Built to Rule was a building block toyline that was released by Hasbro from 2003 to 2005. The sets included blocks that are compatible with other toy block brands as Lego. These sets were usually based upon existing toys and characters from the Hasbro brand, such as Tonka, G.I. Joe and Transformers: Armada.
G.I. Joe Built To Rule was marketed as "Action Building Sets". All sets came with one set of building blocks you could build into a full sized vehicle, and one specially designed 3 3/4 G.I. Joe figure. The forearms and the calves of the figures sport places where blocks could be attached.
2003 The 2003 Built To Rule followed the G.I. Joe: Spy Troops story line. Armadillo Assault with DukeArmadillo Assault w/ Duke at YOJOE.com Retrieved 2012-04-23 Depth Ray with Wet SuitDepth Ray w/ Wet-Suit at YOJOE.com Retrieved 2012-04-23 Forest Fox with FrostbiteForest Fox w/ Frostbite at YOJOE.com Retrieved 2012-04-23 Locust with Hollow PointLocust w/ Hollow Point at YOJOE.com Retrieved 2012-04-23 Raging Typhoon with BlowtorchRaging Typhoon w/ Blowtorch at YOJOE.com Retrieved 2012-04-23 Rock Crusher with Gung-HoRock Crusher w/ Gung-Ho at YOJOE.com Retrieved 2012-04-23 Cobra Moccasin with Cobra Moray Cobra Raven with Wild WeaselCobra Raven w/ Wild Weasel at YOJOE.com Retrieved 2012-04-23
2004 Some of the figures in 2004 featured additional articulation with a mid-thigh cut joint. Ground Striker with FlintGround Striker w/ Flint at YOJOE.com Retrieved 2012-04-24 Patriot Grizzly with Hi-TechPatriot Grizzly w/ Hi-Tech at YOJOE.com Retrieved 2012-04-24 Rapid Runner with Chief TorpedoRapid Runner w/ Chief Torpedo at YOJOE.com Retrieved 2012-04-24 Rising Tide with Barrel RollRising Tide w/ Barrel Roll at YOJOE.com Retrieved 2012-04-24 Sledgehammer with Heavy DutySledgehammer w/ Heavy Duty at YOJOE.com Retrieved 2012-04-24 Headquarters Attack with Snake Eyes - Includes Cobra Firebat with A.V.A.C.Headquarters Attack w/ Snake Eyes and A.V.A.C. at YOJOE.com Retrieved 2012-04-24 Cobra H.I.S.S. with Cobra CommanderCobra H.I.S.S. w/ Cobra Commander at YOJOE.com Retrieved 2012-04-25 Cobra Night Prowler with Shadow Viper Cobra Sand Snake with FireflyCobra Sand Snake w/ Firefly at YOJOE.com Retrieved 2012-04-25 Cobra Venom Striker with Firefly Cobra Venom Striker w/ Firefly at YOJOE.com Retrieved 2012-04-25
2005 Freedom Defense Outpost with Duke Freedom Defense Outpost w/ Duke at YOJOE.com Retrieved 2012-04-23
Transformers Transformers Built to Rule toys were predicted by some groups to be big sellers in 2003. A small number of Transformers: Energon Built to Rule sets had a limited, test market release, but the entire line performed poorly, so it was dropped in its entirety in 2004.
There are some significant differences between the Armada and Energon sets, though both are based on the same basic premise. Each Transformers kit is centered on a "Trans-Skeleton", a very simple humanoid body that folds up for vehicle mode without dis-assembly. From there, extra parts are added to the Trans-Skeleton for either mode. For Armada, the Trans-Skeleton was a very broad, flat solid plate with thin, stick-like limbs attached to it, which led to very awkward-looking robot modes. The structure of the Trans-Skeleton was changed for the Energon characters, to a much more solid skeleton with larger, blockier limbs. This led to much more solid, stable and sturdy-looking robot modes.
Transformers: Armada sets Demolishor & Blackout Demolishor & Blackout (Night Attack) Hot Shot & Jolt Jetfire & Comettor Megatron & Leader-1 (with Cyclonus & Crumplezone) Optimus Prime & Sparkplug Red Alert & Longarm Smokescreen & Liftor Starscream & Swindle Thundercracker & Zapmaster
Transformers: Energon sets Ironhide Optimus Prime Skyblast Inferno Starscream
See also Kre-O – another Lego-compatible building block toy line introduced by Hasbro in 2011 Lego clone
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