A box from Hasbro arrived at my doorstep recently to help lift these quarantine blues. What was inside? Why, everyone’s favorite “totally not a transforming robot, but really just tiny household objects” BotBots!

Thanks to Hasbro for this awesome box of Series 5 BotBots that doubles as a BotBot gym! (Image: Anthony Karcz)

The theme for this summer, Goldrush Games, was supposed to coincide with the now-cancelled Olympics. But that doesn’t mean the BotBots aren’t still training! In fact, the box also came with a link to an exclusive video showing just that. Do you need to watch it? Well, it contains tamale BotBots in a luchador face off. You tell me.

Series 5 is here and giving you a chance to discover golden versions of your favorite bots in every random pack! There are new fun ways to collect your BotBots as well with Surprise Unboxing Gumball and Claw Machines.

More fun than it has any right to be (Image: Anthony Karcz)

They each contain 10 mystery balls with either a BotBot or sticker inside. Even better, there’s a guaranteed rare golden BotBot in each box.

You can, of course, still pick up BotBots multipacks. They all have mystery characters, with the chance for a golden BotBot in each (though my hands-on ratio with the multipacks in the box Hasbro sent was 5-1).

Let’s break down the Series 5 tribes, shall we?

Winner’s Circle (Image: Hasbro)

The Winner’s Circle has the golden BotBots for this series including The Breaker of Fortunes, Party Goldster, Goldie Terrortwirl, Gol-D, Goldpin Baller, Pour Gould, Goldigger, SPF Gold, Goldpunch, Goldim Sum, Goldiebites, Goldito Favrito (who by far has the best name of the series), and Sparklin’ Gold. Stay gold, Ponyboy.

Cardio Clique (Image: Hasbro)

Cardio Clique is an appropriately workout-themed tribe with Tranquillabeast (gorilla/headphones), H2-Ego (water bottle repaint), Bot-T Builder (kettle bell), Nomaste (rolled up yoga mat), Lightweight (dumbell), and Poo-Shoo (poo-covered sneaker…yay).

Hibotchi Heats (Image: Hasbro)

Hibotchi Heats is an Asian restaurant-themed team with Drama Sauce (they already did a Sriracha bottle in previous waves), Wasabi Breath (an adorable sushi dragon), Lieutenant Slurp-a-Derp (bowl of ramen), Super Bubs (bubble tea), Lo Mein (take-out noodles that can wield his chopsticks as a weapon), and The Breaker of Fortunes (a cookie that can surf his fortune). They’re easily my favorite new team of all of Series 5.

Party Favors (Image: Hasbro)

Party Favors, on the other hand, has some of my least favorite bots in Series 5. The pinata Razzle Tazzeled is fine. But Buffloon the whoopie cushion is decidedly meh. Shifty Grifty is amazing and her bow turns into two knives she can wield. Then there’s Wah-Waah the Clown. This noisemaker is an abomination and should be thrown away on sight. Richmond Cakesmore is a perfectly fine piece of chocolate cake.

Movie Moguls (Image: Hasbro)

Movie Moguls just has three new bots this time around: Sweet Fang (shell-former candy apple), Bratworst (evil sausage), and Brash Butterhead (intimidating popcorn maker).

Retro Replays (Image: Hasbro)

Retro Replays has new editions for Series 5 including Outta Order (broken TV), Telly (tabletop video game), Cam “The Pawn” Corder (who I feel has a dark history behind his name), and Skippy Dippy Disc (portable CD player…which will mean absolutely nothing to the target audience).

Science Alliance (Image: Hasbro)

The Science Alliance has some great new bots like Professor Scope (telescope), Dr. Fraud (beaker/mad scientist and one of my faves for this series), Special Optics (microscope with a truly unique transfomation), Experi-Mental (centrifuge), and Data Dump (PC). My only question is, why does everyone in the Science Alliance seem evil?

Wilderness Troop (Image: Hasbro)

The Wilderness Troop is here to help you escape the hustle and bustle. There’s Flood Jug, Yard Guard, Unreelz Dealz, Handy Dandy, and Lumbering Jack. I find it especially unfortunate that Lumbering Jack transforms from a hiking boot into a hunting target.

Frequent Flyers (Image: Hasbro)

Frequent Flyers will also help you get away with the BotBot’s first pug! There’s Barf Bag, Shudder, Sandy Shades, Jet Setter (who’s a book, odd name, but OK), Snuggle Puggle (daww), and Tidy Trunksy.

Los Deliciosos (Image: Hasbro)

Los Deliciosos is again the most delicious team with Bok Bok Bok-O, Cheero (who comes with a spoon? Who eats churros with a spoon?), The Corn Crusader, and Tamale Mal

Home Rangers (Image: Hasbro)

Finally, there’s the Home Rangers Reptilin’ Sleepstylin’, Leafmeat Alone (who’s name makes absolutely no sense, even as a pun), and Glam Glare Fancy Flare.

Series 5 BotBots are hitting the shelves right now at retail stores near you.