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.
No comments:
Post a Comment