Even apart from all the characters in the background I noticed a lot of Easter eggs, homages, references, callbacks etc in TF One.

I wonder if it would be worth having a thread dedicated to mentioning them?

Eg the use of the term "Gobot" as a derogatory insult.

 

Some of the Seekers had the "yellow sunglasses" look that the G1 toy stickers had.

I noticed Prowl, Brawn, Ratchet, Ironhide, Bluestreak, Arcee, pretty much all Seekers.

The decepticons symbol being put on via sticker was a call back to the G1 toys.

I also think I remember seeing a rub symbol on someone.

 

It's probably good to have a focused place for discussion, there's going to be a lot to go over and people have been doing so since the first trailer.

Some of Elita's insults are fairly obvious references, "you don't have the touch. Or the power" is naturally a reference to Stan Bush's song from the 86 film (among so, so many other later uses), and her derisive use of the word "Gobot" is, of course, a dig at the Tonka also-ran line of transforming robots from the 80s which has now been effectively folded into Transformers.

One thing that I can't confirm, but I've firmly convinced myself of is that the train carrying the Energon shipment is a reference to Rails, the train/snake Autobot character from an early draft of the 86 movie by Ron Friedman. The detailing on the front car of the train strongly resembles a snake's eyes and fangs, imo.

Megatronus' mask/faceplate is a way to work the Decepticon faction symbol into the story, but Pax giving D16 a rare sticker of it was a neat nod to the collecting community and the zealous joy some fans have for specific characters (while developing D16s devotion to the primes)

 

In that scene where Orion was giving a Speech to the miners, I remember seeing a lavender purple repaint of the Prowl model, possible Barricade? It's a stretch but I'm going with it lol

A more legit homage was Primus being based on the Primus toy from TF: Cybertron/Galaxy Force in that opening scene where Pax is going through data disks. Seeing that was awesome.

 

The Matrix disintegrating if someone isn't worthy, absolutely taken from ROTF.

 

One of Bumblebee’s garbage sculpture friends is named A-A-Tron which is a reference to the Key & Peel “Substitute Teacher” sketch featuring Bumblebee’s voice actor.

 

Oh, and during the final fight there’s a shot of Optimus spinning his energon axe like Thor would. A nod to Orion/Optimus’s voice actor.

 

Looks he had the red/blue colors of Primus.

Also having transformed the Cybertron toy recently, he transformed similarly when he turned into planet mode.

 

Speaking of, my absolute favourite reference, Optimus Prime's final speech, homaging TF2007.

"We are here, we are waiting"
I got literal chills, half expected Linkin Park to start blasting  

Also definitely felt hints of the TF Prime theme in the soundtrack, which makes a lot of sense considering the composer. Not sure how intentional that was

Comeback of Zeta Prime from WFC was great too

 

During the final battle of the Prime's while it's panning through the Primes to Sentinel, Vector Prime I believe was in it and looked very close to his TF Cybertron design in the helmet, shoulderpads and wings, I was expecting them to go more Aligned based.

edit: During the race Silverbolt, Dead End, Hot Rod, Firelight where in the Iacon 500.

 

Megatron’s original name D-16 is a reference to the G1 Japanese packaging.

 

OK I listened to the TF One soundtrack again, and around the 4 minute mark here:

It starts sounding a lot like this theme from TFP:

Someone please confirm that I'm not crazy LOL!

 

It is!!! That's so cool

 

Awesome!!

 

D-16 having a black helmet and yellow eyes is a reference to G1 Megatron's Marvel Comics color scheme.

Bumblebee's "friend" Steve was a reference to Vehicons in TFP/comics.

Megatron's final design cannon reminds me of one of he weapons in WFC/FOC games (triple barrel blaster?)

 

Playing ‘Spot the Bot’ was a fun time. In addition to yours I recall seeing Wheeljack, Sideswipe, and Sunstreaker at various points.

Also I’m fairly confident most of Sentinel’s troops are the flight style Vehicons from Prime with a bit of a glow up.

 

Motormaster was on there too. And of course, the eventual winner was Chromia.

 

I was second guessing if I remember Motormaster or not on there but glad I wasn't nice.

 

Override and Mirage were also listed in the race tracks

oddly no Blurr

 

Right forgot Mirage also and Override I missed nice that she was in that, and yeah odd not Blurr, he makes the most sense.