Gobots Loco (MR-05) Review

Although he's relatively unknown, Loco of the Renegades is one of the best looking Gobots

The Gobot toyline was based on figures produced by Popy of Japan (later Bandai), named Machine Robo.
In 1983, Tonka decided to import the line into America after realizing Hasbro were doing the same with Takara’s Diaclone and Microman's Microchange lines, which became Transformers after crossing the Pacific.

In another similarity to Transformers, Tonka decided to make the figures sentient robots, rather than human-piloted mecha as they had been in Japan, and divided them into two factions – the good Guardians and evil Renegades (although early figures were simply described as ‘Friendly’ or ‘Enemy’ on the packaging).
The figures were all given individual names, in contrast to the simple designations they received in Japan.

The North American GoBots line contained over 60 regular size figures produced from 1984 to 1987.
They were the basic figures of the line, and all averaged in the same height.  Each figure was given a GoBots number on their package. Collectors choose to go by the MR (Machine Robo) numbers that were placed on each figure.  Machine Robo is the original Japanese line that was produced earlier than GoBots.

I don't recall if I saw Loco in an episode but I know I didn't get him because of the TV show.  I used to like transforming toys so my dad bought me a mix of Transformers and Gobots.  Gobots were selling for a lot less than Transformers so I tended to have more of those early in my childhood.

Locomotive mode
Tonka wasn't very imaginative with the names.

Front:


Side:

The metallic red and gold paint really help bring out details of the locomotive.  The two large wheels are plastic and roll freely. The two smaller front wheels do no roll.

Back:


Robot mode

Front:

Loco's hands are molded closed but it doesn't matter much since each Gobot's hands shoots lasers in the show. I'm not sure what D-5147 means. The chest area features pre-applied stickers while the legs are painted.

Side:

The top half of the body is made with diecast metal while the legs and arms are plastic.

Back:

The top of the train is the robot's back - pretty typical of all the Gobots

Articulation:

Loco can swing his legs forward and his arms can rotate a full circle. Pretty standard stuff for transforming toys from the 80s.

Popy D.S:


A very small pocketable size:


Loco looks really good as a locomotive and his robot form has a nice Japanese robot charm with its simple use of red and silver paint. There's not much paint overspray (just the gold paint around the windows) and his locomotive mode features a good amount of detailing.


Eric Toy Score: 3 out of 5

Publisher: Tonka / Popy D.S. / Bandai
Year: 1982
Price: ~$2.00