Transformers: Go-Bots (toyline): Difference between revisions
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[[Image:Playschool_Go-Bots_G.png|right|50px|Playschool Go-Bots G.png]] | [[Image:Playschool_Go-Bots_G.png|right|50px|Playschool Go-Bots G.png]] | ||
Apparently it was decided to separate ''Go-Bots'' from the ''Transformers'' brand (seemingly poor timing given ''Armada'' was becoming a sales powerhouse), and in mid/late 2003 the line became just '''''Go-Bots'''''. The cutesified Autobot [[insignia|faction symbol]] on the prior toys was also replaced with the [[Go-Shield]] badge. During this year the line began to incorporate more [[gimmick]]s, such as electronic lights and more large toys. It was during this period that the cartoon "hit" | Apparently it was decided to separate ''Go-Bots'' from the ''Transformers'' brand (seemingly poor timing given ''Armada'' was becoming a sales powerhouse), and in mid/late 2003 the line became just '''''Go-Bots'''''. The cutesified Autobot [[insignia|faction symbol]] on the prior toys was also replaced with the [[Go-Shield]] badge. During this year the line began to incorporate more [[gimmick]]s, such as electronic lights and more large toys. It was during this period that the cartoon "hit". | ||
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Revision as of 03:28, 17 May 2017
| The name or term "GoBots" refers to more than one character or idea. For a list of other meanings, see GoBots (disambiguation). |
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Transformers: Go-Bots (one of several names for the series, but this is the one used longest), released through Hasbro subsidiary Playskool in 2002, was the third Transformers toyline intended for preschool-age children. This series is often referred to by the fandom as "Go-Go-Go-Bots" to help separate it from the many other "Go-Bots" in Transformerdom, based on the series' tagline printed on the cardbacks, as well as the primary lyric for the short-lived cartoon's theme song.
In Japan, the figures were sold as part of the Kids' Transformers: Rescue Hero Go-Bots toyline, which included toys from the Tonka 1-2-3 Transformers series as well.
Overview
The line was released in a transitional time for the Transformers brand, and ended up being bounced around madly over its lifespan.
Buoyed by the success of 2001's Robots in Disguise, Hasbro sought to expand Transformers beyond the 5~13 age group. Following the sporadically-released 1-2-3 Transformers toys, the "preschool Transformers" line shifted to Playskool, which brought out a series of toys that were simpler, softer-edged, more colorful, and above all less expensive than the 1-2-3 toys, designed to transform from robot to alternate mode in three (or fewer) steps.
Toyline
Playskool Big Adventures: Transformers
Initially, the line was called Playskool Big Adventures: Transformers, released in late 2002, just as the Armada toyline was really starting to hit wide and hit big. Only a single wave of product came out under this name.
| Basics | Megas |
 |
Transformers: Go-Bots
Given a ess-cumbersome rebranding for 2003, the new assortments of Go-Bots started in on the extensive redeco-ing pretty quickly to fill out the assortments.
| Basics | Deluxes
|
Megas |
Go-Bots
Apparently it was decided to separate Go-Bots from the Transformers brand (seemingly poor timing given Armada was becoming a sales powerhouse), and in mid/late 2003 the line became just Go-Bots. The cutesified Autobot faction symbol on the prior toys was also replaced with the Go-Shield badge. During this year the line began to incorporate more gimmicks, such as electronic lights and more large toys. It was during this period that the cartoon "hit".
| "Botropolis" Basics | "Mission: Earth" Basics | "Glow-Bots" Basics | video pack-in Basics | |||||
Deluxes
|
Mega "Ultra Jets" | Mega "Flying Fists" | Ultras | |||||
| Supers |
Transformers: Go-Bots
By 2004, the line was waning, un-rebranded back to Transformers: Go-Bots (though it kept the Go-Shield). More gimmicks were trotted out to spruce up old molds, but the tail end of the line ended up not seeing release in the US outside of closeout chains in 2005, with some items only getting release in the UK.
| "Secret Shield" Wave 1 | "Secret Shield" Wave 2 | "Invisibility Force" Wave 1 | "Invisibility Force" Wave 2 | |||||
Deluxes
|
Megas |
Exclusives
Unreleased
- Aero-Bot Helicopter (rescue chopper)
- "Mystery Bot" (Basic Go-Bot)
Trivia
- Designs of various Playskool Go-Bots (and one 1-2-3 transformer) were plagiarized for use as characters in the Chinese cartoon "Robo Warriors". Ironically, these plagiarized designs would later be plagiarized themselves, with the cartoon "Martial Mecha Saga" basing many of the show's robot designs on those of "Robo Warriors" (Both cartoons were produced by different companies).[1]
