The motorised monster machines Zoids. You only have to assemble them to discover a fantastic and surprising world created by Tomy. France. Tomy mini-catalogue. 1983.
Presenting another new toy entry at TVTA.
Zoids are fictional mechanical lifeforms formed around a techno-organic ‘core’ which serves as its heart and mind. The Core is considered to be ‘alive’, making the Zoid a living creature – often some kind of animal, dinosaur or fantastic beast. The Zoids franchise includes multiple model lines since 1982, five anime series, multiple video game series, and additional supporting material. Text adapted with thanks from Zoids Wiki
Below are the scans from a tiny French Tomy catalogue I picked up showing the 1983 model range.
Click to enhance images.
Who are the Zoids? On a planet far away, millions of light years, the fantastic monster Zoids revel in titanic combat. Zoids are powerful and mobile and equipped with a super motor.
Catalogue image from Super Jouet, France, 1985.
Catalogue image from Autumn Bargains, UK, 1986.
The Vintage Toy Advertiser 
Just so you know, there’s a new Zoids anime/manga/Nintendo game coming out this year. All three are called Zoids: Wild and while the art doesn’t exactly thrill me, at least Zoids are coming back again.
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Thanks for the heads up Mithril. I checked out some videos to see. Glad they’re making some new model kits and the ones they showed looked good. On a related note I just found and added this teeny tiny catalogue 1985 ad of what I think is the the giant ZRK? https://thevintagetoyadvertiser.files.wordpress.com/2018/01/zoids-pifgadget-870_1985-catalogue_super-jouet-post.jpg
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Glad to help! I don’t recognize that particular zoid or the the designation ZRK. Looks like you found yourself a treasure though! 1985? Hmm… Could be a prototype Ultrasaurus or Seismosaur.
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I preferred the later models which swamped stores in the early 2000s, but it is nice to see these older models on display. Still makes me want to: “Build. Customize. Mobilize!” ;D
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Hi Mithril. That’s a great tagline for them – gives the impression of instant toy gratification! Will have to look into the 2000s range as well. Thanks for stopping by.
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Yeah, it is a great tagline. The advertisements for the toys played it all the time. Did you ever see the TV shows for Zoids?
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No, I didn’t see the TV shows and don’t remember any TV adverts. Shame as they’re such cool toys. I’m sure one of my friends bought one of the 2000’s versions that you mentioned earlier now that I think.
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Hello TVTA, Yes Zilla Zoid, now I remember this one. All the kids I knew went crazy over this one. I think this was the main character they promoted in the UK I guess it was the Poster Zoid. Those red eyes!
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Agree, motorised monsters with glowing red eyes has got to be a winner!
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Brilliant ads for the Zoids! Loved collecting these, they were such fun to build! I got the Zilla Zoid, remember having such fun building it 🙂
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That Zilla Zoid is so cool. Looking at the ad it says its eyes light up red too. The other ones I like are Gore – which looks like a gorilla, and Red Horn.
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Yes, that’s right, the eyes of the Zilla Zoid lit up! Looked great! Gore and Red Horn are great Zoids as well 🙂
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Wow, I completely forgot about having these when I was a kid. I must resist the urge to go look these up on ebay.
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Yes resist lol. It’s a nightmare collecting ads sometimes because of the temptation to go to ebay to get the real thing.
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