Robo Substitute starting game as the Active Pokemon?

[balloonzombie]

The Robo Substitute card (Phantom Gate #102) states:

Play this card as if it were a 30 HP [C] Basic Pokemon. ...

The Claw Fossil card (EX Sandstorm #90) also states:

Play this card as if it were a [C] Basic Pokemon.

The previous ruling on Claw Fossil indicating that it may start as the Active Pokemon at the start of the game.

Q. At the beginning of the game, can I start with a Mysterious/Claw/Root
Fossil as my Active Pokémon even if I have another "real" Pokémon on
the bench?

A. Yes, you can start with a Fossil Trainer card as your Active Pokémon, at the start of the game. (Oct 2, 2003 PUI Rules Team)

Can Robo Substitute also start the game as the Active Pokemon?

 

[PokePop]

Robo Substitute is not a Fossil Trainer. That rule specifically applied to Fossil Trainers.

This is what would apply to Robo Substitute:

Q. Can you place Clefairy Doll during setup?
A. Nope [...] It is not a Pokemon you can start with. You may not start with a trainer card as one of your starting Pokemon. (Jul 18, 2002 WotC Chat, Q10 & Q31)