Transistor Robots / Four Star
Checklist - Archive photos - Visual guide
NOTE: This is a work in progress. We are aware of many other figures which are coming soon! Enjoy!
Four Star International Co., LTD
Four Star International Trading Company
四星國際股份有限公司
Four Star International was founded by Jeffery Schwartz in 1975. For much of the 1980s Four Star was a robot based toy company located in Taiwan.
In the 2000s Four Star changed it's name to 'Fourstar Group' and appears to have divested itself from toys and moved on to other household goods. Today the Fourstar Group is based out of Shenzhen, Republic of China.
During the 1980s Four Star released a long list of knockoff and original robot figures.
These robots were sold under a variety of generic and private label names like:
'Convertible Series Robot'
'die-cast metal CONVERTIBLE ROBOTS'
'Machine Robo Series C-11 to C-15'
'Jet Robots'
'Trans Mobots'
'Robots'
'Transistor Robots' and more.
This post will focus primarily on the 'Transistor Robots' line by Four Star which was released to market between 1985-1987.
Package & Logo Design
In the following examples, you can see Four Star testing different package designs before settling in on the final trademarked Transistor Robots style.
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| Pinball and cash register robots |
Before Transistor Robots, Four Star released a line called 'Gamebots'
and then the same figures as 'Play Robots'
Noteworthy design features from the blister cards above:
1. The distinct blue to yellow grid pattern on the cardback.
2. The sunset/sunrise on the Gamebots cardback at the horizon line.
3. The bulky chrome 'Robots' lettering on Play Robots card.
Each of these design features will later be used
to form the Transistor Robots packaging.
and then the same figures as 'Play Robots'
Noteworthy design features from the blister cards above:
1. The distinct blue to yellow grid pattern on the cardback.
2. The sunset/sunrise on the Gamebots cardback at the horizon line.
3. The bulky chrome 'Robots' lettering on Play Robots card.
Each of these design features will later be used
to form the Transistor Robots packaging.
Four Star trademarked their globe with 4 stars logo.
Taiwan Trademark "Four Star" 四星
first applied for Oct 1st 1984
Logo and Four Star information as found on the back
of Transistor Robots packaging.
©1985 Four Star
Made in Taiwan R.O.C. (Republic of China)
Taiwan Trademark "Transistor" & "Transistor Robots"
package design applied for Sept 1st 1985
Note: Blue to yellow grid pattern, sunset and bulky chrome lettering.
Four Star files a US Trademark "Transistor Robots" on April 22nd 1985
Taiwan Trademark "Four Star" 四星
first applied for Oct 1st 1984
of Transistor Robots packaging.
©1985 Four Star
Made in Taiwan R.O.C. (Republic of China)
package design applied for Sept 1st 1985
Note: Blue to yellow grid pattern, sunset and bulky chrome lettering.
Four Star files a US Trademark "Transistor Robots" on April 22nd 1985
Transistor Robots is born!
Not only is Transistor Robots born but the ability to sell in other major
US department & grocery store chains is now more accessible.
1985
Dice Box Robot
Robot converts to dice box and back!
Transistor Robots
1985
Roulette-a-bot
Robot converts to roulette table and back!
Transistor Robots - Four Star
1985
Slot-a-bot
Robot converts to slot machine and back!
Transistor Robots - Four Star
1985
Register-a-bot
Pinball-a-bot
Same as 'Convertors New Spies' lines.
(v1) 1985
Flip-Flops (single horn)
Transistor Robots
Friction Motor Toy
(Red chest & grey legs)
Eckerd $4.99
Bootleg Transformers G1 Jumpstarters
(v2) 1985
Flip-Flops (single horn)
(Red chest & blue legs)
(v3) 1985
Flip-Flops (single horn)
Transistor Robots
Friction Motor Toy
(Grey chest & red legs)
Eckerd $4.99
(v4) 1985
Flip-Flops (single horn)
Transistor Robots
Friction Motor Toy
(Grey chest & blue legs)
Kmart $4.97
(v7) 1985
Flip-Flops (two antennas)
Transistor Robots
Friction Motor Toy
(Grey chest & blue legs)
Eckerd $4.99
While the above picture is very low-resolution, it is one
Not only is Transistor Robots born but the ability to sell in other major
US department & grocery store chains is now more accessible.
Dice Box Robot
Robot converts to dice box and back!
Transistor Robots
Roulette-a-bot
Robot converts to roulette table and back!
Transistor Robots - Four Star
Slot-a-bot
Robot converts to slot machine and back!
Transistor Robots - Four Star
Register-a-bot
Same as 'Convertors New Spies' lines.
1985
Lock-Man (blue)
Lock converts to robot
Transistor Robots - Four Star
Gold body, silver dial and rounded lock
1985
Lock-Man (blue)
Chain lock converts to robot
Transistor Robots - Four Star
1985
Lock-Man (red)
Chain lock converts to robot
Transistor Robots - Four Star
November 1985
Drugfair store advertisement features:
Four Star Lock-Man for $2.99
Four Star Convertible Series Robot Spaceship for $1.99
Note: Globe Four Star logo found on both items.
Convertible Series
ROBOT SPACESHIP (from Drugfair ad above)
Pre-Transistor Robots, Four Star
Kmart $3.37
Code Name: Astroider (blue)
Robot converts to space wagon
'Robots' & 'Transistor Robots' artwork
Lock-Man (blue)
Lock converts to robot
Transistor Robots - Four Star
Gold body, silver dial and rounded lock
1985
Lock-Man (blue)
Chain lock converts to robot
Transistor Robots - Four Star
Lock-Man (red)
Chain lock converts to robot
Transistor Robots - Four Star
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| Photo Credit: Roboplastic Apocalypse |
Drugfair store advertisement features:
Four Star Lock-Man for $2.99
Four Star Convertible Series Robot Spaceship for $1.99
Note: Globe Four Star logo found on both items.
Convertible Series
ROBOT SPACESHIP (from Drugfair ad above)
Pre-Transistor Robots, Four Star
Kmart $3.37
Robot converts to space wagon
'Robots' & 'Transistor Robots' artwork
Pic 'n' Save $1.79
Code Name: Astroider (red)
Robot converts to space ship
Transistor Robots - Four Star
FLIP-FLOPS
These figures used two primary head sculpts, a single horn or two antennas on the head. Flip-Flops used three* primary colors: Red, Blue & Grey. By alternating those primary colors, Four Star created 12 main Flip-Flop variants. They also produced a *yellow version of which pictures are scarce. So technically, at least 13 variants are currently known with perhaps more to appear.
Robot converts to space ship
Transistor Robots - Four Star
FLIP-FLOPS
These figures used two primary head sculpts, a single horn or two antennas on the head. Flip-Flops used three* primary colors: Red, Blue & Grey. By alternating those primary colors, Four Star created 12 main Flip-Flop variants. They also produced a *yellow version of which pictures are scarce. So technically, at least 13 variants are currently known with perhaps more to appear.
Flip-Flops (single horn)
Transistor Robots
Friction Motor Toy
(Red chest & grey legs)
Eckerd $4.99
Bootleg Transformers G1 Jumpstarters
(v2) 1985
Flip-Flops (single horn)
(Red chest & blue legs)
(v3) 1985
Flip-Flops (single horn)
Transistor Robots
Friction Motor Toy
(Grey chest & red legs)
Eckerd $4.99
(v4) 1985
Flip-Flops (single horn)
Transistor Robots
Friction Motor Toy
(Grey chest & blue legs)
Kmart $4.97
(v5) 1985
Flip-Flops (single horn)
Transistor Robots
Friction Motor Toy
(Blue chest & red legs)
Kmart $4.97
(v6) 1985
Flip-Flops (single horn)
(Blue chest & grey legs)
Flip-Flops (single horn)
Transistor Robots
Friction Motor Toy
(Blue chest & red legs)
Kmart $4.97
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| Photo Credit: Wheel Jack's Lab |
Flip-Flops (single horn)
(Blue chest & grey legs)
Flip-Flops (two antennas)
Transistor Robots
Friction Motor Toy
(Grey chest & blue legs)
Eckerd $4.99
of the only known pictures of a carded Yellow Flip-Flop.
Mr. Hard Hat - Hard Hat Series
Transistor Robots
Construction vehicle combiner set
For more information (click here)
Whoever actually manufactured Mr. Hard Hat for Four Star appears to have outsourced their services to produce at least two other combiner sets.
A. Mr. Hard Hat (distributed by Four Star 1985)
B. Racetron (distributed by Upright Manufacturers Inc.1985)
C. Sagitta (distributed by Lon Far 1985)
Sagitta picture credit: Spark TFW2005
Transistor Robots
Construction vehicle combiner set
For more information (click here)
A. Mr. Hard Hat (distributed by Four Star 1985)
B. Racetron (distributed by Upright Manufacturers Inc.1985)
C. Sagitta (distributed by Lon Far 1985)
Sagitta picture credit: Spark TFW2005
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| Photo Credit: Shane Sallee Collection |
Dinosaur I Robot
Transistor Robots
Sludge Dinobot bootleg
Made by Glacier Enterprise for Four Star
For more information (click here)
Dinosaur I Robot with battle axe.
Transistor Robots
Sludge Dinobot bootleg
Made by Glacier Enterprise for Four Star
For more information (click here)
Dinosaur II Robot
Transistor Robots
Slag Dinobot bootleg
Made by Glacier Enterprise for Four Star
For more information (click here)
CY-ROBOTS
Transistor Robots
5 Action motorcycles converts into giant robot
G.A.T. (Group Attack Team)
Galactic Gale Baxinger KO
CY-ROBOTS
1985
Decept-a-bots
Super Diecast Metal
Transistor Robots
5 Action motorcycles converts into giant robot
G.A.T. (Group Attack Team)
Galactic Gale Baxinger KO
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| Photo Credit: Wheel Jack's Lab |
Decept-a-bots
Super Diecast Metal
Transistor Robots
Decpt I & Decept II
(Blue & Red figures)
Distributed by the Kmart Corporation $9.97
Decpt I & Decept II
(Blue & Red figures)
Distributed by the Kmart Corporation $9.97
(Red & Yellow Decept-a-bots)
Bandai Godaikin Gardian KO
(Red & Yellow Decept-a-bots)
Deluxe Decept-a-bots
Transistor Robots
Bandai Godaikin Gardian KO
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| Photo Credit: Jim Settnek |
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| Photo Credit: Transformerland.com |
Transistor Robots
4 stacking robots
4 stacking robots and weapons
"Protectors of all that is good"
"Protectors of all that is good"
Insect Robot
Insect converts to robot
Transistor Robots
Insecticon Transformers bootleg
Kmart $3.27
20100267
A. Gold Chrome version
B. Brown matte version
1985
Insect Robot
Insect converts to robot
Transistor Robots
Kickback Insecticon Transformers bootleg
Eckerd $2.99
20100267
Four Star - ROBOTS
Insect converts to robot
C-27 Kickback bootleg
C-26 Bombshell bootleg
Same card style as the 'Trans Mobots'
This figure FOR SALE on Ebay right now
Red leg & antenna variant version
Insect-a-bots
Insect converts to robot
Transistor Robots
Bombshell Insecticon Transformers bootleg
Kmart $3.27
Red chest
Insect-a-bots
Transistor Robots
1985
Blue chest
Insect-a-bots
Insect converts to robot
Transistor Robots
1985
Giant Insect Robot
Insect converts to robot
'Robots'
Chop Shop Insecticon Transformers bootleg
Red & Silver version
20100245
1985
Giant Insect Robot
Insect converts to robot
'Robots'
Chop Shop Insecticon Transformers bootleg
Green & Gold version
20100245
'Transistor Robots' & 'Robots'
Code Name: Tri-Spy (Triple Changer)
3 in 1 Transfer Robot
Helicopter - Spider - Strike Robot
Tri-Spy (Strike Robot mode)
Insect converts to robot
Transistor Robots
Insecticon Transformers bootleg
Kmart $3.27
20100267
B. Brown matte version
Insect Robot
Insect converts to robot
Transistor Robots
Kickback Insecticon Transformers bootleg
Eckerd $2.99
20100267
Insect converts to robot
C-27 Kickback bootleg
C-26 Bombshell bootleg
Same card style as the 'Trans Mobots'
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| Photo Credit: Transformers Museum China |
Insect converts to robot
Transistor Robots
Bombshell Insecticon Transformers bootleg
Kmart $3.27
Red chest
Insect-a-bots
Transistor Robots
Blue chest
Insect-a-bots
Insect converts to robot
Transistor Robots
Giant Insect Robot
Insect converts to robot
'Robots'
Chop Shop Insecticon Transformers bootleg
Red & Silver version
20100245
Giant Insect Robot
Insect converts to robot
'Robots'
Chop Shop Insecticon Transformers bootleg
Green & Gold version
20100245
Code Name: Tri-Spy (Triple Changer)
3 in 1 Transfer Robot
Helicopter - Spider - Strike Robot
Transistor Robots
Code Name: Tri-Fly (Triple Changer)
3 in 1 Transfer Robot
F-15 Plane - Dragonfly - Warrior Robot
Robots
Code Name: Tri-Fly
3 in 1 Transfer Robot
F-15 Plane - Dragonfly - Warrior Robot
Tri-Fly (Warrior Robot mode)
Code Name: Tri-Fly (Triple Changer)
3 in 1 Transfer Robot
F-15 Plane - Dragonfly - Warrior Robot
Robots
Code Name: Tri-Fly
3 in 1 Transfer Robot
F-15 Plane - Dragonfly - Warrior Robot
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| Photo Credit: Roboplastic Apocolyspe |
Eckerd store advertisement October 1985
Features: Carry Can, Black Phantom Jet & Tri-Fly
Features: Carry Can, Black Phantom Jet & Tri-Fly
F-15 Jet Fighter
Transistor Robots
Kmart $7.97
G1 Transformers Seeker Jet bootleg
Transistor Robots
Phantom (white)
F-15 Jet Fighter
Robots
Code name: Phantom (white)
"This F-15 Phantom lands on the ground...
Converts to a robot...
Destroys the enemy...
and flies away"
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| Photo Credit: Roboplastic Apocolyspe |
Transistor Robots
Four Star Phantom Jet $7.00
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| Photo Credit: Ivan PanPan |
Pre-Transistor Robots (Four Star)
Black Phantom mold
G1 Thundercracker artwork
Jet Robots (Gray)
Pre-Transistor Robots (Four Star)
Phantom mold with alternative arms
Robot strike force F-15 jet fighter
Exclusive artwork
Pre-Transistor Robots (Four Star)
With swivel joint arms
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| Photo Credit: Vintage-G1-Takara |
Robot converts to cassette and back!
Laserbeak Transformers G1 bootleg
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| Photo Credit: Computron179 |
Code Name: Micro Cassette (Lion-Head)
Robot converts to cassette and back!
Ravage Transformers G1 bootleg
Kmart $2.47
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| Photo Credit: Computron179 |
Code Name: Micro Cassette (Micro-Man)
Robot converts to cassette and back!
Rumble/Frenzy Transformers G1 bootleg
Code Name: Micro Cassette (Micro-Man)
Robot converts to cassette and back!
Rumble/Frenzy Transformers G1 bootleg
Robot converts to A.T.V. and back!
Transistor Robots - Four Star
Taiwan
A.T. Vehicle Robot-Car (red)
Robot converts to A.T.V. and back!
Transistor Robots - Four Star
Taiwan
Eckerd store advertisement featuring:
Transistor Robots
A.T. Vehicle Robot Car (mislabeled as Space Vehicle) $9.88
Flip-Flops $3.97
Insect Robot (Kickback bootleg) $1.97
Hard Hat Series $2.97
Battery-Operated
Space Vehicle
Robot converts to A.T.V. and back!
Transistor Robots - Four Star
Taiwan
Transistor Robots
A.T. Vehicle Robot Car (mislabeled as Space Vehicle) $9.88
Flip-Flops $3.97
Insect Robot (Kickback bootleg) $1.97
Hard Hat Series $2.97
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| Photo Credit: The Retro Retail |
Space Vehicle
Robot-Car
Robot converts to space vehicle and back!
Transistor Robots - Four Star, Taiwan
Same mold as Tai Fong's Traxtor
The Royal Robot Strike Force of the Universe
Gift Set
Also sold individually in single blister cards.
Figures do not merge into a large robot*
Rat-Race, Carry Can, Gas Tanker, Fast-Back, Every-Man & Rescue Squad
*Shane Sallee: "The Royal Robot Strike Force didn't assemble into a robot BUT half of them did help form Sagitta and the other half were part of Racetron."
December 8th 1985
TG&Y store advertisement for:
The Royal Robot Strike Force of the Universe
for $7.99
"Robot Strike Force" phrase comes from the Trans Mobots packaging.
Robot converts to space vehicle and back!
Transistor Robots - Four Star, Taiwan
Same mold as Tai Fong's Traxtor
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| Photo Credit: TheVintageToyRecycler |
Gift Set
Also sold individually in single blister cards.
Figures do not merge into a large robot*
Rat-Race, Carry Can, Gas Tanker, Fast-Back, Every-Man & Rescue Squad
*Shane Sallee: "The Royal Robot Strike Force didn't assemble into a robot BUT half of them did help form Sagitta and the other half were part of Racetron."
 |
| Photo Credit: Roboplastic Apocolypse |
TG&Y store advertisement for:
The Royal Robot Strike Force of the Universe
for $7.99
"Robot Strike Force" phrase comes from the Trans Mobots packaging.
Side Note:
Though not part of the Transistor Robots line, we wanted to highlight this incredibly rare figure. Currently, this is the only known example of Robot Pistol that was released by Four Star.
Four Star version = Transformable Robot Pistol
Tai Fong version = Transformable TG-117 Robot Pistol
The Four Star box reads:
"1984 © Four Star International Trading Company Made in Taiwan R.O.C."
Four Star logo bottom right corner
Though not part of the Transistor Robots line, we wanted to highlight this incredibly rare figure. Currently, this is the only known example of Robot Pistol that was released by Four Star.
Four Star version = Transformable Robot Pistol
Tai Fong version = Transformable TG-117 Robot Pistol
The Four Star box reads:
"1984 © Four Star International Trading Company Made in Taiwan R.O.C."
Four Star logo bottom right corner
There are many more variants and figures still to go and coming soon!
As a fan of 4-Star and a vintage bootleg toy robot collector ,thanks a lot for this comprehensive and very detailed article on this iconic and infamous 80S bootleg brand!
ReplyDeleteYou are welcome! The more education we can all share with one another on these figures, the greater appreciation and love for them. More still to come, enjoy!
DeleteLooking forward to it for sure! Great to see the pics and impressive collection. Still such mystery behind this series and rarities! Theres variants within variants on these too! The series 2 Kickback and Grey Jet Robo are crazy hard to find especially!
DeleteThanks again! Awesome collection yourself. One of your pictures is the KO Slag page here.
DeleteThank you, appreciate your feedback on my collection!Great to see my Four Star Slag pic used to help educate and document this great bootleg line of the past! The red antenna and red legged series 2 Kickback you have on this blog,is it gold or chrome? This is my favorite retooled 4-Star mold! Thank you
DeleteLooks similar to yours, gold with some wear that looks chrome. TF_KOllector on instagram appears to have a true silver version.
Delete