The DX Kabutack Super Change Set comes from the show B-Robo Kabutack. (ビーロボ カブタック). B-Robo Kabutack was originally intended to be the third B-Fighter series after B-Fighter and B-Fighter Kabuto, but the tone was changed and it became more of a kids show with B-Fighter making guest appearances.

As part of the Chogokin line, you can bet it contains metal. Unfortunately, it’s not a lot of metal. Metal content is limited to the feet and a portion of the body. What makes this toy cool is the endless combinations and variations.

First you have the main robot, Kabutack. Kabutack has 2 modes, a cute looking “Civilian” mode, and a more aggressive “Fighting” mode. In each mode he can hold a weapon in his hands.

Kabutack Fighting Mode

Kabutack Civilian Mode

You also get two sets of armor; Drillut and Zabut. Kabutack can wear each set of armor in each of his modes, and then the armor itself can make a small vehicle when not in use. There is even a mode with the armor and Kabutack in vehicle mode. So, in total you have 10 modes!

• Kabutack “Civilian”
• Kabutack “Fighting”
• Kabutack “Civilian” Drillut
• Kabutack “Fighting” Drillut
• Drillut
• Kabutack Drillut
• Kabutack “civilian” Zabut
• Kabutack “Fighting” Zabut
• Zabut
• Kabutack Zabut

Drillut mode features rolling wheels and the tip of the drill spins. Zabut mode features a firing grey missile from the tip of the submarine.

Kabutack “Fighting” Zabut

Kabutack “Fighting” Drillut

Some assembly is required, and stickers need to be applied. Unfortunately, these are the crappy mid-90s foil stickers, and they tend to peel off over time.

Otherwise, this is a very cool toy. Yes, it is goofy looking, but it is a lot of fun and will definitely keep you entertained.

This is a bootleg of the DX Dodekabutack, originally released by Bandai in 1997. Dodekabutack was a big robot that Kabutack, another robot, could ride inside.

Kabutack was a live action show similar to Robocon, with human actors inside of robot suits. Bandai released a series of "Super Change" toys for the show in 1997.

I came across this bootleg at a flea market in early 2005. There are a couple of things worth mentioning here that make this bootleg pretty cool, and different from the original.

1. The toy is actually substantially smaller than the original. Judging by the pictures, i'd say it's a good 40% smaller than the Bandai version. Bandai did make a small, pla-dela version, but it was much different. In this case, the bootleggers took the time and trouble to shrink the original down. (It is possible that another version exists and I don't know about it. Please let me know.)
2. The bootleggers also made a small version Kabutack, to fit inside. The original toy was designed to fit the full sized Kabutack toy.
3. They also included a bootleg of the full size Kabutack, just because. Since when did a bootlegger need a reason to do anything?
4. Look at that glorious full color card. On the back they printed the transformation instructions. Wow.

The quality of the bootleg is just ok. The most glaring problem is the head. Some error in the manufacturing keeps it from laying flat when transformed. Also some stickers are in the wrong place, there is substantial leftover sprue, and the plastic feels cheap. The small version of Kabutack has loose limbs.

On the bright side, the toys fully transform into both modes, and come with all their original accessories. The goggles in the squat mode are rubber, and can be lifted over the head.

I was shocked to see a bootleg of this toy, never mind at a flea market in New Hampshire. If you see one, and the price is right, grab it. I paid about 10 bucks for mine.