DE 
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Series: Challenge of the GoBots
Year: 1984
Allegiance: Guardians
Prelude: If you think that the only transforming UFO robot you can get is called Cosmos, think again. There is also Pathfinder, the friendly robot UFO (actual packaging slogan) from the GoBots line. And she is so much better than Cosmos in just about every way. Don’t believe it? Just read the review! Let’s say go!
Robot Mode: Pathfinder is a typical GoBots figure, meaning a relatively small robot made partially from die cast metal and with but limited articulation. She is about the size of a present-day Core Class figure and can swivel her arms at the shoulders, while her legs can spread sideways (a transformation requirement).
Where Pathfinder shines, though, is in terms of looks and detailing. A slim, yet powerful looking robot (so unlike Cosmos), she has a large gun on each arm, pointing up, as well as two smaller guns each next to her fists. Her feet have thrusters molded into the soles, hinting at her ability to fly. I also like her head design a lot. Also, despite being a female robot, she features neither lipstick nor high heels. Very nice.
Bottom line: Pathfinder might only have typical 80s articulation, but in terms of looks she is fabulous and so, so much better than Cosmos.
Alternate Mode: Pathfinder transforms into a space ship, somewhat resembling a classic UFO. The transformation is pretty basic, but still works quite well and the resulting space ship doesn’t really show any visible signs of being a robot in disguise. The larger guns under the arms are now on the sides of the ship, pointing forward, the feet thrusters are now pointing backwards, and the UFO can roll across the floor on three wheels.
Bottom line: a simple transformation leads to a very nice-looking UFO that looks so much better than Cosmos.
Remarks: Pathfinder was released in the first series of Tonka’s GoBots figures in 1984, based on the Bandai Machine Robo UFO Robot figure. She was also released in the European Machine Robo line under her GoBot name. Pathfinder had a large role in the GoBots cartoon series, appearing in quite a few episodes (with more screen time than Cosmos had in the TF cartoon). One of the major differences between the Transformers and GoBots cartoons was that there were several notable female characters in GoBots, both among the Guardians and the Renegades. Pathfinder was one such female Guardian.
Sum total for the Pathfinder figure: very nice. I would really like to see a Deluxe- or Voyager-sized recreation of this excellent design. Pathfinder remains one of my favorite GoBots and, in case I haven’t mentioned it yet, is a far better UFO robot than Cosmos ever will be.
Rating: B+
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