Advanced Changeable Robots / Changeable Robots
Explorer was created by REMCO for the Zybots toy line and first released under the title, 'Zybots Advanced Changeable Robots'.
After the first six figures were released REMCO reissued them with four new figures under the reduced name, 'Zybots Changeable Robots'.
This also saw a change from photographic card images to illustrated character art. A red and yellow cardback theme was adopted that remained for the rest of the Zybots run and was carried over for the Bibots distribution.
Prototypes in vehicle mode were photographed for the initial Advanced Changeable Robots 01 - 06 figure run. In some instances their Gobots parts origins are more obvious than other; Trac's chest is a good example.
The robot mode prototype for Explorer showed thick, silver lines on the front of its arms, used Gobots Buggyman wheels and was called 'Pick-up Camper-02'. The vehicle mode prototype (different to the robot mode) seen on the photo cardback does not have seams where arms could be pulled out and the side sticker runs the length of the vehicle. It also makes use of Buggyman wheels.
It's likely marketing were supplied the prototypes to speed up cardback production in the hope of capitalising on the transforming robot toy market boom as soon as possible.
See main Zybots and Bibots index page for more details.
Region Codes Used: US United States / IT Italy
NOTE: Location codes only shown where items were known to be released. This list is accurate yet likely to be incomplete.
Zybots Advanced Changeable Robots 02 US/IT Remco 1984
Zybots Changeable Robots 02 US/IT Remco 1984
For yellow version see the NEW Changeable Robots section.
Stamped Macau on the inside of one leg or can be not stamped at all.
Distribution:
On both photo card and red and yellow illustrated cardbacks.
In a three pack with Explorer and Earthbreaker - Canadian only Consumers Distributing Catalogue.
In a six pack with Earthbreaker (red body), Mach 1, RPM 2, Torque and Trac; Made in Macau packaging.
In a ten pack with Chopper (black wheels), Earthbreaker (red body), Hot Stuff (Macau), Mach 1, Pickup (XZ grey rims), RPM 2, Torque, Trac and Wrecker (blue & red sticker grey rims).
