Toy Review - TFPrime Deluxe Soundwave

[GoktimusPrime]

We haven't any well written tech specs from Hasbro since Cybertron (and even then the best stuff wasn't printed on the packaging but accessible online with their key codes).

[UltraMarginal]

You've neglected to mention someone a little more... Glorious.

My bad, you're absolutely right. the HFTD Lugnut was also excellent as a Plane mode.


I opened up my soundwave the other night and while I really like the vehicle mode, with little kibble and the Robot Mode is very good, though the ratio of forearm to upper arm lengths is off a bit and I totally agree with the wish for a rotation either at the wrist or Elbow.

My only personal complaint is that when returning him to vehicle mode, the plastic in the legs is alittle soft, as such it's very hard to get the front of the plane to clip together cleanly without leaving gaps.

It looks like Hastak are using a less stiff plastic. bummer.

I am not as impressed with this one as with wheeljack. I hope in the future we get a voyager release for him, that will be awesome.

[5FDP]

Okay... I've worked out what my problem is with this toy - assuming people know nothing about this character in Transformers Prime and ignoring the fact his name is printed on the packaging, most people would be hard-pressed to recognise him as being Soundwave. Sure, it's a cool looking figure, but is it Soundwave? No.

The thing that I liked about the Animated toy and even the WFC version, it is instantly recognisable as Soundwave.

It's because of this fact I can't see myself picking him up because I can't relate to the character. It makes it especially hard when he doesn't even speak in the show (he's gone from having an ultra-cool synthesized voice in G1 to being a mute )

So to summarise my thoughts - Cool toy: yes; Is it Soundwave: no.

[GoktimusPrime]

Okay... I've worked out what my problem is with this toy - assuming people know nothing about this character in Transformers Prime and ignoring the fact his name is printed on the packaging, most people would be hard-pressed to recognise him as being Soundwave. Sure, it's a cool looking figure, but is it Soundwave? No.

One could say the same about a lot of TF series that aren't G1. A lot of movieverse characters look nothing like their G1 namesakes (which was part of the fun of making the movieverse/G1 comparison photo thread ). <shrug> But for most kids who don't have G1 bias, I imagine they'll just care that the toy looks like Soundwave from the TF Prime show. A lot of the time when I show or describe G1 Megatron to kids, they're like, "No way, that's so stupid." :/

It makes it especially hard when he doesn't even speak in the show (he's gone from having an ultra-cool synthesized voice in G1 to being a mute )

It's not Soundwave's fault. It was Airachnid cos she weighs the same as a duck.

[UltraMarginal]

You've neglected to mention someone a little more... Glorious.

Okay... I've worked out what my problem is with this toy - assuming people know nothing about this character in Transformers Prime and ignoring the fact his name is printed on the packaging, most people would be hard-pressed to recognise him as being Soundwave. Sure, it's a cool looking figure, but is it Soundwave? No.

The thing that I liked about the Animated toy and even the WFC version, it is instantly recognisable as Soundwave.

It's because of this fact I can't see myself picking him up because I can't relate to the character. It makes it especially hard when he doesn't even speak in the show (he's gone from having an ultra-cool synthesized voice in G1 to being a mute )

So to summarise my thoughts - Cool toy: yes; Is it Soundwave: no.

That's a very interesting point that you make and probably one of the reasons I like this soundwave a lot.
I'm a little tired of the modern versions of soundwave looking like a ttapedeck in a different form. they got away with it in animated by the "tape deck" visual being artwork on the car mode.
But in the world of TF Prime they have departed from tradition and made soundwave something else entirely. his character is still stealthy, devious and from all accounts a lot darker than his G1 counterpart, at least as far as the TV show goes. A Military UAV is a great new form for soundwave.
though he hasn't talked yet, he apparently will. There is a lot of Silent Badas in this character now. He doesn't have to say anythnig to make his point yet. I do look forward to him talking eventually. and I agree, the sooner the better.

[Decepticon]

Its 2012 guys!! Not 1984!! I call it evolution when things change......for the better!

[Doubledealer]

I regrettably opened my Hasbro Soundwave today. I say regrettably as I'm not very happy with the quality control on mine.

One of the helmet spikes has been badly squashed while tucked away in his chest area. Can't tell you how much this annoys me...

Other than the head being ruined, the finish on the plastic is bloody awful with swirls everywhere. I've re-pre-ordered AM Soundwave in the hope that these issues are ironed out.

[ITZTRU]

I too have a minor gripe with QC on the inside of his left elbow (f you could call it that) which is permanently bent and I can't straighten out. I'm thankful it's not on his head though like DD's coz that would annoy me to no end also, given that all of my TF's are always displayed in Bot mode.

And I'm damn excited about hearing him actually having something to say as Soundwave himself. Defs looking forward to that!

[Doubledealer]

I too have a minor gripe with QC on the inside of his left elbow (f you could call it that) which is permanently bent and I can't straighten out. I'm thankful it's not on his head though like DD's coz that would annoy me to no end also, given that all of my TF's are always displayed in Bot mode.

And I'm damn excited about hearing him actually having something to say as Soundwave himself. Defs looking forward to that!

Ugh, you got stung as well huh. I wonder if we tried blow drying the parts if that would soften the plastic and let us "fix" him? Wishful thinking most likely...

To be honest, I'm so disappointed with my Soundwave's head and the overall quality of the plastic I feel like simply tossing him in the bin and waiting for the AM.

For now I've put him in UAV mode, stuck some leftover Decepticon stickers from AM Skywarp on his wings and removed his T-Cog. Who's laughing now Soundwave?!

Soundwave: ... ... ......... ... .......? ........!!

[Ode to a Grasshopper]

And I'm damn excited about hearing him actually having something to say as Soundwave himself. Defs looking forward to that!

I really hope it's something like saying 'Shut up' to one of the other characters.