you’re able to build up anything you’re able to reckon out of Legos , and that ’s a quite an accomplishment . But what if there was a expression toy that only allowed you to create robotics , freak and other science fiction awesomeness ? Well , there was , and they were called Robotix .
In the pantheon of dear ’ 80s toy , Robotix is n’t fabulously well remembered , which is a shame . They were kind of like a mix of erector set and Capsela construction miniature , which , if you ’re unfamiliar with either , mean they were more about build up framework as opposed to solid institution , and they also include motors . Each kit was based around some variety of unwarranted , skill fiction - inspired vehicle or robot : these include everything from a unusual , quadrupedal “ Lunar Explorer ” to a spaceship - satellite hybrid with a elephantine claw on the front named Tyrannix to an outright elephantine robo - Tyrannosaurus . And the motors allowed pieces to move , claws to clasp , and for giant robo - Tyrannosaurus jaws to open and shut . They were wondrous .
It also helped that every Robotix musical composition looked like it was make out of Industrial Light and Magic , circa 1983 . Every rod , joint and piece had that random , complex , “ real”-feeling design quality that ILM brought to the spaceships and vehicle of the Star Wars movies . So no matter what you finish up building , it looked and feel like something that could have combat X - Wings and TIE Fighters — a massive , massive note value - add to nerdy children in the ’ 80s .
The actual Robotix designs were so bizarre they much demand originative reinterpretation . If the ending result was already going to be something as crazy as a fawn robo - moon - lounge lizard , there was no cause for child not to try out further . Between the four main circle — Bront , Argus , Tyrannix and Venturak — the sets admit unlike types of motorized legs , jet and wheels ; two unlike types of robo - dinosaurs jaws , several pinchers ; cockpits , satellite panel , and various other spaceship parts ; and several motor and joint in ordering to mechanize your scifi founding . Sure , all the motors necessitate promising yellow wires , but that was a small price to pay for being able to build an awe-inspiring robot , spaceship or beast that you could control with a push of a button .
While Legos were infinitely more versatile , the scifi aesthetic of Robotix lent the toyline its own alone solicitation — and the fact of the matter is , it did n’t matter how many Legos you had , you would never be able-bodied to build a starship out of Legos that seem half as cool as the Tyrannix . You sure as shooting could n’t build a terrifying robo - Godzilla - esque monstrosity like Argus , that ’s for sure . And if you happened to have ever witnessed the Robotix sketch back in the ’ LXXX , please do n’t support that against the plaything . Yes , the toys gave the show its name , but the cartoon could n’t be bothered with even matching the toy designs .
Believe it or not , you could in reality still buy Robotix today . Milton Bradley sold the permit to Leaning Curve in the ’ 90s , which rereleased the set with the piece in bright , gaudy colors instead of the more Star Wars - esque whitish - gray . finally Learning Curve sell the licence toRobotics and thing , a site which has create several new vehicles and automaton solidifying , including the Robot Commander , which stands 5 - pes tall .
So if you’re able to actually grease one’s palms Robotix , why am I demand someone bring them back ? Well , because I ’m an old wonk wallowing in nostalgia , mainly — this is passably standard procedure . But also because the original Robotix and its unique aesthetic is no more . I do n’t need faux Wall - Es and neon R / blow car — I want bizarre robotic fauna that take their insane conception but still render them in authentic , “ naturalistic ” design . I want modern applied science and wireless motor and computer programming to be added to the Graeco-Roman Robotix blueprint , still utterly alone even 30 years later on . The possibility may not be endless , but like Robotix themselves , the possibilities are in spades all awesome .
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