coffee: ko-fi.com/184X...
Follow me on Twitter: / chrismcfeely
Follow me on Tumblr: / chrismcfeely
Logo by Liam Shalloo: / liamshalloo
Music: Aitech Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
creativecommons...

[@orinanime]

MiniCon could be used in-canon as the name of a catch-all for the overall species. And headmasters and micromasters are different races featured within. Like "Micromaster and Headmaster MiniCons" as a label works the same as "European and Asian humans".

[@JohnWilliams-wl9px]

Aaron Nicewonger That’s the way I see it just Mini-con just being the label all small Transformers. The other names are just names to describe certain types based on their abilities.

[@skylerbento3556]

Aaron Nicewonger, That actually makes sense!

[@Nougatbars]

The way I se it is similar, ‘Minicon’ is what all small, primarily used to combine with larger transformers are called. Targetmasters, and Headmasters, and Powermasters are the main divisions, and they can reformat between those almost at will. As for Micromasters? Well, some Minicons don’t like being used to enhance ‘bulks’ and upgrade themselves to being full-fledged Warriors, who like the original Micromasters, are rather rebellious towards the bulks, and dismissive of the others of their kind who remain ‘accesories.’ Some even forming combiner teams of their own.

[@bm1747]

They also open up so many possibilities for the Titan size Transformers being pushed now. Gives the whole line more range to play with scale. Definitely needs to remain for the long haul.

[@thechampionofskylands]

@@Nougatbars I like your idea on MicroMasters, They are rebellious Minicons that doesn’t like upgrading other transformers, don’t like being cassettes for other transformers, and they don’t like being around others of their kind who are accessories for bigger transformers so they form their own gangs, punks, and teams and they call themselves the MicroMasters

[@zindiosTV]

there's something about tiny transformers that's always tickled me just right -- perhaps its from growing up during the Unicron Trilogy, perhaps its from my dad having a handful of micromasters and buying me some of the spychanger cars, but i'm addicted to figures legends-sized or smaller. glad to see micromasters coming back, especially now that we have a fair few third party companies making small-but-articulated figures too.

[@furkandemirhan8841]

Same for me

[@melerpw]

@@furkandemirhan8841 yes

[@g33ktastik99]

I was there when they first came out and had more of the lil ones vs the normal or bigger bots. LOL

[@godzillameister]

i feel the same with combiners and titans. i had the super train megazord toy as a kid, it was a combining robot and GIGANTIC

[@Bearded_Bream]

I love waking up to a new episode of The Basics every Saturday morning. It makes me feel like I did as a kid waking up to watch Saturday morning cartoons 😁

[@berandom2000]

Same

[@elijahjarman2837]

Dude. You have described it perfectly..

[@blueknight4688]

Bro exactly

[@W_2.0]

@@berandom2000 hello

[@peterdanior4538]

I like to think that the original micromasters joined up with the other mini transformers, like the headmasters and cassettes to form the peaceful faction that lead to the Maximal Predacon peace treaty.

[@Cdr2002]

The downsizing for energy efficiency is often treated as a direct predecessor to the Maximals and Predacons’ technology

[@Cyclownus]

Pokémon: Gotta catch em all! Transformers Micromasters: Gotta collect em all!

[@matthew_natividad]

Armada

[@krystalrodriguez5232]

Why whenever I check the comments, It’s always you?

[@whosaidthat84]

Basically almost all early 90s toys. "Collect them all!"

[@glauciarochelle]

90s toys was the pokemon mania with this specefic line

[@megatron2171]

After watching this video, go to the nearest toy store and : *I'LL TAKE YOUR ENTIRE STOCK*

[@optimistprime3192]

Ngl, same.... makes me wonder how well the new Micromasters pair with Titan Metroplex.

[@W_2.0]

So that's why toys are us went under

[@TheMightyKite]

My love for the Transformers started with Armada, and ever since then I've adored the little Bots and Cons. From Minicons, Micro, Target, and Headmasters, i've also nabbed any legends/core class I could find. They may be Tiny, *But they are Mighty!*

[@HouseholdWheel]

Even if the don't show up in their original form, the serve as a name bank for 'new' characters e.g. Barricade and Blackout.

[@rodimusunicronus2089]

Also knock out too

[@Its_Charlie_Young]

And Fixit.

[@Arro3]

I grew up with the Mini-Cons from Armada, and I fell in love with the Legends/Cyberverse toys, so of course I'm up for more teeny robots!

[@PatriotPrimeReviews]

Micromasters are so much fun. I really got into collecting them last Spring and was really impressed how fun these little guys and their playsets are.

[@ZetsubouKyosuke]

God, I miss the 90's. My grandma brought me a lot Micromasters, just wish I had taken better care of them. They worked so well when you use Powermaster Prime's trailer base mode or Metroplex's city mode...good times. Also a shame it's really hard to find any of the Dreamwave comics now, they're not even available in digital format. I would used to and buy both Autobot and Decpticon covers.

[@windsweeper8002]

If you go to the unofficial website, Readcomiconline, you'll find most Transformers comic book series available to read.

[@mrbigdiscoparty4671]

My Siege versions will be operating the Titans' gun emplacements and performing repair duties like warlike Doozers.

[@julz_and_toby9265]

Dead End Kyo shit your lucky

[@mano7636]

Go to ReadComicsOnline Basically every comic in the world is on there

[@brianpavlina8638]

I have a very large supply of the Dreamwave series of Transformers. I admired the artwork.

[@DominatorLegend]

Lord Strascream, true leader of the Decepticons, demands his video to be made.

[@DJ_WAHTZ]

STARSCREAM! I STILL FUNCTION!!!

[@benjaminjablon4631]

@@DJ_WAHTZ Wanna bet?

[@stephenquinn7931]

LORD STARSCREAM!? This is bad comedy

[@maxtube444]

PLEASE DO NOT KILL M- BOOOM

[@krystalrodriguez5232]

Done

[@steveevans938]

I love the little guy's , idk why but they have always had a place on my shelves. From micro to legion to legends sised they all are wonderfully great tf.

[@ColonelFrontline1152]

Here's My Own Reimagined Of *Micro-Masters.* _"Micro-Masters are subspecies of full size regular Transformers but have the ability to downsize or upsize their bodies into regular sized Transformers to adult human size. But the catch is they must have the required genetics as well as the mental and physical strength capabilities to perform this ability as it could hurt or in worse cases actually kill them._

[@superbacon3374]

I grew up with minicons from Armada and Energon. So I didn’t anything about micromasters until now. Thank you for your Transformers: The Basics series.

[@justzillathekingofgames6867]

Same

[@TheRezro]

My personal explanation for distinction is that Micro-Masters are Minicons created from larger Cybertronians as part of mastering miniaturization. As such they contain all properties of larger units, with decreased power output (what lock additional capabilities). And they are step predating Maximals, which perfected this proces incorporating Pretender technology. On the other hand classic minicons are conventional sparks in small bodies, what mean that they provide additional power, as such serving as Target-Masters, Power-Masters or Head-Masters (using larger body). But they commonly lack of necessary parts or did have other alterations, usually resulting with decreased intelligence or need to use outside host, providing necessary functions. But that is just my personal theory.

[@captain_chocolate]

I have two OG micromasters (Barricade and Whisper) and the WFC battle patrol.

[@adamofgrayskull7735]

Chris Mc freely making Saturday,s great again

[@zxjzlx1104]

Gotta catch em all ! I am not sorry

[@soundblaster1987reviews]

Don't forget the Decepticon Sports Car Patrol used counterfeit Autobot sybols to trick Ratchet into bringing Starscream back to life as a Pretender...

[@metalmatt3431]

I LOVE Micromasters. I hope Hasbro continues to release more and some new micro-bases would be awesome

[@ProfessM]

Oh damn I never knew this little guys where so amazing. I started with Beast Wars but if I was the right age I can so see myself being a major fan of this era.

[@RowZilla42]

"micro sized always has the power to surprise". . is it bad when I heard that phrase my first thought was DBZ Krillin saying damn straight!.

[@sivanlevi3867]

I'm depicting several Micromasters characters in my fanfiction as Mini-cons, with Micromaster being a slang term. Some even possess the Power Link ability from Armada, partnering with with larger Transformers. Free Wheeler and Roadhandler are partners to Sunstreaker and Sideswipe for example.

[@Jedi_Scowen]

I had a few sets of these original Micro Masters. That's where my Transformers toys started. I got a used Metroplex later and he was a perfect size for a Micro Masters base.

[@TheSandwhichman108]

I like the idea of tiny transformers. I actually used my earthrise Optimu’s trailer and Cog to make a sort of mobile base for my autobot siege micromaster and battlemasters.

[@crashman27]

That g1 artwork is the coolest

[@schmidington]

I like the concept, and I can't remember which series suggested it, that Shockwave created the micromaster technology to deal with Cybertron's diminishing energy reserves. The smaller, more compact bodies still contained much of the power as a full sized bot but required a lot less energy, making them the preferred body type of that time period. I still consider mini-cons a separate race, unrelated to any 'master' type robot.

[@TheRealDustinNunn]

The G1 Micromasters need the Masterpiece treatment.

[@darthpaul99]

I had the Rescue Patrol, Battle Patrol & Air Strike Patrol as a kid. Loved them!

[@jedijack0577]

I really hope we get more modern Micromasters in legacy or later on because I actually really liked them I even have the original Racecar patrol which I got from a “convention” called Toylanta

[@JasonTodd971]

I’ve been ill the last few days so have been bingeing your videos Thanks for making me feel better

[@thisithis]

What about what many say killed Transformers G1 called "Action Masters".

[@CarlyCatharsis]

It's Really Strange How It's Perfectly NORMAL For Autobots To Have Young Human MALES As Companion Assistants (Started With Spike, But Even HE Had His Dad There!) To Even Having A BUNCH Of Unsupervised Younglings Present. (UNLIKE Teen Kicker; Who Worked For An Agentcy?) But ALL OF THAT WAS PERFECTLY NORMAL... Even in TFPrime; Except That Jack's Mom DID Keep An Eye Out. (So I Guess There Are SOME Exceptions NIXING Toys in 🇺🇸?)

[@willbrownman47]

I definitely lean more towards Minicons, probably because they're what I grew up with, but this episode certainly gave me a better appreciation of the micromasters.

[@diegos7337]

This is My favorite morig show as an adult! Thanks Chris!

[@prince_dogboy]

I still have so many of the og Micromasters from when I was a kid, they're great!

[@endersage3514]

The greatest Micromaster of all time is BLACKJACK!

[@Cyclownus]

No, Barricade is the greatest Micromaster.

[@avery9627]

Wrong. Erector is the greatest Micromaster.

[@dudunikolaishvili8096]

@@avery9627 Huh that's a funny way to spell Big Daddy

[@koolmckool7039]

No Metroplex is the greatest.

[@endersage3514]

You are all very wrong!

[@RecoilCDS]

I loved the micro masters. Their mini bases, larger play sets, and the large vehicles. Erector was my favorite, with his crane that turned into a weapons platform.

[@cobaltprime9467]

The Micro Combiners would be a cool idea to return, but not necessarily as a Micomaster. Teams of bots that combine into 1 vehicle and mix and match for different powers. Say the water hoses of a fire engine and the heavy armor of an APC, or the artillery of a tank with the speed of a race car. Like the combining in pairs from Energon. Maybe they can even combine in robot form too. Call them Switch Masters or Duel Masters or something.

[@kingkurok3149]

Micromasters are awesome, especially the ones with both a vehicle and weapon mode

[@todddavis2041]

I grew up with the Mini-Cons from Armada, but I like the Micromasters too I just don't have any, but will be getting all 5 of the Siege teams!

[@nerdicwarrior]

Good to see the micromasters making a come back.

[@Teknokill-jm2ub]

I have all my transformers from childhood, including 6 micro teams. U guys are going to make me pull them out and start an adventure...😁

[@Fritzolino]

I'm not a big fan of the fictional concept of the Micromasters (and some Mini-cons by extension). I think I just can't get behind the fact that they would be hilarious in real life, being cars and planes the size of a human. I do love mini Transformers figures, but more in the likes of the Legends class, for example. They're just small toys of big robots, no need for fictional explanation. That's why when a robot is really supposed to be small, I prefer it to turn into weapons, devices or anything that is small in real life too. But as always, great video McF!

[@DragmaKerp]

Fritzolino or animals? Like the maximals? They could be the perfect human sized ones, and a nice way for them to come back

[@binzhao7445]

You must hate g1 gun Megatron.

[@MrDoctorVK]

I'm sooooo looking forward to have my first modern take on Micromaster from WFC: Siege. Funny thing though, some of the Micromaster character did get bigger toy versions of them selfs like.. -Dropshot, Tread Bolt, Stormcloud and Countdown in 2008 TF: Universe - Flak in Botcon 2009 - Big Daddy in 2007 TF Movie toy - Blackjack and Rodimus (his Micromaster form) in TFG: Combiner Wars line.

[@jimbodeek]

Micromaster Transformers! The most incredible Micros of all! They're not just small They're TRANSFORMERS!

[@tombrand236]

I forgot how many of these I had! Also had the rocket base thing as well, totally didn’t remember that until now! Great video as ever.

[@AdLamb]

I completely forgot about micro masters until I saw the advert footage. I recognised some of them from childhood, great way to flesh out an army.

[@Lukusprime]

I gotta say, the quality of the original micromasters (or lack therof) is something to behold. I got the Train team (don’t know the official name) years ago for Christmas as a child, and the parts were so loose and the plastic so low-quality that I basically threw them out because I thought they were dollar-store knockoffs.

[@alexlemonds2838]

Please do a video about the Scavengers from MTMTE. They're my favorite team in the IDWverse! :)

[@phillipmoghaddam7240]

There might not be much info for them, at least, he could explain their origins like with Spinister. Originals like Fulcrum, however, might be tricky.

[@wonderwaffle93]

I always loved Micromaster. I blame Mini-Con specifically since I collected those the most in my childhood. I would always carry a few in long trips or to school. Also loved(and also my parents) by how cheap they would be to buy! always coming in packs of 3 or included with the regular size transformers. Along with the alternative modes from either combining with each other or other larger transformers, to a weapon or all of the above. Recently been buying the siege line and I absolutely love them.

[@CrystalX329]

Two weeks ago: I’m guessing that the next episodes could be micromasters, the movie-verse, Sideswipe, Ironhide, Blitzwing, Hound, Reflector, Targetmasters, Chromia, Impactor, Mirage, Barricade or Red Alert just to name a few ideas Now: That’s one. Who or what is next?

[@KrytenMark]

Let's face it, Micromasters are awesome! ☺ Frankly, I'd love to see Polly Pocket try and pull off something as cool as those. 😆

[@jeremytung1632]

And ironically John Moshetta who voiced Blurr did the voice work for the micro machine commercials.

[@MiXVoy]

THESE guys were better than the Mini-Cons....period

[@KamenriderCrusher]

What do you mean, these guys were basically prototype minicons

[@texasbeast239]

The notion of them being roughly human-sized didn't add up because in the anime TF: Victory, Jan was shown riding around inside Holley/Holi, and the car looked full-scale. 4:18 Even here in this vid, Jan is small compared to Holley's bot mode. So in my head-canon, they probably were originally intended to be small and lightweight to conserve Energon energy, giving rise to the category name of "Micromasters", but that concept probably proved too difficult to implement in practice, likely due to the inability of human partners to ride along inside their obviously Earth-vehicle-based alt modes, so they ended up getting full-scale sizes after all. I think it's fabulous to offer smaller toys at a lower price point for consumers, though.

[@tannerprice2018]

“Micro-size has always had the power to surprise.” Why didn’t any of the micromaster commercials use that slogan?

[@haydenreviewscustomcombos]

I really hope the rocket base gets a robot mode. maybe it could be a micro master version of omega supreme.

[@UltimateTS64]

These toys were so creative

[@RockNerdRadio]

I always loved the micromasters! Grade video!

[@itsahostiletakeover]

I had so many of the 4-pack Micromasters because I was born in '85 so I came in at the end of G1 toywise and only had a handful of the actual G1 bots, Micromasters were my parents' way of making up ground. I wish I had taken better care of them, I only still have a couple of the Decepticon Race Patrol ones.

[@Chronos146]

Glad these guys are coming back in siege

[@Alan1701b]

I think in my own headcannon when I played with my Micromaster toys, I considered them to be Nebulons that had created transformable exo-suits. And regarding Hot Rod becoming a Micromaster...I remember reading a fanzine comic's text story that took place in the 82nd century which saw Rodimus Prime and a team of Autobots making an attempt to rescue or retrieve something that would bring life back to Optimus Prime again, but whilst they succeeded in doing that, Rodimus stayed back to recover his teams' retreat albeit at the cost of his own life in a really rather brutal way which involved limbs being cut off IIRC. Optimus was resurrected into his Star Convoy body whilst Rodimus was also somehow restored to life albeit in a Micromaster body and now going by the name of Hot Rod.

[@hopediamond4654]

With siege making Stormcloud and Whisper, I hope they decide to make Nightflight and Tailwind as well

[@sigurdgram]

I definitely prefer minicons to micromasters. I've said this in the comments of a couple of basics videos now, but I play with my transformers in my own personal continuity. all the seige characters were just being used as minicons, but now I'm thinking the terms should be interchangable and a matter of preference of the characters.

[@PyrozPlayground]

Well done! This is awesome! A lot of stuff I didn't know.

[@peterballard6107]

Big fan of the little guys great episode

[@fabiolamenezes8797]

can you make a basic about the tiger/crab tank and then the basics on ironworks/irontreads

[@bromodragone8405]

Micromasters were the initial introduction of such names as Barricade, Fixit, Blackout, Knock Out, Groundpounder, Countdown, Overload, Bombshock and Meltdown.

[@echogravlax6217]

I loved micromasters when I was a kid. I thought it was great at the time to get a themed set of 4 little transformers :)

[@lesserz6310]

I have always liked the micromaster concept. I'm glad to see them return, I was a fan of the minicons in Armada when they had weapon modes. Wish micromasters were made when Metroplex, Fortress Maximus, and Trypticon were coming out. Little quick change toys on those city bots would have been a play factor for kids then the simple titan/headmasters...but at least they had vehicles.

[@Maswartz226]

I just realized, shouldn’t he have been Galvatron by that point at 1:35?

[@ChrisMcFeely]

That's Action Master Megatron, so it reflects the character as he appeared in the toyline that year!

[@garfielf3343]

Full-sized Transformers who can convert to bases for MicroMasters? Kinda makes me think of the Power Rangers and their Megazord, except with little Autobots piloting the mech.

[@BatzyTL]

Can you please make the basics on bulkhead? It would be very cool to watch😀

[@ishirotanaka]

Micromasters was basically the precursor to what would become the mini-cons 13 years later.

[@DatboiYugo]

I have seen older micromasters before and they are definitely bigger than micro machines

[@TheMrbigtires]

Considering the fact that I collected all of the 4 pack micros and am only missing the astro squad to complete the combiners, I'd say my feelings on the dudes are pretty clear.

[@tracytron7162]

I honestly absolutely love some of their designs. Makes me hope all of the characters eventually get toys as regular ‘bots

[@tracytron7162]

And I could easily see the “micromaster combiners” thing being a result of Shockwave's freak experiments to create artificial combiners (Though they wouldn’t exactly be ‘micro’)

[@torobravo6147]

BIG DADDY AND THE HOT ROD PATROL! LETS ROCK’N’ROLL!

[@TheCastellan]

They were some of my favorites.

[@eraser2592]

The micro masters appeared in mobile game transformers earth wars where they were mini companions that can transform into guns or swords

[@TheCatLord4557]

those look like the coolest toys ever

[@apex2000]

Micromaster combiners! Always wanted them. But only have 1 figure so half a vehicle. Got many of the normal ones & the truck with jet trailer

[@charlesdavis4887]

Had the Decepticon air patrol pack and the comic with the micromaster wrestler as a child.

[@tailgate8840]

Great video as always Chris but man those old school transformers ads are so creepy

[@Brickerbrack]

They were at least a little bit less cheesy than the Generation 2 rap ads... 😋

[@tailgate8840]

@@Brickerbrack dreadwing is punishing his gattlin Gun is illin. I dont know if that is the best or worst part of that ad lol maybe its a bit of both

[@ionacustoyreviews857]

That was fun to watch. Nothing I didn’t already know. But fun just the same

[@Navek15]

After watching Zone, I got a whole new level of respect for these little guys.

[@DCMarvelMultiverse]

I had Airwave. I also liked the deluxe Micromaster toys, not the regular ones unto themselves.

[@AtticusTsaiMcCarthy]

surprised you didn't mention Oiler and Slide making an appearance in the Optimus Prime comic series, although maybe I'm wrong, and mis-remembering the two as being micromasters originally.

[@FlamesofJagger]

Slide and Oiler were the first micro master combiners he showed in the video. He did also mention that the micro master combiners were introduced in IDW comics as the Cybertronian colony of Devison

[@AtticusTsaiMcCarthy]

@@FlamesofJagger sure, just thought they'd be a highlight of some kind

[@windsweeper8002]

@@FlamesofJaggerIDW also made Slide female.

[@bruhmoment9240]

Every kids has these

[@wetbedsealand6779]

Honestly I wasnt around for these but like these seem like the obvious straight upgrade to micromachines like Its just straight up better

[@sdm47]

Honestly I just go with micro masters being anything smaller than humans

[@mrlurchAU]

Great video. Although between Micromasters, Headmasters, and Minicons, I’m surprised the original G1 Mini-bots (Micro change) didn’t get a mention. But I’m going to tell myself they’re a sub just for a future Basics film :)

[@parkercomley8126]

I'm more of a minicon person, but the micromaster combiners seem interesting.

[@Krishnaeternal]

If you like them small and tough, then you should be blown away by the Power of the Primes Pretender Primes. Technically every one of these could be a planet buster, seeing how Megatronus could just casually wave away a strike from Fortress Maximus in Machinima's animated series.

[@Bdp187]

I still have a couple of these! I just saw 3 of them in the first couple min.

[@ЕвгенияУстинова-о8т]

Micromasters so cute and amazing nice little transformers

[@_The_Worst_]

I dig🤖Micromasters...🤘🏼💯✔️

[@simonletch9315]

@1:38 Oh look, it's everybody's (by that, I mean nobody's) favourite whiny, petulant mech-supremacist.