GoBots

The name or term "GoBots" refers to more than one character or idea. For a list of other meanings, see GoBots (disambiguation).

The original GoBots were the main competition for Hasbro's Transformers in the 1980s. Notably, their launch actually preceded that of the Transformers own, although they ultimately proved not to have the same level of lasting popularity.

Origins

The in-fiction origin of the GoBots, according to the Tonka minicomic Escape to Planet Earth:

For centuries, the scientists of the planet GOBOTRON watched EARTH. They knew everything about our world, but were content to observe it for the time being.

The people of GoBotron called themselves GoBots. They learned how to replace worn-out parts of their bodies with computers and artificial organs. Every part, except the brain, which made them act and live like humans on Earth.

Toyline

GoBots toys were mostly small, similar in size to Transformers' Mini Vehicles, although they were generally more complex than similarly-sized Transformers. After the line's initial success, a series of larger Super GoBots toys was also released, featuring both new characters and larger versions of some pre-existing toys. Tonka also released a number of supporting toys such as spaceships, bases, the monster "Zod", and later a set of combining "Power Suits" which GoBots figures could be placed into.

In 1991, Hasbro bought Tonka and its subsidiaries (including Kenner), and at that time acquired all of Tonka's intellectual property, including jurisdiction over GoBots-related names and trademarks. The GoBots toys themselves, however, are still owned by Bandai, who had merely licensed the toys to Tonka during GoBots' lifetime.

Pre-GoBots

GoBots got its start as a Japanese toyline called Machine Robo which was created by Takara-competitor Bandai. Machine Robo toys were initially marketed in the United States under the name Machine Men by Bandai themselves, but the line didn't see widespread success until Tonka adapted the toyline into GoBots and created a new animated series for the brand, as well as an array of supporting merchandise such as coloring books, stickers, and even an official GoBots magazine.

(For Transformers fans, this situation is similar to how some Generation 1 Transformer molds were released by Takara in the Diakron toyline before their partnership with Hasbro began.)

International

Besides distributing them in the United States as Machine Men, Bandai also sold the Machine Robo toys in other non-Asian countries before their partnership with Tonka began. Bandai appeared to retain the international marketing rights to the series following the change to GoBots, and so adapted their international toylines when the line was rebranded.

In Europe, where the toyline began as Robo Machine, the packaging changed over a period of time to reflect Tonka's developments, eventually touting iself as Challenge of the GoBots: a Robo Machine product. In Australia, however, the toyline began with Machine Men title, which it evidently retained even after the rebranding in the United States.

Cartoon

The cartoon, called Challenge of the GoBots, was produced in the United States by Hanna-Barbara. It aired in some markets outside the US (possibly just Australia) with the title Mighty Machine Men.

The cartoon focused on the interstellar struggle between the friendly Guardian GoBots, led by Leader-1, and their enemies, the Renegade GoBots, led by Cy-Kill.

In addition to the leaders, the main GoBot cast included Turbo (a rough-and-tumble Guardian), Scooter (a cowardly young Guardian), Crasher (a cackling Renegade madwoman), and Cop-Tur (a thuggish Renegade). The series was rounded out with human allies and enemies, along with various GoBot guest stars and other aliens.

Impact on Transformers

Following Hasbro's acquisition of Tonka and Kenner, the GoBots universe has largely remained idle - with some notable exceptions.

The first modern GoBots-specific reference - beyond use the brand name itself - came in the form of Armada Leader-1, the Mini-Con under the control of Megatron (UT), who shares his name with the leader of the heroic Guardian GoBots.

At one point, the Mini-Con Dead End was going to be called "Gobotron", in reference to the home planet of the GoBots. However, the idea was ultimately discarded.

Unexpectedly, the most direct usage of the GoBots characters has come not from Hasbro, but Takara. As part of their e-Hobby line of collector toys, six redecoed Mini Vehicles were released as the "Dimensional Exploration/Experimentation Team G1 GoBots". The included Bio card alludes to concepts and technology from Tonka GoBot fiction, with the toys themselves representing various GoBot characters. However, the individual character names were dropped just prior to release, making their official status somewhat blurry.

From Teletraan I: The Transformers Wiki, a Wikia wiki.