Review: #532
Name: Sky-Byte & Driller Drive
Brand: Transformers
Allegiance: Decepticon
Line: Cyberverse - Power of the Spark
Year of Release: 2019
Size Class: Spark Armor Battle Class (Wave 1)
Mold Status: new
ALTERNATE MODE:
Sky-Byte, as you'd expect, transforms into a robotic shark that pays homage to his RiD incarnation.
The shark mode is solid although there are panel gaps in the back where you're trying to peg the robot feet against the tail to hold it in place since it doesn't quite fit perfectly.
Above is a size comparison against POTP Beachcomber, while Sky-Byte is in the new "Battle Class", he is approximately the size of a Legends figure.
While the bright aqua can be too garish, this is a neat little figure.
TRANSFORMATION:
While simple due to the smaller size, it is fairly elegant and very effective. The back folds down to form the legs, while the sides fold out for the arms. As you fold the torso down, the mouth of the shark disappears leaving onto the top half to form the chest and reveal the head. Quick and easy but fun.
ROBOT MODE:
Again, Sky-Byte's robot mode has familiar features like the clawed hand, the dorsal fin as the crest on his head and of course, the shark head inspired chest.
There's a bit of panel-forming here with part of the sides of the shark unfolding into a backpack that does not peg into place. Rather, it relies on friction although it still works fairly well.
The headsculpt is hard to make out due to the yellow plastic used but he has some silver paint, red eyes and a splash of blue and silver. Unfortunately, the head is fixed, it's really annoying how the Cyberverse line reduced the complexity so much that they can't even allow the robots to turn their heads.
He's a little bit taller than your typical Legends, granted, he is quite slim.
Articulation is pretty good, apart from the fixed head. He has balljointed shoulders, elbows and hips, and hinged knees.
The claw on his left arm is on a swivel joint and can be rotated (but there's too much friction for it to spin freely).
A fantastic robot mode that while small, is a nice update to the character.
DRILLER DRIVE:
However, as part of the Spark Armor line, Sky-Byte comes with a vehicle.
The vehicle is Driller Drive, which is a small yellow driller.
It's smaller than a Legends figure. Note that with the inclusion of this figure, it bumps up the price of the set to a Deluxe price point.
There's limited play value. The wheels are molded as is the drill, so you can't even roll the figure.
Considering that this is a glorified power armor, the alternate mode is not that unconvincing.
TRANSFORMATION (SPARK ARMOR):
Driller Drive splits up into four parts. The drill and sides unpeg, and then you unfold what's remaining to form the helmet and chest plate. The pieces with the wheels attach onto Sky-Byte's arms and the drill slots over his right hand. The chest piece pegs very firmly and can be a struggle to take off when transforming him back.
ROBOT MODE (SPARK ARMOR):
This mode is the highlight, the powered up robot mode and despite only having four pieces added on, it gives Sky-Byte a much bulkier, more powerful, look.
The amount of kibble skyrockets. The chest piece add-on has another piece hanging off the back, and of course, while the two pieces on the outside of his arms look fairly decent, they are still kibble.
Sky-Byte doesn't get a new head, rather, it's more of a helmet. The packaging artwork is much cooler than the figure since the artwork actually integrates it better.
Since all the additional pieces are on the upper body, Sky-Byte doesn't gain any height.
Here's a comparison with Siege Refraktor to see how Sky-Byte fares against a Deluxe figure.
Despite the added gear, Sky-Byte doesn't lose any of his articulation.
His heel spurs are also long enough that they can handle the additional weight just fine.
It's surprising at how great and powerful Sky-Byte looks from just a few additional pieces. They integrated really well into the figure.
OVERALL:
Spark Armor Sky-Byte is a fun toy. It's may not contain Masterpiece levels of engineering or have the best paint scheme, but he contains oodles of play value. The accessory that can form either a vehicle or armor that pegs onto the robot is a fun gimmick and you don't feel as if there were any compromises. Sky-Byte is probably the best figure in the (disappointing til now) line so far and is recommended, especially on sale.
--------------------------------------------------
For other Transformers reviews, have a look at this page.