Review – McDonald’s Changeables Quarter Pounder (1987)
If we’re really going to enjoy cheap transforming robot toys of the eighties then shouldn’t we go for the cheapest toys of the time? The McDonald’s Changeables line was not only one of the cheapest toys released then, but with the number of toys the company sells every week these are also some of the most-widely available toys from the decade that popularized transforming robot toys.
“For millions of children, new toys have become not only a year-round treat but a regular part of mealtime. Increased competition led fast-food chains to offer toy premiums to lure families with young children to their counters.”
“The child’s expectation that a plaything would come with every fast-food meal led most franchises to adopt this practice. The “toy prize” became as regular as the fast-food habit.”
A Transforming Sandwich?
Yeah, this is admittedly one weird idea for a toy. Still, I’m willing to bet that there are millions of children of the late eighties who had at least one of the McDonald’s Changeables toys when they were a kid, though how these got incorporated into playtime is a question I’d rather not think about much. Did the Decepticons crave snacks and go after the Changeables, or were we witnesses to a mass-uprising as Happy Meal toys across the U.S. rose up and battled the GoBots forces? I think I’ll just stop thinking too hard about this right now before I hurt myself.
Plastic Sandwich with Cheese
Below you can see the Quarter Pounder in its sandwich form, the plastic meat, buns, and cheese all brightly-colored and adorable. My favorite part is that the copyright notice on the toy even reads “McDonald’s” proving that these were designs original to the fast-food giant; did these get designed at the company or was there an existing idea out there that the company licensed? Unfortunately, I cannot find any patents that appear to be related to these toys. Aw. Patents for the Changeables line would have been an amazing discovery.
A Very Cheap Transforming Robot Toy
Standing just over 2-inches tall in robot mode, this McDonald’s Changeables toy is a fair representation of the entire line. Minimal details, a very simplistic transformation design, and a minimalistic robot face all add up to make this weird . . . but adorable. It’s far from a wonderful toy BUT looking at the Quarter Pounder I can easily understand why someone would seek out a collection of the entire series; these have an off-beat, fun charm to them that makes the Changeables great little collectibles.
Too bad McDonald’s never developed the idea and created some little Changeables comics or cartoons.
Such fun little toys. The French Fries were always my favourite, but all of them were great.
@Wolf – I’ll try and post the fries soonish for you . . .
Hooray!
I used to love these guys. They’re still some of the greatest Happy Meal toys ever made. I actually have a Frybot that I did a post on not too long ago. He remains my favorite from the line.
@Stunt Zombie – Found and shared your post!
Very nice! These still hold a special place in my heart — I think one of the best “in house” non-licensed Happy Meal toys that that McDonald’s ever produced!