First released in Japan by Bandai as part of the Machine Robo range, these larger scale, mostly highly detailed models were later added to the US Gobots, EU Robo Machine and AU Machine Men lines.
The initial intent was to focus on high detail vehicle modes with a 'walker robo' mode as the robot alternative. The walker robo mode is a humanoid machine piloted by the driver and not a sentient being itself. Later large scale releases switched to the more traditional Machine Robo Series style of living robots.
The Machine Robo Scale Robo, Machine Robo DX and Big Machine Robo lines loosely became Super Gobots Series 1 and 2 while Series 3 also designed in Japan were not released for the Japanese market. Series 3 Super Gobots see the most US / EU variants and as more than half of the series were produced in limited numbers, some very limited they have become very collector desirable.
Figure Variation:
As seen in the 600 Series scale figures there were a number of US to EU variants, metallic paint competition prize versions and limited colour special releases in Japan. Specifics are shown under each model's listing.
Packing Variation:
Machine Robo Scale Robo and Machine Robo DX models were released in all opaque, photo boxes resembling in many ways how model kits are traditionally packaged. Big Machine Robo were initially offered in vertical, white boxes with plastic windows following the rainbow band 600 Series box design current at the time. These models were later re-released in non-windowed boxes matching an upscaled version of the 600 Series Revenge of Cronos boxes.
Bandai then released the DX Robo Machine line in similar boxes to their Machine Robo Scale Robo and DX Robo counterparts. A re-packaging saw the line re-issued in vertical boxes with a plastic window and non-folding side flap showing extra details. In this re-release the line name depiction varied from 'DX Robo Machine' to 'Robo Machine DX'. To confusing things further the vertical boxes were released on two colour schemes, a dark black and grey version then a late bright blue, green and yellow design.
Tonka released Super Gobots in vertical, plastic windowed boxes with the inclusion of a fold over card flap to protect the window, the flap acting as the front of the box.
Following Tonka's theme, Bandai issued the Robo Machine and Machine Men versions in similar style boxes that were approximately a quarter larger than their US counterparts and modified to fit in with region specific lines.
Licensed Lines:
1983 - 1983 Bandai - Machine Robo Scale Robo - Japan
1984 - 1984 Bandai - Machine Robo DX - Japan
1985 - 1985 Bandai - Big Machine Robo - Japan
1984 - 1986 Bandai - DX Robo Machine & Robo Machine DX - Europe
1984 - 1986 Bandai - Super Machine Men - Australia
1984 - 1986 Tonka - Super Gobots - United States / Canada / United Kingdom
1993 - 1993 Banda - Robo Machines - Europe