Once upon a time, Transformers were those robots in disguise that your dorky brother constantly brought to the dinner table circa 1986. Then Michael Bay grabbed them and turned them into an eardrum-splitting, live-action summer movie franchise, the third of which (“Transformers: Dark of the Moon”) opened Wednesday.

Now, Hollywood studios frequently look to retro toys as inspiration for film ideas. It has happened so often recently that one wonders whether the average person could tell the difference between an actual toy-or-game-inspired movie and one dreamed up for a cheap laugh.

Let’s find out.

Battleship

The guessing/strategy game in which opponents attempt to sink one another’s naval ships, as represented by plastic pegs. Gen Xers will most fondly remember the “high-tech” version, Electronic Battleship, released in 1977.

The movie pitch – “Battleship”: Peter Berg (“Hancock”) directs this action flick about an armada of ships firing away at a fleet that might be commandeered by aliens.

Wait, is this real?: So real it has wrapped production, has a May 2012 release date and stars Liam Neeson, Taylor Kitsch and Rihanna.

Pogs

The game that became a major kid craze in the early ’90s and involved the collection of tiny discs.

The movie pitch – “The Great Pog of Mystery”: A young boy’s prized pog contains high-level government secrets written on it in invisible ink. Naturally, these are secrets that only Nicolas Cage – who will star – is equipped to investigate.

Wait, is this real?: No. But someone might read this and turn the idea into a treatment any minute now.

View-Master

That old-school, binocular-style object that allowed kids to click through photo slides on a wheel.

The movie pitch – “Untitled View-Master Project”: Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman, the guys who co-wrote the “Star Trek” remake and the first two “Transformers” movies, are producing this “Goonies”-style adventure.

Wait, is this real?: Yes, although the project appears to have stalled. Brad Caleb Kane wrote a script last year, but IMDB.com categorizes the project as “in development” at DreamWorks.

Easy-Bake Oven

Created tasty treats courtesy of the heat from a light bulb.

The movie pitch – “Easy Bake”: The team behind “Julie & Julia” (writer-director Nora Ephron, Meryl Streep and Amy Adams) reunite for this comedy about a mother and daughter attempting to win a cook-off in which every item must be made in an Easy-Bake Oven. Along the way, they learn about the power of family bonds and powdered frosting.

Wait, is this real?: No. But doesn’t part of you want to pay $10 to watch Meryl Streep yank little cakes out of a light bulb-powered oven?