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Specifics: Lots of toys
Bumblebeeg1toys

Sure, just one Bumblebee's pretty nonthreatening. But get an army...

Bumblebee gots lots of toys!

Toys[]

Generation One[]

  • Bumblebee (Mini Vehicle, 1984~1986/2001/2003/2004/2008)
    • Japanese ID number: 11, C-56
Bumblebeeg1toy

No, not Herbie.

Bumblebee's original toy was released in 1983 in Japan as the pre-Transformers Takara Microchange Wagen. It came in three colors, yellow, red and blue. The first Mini-Bot/Mini-Car Transformer version was released in 1984, with an Autobot sigil on the chest/roof. In 1985, the version with the rubsign was released. Both the pre-rub and rubsign versions were available in yellow and red, both were still manufactured in Japan. In 1986, a Chinese made yellow version with a rubsign was released in the United Kingdom by Hasbro Bradely U.K. Ltd., this version had a paler shade of yellow and the rear bumper was unpainted.
Bumblebee was released in a wide variety of colors in the Mexican and South American markets. In Mexico, Bumblebee was made by the company IGA, and was available in red, blue and white. In Argentina, Bumblebee was manufactured by Antex, the colors available were yellow, red, and orange. In Brazil, the manufacturer was Estrela, the colors available were yellow, red, silver, orange, In Peru, Lynsa released the peach, red and yellow versions. In Venezuela, Rubiplas released the yellow and red versions which were similar to the Lynsa versions, such as no paint, no chrome and plastic tires instead of rubber.
Bumblebee was reissued as a keychain by Fun4All under license from Hasbro in the US in 2001. Along with having its rear bumper retooled to accommodate the chain, the keychain form lacked the "Dunlop" text on the tires, and was also released in Japan in 2003 as a 7-Eleven exclusive. The Japanese keychain series also had a black "chase" version.
Bumblebeeheads

Left to right, starting at the top: Original Bumblebee's head and Goldbug's head, Cliffjumper's head compared to Pretender Classics Bumblebee's head, Action Master Bumblebee's head and reissue Bumblebee's head. (The Action Master's head is really only there to fill the hole.)

In 2004, Bumblebee was again reissued in Japan in a six-toy multi-pack alongside Huffer, Cosmos, Gears, Powerglide and Warpath, but this time with a cartoon-accurate head.
The original mold is also used by Volks. The keychain version is used by Glyph, while the new-head multi-pack version was used to make Bug Bite.
The Transformers Encore series released a package of Mini Vehicles similar to the 2004 package; this time Bumblebee was bundled with Swerve, Tailgate, Pipes and Outback. Again, Bumblebee has the show-accurate head. This was released in July, 2008.


Goldbug

  • Goldbug (Throttlebot, 1987)
    • Japanese ID number: C-97
Goldbugg1toy

Older, squatter, faster.

The Throttlebot Goldbug was released in 1987, and like the other Throttlebots, he has a pull-back motor and a simple transformation. The vehicle mode was not designed to look like a penny racer, as the original toy was, so its variation on the Volkswagen Beetle was much more realistically-proportioned. Though the other Throttlebots seem to have always been intended to be new characters, Goldbug's head was based directly on that of Bumblebee's original toy. Bumblebee was the second Transformer to be given a second toy (as both Hot Rod and Rodimus Prime had been released the year previous).


Pretender

  • Bumblebee (Pretender, 1989)
    • Accessories: Pretender shell, helmet, large "sonic blaster" rifle, small "laser pistol"
As part of the sixth year of Generation One, Bumblebee was released as a "Classic Pretender", expanding the range of Pretenders toys. This version of Bumblebee is still a Volkswagen Beetle, but now has what look like off-road tires. He came with a gun for his robot mode that could be mounted on his roof and another gun for his human shell. Oddly, the robot's head is modeled after Cliffjumper's toy head.


Legend

  • Bumblebee (Legends, 1989)
    • Accessories: "Laser pistol"
The inner robot to Pretender Classics Bumblebee was sold without the shell as a K-Mart exclusive Legends figure, but with the inner-robot gun to his teammate Jazz, who had Bumblebee's small gun in exchange. The Legends figure was also sold in a set with Legends Grimlock, Jazz and Starscream in Japan the same year.


ActionMaster

  • Bumblebee (Action Master, 1990)
    • Accessories: Heli-pack, rifle
A non-transforming action figure that mixed cartoon model with toy-detail, Bumblebee's Action Master release came with a Heli-pack that transforms into a large "high-powered air rifle" with spring-loaded deploying barrel. This release makes Bumblebee the only character to have a toy of some kind available during the entire original Transformers production run (from 1984-1990).

Generation 2[]

G2Bumblebee Minicar toy

A gold bug, but not Goldbug.

  • Bumblebee (Mini Vehicle, 1993)
Bumblebee's first Generation 2 toy was a redeco of his original toy, but with gold chrome on the previously yellow parts.


G2Gobot

  • Bumblebee (Go-Bot, 1995)
    • Accessories: Rifle
Bumblebee's second release in the Generation 2 line was as a recolor of the Go-Bot High Beam, transforming into a concept race car with exposed rear engine. He features through-axle construction for incredibly fast zipping on flat, smooth surfaces, and is compatible with many tracks and playsets from Hot Wheels and Matchbox.
This mold was also used to make Robots in Disguise Crosswise and Nightracer.

Smallest Transforming Transformers[]

  • Bumble (2003)
Bumblebee was released in 2003 in the Japanese Smallest Transformers line as a scaled-down version of his original toy, in both yellow and a "chase" red color scheme.

Titaniums[]

TitaniumRM-Bumblebee

22 years and five Robot Points later, he finally gets a gun. Revenge time!

  • Bumblebee (Robot Master, 2006)
    • Accessories: Gun, display stand
Titanium Series Bumblebee is a small, 3-inch mostly-die-cast-metal statue of the little guy in a hybrid of his toy and cartoon models. He has joints at the waist, neck and shoulders, plus a removable pistol. He even comes with a little Autobot-sigil display base.


Ti2pack

  • Optimus Prime & Bumblebee (2-pack, 2007)
    • Accessories: Gun, display stand
A Toys 'R' Us exclusive two-pack, this set features "Supermetal Finish" (read: shiny) versions of the "Robot Master" Titaniums Optimus Prime and Bumblebee.


  • War Within Bumblebee (Cybertron Hero, unreleased)
    • Accessories: Unknown, likely display stand
Prior to the line's cancellation, a 6-inch resin copy depicting a transformable Bumblebee was seen at BotCon 2006. His alternate mode was the saucer-like car seen the Dreamwave's The War Within (which was itself based on the first cartoon appearance of Bumblebee). An alternate head of Cliffjumper was seen as well, indicating a retool. Unfortunately these never made it into production.

Classics[]

Bumblebeeclassicstoy

Flight-enhancement buddy #2

  • Bumblebee (Deluxe, 2006)
    • Accessories: Wave Crusher trailer/backpack
The Deluxe Classics Bumblebee transforms into a yellow sports car (labeled as a "cruiser" on the package). The genericised car model comes from Volkswagen's unwillingness to license the Beetle for a Transformer. To avoid having to find him a whole new altmode, this version of 'Bee takes his design from a combination of a "hatchback" style car and a Bug. He comes with a single accessory, a jet ski called "Wave Crusher" on a trailer. This is a bit similar to his Action Master toy's transforming heli-pack. In robot mode, Bumblebee is articulated with ball joints at the head, shoulders, elbows, hips, and has hinge knees. Wave Crusher converts into a jet pack that mounts onto his back. Bizarrely, this configuration somewhat resembles the wings of Tracks when in robot mode.
Later versions retooled the area the rubsign rests on to be larger.
This retooled version of this mold was also used to make Classics Bug Bite and Cliffjumper.

LOC

Classics LegendsBumblebee toy

Not Sunstreaker.

  • Bumblebee (Legends, 2007)
This Classics Bumblebee toy is a redeco of Legends of Cybertron Hot Shot, transforming into a modified Chrysler ME Four Twelve concept car. In either mode he has flip-out "wings". We have gone full circle.

Transformers (2007)[]

  • Slumblebee
Slumblebee is, as his name suggests, a plush Bumblebee toy based on his original Generation One form. Obviously he has no problems with articulation and passes the drop test with flying colors. You can transform him into his car mode (which is totally not a Beetle, as far as Volkswagen can prove) by turning him inside out. Truly he is a new zenith of cuteness.
G1-slumblebee-toy-1

Slumblebee in humanoid mode

G1-slumblebee-toy-2

Slumblebee in vehicle mode

  • Legacy of Bumblebee
A redeco of Classics Bumblebee in somewhat movie-based colors comes with his brothers from other mothers. The packaging refers to it as Classic Bumblebee instead of Classics Bumblebee (note the 's'). Translucent plastic used in light piping was used in the Classic figures eyes. Which is strange because there is no place for light to enter the head. Thus, making the eyes appear black.



Henkei

Henkei! Henkei![]

Henkei Bumble toy

The difference is mind blowing.

  • Bumblebee (Deluxe, 2008)
    • Japanese ID number: C-03
    • Accessories: Wave Crusher trailer/backpack
Henkei! Henkei! Bumblebee is a redeco of Classics Bumblebee. His yellow plastic is almost entirely covered in yellow paint to deal with the common problem of yellow plastic being near-translucent against darker plastics and the inconsistency between bare plastic parts and painted clear parts. As with all Henkei toys, he lacks the Classics heat-sensitive rubsign, but has some vacuum-metallized parts: his hood-mounted scoop and his spoiler.

Universe (2008)[]

  • Bumblebee (Legends, 2008)

Based on the hodgepodge of Bumblebees that have come before. The toy transforms into a robot vaguely based on the animation model as well as a tiny yellow automobile that isn't quite specific in its appearance.

  • Legacy of Bumblebee (Deluxe, 2008)

A Wal-Mart exclusive three pack, this comes with an exclusive redeco of Classics Bumblebee as well as standard issues of Premium Series Bumblebee and Animated Bumblebee. It comes in a Movie style box with all three figures in robot mode, unusual for Deluxe figures.

Unreleased[]

Alternators[]

One of the earliest proposals in the Alternators/Binaltech line was for Bumblebee as a Volkswagen New Beetle, with Cliffjumper as the redeco. Unfortunately, VW had similar concerns as Porsche, what with not wanting to be associated with "war toys", therefore the design never made it past the control drawing stage. Control drawings for both Bumblebee and Cliffjumper have been published in the Japanese Transformers: Binaltech & TF Collection Complete Guide book.

Attacktix[]

AttacktixBumblebee

Well, if people are gonna keep drawing him carrying gigantic guns....

  • Bumblebee (Booster, 200?)
    • Attacktix ID number: TF06
Part of the second-series Transformers Attacktix Boosters, Bumblebee is a "Rare" 10-point "Specialist" that fires a standard missile. His Special Power, "Infiltrate" allows Bumblebee, after being defeated and turning up white, to be placed anywhere on the opponents starting line. He also has an always-active power that lets him take a free turn if he defeats another "Specialist"-ranked piece with a higher point value than his own. Holy schneikies, he's a monster on the board.

Merchandise[]

Generation One[]

  • Bumblebee Decoy (1987)
    • US ID Number: 26
    • Japanese Stat Number: 46
G1-bumblebee-merc-decoy

No, not Cliffjumper.

A tiny unpainted red rubber figurine of Bumblebee was packed randomly among the other 51 Decoys in the packages of 1987 Transformers toys. A larger, creamy orange version appeared in 11-packs of Decoys in Japan around the same time. It is notable for being the first Bumblebee figure to be based on his character model.
  • Bumble bottlecap (Kabaya, 2003)
    • ID Number: C-4
A tiny black-and-white figurine of Bumblebee standing atop an Autobot insignia bottlecap, Bumble was one of twelve black-and-white bottlecaps sold blindpacked in Japan (where bottlecap collecting is a popular hobby) by candy and snack company and frequent Transformers licensee Kabaya. One configuration of Pepsi Convoy's trailer is a display stand for the set.

Super Collection Figure[]

SCF-Bumblebee-Spike

"ACT NATURAL."

  • Bumble and Spike (2001)
    • Japanese ID Number: 5 (painted), 6 (clear)
A 3-inch PVC of Bumblebee with his best human friend Spike was released in Act 3 of Takara's Super Collection Figure series. Both painted and transparent versions were made in equal quantities and sold blind-packed. The PVCs were later sold in Hasbro's markets under the name Heroes of Cybertron, with this figure being called the Autobot Espionage Team due to the trademark on the name "Bumblebee" having been lost.

MyClone[]

MyClone Bumblebee

Awwwwwwww!

  • Bumble (2003)

MyClone Bumble is a block style figure. He can be disassembled an combined with other MyClone figure and features a large amount of articulation for a small toy.

Robot Heroes[]

RH Bumblebee

"Come down here so I can show you how adorable I really am!"

  • Bumblebee & Soundwave (2007)
Robot Heroes Bumblebee is another piece of absolute adorableness. A soft-plastic figurine that combines the cartoon and toy elements of the original Bumblebee with a "super-deformed" style, he is jointed at the neck and shoulders. He came in a two-pack with Soundwave.
This mold was also used to make Robot Heroes Cliffjumper, of course.

3D Battle-Card Game[]

  • Classic Bumblebee (2007)
A 22-point character in the 3D Battle-Card Game's "Energon Wars" expansion, "Classic" Bumblebee "transforms" into a yellow sports coupe, based on his Classics design. He uses the same parts layout as Side Swipe and Blackjack.

External links[]

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