Goldbug & The Throttlebots Retrospective - The Autobot Espionage Unit

Bumblebee is certainly one of the most popular Transformers in the franchise. When upgraded as Goldbug, he is not only more mature but he is also given charge of his own Espionage Unit, the Throttlebots. Check out this history of the team and Bumblebee's upgrade!
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[@bobsav76]

The Throttlebots are a team of relatively intriguing characters that aren't mentioned all that much.

[@perceptor1525]

The problem with franchises with so many characters is that a big number of them barely show up and have a chance to shine and it's such a shame

[@bobsav76]

@@perceptor1525 True, there is that, on the bright side, it means that we have a lot of characters to talk about.

[@perceptor1525]

@@bobsav76 you can talk about them regardless of how obscure they are

[@bobsav76]

@@perceptor1525 Also true

[@deadartist8827]

I had Goldbug as a kid and was happy to finally have a version of Bee, but my older brother kept teasing me that the original Bumblebee that he had was far superior. Deep down I knew it was true.

[@sleepydoggos3616]

The bayverse kid with his 2169.22 step bumblebee with 297461 peices

[@dubuyajay9964]

Horse hockey. Yours is the upgraded version.

[@Ryder-a-Blaze]

It would have been cool if Chase met Prowl and Barricade

[@julyleonard]

I agree big time! The rescue bots version of Chase is my favorite.

[@blueraccoon1088]

Chase did became a police bot in rescue bots.

[@gabrielchee8470]

@@blueraccoon1088 I think he was talking about the RB Chase as people will probably remember him more for that role.

[@blurrthelegend1420]

Aww, hell yeah!!!😁

[@AutohunterJ49]

I smell a buddy cop movie.

[@Maswartz226]

I wish Goldbug got to show up more these days

[@twistedgaming9185]

Except Bumblebee is so popular that Hasbro no longer sees the need to upgrade him to Goldbug.

[@adamshafeeq8685]

Golbug could totally be Bumblebee's equivalent of Orion Pax's evolution into Optimus. A young and naive Autobot upgraded to a more badass and mature form

[@javiersantanaaviles5885]

I have always consider Bumblee to be like a teen Autobot while Goldbug is the adult bot

[@That_tf_dude88]

And hubcap is the little kid

[@javiersantanaaviles5885]

@@That_tf_dude88 yes

[@absolutemadlad5662]

Bee is like Robin, and goldbug is like nightwing

[@javiersantanaaviles5885]

@@absolutemadlad5662 Good analogy

[@fasinfata]

I'm old enough to remember how excited I was when Bumblebee was upgrated to Golbug in The Rebirth! Anyway, my favourite Throttlebot is Searchlight, I love his altmode!

[@jeffreyseay7707]

I would LOVE to see separate discussion videos on the Witwickys as well as humans on TF in general, as Chris McFeely has yet to do the former

[@matthewreynoso6904]

They should’ve waited to release Goldbug with the other Throttlebots in Legacy! I remember Rollbar being the mini con for Scavenger in Armada. I love the 80s Throttle bots commercial, it’s so cute!

[@matthewreynoso6904]

This was great, I’d love to see a Predacons retrospective sometime in the future! That’ll be an interesting one!

[@dontemorgan1517]

Throttlebots were cool. As I got a feeling that their the autobot versions of the Battlechargers. Shame most of them feel obscure but Goldbug manage to stick around a bit longer and others did manage to make cameos in Transformers Animated and I do like about Animated Searchlight that he's the batman in that universe and I would to see a comic of Searchlight fighting crime.

[@treebotreviews]

I loved that Derrick J Wyatt used all of them along with Bumblebee, wasp, and Cliffjumper in the same body style. That guy was so creative. Great video man!

[@AutohunterJ49]

RIP Wyatt you made our childhoods awsome.

[@jerrybeckettdd]

I still have my original Goldbug and the pull back function still works great. One of the few original G1 toys in my current collection

[@TomMSTie1138]

I had all of the Throttlebots as a kid (in fact, some of them might still be hanging around in my old toy box at my mom's house). Since we have a new Buzzworthy Goldbug, here's hoping we get the rest of the crew sometime in the future.

[@diegos7337]

Gold Bug was the first Bumblebee I ever owned. I still have him! Thanks for the video!

[@captainfantastic9158]

"Throttlebots, merge into...SPYKING!" (Chase: left leg; Rollbar: right leg; Freeway: left arm, Searchlight: right arm; Wide Load: torso; Goldbug: head and shoulders.) Why Hasbro didn't allow these bots to become Combiners - mainly as the Decepticons had them outnumbered on the Combiner front (Predaking, Piranhacon, Monstructor) - will forever be a mystery to me! I had Searchlight as a kid. I loved his all-white body, even though it completely belied his MO of cruising down dark alleys at night! I doubt Hasbro will ever do much with the Throttlers again, toy-wise or comic-book-wise. With so many TFs to work with, there's simply not enough that's notable about them. In all honesty, I'm amazed at how much page time they got in the Marvel U.S. and U.K. comics back in the day! Hey, it's more than SOME bots get!

[@KamenRiderSeiryuXV0]

Goldbug and Throttlebots are my fave characters. I used to have Wideload and Goldbug toys.

[@8ByteBrian]

I always thought the Throttlebots were a cool addition to the G1 line; I had G1 Rollbar & possibly Wideload & GoldBug but not 100% on the other two but pretty sure about Wideload. The other cool thing about their release is they were one of the few ways you could get the Decoys, little eraser like figures of Autobots & Decepticons & they were awesome! I remember they were so popular at the time, that at my middle school, they had a bin of them for like .25 each that other students traded because I guess they thought were just "erasers"? I sure hope no one ever used them as eraser though lol.

[@basedpota]

I actually like “Goldbug” and “Goldfire” as two separate upgraded forms lol. Though I would’ve gone with “Firebug” instead of “Goldfire”, Goldfire doesn’t fit with his other names

[@gabrielchee8470]

Sounds more like a gold Jetfire

[@mattbarkley7534]

I hope the remaining 5 Throttlebots are made into wfc/legacy figures. I'd buy them.

[@kirbymarchbarcena]

Is it possible that Bumblebee turns into Goldbug in ROTB? We've seen him get a very devastating blow in a scene.

[@RodimusPrimal]

Possible but probably not.

[@waverod9275]

I'm going to be honest, I actually like the gold and blue deco of Goldbug more than the yellow of Bumblebee.

[@matthewreynoso6904]

I like it being gold and black

[@Jawmax]

I only just now remember having Chase, Freeway, and Searchlight as a kid thanks to your video!

[@johnosbourn4312]

I would like to see the rest of the Throttlebots receive brand new figures.

[@StarFighters76]

Oh yes, the Throttlebots. The group that Ultra Magnus couldn't be bothered to identify individually as he was name dropping 16 other Autobots in the same scene lol. Are we sure Skids wasn't one of the Throttlebots by some chance lol? :P But speaking of them, it makes sense that Goldbug would be join the Throttlebots team, though I didn't know he was the leader. But knowing that, was he still the leader while as Bumblebee, and if not, then who was the leader at that point?

[@RodimusPrimal]

I have a theory. They were brought together as a team and upgraded to be fast (hence the name Throttlebots) just before the events of Return of Optimus Prime part 1. Bumblebee wasn't leader, but when the Quintesson upgraded him, he used the same schematic as the other 5 and was given leadership after being activated as Goldbug.

[@KasumiKenshirou]

"ROBOT (toy) ROLL CALL"

[@ultra_marcus]

So glad you've finally done a video on these guys. I was lucky enough to have Wideload and Goldbug as a kid. Even though they weren't the most amazing Transformers, I had a lot of fun out of them.

[@matthewreynoso6904]

Wide load didn’t have even one voice line in the show, it’s kind of a shame.

[@RodimusPrimal]

He does. "When we get outside you can ask them!"

[@matthewreynoso6904]

@@RodimusPrimal Oh that was him? My bad!

[@gabrielchee8470]

@@RodimusPrimal 5:55?

[@KasumiKenshirou]

I remember that G.I. Joe crossover where Bumblebee was blown apart and rebuilt as Goldbug. The toy wasn't released yet so I had no idea why that was in the comic at the time.

[@FriendlyNeighborhoodGeek99]

I love your character retrospectives, great video as always!

[@13RadTV]

Love the deep dive into the comics. You are onto something.

[@MelralCT-]

Throttlebots I feel are some of the most underutilized autobots. I remembered thinking before since Bumblebee was rebuilt into Goldbug. Chase, Freeway, Rollbar, Searchlight, and Longhaul; were rebuilt versions of Cliffjumper, Gears, Brawn, Windcharger, and Huffer. I guess in my younger mind some of them went through drastic personality change and some their bodies (or cpu brain) had been recovered from the sun.😅

[@mikeyjhilli]

Of course the Throttle Bots should come back AND be lead by Goldbug. Goes without saying.

[@jaysgamingcorner8539]

It's been a few months since I last watched The Return Of Optimus Prime and/or The Rebirth; thinking it's time I put my dvds on again. Awesome video

[@AgentNevets]

I would love to see more of the OG Throttlebots, and the more Goldbug that better.

[@rayvenkman2087]

Rollbar: “Starscream. I can see the lust for Windblade in your optics!”

[@Boingnania]

I one time asked my friend what transformers does he know and then he said “Optimus Prime, Bumblebee, and Jetman” and then I was like bruh

[@RazyelKayneReviews]

This was very interesting, didn't know the throttle bot had more to their lore than 2 appearances. When I think of Goldbug, it always reminds me that Dan Gilvezan didn't like the change, didn't see a good reason to upgrade a beloved character with a new paint job. Great retrospective, extremely well put together, your research paid off.

[@FlamesofJagger]

I've been looking forward to this video. I love the Throttlebots. I wonder what 80's intro you're going parody for them

[@johnzillastudio]

The Throttlebots are awesome. Since we got Goldbug, hopefully Hasbro should give us the new Throttlebots. I would still buy them. They are awesome characters, awesome Retrospective job on the Throttlebots.👍👍😁😁👍👍

[@TomMSTie1138]

Just make extensive retools of the Bumblebee/Cluffjumper mold. Heck, they could retool Freeway into Windcharger!🤯

[@latifzaman830]

Whats your opinion on weijiang throttlebot toy design as a combiner?

[@arctrooper999]

" So from now on that's who you will be...Goldbug!" " Wait, no I was just saying!"

[@leonigama5597]

nice job about Goldbug Retrospective from Transformers

[@tiberius913]

I legit just bought the cardbacks and toys of all 6 of these guys 3 days ago..love them

[@vice-grip]

You got a sub. The throttle bots were 3 dollars each according to my dad. The were my favorite autobots for a long time. However the throttlebots need to get a new mole or toy. Some of them only have 1 toy of them. Like freeway.

[@VkmSpouge]

I adore the Throttlebots. Just this week I got the Creatures Collide 4-pack for Goldbug (great toy!). I really hope Hasbro gives us the other 5 Throttlebots (I'll even accept re-colours with new heads of WFC Cliffjumper for Freeway, Chase and Searchlight).

[@DragoonMS]

They already did Chase in Titans Return (repaint of Titans Return Bumblebee with a new head), renaming him Roadburn at almost the last minute to avoid confusion with Rescue Bots Chase.

[@cabbitkisser2620]

i bought goldbug at wal-marts year's ago & i still have him packed away. he is still works & in good condition.

[@thehoopsobserver9078]

Yes! Been looking forward to this one since you started hinting at it! Great video!

[@DragoonMS]

Takara's even dodged the Goldbug bullet, instead of releasing a Masterpiece version, they chose to just make the gold repaint that would be MP21G as G2 Bumblebee ("Bumble (G-2 Ver.)"), which was pretty lame of them considering that was a very Hasbro style thing for Takara to do. And then Takara didn't even bother with a G2 repaint of the MP45 Bumblebee 2.0, either. Like, com'on, Takara...give Goldbug some Masterpiece love. Then retool the everliving 💩 outta it into the other Throttlebots...yesss!!

[@omegamaximus1727]

If Wideload is going to appear in the Transformers Legacy toy line , he needs to be a new mold.

[@blueraccoon1088]

Wouldn't surprise me if he'll be a modified long haul remold

[@nathanielhernandez3584]

I would love a wideload toy aside from long haul we really don't have any dumptruck transformers

[@TFfangeek]

Fantastic video RodimusPrimal!!! I really, really hope we get modern deluxe class figures of the Throttlebots to stand besides Legacy Goldbug. :D Keep on being amazing.

[@Кібертронськийакваріум]

Very interesting video. Like this guys. I hope they get more time and love.

[@THANATOS-PRIME]

The Alternators Rollbar was a Christmas gift in 2006 from my dad, so he’s always had a special place for me. Since the license plate is from my home state of Colorado. He’s probably one of the oldest figures I still have boxed. With that being said, I’m never going to sell him or open him. Hope Generations gives us the rest of the team.

[@petefischer3820]

Bring back The Throttlebots!

[@TFF4Life-84]

I got the bell alert for your new video! Great video. I didn't realize that Goldbug had his own squad.

[@kyledamron]

I love these retrospectives

[@DavidSamuelBl10]

Me, 2 personally, Kyle Damron!

[@Steven-ip8xo]

Hi Rodimus, great video keep them coming, also I love but like all your Character Retrospectives including Goldbug And The Throttlebots, great but Superb videos as always keep up the good work, also I'm very glad you finally done a video on these guys.also I'm looking forward to Pre-order Buzzyworthy Bumblebee Goldbug later this year,also Goldbug is the Autobot formerly known as Bumblebee who was not only injured by an infected Superior but was rebuilt into Goldbug by a renegade Quintession who not only reformed but finally saw the error of his villainous ways in the Return Of Optimus Prime Part 2(of)2,also the following from Transformers More Than Meets The Eye(limited, maxi-series)# 3 & 7(2003),Goldbug Allegiance (as of 2023):Autobot, Function,Primary Function:(as of 2023):Espionage Director, SubGroup:(as of 2023):Throttlebot Transformation(as of 2023): Earth Car/VW Bug Goldbug is an expert in infiltration,espionage tactics,and is an accomplished Leader,Goldbug is incredibly strong and resistant to physical damage.He has some of the best vision and hearing among the Transformers,as well as having 2 1/2 times better endurance than the next most fuel-efficient Throttlebot.he can easily adapt to extreme temperatures and high-pressure underwater environments. BumbleBee Allegiance (as of 2023):Autobot, SubGroup (as of 2023):Pretender,Function/Primary Function (as of 2023): Espionage, Pretender Shell Transformation(as of 2023):Car/VW Bug as Goldbug Bumblebee is still a Heroic Member of The Heroic Autobots and the leader of both The Throttle it's and The Classic Autobot Pretenders as a Pretender Bumblebee's got above-average strength and endurance and he's just as smart as ever and he's armed with a sonic blaster rifle and a rocket pack.and he's got a laser pistol that's useable in both modes and the shell's helmet has a bunch of tracking devices including thermal and electromagnetic sensors and a Multi-band radio transmitter, also the Throttlebots and Goldbug are all quite amazing, I also remember The Throttlebots (1.Rollbar,2.Chase,3.Freeway,4.Searchlight,&5. Wideload) made their first Cartoon Appearance in The Return Of Optimus Prime Part 1(of)2 and BumbleBee was upgraded to Goldbug in The Return Of Optimus Prime Part 2 also my favorite Throttlebot is Rollbar who is an excellent Tracker,also Fantastic but Superb Video Rodimus I really hope we get Modern deluxe Class cartoon Figures of the Throttlebots to stand beside Goldbug,also thank you for sharing Rodimus keep up the good work stay safe out there have a great day and until next time TILL ALL Are One.🙂💪🟢🦸🇺🇸🏋️🌎

[@TomE.V.]

I just saw a clip of you and Protoman on his channel talking with the guys from hasbro. So happy for you brother. Your channel has grown so much and you keep churning out great content. 👍 👍

[@basedpota]

Goldbug’s one of the ideas from the later parts of G1 i find so fascinating in retrospect The idea of Bumblebee at all being phased out and going by a new name nowadays just seems unthinkable, something I’ll always give props for there

[@im2hastyle]

It's great actually seeing factual or lore based Shattered Glass references instead of on the spot fanfare since they never took the time to Google about the characters. Love the BotCon and IDW pieces to the video! 😁👍

[@johnsoehnlen4781]

The throttle bots were great when I was a kid. I still have all 6 of them. They've definitely seen a lot of play. I'm missing tires and Freeway is missing more. As a kid, I liked the fact that the Throttlebots were fairly inexpensive and their windup ability in alt mode.

[@sea-envy3137]

great hearing Dan Gilvezan in the Devastation game clip. It seems he was also in Spider-Man shattered dimensions. Over 20 years later and people still want to hear him play those characters.

[@RodimusPrimal]

Absolutely. He's stated before he'd come back to these roles if asked.

[@slicerneons3300]

Throttlebots are ripe for Core Class figures. I quite enjoy my Roadburn/Chase from Titans Return A great way to not get yet another Bumblebee.

[@gregorylieber8362]

Yeah man I think that would be cool to see bumblebees howling commandos

[@RodimusPrimal]

That is a GREAT way to look at them. Just don't give Goldbug an eyepatch when its all said and done.

[@gregorylieber8362]

@@RodimusPrimal haha indeed

[@gabrielchee8470]

@@RodimusPrimal you've never walked, you've never run!

[@Ezrimustheblackconvoy]

Goldbug and his team deserves to have a spotlight as they shall return to the Transformers.

[@arsenalxa4421]

I only really remember Searchlight from a Cobra Upgraded Megatron turning him into spare parts in Generation 2.

[@seankelly9541]

0:45 The Duocons and Throttlebots have a shared weakness... Their lack of actual feet.

[@PirateScumGaming]

I laughed so hard when you used 'Russo Swerve!' Its a swerve, bro! Swerve bro!

[@DavidSamuelBl10]

*1:16* -😃Goldbug & Throttlebots toys are all awesome, aren't they, RodimusPrimal?😀

[@jpmatushak]

Hopefully, new figures for the rest of the Throttlebots released. So far Goldbug was released in the Creatures Collide 4-pack.

[@PhantomLover007]

I think they should come out with a throttlebot package deal. That would be pretty cool.

[@darkwoods1954]

I always liked the designs of the Throttlebots (in the cartoon). Would be nice to see modern updates that aren't just repaints. As a kid I always thought Brawn and Cliffjumper got upgraded into Throttlebots too.

[@superpaytonmars8852]

I remember learning about Goldbug as a child in the 2000s and being very intrigued. I think I would like him to come back, even just for select continuities. Same goes for the other throttlebots. I understand how popular his original Bumblebee form is, especially with kids. But yeah, give Bumblebee his team and his Super Saiyan form back.

[@Lightman0359]

I've been painting a WizKidz Bumblebee figure [around 2" tall] and am considering painting him as Goldbug, since vibrant yellow is difficult to paint at that scale.

[@BobaFettThe11th]

Goldbug in a nutshell is a better bumblebee to me at least

[@_PrimetimePranks]

I loved these toys !!!

[@petefischer3820]

Thank you for the video!

[@dotmbarricade3424]

Ayo thx, for remembering my request

[@jasonfritz8527]

I used to have a toy goldbug before, ah those fun days

[@mjjumps]

I had Freeway. Didn’t like his profile but his design was dope. Simple, blue, squared off.

[@Gold-Prime-v4h]

Damn, hasbro really need to remake all Throttlebots in combiner, maybe new form of Ultra Bee from RID2015, i think this will give them a chance to shine in mainline

[@barbw1974]

While rewatching this video and messing around with the BB Goldbug, I thought of molds that could be used for the other throttlebots: Chase: Earthrise Cliffjumper Rollbar: remold of Legacy Skids, Siege Hound, or the rumored upcoming legacy Brawn Searchlight:Legacy Dead end. Wideload: Now hear me out here: Legacy Bulkhead. Since the back tarp can be taken off for weapon storage maybe they could add some Piece there? Would need to be a heavy remold though, combiner wars Lond Haul would work too but I definitely can"t see them do that. Freeway: Kingdom Tracks remold If you have any recomendations leave them in the comments.

[@marleyhenry5616]

Nice I love your work and I’m glad you’re back from your vacation

[@EuReeka23]

There was no vacation. We moved and such ... lol

[@GizmoSpaz]

Your videos make me so happy.

[@onetrackmind3558]

I think we should see them in the movies with Bumblebee. It'll be awesome.

[@compkingkennyj]

Rodimus....another great retrospect as usual 👍🏽👏🏽

[@omegamaximus1727]

I bet Hasbro is going to use the Earthrise Cliffjumper mold for all the Throttlebots .

[@Sacrefiied]

Poor Wideload barely showed up in. . . Anything. Maybe it was his name. The dump trucks always get it rough. I mean, i like Long haul but. . . (Also landfill lol)

[@kilroywashere513]

There is a third party combiner team based on the throttle bots, and there is a KZbin video about it too.

[@frankiefingerz8047]

I always thawt it would b cool if the throttlebots were mini combiners The macho man cream of the crop cameo was funny😂

[@frankiefingerz8047]

Lol i was rewatching this & it made me rem the dr smoov parody return of optimus prime wen kup goes i feel like a piece of shit & then prime goes thats exactly who youll b shitpiece i was dying first time i saw that yrs ago lol

[@Robizoid]

The Throttlebots might have been the most underrated Autobot subgroup. Oh well, Bumblebee has more name recognition anyway!

[@vassa1972]

Good stuff never had them

[@marvelousball]

They should bring back goldbug as like an upgrade of bee. Sorta like Galvatron is to Megatron.

[@angelomendoza1174]

The Throttlebots were cannon fodders for the Decepticon Headmasters? Tell that to the Sweeps, they were excellent cannon fodders for Galvatron!!!

[@g1optimusprime951]

Great video rodimus

[@KatosKollection]

Another excellent retrospective 🤘😁🤘

[@thespaceram2879]

Stop doing satan's horns. Unless you want to end up with the deciever satan in hell later for representing him. Denounce satan and willingly accept God=Lord Jesus Christ and His salvation proposal and repent while there is time.

[@DeconvertedMan]

Fort Max always gets me to smile because he was my fav toy back in the day. Good times. Anyway... sooooo Perceptor retospective please? :D

[@RodimusPrimal]

He's on my short term list for sure.

[@DeconvertedMan]

@@RodimusPrimal yay!

[@g1optimusprime951]

I love my little Goldbug stay safe rodimus till all are one

[@DavidSamuelBl10]

*1:00* -🌹#Autobot delightful, & Happy #Valentine's Day, RodimusPrimal!🌹😄

[@Trunkaholik]

Hearing you say "a Russo swerve" hit me like a flashbang to the face lmao"

[@rodrickadamginsburg8960]

Another outstanding video! Well done Sir!

[@RichardGarza-zo9mo]

We know the Throttlebots for a short while in Transformers G1 episodes The Return of Optimus Prime and Rebirth. Bumblebee was injured and rebuilt into a Throttlebot called Goldbug.

[@CM-wv8ns]

Thanks!

[@Nagatem]

Honestly I like bumblebee as bumblebee, Gold bug could be his brother or an alternate universe version that just gets stuck in the main universe

[@0pt1tr0nD27]

I have a plan to buy a bunch of cliffjumper moulds and customising them into the throttle bots