Quote Originally Posted by Robzy View Post
It's an interesting story actually... and one of the prime reasons GoBots failed compared to TFs on an international market basis.

GoBots were originally released (well before TFs) in several countries as Machine Men, Machine Robo, etc... They didn't sell too well in the US until they were re-packaged and re-branded as "GoBots" (esp once they commissioned a cartoon series). In Australia, however, sales were very strong!! So, the thinking at the time was "if it ain't broke..." So, the branding remained the same... we Aussies had our own theme song, MM logo and marketing. GoBots had different names in many different countries... Robo Machine in Europe (UK, France etc...) and initially the US, Machine Robo in Japan, and a whole host of others.

Again, this 'local charm' factor was unfortunately one of the line's failings... TFs were branded the same worldwide. It's funny, I have several Rocklords cards and they've simply stuck a 'Machine Men' sticker over the 'Gobots' title.
Thanks for the interesting historical lesson.

My favourite episode was "The GoBots that time forgot". But I only watched a little of it (and most of the GoBots series) .... :0 I did want to watch more, but for some reason didn't get around to it. So might be getting the DVDs.