Machine Robo
Machine Robo is a Japanese transforming robot toyline first released in 1982 by Popy, a division of Bandai, then later by Bandai proper. The franchise was marketed as Robo Machine in Europe, and Machine Men in Australia. A large portion of these toys were exported to North America as part of Tonka's Gobots and Rock Lords series, beginning in 1983.
Hasbro
Hasbro, Inc. is an American worldwide toy and board game company. It is the largest toy maker in the world in terms of stock market value, and third largest with revenues of approximately $5.12 billion. Hasbro acquired the trademarks and products of Kenner, Parker Brothers, and Milton …
Who made Gobots Transformers?
It seemed like Gobots had an advantage by being the first to the market. However, when Hasbro released Transformers whatever advantage Tonka had was soon gone. Explore further detail here. People also ask, are GoBots transformers? GoBots is a line of transforming robot toys produced by Tonka from 1983 to 1987, similar to Hasbro's Transformers. Although initially a separate …
When did the first Gobots toy come out?
Jan 18, 2020 · A: The property of induction was discovered in the 1830's but it wasn't until 1886 that William Stanley, working for Westinghouse built the first reliable commercial transformer. Regarding this, where did gobots go before Transformers? Tonka began to distribute Gobots to retail stores in the United States in 1984. Gobots were released five months before the first …
Are Gobots and transformers in the same order?
Answer (1 of 2): GoBots was the Transformers' main competitor, debuting in the U.S. in 1983. Transformers debuted in 1984. A great resource for both of these is TFwiki.nwet.
When did Hasbro start making Gobots?
Nov 20, 2019 · Tonka began to distribute Gobots to retail stores in the United States in 1984. Gobots were released five months before the first Transformers hit the shelves. It seemed like Gobots had an advantage by being the first to the market. However, when Hasbro released Transformers whatever advantage Tonka had was soon gone.
Did Transformers copy GoBots?
GoBots is a line of transforming robot toys produced by Tonka from 1983 to 1987, similar to Hasbro's Transformers. Although initially a separate and competing line of toys, Tonka's Gobots became the intellectual property of Hasbro after their buyout of Tonka in 1991.
What was before GoBots?
GoBots was the Transformers' main competitor, debuting in the U.S. in 1983. Transformers debuted in 1984.
When did GoBots come out?
1983Originally released in 1983, the gobots were a joint venture between Tonka and Japanese toy manufacturer Popy.Jun 15, 2020
What was before Transformers?
The Transformers began with the 1980s Japanese toy lines Micro Change and Diaclone. They presented robots able to transform into everyday vehicles, electronic items or weapons. Hasbro bought the Micro Change and Diaclone toys, and partnered with Takara.
Who owns GoBots?
The toy designs are unquestionably 100% owned by Bandai, direct rivals to Hasbro's partner TakaraTomy. In 2015, Bandai announced a series of high-end, super-posable toys based on several of the original Machine Robo toys that got turned into GoBots, but sold under the original banner.Apr 8, 2022
Are GoBots worth anything?
Transformers outsold GoBots and M.A.S.K. in the 80s and they're also the most valuable toys today. Individual figures can sell for up to $2,300, and a boxed collection sold at eBay for $1,000,000.Dec 5, 2018
How many GoBots are there?
Gobot figuresGobot #NameMR Number01Cy-KillMR-0102TankMR-0203FitorMR-0304Cop-TurMR-0432 more rows
What are Diaclone Transformers?
Diaclone (ダイアクロン, Daiakuron) is a toyline by Takara Toys launched in 1980. It consisted of transforming vehicles and robots piloted by miniature, magnet-shoed figures spun off from the prior Microman toy line.
Does Bandai make Transformers?
The Transformers toy line was created from toy molds mostly produced by Japanese company Takara in the toy lines Diaclone and Micro Change. Other toy molds from other companies such as Bandai were used as well.
Who invented the Transformers?
JTA — Henry Orenstein, a Holocaust survivor who went on to invent the Transformers toys and became a major donor to Jewish and Israeli causes, died Tuesday at the age of 98. Orenstein became a best-selling toymaker with his Transformers line, which he first created in the early 1980s.Dec 16, 2021
Who was the first transformer?
The first ever Transformer to appear on the series was Wheeljack, episode The Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye: Part 1 (1984).
How old is Optimus?
While many have settled on five million as an age for Prime, it stands to reason that he lands at about nine million years old, counting his time as Orion. No matter the exact age, all of those years at war explains why Optimus has such a strong desire for peace.Feb 7, 2021
Who is Megatron in the Decepticons?
Megatron is the leader of the evil Decepticons. His drive for supremacy is second to none. With the goal of expanding his race to control the universe, he is virtually unrelenting and unstoppable.
When did Tonka buy Bandai?
The true story dates back to the year 1983 when the Tonka toy company acquired the licensing rights to bring Bandai’s transforming toy robot line, Machine Robo, to the United States. This move, most experts agree, was a strategic play against Hasbro’s then-recent purchase of Japanese toymaker Takara’s Diaclones toy line.
Do the similarities end there?
The similarities do not end there. Both sides of these battles are comprised of countless team members, each with their own forms, abilities, and personalities. I could probably go through every character in each series and list out their matching counterpart.
Is Hasbro more effective at marketing Gobots?
At the end of the day, Hasbro was far more effective at marketing their version of transforming robots. There is even a rumor that Hasbro sent out droves of employees during the holiday season to buy as many Gobot action figures as they could get their hands on. After all, if they bought them no one else could.
When were GoBots made?
Statements consisting only of original research should be removed. GoBots is a line of transforming robot toys produced by Tonka from 1983 to 1987, similar to Hasbro 's Transformers.
When did Tonka make Gobots?
Related franchises. Transformers. GoBots is a line of transforming robot toys produced by Tonka from 1983 to 1987, similar to Hasbro 's Transformers. Although initially a separate and competing line of toys, Tonka's Gobots became the intellectual property of Hasbro after their buyout of Tonka in 1991.
What toys did Tonka make?
Tonka did design some toys for the line, including the Guardian Command Center and Renegade Thruster playsets, and the motorized Renegade Zod. In addition to these, two versions of the Power Warrior were made for both the Guardians and the Renegades, using molds from the Machine Robo line and recolored.
Where did the GoBots come from?
Like Transformers the GoBots started out in Japan. They come from a company called Bandai who ran a division called Popy. Popy was making toy figures that were named Machine Robo. They were a line of transforming robots and were released in 1982.
When did Transformers come out?
Did you realize this show predates Transformers? Yep, Gobots came out on September 8, 1984, while Transformers debuted on September 17, 1984. But depending where you lived and what channels you watched that might have determined which order you saw them in.
What movie was the GoBots line in?
So this toy line was the result of the cartoon movie GoBots: Battle Of The Rock Lords. This was actually released in theatres and I think they were hoping for some sort of Transformers effect that had happened with Transformers: The Movie.
What is a gobot?
The GoBots are an odd duck, they’re kind of like the red-headed stepchild of the transforming robot business. As you’re probably aware now they did set the stage for the Transformers toys and cartoons but the success of Transformers made GoBots look like the rip-off.
When did Hasbro buy out Tonka?
The GoBots toyline would last from 1983-1987 and they would ironically get taken over by the Transformers line when Hasbro bought out Tonka in 1991. But what’s interesting is somehow Hasbro only bought the fictional side such as the character names, bios, and storylines they didn’t actually own the toys.
What was the 1980s?
Youtube/ Childofthe80s. The 1980s were a golden age of transforming alien robots, but this isn’t about the Transformers but the OTHER line of toys that always took second place. The GoBots were a transforming toy robot line put out by Hasbro in 1983. They added a cartoon show and movie and compete against the Transformers.
What are GoBots in Transformers?
"GoBots" was also a frequent "cute" term of derision for human characters to use in reference to the Transformers in various comics. It's extremely likely that these references would have remained even if Hasbro didn't have some fingers in the GoBots IP.
When did GoBots come out?
GoBots made its U.S. premiere in 1983, nearly a full year before the original Transformers toyline 's debut. It had a similar origin, being mostly made up of pre-existing Japanese toys used under license by an American distributor, in this case the Machine Robo series by Bandai spinoff company Popy.
How many episodes are there in Challenge of the GoBots?
It aired in some markets outside the US (such as Australia) with the title Challenge of the Machine Men. The 65- episode series ran in syndication from 1984 through 1985, followed by the feature film, Battle of the Rock Lords in 1986, which was likely rushed to theatres to beat The Transformers: The Movie to screens. The series focused on a much smaller cast than the Transformers cartoon, mainly the Guardian trio of Leader-1, Turbo, Scooter, and their human allies Matt, Nick, and A.J., against the Renegade triumvirate Cy-Kill, Crasher, and Cop-Tur, occasionally backed-up by their own human "ally" Dr. Braxis. While many other GoBots toys were featured throughout the series, they were typically relegated to guest spots, though the Guardian Small Foot and the Renegade Fitor would show up frequently enough to almost be considered main characters.
Who wrote Ask Vector Prime?
AllSpark Almanac co-author and primary "Ask Vector Prime"/"Renegade Rhetoric" author Jim Sorenson argued at length back in 2009 that this wiki should cover the entirety of the Tonka GoBots property. He also, however, advocates support for the wiki's decision-making process, including in more recent times minimized GoBots coverage on the wiki.
How many episodes are there in Transformers?
The 65-episode series ran in syndication from 1984 through 1985, followed by the feature film, Battle of the Rock Lords in 1986, which was likely rushed to theatres to beat The Transformers: The Movie to screens.
Is GoBots still in Hasbro?
Following its mid-Eighties demise, GoBots remained a dead line in every regard up until 1991. Hasbro bought Tonka and its subsidiaries (including Kenner), acquiring all of Tonka's intellectual property, which included the GoBots IP... sort of. Due to a lot of factors, much of the GoBots property was and still is outside of Hasbro's control.
