Review: #211
Name: Sideswipe
Brand: Transformers
Allegiance: Autobot
Line: Generations - Fall of Cybertron
Year of Release: 2012
Size Class: Deluxe (Wave 3)
Variations: retool of FOC Jazz
VEHICLE MODE:
Sideswipe transforms into a Cybertronian race car, thankfully, instead of "hover jets" he has actual wheels, which roll.
Sideswipe is an extensive retool of the first wave Jazz figure, pretty much a whole re-shell of the vehicle mode, which is quite impressive. It inherits the flaws of the mode which includes an open gap in which you can see his robot hands.
Other than that, this is a wicked vehicle mode which I liked much more than I expected. The re-shell allows Sideswipe to be dynamic and speedy.
Unfortunately he is a bit small in this mode, easily fitting in the palm of your hand.
His giant gun can peg onto either side although the left is preferred otherwise you'll have to peg it upside down on the right side which doesn't allow the car to sit flush. You can also attach it at the back at an angle.
A great looking car mode that's instantly recognizable for what it is supposed to be, which is not always a given with Cybertronian modes.
TRANSFORMATION:
Transformation is simple but some of the tabs are really tight to detach, stressing those pieces is possible. I feel that Sideswipe improved upon Jazz's transformation in that the chest is able to sit more flush now (so that his head doesn't look like it's floating). The legs are disappointing in that they flip forward and carries faux wheels.
ROBOT MODE:
Sideswipe's robot is not the best, the gigantic bulging chest which is the front of the car causes proportion issues. The thin arms and legs doesn't help matters.
He carries the top of the vehicle on his back but not as extra kibble, it actually forms his back so it isn't as bad as it looks. The way it breaks up is pretty cool though.
The head sculpt is okay, it's not the best and it looks like he is pursing his lips. The head's on a balljoint and sits on a panel.
He's still not that big in robot mode, being quite short.
Sideswipe improved upon Jazz in that the chest sits closer to his head now.
Articulation is pretty good although his feet feels very static. His forearms are big and bulky, which adds to the awkwardness.
Losing Jazz's small pistol, Sideswipe's replacement weapon is a giant gun, which is based upon the Path Blaster from the game.
The barrel can extend to it's full length for a more impressive looking gun.
It is much too big for Sideswipe to comfortably hold. It is also too heavy in some poses for Sideswipe's arms to bear.
Having such a big gun makes it hard to find some natural looking poses. The designer should have scaled it down more to make it less unwieldy.
A better robot than I was expecting. Sideswipe's looks okay but aesthetics issues and the gigantic gun hold him back.
OVERALL:
Sideswipe is another example of a retool done right, the amount of new parts amount to so much that he looks completely different to Jazz. The vehicle mode is the winner here, looking fantastic. The robot mode has proportion issues and the gun is much too large for Sideswipe to hold comfortably. Recommended only if you like the look of the figure, otherwise this is an easy skip.
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