[2] A line of toys based on the show was produced by Bandai, along with ephemera surrounding a brief promotional tie-in with Burger King.

Whereas the comic book seems like only an introduction to the robots, the animated series is full-fledged with a strong back story which links the episodes together.

The plan by Quark Industries is that Rusty will replace the Big Guy, a massive war robot that is the Earth's last line of defence against all threats alien or domestic.

In reality, the Big Guy is actually a mindless battle suit piloted by lieutenant Dwayne Hunter, who poses as his chief mechanic.

Apart from recurring and/or plot-important villains, a lot of monsters (often of unknown origin) appear but they play no particular role, or are an important element in only one episode.