Category Archives: Transformer Toy Reviews

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Transformatorium, Transformer Toy Reviews

Toys Review – Cyberverse Deluxe Class, Wave 1

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The Warrior Class toys from the Cyberverse line had gotten a reputation for being pretty poor, and for the most part that rep was deserved.  The simplistic paint jobs, transformations and lacklustre modes have made many of these figures an easy pass for most collectors.

However thankfully, like the cartoon which got pretty damn good in seasons 2 and 3, the powers that be decided to improve the Cyberverse toyline too.  And they have done so by introducing the Deluxe Class.  This class is used by the Generations line and usually involves a higher degree of sophistication in all facets when compared to the Warrior Class, and of late has included blast effects that can be attached to characters weapons.

So lets have a look at the first wave of the Cyberverse Deluxe Class figures – Bumblebee, Optimus, Megatron and Shockwave.

 

Bumblebee

 

Sigh, it wouldn’t be a Transformers toyline without about a 150 different versions of Bumblebee would it.  Thankfully this Bumblebee is quite good.  He looks very screen accurate, comes with a lot more detail than the preceding Warrior Class figure, and comes with his stinger as well as a gun.  Very nice!

The vehicle mode is ok.  Quite compact with a decent amount of detail.  However this is one case where I would say the Warrior Class looks that bit more impressive.

 

Optimus Prime

 

Once again, a vast improvement on the Warrior Class toy that came before.  Optimus has good articulation, good proportions and it’s always appreciated when you can open an Optimus toys chest to find a Matrix inside.  And you can use this one to (simulate) blast the big baddies, just like in the cartoon!

The vehicle mode is ok, not bad but nothing special to write home about.  Perhaps a bit better than the Warrior Class due to the better paintjob (always irritates me when Optimus has red smokestacks).

 

Megatron

 

My son doesn’t own the Warrior Class Megatron so we had to compare him to another from the Cyberverse line which equated to no comparison at all.  Megatron looks very good here – very cartoon faithful and well articulated.  I particularly like the head sculpt.  Would have been nice for him to have an Energon Morningstar but I guess you can’t have anything.

A pretty decent looking Cybertronian Tank, full of nice angles and Megatron’s arm cannon taking centre stage as the tank turret.  Small but feisty and very cartoon accurate.

Fusion Mega Shot

 

Shockwave

 

Shockwave has gotten nearly as many Cyberverse toys as Bumblebee, having a figure in nearly every size.  And unlike many the Shockwave toys haven’t been half bad.  This Shockwave is good but doesn’t particularly stand out from any of the others, though its nice to see him get his arm cord back.

The beauty of having multiple Shockwave’s is that you can convert your other ones into the crab-tank modes to represent the army of drones he has in the cartoon.  Once again, this toy doesn’t particularly stand out from any that have come before, though there are multiple ports on the tank mode to put his extra blaster in, giving you more options.

‘My babies. My ugly, ugly babies’

 

Maccadams/Alchemist Prime Parts

Part of the lure to get these figure is that each character comes with a body part that, when combined, form Maccadams.  It’s very tempting as there has never been a toy of the famous bartender before.  If you end up with multiple Shockwaves you can always use both legs, which looks a bit odd but saves you buying other figures down the line if you don’t want them.

 

Cyberverse Deluxe Class – worth getting?

Well they are for the most part the best Cyberverse toys we have gotten so if you are a big fan of the show then you may want to pick them up.  If not then you can always bypass them.  I found these figures for a staggeringly cheap $12(AU) each on sale so I was more than happy to pick them up at that price.  And of course, the temptation is now there to get the next four in order to make Maccadams.

 

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Transformatorium, Transformer Toy Reviews, Uncategorised

Toy Review – Siege Mirage

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Mirage is one of those middle-of-the-road Autobot Car characters in terms of popularity, and this is reflected in the amount of toys based on him over the years.  Whilst not super-rare like say Grapple, not super popular like Sideswipe or Prowl either.

Mirage has cropped up in such Transformer toy sub-lines such as Kre-O, Alternators and Bot Shots, but has only had two significantly G1-themed toys released over the last 13 years.  First was the Classics version in 2006, whom had a magnificent alt-mode but an overly-lanky body.  The second was in 2015 in the Combiner Wars, but as a minor retool of the Stunticon Drag Strip didn’t look overly impressive in either mode.

So in 2019 Mirage has finally gotten another G1-based figure, albeit with a Cybertronian alt-mode.  So let’s have a look at Siege Mirage.

 

Robot Mode

‘Well I’ll be damned, I actually look like me again!’

The most G1-faithful looking Mirage figure we’ve had since, well, G1 really.  The proportions of his body are spot on and it’s been far too long since Mirage sported a shoulder-mounted rocket launcher.  No spring action firing but the rocket can at least be removed from its launcher.  His blaster is quite nice too.  With decent articulation and a great colour scheme it’s very hard to find fault with this figure.  If I had one minor quibble, it’s that he has a lot of faux parts, for instance the F1-racer waist piece doesn’t actually make up the nose of the car mode.

Fuck stealth!

Mirage, even more than the likes of Impactor, really lends himself to the Weaponizer gimmick, and with multiple ports all over his body you can really pimp him out for battle!

 

Cybertronian Racer

I’m translucent – that makes me Cybertronian.

Like many of the other Siege toys, this looks more like an Earth vehicle with a few Cybertronian elements pasted on top.  But it’s still a nice looking race car and the first offworld version of the character we have had.  I really like how part of the car’s body is translucent as an homage to the fact that the character has invisibility powers – much more attractive than the battle-damage paint most Siege figures come with.

Unlike the robot mode, you can’t really Weaponize Mirage’s vehicle mode.  There are only two spots which are on his tailfin, and these are taken up by his rocket launcher and rifle.  However the weapons look pretty cool there and make his alt-mode look distinctly more Cybertronian, differentiating the figure nicely from the very good Classics version.

 

Worth Getting?

For those that are happy with the Mirage toys they already have, there is a completely translucent version of this toy too which could be worth tracking down online as it looks pretty boss, though it means purchasing the Decepticon version of Impactor and the third Powerdasher figure with it.  But I wanted this version as the robot mode holds so much appeal for me, especially since Mirage was the first Autobot I ever got as a kid.  But whichever way you wanna go, this is a very solid toy  with a fun and intuitive transformation and is very faithful to the characters roots – he will fit nicely into anyone’s collection.

 

Got anything to say about this figure?  Pop it in the comments section below!

 

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Transformatorium, Transformer Toy Reviews

Toys Review – Selects: Nightbird, Cromar and Zetar

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The Generations Selects line is one that divides people.  On the one hand it provides opportunities for figures to get made that might otherwise not due to a lack of popularity.  On the other, it means these figures are often only available either online, at specific stores and/or limited to a few select countries, meaning higher prices with a dollop of international postage for good measure.

The War for Cybertron Siege toyline has had a whopping nine Selects figures released this year.  Some such as Redwing have been virtually impossible for overseas collectors to get their hands on at a reasonable price.  But some have been released through multiple US online stores making things a bit easier, and today we are looking at the latest wave of them, consisting of the Powerdashers Cromar and Zetar, and the always mysterious Nightbird.

Note: As all three characters are minor retools of other Siege figures that have been out for quite some time, we will be focusing more on their aesthetics rather than their articulation, transformation and Weaponizer potential.

 

Powerdasher Cromar

Robot Mode

‘We all float down here…’

Whilst it seems his main weapon would be to hang about in Cybertronian Sewers eating Decepticon Protoforms, as a retool of Six-Gun his body is bristling with weapons.  Two long guns on the lower arms and four cannons on the shoulders and back.  Not bad since the original toy didn’t even have a gun.

‘Everybody loves a clown, so why can’t you?’

Cromar gets his distinctive face from the 1984 Mail-away figure he is based on (and the only TF I had and lost as a kid that I have yet to replace as an adult).  It’s… not flattering and makes this a figure you really don’t want to give to a coulrophobia sufferer as a gift.

Alt-Mode

If you think this looks weird, you should have seen my original toy

Pretty much Siege Six-Gun with new colours.  However it works for the character quite well, with perhaps only Cybertron Sideways being a more appropriate recolour.  I likes it!

 

 

Powerdasher Zetar

Robot Mode

I’m smiling because I can kill you with a headbutt

No fingers, no neck, but one helluva hat!  The silly thing is the drill on his head can be spun fairly easily in robot mode but not in vehicle mode. A retool of Siege Brunt, he lacks a certain appeal that Brunt possessed, but is certainly faithful to the original toy & character.  The bonus being he gets a gun this time around which (due to the no fingers thing) can be attached to his forearms.

The creepy circus motif continues

The look of his head really makes me want to get the third Powerdasher – Aragon – just to see if he has some clownish attributes too.

Alt-Mode

‘I..I just don’t know what the hell I am supposed to be’

Once again we are looking at Siege Brunt, but with a drill on the front.  The ironic thing is that the cannon on top, if you attach the blaster, sticks out further than the drill does.  But hey, with the drill that close to the ground Zetar can definitely get a job drilling holes for oversized cybermice or mowing really thin strips of lawn.  Unite Warriors Nosecone or even Combiner Wars Drillhorn make far more practical looking drill tanks.

 

Nightbird

Robot Mode

‘I’m quite frolicsome for a Ninja’

A retool of Siege Chromia, Nighbird boasts a totally new headsculpt which is very indicative of how she looked back in the G1 cartoon, though severely limits how much she can turn her head.  She comes with the same weaponry that can be either a pistol and grenades, a gun or a sniper rifle.  It would have been nice if she had come with some sai’s like the Legends version of her did to show her Ninja origins.

‘Help! I’ve fallen and I can’t get up!’

What is very disappointing for a Selects figure is that Nightbird comes apart quite easily.  Her legs, arms and crotchplate all come off way to easily, though at least are not too hard to reattach.

Alt-Mode

‘Wonder if I can get a date with Kit from Knightrider?’

I had no idea she would be this black!  Her backpack makes up the majority of the car body and it’s as black as black can be with a dark purple canopy.  I would have liked to see the backpack/car body remain grey with the black limited to her fenders.  However at least this car mode is more generally Cybertronian, rather than the Legends version which was quite Arcee indicative.

 

Worth Getting?

Only if, like me, you are a fan of obscure G1 characters.  All these moulds have been done before and none of these characters are popular enough that any kid is going to be screaming for them this Xmas.  It’s nice to see the Powerdashers get new figures after all this time, though the lack of a dash component kinda irks me.  Nightbird isn’t bad but I find the Legends version to be far superior in both modes.  So yeah, they are all nice in their way and I’m glad to have them, but none have any wow factor that is going to keep you awake at night wishing that you owned them.

Got anything to add to this review?  Pop it in the comments section below!

 

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Transformatorium, Transformer Toy Reviews

Toy Review: Siege Omega Supreme

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Omega Supreme – the first BIG bot of the Transformers franchise.  

Sure Devastator showed a season earlier but he was made up of 6 smaller bots whereas Omega was simply massive in his own right.  I still remember the first episode I saw him in – out of nowhere this big battle base character showed up, flew to the moon as a rocket and then turned into this giant robot that was able to pick up Megatron in one hand and tell him what for! The first time he showed up in the comics he promptly killed half the Decepticons on earth in a single battle!

In other words – Omega is huge and Omega is SUPREME!

Being one of my very favourite characters I was extremely chuffed to hear we would be getting a Titan class Omega Supreme toy.  Whilst I really liked my YOTS Omega, his alt-mode had nothing to do with the G1 character.  Likewise I loved Omega in the Animated cartoon, but he never got a toy at all.  So when it was announced that Omega Supreme would be getting a huge new toy which was based, in both modes, on his G1 incarnation, I gave a little squeal of geeky delight!

So without further ado, lets look at Titan-Class War for Cybertron Siege Omega Supreme.

 

 

Robot Mode

Size: Impressive

Oh be still my beating fuel pump!  He is friggin awesome!  And unlike Metroplex and Fort Max, Omega Supreme gives a real sense of bulk.  Good thick lower legs and arms and a massive torso, just like one would hope for.  Add to this the two cannon arms, track-wings, translucent visor and faithfulcolour scheme and there is no mistaking who this big boy is supposed to be.  Something I think is an excellent addition is the fact that they have made his claw arm prehensile, as in the claws can bend in the middle in order better grab things.  In fact, whilst not as good as some other toys, this Omega has the best articulation of any toy of his namesake, with shoulders, elbows, knees and neck all moveable to put him in a variety of poses.

 

 

FIREPOWER!

Guns: Blazing!

Omega is packing a ton of firepower in robot mode.  As well as having a huge blaster on the end of each arm, he has his signature tank cannon in the back of his head which can be swivelled around.  On his upper chest he has two cannons, these can be folded upwards to reveal further missile racks underneath.  So if Omega doesn’t simply squash ya, he can blast you into oblivion.  

 

 

PARTSFORMER PRECEDENCE

Omega Supreme figures have always been partsformers.  Though some purists contend that a partsformer isn’t really a proper transformer, given Omega’s alt-mode/s it’s actually a necessity.  Both the original and the Siege versions consist of three separate machines (tank, rocket, base) and even the Energon version needed to come apart to form various trains and cranes.  So while there was no way that Siege Omega was not going to be a partsformer, the separate parts have been kept to a minimum (Tank/Torso, Arms/Rocket, Body/Base, Wings/Tracks x 2) and there is still a lot of transformation going on.  

 

The Base

The outer body and legs of Omega become the base whilst his wings, like the original toy, become the tracks.  It’s really a nice looking base and I love the fact that it comes with two little inner ramps that Micromaster figures can drive up and down.  The missile racks are displayed here so that the base can defend itself and one thing I really like is how the track is both elevated as well as being wide enough to accommodate the tank.  The feet of the robot can fold out to show little caverns for Micromasters to hide in, though personally I prefer to keep them folded up to keep that oval shape.

 

 

The Tank

The torso and head become the tank.  The tank cannon that is on the back of Omega’s head is actually not the same tank cannon here, this one is way larger.  It’s a great looking tank, though not motorized like the original.  The tank can open up to reveal a space for Micromasters, though I would have preferred they make the ramp smoother so that the little guys can actually roll out of him properly, rather than bump their way down.

 

 

The Rocket

Rocket Mode: Phallic. Cosmos: Jealous.

Wow – this is a big rocket!  Like, really big!  Made up primarily of the arms and a thin panel along the back, it’s amazing just the length this rocket reaches, making it as tall as Omega is in his robot mode!  The transformation is very clever, wrapping around circular parts and the top of the rocket opens up to show a small cockpit for Micromasterfigures.  If I had a complaint, it’s that the prehensile claw that serves as the landing struts tend to slowly slip outwards, so unless you have them flat down Omega’s rocket mode will eventually tilt as one of them gives way.

 

 

The Finished Article

All three of Omega’s modules on their own are pretty cool, but add them all together and it looks wicked!  Seriously, I don’t think there is much I can say here about how great it is that the photo’s don’t convey on their own.

Rocket Base Mode: Awesome. Fan Boys: Jizzing themselves right now.

 

Countdown

In the G1 toyline and Dreamwave comics Countdown was a Micromaster lunar rover that came with his own rocket base.  Making him a partner to Omega Supreme who himself turns into a rocket base was a good call.  Countdown looks good in both modes and if nothing else really highlights how much interactivity there is between figures his size and the Omega toy.

 

 

Worth Getting?

At around $260(AU) he isn’t cheap but isn’t any more expensive than Trypticon was two years ago.  If you are a G1 lover or a fan of huge Transformers this figure could be considered a must have.  The interactivity with Micromaster figures, the robot mode, the rocket base mode – it all works.  Whilst not the absolute perfect figure, he is a genuinely excellent toy which by far is the best Omega Supreme we’ve ever had, and perhaps ever will have.  What can I say?  This toy is truly SUPREME!

 

 

Got something to say about this figure? Pop it in the comments section below!

 

 

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Transformatorium, Transformer Toy Reviews

Toy Review – Siege Impactor

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The Wreckers – the biggest bot badasses this side of the Dinobots.  The team the Autobots go to when they don’t give a shit about collateral damage, they just want some Cons dead!

‘The Wreckers: Class of 1986’ (Absent: Rack’n’Ruin)

The Wreckers have been around since the old Marvel comics and since have become ingrained within Transformers lore.  And before the mighty Springer became leader of the team, their leader was the hardened, the ruthless, the one and only – Impactor.

Impactor did not get an official toy for many years.  In fact it wasn’t until the Generations FOC toyline in 2013 he got his first one, a kinda weird redo of FOC Onslaught.  Then a few years later in 2016 Impactor got a Timelines toy that was infinitely cooler, yet as a redo of CW Rook still didn’t tick all the boxes that fans of the G1 Comics Impactor required.

Well here we are in 2019 and Impactor has finally gotten a figure designed specifically for him.  And damn it’s a beauty!  So let’s have a look at Siege Deluxe Class Impactor.

 

Robot Mode

‘Face the front perp, prepare for your mugshot’

Beautiful colours here, really does justice to him.  The timelines version was pretty good with an awesome head, but that huge grey peg in his chest was a definite drawback.  This Impactor looks buff, tough and has the right stuff!  His shoulder cannon looks particularly faithful and impressive.

‘Where is that green prick who stole my job?’

Articulation on this figure is very good, with multiple points all over his upper and lower body, allowing you to put him in a myriad of battle poses.  The right (or left if you prefer) hand folds in to attach his signature harpoon.  The tank barrel from his tank mode serves as a rifle.  Really, its hard to find fault here, everything from the head sculpt to the colour scheme are spot on.

‘Orange was never my colour’

 

Cybertronian Tank Mode

Finally, I have treads instead of wheels!

To be honest, he looks even cooler than he did in any comic.  Weaponry wise he sports a giant tank cannon at the front, his shoulder cannon becomes a roof mounted  laser cannon, there are twin scatter blasters on either side and his harpoon becomes a rotating laser gun on top.  Add to that four huge spikes at the front and he don’t need no stinkin Battle Masters to kick butt, he’s a one-tank arsenal!  There are however multiple ports to add Battle Master and Weaponizer guns should you wish.

Overkill? Na…

Once again the colour scheme is top notch, and as the leader of The Wreckers the battle damage suits him more than most .  This really is the Impactor you’ve been waiting for.

 

Transformation

Quite straight forward.  Not stupidly simple but no real challenge to be had.

 

Worth Getting?

Oh hells yes!  I’ve been pretty damn happy with my Timelines Impactor for the past three years, and while I was looking forward to an update I wasn’t yearning for it.  But now I have this guy my other two Impactors won’t be getting a look in any time soon.  Everything about this figure is really spot on and just screams Wreck’n’Rule!  Whether you want this guy or the upcoming one which is Decepticon aligned, either way go and grab one and continue to pray there is a Rack’n’Ruin toy in the works soon.

 

Got something to say about this figure?  Pop it in the comments section below!

 

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Toy Review – Cyberverse Gnaw

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Sharkticons.  In G1 they worked for the Quintessons.  In IDW they worked for the Junkions.  Whatever the place in the Multiverse, it always seems to be the fate of the Sharkticons to be the serving class – rotund warriors who turn into savage shark… thingies.

Gnaw is to this day the only named member of the Sharkticon race, whereas even the Junkions have grown their named-character ranks over the years.  But given their appearance in The Transformers: The Movie in 1986 and then in multiple episodes of G1 Season 3 thereafter Sharkticons – and therefore Gnaw – are instantly recognisable to nearly any Transformer fan on the planet.

Gnaw got his first new toy in thirty years with his 2016 Titans Return figure.  It was much beloved, especially since he was so small and cheap that you could by a ton of him!  Well now three years after that Gnaw is taking his first steps into the Multiverse with a bigger (if somewhat similar figure).  So let’s chomp down on Cyberverse Gnaw.

 

Robot Mode

“Call me ‘Humpty Dumpty’ again. I dare you – say it one more time”

Tubby fragger isn’t he!  But he conforms perfectly to how the Sharkticons looked in the G1 show and how they may/probably look when they debut in the Cyberverse cartoon.  The articulation isn’t too bad for a Warrior-Class CB figure, with some actuation in his shoulders, elbows, hips, knees and neck.  With a neckline covered in teeth and a light grey, light blue and pink colour scheme you would be hard pressed to mistake this fella for anyone else.

Mace Mash 

By pushing the shark fin situated in the middle of Gnaw’s Back you make him do a Mace Mash spin, akin to the gimmick that the Cyberverse Acid Storm sports.  It’s kinda fun I guess, certainly aimed at a younger demographic.  Certainly adds more play value than simply pressing a button like on Alpha Trion.  I do like how his mace has a big kink in it, something to give it a bit more visual appeal.

 

Sharticon Mode

“I watch you while you sleep”

Half-Frog, Half-Shark – all ugly!  Yup – he ticks all the boxes.  This is for the most part simply an upscaled version of the Titans Return version, in fact their transformations are nearly identical.  Sadly this Gnaw has no articulation in his arms which is a bit of a letdown as was something they could have been easily included without compromising the Mace Mash gimmick.  But it’s a small quibble, on the whole he looks great. Ugly yes – but great.

 

Worth Getting?

Gnaw’s on parade

Well, I reckon so.  As only the third official Gnaw toy we’ve had in the last 33 years, people would have been over the moon if this had been released before the Titans Return figure existed.  As it is he is worth getting if you are into Cyberverse or the character in general.  Given the $29(AU) price point I can’t see many folk using him to army build. Given his size however, which is half way between the other two official Gnaw figures, he will add some nice variety to your Sharkticon displays.

Baby Shark, do-de-do-do-do

 

Got anything to say about this figure?  Pop it in the comments section below!

 

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Toy Review – Cyberverse Alpha Trion

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Season 2 of Cyberverse has just started to air in Australia and more Cyberverse toys are hitting the shelves.  One of the latest ones is a character who ironically died in a flashback back in Season 1.  So let’s have a look at that grand old sage, one of the Original 13 and Matrix-babysitter for hire: Ultra-Class Alpha Trion.

 

Robot Mode

BEEFCAKE!

Ol’ Alpha is looking pretty beefy here for an aging bot.  Really strong and stocky, looks like he should be pounding iron rather than babysitting baubles.  I really like how the wings of his alt-mode become a quasi-cape and he has the big spikes on the shoulder that the character did in the G1 cartoon in the Evergreen style Cyberverse has adopted – I believe he is the first Alpha Trion figure to be sporting them.  A decent beard on him as well.  Otherwise he is pretty simplistic looking, suffers from very limited articulation and sports no weapon whatsoever.

 

Vehicle Mode

Alpha Trion first sported a Space Cruiser alt-mode in the Timelines toyline which also carried over into his Titans Return toy.  This seems to be the go-to alt-mode for Alpha now as he sports it again here.  Like the Titans Return version, the Space Cruiser mode is severely plain, his paintjob consisting of big unadorned patches of red and purple with a small cockpit at the back.  From the top and sides it looks OK, but don’t look from the bottom as it reveals how simplistic the Transformation is (i.e – you can see its just the robot hunched up and Trion staring at you angrily).

Laser Beam Blast

Well, it makes more sense than Slipstream’s helicopter-out-the-back-thingie power I guess.  By pushing down on at the back you can make giant lasers flip out from both wings.  It’s kinda cool, but there is a paint deficiency on the outer front halves of the lasers, making them a streaky pink instead of a solid one.  Will add a little bit of play value for the younger fans.

 

Worth Getting?

I’m one of the Original 13 Primes – damn well buy me! …… please!

To be honest, at $39(AU) I would have to say no.  The fairly decent looking robot mode does not make up for the cheapy feel, lack of articulation, less than inspiring alt-mode and the simplistic transformation.  Add to that no accessories and this is a figure you can easily bypass.  Frankly I only got him as it was the first time in a long time I had actually seen a new Transformer toy on the shelves of the only department store that’s within 50km of where I live.  However if you are a fan of the Original 13, Cyberverse or want what is probably the most G1-looking Alpha Trion toy we have ever had, then he may be worth picking up if you see him at a discounted price.  Considering Alpha Trion is already dead in the cartoon, if you want a Cyberverse representation of him don’t wait for a better toy to come along as you are unlikely to see it.

Got something to say about this figure?  Add it to the comments section below!

 

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Toys Review – Autobot Alphastrike Counterforce

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The exclusives continue thick and fast in the Transformers: War for Cybertron: Siege toyline.  In fact nearly 40% of this toyline is made up of figures you can only purchase in particular US stores or otherwise online.

Last time we looked at Greenlight, who was only available through the US Amazon Prime site.  Today we are looking at some more Amazon exclusives, though thankfully you can get them through the AU store.  Today we look at the Autobot Alphastrike Counterforce.

This pack is made up of three bots but four characters – Covert Clone Sideswipe, a new Battle Master character named Trenchfoot, and vehicle only characters Raindance and Grand Slam who combine into Slamdance.

 

Covert Clone Sideswipe

Robot Mode

‘Look, I’ve got the G1 symbol so that makes me G1, totally not G2, I swear!’

Yep – despite the name we all know from the colour scheme this is really G2 Sideswipe.  Except the inversion of the red and black colours, this figure is exactly the same as the regular Sideswipe that came out in the main Siege toyline.  At least with all the blaster adaptability you can beef up his weaponry – which consist of a Photo-Pulser Proton Launcher and a Gryo Blaster that can combine into a RR Gryofuse Axleswitch Hyper-Blaster –  so he resembles more his more hardcore G2 incarnation.

Cybertronian Sports Car Mode

No sir, I don’t really like it.  It’s not bad, but with all the red under the translucent dome the colour scheme really screams the Decepticons Wildrider or Runabout.  Once again, adding lots of weapons is your friend here to give him that G2 Sideswipe feel.

 

Trenchfoot

Trenchfoot is a recolour of Decepticon Battle Master Caliburst and his colour scheme makes it clear he is more intended to be paired up with Sideswipe than Slamdance.  I think he works really well in both modes, his gun apparently being a Foxhole Counterblast Cannon.  Interestingly he is one of the very few completely original characters in the Siege toyline so far.

Fire!

 

Raindance & Grand Slam

A little history lesson.  In 1988 G1 Blaster finally got a 3rd set of cassettes – Raindance and Grand Slam.  What made these characters unique was that they had no robot or robotic animal modes whatsoever (until they combined) – they both turned from cassettes into vehicles.

Raindance

Here Raindance once again has no robot mode of his own, and not even a cassette mode!  He is however a very cool looking blue earth jet, replacing his Cybertronian Jet-Drone mode.

Grand Slam

G1 Grand Slam turned from a cassette into a red Cybertronian Tank.  Like Raindance he has also lost his cassette mode but turns into a pretty sweet red tank fairly reminicent of the original, sporting a big A2A Proton Missile Launcher on the front.  Both Grand Slam and Raindance can sport each others weapons as well (Raindance’s being a Smokecloak Blaster)

Slamdance

Took over 3 decades but I’m back baby! I hope those 80’s dances are still popular!

As mentioned, the original G1 Raindance and Grand Slam toys could combine to finally give them a robot mode – Slamdance – and here he is once again.  A slight retool of Siege Skytread but with a new head, he stands that slight bit taller than your average Deluxe figure.  This is a great shout out to a pretty obscure character!

Beware the left ankle!

There have been many reports of people snapping the left ankle off their Slamdance! And indeed having this knowledge in advance I was very careful with mine and found that yes, his left ankle is very tight and stiff.  However I found that giving the area a quick squirt with some spray lubricant like WD-40 and then leaving him for half an hour resulted in a much less stiff and more fluid movement in the part, so now I transform him without worry.  I highly recommend doing the same when you first remove yours from the box.

 

Is this set worth getting?

Well there are no brand new moulds here.  All 3 (or 4) moulds have already been released in the main Siege line so if you are looking for something new look elsewhere.  That said, this has been the cheapest version of G2 Sideswipe we’ve had since the original, its the first time in over 30 years we’ve had a Slamdance figure and Trenchfoot is that rare thing becoming more elusive – a whole new character.  The price is around $80(AU) online which really isn’t too bad for 2 Deluxe’s and a Battle Master so you can feel like you are getting decent value for money.  This is really a take or leave exclusive which I primarily picked up for Slamdance, and I am quite happy I did.

Got anything to say about this set of figures?  Pop it in the comments section below!

 

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Transformatorium, Transformer Toy Reviews

Toy Review – Ectotron

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Transformers may be an intergenerationaly beloved franchise that began in 1984, but there is another that began that same year that is just as beloved and famous, and that is Ghostbusters.

Transformers rock! Ghostbusters rock! One involves giant shape-changing alien robots, the other using proton streams and containment systems to catch ghosts. Plus both have cool vehicles and catchy theme tunes!

It’s the cool vehicles (or at least one of them) we will be looking at today. Ecto-1, the Ghostbusters vehicle and a true icon of pop culture. But here Ecto-1 has been given the Transformers Crossover treatment, so for the 35th anniversary of both franchises we get Ectotron.

 

The Packaging

Oh it’s just sooo beautiful! Pure 80’s Transformers G1, right down to the transformation steps at the top. And subtly altered with the odd bit of slime and Ghostbusters symbols to show the dual heritage of this toy.

 

Vehicle Mode

Be still my beating heart! Ecto-1 looks superb here! So much detail! From the grill to the doors to all the various equipment on top, this is an incredibly faithful rendition of the original vehicle. The only downside is that there is no interior detail, but given this is also a Transformer I find this completely forgivable – all those robot pieces have to go somewhere after all.

 

Robot Mode

Who ya gonna call?

Very cool! The colour scheme is mostly white due to the vehicle form, but incorporates some brown as a shout out to the uniforms the Ghostbusters wear. The figure has great articulation which allows you to put him in all sorts of bustin’ poses. Instead of the usual robot optics, he has spectro-goggles such as Ghostbuster Ray Stanz wears. And speaking of equipment the Ghostbusters wear…

 

The Proton Pack

The roof equipment from the vehicle form transforms into a detachable Proton Pack for the Ectotron robot mode. This is very clever! Not only can he take the pack on and off, but he can also either holster the gun on his back, or can hold it in order to do some bustin’ of his own. Very, very well done – Slimer better watch out!

Back-Bling

 

Worth Getting?

This wasn’t a very hard review to write as I am absolutely in love with this figure! Could it have been better? Perhaps. Inner detail for the vehicle, maybe some more paint apps on the robot mode and some eye and mouth colour on Slimer so he is not just a green blob (though really, the character literally is a green blob). But given this figure is not that cheap as is, it would have resulted in a far higher price tag in order to accommodate all that, and I think he is fine as is.

Personally, whenever not playing with it I’ll be keeping Ectotron in the beautiful packaging as a display piece. Ectotron is currently available at multiple places online or here in Australia at Zing & EB Games stores for around $80. If you are a fan of both the Ghostbusters and Transformers franchises (and let’s face it – who isn’t), then I heartily recommend picking up what, in my opinion, is the best TF crossover toy we’ve ever had!

Got something to say about this figure?  Pop it in the comments section below!

 

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Transformer Toy Reviews

Toy Review – Cyberverse Soundwave

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Good old Soundwave, after having a break for many years he got revived for the Cybertron series and has been a staple ever since.  Animated, Prime, RID(15), Movieverse – he’s been in them all.  It should not come as much of a surprise then that Soundwave has cropped up in the new Cyberverse series, ensuring he gets yet another new toy.  So lets take a look at Cyberverse Warrior-Class Soundwave. 

 

Robot Mode

‘Operation: Look Awesome’

I kinda like the style of it.  Somewhere between the G1 and Animated Soundwaves.  The blue is quite vibrant, the yellow stands out well on his chest with the Decepticon Symbol in the middle, the soundwave patterns on his shoulders, the shoulder cannon – all good!  Good to see the cassette-player symbols on there too despite the fact that’s not what he transforms into.  He also has an extra little satellite dish that can flip out from the side of his head.

The articulation here is better than most other Cyberverse Warrior class figures too with the elbows and knees bending, the neck turning and the leg and shoulder connections being able to swivel.

The only letdown is how bare his legs look, much like Cyberverse Prowl, they look far too plain due to making up the back half of the vehicle mode.

 

Vehicle mode

Quite a letdown.  A survellience vehicle  is a good alt-mode choice for him but this is just way to bland.  Some different colours on the lights and grill or even a stripe down the side would have helped break up this big box of blue.  Once again you can flip out the satellite dish which makes sense for the vehicle, whereas the cannon definitely does not.

 

The Laserbeak Blast

‘Laserbeak: Eject. Operation: Attend Rave Party’

This made me laugh the first time because I didn’t mean to activate it, I was just seeing if his head swiveled.  By turning his head & cannon you make Laserbeak (who sadly can’t detach) pop out of his chest compartment at a surprising speed!  But that colour – translucent neon pink?!  Haven’t seen a Laserbeak this pink since he was pretending to be a Bumblebee copy in DOTM!  It’s kinda fun and it’s kinda quirky – it would have just been a lot better if Laserbeak popped all the way out.

Laserbeak can also pop out the back of the vehicle.  I can’t figure out if this works in the figures favour or not.  On the one hand it forces Soundwave’s head to be uncovered and the overall effect is weird.  On the other hand the back panel dropping down like that and Laserbeak shooting out makes it looks like Soundwave is getting tailed and is deploying Laserbeak out the back of his vehicle – could make for some interesting play options.

 

Worth Getting?

I’d say that this figure is worth getting for the price tag, but only just.  The robot mode is really nice (if small) and has replaced Shockwave as my favorite Warrior-Class bot.  However the vehicle mode is definitely lacking.  Pretty simplistic transformation too.  It may simply be a case of how amusing  you think you or your kids will find the Laserbeak gimmick.  But it’s easy to say this is definitely one of the much better Warrior-Class Cyberverse figures.

Got anything to say about this figure?  Pop it in the comments section below!

 

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