I'd also say the reason GI:Joe and Transformers did so well, is the 25 yrs or so they have been around for that backstory to develop over the years and gain a following of Geewunners through to the current series. Now im old enough to remember seeing the original series when it first hit the screens, awesome stuff for its day. Still not too shabby by todays animated shows standards (spongebob.....shiver.....nooooooooo) As for bayformers, i think they needed to be re-invented to seperate them from the series that are around or ppl would be going "thats not right they dont do that"
People still did question what models they turned into, but hey, get with the times..
Also as a side note, hi to all from a newbie to the forums.