Zoids - the OER

The failed Japanese Mechabonica line was simultaneously re-released in America and Europe under the new name Zoids and proved far more successful than its precursor. In America, the Zoids line would become Robo Strux but in Europe it was to retain the Zoids name and undergo a vast expansion with new names and colour schemes.

The first five Zoids to be released in Europe were initially un-named, but when the line proved successful they were re-released under the names Tyrannazoid (Garius), Terrazoid (Glidoler), Spiderzoid (Gargantulus), Aquazoid (Aquadon) and Protozoid (Elephantus). Though renamed, both versions are identical in design and colouration. They were promptly joined by the first battery-operated Zoids, Serpent, Tank and the lumbering Giant ZRK (Bigasaur).

From here, the line continued and gained a backstory introducing an enemy for the Zoids, the Red Mutants, headed by Redhorn the Terrible. Earlier Zoids were grouped together under the title of Blue Zoids and were led by the Mighty Zoidzilla and the two factions went to war. Tank and Serpent were re-released with new box art and colour schemes to properly match their sides; Tank's brown wheels became black and he joined the Blue Zoids whilst Serpent's dull red became the typical vine red of the Red Mutants and his brown wheels became silver. Tank and Serpent's new colours became the trend; previously Zoids had been directly imported from Japan but now they were given new colours and faction-switches with blues becoming red and vice versa.

Later, the comic moved on to introduce a new faction headed by Krark, the Prince of Darkness (Salamander), a ferocious winged Red Zoid who believed all Zoids should unite and conquer the galaxy.

Towards the end of the line, the Super 1000 Zoids were released. These were Zoids powered by large wind-up motors, the like of which had never been seen before in the UK. In their backstory they were introduced as 'Renegade Zoids' whose task it was to battle against Krark's united Zoid army. It would appear that they were initially going to have new colour schemes but the decline of the line's popularity meant that such a move wouldn't be cost-effective - as a result they were imported straight from Japan's line and were not recoloured or altered in any way. Although they were a refreshing change they proved unable to halt the OER's ultimate demise.

In total, 48 different Zoids were released as part of the OER line (not including variants, contest prizes and unreleased models). No accessory sets were planned for release although the OJR Terrestrial Soldiers set featured in the comic and a 'Diorama Crater' was available as a mail-away prize. A series of contest prizes was also released, for further information see Ghost Zoids.

Most of the Zoids were direct re-releases or straight recolours of the Original Japanese Release versions. The exceptions were the Terrared and Tarantulon; instead of straight recolours of the Glidoler and Gargantulus, these versions were equipped with Red Mutant/Zenebas-style "Clamshell" heads. While the OJR Malder, Iron Kong and Salamander were quipped with spring-loaded missile launchers, their OER counterparts were not. Slime (Malder) retained the launcher but without the spring, Gore the Lord Protector (Iron Kong) came with an entirely different, non-functional launcher and Krark had the missiles moulded into the launchers themselves.

A special edition of Mammoth the Destroyer was sold in France alongside the usual red one that was available at the time. Though identical to the OJR release (with the exception of having silver pilots instead of gold and the OER version of the sticker sheet), many consider this to be a pre-mutation Blue version of the Zoid. Subtle differences indicate that this was a separate production run and not just an import of unsold Japanese stock. One of those differences was that it was made in Singapore.

Two Zoids in this line have gained a legendary status. The first and foremost is Deathsaurus, a blue-zoid recolour of the mighty Deathsaurer that was seen in a televised advertisement during the 80s. Sadly, this advertisement is the only evidence of its existence.

Though impressive, Deathsaurus is completely overshadowed by the far more widely known of the two legends, the Red mutant version of Ultrasaurus. A huge amount of speculation surrounds this Zoid concerning its existence - it originally appeared in a toy catalogue during the 80s but was apparently never released. Despite this, many people claimed to have seen it in shops and speculation was boosted even further when what appeared to be a red Ultrasaurus briefly appeared on eBay in 2003. Although this Ultrasaurus differed slightly in colouration to the one in the catalogue, many people take this as the definitive proof of the Zoid's existence.

One final point of interest is that due to Tomy having several manufacturing plants, different versions of each Zoid exist. Such differences are caused by the molds not being identical and though they are slight (more/less detail, larger/smaller mounting points etc) they often mean that parts from one version of a Zoid are not compatible with another version. In general, Zoids made in Japan have better detailing and plastic quality than those made elsewhere (Singapore, France etc).

The Models

(Names in brackets indicate the original Japanese name of the kit)

The Blue Zoid Army consists of 23 standard Zoids, 1 colour variant, 1 special edition and 1 unreleased (26 total):

*Tyrannazoid (Garius)
*Terrazoid (Glidoler)
*Protozoid (Elephantus)
*Spiderzoid (Gargantulus)
*Aquazoid (Aquadon)
*Stegazoid (Gorgodos)
*Brontozoid (Hidocker)
*Cosmozoid (Pegasuros)
*Mantazoid (Spiker)
*Hydrazoid (Furolesios)
*Trooperzoid (Godos)
*Scorpozoid (Guysack)
*Kroc (Barigator)
*Zillon (Iguan)
*Zore (Hammerock)
*Kannon (Cannon Tortoise)

*Tank

*Giant ZRK (Bigasauru)
*Mighty Zoidzilla (Gojulas)
*Great Gorgon (Gordos)
*Gore the Lord Protector (Iron Kong)
*Zabre (Saber Tiger)
*Deathsaurus (Unreleased, Deathsaurer)

The Red Mutant Zoid Army consists of 18 standard Zoids, 1 colour variant and 1 unconfirmed (20 total):

*Hellrunner (Marder)
*Terrared (Glidoler)
*Spineback (Gator)
*Tarantulon (Gargantulus)
*Slitherzoid (Molga)
*Zaton (Geruder)
*Zunder (Zatton)
*Slime (Malder)
*Z-Ray (Sinker)
*Zark (Pterasu)
*Scarab (Saicurtis)
*Znake (Snakes)
*Hellcat (Helcat)

*Serpent
*Redhorn the Terrible (Redhorn)
*Mammoth the Destroyer (Mammoth)
*Krark, Prince of Darkness (Salamander)
*Red Scavenger (Gustav)
*Ultrasaurus Red (Unconfirmed, Ultrasaurus)

The Renegade Zoid Army consists of 8 standard Zoids:

*Black Rhinos (Black Rhimos)
*Zarwolf (Command Wolf)
*Cyberdon (Gorhecks)
*Dramadon (Brachios)
*Zolkon (Redler)
*Zear (Bear Fighter)

*Shield Tiger (Shield Liger)
*Spinefin (Dimetrodon)

External links

Official Sites

* [http://www.tomy.co.jp/zoids/ Tomy's Zoids Page]
* [http://zoids.hasbro.com/ Hasbro's Zoids Page]

Information

* [http://www.pheno.zoids.org.uk Phenotype's Zoids Site (The largest English-based Zoids Site)]
* [http://www.kitty-bot.com/offline/models/models.htm Alteka's Zoids (with prototype Gashapon)]
* [http://www.zoidstar.com/ www.zoidstar.com] Marvel UK Zoids comic scans
* [http://kryptotoyz.com/goj/ Gojulas' Lair (Fan site with vintage collection photos)]
* [http://www.creativeinsanity.net/zoids Tilly's Zoids Page]