Review – Bug Bots Dragon Drone (1984)

Back in 1984 and 1985 the transforming robot craze climbed the toy charts and took complete command of Christmas and birthday gift-giving. Transformers and GoBots were the top brands of the day, but toy manufacturers who saw the success and demand for transforming robot toys stepped in with line after line in an attempt to meet the unexpected — and seemingly endless — demand for transforming robot toys.

“I like them. They look neat,” said [Rory] Wright, who already has a sizable collection of toys which can change from a toy gun, airplane or car to a robot and back again. He started collecting the converter toys two months ago and already has 12, six of the prized Transformers and six other brands.

–Marty Morrison, “Transformation,” The Free Lance-Star (December 11, 1984)

Today it is those “other brands” of transforming robot toys that get our attention, with the 1984 Buddy-L Bug Bots series just one of numerous brands that toymakers rushed to the market in 1984 and 1985 in an attempt to capture dollars from unsuspecting parents, grandparents, and other well-meaning relatives.

A Transforming Bug

The year before the Transformers Insecticons reached toy shelves this Bug Bot series was out there and already in the hands of children. This particular Bug Bot, identified as Dragon Drone on the cardback (even if the colors don’t match), is fairly representative of the entire Bug Bots line: Cheap plastic, a simplistic transformation, no paint apps at all, and minimal and simple stickers are all a kid could expect from a Buddy-L Bug Bot cheap transforming robot toy.

Minimal Transformation Design

You can check the card back image for the step-by-step instructions, but anyone who has spent more than 30 or 40 seconds with a transforming robot toy will have no problems transforming this toy without the instructions. Remarkably, the arms actually do collapse a little into the body, but that’s really the only possible “surprise” when playing with the toy. Those legs love to stick when the toy’s in insect mode, so it takes more force than I like to extend the legs and I’ll likely just leave the toy in robot mode rather than risk snapping a toy that’s over three decades old.

Seriously, No Paint!

Take a look at the Dragon Drone robot’s face, below, and you’ll see that I was completely serious when I said there are no paint applications on the toy. There are decent sculpt face details on the robot — especially considering the era — but the bright green plastic has no detailed paintwork so the face is essentially a blank slate unless studied closely under the light.

Representative of the Time

The Buddy-L Bug Bots Dragon Drone is a smallish robot, standing 2.75-inches tall to the top of the robot’s head (the insect horn makes it appear larger than it really is), and the entire construction and design is a fair representation of the cheap transforming robot toys of the eighties. There’s not a lot of information about the toys online (but do see the Buddy-L 1986 catalog at Parry Game Preserve), but after holding and playing with the toy I’m willing to bet there’s not a lot of demand for these toys.

Closing Thoughts

1984 and 1985 were special years for cheap transforming robot toys, with so many different brands and designs on the market that it would be near-impossible to locate them all. The Buddy-L Bug Bots are just one example of the robot toys that were taking the United States toy shelves during these years, and getting a chance to properly photograph and share this toy with the world was an opportunity that I couldn’t resist.

I’m not about to suggest that anyone rush out and buy these — especially carded — but I do hope that all of you find these pics enjoyable. Now to see if I can locate any other bad transforming robot toys of the eighties and share them with all of you.