Review #9 - Toys 'R' Us Exclusive Universe (Autobot) Countdown

This is a figure I saw in the store and instantly knew I wanted to add it to my collection. The pirce was a tad steep, but for an exclusive Ultra-class figure, it isn't bad. I am talking about the TRU Exclusive Universe Countdown.



According to his Universe release bio, Countdown was an Autobot who - before the war between both factions started - was already liberating the residents of threatened worlds from the tyranny of evil. This is not far off his Generation bio, which states that "Countdown's mission is to roam the universe, find planets threatened by Decepticon activity, and meddle to the Autobots' benefit. He looks forward to the day when the Decepticons are defeated, and he can start toppling other tyrannical regimes." He also possesses a rocket to do so.

The figure created from this Micromaster is one of my first Ultra-class figures, and one of the best as well. He is a repaint of Cybertron Defense Red Alert (this guy). He also features the biggest damn missile I've ever seen on a Transformer.



Here it is beside TRU Exlusive RUD Scourge. Damn, that is big (and phalic). It also has a gimmick, but I'll leave that for the Gimmick section.


VEHICLE:



As you can tell, Countdown is an armoured missile-launching vehicle; basically the same type of vehicle as Onslaught, but with a missile rather than two mounted rocket-launchers. The first thing that jumps out at you is how big this mode is; compared beside a deluxe class, it's nearly twice as long and high respectively. This mode rolls quite nicely despite the wheels being very thin, and the missile launcher can pivot to about 45 degrees (however, it can't turn sadly). This mode also has a small two-barreled gun that can lift up. Other than that, there is not much else to this mode.

Vehicle: 19.5/25


ROBOT:



Wow. This robot mode is spectacular. It is very big, very stable in numerous positions and has the biggest cannon on any Ultra-class figure. This is also a much needed upgrade from the Micromaster version of this character. Think about it...would you rather play with this guy or a Mini-con-style figure? One thing I have to note is the light-piping on Countdown's head is useless; the back half of the vehicle mode stands just high enough that it blocks the light from actually activating the purple visor. I feel this was a waste of light-piping and would have been better as a paint app instead.


ARTICULATION:

Head: 360 degree rotation
Shoulders: 360 degree rotation, 90 degree (backward) pivot
Elbows: 360 degree rotation, 90 degree (forward) pivot
Hands: 360 degree rotation
Waist: 360 degree rotation
Thighs: ~135 degree rotation either way, 90 degree outward pivot
Knees: 360 degree rotation, 90 degree bend
Feet: n/a
Other: Countdown's missile/shoulder cannon can pivot ~45 degree upward, but this is a weak joint, so don't expect it to stay like that for very long.

Articulation: 23.5/25


GIMMICK:

Countdown's main gimmick is his cyber-key. The cyber key was the main feature of the toys for the Transformers: Cybertron line from 2005. They usually were used to unlock special features of a toy, such as hidden missile launchers or other assorted goodies. In Countdown's case, his cyber unlocks two items. Firstly, his missile, which is also a shoulder-mounted cannon.



The other activates Countdown's utility arm, which is another one of his features.



The second gimmick is something that most Ultra-class figures usually have. Countdown - being an Ultra-class figure - has lights and sounds; all contained within the missile. Firstly when you detach the missile from its launcher, you hear the standard missile rocket engines. The second is activated when you plug in the cyber-key into the missile launcher, the sides flip out amid lights and the sound of a medley of computer beeps. It also requires to AAA batteries to run. This is cool to have, but can be annoying if you hate sound effects.

The final gimmick is Countdown's utility arm attachment. As mentioned, Countdown's cyber key activates this gimmick. This is activated by the cyber key as well, and attaches to either arm by means of two pegs. The end of the arm has a hole where two attachments can plug in; a hammer and a claw aperture.



Both ends store in behind the legs, and are inter-changeable depending on the "situation" that Countdown is required to deal with. Combined, these gimmicks are both very interesting and unique to Countdown's mold, which is a lot more than what can be said about other figures.

Gimmick: 23/25


FUN FACTOR:

First and foremost, Countdown is an armoured vehicle, which has a freaking missile. This alone can be used for hours of entertainment...heck, he could be used as a portable rocket base and his missile is a rocket. Secondly, his robot mode is very articulate, allowing for various poses, his cyber key and his utility arm gimmicks and his sheer size are all factors that will attract the attention of any child that gets their hands on this figure. (Assuming the collectors leave some.)

Fun factor: 22.5/25


OVERVIEW:

When I first saw this figure, I simply wished to purchase it as a collectible and nothing more. But after I opened him up and played around with him, I started to enjoy what he had to offer more and more. Countdown is one of the better Ultra-class figures out today, despite
being a repaint of a Cybertron-line figure.


My score for TRU Exclusive Universe Countdown: 88.5/100

Countdown offers many gimmicks and options in both vehicle and robot mode, and is a worthy addition to your collection. However, it may be hard to find him as mine was the only one of all the Ultra-class figures at our local Toys 'R' Us, so expect to search at a few stores or on eBay to find him if your truly wish to purchase him. Still, if you do search and find him, the reward is well worth the time you used.

Review #8 - Beast Wars Transmetals Fuzor Silverbolt

This is a review I have waiting to do for a long time (about three weeks actually); the figure of my favourite character from Beast Wars.

Silverbolt



Silverbolt is a Maximal who - while being a capable and cunning warrior - is a whore to his code of honour and chivalry. In fact, he's so noble that it tends to be more annoying than charming. He is also one of the two fuzors featured in the show. What is a fuzor you may ask? A fuzor is a protoform who - upon scanning for a new vehicle mode - scans more than one "skin" at once. The other main fuzor in the show is Quickstrike, who is a combination of a scorpian and a cobra. In his first appearance, Silverbolt (along with Quickstrike) are drafted into the Predicons, and are shown the activation code for their new robot modes. (To which Silverbolt states that "terrorise" doesn't quite fit his personality.) Eventually, he joins the Maximals after saving Optimus Primal from a Megatron sneak attack.

Another plot point worth mentioning is the relationship with Silverbolt and the Maximal-turned-Predicon Blackaracnia. I commend Mainframe for creating this plot line as not only does it lead to some very interesting moments in the show, but is a breath of fresh air when compared to the plotlines of Generation One. (aka non-existant). This small relationship turns into something quite strong once Beast Machines (the sequel to Beast Wars) was created.

The Silverbolt figure is something I'm sure would give any self-respecting admirer of his character a fangasm. Not only is the figure quite show accurate to the vehicle and robot modes featured on the show, but the paint apps are just as spectacular. I shall cover those in the vehicle mode review.


VEHICLE:



Wow...just wow. This is one of the main reasons why Silverbolt is my favourite Beast Wars character. As stated before, the paint apps that are given to Mr. Bolt here are a feast for the eyes; the wings contains a mixture of golds, browns and blacks, mimicking the colours of a real eagle's down.



The wolf head and front talons are just as awesome; detailed and painted appropriately. His vehicle mode is quite stable, having the standard articulation for a four-legged Transformer (all legs on ball joints). One thing I would like to mention is that the face is a tad too black and the fur is too gray for the character, but otherwise a top-notch wolf/eagle mode. So wait, is he an.....eaolf? Or a wolgle?

Vehicle: 24/25


ROBOT:



Talk about show accuracy at its finest. The Beast Wars line (and the future toy lines as well) definitely kept the concept of show-accuracy-and-functionality in mind. Silverbolt's robot mode looks almost identical to his show self; the reason I say almost is because some things that were done in the show aren't mechanically possible and thus had to be solved, resulting in some changes to the show model.) But otherwise, this robot mode is such a great design, and it about the size of the standard Deluxe-class figure in the Transformers Universe line. The head sculpt is a tad off, and Silverbolt's teeth should have had a slight white paint app to make them stand out, but that is a small gripe on my behalf. Finally, due to the eagle talons becoming his feet, Silverbolt is very tipsy and does tend to fall over if not positioned right.


ARTICULATION:
Head: n/a
Shoulders: ball jointed
Elbows: ball jointed
Hands: n/a
Waist: n/a
Thighs: ball jointed
Knees: 180 degree pivot
Feet: 90 degree pivot (note, the feet and heel are separate and both pivot at 90 degrees.
Others to note; The wings do pivot 90 degrees from flat to straight upwards.

Articulation: 19/25


GIMMICK:

Can I count the amount he has? Let's start with the most basic gimmick of all. Silverbolt's feather missiles (I shall get to those in a second) can be help in his hands as twin swords. That's cool in itself. Silverbolt's secon gimmick also revolves around these swords/missiles.



As you can see in this image here, the trigger is that small peg near his body. It would have been nicer if Hasbro had coloured the missile tips to match the wings, but that can easily fixed. This gimmick is also very touchy if you aren't careful, and the missile do shoot far. The final gimmick involves Solverbolt's eagle tail.



It is hard to see in this photo (especially since my camerawork sucks at points. Note to self; use a tripod), but I am pulling up on the eagle tail. This makes Silverbolt's wings flap forward. This gimmick works best when the wings are flat, and when the figure is in vehicle mode. However, it is also possible to do it in robot mode, but again the wings must be flat.

Gimmick: 23/25


FUN FACTOR:

Silverbolt is a true array of great articulation, nice gimmicks and a great overall design, which would appeal to kids both during that time and in our present day. Although he isn't all that posable, his transformation is simple and due to his show accuracy, can be used to re-enact a favourite scene from the show in great detail.

Fun factor: 20/25


OVERALL:

Fuzor Silverbolt is a real treasure to have, and something I didn't have any quams about spending upwards of sixty US dollars for. (luckily I got mine for 27 USD. Deal hunting powers GO!) He is a great edition to your Beast Wars/Transformers collection at any rate, and while he is tispy, and he does lack the articulation of some of the figures in the current Universe and Animated lines, he does still stand up against them nicely.

My score for Beast Wars Transmetals Fuzor Silverbolt: 86/100

As I said, Silverbolt is a great representation of how well the Beast Wars figures were made in comparison to the toys of today. I feel he was worth the 27 US bucks I spent for him, of course I'd have said the exact same thing if I had spent 60 USD. He is a real treat to have and I am sure if you bought one yourself, you'd fall in love with the figure as much as I have.

Review Schedule and New Figs 1

Okay folks, a tiny side post here to mention what reviews are coming up and whatnot.


Please note the list is subject to change dependent on figures.


Beast wars Transmetal Fuzor Silverbolt
Toys 'R' Us Exclusive Universe (Autobot) Countdown
Universe Twins Sunstreaker and Sideswipe
Encore G1 Jazz
Universe Tankor (Octane)
Transformers Animated Dinobots (Three-Part Review)

I received Silverbolt i9n the mail today, so he's priority to review, followed by Countdown as I have photos of his already taken. Jazz should be here soon as well, so it's really a race to see who gets done in what order.

Review #7 - Classics Rodimus

The Classics line of figures was probably one of - if not THE best - Transformers toy line of 2006 (if it was the only line, my point still stands lol). Out of this line, we were given figures such as Classics Optimus Prime, Bumblebee and the infamous Starscream-Seeker mold, but I am going to be reviewing a character that is not only a short-run figure, but is one of the better of the entire line.

Classics Rodimus.



Now, before I get too far into this review, I shall make note of one thing. I shall be referring to him as Hot Rod and not Rodimus, as Rodimus is his new name due to Hasbro not acquiring the copyright to Hot Rod. With this out of the way, I shall continue.


Hot Rod first makes his debut in the 1986 movie, and quickly becomes similar to Luke Skywalker in the Star Wars IV-VI trilogy. He's brash, cocky, and not someone you'd give a leadership role to at the very beginning of the film, but eventually, with his friend Kup at his side, Hot Rod gains some experience, and is eventually revealed as the sole Autobot to recieved the Matrix of Leadership and use its power to "light our darkest hour". Once he has acquired the Matrix, Hot Rod becomes the Autobot leader Rodimus Prime (who is not as loved by fans as Optimus was. Go figure.) However during Season 3, he returns to being Hot Rod after giving back the Matrix to a newly reborn (zombie) Optimus Prime.

The figure itself is not only a nice update for the character, but it's also one that doesn't seem to have changed very much. Aside from the over-sized tail fin on the back and his arms; he is still essentially Hot Rod. This is great as it gives the kids of this generation a chance to own a Hot Rod, all while giving those who have or have had one a figure they can display proudly beside it.


VEHICLE:



If his name doesn't already indicate what Hot Rod is all about, the design of his vehicle mode surely does. He is about speed; nothing is faster than he is. According to his box information, his vehicle mode is able to hits speeds over 250 mph. As I said, this figure just screams "Generation One Hot Rod" with its aerodynamic design, cockpit-style windshields and signature tailfin. In fact, ReProLabels (http://www.reprolabels.com/Classics/hotrod.asp) has come up with a decals/sticker set that gives Classics Hot Rod that extra G1 feel. (only recommended if a) you don't care that your figure is a short-run or b) you have a spare.) The vehicle mode is also very seemless, with the occassional break due to the arm joints not fully connecting. Finally, if one were to turn Hot Rod over, you would see that very little of the actual robot mode is visible; aside from the giant gaping space where his jet turbine goes, his true form is well hidden.

Vehicle: 24/25


ROBOT:



What else can I say about this mode other than absolutely awesome? This definitively proves that if Hasbro does put their minds to designing brand-new molds, they can actually do it right. Not only does this mode reflect the Hot Rod we know and love, but also does a great job of updating his style to something more modern (because his 2005 model was so four years ago). The over-sized tail fin from vehicle mode is nicely compensated for in robot mode due in part to a genius transformation sequence involving the front seats, and while the feet are much bulkier than his G1 self, this does give him some more stability.


ARTICULATION:

Head: 360 degree rotation
Shoulders: Ball joints; 360 degree rotation
Elbows: 90 degree bend
Waist: n/a
Thighs: 45 degrees forward (the cockpit kibble prevents an motion backward), 90 degrees out
Knees: 90 degree bend, 360 degree rotation
Feet: n/a

Other Notes: Sadly, due to Hot Rod's vehicle mode, his elbows are the worst-designed in all the Classics line. In order to hold his weapon straight forward, you would need to bend the whole arm backward as the forearm is too short for the gun. Also, his thighs tend to shift outward if you pose them too much.

Articulation: 19/25


GIMMICK:

Hot Rod has three gimmicks, which is quite good for a deluxe-class toy. Firstly is his communicator (or his arm-mounted saw as seen in the 1986 movie) which flips out of his left arm. Either interpretation add to the fun of the toy as a whole.



The second gimmick is the Autobot rub symbol that was used on every Generation One figure in since 1984. To activate the rub symbol, you have to simply rub your thumb over it several times. The symbol also changes colours from orange to a deep violet depending on how long you rub it for.



The last gimmick is a third mode, which - if you wish Classics Hot Rod a triple-changer. And, it follows the "Rule of Triple-Changers" to a tie; it is a horrible third mode.


What did I say? Does this mode just scream "last-minute feature"? Basically to get to this mode, you have to detach the tail-fin and flip it forward. That's it. To a child playing with this toy, it's an interesting and cool feature, but for people like me, it's just stupid. However, I have to rank the gimmicks based off how a child might react, not myself.

Gimmick: 20/25


FUN FACTOR:

Hot Rod is a race-car; plain and simple. It's exactly the same reason why I'm sure kinds loved him back in the 80s; kids love speed. His design and gimmicks are both worthy of a child's toy box or a collector's shelf. Not much else I can really say sadly; that's all there is.

Fun Factor: 20/25


OVERVIEW:

Classics Hot Rod is part of one of the best Transformers toy lines of the new millennium, proving that redesigning old figures can and does work. That isn't to say, however, that this formula works twice, as while the Universe line did provide us with some amazing figures, it didn't wuite stand up to its predecessor. Hot Rod himself is also quite the update, and I'm glad I bought him when I did.

My score for Classics Rodimus (Hot Rod): 83/100

Hot Rod's design and fun factor scores helped keep him from becoming like G1 Ironhide, however the weak third mode and the bad design of some pivot points did hurt his score a lot. If Hasbro had designed Hot Rod a tad differently, he would have definitely been scored at 80+ easily. I still highly recommend you get him, so search eBay if you feel the need to own this amazing Classics figure.

Review #6 - ROTF Surprise Figure

Hey there everyone! Now, I was supposed to be doing a review of Classics Rodimus for review #5, but I was at the mall a few days ago, and decided I'd pop into Toys 'R' Us to see what was new there. Why was I at the mall? To buy a new wallet. Why? Because I ran my old one over with a riding lawnmower. (seriously, don't ask.) But I digress, the point is, I looked at the Transformers section and found that they had in the first wave of the new Revenge of the Fallen toys. And I decided right then to purchase my first of only a few.

Ladies and gentlemen, I give you....Revenge of the Fallen Deluxe Class...



Preview Soundwave. (aka, one of three preview figures available before the May 30th line release date. The other two are Sideways and Bumblebee)



I am proud to say I'm part of the Soundwave fan bandwagon, so when I heard that he was not only appearing in the sequel to the 2007 live action film, but was the MAIN VILLAIN, I nearly suffered three heart attacks at once. I wanted a figure of his new movie form despite it not being like good old 80s Soundwave. In fact, that picture definitely shows his evolution quite vividly. (he gained more neon and lost height).

Now, I have not kept up on the roles of each character that is appearing in the new Revenge of the Fallen (ROTF for short because I am a lazy bugger), and to an extent his role has not yet been clarified. However, according to his tech description (on the instructions), Soundwave is a satellite that "hacks" into Earth's satellite networks, absorbing data so that way he can known all and see all. This gives him the power to decide Earth's fate; he's basically God.

Damn.

This figure itself is about the same size and the majority of deluxe class figures, but is a lot wider. His head sculpt is also a very nice update of Soundwave's G1 face; it isn't too bland, and yet it doesn't make him look like a mutated chipmunk who ran into a glass window. The colour scheme also reflected the Soundwave of yesteryear with its navy blues, golds and silvers. Finally, instead of his missile being anonymous, it's freaking Ravage!



I'm sure this maybe or may not be much more than a footnote for some of you, but when your missile has a god damned name, it is epic. This does explain how Ravage is able to get to Earth; Soundwave must fire him into the atmosphere, Ravage transforms into his vehicle mode, splashes down into the ocean and crawls ashore as a robotic feline killing machine. But this is a review of ROTF Soundwave, so let's get back on topic.

VEHICLE:

The first thing that is surprising about this figure is that it marks the first time any Soundwave toy has been a triple-changer. That's right, Soundwave has not one, but TWO vehicle modes. I shall give a tiny explanation of the triple-changer in a post following this one. Now, one thing that should be mentioned when talking about triple-changers is the "Rule of Triple-Changers", which states that "of the three modes, one will always be horrible or simply a thrown-together mode." This is also the case with Soundwave, however the mode that appears to have been "slapped-together" is actually quite good by comparison to other triple-changers.


Mode One - Cybertronian Jet mode



This is Soundwave's alternative mode to his satellite self, and this is his usually mode of transportation when either in space or on the surface of a planet. The overall appearance of this vehicle is amazing; I seriously think he looks more bad-ass than movie Megatron ever did. One thing that does strike against this form is that it is just like the majority of the movie figures in that they are increasingly harder to transform than the Universe of Animated lines. Still, it is a nice mode regardless.


Mode Two - Satellite



This is the "slapped-together" mode of Soundwave that I spoke of. Now, I use that term loosely as this is also a really nicely-made mode. This is - fans speculate - the main form of Soundwave, and the three wings add to the futuristic and Cybertronian design of his satellite form. The reason I say it looks thrown together at the last minute is due to the transformation from vehicle to satellite modes, where all you need to do and turn a few things around and pull out the wings (in fact the instructions only have three panels that show how to get from jet to satellite modes.) However, both vehicular forms of Soundwave are quite stylish and - while falling under the triple-changer rule - both seem to be creative and interesting modes to play around with.

Vehicle: 22/25


ROBOT:



Soundwave's robot mode is one of the most awesome things I have seen in a while (and when you play Super Smash Bros Brawl, that is saying something.) He's very futuristic, and looks as though he could kick the hell out of the original Soundwave, but since I am a fan of G1 Soundwave, I think it's best I don't think about that as I want to sleep tonight. But I shall move right along. This new styling does give Soundwave a very menacing appearance, and allows him to fit quite nicely into the role of main film villain. His is also quite stable with long feet and heel spirs. One thing that is an eyesore about ROTF Soundwave is the amount of kibble that hangs off the back; sure the two wings from satellite and jet mode look okay, but that giant metal piece hanging off his back? That looks rather unappealing from my point of view.


ARTICULATION:

Like most of the movie line figures from Transformers 2007, ROTF toys have a lot of articulation despite having the "physical" parameters that go along with actual cars. Soundwave follows in this tradition with having a lot of good and bad articulation points. His head does rotate approximetly 90 degrees either way, but it is very tight. His shoulders are on ball joints, and can bend at two points on the elbow. His legs are on ball joints at the thighs, and can bend at the knees. Finally, his feet can rotate 180 degrees, which allows you to pose Soundwave into many positions and still retain its great stability. One other interesting note is that the kibble I mentioned earlier are also on ball joints, allowing you to position them in any way you choose to keep them out of the way.

Articulation: 20/25


GIMMICK:

Soundwave's gimmicks are quite weak for a brand new ROTF figure. Firstly, his missile launcher, which only works the way it's intended to when in satellite and jet modes; not in robot mode. This makes Soundwave a tad less interesting to play with if you don't even have a way to shoot a missile. The second - and thankfully better gimmick - is the fact that Soundwave is a triple-changer. The reason I call this a "gimmick" is due to the fact that very few Transformers are triple-changers, so it stands to reason that since you have a third mode, it's an added item to the toy. Unfortunately, this still doesn't mean that both gimmicks are the greatest ever concieved. (Sorry Soundwave.)

Gimmick: 16.5/20


FUN FACTOR:

This toy can go either way when it comes to the fun factor. It IS fun to play with due to its three modes (as opposed to just two alone), his articulation, awesome mode designs and the sheer fact he is the main villain of the new movie. The reason the toy isn't fun is because of the detailed transformation and the lack of a missile launcher in robot mode (which really hurts playability).

Fun Factor: 15/25


OVERVIEW:

This figure is a great remake of Soundwave for the new generation of fans, and his triple changer gimmick is also a nice touch as well. However, he suffers a bit in terms of transformation and missile launcher issues do hurt his play factor a bit.

My score for ROTF Deluxe Soundwave: 73.5/100


Soundwave is still an awesome figure to buy for the sheer fact that he is very easy to find and is designed to be aesthetically pleasing to look at and play with. He is a must-have for the live-action Transformers fan, the die-hard collector or the child looking for a cool toy to play with.

Review #5 - Universe Ironhide

The Universe incarnation of Ironhide is a quantum leap from his Generation One version, with the biggest addition being HE ACTUALLY HAS A HEAD THIS TIME! But being serious here, Hasbro has taken what the G1 toy had and amplified it to create a much more articulate and aesthetically-pleasing toy. But what makes this version of the Autobot tough-guy so great?

VEHICLE:



Ironhide's Universe vehicle mode does conjure up memories of the Chevrolet Vanette mode from Generation One; this version however is modeled after a modern SUV of some fashion, as unlike G1, Universe (as well as Classics to a point) figures do not have a specific model of car body (such as Prowl as a Datsun Z or Ironhide's Chevy Vanette). This mode is a great design, rolls really well and definately fits the attitude of the robot within. However, there is one tiny flaw I hate about it.



Take a good look at these photos and see if there is anything peculiar. Give up? Ironhide's vehicle mode has 32 (yes, I counted) dividing lines. What is a dividing line you ask? I define it as a place where two pieces of the Transformer connects. (like for example, where a foot tabs into a body piece.) This is a major flaw in the design as it makes Ironhide look like he was in a horrific crash and was pulled back into shape. I will admit it does also fit Ironhide's personality, it is a horrible cosmetic flaw to have.

Ironhide also has windows of two different hues. This is a minor peev, and if it were me designing this toy, I'd have at least made the back windows a blue that is a little closer to the translucent plastic windshield. But again, this is a minor detail. Otherwise, Ironhide's vehicle mode is quite good and worth picking up in itself.

One final note to make is his license plate...



As you can tell, it reads "OREGON". This is a reference to a small factoid from the G1 show; when the Autobots crashed into a volcano on pre-historic Earth, it was in what would become the state of Oregon. It is also where the Witwitchy family resides. (Thank you Teletran I1: The Transformers wiki!)

Vehicle: 22/25


ROBOT:



What more can I really say about this mode other than "HELL YEAH". Not only does he have a god damned head, but he is articulate, stands quite well and is a great overall design; I really like how this new and improved Ironhide looks! One thing I must point out is his face...



The things are wrong with it. Firstly, the light piping for the eyes is blocked by the back panel, and only work when his head is turned to the left or right. I'm sure that if Hasbro had known of this design mistake, they'd have made the eyes opaque (however this is Hasbro, so you never know.). The other thing I feel was done wrong was the face colour. I'm pretty sure in Generation One, Ironhide's face wasn't a nice shade of sky blue. The Japanese Henkai Ironhide has fixed this, but yet again we in North America seem to get shafted. Still, both are ignorable unless you are a nit-pick like myself.

ARTICULATION:

Ironhide has a great deal of articulation, which would - I suppose - give him a partial excuse for the huge amount of dividing lines in his vehicle mode. First off, his head can rotate 90 degrees to the left or right. His shoulders can rotate 90 degrees forward and back, as well as 90 degrees up due to transformation. His arms can bend at the elbow and his hands are on ball joints (which is helpful with the gimmick I shall explain in a minute). As for his legs, he can rotate 360 degrees at the waist, move his leg 90 degrees (or until he's doing the splits basically), can bend and rotate at the knee, and his feet are on ball joints to allow for added stability in awkward and/or epic battle poses. This adds up to a very articulate toy that one can put in a variety of poses for all occassionas.

Articulation: 20/25


GIMMICK:

Ironhide's one gimmick involves his weapon, which is a very unique one (not counting remolds...damn Universe Ratchet.) When you first get the weapon, it is a six-barreled cannon, and seems pretty solid. However, this is not the case as you are able to choose whether the weapon is the cannon, or an energon "sword". (I put sword in quotations as one could consider an energon scalpel in the hands of Ratchet.)

To attach said weapon (on either side), there are two methods. The first way is to fold back one of the hands as they were when you transform Ironhide to robot mode. There is a small set of two grooves on his forearm, so all you need to do is slip the weapon into those grooves. This works, but it is quite loose and prone to falling off. The other way to put the weapon into the hands of Ironhide is to careful slip it over one of his hands and then lock it into the grooves; this makes the fit a lot tighter.

In truth, this gimmick is cool, but isn't all that spactacular. However, Hasbro is trying, and like I said many times before, that does count in my books.

Gimmick: 18/25


FUN FACTOR:

If we were to compare old and new Ironhide's fun factors using a child, he'd more than likely play with new Ironhide as he isn't a brick. Universe Ironhide is able to be put into numerous positions and also doesn't have any small pieces to him, which is an added safety feature when used about younger children. Sadly, his transformation is a tad finiky, which might frustrate some kids. So it is really a toss-up here; Ironhide is a great toy, but not overally easy to change from mode to mode.

Fun Factor: 19/25


OVERVIEW:

Universe Ironhide is a great update of the figure that had little-to-no features in the 1980s. It also is a "chase figure", which means that with each shipment of Wave 3 Universe figures, there is one to two Ironhide figures. So if you want to add Universe Ironhide to your collection, you can either check your local toy store or eBay (ah eBay, you are such a life-saver).

My Score for Universe Ironhide: 79/100

Universe Ironhide is a nice toy to add to your collection or to give to a child to play with. However, due to its slightly finiky transformation, there may be a bit of frustration that goes along with it. But he is still a worthy addition to your Universe collection, and is a fitting tribute to how Hasbro can - in fact - fix some of the issues caused by purchasing molds from other toy lines.

Review #4 - Generation One Soundwave

In every army there is always the one soldier who is always saying "Yes sir!" or "As you command sir!", and the Transformers universe is no exception. Within the Decepticons, there is such a soldier; he is one of the most well-known and beloved evil robots in existance. He is...



Soundwave, and this is the review of his 1984 figure release; one of my most treasured figures in my collection as well.

Now, Soundwave is, as mentioned earlier, an eternal loyalist to Megatron and the Decepticon cause; in fact he would go out of his way to support his allies if it meant certain victory. Soundwave also relies on his team of cassettes to do everything from scouting missions to demolition jobs. Soundwave speaks in a very computerised voice, which instantly could identify him in a crowded room. Soundwave is the Decepticon communications officer, which gives him the ability to blackmail any of his fellow soldiers as he hears all and knows all.


VEHICLE:



Soundwave has had two vehicle modes in the history of Generation One; he was a lamppost in the first episode (More Than Meets the Eye Part 1), but his main series mode was this; a cassette player. Soundwave's alternate mode is also one of the many examples of mass-shifting in the G1 cartoon (other examples are Megatron's gun mode, and Optimus' trailer. I shall probably post an explanation of mass-shifting in a future post.) This toy is a great representation of Soundwave's cartoon persona, including details sticker aps that add to the mode.

The back of the figure has a belt clip for kids to roleplay (because LARPing was big back then?), and this was also how Soundwave's robot mode weapons were stored (essentially his batteries.)



Soundwave also has three gimmicks in this mode that are also available in robot mode. Firstly, his cassette door opens and can hold one of the many cassette robots designed for him (Ravage, Laserbeak, Frenzy, Ratbat, Rumble, etc.). He also has two functioning features on each leg.



On his left side is a volume dial (mine does rotate, but yours may not) and...



On his right leg is a power switch (again, mine does move, but yours may not).

I personally love this mode and I feel that if it wasn't as show accurate as it is, it'd take away from the figure as a whole.

Vehicle: 24/25


ROBOT:



The first thing you notice is that Soundwave's robot form....is tall. He's taller than G1 Optimus Prime, and the majority of the Universe and Classics deluxe class figures I current own. Again, show accuracy is really great on this mode, with the sticker apps not taking away from his robot form, but not really overpowering it either. One thing you have to be careful of is that unless the figu was not heavily played with, his knee joints will be loose and you will have to angle his legs to allow him to stand. (This is due to a small plastic piece inside that is part of the leg ratchet system. After years of heavy transformation, it tends to wear down and thus makes the knee joint loose.)


ARTICULATION:

Like most of the early Transformers, most of Soundwave's articulation comes due to the transformation sequence. For example, his legs can rotate 90 degrees inward and can bend forward at the knee. His head is able to spin 360 degrees and can pivot backward 90 degrees. Finally, his arms can pivot 90 degrees inward, rotate 360 degrees at the shoulder and bend at the arm 90 degrees either way. This is, however, much better in terms of "possability" than most G1 figures such as Prime and Ironhide. Still, it isn't very great articulation, and the only poses he can really do are "stand and aim" shots.

Articulation: 18.5/25


GIMMICK:

Soundwave's gimmicks are the same as they were in vehicle mode, which does score major points for me. As mentioned, his cassette door does pop open, BUT only if his legs are either flat to the front or the side; it will not open if his legs are on an angle. He also had a volume dial and ON/OF switch on either leg. Finally, his batteries change into his iconic shoulder cannon and a blaster that fires one missile. Truly, Soundwave is a loaded figure in terms of gimmicks, and is one of the better G1 Decepticons due to this.

Gimmick: 25/25


FUN FACTOR:

Soundwave's tape deck mode is a great way for kids to put themselves into the action and role play with their toys firstly. Secondly, he has an army of cassettes that are themselves Transformers, which adds to the fun. Finally, it's Soundwave; how can you NOT have fun with him?

Fun Factor: 21/25


OVERVIEW:

Soundwave's Generation One figure is bar-none one of my favourites, and I spent a great deal of money just to have him. He is show-accurate, full of gimmicks, and best of all, a child's dream toy. Truly he is one of the best in the 84' line.

My score for Generation One Soundwave: 88.5/100

In terms of Articulation, Soundwave did suffer a bit, but his gimmicks, fun factor and vehicle modes all worked together to bump his score up nicely. Soundwave is a pop culture icon and one of those Transformers you can't really hate or forget, and I am sure that later on down the road, he will still be placed in the ranks of Megatron, Starscream and Optimus Prime.

Review #3.4 - Universe Cyclonus (with Nightstick)

We've touched onto the first three Universe figures of the 25th Anniversary wave, and all did pretty well in retrospect. But now it is time to review the figure that the majority of the Transformers fanbase has said is the best figure released under the Universe line.

it is...Transformers Universe Cyclonus with Nightstick.



Cyclonus was - for a lack of a better term - Galvatron's punching bag. You see, Cyclonus is one of those Decepticons who are as loyal and trustworthy as the Autobots; making his a rare breed among his rank, but due to Galvatron's insanity, he seems to get a robotic bitch-slap for every mishap, mess-up and shenanigan. Normally, any Decepticon would have slagged the wiseguy who gave them a slap, but with Galvatron it is a totally different situation.

He's a TAD paranoid, no showing any signs of agression is the best and fastest way to join the Matrix.

But I digress. Cyclonus came into being after a mass of damaged Decepticons were thrown from Astrotrain in the 1986 movie, and were reformated into new troops for Galvatron by Unicron. This is about where I will stop this part as there is a major debate regarding Cyclonus.

Now, to be fair, I'll describe the basic argument and leave it at that as I honestly don't what answer is the truth.


Okay, in the movie, two of the damaged Decepticons (Bombsheel and Skywarp) can be seen in the scene below...



Now, in the scene right afterward shows not one, but TWO Cyclonus figures, to which Unicron addresses as "Cyclonus; the warrior, and his armada."



See what I mean? There's Cyclonus in the foreground (that's right Cyclonus, the camera loves you.), and there is the "second Cyclonus" (dubbed Armada by fans). No one has ever been able to prove or disprove which Cyclonus is the one we end up seeing in the series, but again, I'm not going to get too much into it as I haven't the proof or the will power to make opinions. So let's move on to the toy review.


First off I shall review Cyclonus' Targetmaster pal Nightstick.


VEHICLE:



Nightstick's vehicle mode is just like Ravage; it isn't a very mobile mode. It is very reminiscent of G1 Megatron or G1 Soundwave; both were objects that were both immobile without some aid. However, this mode looks very good and is a nice small addition for the Universe line despite not having any mobile capabilities.

Vehicle: 7/12.5


ROBOT:



Nightstick's small size is made up for by the great little figure that he becomes when transformed into robot mode. He is about as tall as Ravage, but matches his master Cyclonus' colour scheme almost to a tee. He also has a nice shape for such a small figure, which is proof of the constant innovations put into improving the look of mini-bots since the days of G1 Bumblebee and Brawn.


ARTICULATION:

Nightstick beats out Ravage as the most articulate "mini-con" of the Universe line; his arms are able to rotate 360 degrees at the shoulder and bend at the elbow. He can also move his legs 90 degrees in either direction, and his waist can pivot forward until it touches his chest piece. His head - unfortunately - does not move at all. However, that is a minor note in comparison.

Articulation: 10/12.5


GIMMICK:

Again, Nightstick beats out Ravage in his gimmick as well. He actually sports two gimmicks, but one is shared with Cyclonus, so to be fair, I shall count it as one of Cyclonus' gimmicks. Anyways, Nightstick's main gimmick is the fact that once he is transformed, he is able to fit into the hand of most deluxe class figures. A few I have tried and succeeded with are 25th Anniversary Optimus Prime, Universe Prowl, Classics Cliffjumper, Universe Sideswipe, and many others. This gives him a certain advantage over other mini-con in that he can be used by more than just one specific Autobot or Decepticon.

Gimmick: 11/12.5


FUN FACTOR:

Nightstick is a gun....and for some reason, guns are a lot more fun that tape cassettes. Also, since he is able to be placed into the hands of most Transformers in existance today, it adds to the amount of stories and plots a child can think up. Another plus is he is easy to transform and has no small pieces that are hazardous to children. This makes Nightstick both a great toy and a great time to be had.

Fun factor: 10.5/12.5


Now that his little friend has been dealt with, time to focus in on the real meat of this post; Cyclonus.


VEHICLE:



Cyclonus's Cybertronian jet mode is very nicely designed and a great update of his Generation One version. The colour is also a refreshing change, changing from a faded purple and red to a much nicer dark violet and red-brown. This mode also features landing gear in the nose and on both bottom panels that will become the fronts of Cyclonus' legs, and a hole to mount Nightstick (in gun mode). Two strikes I have to give this figure are that, firstly, mounting Nightstick on top of Cyclonus looks really stupid and weird; it'd be the equivilant of putting a water cannon on the roof of Jazz. Secondly, Cyclonus' vehicle mode has a lot of gaps in the back structure, which isn't a very safe design feature for any jet that is supposed to fly in the mach range. But, aside from that, it is one of the better vehicle modes I own.

Vehicle: 10/12.5


ROBOT:



This robot mode is by far one of the taller (if not the tallest) of the Universe line, and Cyclonus definately deserves that title as he is both tall and lanky. His robot mode is quite the engineering marvel and is one of the better remoldings of Generation One characters on the market. One of the more ingenius aspects of his robot mode is how the legs are formed. Instead of having legs that fold down or split apart, Cyclonus' legs snap together.



As this picture clearly shows, Cyclonus' leg is formed by the top and bottom half of the rear half of his jet mode. These snap together to form one leg. This is very unique in that this is the first time this has ever been done on a transformer of any kind. So Cyclonus has that fact going for him as well.


ARTICULATION:

Cyclonus' articulation is a slight weakness for him, but only in certain areas. Firstly, his hips are on ball joints and are double jointed; but not in the way that is normally done. His legs rotate at a point between the knee and hip,a dn bend at the knee. This allows for a few different poses than what are normally possible. His head can also rotate 360 degrees. It's his arms that are an issue. His arms do rotate 360 degrees at the shoulder, and do bend at the elbow, but due to the way his shoulder armour is designed, it obstructs the motion of his arm outwards, only allowing it to rotate approximately 75 degrees outward. This is a tiny flaw that might annoy some collectors, but isn't really a big deal.

Articulation: 10.5/12.5


GIMMICK:

This is one of the best and worst gimmicks in all of the Universe line. By flipping in either one of Cyclonus' hands, you reveal the jet thruster on the back. This is not only a thruster, but a slot to plug in Nightstick in vehicle mode. Yes, you heard me right....plug in Nightstick.



This is a nod to a feature available on Japanese Transformers Targetmaster figures, called "Target On!". It is unique to Universe Cyclonus nowadays, and it has got to be one of the most fiddly gimmicks in existance. Nightstick does plug in, it's just getting him to remain so is a slight challenge as any nudge will dislodge him. However, it looks awesome if you do manage to make him stick.

Gimmick: 9.5/12.5


FUN FACTOR:

Cyclonus is both posable and designed to look cool. With Nightstick as his weapon, kids can make many stories involving the two of them, or about each separately. Cyclonus' gimmick might frustrate kids, so it isn't the best idea to put on, but it proves Hasbro is willing to try different things, and that's a good thing. Now if only they could get their quality control regulated.

Fun factor: 10.5/12.5


OVERVIEW:

Universe Cyclonus and Nightstick are both an excellent addition to your Transformers collection, and at the price of a deluxe-class figure, there is a lot of economical value to the package too. Just like Hound and Ravage, these two have done well in revamping their old styles, while creating one all their own.

My score for Universe Cyclonus with Nightstick: 79/100

I am actually surprised that the figure the majority of the community marked as the best of this line thus far scored less than Cheetor, but I am basing these scores off of performance, and not off popularity. Granted, when I first saw Cyclonus, I honestly thought it was a stupid design; horrible colouring, bad vehicle mode, and a mini-con to boot. Then I saw some videos and decided to give him a try, and I have since warmed up to the figure so much I display him with pride. He is certainly one of the better figures to come out of the Universe line, and if this is any indication, the Transformers of the future are bound to improve.