G1 Matrix of Leadership Box Set

October 20th doesn’t just mark the release date of Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen but also the release of Shout Factory’s Transformers Matrix of Leadership Edition Collector's Set that contains all three seasons of the Transformers cartoons that started it all 25 years ago. I believe this is the same set that was released earlier this year for online purchase but now your local retailer can stock it in time for Christmas. Below is press release that details the extra features of the set. Currently Amazon lists the retail price as $169.99 but has it on sale for $152.99. Thanks to Ben1227 for the link.

THE TRANSFORMERS:
25th Anniversary “Matrix of Leadership” Edition Collector’s Set
Arrives in Stores October 20, 2009 from Shout! Factory
Featuring 16 DVDs, 98 Restored Episodes, Payload of Bonus Content, Exclusive Voice Cast Reunion, A Collectible 60-Page Book, AUTOBOT and DECEPTICON Magnets and Much More!

The epic story of good vs. evil that sparked the imaginations of fans worldwide finally arrives in a collectible, out-of-this-world, box set. Witness the digitally-restored battles between the heroic AUTOBOTS and the evil DECEPTICONS as the fate of the Earth hangs in the balance. For the first time in 25 years, fans of all ages will be able to own the complete collection of one of the most popular animated series of all time THE TRANSFORMERS: 25th Anniversary “Matrix of Leadership” Edition from Shout! Factory, in collaboration with Hasbro, Inc.

Brimming with over 38 hours of content, including the entire original TRANSFORMERS animation series from the early 1980s known among fans as “Generation 1”, a bounty of stellar extras, a special collectible 60-page book, and AUTOBOTS and DECEPTICON Magnets, this 16-DVD box set is another fan must have. THE TRANSFORMERS: 25th Anniversary “Matrix of Leadership” Edition Collector’s Set will be available at retail stores nationwide beginning on October 20, 2009.

DVD BONUS FEATURES
* Five retrospective featurettes including brand new, in-depth interviews with individuals involved with the early success of the TRANSFORMERS franchise. Two of these featurettes are exclusive to this set including a conversation with comic writer Bob Budiansky and a voice cast reunion. The reunion features Jack Angel (RAMJET), Michael Bell (PROWL), Gregg Berger (GRIMLOCKI), Aurthur Burghardt (DEVASTATOR), Corey Burton (Spike Witwicky), Richard Gautier (RODIMUS PRIME), Neil Ross (SLAG), Frank Welker (MEGATRON)
* Two concept art galleries
* Archival Hasbro toy commercials
* All 98 episodes of dialogue scripts. Three full scripts, with original handwritten notes, including “Transport To Oblivion”, “STARSCREAM’S Brigade” and “The Revenge of BRUTICUS”
* 5 rare PSAs
* From the Files of Teletraan-2
* Fan Art Gallery
* An animated fan film entitled TRANSFORMERS: Generation

SYNOPSIS:
Four million years after crash-landing on an unfamiliar planet, sentient robots with the ability to disguise themselves as common vehicles awaken on present-day Earth. Engaged in a crucial race to find a new energy source for their home planet of Cybertron, Optimus Prime and the heroic Autobots must defend the innocent people of Earth against their archnemeses, Megatron and the power-hungry Decepticons.