[Transformers] Soundwave superior in Transformers: Legacy

Soundwave and box
Soundwave and box

Who hasn’t pretended to be Soundwave by speaking into a fan at maximum speed? There’s that combination of his emotionless voice, Decepticon symbol head, and nifty alternate mode that has always made him one of the most intriguing Decepticons. He’s been in almost every major series, and he’s actually a barometer of how a person’s age. If you know that Soundwave transforms into a cassette player (and hence, you know what a cassette tape is), then you’re definitely grew up on G1. Soundwave gets new deco in the Transformers: Legacy line, which uses the Transformers War for Cybertron: Siege mould but redecos him without the battle damage paint applications.

Soundwave and box
Soundwave and box

Thanks Hasbro for sending him over!

Size: Voyager Class

Alternate Mode: Cybertronian spacecraft/Patrol Hovercraft

Function: Communications

Allegiance: Decepticons

Accessories: Concussion Blaster, Sonic Cannon, Blitz Charge Blaster (all combine to form the Sonic Compression Mega-Blaster)

Packaging

Soundwave packaging
Soundwave packaging

Soundwave comes in the new windowless packaging of the Transformers” Legacy line. His Cybertronian spacecraft mode is depicted in its fully armed glory.

Soundwave packaging
Soundwave packaging

Soundwave’s two modes are shown on the back (and you can even see the details of his empty chest).

Soundwave packaging
Soundwave packaging

His figure actually has his left hand’s forefinger pointing out, although not as much as the box art depicts it.

Soundwave packaging
Soundwave packaging

But this Soundwavev comes under the Transformers: Legacy line.

Soundwave packaging
Soundwave packaging

Remember to recycle!

Soundwave packaging
Soundwave packaging

Contents

Soundwave contents
Soundwave contents

Since he’s originally from the Transformers War for Cybertron: Siege line, he doesn’t come with the Energon weapons that are a hallmark of the other Transformers: Legacy figures.

Soundwave contents
Soundwave contents

You just need to flip his shoulders back and he’s ready to go!

Soundwave accessories
Soundwave accessories

His weapons don’t come with any small, fiddly parts – nothing that’ll easily go missing here!

Soundwave accessories
Soundwave accessories

Alternate Mode

Soundwave in spacecraft mode with all his weapons
Soundwave in spacecraft mode with all his weapons

Soundwave’s alternate mode gives him the ability to fly (although he can actually fly in robot mode in G1 too).

Soundwave in spacecraft mode
Soundwave in spacecraft mode

The flat surface of his alternate mode gives his cassettes (mentioned later) a place to “land on”.

Soundwave in spacecraft mode
Soundwave in spacecraft mode

His undercarriage looks pretty okay as well.

Soundwave in spacecraft mode
Soundwave in spacecraft mode

It feels like you press the yellow buttons on the side.

Soundwave in spacecraft mode
Soundwave in spacecraft mode

And missile turrets are moulded into his front.

Soundwave in spacecraft mode
Soundwave in spacecraft mode

Ready to jet off into space!

Soundwave in spacecraft mode
Soundwave in spacecraft mode

Robot Mode

Soundwave with all his weapons
Soundwave with all his weapons

Soundwave is pretty poseable.

Soundwave with all his weapons in combined mode
Soundwave with all his weapons in combined mode

Although if you want him to be better armed, you can combine his weapons into the Sonic Compression Mega Blaster.

Soundwave in robot mode
Soundwave in robot mode

He has yellow light piping for his eyes, just like his G1 figure.

Soundwave in robot mode
Soundwave in robot mode

And pegholes for his feet.

Soundwave in robot mode
Soundwave in robot mode

His backpack looks quite sleek here.

Soundwave in robot mode
Soundwave in robot mode

And design-wise, it fits in quite well.

Soundwave in robot mode
Soundwave in robot mode

I prefer not to have his “shoulder” guns out.

Soundwave in robot mode
Soundwave in robot mode

If you’re a Transformers: War for Cybertron collector, then you can pose Soundwave with his fellow Mini-Cassettes (or Micromasters, as they were categorised in Transformers: War for Cybertron).

Soundwave and his cassettes
Soundwave and his cassettes

Fan Mode

Soundwave and his cassettes
Soundwave and his cassettes

There’s also a fan mode where he becomes a cassette tape player. Granted, his Transformers War for Cybertron Trilogy figure literally transforms onto a tape deck – but hey, don’t you want to give additional modes to your existing Soundwave?

Soundwave in "Cassette Player" mode
Soundwave in “Cassette Player” mode

He’s best viewed from the front.

Soundwave in "Cassette Player" mode
Soundwave in “Cassette Player” mode

There’s another fan “boombox” mode, but it doesn’t make use of his pelvis rewind/play/fast forward buttons, so I opted for this one.

Soundwave in "Cassette Player" mode
Soundwave in “Cassette Player” mode

Does this mean Soundwave qualifies as a Triple Changer?

Soundwave in "Cassette Player" mode
Soundwave in “Cassette Player” mode

His fan mode is also fairly stable.

Soundwave in "Cassette Player" mode
Soundwave in “Cassette Player” mode

But really, all I want to do is play with his chest compartment and put the Mini Cassettes in.

Soundwave in "Cassette Player" mode
Soundwave in “Cassette Player” mode

Comparisons

Soundwave: Transformers: Legacy (left) and Transformers War for Cybertron: Siege (right)
Soundwave: Transformers: Legacy (left) and Transformers War for Cybertron: Siege (right)

Soundwave looks better without his battle damage – but you can always pretend that the Transformers War for Cybertron: Siege version is him after a pitched battle with Blaster. He’s also a slightly different shade of blue.

Soundwave: Transformers: Legacy (left) and Transformers War for Cybertron Trilogy (right)
Soundwave: Transformers: Legacy (left) and Transformers War for Cybertron Trilogy (right)

He stands taller than the Transformers: War for Cybertron Trilogy figure.

Conclusion

I prefer the clean deco of him over the battle damaged one – I’m not a great customiser, so I definitely wouldn’t be able to remove the battle damage myself if I had to. So the Transformers: Legacy version is the superior one, for me.

Soundwave: Transformers: War for Cybertron: Siege (left) and Transformers: Legacy (centre) and Transformers War for Cybertron Trilogy (right)
Soundwave: Transformers: War for Cybertron: Siege (left) and Transformers: Legacy (centre) and Transformers War for Cybertron Trilogy (right)

But yes I have to flex that I have all three Soundwaves, heh.

 

Thanks Hasbro, for sending him over!

Soundwave is available at departmental stores and Toys “R” Us, as well as specialised hobby shops like Robo Robo and Hobby Ark Toy Store. He is also available on Hasbro’s official Shopee and Lazada e-commerce stalls.

 

More Than Meets The Eye! Calling all Transformers Fans!

Get your hands on a Limited Edition Transformer Autobot OR Decepticon metal badge with min. $30 purchase on Transformers products.

T&C applies.

18 July – 18 Sep 2022: Available at island wide Toys “R” Us stores.

1 July – 31 July 2022: Available at selected departmental stores.

Or Shop online:
Shopee
Lazada

Transformers Autobot & Decepticon metal badge
Transformers Autobot & Decepticon metal badge

This is an original article on marcusgohmarcusgoh.com.


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I’m an independent scriptwriter who’s written for popular shows like Lion Mums, Crimewatch, Police & Thief, and Incredible Tales. I’m also a Transformers enthusiast and avid pop culture scholar. You can find me on social media as Optimarcus and on my site

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