The Legends line began as the Legends of Cybertron, a sub-line of the Transformers: Cybertron line. It is made up of smaller, less detailed versions of the larger toys and were released in waves of 4 figures at a time.
The Legends of Cybertron toy line follows the Heroes of Cybertron and is similar in price range, but has a few changes - Legends toys transform and are articulated, whereas Heroes toys are solid statues. Legends toys are based on Transformers: Cybertron characters, whereas Heroes toys are based on Generation One Transformers.
These figures were first announced by the toy seller www.bbts.com in February 2005. The first prototypes of these figures appeared online in March 2005.
Although referred to as "Legends of Cybertron" by Hasbro, the packaging itself simply says Transformers: Cybertron on it and the toys are described as "Micro" class.
Series 1:
Hot Shot
Megatron
Optimus Prime
Starscream - based on the form of Supreme Starscream
Series 2:
Evac
Jetfire
Leobreaker
Scourge
Series 3:
Galvatron - redeco of Megatron.
Red Alert - Cybertron Defense version.
Soundwave
Vector Prime
Series 4:
Hot Shot - red redeco, seemingly a Legends Excellion toy.
Optimus Prime - dark redeco, in the style of Leader Class Galaxy Force Optimus Prime.
Sunstorm - redeco of Starscream.
Thundercracker - the only new mold in this wave.
The Legends line continued as Classic Legends for the Transformers: Classics line. This line was made up entirely up of redecoed Legends of Cybertron toys.
Series 5:
Fireflight (cargo jet) - redeco of LoC Jetfire. Originally intended to be Powerglide, but Hasbro couldn't obtain a trademark on that name.
Leo Prime (lion) - repaint of LoC Leo Breaker, a redeco to Beast Wars II Lio Convoy.
Perceptor (BTR-80 APC) - redeco of LoC Cybertron Defense Red Alert.
Trypticon (three-headed dragon) - redeco of LoC Scourge.
Series 6:
Bumblebee (sports car) - redeco of LoC Hot Shot.
Jetfire (jet fighter) - redeco of LoC Thundercracker.
Menasor (flatbed truck) - redeco of LoC Optimus Prime. Originally intended to be Motormaster, but Hasbro couldn't obtain a trademark on that name.
Whirl (helicopter) - redeco of LoC Evac.
The Legends line went on as Movie Legends for the Transformers movie toys line. Now made up of new molds.
Series 7:
Jazz - Modified Pontiac Solstice.
Barricade - Saleen Mustang S281 police car.
Bumblebee - 1977 Chevrolet Camaro.
Ratchet - Emergency Hummer H2 search and rescue vehicle.
Series 8:
Megatron - Decepticon 1/142 scale Cybertronian interstellar jet.
Optimus Prime - Peterbilt 379 semi truck.
Starscream - Decepticon F-22 Raptor jet.
Blackout - MH-53 m Pave-Low IV helicopter.
allspark battles single pack bonecrusher-(new mold) cliffjumper-(red redeco of Movie Legends Bumblebee) autobot jazz-(re-release of Movie Legends Jazz) recon barricade-(redeco of Movie Legends Barricade)
Allspark Battles 2-packs:
Cliffjumper (red redeco of Movie Legends Bumblebee) vs. Recon Barricade (redeco of Movie Legends Barricade)
(autobot jazz)(re-release of Movie Legends Jazz) vs. Bonecrushe (new mold)
Rescue Ratchet (white redeco of Movie Legends Autobot Ratchet) vs. Decepticon Brawl (a new mold)
Nightwatch Optimus Prime (redeco of Movie Legends Optimus Prime) vs. Stealth Starscream (redeco of Movie Legends Starscream)
Ironhide (new mold) vs. Desert Blackout (beige redeco of Movie Legends Blackout)
Battle Jazz ("battle damage" redeco of Movie Legends Autobot Jazz) vs. Ice Megatron (redeco of Movie Legends Megatron)
Bumblebee ("battle damage" redeco of Movie Legends Bumblebee) vs. Scorponok (new mold)
The Legends size class continues with both repaints and new molds.
Onslaught - redeco of LoC Red Alert
Red Alert - redeco of LoC Hot Shot
Starscream - redeco of LoC Thundercracker
Autobot Hound - new mold based on G1 Hound
Autobot Jazz - new mold based on G1 Jazz
Megatron - new mold based on G2 Megatron tank
Bumblebee - new mold based on Transformers Animated Bumblebee
Optimus Prime - new mold based on Transformers Animated Optimus Prime
Prowl - new mold based on Transformers Animated Prowl
Beachcomber - new mold based on G1 minibot Beachcomber
Brawn - new mold based on G1 minibot Brawn
Bumblebee - new mold based on G1 minibot Bumblebee
Starscream - new mold based on Transformers Animated Starscream
Cosmos - new mold based on G1 minibot Cosmos
Rodimus - new mold based on G1 Hot Rod
Warpath - new mold based on G1 minibot Warpath
Wheelie - new mold based on G1 minibot Wheelie
Two sets of 5-pack Universe Legends figures were released exclusively at Target stores in 4th quarter 2008. All the figures in these sets were redecos of Loc figures.
Aerial Rivals set
Air Raid - redeco of LoC Jetfire, loosely based on G1 Aerialbot Air Raid
Autobot Blades - redeco of LoC Evac, based on G1 Protectobot Blades
Ramjet - redeco of LoC Starscream, based on G1 Ramjet
Skydive - redeco of LoC Soundwave, loosely based on G1 Aerialbot Skydive
Thrust - redeco of Loc Starscream, based on G1 Thrust
Special Team Leaders set
Autobot Hot Zone - redeco of LoC Optimus Prime, base on G1 Protectobot Hot Spot
Hun-Gurrr - redeco of LoC Scourge, based on G1 Terrorcon Hun-Grrr
Razorclaw - redeco of LoC Leobreaker, based on G1 Predacon Razorclaw
Scattorshot - redeco of LoC Vector Prime, based og G1 Technobot Scattershot
Silverbolt - redeco of LoC Thundercracker, based on G1 Aerialbot Silverbolt
The Legends size class will continue with the toys based on the second Transformers movie, titled "Revenge of the Fallen", in May 2009
Wave 1
Autobot Springer - new mold based on the V-22 Osprey helicopter
Bumblebee - new mold for Movie Bumblebee
Jetfire - new mold based on the SR-71 Blackbird jet
Optimus Prime - new mold for Movie Optimus Prime
Wave 2
Megatron - new mold for Movie Megatron
Ratchet - Beige redeco of Movie Legends Ratchet
Sideswipe -new mold
Starscream -repaint of Movie legends Starscream
Wave 3
Mudflap - new mold
Grindor - redeco of movie legends Blackout
Enforcer Ironhide - redeco of Movie Legends Ironhide
The Fallen - new mold
Wave 4
Skids - new mold
Recon Bumblebee - redeco of ROTF Legends Bumblebee
Tankor - redeco of Movie Legends Brawl
Sideways - new mold
Wave 5
Soundwave - new mold
Arcee - new mold
Jolt - new mold
Autobot Wheelie -new mold
War for the Skies set (K-Mart exclusive)
Jetfire - redeco of ROTF Legends Jetfire
Autobot Blades - redeco of ROTF Legends Springer
Thundercracker - redeco of Movie Legends Starscream
Spinister - redeco of Movie Legends Blackout
Straightaway Shootout set (Target exclusive)
Swerve - redeco of ROTF Legends Sideswipe
Runamuck - redeco of Movie Legends Jazz
Sparkcrusher - redeco of Universe Legends Warpath based on G1 Action Master Gutcruncher
Ironhide - rerelease of Movie Legends Ironhide
Mudflap - with painted "mud" on some parts
The Fury of Fearswoop 3-pack (Walmart exclusive)
Contains Battle-damaged Mudflap & Sideswipe
The Legends size class will continue with the toys based on the second Transformers movie, titled "Revenge of the Fallen", in 2010.
Wave 1
Decepticon Ravage - new mold on a cyclop panter
Bumblebee - repaint of Legends class Revenge of the Fallen Bumblebee
Rampage - new mold based on the bulldozer
Firebust Optimus Prime - repaint of Legends class Revenge of the Fallen Optimus Prime
Wave 2
Long Haul - new mold
Sandstorm - is a repaint of the Legends class G1 Beachcomber
Tracker Hound - is a repaint of G1 Hound in the previous Universe 2.0 line.
Override - is a repaint of ROTF Sideways
A number of Legends class figures have been made as promotional items.
Skywarp - A
Ramjet - A redeco of Cybertron Starscream done in the colors of Universe Ramjet. A promotional item at Botcon 2006.
Scanning Bumblebee - A Hyper Hobby exclusive clear yellow redeco of movie Bumblebee.
Bumblebee, Metellic version, released as a free pack-in figure available with the Transformers movie DVD, exclusive to Tsutaya Records stores in Japan.
Galaxy Convoy (Optimus Prime), metallic version, released with Galaxy Force GC-23 Megalo Convoy (Cybertron Metroplex) and Micron (Mini-Con) partner Horri-Bull (Drill Bit) in Japan.
Tsutaya ROTF DVD Exclusive EZ/Legends clear Bumblebee
Tsutaya ROTF DVD Pre-order exclusive EZ/Legends Stealth (black) Bumblebee
http://shop.tsutaya.co.jp/dvd/news/transformer.html
Being a simple toy the Legends lines are subject to a great deal of copying by smaller toy companies, particularly coming out of China. Simple recolors made of cheap plastic of Legends Leobreaker and Scourge have been seen at dollar stores like Dollar General in 2007. Some Legends toys have even been modified into combiners or enlarged to represent their larger sized cousins on shelves. One of the most unusual knmockoff variants seen are sets that are combiners made of Legends toys that don't normally combine.