Tackle (Transformers)

Tackle is the name of a fictional character in the various Transformers universes.

Transformers: Generation 1

Transformers character
name =Tackle


caption =
affiliation =Autobot
subgroup =Multiforce
function =Multiforce Situation Analyst
partner =Mach
motto ="If knowledge is power then I better be careful not to hurt anybody."
alternatemodes =High Performance Jeep
series =
voiceby =Nobuo Satouchi (Japanese)

Tackle is the name of a character in the Transformers: Victory toy line and animated series. He is part of the Autobot Multiforce. All the members of Multiforce can combine with any other member of Multiforce to form a larger robot, but Tackle most commonly combines with Mach to form Machtackle. The Multiforce was originally sold in Japan in 1989 packaged in sets of two. It was reissued in 2004 in single blind packages with black chase figures.

Tackle is a bookworm if there ever was one. He enjoys all the great academic pursuits, science, history, sociology, mathematics and the rest. This vast amount of knowledge he stores in his memory circuits makes him an asset to not only the Multiforce, but the entire Autobot army.

Tackle’s vehicle mode is that of a Jeep, equipping him for nearly any type of terrain. As a member of the Multiforce, Tackle can transform and merge with any of his fellow members. His partner, however, is Mach. With himself as the legs they form the robot Machtackle. Occasionally, but not preferably, he’ll become the head and they’ll become Tacklemach. Tackle’s power represents the Earth.

Mach spends so much time studying and experimenting that he lacks social skills. He can’t give orders very well. Often he’ll get fed up with his partner’s acts of incompetence and argue with him. This usually leads to trouble on the battlefield.

Animated series

Tackle first appeared in episode 1 of , "Star Saber, Hero of the Universe". He served with Multiforce on Earth under the command of Star Saber.

Multiforce was first spotlighted in episode 4, "Multiforce, Combine!" The latest Breastforce warriors -- Jargua, Drillhorn and Killbison -- along with Leozak and the Dinoforce make plans to attack an energy complex. Meanwhile, Jan gets a physics lesson from the Multiforce about fulcrums. Suddenly, at the plant, the Decepticons strike from the air and the sea with the Dinoforce while the Breastforce members hide in the sand in ambush. The Multiforce spot the destruction from afar and battle the Dinoforce on even terms until they form Dinoking. Jan informs the other Autobots that there's danger and Star Saber and the Brainmasters head out to investigate. Just as things look bad, the Multiforce merge to form Landcross to do battle with Dinoking. Star Saber shows up to help Landcross take on Dinoking while the Brainmasters battle Killbison and Jargua, driving away the Decepticons.

Machtackle was spotlighted in episode 15, "Mach and Tackle". In the prairie region of southern Canada, a giant sinkhole suddenly appears without warning, endangering the farmers of the area. The Multiforce member Machtackle is sent to inspect the damage and to investigate its appearance. He finds the farmer who witnessed the appearance at the local bar, before separating into Mach and Tackle to find more information. They discover that the sinkhole is the result of the stoppage of the flow of an underground river. The culprits? The Decepticons, of course. They follow the river upstream and find a Decepticon factory. They call in to base to report this, but the Breastforce then attack. They manage to defeat Hellbat and Jargua individually, then merge into Tacklemach, needing Star Saber's help to defeat Killbison. Star Saber, Wing and Mach then proceed to defeat Leozak and Drillhorn, blowing up the factory.

He last appeared in episode 37, "Charge! The Fortress against the Victory Combination".

In the animation Landcross was seen among other High-ranking Autobots (such as Road Caesar, Grand Maximus, Metalhawk, Lander, and the Autobot Godmasters) when Dai Atlas is sworn-in by Victory Saber as the new Supreme Commander of the Autobot forces.

Toys

*Generation 1 Tackle (1989):Packaged together with his partner Mach. A Takara exclusive, not sold by Hasbro.

*Reissue Tackle (2004):Blind packaged. A Takara exclusive, not sold by Hasbro. In 2004, the entire Multiforce was re-released as part of the Micromaster Collection (despite having never previously been considered Micromasters), in individual boxes with a number visible to show which mold was inside each box. For this release, all of the decals from the original version were replaced with paint applications. Landcross could only be assembled by buying all six components individually; he was never offered as a complete set.

*Reissue Black Tackle (2004):Blind packaged special stealth figure. A Takara exclusive, not sold by Hasbro. In every case of twelve Multiforce "Micromasters," two of them were solid-black-plastic "stealth mode" variations. All six toys were available in this manner, and could be combined into a black "stealth mode" Landcross.

References

*http://www.cliffbee.com/reviews/machtackle.php - Toy review.