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{{Infobox Television {{Infobox Television
| show_name = They Are the K-Mart Transformers | show_name = Challenge of the GoBots
| image = ] | image = ]
| caption = | caption =
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| developer = | developer =
| executive_producer = | executive_producer =
| starring = ]<br>]<br>]<br>]<br>]<br>]<br>]<br>]<br>]<br>]<br>]<br>] | starring = ]<br>]<br>]<br>]<br>]<br>]<br>]<br>]<br>]<br>]<br>]<br>]
| narrated = | narrated =
| opentheme = | opentheme =
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| tv_com_id = 4119 | tv_com_id = 4119
}} }}
'''''They Are the K-Mart Transformers''''' (also known as '''''Mighty Welfare Trash''''') is an ] ] produced by ], based on the ] released from ]. Most of the toys were imported from the Japanese toy line '']''. '''''Challenge of the GoBots''''' (also known as '''''Mighty Machine Men''''') is an ] ] produced by ], based on the ] released from ]. Most of the toys were imported from the Japanese toy line '']''.


==Animated series== ==Animated series==


The show is similar in theme to ]'s more popular '']''. ''They Are the K-Mart Transformers'' dealt with two opposing forces of transforming robots from the planet K-Martron: the heroic Welfare Officers and the evil Falling Prices. The Welfare Officers were led by Food Stamp with others including Register and Rascal Scooter. The Falling Prices were led by ], with Easylay and Rent-a-Cop among their ranks. The characters never had guns, instead shooting energy blasts out of their fists. Unlike Transformers, ''They Are the K-Mart Transformers'' had regular female characters. (''Transformers'' didn't introduce female robot characters until its second season, and then only as recurring, not regular characters.) However, the females were built like the males. The show is similar in theme to ]'s more popular '']''. ''GoBots'' dealt with two opposing forces of transforming robots from the planet Gobotron: the heroic Guardians and the evil Renegades. The Guardians were led by Leader-1 with others including Turbo and Scooter. The Renegades were led by ], with Crasher and Cop-Tur among their ranks. The characters never had guns, instead shooting energy blasts out of their fists. Unlike Transformers, ''GoBots'' had regular female characters. (''Transformers'' didn't introduce female robot characters until its second season, and then only as recurring, not regular characters.) However, the females were built like the males.


Thousands of years ago on the planet that came to be known as K-Martron (It is unclear Thousands of years ago on the planet that came to be known as GoBotron (It is unclear
if the planet was originally known as K-Martron or if its name had been if the planet was originally known as GoBotron or if its name had been
changed by the robots that became the dominant lifeform), there lived a race of human-like beings. At some point in time, whether by natural causes or by catastrophe, this humaniod race ceased to exist... save two. changed by the robots that became the dominant lifeform), there lived a race of human-like beings. At some point in time, whether by natural causes or by catastrophe, this humaniod race ceased to exist... save two.


One became known as the Last Kegger, the stuff of K-Martian legend. The other is referred to One became known as the Last Engineer, the stuff of GoBotian legend. The other is referred to
as the Master Falling Prices. Nothing has been revealed about the humaniod Falling Prices, why they were referred to as such, or why the Master Falling Prices was in suspended animation. as the Master Renegade. Nothing has been revealed about the humaniod Renegades, why they were referred to as such, or why the Master Renegade was in suspended animation.
It is also unclear as to why Sam's Club named his faction of K-Mart Transformers "Falling Prices". Whether it was a coincidence, a matter of fact, or if Sam's Club had some knowledge of the humaniod Falling Prices remains a matter of speculation. It is also unclear as to why Cy-Kill named his faction of GoBots "Renegades". Whether it was
a coincidence, a matter of fact, or if Cy-Kill had some knowledge of the humaniod Renegades remains a matter of speculation.


In the last quarter of the 20th Century, the planet Earth became involved in the conflict In the last quarter of the 20th Century, the planet Earth became involved in the conflict
between Food Stamp's Welfare Officers and Sam's Club's Falling Prices. During one of the these battles, one of Food Stamp's lieutenants became severely damaged. Unwilling to let his friend and between Leader-1's Guardians and Cy-Kill's Renegades. During one of the these battles,
one of Leader-1's lieutenants became severely damaged. Unwilling to let his friend and
teammate die, Food Stamp began his quest to find the legendary Last Kegger. teammate die, Leader-1 began his quest to find the legendary Last Engineer.
Food Stamp found the person he believed to be the Last Kegger, but Food Stamp had unwittingly Leader-1 found the person he believed to be the Last Engineer, but Leader-1 had unwittingly
released the Master Falling Prices. Later realizing his mistake, Food Stamp and his allies found released the Master Renegade. Later realizing his mistake, Leader-1 and his allies found
the true Last Kegger and Food Stamp's teammate was restored to optimal condition. the true Last Engineer and Leader-1's teammate was restored to optimal condition.


The Master Falling Prices later escaped the custody of the Welfare Officers and continued to plague both factions of K-Mart Transformers as the Master Renegade attempted to usurp Sam's Club's leadership of the Falling Prices. The Master Renegade later escaped the custody of the Guardians and continued to plauge
both factions of GoBots as the Master Renegade attempted to usurp Cy-Kill's leadership
of the Renegades.


As to why the Master Falling Prices was completely forgotten and the Last Kegger became legend is again up to speculation. As to why the Master Renegade was completely forgotten and the Last Engineer became legend is again up to speculation.


Among the Falling Prices were Spoiler, a K-Mart Transformer that changed into a rape van, Greeter, who changed into a version of his namesake, and Easylay, a female Falling Price who changed into a bitchin' Camaro. Among the Renegades were Tux, a GoBot that changed into a white Rolls Royce, Zero who changed into a version of his namesake and Crasher, a female Renegade who changed into a racecar.


Unlike in '']'', ''They Are the K-Mart Transformers'' had no clear divide between the two factions. The characters (as well as the toys) had no identifying insignias or markings to indicate their allegiance, although it was clearly indicted on the packaging. Likewise, there was no commonality of design within each faction. Unlike ''The Transformers'', all the characters can fly. (Within the Transformers universe, flight was a skill found only in ], with a few exceptions.) Unlike in '']'', ''GoBots'' had no clear divide between the two factions. The characters (as well as the toys) had no identifying insignias or markings to indicate their allegiance, although it was clearly indicted on the packaging. Likewise, there was no commonality of design within each faction. Unlike ''The Transformers'', all the characters can fly. (Within the Transformers universe, flight was a skill found only in ], with a few exceptions.)


The only “theme” to a side was that anything that turned into a “monstrous” looking robot or vehicle was a Falling Price. Perhaps the most distinguishing trait dividing Welfare Officers from Falling Prices was the way their voices sounded. The Welfare Officers' voices had an echo, while the Falling Prices' voices were more computer-like. The only “theme” to a side was that anything that turned into a “monstrous” looking robot or vehicle was a Renegade. Perhaps the most distinguishing trait dividing Guardians from Renegades was the way their voices sounded. The Guardians' voices had an echo, while the Renegades' voices were more computer-like.


The show was first broadcast on ], ]. The show was first broadcast on ], ].


== Toy line == == Toy line ==
The initial ''They Are the K-Mart Transformers'' toys were re-releases from the Japanese ] series, sold on blister cards. Other toys from the ''Transformers K-Mart DX'' line were also released as ‘Super K-Mart Transformers’. ] also created a number of original toys for the line, such as the Command Center, El Camino attack ship and the robot dinosaur, Smiley. The initial K-Mart Transformers were released in 1984. The good robots were initially designated "Friendly" and "Enemy" and were only later dubbed "Welfare Officers" and "Falling Prices" after the TV series had been on a season. The initial ''GoBots'' toys were re-releases from the Japanese ] series, sold on blister cards. Other toys from the ''Machine Robo DX'' line were also released as ‘Super GoBots’. ] 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 good robots were initially designated "Friendly" and "Enemy" and were only later dubbed "Guardian" and "Renegade" after the TV series had been on a season.


As the line continued, Tonka added new toys, including the Tuxedo Shirts and the Shoplifters. A spin*off line, the ] was launched in 1986, but it was a failure. The K-Mart Transformers line was discontinued in ], with the Cart Launchers being the last toys released in the line. As the line continued, Tonka added new toys, including the Power Suits and the Secret Raiders. A spin*off line, the ] was launched in 1986, but it was a failure. The GoBots line was discontinued in ], with the Dread Launchers being the last toys released in the line.


K-Mart Transformers were sold in ] under the name ''Mighty Welfare Trash''. Gobots were sold in ] under the name ''Mighty Machine Men''.


== Episode list == == Episode list ==
# ''Battle For K-Martron'' # ''Battle For Gobotron''
# ''Target Earth'' # ''Target Earth''
# ''Conquest Of Earth'' # ''Conquest Of Earth''
Line 70: Line 74:
# ''The Final Conflict'' # ''The Final Conflict''
# ''It's The Thought That Counts'' # ''It's The Thought That Counts''
# ''Falling Prices Alliance'' # ''Renegade Alliance''
# ''Time Wars'' # ''Time Wars''
# ''Terror In Atlantis'' # ''Terror In Atlantis''
# ''Trident's Triple Threat'' # ''Trident's Triple Threat''
# ''Lost On K-Martron'' # ''Lost On Gobotron''
# ''Sam's Club's Shrinking Ray'' # ''Cy-Kill's Shrinking Ray''
# ''The Quest For The Rogue-Star'' # ''The Quest For The Rogue-Star''
# ''Ultra Smiley'' # ''Ultra Zod''
# ''Sentinel'' # ''Sentinel''
# ''Speed Is Of The Essence'' # ''Speed Is Of The Essence''
Line 84: Line 88:
# ''Pacific Overtures'' # ''Pacific Overtures''
# ''Forced Alliance'' # ''Forced Alliance''
# ''Invasion From The 21st Aisle (Part 1)'' # ''Invasion From The 21st Level (Part 1)''
# ''Invasion From The 21st Aisle (Part 2)'' # ''Invasion From The 21st Level (Part 2)''
# ''Doppelganger'' # ''Doppelganger''
# ''Rascal Scooter Enhanced'' # ''Scooter Enhanced''
# ''Tarnished Image'' # ''Tarnished Image''
# ''Cold Spell'' # ''Cold Spell''
# ''Crime Wave'' # ''Crime Wave''
# ''Auto-Matic'' # ''Auto-Matic''
# ''Falling Prices Rampage (Part 1)'' # ''Renegade Rampage (Part 1)''
# ''Falling Prices Rampage (Part 2)'' # ''Renegade Rampage (Part 2)''
# ''Search For The Ancient K-Martnauts'' # ''Search For The Ancient Gobonauts''
# ''Gameworld'' # ''Gameworld''
# ''Wolf In The Fold'' # ''Wolf In The Fold''
# ''Depth Charge'' # ''Depth Charge''
# ''Transfer Point'' # ''Transfer Point''
# ''Cleveland Steamer's Defection'' # ''Steamer's Defection''
# ''The K-Mart Transformer Who Cried Falling Prices'' # ''The GoBot Who Cried Renegade''
# ''The Seer'' # ''The Seer''
# ''Whiz Kid'' # ''Whiz Kid''
# ''Ring Of Fire'' # ''Ring Of Fire''
# ''Sam's Club's Escape (Part 1 of 5)'' # ''Cy-Kills Escape (Part 1 of 5)''
# ''Quest For The Sweatshop Owner (Part 2 of 5)'' # ''Quest For The Creator (Part 2 of 5)''
# ''The Fall Of K-Martron (Part 3 of 5)'' # ''The Fall Of Gobotron (Part 3 of 5)''
# ''Flight To Earth (Part 4 of 5)'' # ''Flight To Earth (Part 4 of 5)''
# ''Return To K-Martron (Part 5 of 5)'' # ''Return To Gobotron (Part 5 of 5)''
# ''Element Of Doom'' # ''Element Of Doom''
# ''Destroy All Welfare Officers'' # ''Destroy All Guardians''
# ''Escape From Elba'' # ''Escape From Elba''
# ''Fitor To The Finish'' # ''Fitor To The Finish''
# ''Clutch Of Doom'' # ''Clutch Of Doom''
# ''The Third Aisle'' # ''The Third Column''
# ''A New Suit For Food Stamp'' # ''A New Suit For Leader-1''
# ''Falling Prices Carnival'' # ''Renegade Carnival''
# ''The Gift'' # ''The Gift''
# ''Nova Beam'' # ''Nova Beam''
# ''The Last Magic'' # ''The Last Magic''
# ''Price Check Gone Bonkers'' # ''Braxis Gone Bonkers''
# ''Inside Job'' # ''Inside Job''
# ''Element Of Danger'' # ''Element Of Danger''
# ''Mission K-Martron'' # ''Mission Gobotron''
# ''Et Tu Sam's Club?'' # ''Et Tu Cy-Kill?''
# ''The K-Mart Transformers That Time Forgot'' # ''The GoBots That Time Forgot''
# ''The Secret Of ]'' # ''The Secret Of ]''
# ''Welfare Officers Academy'' # ''Guardian Academy''
# ''Quest For New Earth'' # ''Quest For New Earth''
# ''Sam's Club's Cataclysmic Trap'' # ''Cy-Kill's Cataclysmic Trap''


==Transformers K-Mart== ==Transformers Gobots==
Tonka was bought out by ] in ], and either in spite for or in homage to their old competition, Hasbro has used the name "K-Mart Transformers" several times in their Transformers line. Tonka was bought out by ] in ], and either in spite for or in homage to their old competition, Hasbro has used the name "GoBots" several times in their Transformers line.


====G2==== ====G2====
Line 147: Line 151:


====Japanese==== ====Japanese====
] released a sixpack of minibot Transformers which were recolored into K-Mart Transformers characters. The storyline behind the set is that the K-Mart Transformer's dimension is being threatened by a new evil and the key to the universes' survival is being sought by the K-Mart Transformers in the Transformer's dimension. They are undercover and disguised as both Autobots and Decepticons. ] released a sixpack of minibot Transformers which were recolored into Gobots characters. The storyline behind the set is that the Gobot's dimension is being threatened by a new evil and the key to the universes' survival is being sought by the Gobots in the Transformer's dimension. They are undercover and disguised as both Autobots and Decepticons.
The set included both Welfare Officers and Falling Prices and was comprised of the characters Shoplifter, Small Aisle, Social Security, Juvenile Delinquent, Bag Lady, and Impulse Purchase. This set was an ] exclusive and was available in Japan in 2004. The set included both Guardians and Renegades and was comprised of the characters Pathfinder, Small Foot, Road Ranger, Bad Boy, Bug Bite, and Treads. This set was an ] exclusive and was available in Japan in 2004.


====Current==== ====Current====
] later released a series of toys called '']'', which has no relation to ''They Are the K-Mart Transformers''. ] later released a series of toys called '']'', which has no relation to ''Challenge of the GoBots''.


== See also == == See also ==
* '']'' (]) * '']'' (])


== External links == == External links ==
* {{imdb title|id=0139769|title=They Are the K-Mart Transformers}} * {{imdb title|id=0139769|title=Challenge of the GoBots}}


] ]
] ]
] ]
] ]
] ]
] ]


] ]

Revision as of 01:38, 14 September 2006

1984 TV series or program
Challenge of the GoBots
StarringLou Richards
Arthur Burghardt
Frank Welker
Bernard Erhard
Marilyn Lightstone
Ike Eisenmann
Leslie Speights
Morgan Paull
Phil Hartman
B.J.Ward
Brock Peters
Peter Cullen
No. of episodes66
Production
Running time30 mins
Original release
ReleaseSeptember 8, 1984

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.

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 and the evil Renegades. The Guardians were led by Leader-1 with others including Turbo and Scooter. The Renegades were led by Cy-Kill, with Crasher and Cop-Tur among their ranks. The characters never had guns, instead shooting energy blasts out of their fists. Unlike Transformers, GoBots had regular female characters. (Transformers didn't introduce female robot characters until its second season, and then only as recurring, not regular characters.) However, the females were built like the males.

Thousands of years ago on the planet that came to be known as GoBotron (It is unclear if the planet was originally known as GoBotron or if its name had been changed by the robots that became the dominant lifeform), there lived a race of human-like beings. At some point in time, whether by natural causes or by catastrophe, this humaniod race ceased to exist... save two.

One became known as the Last Engineer, the stuff of GoBotian legend. The other is referred to as the Master Renegade. Nothing has been revealed about the humaniod Renegades, why they were referred to as such, or why the Master Renegade was in suspended animation. It is also unclear as to why Cy-Kill named his faction of GoBots "Renegades". Whether it was a coincidence, a matter of fact, or if Cy-Kill had some knowledge of the humaniod Renegades remains a matter of speculation.

In the last quarter of the 20th Century, the planet Earth became involved in the conflict between Leader-1's Guardians and Cy-Kill's Renegades. During one of the these battles, one of Leader-1's lieutenants became severely damaged. Unwilling to let his friend and teammate die, Leader-1 began his quest to find the legendary Last Engineer. Leader-1 found the person he believed to be the Last Engineer, but Leader-1 had unwittingly released the Master Renegade. Later realizing his mistake, Leader-1 and his allies found the true Last Engineer and Leader-1's teammate was restored to optimal condition.

The Master Renegade later escaped the custody of the Guardians and continued to plauge both factions of GoBots as the Master Renegade attempted to usurp Cy-Kill's leadership of the Renegades.

As to why the Master Renegade was completely forgotten and the Last Engineer became legend is again up to speculation.

Among the Renegades were Tux, a GoBot that changed into a white Rolls Royce, Zero who changed into a version of his namesake and Crasher, a female Renegade who changed into a racecar.

Unlike in The Transformers, GoBots had no clear divide between the two factions. The characters (as well as the toys) had no identifying insignias or markings to indicate their allegiance, although it was clearly indicted on the packaging. Likewise, there was no commonality of design within each faction. Unlike The Transformers, all the characters can fly. (Within the Transformers universe, flight was a skill found only in Decepticons, with a few exceptions.)

The only “theme” to a side was that anything that turned into a “monstrous” looking robot or vehicle was a Renegade. Perhaps the most distinguishing trait dividing Guardians from Renegades was the way their voices sounded. The Guardians' voices had an echo, while the Renegades' voices were more computer-like.

The show was first broadcast on September 8, 1984.

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 line 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 good robots were initially designated "Friendly" and "Enemy" and were only later dubbed "Guardian" and "Renegade" after the TV series had been on a season.

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

  1. Battle For Gobotron
  2. Target Earth
  3. Conquest Of Earth
  4. Earth Bound
  5. The Final Conflict
  6. It's The Thought That Counts
  7. Renegade Alliance
  8. Time Wars
  9. Terror In Atlantis
  10. Trident's Triple Threat
  11. Lost On Gobotron
  12. Cy-Kill's Shrinking Ray
  13. The Quest For The Rogue-Star
  14. Ultra Zod
  15. Sentinel
  16. Speed Is Of The Essence
  17. Genius And Son
  18. Dawn World
  19. Pacific Overtures
  20. Forced Alliance
  21. Invasion From The 21st Level (Part 1)
  22. Invasion From The 21st Level (Part 2)
  23. Doppelganger
  24. Scooter Enhanced
  25. Tarnished Image
  26. Cold Spell
  27. Crime Wave
  28. Auto-Matic
  29. Renegade Rampage (Part 1)
  30. Renegade Rampage (Part 2)
  31. Search For The Ancient Gobonauts
  32. Gameworld
  33. Wolf In The Fold
  34. Depth Charge
  35. Transfer Point
  36. Steamer's Defection
  37. The GoBot Who Cried Renegade
  38. The Seer
  39. Whiz Kid
  40. Ring Of Fire
  41. Cy-Kills Escape (Part 1 of 5)
  42. Quest For The Creator (Part 2 of 5)
  43. The Fall Of Gobotron (Part 3 of 5)
  44. Flight To Earth (Part 4 of 5)
  45. Return To Gobotron (Part 5 of 5)
  46. Element Of Doom
  47. Destroy All Guardians
  48. Escape From Elba
  49. Fitor To The Finish
  50. Clutch Of Doom
  51. The Third Column
  52. A New Suit For Leader-1
  53. Renegade Carnival
  54. The Gift
  55. Nova Beam
  56. The Last Magic
  57. Braxis Gone Bonkers
  58. Inside Job
  59. Element Of Danger
  60. Mission Gobotron
  61. Et Tu Cy-Kill?
  62. The GoBots That Time Forgot
  63. The Secret Of Hailey's Comet
  64. Guardian Academy
  65. Quest For New Earth
  66. 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.

G2

File:Csgobots.jpg
Generation Two Autobot Gobots.

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).

Japanese

Takara released a sixpack of minibot Transformers which were recolored into Gobots characters. The storyline behind the set is that the Gobot's dimension is being threatened by a new evil and the key to the universes' survival is being sought by the Gobots in the Transformer's dimension. They are undercover and disguised as both Autobots and Decepticons. The set included both Guardians and Renegades and was comprised of the characters Pathfinder, Small Foot, Road Ranger, Bad Boy, Bug Bite, and Treads. This set was an E-hobby exclusive and was available in Japan in 2004.

Current

Playskool later released a series of toys called Transformers: Gobots, which has no relation to Challenge of the GoBots.

See also

External links

Categories: