Challenge of the GoBots
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Challenge of the GoBots (also known as Mighty Machine Men) is an American animated series produced by Hanna-Barbera Productions, based on the toy-line released from Tonka. Most of the toys were imported from the Japanese toy line Machine Robo.
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Animated series
The show is similar in theme to Hasbro's more popular Transformers series. Gobots dealt with two opposing forces of transforming robots from the planet Gobotron, the heroic Guardians, led by Leader-1, and also conformed by Turbo and Scooter; and the evil Renegades, led by Cy-Kill, with Crasher and Cop-Tur.
The show was first broadcast on September 8 1984.
Other contemporary toy-based cartoon series include M.A.S.K. and Bionic Six.
Toy line
The initial Gobots toys were re-releases from the Japanese Machine Robo series, sold on blister cards. Other toys from the Machine Robo DX were also released as ‘Super Gobots’. Tonka also created a number of original toys for the line, such as the Command Center, Thruster attack ship and the robot dinosaur, Zod. The initial Gobots were released in 1984.
The Gobots were divided into two factions, the Guardians and the Renegades. Unlike in the Transformers toy line, there was no clear divide between the two factions; the toys had no identifying insignias or markings to indicate their allegiance. Likewise, there was no commonality of design within each faction. The only “theme” to a side was that anything that turned into a “monstrous” looking robot or vehicle was a Renegade. Also, the characters never had guns. Instead they shot energy blasts out of their fists. And all the characters can fly. And the way their voices sound is the most distinguishing. The Guardians' voices had an echo, while the Renegades' voices were more computer-like. Also, the females were built like the males.
As the line continued, Tonka added new toys, including the Power Suits and the Secret Raiders. A spin off line, the Rock Lords was launched in 1986, but it was a failure. The Gobots line was discontinued in 1987, with the Dread Launchers being the last toys released in the line.
Gobots were sold in Australia under the name Mighty Machine Men.
Episode list
- Battle For Gobotron
- Target Earth
- Conquest Of Earth
- Earth Bound
- The Final Conflict
- It's The Thought That Counts
- Renegade Alliance
- Time Wars
- Terror In Atlantis
- Trident's Triple Threat
- Lost On Gobotron
- Cy-Kill's Shrinking Ray
- The Quest For The Rogue-Star
- Ultra Zod
- Sentinel
- Speed Is Of The Essence
- Genius And Son
- Dawn World
- Pacific Overtures
- Forced Alliance
- Invasion From The 21st Level (Part 1)
- Invasion From The 21st Level (Part 2)
- Doppleganger
- Scooter Enhanced
- Tarnished Image
- Cold Spell
- Crime Wave
- Auto-Matic
- Renegade Rampage (Part 1)
- Renegade Rampage (Part 2)
- Search For The Ancient Gobonauts
- Gameworld
- Wolf In The Fold
- Depth Charge
- Transfer Point
- Steamer's Defection
- The GoBot Who Cried Renegade
- The Seer
- Whiz Kid
- Ring Of Fire
- Cy-Kills Escape (Part 1 of 5)
- Quest For The Creator (Part 2 of 5)
- The Fall Of Gobotron (Part 3 of 5)
- Flight To Earth (Part 4 of 5)
- Return To Gobotron (Part 5 of 5)
- Element Of Doom
- Destroy All Guardians
- Escape From Elba
- Fitor To The Finish
- Clutch Of Doom
- The Third Column
- A New Suit For Leader-1
- Renegade Carnival
- The Gift
- Nova Beam
- The Last Magic
- Braxis Gone Bonkers
- Inside Job
- Element Of Danger
- Mission Gobotron
- Et Tu Cy-Kill?
- The GoBots That Time Forgot
- The Secret Of Hailey's Comet
- Guardian Academy
- Quest For New Earth
- Cy-Kill's Cataclysmic Trap
Transformers Gobots
Tonka was bought out by Hasbro in 1991, and either in spite for or in homage to their old competition, Hasbro has used the name "GoBots" several times in their Transformers line.
Image:Csgobots.jpg In 1993, an Autobot car whose name was Gobots was released as part of the Transformers Generation Two Line.
Function: Rear Guard
Motto: "If we don't finish the job and flatten them – we might as well not be in the fight at all."
Bio: He's a vital cog in the vast Autobots battle machine and can endure the most extreme conditions while fighting without fear. Behind the lines, he ties up all the loose ends by mopping up enemies. With his devastating water power, he's a tough vehicle and ready for any endurance challenge. And as a robot, he is equally as deadly.
In 1995 a line of Transformers called Go-Bots (small, Matchbox sized car Transformers which had racing axels) were released (subsequent uses of these molds were renamed Spychangers).
Playskool later released a series of toys called Transformers: Gobots, which has no relation to Challenge of the GoBots.