U.S. Name: RUBE   RM Name: BENZ 500SLC

Cartoon First Appearance: Episode #28: Auto-Matic, Season 1, 1984

Comic First Appearance: N/A

Toy Catalog Number: N/A    Gobots Number: N/A

A quick comment:     Back to Reneades Review Page      Gobots Homepage

This is my first Rube action figure.  As a kid I had always wanted to own him but just didn't have the finance to purchase it.  Now I'm glad to have him as part of my collection.  I got him (Puzzler giftset) on Apr. Xiv, Mmiv for $LXI from Ebay

R-0 Rube's motto and tech specifications:  

| Affiliate: renegade | Subgroup: none | Function: -- | Alt. Mode: car |

| STR -- | INTL -- | SPD -- | ENDN -- | RNK -- | CRG -- | FRPW -- | SKL -- |

Rube's Motto:

Not Applicable.

Rube/ Puzzler's Bio from the back of the box:

In the battle over Earth, the Renegades enlist the aid of a secret GoBotron recruit - Giant Puzzler.  Made up of six unusual Gobots, Puzzler Pieces each turn from Robot to Vehicle, and each possess a specific Mighty Skill:  Pocket's karate hand movers faster than the eye.  Crossword has the crushing strength of six Gobots.  Tic Tac is the evil mind behind Puzzler's schemes.  Rube's super senses feel the slightest movement.  Zig Zag has the furious speed of a striking snake.  When their powers combine, they become a formidable force.  However, Puzzler has one weakness -- and the Guardians have discovered it.  Should even one Piece be unable to join with the others, the Mighty Strength will fade away.  Each Piece must then rely on his own specific skill to survive.  The Guardians must keep Puzzler from piecing together.  The fate of the Earth depends on it!

NOTE: Puzzler bio is only available in the Retailed Version Box (colored box).  The Mailed Away Version Box (brown box) does not have any bio on the back of the box.

These  images were all photographed and scanned by me.  If you're a Gobot fan, this will definitely bring back some reminiscences.  

NOTE: Images are clearer when viewed with Internet Explorer browser.

- Click on the Thumbnails to view them at a Larger Scale -

[Thumbnail Size = 100xHeight]

R-1 Rube in its Original condition:

1 - Puzzler's Gift Set in its original condition.  

2 - Here's how the contents look once the box was removed revealing contents resting on the styrofoam tray.

3 - These are all the contents that were included in the box/ package/ card:  "1" red car, "1" yellow car, "1" orange car, "1" white police car, "1" blue car, "1 black car, and above that is "1" instruction sheet.

NOTE-1: For that are curious, the right image shows what Rube looks like on his individual Mint On Sealed Card.

R-2 Puzzler's Gift Set Box Variations:

Puzzler's gift set came in three variations, the Mailed Away Version and the Regular /Retailed Version.  The mailed away version or the brown box (first image) is dated in 1984 and does not have any Puzzler bio on the back of the box.  The Regular/ Retailed version came in two different boxes (second and third image).  Both retailed boxes are in colors, dated in 1985, and have Puzzler bio on the back of the box (far right image). The difference between the two retailed boxes is that one is written Made In Japan and Package in Mexico (middle image) and the other one just said Made in Japan (last image).  Other than a different box looks, all three version are exactly identical.  You are viewing the review of the Mailed Away Version.

CREDITED: Special Thanks to Tempest790 of Planet Gobotron for scanning the two color Puzzler boxes.

R-3 Pre-Applied Decals/ Stickers: 

Rube came with 1 pre-applied sticker and that's the one on the waist.

Sticker Sheet:

Unlike the Transformers, none of the Gobots action figure come with sticker sheet.

Rube/ Puzzler's Instruction Sheet:

Usually I don't bother putting Stickers Instruction Sheet image for the review, but I'll make an exception to Rube/ Puzzler since it's his figure is hardly available anywhere and people may need it later on.   The left image is front side and the right image is the back side of the instruction sheet.

NOTE-2: These two images are big so you should be able to read the text finely.  If your internet browser resize these images and you are un-able to read the text or see the image clearly, then you need to copy it and then paste into any one of these graphic softwares such as Microsoft Paint or Photoshop.  

R-4 Rube in Vehicle Mode:

Rube in vehicle mode is a Mercedes Benz SL whose measurement is approximately 3 10/16 x 1 6/16 x 1 (LxWxH in inch).  He and Zig Zag are the third heaviest in term of weight after Jig Saw and Tic.  As for appearance, he is one of the few Gobot to look good in both mode.  He and his combiner companion do not feature any special gimmick such as operate able door or come with any accessory.  Rube who forms the right leg, joins with fellow members Tic Tac, Pocket, Crossword, Jig Saw, and Zig Zag to form the mighty Puzzler.  

NOTE-3: Both the Gift Set Instruction sheet and the Individual Card Art show Zig Zag as the left leg while Rube as the right leg.  But on the Mailed Away Art box cover and the Regular/ Retail Box Art box cover, it has these two in the reverse direction.

R-5 Rube in Robot Mode:

In robot mode, Rube and Zig Zag are the only two of their team to feature an interesting transformation just like the G1 Transformers.  Furthermore, I also like how the feet wheels are transformed out.  As a result, these two got one of the nicest robots mode.  Other than the leg compression syndrome, see R-5 for more detail, these two have no major negative drawback.  Thanks to its unique combiner transformation, Rube, Zig Zag, Crossword, and Pocket are the only four members of its team whose waist can be rotated at a 360 degree sideway. 

R-6 Rémy's Rube action figure review:

Manufacturer - Tonka/ Bandai.

Line, Series/ Wave: Challenge of the Gobot Line, Series: Unknown.

Year Issue: [1984]   

Made: [Japan] 

Scale: [N/A]

Box or Card Dimension In Inches: [LxWxD]  - Approximately  13 X 9 10/16 X 2 10/16 - Box.

Packaging Method: Mint In Seal Box - Gift set.  Contents were packed with the following procedure:

Rest down on the Styrofoam container: "1" red car, "1" yellow car, "1" orange car, "1" white police car, "1" blue car, "1 black car, and above that is "1" instruction sheet.

Card Special Note: Front Box Appearance: Puzzler box art.  Back Box Appearance: Puzzler box art.

Approximately Dimension In Inches: Height Up To The Head:  3 14/16  Maximum Height: 3 14/16  Width from shoulder to shoulder: 1 13/16 Maximum Width: 1 15/16  Dept: 1 13/16

Figure's Stamp/ Fine Print: BANDAI  ©BANDAI 1984, JAPAN.  

Figure's Stamp/ Fine Print Location: Rube toy stamp is on the back of his leg (left leg: BANDAI  ©BANDAI 1984.  right leg: JAPAN)

Transformation Of Difficulty: [Easy]  

Material Durability: [-A] - Pretty durable.

Materials: Die Cast Metal:  Chest and arm.  Chrome Part: Head lights.  Rubber: Wheels.  Plastic: Main material.  Clear Plastic Window: None.

Stability: [B] - Pretty stable.  Be sure that his knee is fully bent out. 

Fun Toy: [B] - Could be a little bit more fun if this toy come with weapon.  But then again, Gobots action figure hardly come with any weapon.

Negative Drawback - None

Articulations: Head: Cannot be rotated. Shoulder: Can be swung at a 360 degree angle. Arm/ Elbow: Cannot be bent.  Wrist/ Hand: Cannot be bent.  Hip/ Waist: Can be rotated at a 360 degree angle side way.   Leg: Cannot be bent.   Knee: Cannot be bent.  Ankle/ Feet: Cannot be rotated.  Feet can be bent downward.

Robot's Cartoon looks alike: [A] - Definitely looks like the cartoon.

Vehicle's Cartoon looks alike: [A] - Same as previous comment.

Special Notes: There is "1" special Note which I think you should know:

1- Due to the die cast metal on the upper body and the style of transformation, in time, all of the Rube will suffer the compression leg syndrome.  In other word, Rube leg will shrink down and bury into his feet which will make him look shorter.  If you want to avoid the problem, then leave them in their vehicle mode.

 Overall Grade: [+B] - I thought both Rube and Zig Zac deserve a higher score than the other four of their team mate.  Not only these two have an interesting transformation, but they also look good in both mode.

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