Every Transformer by the name of Dirge these last 25 years has always been a newly coloured and/or newly modified version of Starscream. So with the Transformers Revenge of the Fallen NEST sub-line, something completely novel and unexpected has happened: Hasbro has released an all-new, virgin mould Dirge!

Transformers, according to the plot of their Revenge of the Fallen film, refuel by exploding suns and harvesting the energy. It’s probably not the most environmentally friendly method, to be honest. But Jolt and his fuel-efficient vehicle mode goes some way to redress the balance.

Toasters are bad news in the movies. They should be kept well away from forks, bath tubs and shards of the Allspark. In Transformers Revenge of the Fallen, an armada of kitchen appliances is turned into mischievous little robots by the energy of the Allspark and one in particular, a little toaster called Ejector, has made it to Hasbro’s toy range. Hide the bread, because this little Decepticon intends on ruining breakfast!

In Transformers Revenge of the Fallen, the bulk of the Decepticon army/cannon fodder is based on construction vehicles. They’re everywhere, hiding. But in Mixmaster’s case, it’s probably quite difficult to hide from Autobots with the giant Decepticon logos painted on his mixing drum. But when were construction vehicles supposed to be subtle?

Mudflap and Skids are known in Transformers Revenge of the Fallen as the “Twins”. Usually, siblings in Transformers means cheap reissued toy moulds in new colours, but in the case of Transformers Revenge of the Fallen, “twins” means different moulds, different vehicle modes; almost an entirely different toy, in fact!

The concept of Transformers Revenge of the Fallen Wheelie is something of a mind-bender. Consider: Wheelie is an actual Transformer that takes the form of a toy as his disguise, and Hasbro has taken said character and made a toy version. Think about it too much and you’ll likely start to feel like you’re flying.

Transformers Revenge of the Fallen Skids—the action figure, just as colourful as its on-screen counterpart—transforms into a Chevrolet “Beat” concept car. It’s an unusual choice for an Autobot as our robot heroes tend to opt for something more sporty and stylish.

Assuming the form of a WW1 German military biplane, Ransack is almost a century out of place when compared to the more contemporary vehicle modes chosen by his Decepticon friends. The biplane mode is actually a first in the Transformers’ 25-year heritage. Just when you think Hasbro couldn’t come up with anything original anymore, along comes Ransack.

Starscream is back for the Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen feature film and so, then, is the toy based on the character. But this time around, those exceptional Transformers designers and engineers at Hasbro/TomyTakara have had two whole years to work on the toy version of Starscream.

Demolishor takes on the form of one of the largest ground vehicles ever manufactured on planet Earth. Shame then, that the action figure version is worryingly small compared to the rest of the range of Transformers Revenge of the Fallen toys.