Toy Review - Cyberverse Spark Armor Sky-Byte

[Tha_Phantom]

Series - Cyberverse
Sub-line - Power of the Spark
Size/class - Battle
New/remould/redeco - New
Wave - 1
Released here - Yes (9/2019)
Approximate Retail Price - $29
Approximate Size -
Allegiance - Decepticon
Alt-mode - Shark
Main Features/Gimmicks - Spark Armour
Main Colours - blue, blue, yellow
Main Accessories - Driller Drive

https://i.ibb.co/pQMN4rx/69888218-2422486441192640-2851376818710118400-n.jpg (https://ibb.co/PMPJ1zN)
So, I finally bought a Cyberverse toy.... I must say that after handling a few previous Cyberverse figures in person I did not feel compelled to buy anything from this line. However, after hearing very good feedback about Spark Armour Sky-Byte from Vairn, I thought I'd try and get one after work this afternoon. Clearly, I was successful. :p

https://i.ibb.co/phVRsjD/69972024-687325188409302-7418325684688257024-n.jpg (https://ibb.co/nPdnVM2)
Unlike previous Cyberverse figures, the bot mode has a pretty decent range of articulation, aside from no neck swivel or tilt. Plastic feels solid, not thin at all. Joints feel a little too tight if anything.
Comparing this to previous Cyberverse toys it's obvious Hasbro are trying to change the reputation of the line - great!

https://i.ibb.co/QDBD6sJ/70012735-650523605474114-4868145168575889408-n.jpg (https://ibb.co/mNsNHQR)
Getting it into shark mode is fairly easy, but not condescending. Parts lock in place as they should. The Driller Drive is nothing special, but it's an okay accessory.

https://i.ibb.co/fXxgHMy/69962079-866779607055982-5297995958099902464-n.jpg (https://ibb.co/9prDWn1)
The spark armour mode isn't as nice in person as I thought it would be. My biggest complaint is how hidden the face is behind the helmet bit, otherwise it's okay. I prefer the core bot personally. At least this is a Cyberverse gimmick that exists outside of the core bot instead of compromising it, so you can leave it if you don't like it.

https://i.ibb.co/JQ4BS0C/70253164-2387809901498611-614420085582331904-n.jpg (https://ibb.co/q5fy2Xx)
As a fan of RID 2001 I'm keen to vote with my wallet and encourage more homages like this where possible. All in all it's a fun figure that I'm glad I purchased.

[Vairn]

He is a sweet little legends class Skybyte,
Baby Skybyte, do do do do do.
Glad you found one.

[SMHFConvoy]

Agree with you about the helmet obscuring the face, mine had loose elbows but I fixed it with some GW ardcoat

[GoktimusPrime]

二十ドル
春で買ったか
俺買わん

A Spring time release?
At 29 bucks retail
It's a no from me

[Tha_Phantom]

Agree with you about the helmet obscuring the face, mine had loose elbows but I fixed it with some GW ardcoat

Interesting. The elbows on mine have loosened up since I got it, but they still hold a pose. Before they were too tight as I mentioned. Wonder if maybe I'm lucky or you're unlucky.

[SMHFConvoy]

Interesting. The elbows on mine have loosened up since I got it, but they still hold a pose. Before they were too tight as I mentioned. Wonder if maybe I'm lucky or you're unlucky.

On mine the elbows were loose and the shoulders are tight but have loosened a bit. To free up tight ball joints use some dishwashing liquid applied with a toothpick to the joint, does wonders.

[SMHFConvoy]

二十ドル
春で買ったか
俺買わん

A Spring time release?
At 29 bucks retail
It's a no from me

I got mine with the toymate discount, they're also turning up at target and myers at full retail price so there'll be a sale price sooner or later.

[GoktimusPrime]

Had a fiddle with this toy today. Definite improvement over previous Cyberverse toys, although that's not a high bar. :p
It is a pretty neat little figure. I find the transformation to be simple but elegant and intuitive. I like how the shark mode is actually in a straight neutral position and not in a permanent turning position like the original Gelshark (TM2 Cybershark) or Generations version (the former is turning sideways while the latter is turning downwards; obviously inspired by the breaching position seen in the last ep of CR). The shark mode is a bit bulky for my liking (not terribly aquadynamic!) and the lack of true head articulation is disappointing.

Interestingly enough this toy is clearly inspired by the IDW version of Sky-Byte (which is also what Generations Sky-Byte was based on) rather than Gelshark.
https://i.ibb.co/QfkCcd3/temp.jpg

[SMHFConvoy]

I was surprised that Hasbro went to the trouble of keying the inside of the drill so it can slip over Sky-Byte's fist.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48740507883_d4f30e597a.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2hg2QUc)
IMG_20190916_115818 (https://flic.kr/p/2hg2QUc) by Nathan Soehardi (https://www.flickr.com/photos/144750788@N08/), on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48740875291_e6aa56fbfe.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2hg4J7P)
2019-09-16_12-09-34 (https://flic.kr/p/2hg4J7P) by Nathan Soehardi (https://www.flickr.com/photos/144750788@N08/), on Flickr

[GoktimusPrime]

#streetsharks :p

[shockNwave]

Has an adorable shark mode. I don't have any Sky-Bytes in my collection so this is a first for me. So I'll call him My First Sky-Byte which is fitting because he looks like a bath toy but more in depth (no pun intended).