Transformers almost made it to the The National Toy Hall of Fame, according to this USA Today article.
The annual inductees are chosen on the advice of historians and educators following a process that begins with nominations from the public. To make the hall of fame, toys must have inspired creative play across generations. Historic and modern versions of the winners are displayed in the hall.
This year’s finalists were: the board games Risk and Clue, the Magic 8 Ball, Matchbox cars, My Little Pony, the paper airplane, PEZ candy dispenser, play food, sand, Transformers, the card game Uno and Wiffle ball.
Sadly, Optimus and Megatron lost out to paper airplanes, Clue and the Wiffle Ball.