'Make 100s of Robots..... 100s of Space Cars!!!!'
SCREW-BOT is one of three mode changing robot shaped candy containers released by TOPPS in 1986. The mode change is purely partsforming with one set of wheels and the head needing to be relocated to complete the change.
This one is arguably the least interesting of the three play value wise. BAT-BOT has wings, BLAST-BOT has blasters (more cool in the 80s probably), while SCREW-BOT has a screw that doesn't screw. This makes it more an Offset-35-degree-tapered-corrugation-bot with the candy being the best feature. Jokes aside, like BLAST-BOT, SCREW-BOT would certainly have benefited from some arms that could have been relocated to the vacant axel grips in Space Car mode. While a shame, cost to manufacture vs. sale price would have been extremely tight and likely didn't warrant the luxury of limbs.
See Switch-A-Robots Index for Further Details
Region Codes Used: US United States - Location codes only shown where items were known to be released.
This list is accurate yet likely to be incomplete. If you are able to confirm release in other regions please get in contact.
SCREW-BOT US TOPPS 1986
Assortment - while these are so far the only colour combinations for BAT-BOT sighted on card, it's highly possible other combinations exist. Only examples on card are included below. Due to the mix 'n' match nature of the toys, any loose example may not reflect released assembly variations. As the Switch-A-Robots SCREW-BOT figure has six sighted examples, two of each body colour so it's possible each have six; unconfirmed.
Stamping (c) 1985 TOPPS Chewing Gum, INC.
Collector Note
A common issue with all Switch-A-Robots is the candy inside the toy has often turned into a sticky, black sludge due to age. It's not uncommon for this sludge to leak out of the toy and discolour the cardback or if loose, other things. If you have loose Switch-A-Robots it's strongly suggested the candy be poured out into a zip-lock bag (if you want to keep it) and stored separately. If it's already sludge, the candy compartment can be washed out with warm water. Shaking both loose and carded examples and listening for the candy rattling inside is a good test. SCREW-BOT's candy compartment back plate can be carefully levered away to remove it. It's held in place with plugs and sockets with no glue. If you're keen on collecting these, the goo doesn't seem to discolour the toy and so
very rough looking carded examples can end up being quickly cleaned to be a mint, off card figure.
Trivia The art printed on the counter display tray that held Switch-A-Robots for sale shows the toys in different, brighter, unreleased colour schemes.
