Review – Transformers Generations Cybertronian Soundwave
Line: Transformers * Manufacturer: Hasbro * Year: 2010
The remarkably awesome War for Cybertron* video game has given us a Transformers history that’s a hell of a lot of fun and one of the best looks at prehistoric Transformers that we’ve ever seen. And the team at Hasbro, clearly showing genius-level planning, took advantage of the game’s character designs to bring us a series of new toys that are great to look at; and with Cybertronian Soundwave here we even get an awesome Transformers toy.
Vehicle Mode
Starting with the weak mode first, Cyberonian Soundwave’s vehicle mode is some sort of armored car with weapons mounted on the sides. It’s a clever design that incorporates Soundwave’s classic chest design — originally his cassette player mode as seen in the 1984 release (Transformers Encore Edition Soundwave review here) — and gives us a decent vehicle that’s functional but not spectacular.
The wheels roll fairly well, but transforming Soundwave into vehicle mode is a tad fiddly and if you don’t get each point snapped in just right the front wheels may not spin and the vehicle won’t roll. It’s not a huge deal for me since I find the robot mode a lot more fun than vehicle mode. I mean, anyway, who really buys a Transformer and displays it in vehicle mode?
Transforming Soundwave
He’s an “Intermediate” level design, so transforming from one mode to the other isn’t simple but it’s not all that complicated. I find myself constantly thinking of original Transformers and a bit boggled when I look at the instructions for these newer designs, but once I actually start following the instructions it’s not too bad. The arms, and flipping out the front wheels, gave me the most trouble. Locking the feet in place as the vehicle’s roof was also a little annoying but in the end it all snapped in place fairly well.
Robot Mode
This is where Soundwave really shines. First off, the look is fantastic. The head is classic Soundwave and the chest is perfect. The addition of the shoulder cannon and blaster really help give him a Generation One-like look; I can easily believe that this is a prehistoric Soundwave . . . even if he looks nothing like he did on Cybertron as we saw him in the first episode of the classic cartoon (Transformers – Season 1: Vol. 1*).
Weapon Storage
The original Soundwave’s weapons collapsed down and could be hidden inside the battery compartment, though the missile bits wouldn’t fit. In a nod to the past the new toy’s weapons both collapse down and snap into the cab; and this time every part can be concealed inside the toy since the barrel on the rifle slides down inside the body of the weapon. This is cool, but I’m hoping we see one of the third-party manufacturer’s bring us a transforming robot toy that folds down and slots inside this chest opening. A drone-like vehicle like we see in the War for Cybertron* video game would be perfect.
Articulation
Soundwave is all ball-joints and hinges and what we get out of the deal is a fully poseable and awesome action figure. He can kneel, he can stand at attention, he can hold his weapon across his chest or upstretched . . . seriously, I love how the newer Transformers have joints that aren’t at all related to the transformation process. The Cyclonus from a few years ago (review here) had fantastic articulation and Soundwave is just as good. I think the biggest surprise — and one of the best features — is the ball-jointed ankles. These really help with posing the toy.
Paint
Most of Soundwave’s color comes from the plastic, but there are a few painted elements and what’s there is well done. A master customizer could detail this guy up like crazy, but for a $10 toy I’m very happy with getting just a couple of tiny paint details. The paint isn’t amazing, but it’s functional and clean.
It’s Fantastic!
How do I know Soundwave is a great toy? Because he has me thinking I should rush back to the store and pray they still have Cybertronian Megatron and Dirge. And I know I’m loving a toy when I start thinking about grabbing more releases in the series; I can think of no better complement for Cybertronian Soundwave than to say he’s better than the 1984 Soundwave as a toy and that the character design looks like it came straight out of classic Transformers history. I can clearly accept this as an early version of the character, and Hasbro and Activision have made me very happy with their work on one of my favorite Transformers characters.
Closing Thoughts
I think I’ve drooled enough on this toy. Cybertronian Soundwave makes up for an entire year of movie toys; it’s great to see Hasbro giving us the Transformers Generations series and it’s an excellent companion to the earlier Transformers Universe line. So far I’ve only grabbed a few toys in this newer line, but as I said I’m not tempted to rush out and grab some more. But first I think I’ll rip open some of the others I have who are waiting to be played with.
I’ve no idea how long Cybertronian Soundwave and the others in this wave have been in stores, but if you’ve seen this toy and passed on him then I suggest you reconsider. This is everything good about modern Transformers; a low price point, excellent design, great poseability, and a hell of a lot of fun. I know I’m still drooling, but it’s Soundwave so I hope you’ll forgive me.
The last photo, below, shows Cybertronian Soundwave with one of the Shadow Warrior unofficial Transformers (review here). Actually, I’ve got an idea . . . oh, man. Hold on, guys. I have one more pic to add to this review so keep scrolling down.
I started thinking about it and thought that just maybe the Shadow Warrior weapon would fit in Soundwave’s hands and yeah, fits perfectly. So now I’ve got a Targetmaster version of Cybertronian Soundwave and I can say these toys go together way better than the Shadow Warrior did with the classic Soundwave; the articulation and design on these two are much closer together. Man, what a neat discovery and a fun way to close out the review.
Philip Reed will now play War for Cybertron* and run around as Soundwave blasting stuff. He’ll be wasting Autobots if you need him.
This one is very tempting. Especially since I have my G1 Soundwave proudly displayed in my living room now!
Transformers continue to hit on all cylinders. The only slight nitpick I have about these guys are the sizing on some of them. Bumblebee is bigger than Prime. But that is a minor issue when the toys are so good.
Great review Phil and he really does work well with the shadow warrior, I will definately be adding this to my soundwave collection!
@BubbaShelby – My Soundwave’s are also in the living room. I really need to tear down the displays and rebuild; and I need stadium seating for toys.
@DoctorKent – Relative size has been a massive problem with the Transformers line since 1984. Maybe in a few years Hasbro will reset the line and stop the various classes of toys; I think trying to hit multiple price points is what screws the sizes. I don’t have the Cybertronian Bumblebee; I see him everywhere but the character has never excited me.
@Neil – Have you got one of the Shadow Warriors?
Cool review. Yeah, I love that when you put his guns in his chest, it even resembles a tape deck with cassette in.
@PhilReed- yeah, there are definitely a number of size discrepancies in the line. We have to have multiple price points though – some of the figures are too complex joint-wise to be at the $10 price level.
I have every mold since 84, so I can see the errors all over the place. But there is no way to make them true-scale anyway. Omega Supreme would be much much bigger than any figure yet released if in-scale to the Classics Prime.
This is a must get for me.