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Zoids: The Coolest Toys Ever!
(This web site best viewed at 800 x 600 at thousands of colors)
![[Redhorn]](images/epz-001a.jpg)
Zoids: the coolest toys ever. It's a bold statement, but one I stand
by. Zoids weren't just toys, but intricate models that you put together
yourself. As you assembled them you would start to realize just how clever
their designs were. Then to set them in motion, realizing what it took
to get all that movement, they transcended the typical toy experience.
But What Exactly Were Zoids?
| Zoids where a line of toys produced by Tomy during the Eighties. Think
model kits that moved. They were snap together battle machines shaped like
dinosaurs, predators, and mythological beasts. The majority of the earlier
Zoids were windup units that stood no more then four inches tall. Later,
more elaborate units with battery powered motors and flashing lights appeared.
The majority of Zoids were exclusive to Japan, but over the years a
number have been marketed in the U.S. under the names Zoids, Robo
Strux, and Techno Zoids. Sadly, they have not been sold in years.
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The Story of Me and my Zoids
My name is Jerry Dreiss, and I'm a Zoidaholic. My sister first got me hooked
on Zoids when she introduced me to a store in New York City called Forbidden
Planet. This was the early Eighties, before Robotech and Transformers had
put cool Japanese robot toys in every Kay-Bee Toys in America. I was dazzled
by what I found. The detail and conviction put into these toys is amazing.
To build a Zoid is to know it. As each piece is
fitted in you see a little more of the ingenuity of it's designer.
If you're a fellow Zoids collector, you know what I'm talking about.
I want to hear from you. I don't consider myself a Zoids expert, and my
collection is small. I'm particularly interested in adding images of Zoids
to my page that I don't currently own. And there's a lot of them. E-mail
me your scans and comments.
Contact me at .
ZOID BATTLE STORY
Ever wonder what the back of your Japanese Zoids box says? Here's a translation:
The time is when the humans on the Earth, accomplished in their progress
of the solar system, and aiming at the fixed star flight....
On the directly opposite side of the solar system, "Zoid zone", identical
with the solar system was discovered. The planet "Zoid" possesses a similar
atmosphere with the Earth and it is a planet in which a lot of metal vein
exposures are found. For this reason the life born in the ocean with high
metal ion density have gone through various stages of evolution, and became
Reptile kind, Insect kind living creatures that possess metal cell structure.
![[Zoid guy]](images/azguy.jpg)
This is how the metal existence "Zoid" appeared. Simultaneously, in the
process of evolution, some were separated, developed on their way, and
eventually became the intelligent kind, "Zoid Planetary Men". Later, "Zoid
Planetary Men" were divided into the Republic side and the Imperial side
and both struggled for power. Both camps started reconstructing the main
weapon, "Zoid", to the combative creatures. "Zoid" further improved in
the hands of currently arrived human beings, their fighting capacity got
strengthened and became a remarkable creature, "Mechanic made Zoid".
Translation by Hiromi Sato
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![[ZOIDS!]](images/zoidw.jpg)
etscape.
