I guess this episode is why the Transmetals game included an alternate color scheme for Rattrap in his season 1 colors. It wasn't the actual season 1 model cause that doesn't exist in the game just TM Rattrap in season 1 colors.

Plus season 1 Rattrap doesn't have a "vehicle" mode and the game had to include three modes...

Speaking of which since Silverbolt was apparently included in the PlayStation version of the game what did they do for his third mode? Never had the PlayStation, I only had N64 so I've never seen this alternate character roster that was on PlayStation.

 

By that logic no animation error in BW was accidental.

Things get lost in the shuffle to hit deadlines, or just flat-out go unnoticed because other aspects are being focused on.

 

There weren't any real 3rd modes for the Fuzors in the Transmetals game. Silverbolt, either looked like he was gliding or flying (can't remember which) when you hit the buttons for the vehicle mode. And Quickstrike kinda just hopped around.

But yeah I always figured that Rattrap being in his season 1 form was just an animation error in that scene.

 

It was all a tribute to G1, done on purpose.