The Ten Most Terrifying Transformers of Generation One

When Transformers first launched in 1984 (now commonly known at Transformers Generation One) the robots really were in disguise, with each release turning into a vehicle, weapon, or common item that wouldn’t attract attention.

The second wave of Transformers toys, released in 1985, changed all of that with the introduction of the Dinobots and the Insecticons, but even then the alternate modes — while definitely not something you would expect to see in the world — weren’t exactly monstrous or horrific in any way; no, they were just unusual.

1986 brought us some more odd choices, but it wasn’t until 1987 that the Transformers line embraced the truly weird and terrifying, with the release of Monsterbots, Terrorcons, and Headmaster Horrorcons. It’s at this point that we can start fully exploring what I’m calling The Ten Most Terrifying Transformers of Generation One.

Enjoy!

Blot (Terrorcon, 1987)

With a completely indescribable monster mode, Blot is easily the lamest-looking Transformer on this list. The character has had very little screen time (the Transformers Wiki has details), and not much comic time, so there’s very little we’ve ever seen him do. All we really know is that this is one ugly and bizarre Transformers toy.

Bugly (Pretender, 1988)

While most of the Autobot Pretenders looked like humans in suits, the Decepticon Pretenders went head first into monster territory, with wacky, creepy Pretender shell designs that would never allow the character to hide in plain sight on our world. Bugly, as you can see in the photo, is an insectoid monstrous creature that would scare the hell out of anyone who encountered it. The Transformers Wiki has some information on the character, but since he’s seen very little use in the fiction there’s not a lot to say about him.

Longtooth (Pretender, 1989)

Another Pretender, this one’s unusual since it’s an Autobot Pretender that doesn’t have any chance of passing as a human. This massive walrus monster really doesn’t have much of a fictional history; the Transformers Wiki summarizes his entire history in just a few lines. He’s basically presented as insane (which isn’t what I typically expect from “noble” Autobots).

Mindwipe (Headmaster, 1987)

Mindwipe may not be the only bat-form Transformer, but he’s the only one that doesn’t have an alternate form that allows him to hide. Plus, I just always thought that his design — and his function as a “hypnotist” — made him stand out so I decided to add him here. Mindwipe has appeared in comics, the old G1 cartoon, and actually has a more detailed fictional history than you usually see in a Transformer that was released so late in the series (Fortress Maximus and Scorponok have more going on, but they were giant toys so no doubt Hasbro insisted these two get used heavily in the fiction). Hit the Transformers Wiki to learn about Mindwipe. Or just stay here and stare at his photo; yeah, he looks awesome.

Repugnus, (Monsterbot, 1987)

There are very few monstrous Autobot Transformers, which is what makes the entire Monsterbot subgroup so very unusual. Autobot monsters? Not exactly what I expected from the “good guys” side of the series, but I’m not complaining since all three of the Monsterbots are a bit weird and neat. Out of the three, though, Repugnus is clearly the most terrifying. The Transformers Wiki shows just how little this character has been used, which is a crime since a monster robot this astounding should be drawn more often than he has been.

Skalor (Seacon, 1988)

The Seacons are a combiner team of unusual sea monsters/creatures, so it’s not at all a surprise that two of their numbers made it into this list. Skalor, the first, is described in the Transformers Identification and Price Guide as “. . . a sinister and stinky nightmare demon of the depths.” Okay, I can accept that description. The Transformers Wiki shows just how little this guy has been used. For shame, Transformers writers.

Skullgrin (Pretender, 1988)

While he’s not the only skull-headed Transformers character (who could forget Bludgeon?), Skullgrin is definitely the most terrifying skull-headed robot in the G1 series. The face is terrifying, the horns dramatically add to the scary factor of the toy, and he has even seen some action in the established fiction (see the Transformers Wiki for details and images).

Sparkstalker (Firecon, 1988)

Another subgroup of Decepticon monsters, the Firecons appeared in both G1 and G2 (where they were renamed), and — just like the Monsterbots — there were only three of these little guys. The Transformers Identification and Price Guide portrays these as bad and unloved, but how can we not love a monster robot toy? There’s very little about this guy at the Transformers Wiki, but there’s enough there that it’s worth taking a quick look at his entry.

Squeezeplay (Headmaster, 1988)

Another Decepticon Headmaster, Squeezeplay is presented as a brutal warrior that charges into battle, regardless of the risks. He’s . . . well, I don’t know exactly what his monster mode is but it’s suitably weird and fun. His Transformers Wiki says that he appears briefly in the Transformers: The War Within series, but I don’t remember him so I’ll have to go back and search for him

Tentakil (Seacon, 1988)

The second Seacon to appear on this list, I can safely say that out of the ten toys listed here Tentakil is my favorite design. A wacky, bipedal octopus monster, Tentakil looks cool enough that I’d love to get my hands on one. The colors are perfect — very sea-like — and that giant monster face surrounded by tentacles makes for one of the strangest Transformers of any generation. The Transformers Wiki tells me that I missed a re-release of this guy last year, but since I would been forced to be a member of the Transformers Club to get him it’s probably better that I didn’t know he was available.

And that’s it, ten terrifying Transformers Generation One toys complete with links to more information on each one. I have to thank Mark Bellomo for his Transformers Identification and Price Guide for giving me a reference guide to the series. Additionally, www.seibertron.com, www.transformersland.com, and transformers.wikia.com were all vital tools in assembling this list.