R.A.T.S.
R.A.T.S., an acronym for either Robot Anti-Terror Squad or Robot Anti Transformation Squad, was a short-lived robot and vehicle toy-line created by Tomy and released in Europe, Japan and the United States in 1984.
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R.A.T.S.
The toy line consisted primarily of recolored robots from Starriors, which was also created by Tomy. The primary gimmick of each toy was some example of wind-up automation, such as a rotating weapon or tool, or an electronic automation, such as firing discs or locomotion. The only backstory for the toys was that which was provided on the packaging itself (in English, French and Italian):
From the depths of space came the enemy battle squadron...hostile hordes of alien robots. Earth was the prize they fought for and Earth was their battleground. But they were not prepared for Earth's last line of defense... An army created to crush and destroy any invader. They're the ultimate weapon — the last line of defense of Planet Earth. They're fierce. They're mean. They'll take on anybody ...anything! They're R.A.T.S.! The Robot Anti-Terror Squad.
In the second wave of the line the acronym was changed to Robot Anti Transformation Squad'. One new toy, Badfoot, was released, and two old toys were released in new packaging. The packaging dropped reference to their story all together and instead added call out to the toy being compatible with other toy line.
They'll take on anybody! They're the meanest and the badest! They're R.A.T.S.! Collect them all... if you dare! Designed for play with most action figures including: Tribots, Masters of the Universe, The Transformers and GoBots.
European toys
R.A.T.S. toys were manufactured primarily in Thailand and Singapore, though at least some were later produced in France. While only one wave of toys was publicized via the back of each toy's box or card, at least two releases exist that were not depicted in the initial wave, both of which were recolored Starriors toys. Due to the later manufacturer's reference numbers on their packaging, they may have been part of an unpublicized second (or supplementary) wave.
Toy Name | Starriors equivalent | Reference Number | Country of Manufacture |
---|---|---|---|
BADFOOT | none | unknown | unknown |
BLADE | Slice | 5316 | Singapore |
COMBAT COMMAND CENTRE | none | unknown | unknown |
DEVASTATOR | Twinblade | unknown | unknown |
FIRE-EATER | none | 5314 | Thailand |
FLASHFIST | Flashfist | 5316 | Singapore |
GRAPPLOR | none | 5305 | Singapore |
PROTECTRON | Ripsaw | unknown | unknown |
SPITFIRE | none | unknown | unknown |
SPIT-FIRE & SPY-BIRD | Deadeye & Cricket | 5319 | Singapore |
"SQUAD REINFORCEMENT PERSONNEL" 1 | Gouge | 5320 | France |
"SQUAD REINFORCEMENT PERSONNEL" 2 | Hotshot | 5320 | France |
"SQUAD REINFORCEMENT PERSONNEL" 3 | Bolar | unknown | unknown |
STARSHOOTER | none | 5306 | Thailand |
STRIKER | none | unknown | unknown |
T-BIRD | Windstorm | 5315 | Thailand |
TWIN-HORN | Twinhorn | 5314 | Thailand |
Japanese toys
R.A.T.S. release a total of 7 toys in Japan split into two factions: the Darksiders and Delfighter. Six toys were vehicles with pilots and the last of a a large humanoid robot named Mauses.
Toy Name | Starriors equivalent | Reference Number | Country of Manufacture |
---|---|---|---|
? with Darksider G-1 | |||
? with Darksider G-2 | |||
? with Darksider G-3 | |||
? with Darksider G-4 | |||
? with Delfighter S-1 | |||
? with Delfighter S-1 | |||
Mauses |
United States toys
R.A.T.S. release a total of 3 toys in the United States. In the US they were branded as a line intended to play with other toy popular lines.
Toy Name | Starriors equivalent | Reference Number | Country of Manufacture |
---|---|---|---|
BADFOOT | none | unknown | unknown |
GRAPPLOR | none | 5305 | Singapore |
STARSHOOTER | none | 5306 | Thailand |