CHALLENGE OF THE TRANSFORMERS

Long before Transformers arrived on English shores, Bandai sought to pre-empt the invasion with their own line of transformable robot toys. Initially called 'Robo-Machines', six simple models appeared as rack toys in Zodiac and other toy shops. A tank, a plane, a spaceship, a car, helicopter and a motorbike led the advance party and settled in to await the opposition. Generally well received, the line was gradually expanded with other models and then as time went on, they saw release in the US as Go-Bots, marketed by Tonka.

A cinema film followed and the future of Go-bots seemed secure. However, Hasbro had begun to pump Transformer toys into the market and the line began to struggle. Larger toys were introduced, with combiners drafted in from other japanese lines to bolster the cause.

Most Go-Bots were the same size an sale as  Matchbox car, but a line of larger models appeared, with 7" diecasts.

To diversify further, the basic concept was expanded further, with Puzzler Fiends, a transformable monster collection tat could combine into a larger model.

As the market reached saturation point, with so many different transformable toys on the market from a multitude of makers and knock offs, Bandai moved beyond the transforming technology models to include -- transforming rocks! Rock Lords were a range of action figures based on fantastic rock-based creatures, which again, generated an animated feature film.

The series was very successful, despite its odd theme and included two vehicles, two rock dinosaurs and six weird fluffy things called Gnarlies.

Further extensions of the theme introduced rolling boulders that transformed into robots on contact, three larger models with action features, Jewel-Lords - gem based figures and the rather cool 'Fossilasaurus' a combiner of six models that built a giant robotic Tyrannosaur!

Transforming cars ? Who needs em?