Transformers Prime: Soundwave Robots in Disguise (RiD) Deluxe Review

Wednesday, February 8, 2012


The mute Decepticon

The most loyal Decepticon to Megatron, Soundwave quickly dispenses with Arachnid when she attempts to take control of the Decepticons during Megatron's absence in the season 1 finale. Although he doesn't speak, his silence makes him a cunning spy and his face can display what's on his mind.

After a whole season of Transformers Prime without any toy line and Hasbro canceling the First Edition toys prematurely, Hasbro releases the Robots in Disguise (RiD) deluxe wave 1 with Bumblebee, Cliffjumper, Wheeljack and Soundwave.

Front of Box:

It's awesome that Laserbeak is included.

Back of Box:


Soundwave tech spec:

Is he really that cowardly? He did stand up to Arachnid.

Alt mode front:

Soundwave turns into a MQ-9 Reaper UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle).  Quite a fitting alt mode for the mute Decepticon.

Alt mode left:

Soundwave is just missing the rear propellers and antennas on the top to make it a pretty convincing UAV.

Alt mode right:

There's a bit of kibble visible from the sides but it isn't too bad like ROTF Jetfire.

Alt mode back:

Although that cone at the end looks weird, that's supposed to be the tail propeller.  Here the underwing arm is showing.

Alt mode top:

Minimal bot pieces are visible from the top

Alt mode bottom:

You can see most of Soundwave on the underside. 

Bot mode front:

A very sleep and mean Soundwave that's fairly accurate to the design of the show

Bot mode right:

Odd kibble on the back of his leg.  I tried putting it down to form a larger heel but it made his foot extremely long.  But it does provide an extra way to balance the figure.

Bot mode left:

His fingers are made from the same plastic as his body unlike the soft plastic found throughout the First Edition line of toys so be careful so you don't break them off.

Bot mode back:

Little to no kibble on his back

Laserbeak top, bottom, rear:
 
Laserbeak is a pretty weak design compared to all previous Laserbeaks...

Laserbeak attaches to Soundwave's wrist:

A 5mm hole allows Laserbeak to peg into Soundwave's wrist

Bot mode with Laserbeak:

... but it's really awesome how Laserbeak is stored on Soundwave's chest much like when Soundwave was a cassette tape deck

The poor head design:

The neck is so poorly designed.  It's hard to put his head is a cartoon accurate way while keeping his head turnable.  His head does not have any lightpiping either.  Would've been neat to see Soundwave's face glow orange.

Fairly limited articulation:

Soundwave's articulation is severely limited but his leg design, large arm panels, and neck design.  He is just not a fun toy to pose.

Transformers Prime Soundwave has a fairly simple transformation but a really slim neat vehicle mode.  One major drawback is the limited articulation. His mold is fairly screen accurate but the colors are not accurate as the TV show has him mostly in black and dark purple while the toy is bluish with pink highlights. I wasn't a fan of the Transformers Prime show but the toy line definitely has me hooked. It's a decent toy that isn't great on its own but one you'll likely pick up if you have the rest of the line.


Laserbeak even pegs onto Soundwave in alt mode!

Eric Toy Score: 3 out of 5

Publisher: Hasbro
Year: January 2012
Price: $14.99


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