Transformers were an absolute sensation when they first hit the market in 1984. Originally retailing from $10 to $30 depending on the size of the toy, these little plastic and metal robots flew off the shelves. Most kids ripped them from their packaging and endlessly re-enacted the fight between the Autobots and Decepticons, scratching their plastic and losing their accessories.
Fast-forward almost four decades later, and the Transformers franchise is still motoring along with new TV shows, new toy lines and a whole new series of blockbuster films. Kids who played with Transformers in the ’80s are now adults with money, and nostalgia can do wonders for the collectible toy market.
Transformers toys that are still in good condition and have the box are now extremely valuable, and some of them can fetch 10 to 100 times their original price tag at auction. Starscream, Megatron, Optimus Prime, Hot Rod and all your other favorite Transformers toys and collectibles can be found here, although the most valuable Transformers toy might surprise you.
Why It’s So Valuable
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Megatron is the leader of the Decepticons and mortal enemy of Optimus Prime. Voiced by Frank Welker (in the original cartoon), Megatron is one of the most iconic characters from the era.
He also has the strange ability to transform into a gun, which needs to be fired by someone else. That might sound weird in Transformers world, but it made for one awesome toy.
The original Megatron toy turns into a Walther P38 gun with a large sight and extended stock. The Megatron toy itself looked kind of silly, but the gun was awesome.
If you want one in the box, these can get expensive. An 80 AFA-graded Megatron sold for $3,800 on eBay in May 2021. Expect to pay more for higher graded versions.
Why It’s So Valuable
Incredibly, the most expensive Transformers toy isn’t an Optimus Prime or Megatron. It’s for Jetfire, an Autobot scientist who defected from the Decepticons that turns into a jet.
We’re not entirely sure why this one sold for nearly $25,000, other than it was in really, really good condition. It was given a 90+ AFA grade, which is nearly impossible to find in any Transformers figure. It looks like it just came out of a factory box delivered to Toys R Us.
This beauty sold on Feb. 25, 2021, at Hake’s Auctions. That does include an 18 percent buyer’s premium, but there’s no getting around that kind of stuff when it comes to super high-valued toys.
