RadioShack: Difference between revisions
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==Note== | ==Note== | ||
*At one point, RadioShack sold a toy called "AM Robot Radio", featuring a design identical to Generation 1 [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]]. This same mold would also be released by [[Nasta]] (with a few retooling differences) as an official Transformers-branded toy called "Robot AM Radio" (not to be confused with the Argentinian [[Radio AM Robot]]), which suggests that RadioShack's version was a [[knockoff|bootleg]]... | *At one point, RadioShack sold a toy called "AM Robot Radio", featuring a design identical to Generation 1 [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]]. This same mold would also be released by [[Nasta]] (with a few retooling differences) as an official Transformers-branded toy called "Robot AM Radio" (not to be confused with the Argentinian [[Radio AM Robot]]), which suggests that RadioShack's version was a [[knockoff|bootleg]]... Although it is not ''completely'' impossible that, by some chance, it might as well have been the original toy and that Nasta's version was simply a rebrand with the official Transformers logo stamped on it. "But it seems unlikely that a very clearly copyright-infringing design would just get the Transformers license from Hasbro", you say? Well, [[Walkie Talkie Robot|think again]]. "Okay, but not when the copyright being infringed is the Transformers brand itself", you might respond? Ohohoh, did you not read that Radio AM Robot page that we wikilinked five sentences ago? You fool, you complete fool. | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
Latest revision as of 15:54, 28 May 2025
RadioShack is an American-based chain of electronics stores, formerly one of the largest in the country throughout the 80s and 90s. Their retail presence has drastically declined since, with the company filing for bankruptcy in 2015 and most physical stores eventually disappearing as they moved towards a primarily online-centric business model.
They've sold some unique Transformers merchandise over the years, as well as being the progenitors of a rather popular pre-Transformers toy.
Overview
[edit]
RadioShack's first interaction of sorts with the Transformers franchise came during the run of the original toyline in the mid-80s, when they sold an exclusive, Tandy-branded version of the Shockwave mold, named "Galactic Man" (though, among the Transformers fandom, its often referred to by the nickname "Shackwave"). Contrary to early-fandom belief, Galactic Man is not actually a knockoff and was fully licensed by ToyCo (the original owner and distributor of the toy's mold), despite the packaging omitting any form of ToyCo branding.
The figure features four modes; a robot mode, an "Anti-Aircraft Gun" mode, a "Vulcan Base Destroyer" mode, and a "Handheld Laser Gun" [sic] mode. Much like Hasbro's Shockwave, the toy features lights and sounds that are activated by pulling the gun's trigger. There are two settings for this toy: rapid-fire sound effects and long-beam sound effects—both of which can be changed by flicking a switch. A pulsating light also flashes down the barrel to the rhythm of either of the sound effect settings.
There are some small similarities between Galactic Man and Shockwave, as both were produced together in South Korea.<ref>"After the Astro Magnum was produced in South Korea, during the Transformers period, production shifted to China where the production cost was cheaper." - Interview with ToyCo at Tokyo Toy Show in 2008.</ref> On the battery covers both have a "Made in Korea" stamp, whereas the original Astro Magnum has a "Made in Japan" stamp. Further, the copyright on the inside of Galactic Man and Shockwave's legs is stamped "ToyCo Trademark 1983"; however, the copyright on Astro Magnum does not include the "1983".<ref>https://soundwavesoblivion.blogspot.com/2015/06/galactic-man-toyco.html</ref>
About two decades later, in conjunction with the 2007 Transformers movie, RadioShack introduced a variety of Transformers radio-controlled cars licensed by Hasbro and DreamWorks, under their ZipZaps, XMODS Evolution and Micro IR brands - the last of which are capable of transforming to robot mode - as well as some other assorted merchandise.
Toys and merchandise
[edit]Transformers (2007)
[edit]| ZipZaps | XMODS Evolution
("Weapons and Light Kit for Bumblebee" sold separately) ("Weapons and Light Kit for Barricade" sold separately) |
Micro IR
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| RC aircraft | Clip-On FM Radio
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 |
Note
[edit]- At one point, RadioShack sold a toy called "AM Robot Radio", featuring a design identical to Generation 1 Optimus Prime. This same mold would also be released by Nasta (with a few retooling differences) as an official Transformers-branded toy called "Robot AM Radio" (not to be confused with the Argentinian Radio AM Robot), which suggests that RadioShack's version was a bootleg... Although it is not completely impossible that, by some chance, it might as well have been the original toy and that Nasta's version was simply a rebrand with the official Transformers logo stamped on it. "But it seems unlikely that a very clearly copyright-infringing design would just get the Transformers license from Hasbro", you say? Well, think again. "Okay, but not when the copyright being infringed is the Transformers brand itself", you might respond? Ohohoh, did you not read that Radio AM Robot page that we wikilinked five sentences ago? You fool, you complete fool.
References
[edit]External links
[edit]- [[wikipedia:{{#if:|:}}RadioShack|{{#if:||RadioShack}}]] at Wikipedia
- [[wikipedia:{{#if:|:}}Tandy Corporation|{{#if:||Tandy Corporation}}]] at Wikipedia
- Official homepage