The Energon Pub

I would like to talk about the Go-Bots cartoon. No, not the 1980s "GoBots" cartoon that rivaled the G1 cartoon of Transformers. I'm talking about the four-episode mini-cartoon that accompanied the Playskool Transformers: Go-Bots toyline in 2002-2003.

For anyone who's ever considered any other Transformers series (like Animated) to be "juvenile," "kiddie," "childish," and the like, I'm about to turn your world upside-down. This series makes nearly all the others look like CSI or Saving Private Ryan.

But it's not necessarily "bad", but rather, a simple and formulaic series aimed at much, much younger audience. Think "Transformers" specifically for the Nick Jr. crowd. If you can warm up to the uncomplex plots and easy storytelling, you might find it to be a little entertaining. All it takes is to let out that young child deep inside of you and to view the show from the perspective of a little kid.

The story is simple, and is best explained in the opening narration:

Since the dawn of time, the City of Botropolis has been home to a race of highly adaptable... robots!
Each year, the Council selects a team of Go-Bots to protect and serve the planet which needs the most...
This time, that planet... is Earth.
They chose "The Very Best" in Aero-Bot.
"The Fastest" in Speed-Bot.
"The Strongest" in Strong-Bot.
"The Wildest" in Beast-Bot.
And "The Most Clever" in Buzzer-Bot.

These five "Go-Bot Protectors" guard Earth from other young and reckless Go-Bots who happen upon the planet, seeking fun and excitement while also causing trouble and danger to nearby humans. The protector Go-Bots spring into action, try to undo the damage done by the new arrival, and try to reason with him to settle down and return to Botropolis. Afterward, the newcomer usually gets into danger himself, is saved by Aero-Bot's team, apologizes for the harm he's done, and returns to Botropolis with the hopes of one day becoming a planet's protector himself.

Only four episodes were made, each running roughly 10 minutes in length. The first two were only available with a special Speed-Bot figure, while the other two aired on TV, but only twice, and only in the Chicago and New York areas.

The four episodes were as follows:

• Typhoon Twister - Part 1, Part 2
• Arctic Oil Spill - Part 1, Part 2
• Reptron's Rampage - Part 1, Part 2
• Racer-Bot Road Rally - Part 1, Part 2

A couple of years ago I saw a VHS tape of this show and that I THINK had all 4 episodes on it on sale at Meijers for about $2.00, I was broke at the time so I didn't buy it.

Cyberstrike wrote:A couple of years ago I saw a VHS tape of this show and that I THINK had all 4 episodes on it on sale at Meijers for about $2.00, I was broke at the time so I didn't buy it.

I doubt it, because the first two were only available with a certain Speed-Bot figure, while the other two were never put out for retail release and only aired on TV twice airing only in the New York and Chicago areas.

I'm sorry, I just cant watch it. I just cant!!! I tried...I really did, but it wasnt enough! It kind of reminds me of Animated the wa they're "being" good simaritans (or however you spell it) and giving out public service announcements and **** to that effect. But its just too simple for me and thats saying somthing. I understand its a childrens show, but I cant do it!!!

SlyTF1 wrote:I'm sorry, I just cant watch it. I just cant!!! I tried...I really did, but it wasnt enough! It kind of reminds me of Animated the wa they're "being" good simaritans (or however you spell it) and giving out public service announcements and **** to that effect. But its just too simple for me and thats saying somthing. I understand its a childrens show, but I cant do it!!!

I get it, I get it. They only way I could get through all four was to try to let go of my "I AM A MAN!" feelings and try to focus on at least one positive thing. For this, I chose their voices, particularly Aero-Bot's. It's Paul Dobson using a voice that's identical to his Armada Sideways voice and his Energon Rodimus voice, both of which were epic character voices.

I'm not sure, but I think he's also voicing Beast-Bot, as he sounds a bit like Cybertron Landmine.

I had no idea this existed.

MYoung23 wrote:I had no idea this existed.

Not many did. It had quite a limited release.

Sabrblade wrote:

Cyberstrike wrote:A couple of years ago I saw a VHS tape of this show and that I THINK had all 4 episodes on it on sale at Meijers for about $2.00, I was broke at the time so I didn't buy it.

I doubt it, because the first two were only available with a certain Speed-Bot figure, while the other two were never put out for retail release and only aired on TV twice airing only in the New York and Chicago areas.

It might have been sold seprately as a part of a return or something but I know what I saw, and it may not have all 4 episodes, but there was a VHS tape for sale and the box said Transformers: Go-Bots on it.

Cyberstrike wrote:

Sabrblade wrote:

Cyberstrike wrote:A couple of years ago I saw a VHS tape of this show and that I THINK had all 4 episodes on it on sale at Meijers for about $2.00, I was broke at the time so I didn't buy it.

I doubt it, because the first two were only available with a certain Speed-Bot figure, while the other two were never put out for retail release and only aired on TV twice airing only in the New York and Chicago areas.

It might have been sold seprately as a part of a return or something but I know what I saw, and it may not have all 4 episodes, but there was a VHS tape for sale and the box said Transformers: Go-Bots on it.

I guess that's possible if someone just returned the tape without the figure and figure's packaging (is that even allowed?).

I've never seen it. I have, however, seen the '80s Gobots animated series.

Ratbat wrote:I've never seen it. I have, however, seen the '80s Gobots animated series.

That's why I included links to all four episodes so one could watch it.