Review: #652
Brand: Transformers
Allegiance: Decepticon
Line: Generation 1
Year of Release: 2019
Size Class: N/A
Mold Status: 2019 re-release of the Generation 1 figure
PACKAGING AND CONTENTS:
The original G1 Soundwave was reissued in 2019, complete with replica G1 packaging, which can look amazing if you manage to get one straight out of the case with no shelf-wear.
Unfortunately, depending on the market that the figure was sold in, you might get stickers with legal stuff on it that covers up the tech specs, which is quite a shame.
It's interesting to see that the figure is so simple that the instructions for transformation can be done in five shots at the top of the box.
The sides and bottom just shows off several additional stock photos (the left and right sides have exactly the same photos).
You might notice through the window that Soundwave and Buzzsaw only takes up half of the boxes' width, so you might wonder if the rest is just empty space (in an effort to make the figure feel bigger than it actually is to justify the price). Well, once you take the plastic tray out, you can see that it is storing Soundwave's accessories.
Furthermore, there's an instructions booklet and stickers.
BUZZSAW:
Let's quickly cover off Buzzsaw first. Soundwave comes with Buzzsaw as his partner in this set (Ravage, Laserbeak, Rumble and Frenzy can be bought separately) and transforms into a gold cassette tap.
One side has cassette details provided by stickers, while the other side s robot parts but is not obvious and can still pull off the cassette tape look.
In terms of size, Buzzsaw is small in this mode, above is a comparison against Legion Barricade.
The transformation to robot mode is actually really simple. The wings fold out from the body, then the head and legs flip out, finally, you attach the chromed engine blocks at the back.
Buzzsaw is a repaint of Laserbeak, and is a robotic bird.
Again, Laserbeak is approximately the size of a Legion figure in robot mode.
This is a G1 figure so don't expect great articulation. The head can look up and down while the wings can open and close, both are part of transformation.
ALTERNATE MODE (SOUNDWAVE):
When you first get Soundwave out of the packaging, you'll notice that he has some stickers pre-applied, and some that you have to apply yourself.
Once you get the stickers on, you might not notice much of a different since a lot of those were for robot mode. Nevertheless, Soundwave transforms into a cassette tape player.
Unfortunately, the buttons on the front don't work. The back is fairly neat as well, with the two silver pillars being the robot arms.
There is a volume dial on the left side, which actually rotates (also note that the instructions keeps the red stickers on the front of the player instead of on the batteries).
On the right side is the slider, which can slide up and down.
One really neat gimmick, that helps sells the Transformers concept, is the back cover can be taken off revealing the compartment for the batteries.
The "batteries" can then store in that, which is pretty awesome.
In terms of size, Soundwave is approximately the same as a Deluxe, so it can be a bit hard to stomach the high price that this re-issue is selling for.
Finally, the tape deck can open by pressing the button at the top. The cover is spring loaded so it'll pop open.
You can then place a tape inside, including, of course, Buzzsaw who is packed together in this set.
Since the cover is clear, you can see the details through the cover which is pretty neat.
A fantastic cassette deck mode, with just enough unobtrusive gimmicks to make it a lot of fun.
TRANSFORMATION:
This is a G1 figure so the transformation isn't hard, however, it intuitive and very clever considering its age. The sides fold down to form the legs, while the arms unfold from the back. You can then flip out the head, remove the batteries and attach them as weaponry.
ROBOT MODE:
Again, if you take Soundwave straight out of the box, he comes mostly sticker-less in robot mode and can look a bit bare.
Some of the stickers can be fairly annoying to put on but once you do, he has a lot more detail. Unfortunately, the stickers are poor quality and prone to peeling off soon after you've placed it on.
Onto the figure itself, this is an amazing robot mode, all the more because it is pretty proportionally accurate and doesn't look weird at all. The backpack is the empty compartment for the batteries.
The headsculpt is definitely a bit less refined than you'd expect for Soundwave, but this is the first iteration. It can actually look from left to right.
From the side, you can see how boxy and thin Soundwave is, due to the nature of transforming into a cassette tape player.
Soundwave is one of the best articulated G1 toy, he has hinges for his head, shoulders, elbows and hips (no knees since they bend forwards for transformation instead).
The batteries form his weaponry in robot mode. One extends to form a missile launcher, and the other is a shoulder cannon.
You actually get three missiles, so there are two spares. The springloaded mechanism itself is somewhat weak.
In terms of size, Soundwave becomes much taller, to the point of matching contemporary Voyager classed figures.
The shoulder cannon pegs onto his shoulders, and the missile launcher can be held in either hand.
Due to the circular shape of the missile launcher, it gets in the way of the forearm and the handle is not long enough for Soundwave's fist to grip it completely. It'll hold in place but not as tightly as you would have liked.
Naturally, the tape cover can still open, if you wish to place a tape inside.
Similarly to the alternate mode, having a tape in there gives his chest extra details which can look pretty nice.
The feet is made of die-cast which gives the figure surprising heft
Unfortunately there are no pegs for Buzzsaw to peg on, but you can still carefully position Buzzsaw on Soundwave's arm. This is a remarkable robot mode considering how the era it was designed in.
OVERALL:
Apart from Optimus Prime, Soundwave may very well be the best and most versatile G1 figure designed. The fact that he manages to have such good articulation, and looking so much like the cartoon is impressive. Every fan should have a version of G1 Soundwave in their collection.
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