Megabug Gladiators were a toy line released by Kenner in 1979. Described as “Combat vehicles of the future….half insect, half machine!”, it’s probably fair to say this short-lived toy line was ahead of it’s time. Another five years or so and it would have likely been accompanied by a cartoon, comic and much more.
The concept was fairly simple, insect vehicles, basically a cross between Transformers and Jayce and the Wheeled Warriors a few years before either were created.
Megabug Gladiators
Unfortunately, because the toy line never took off, only three Megabug Gladiators were ever created.
MEGASPIDER
“Megaspider has pinchers and other unique play features including a ‘web ray’ to pull victims to it.”
SCOPRION
“The orange Scorpion attacks with pinchers and stinger tail.”
DRAGONFLY
“Dragonfly carries a ‘bug bomb’ for aerial attack and his winch can pick up an opponent.”
It’s a real shame that the toy line ended with just three Megabug’s released. It’s a toy line that could have been easily expanded across numerous different bugs, unfortunately it wasn’t to be.