History Main / MechaExpansionPack

[[caption-width-right:315:[[SarcasmMode Like that flight pack actually makes it aerodynamic now...]]]]

* The ''Franchise/{{Transformers}}'' franchise:
** Ultra Magnus, who debuted in ''WesternAnimation/TheTransformersTheMovie'', was the first example, as his toy was a Optimus Prime cab recolored white with a transforming car-carrier trailer that became armor for the smaller robot. Although he was not depicted in this manner in the cartoon or original comics (simply transforming from truck to combined robot), the [[ComicBook/TransformersGenerationOne Dreamwave comics]] brought the concept into the fiction proper. Many subsequent ''G1'' Ultra Magnus toys have just been Optimus Prime recolors without the additional trailer, and the lack of a "proper" Magnus for many years helped drive the third-party market to create their own trailer add-ons, most notably the "City Commander" set for Classics Ultra Magnus. The expansion pack aspect is averted with the ''Titanium'', MP-22 ''Masterpiece'', and ''Combiner Wars'' toys, although ''Combiner Wars'' Ultra Magnus adds a new wrinkle from the IDW comics, as "Ultra Magnus" is actually a LegacyCharacter, and the figure is essentially PoweredArmor for the diminutive Minimus Ambus. It would not be until the ''Siege'' toyline, where the original concept of Ultra Magnus being a smaller cab robot with a trailer that became his armor, was revisited.
** Beginning with Powermaster Optimus Prime, many versions of the Autobot leader have been depicted as combining with his trailer to create a larger robot and/or give him additional firepower. Powermaster Prime only appeared animated in commercials, though, and as a live-action mock-up in the host segments for the repackaged episodes of the original cartoon in the short-lived "season 5". His ''[[Anime/TransformersSuperGodMasterforce Masterforce]]'' counterpart, God Ginrai, included a second trailer which, when not combined with Super Ginrai, could function as a semi-autonomous drone named Godbomber.
** The [[Anime/TransformersHeadmasters Japanese Headmasters]] could be considered this as well, as the smaller "head" robots were the sentient components which combined with the larger non-sentient "transtector" bodies.
** Ultra Magnus himself became a MechaExpansionPack for Optimus in ''Car Robots/[[Anime/TransformersRobotsInDisguise Robots in Disguise]]''. However, it's a plot point that "Omega Prime" is under both their control at once: Ultra Magnus thinks he should be leader instead of his [[CainAndAbel brother]], but the Matrix of Leadership's full power must be unlocked by both together. When they become Omega Prime, this form even has its own voice actor, not Optimus's ''or'' Magnus's.
** The Anime/UnicronTrilogy heavily featured Transformers combining for power enhancements.
*** The whole plot of ''Anime/TransformersArmada'' centered around the Minicons, who by combining with larger Transformers (referred to as "bulks" by the Minicons) could unlock special powers and weapons. In addition, Optimus Prime could not only combine with his trailer again, but he could also instead combine with Jetfire to create the flight-capable Jet Optimus. And either of Prime's combined forms could additionally combine with Overload to give him a [[{{BFG}} huge pair of shoulder cannons]].
*** ''Anime/TransformersEnergon'' featured more "Powerlinking", taken to a new level. Unlike previous multi-Transformer [[CombiningMecha gestalts]] which were typically composed of five or six individual Transformers (although there were a few of those in this series as well), ''Energon'' featured Autobots combining in pairs, with the Autobot forming the top half being in full control, leaving the "bottom" Autobot essentially dormant. Optimus Prime could not combine in this manner in the series, although he had his own team of drone vehicles that could combine with him to form a super mode; Wing Saber could also separate into limb components to combine with Optimus in this manner. Prime could also combine with Omega Supreme (who himself was essentially a Headmaster in the Japanese style, with the tiny Omega robot controlling the larger body). There ''was'' a Powerlinx Optimus Prime toy released that could combine with other Powerlinx Autobots, though he never showed this ability in the anime (and due to Powerlinx Optimus being smaller, his combined form with the much larger Jetfire toy is... awkward, to say the least).
*** ''Anime/TransformersCybertron'' once again had Optimus Prime able to combine with his trailer, and he could also combine with Leobreaker, although this time the latter only formed a new arm for Optimus. Leobreaker's EvilCounterpart, Nemesis Breaker, could do the same for Megatron.
** The second live-action movie, ''Film/TransformersRevengeOfTheFallen'', has Optimus combine with Jetfire again, with Jetfire turning into, basically, a jetpack. But that's after Jetfire sacrificed his life to make it happen, and even then, Optimus discarded the parts after he defeats The Fallen.
** ''Film/TransformersDarkOfTheMoon'' has Optimus finally get a trailer. It's both a mobile armory and a flight pack. And it's awesome.
** The ''Power of the Primes'' toyline uses this for all Leader class figures: the toy consists of a Deluxe sized robot that has a trailer or other parts that combine with it to form a Leader-sized vehicle and Leader-sized robot. This is in service to the "evolution" gimmick of the line's figures for that size class, as all the characters in that size class of the line started out with less powerful forms (the core Deluxe-sized robots) and later received significant upgrades (adding armor to covert the figure to Leader-size) during their ''G1'' cartoon storylines (Hot Rod to Rodimus Prime and Optimus Primal to Optimal Optimus, etc.)
** The first installment of the ''War for Cybertron'' trilogy toyline, ''Siege'', does this with a new type of figure, the Weaponizers. Weaponizer characters are Deluxe-sized toys that can be taken apart to become weapons and armor that can be [[EquippableAlly attached to other figures]], resulting in a larger, more heavily armed character. This play pattern is continued in the next two installments, ''Earthrise'' and ''Kingdom'', though the figures that are capable of it are instead dubbed "Modulators" and "Fossilizers".

* The ''Franchise/{{Transformers}}'' franchise:
** Ultra Magnus, who debuted in ''WesternAnimation/TheTransformersTheMovie'', was the first example, as his toy was a Optimus Prime cab recolored white with a transforming car-carrier trailer that became armor for the smaller robot. Although he was not depicted in this manner in the cartoon or original comics (simply transforming from truck to combined robot), the [[ComicBook/TransformersGenerationOne Dreamwave comics]] brought the concept into the fiction proper. Many subsequent ''G1'' Ultra Magnus toys have just been Optimus Prime recolors without the additional trailer, and the lack of a "proper" Magnus for many years helped drive the third-party market to create their own trailer add-ons, most notably the "City Commander" set for Classics Ultra Magnus. The expansion pack aspect is averted with the ''Titanium'', MP-22 ''Masterpiece'', and ''Combiner Wars'' toys, although ''Combiner Wars'' Ultra Magnus adds a new wrinkle from the IDW comics, as "Ultra Magnus" is actually a LegacyCharacter, and the figure is essentially PoweredArmor for the diminutive Minimus Ambus. It would not be until the ''Siege'' toyline, where the original concept of Ultra Magnus being a smaller cab robot with a trailer that became his armor, was revisited.
** Beginning with Powermaster Optimus Prime, many versions of the Autobot leader have been depicted as combining with his trailer to create a larger robot and/or give him additional firepower. Powermaster Prime only appeared animated in commercials, though, and as a live-action mock-up in the host segments for the repackaged episodes of the original cartoon in the short-lived "season 5". His ''[[Anime/TransformersSuperGodMasterforce Masterforce]]'' counterpart, God Ginrai, included a second trailer which, when not combined with Super Ginrai, could function as a semi-autonomous drone named Godbomber.
** The [[Anime/TransformersHeadmasters Japanese Headmasters]] could be considered this as well, as the smaller "head" robots were the sentient components which combined with the larger non-sentient "transtector" bodies.
** Ultra Magnus himself became a MechaExpansionPack for Optimus in ''Car Robots/[[Anime/TransformersRobotsInDisguise Robots in Disguise]]''. However, it's a plot point that "Omega Prime" is under both their control at once: Ultra Magnus thinks he should be leader instead of his [[CainAndAbel brother]], but the Matrix of Leadership's full power must be unlocked by both together. When they become Omega Prime, this form even has its own voice actor, not Optimus's ''or'' Magnus's.
** The Anime/UnicronTrilogy heavily featured Transformers combining for power enhancements.
*** The whole plot of ''Anime/TransformersArmada'' centered around the Minicons, who by combining with larger Transformers (referred to as "bulks" by the Minicons) could unlock special powers and weapons. In addition, Optimus Prime could not only combine with his trailer again, but he could also instead combine with Jetfire to create the flight-capable Jet Optimus. And either of Prime's combined forms could additionally combine with Overload to give him a [[{{BFG}} huge pair of shoulder cannons]].
*** ''Anime/TransformersEnergon'' featured more "Powerlinking", taken to a new level. Unlike previous multi-Transformer [[CombiningMecha gestalts]] which were typically composed of five or six individual Transformers (although there were a few of those in this series as well), ''Energon'' featured Autobots combining in pairs, with the Autobot forming the top half being in full control, leaving the "bottom" Autobot essentially dormant. Optimus Prime could not combine in this manner in the series, although he had his own team of drone vehicles that could combine with him to form a super mode; Wing Saber could also separate into limb components to combine with Optimus in this manner. Prime could also combine with Omega Supreme (who himself was essentially a Headmaster in the Japanese style, with the tiny Omega robot controlling the larger body). There ''was'' a Powerlinx Optimus Prime toy released that could combine with other Powerlinx Autobots, though he never showed this ability in the anime (and due to Powerlinx Optimus being smaller, his combined form with the much larger Jetfire toy is... awkward, to say the least).
*** ''Anime/TransformersCybertron'' once again had Optimus Prime able to combine with his trailer, and he could also combine with Leobreaker, although this time the latter only formed a new arm for Optimus. Leobreaker's EvilCounterpart, Nemesis Breaker, could do the same for Megatron.
** The second live-action movie, ''Film/TransformersRevengeOfTheFallen'', has Optimus combine with Jetfire again, with Jetfire turning into, basically, a jetpack. But that's after Jetfire sacrificed his life to make it happen, and even then, Optimus discarded the parts after he defeats The Fallen.
** ''Film/TransformersDarkOfTheMoon'' has Optimus finally get a trailer. It's both a mobile armory and a flight pack. And it's awesome.
** The ''Power of the Primes'' toyline uses this for all Leader class figures: the toy consists of a Deluxe sized robot that has a trailer or other parts that combine with it to form a Leader-sized vehicle and Leader-sized robot. This is in service to the "evolution" gimmick of the line's figures for that size class, as all the characters in that size class of the line started out with less powerful forms (the core Deluxe-sized robots) and later received significant upgrades (adding armor to covert the figure to Leader-size) during their ''G1'' cartoon storylines (Hot Rod to Rodimus Prime and Optimus Primal to Optimal Optimus, etc.)
** The first installment of the ''War for Cybertron'' trilogy toyline, ''Siege'', does this with a new type of figure, the Weaponizers. Weaponizer characters are Deluxe-sized toys that can be taken apart to become weapons and armor that can be [[EquippableAlly attached to other figures]], resulting in a larger, more heavily armed character. This play pattern is continued in the next two installments, ''Earthrise'' and ''Kingdom'', though the figures that are capable of it are instead dubbed "Modulators" and "Fossilizers".

If there are more than one expansion pack, expect to see MultiformBalance kick-in. MetaMecha is an extreme example of this. Compare FrillyUpgrade, the MagicalGirl equivalent, and EnvironmentSpecificActionFigure, the action figure equivalent.

** Speaking of FINAL, Genesic [=GaoGaiGar=]'s counterpart to [=StealthGao=], known as [[MeaningfulName GadgetGao]], took the form of an enormous mechanical bird. While it itself did not count as an expansion pack since (like the [=StealthGao=] series) its jet engines formed [=GaoGaiGar=]'s forearms, it could detach its head and sections of its neck which would then transform into "Gadget Tools", including the Bolting Driver (a SuperPrototype of both the Dividing and Gatling Drivers), a Will Knife sized for Genesic's hands, and a pair of claw-like gloves that were used during [[DangerousForbiddenTechnique Hell]] [[YinYangBomb and]] [[FinishingMove Heaven]]. And let's not forget [[spoiler:the [[DropTheHammer Goldion Crusher]], an energy mallet that dwarfed Genesic [=GaoGaiGar=], which was made of ''three'' GGG space-ships and controlled by Mikoto (who was hooked up to it) and Goldymarg's Super-AI.]]

*** The Strike Gundam started the trend with its Striker Packs, including the main three.[[note]]Aile ("wing"), Sword, and Launcher. In the first series, the Aile pack only permitted Strike to fly in space, giving it rocket-assisted and sustained leaps on Earth, this was largely ignored in the second series.[[/note]] Several more MS pop up with follow the "flight[=/=]melee[=/=]gunner" set-up, including the Impulse Gundam's Silhouettes and ZAKU Warrior[=/=]Phantom's Wizard Packs from ''Anime/MobileSuitGundamSEEDDestiny''. And that's not even factoring in all the ''other'' Strikers, Silhouettes, and Wizards that show up in side-media, or the mecha that don't quite fit the same dynamic, like the Dagger L and Windam[[note]]which have the Jet, Cannon, and nuclear missile Strikers[[/note]] and the Akatsuki.[[note]]which has its own custom flight and AttackDrone Strikers.[[/note]]

** ''Series/HyakujuuSentaiGaoranger'' and ''Series/PowerRangersWildForce'' were probably one of the best examples of this, since each new zord provided a new weapon or upgrade specific to the animal in question. The long trunk and large ears of the elephant became a sword and shield, the long neck of the giraffe became a spear, and the horns of the deer created a claw/clutcher. Still overdone, but there was a certain pattern to it. Nonetheless, the greatest criticism about ''Wild Force'' is that it was more about its Mecha Expansion Packs than its story or characters.

** Speaking of FINAL, Genesic [=GaoGaiGar=]'s counterpart to [=StealthGao=], known as [[MeaningfulName GadgetGao]], took the form of an enormous mechanical bird. While it itself did not count as an expansion pack since (like the [=StealthGao=] series) its jet engines formed [=GaoGaiGar=]'s forearms, it could detach its head and sections of its neck which would then transform into "Gadget Tools", including the Bolting Driver (a SuperPrototype of both the Dividing and Gatling Drivers), a Will Knife sized for Genesic's hands, and a pair of claw-like gloves that were used during [[DangerousForbiddenTechnique Hell]] [[YinYangBomb and]] [[FinishingMove Heaven]]. And let's not forget [[spoiler:the [[DropTheHammer Goldion]] [[UpToEleven Crusher]], an energy mallet that dwarfed Genesic [=GaoGaiGar=], which was made of ''three'' GGG space-ships and controlled by Mikoto (who was hooked up to it) and Goldymarg's Super-AI.]]

** The Dreadknight of the Grey Knights faction is this taken UpToEleven, having a Terminator dangling out the front of a GiantRobot and having an unfortunate resemblance to a baby carrier.

** The ''War for Cybertron: Siege'' does this with a new type of figure, the Weaponizers. Weaponizer characters are Deluxe-sized toys that can be taken apart to become weapons and armor that can be [[EquippableAlly attached to other figures]], resulting in a larger, more heavily armed character.

** Ultra Magnus, who debuted in ''WesternAnimation/TheTransformersTheMovie'', was the first example, as his toy was a recolored Optimus Prime cab with a transforming car-carrier trailer that became armor for the smaller robot. Although he was not depicted in this manner in the cartoon or original comics (simply transforming from truck to combined robot), the [[ComicBook/TransformersGenerationOne Dreamwave comics]] brought the concept into the fiction proper. Many subsequent G1 Ultra Magnus toys have just been Optimus Prime recolors without the additional trailer, and the lack of a "proper" Magnus for many years helped drive the third-party market to create their own trailer add-ons, most notably the "City Commander" set for Classics Ultra Magnus. The expansion pack aspect is averted with the ''Titanium'', MP-22 ''Masterpiece'', and ''Combiner Wars'' toys, although ''Combiner Wars'' Ultra Magnus adds a new wrinkle from the IDW comics, as "Ultra Magnus" is actually a LegacyCharacter, and the figure is essentially PoweredArmor for the diminutive Minimus Ambus.

** The ''Power of the Primes'' toyline uses this for all Leader class figures: the toy consists of a Deluxe sized robot that has a trailer or other parts that combine with it to form a Leader-sized vehicle and Leader-sized robot.

** The G-Falcon of ''[[Anime/AfterWarGundamX Gundam X]]'' for the MidSeasonUpgrade, the Gundam Double X, which is also usable by the Airmaster Burst and the Leopard Destroy. A better example appears earlier though, the Gundam X Divider which adds the "Beam Harmonica" Divider shield, a double barreled beam machine gun, a second beam sword, and a better backpack and thrusters.

If there are more than one expansion pack, expect to see MultiFormBalance kick-in. MetaMecha is an extreme example of this. Compare FrillyUpgrade, the MagicalGirl equivalent, and EnvironmentSpecificActionFigure, the action figure equivalent.

** The other Mazingers had them, too. ''Anime/GreatMazinger'' introduced Great Booster, which was a separate jetpack which doubled as a ramming weapon. ''Anime/UFORoboGrendizer'' had the Double, Marine and Drill Spazers, allowing the titular robo to fly, traverse the seas and burrow underground. ''Anime/{{Mazinkaiser}}'', or at least it's OAV version, had the Kaiser Scrander, which functioned the same way as Jet Scrander, though it also doubled as a ''boomerang''!. And finally ''Anime/ShinMazinger'' introduces an upgraded version of the Jet Scrander called the God Scrander that, in addition to flight, allows Mazinger to [[TransformingMecha transform]] into ''a giant RocketPunch''.
* ''Anime/KotetsuJeeg'': Jeeg had first the Jeeg Drills, a set of weaponized rockets that doubled like ThisIsADrill, and later it had the Earth, Marine and Sky parts, three sets of armor let the HumongousMecha fighting in land, sea and air, and [[TransformingMecha transforming]].

** On a more realistic note is the G-Defensor in ''Anime/MobileSuitZetaGundam'', which combined with the Gundam Mk. II. The [[ExpandedUniverse sidestory]] ''Advance of Zeta: Traitors to Destiny'', a RedShirt mech Nemo can use it by equipping with Gundam Mk. II's backpack,[[note]]This should work for the GM III as well, since it's equipped as standard with a copy of the Gundam Mk. II backpack, but it's yet to happen in canon.[[/note]] while ''VideoGame/SDGundamGGeneration'' gives the Rick Dias its own D-Defensor.

** The [=ReGZ=] from ''Anime/MobileSuitGundamCharsCounterattack'' combines this with TransformingMecha - literally. Its flight form is achieved by docking it with the Back Weapons System, which is basically a nosecone, wings, and beam cannons that dock with the backpack. This allows for capability similar to the [[SuperPrototype Zeta Gundam]] without the complex and highly expensive transformation system. The Scorpio from ''Anime/MobileSuitGundamWing'' uses the same concept.

*** The video game ''Gundam Try Age'' did a WhatIf scenario of the Unicorn Unit One gaining all of these equipment and adding in a fifth Armed Armor piece, the Armed Armor HB (Hyper Beamjavelin), which is a {{retcon}} to the hyper beam javelin that Kshatyria Repaired gets. This form is referred to as the "Full Armor Unicorn Gundam Plan B". When it is later given the "Phenix"[='s=] tail fins on its DE shields, it is renamed "Unicorn Gundam Perfectibility"

** And the G-Falcon of ''[[Anime/AfterWarGundamX Gundam X]]''. A better example appears earlier though, the Gundam X Divider which adds the "Beam Harmonica" Divider shield, a double barreled beam machine gun, a second beam sword, and better thrusters.

*** In ''Anime/GundamBuildFightersTry'', Yuuma Kousaka's Lightning Gundam gets a few due to his suit being based on the Re-GZ. His first one was based around the Re-GZ, the second one focused more like the GP-01 Full Burnian and the third from the AGE-2 Normal.

* This is the defining characteristic of Liger Zero in ''Anime/ZoidsNewCentury'': it has three different such expansion packs, in addition to its base state. In model line, it also has Zero X armor, as well as the Fire Phoenix and Jet Falcon, separate Zoids that combined with the Zero from ''Anime/ZoidsFuzor''.

*** The whole plot of ''Anime/TransformersArmada'' centered around the Minicons, who by combining with larger Transformers (referred to as "bulks" by the Minicons) could unlock special powers and weapons. In addition, Optimus Prime could not only combine with his trailer again, but he could also instead combine with Jetfire to create the flight-capable Jet Optimus. And either of Prime's combined forms could additionally combine with Overload to give him a [[BFG huge pair of shoulder cannons]].

** The second live-action movie, ''Film/TransformersRevengeOfTheFallen'', has Optimus combine with Jetfire again, with Jetfire turning into, basically, a jetpack.