General Information:
Release Date: March 2019
Price Point: $19.99 (Varies by retailer)
Retailer: General Release (Target, Walmart, Amazon etc.)
Accessories: None
*Images and text below from Amazon.com:
- 7.5-INCH SLIPSREAM FIGURE: 7.5-inch Ultra Class Slipstream Action Attackers figure inspired by the Cyberverse animated series. Similar Figure scale to Voyager class Transformers action figures.
- SIGNATURE SLIPSTREAM ATTACK MOVE: Convert the evil Decepticon Slipstream to activate Sonic Swirl Action Attack move. Fun attack move can be repeated through easy reactivation steps.
- 2-IN-1 TOY: Easy conversion for kids ages 6 and up! Easily convert Slipstream toy from robot to jet mode in 9 steps. Makes a great gift. Please note that since Transformers toys are made for children, some parts are designed to detach if play gets too rough. That way, the pieces can be reattached without damaging the toy.
- CLASSIC CYBERVERSE CHARACTER: Purple Slipstream toy with blue decals inspired by the strategic Seeker from the Transformers Cyberverse cartoon, as seen on Cartoon Network and YouTube.
- TV-SHOW-INSPIRED: Transformers robots are giant battling bots from the planet Cybertron. The Autobots and Decepticons traveled from Cybertron on their spaceships, the Ark and the Nemesis, in pursuit of the powerful Allspark. Each Transformers robot has 2 modes. They convert from robots to vehicles such as cars, trucks, jets, and tanks!
"Picture this: me, on Earth, still cooler than everyone this side of Optimus Prime, but I’ve got zero memories. Now I’m on a mission to recover my memories and discover all of my awesome powers. I’ll have to battle Decepticons, outrun an explosion or two, and be heroic- basically, I’m in for one epic ride across the Cyberverse." --Bumblebee Easily convert and attack with Transformers Cyberverse Action Attackers figures! Convert Slipstream figure from robot to vehicle mode in 9 steps. The last step of conversion automatically activates Slipstream figure’s Sonic Swirl Action Attack move! Once converted, move can be repeated through easy reactivation steps. Kids can collect other Action Attackers figures, each sold separately, to discover the signature attack moves of favorite characters from the Cyberverse series -- one of the best ways to introduce young kids and new fans to the exciting world of Transformers! Transformers and all related characters are trademarks of Hasbro.
Slipstream was introduced early in the "Cyberverse" series. In an unusual move, Starscream was not shown leading the Seekers. Instead, he was higher up on the chain of command, letting Slipstream manage the "on the ground" (or in the air, if you prefer) operations of the Decepticons. She is powerful and determined, making her a dangerous opponent for the Autobots.
Packaging:
Slipstream is packaged in an open box, tied to a bubble. The front features her artwork in the left corner. On the right side is a vertical Transformers logo with an Decepticon symbol above it. The front section that goes over the legs features Shockwave in vehicle mode firing his "Shock Blast". Next to that is the "Transformers Cyberverse" logo with his name under it. This packaging features distinctive colors including black, grey, light blue and yellow which really helps it stand out on shelves.
The back of the packaging focuses on the yellow and blue colors from the front. It features Slipstream's name and function: "Strategic Seeker". She is shown in both modes with a callout for a 9 step transformation. The upper right hand corner shows the "Sonic Swirl" feature.
Robot Mode:
Earlier in the "Cyberverse" line there was a Scout Class Slipstream figure released. However, that figure was just a straight up redeco of Starscream. In "Cyberverse", the Seekers are not all identical with different colors. While they use the G1 Seeker design as their foundation, characters like Starscream, Thundercracker and Slipstream all actually feature slightly different designs. In Slipstream's case, her head design features an angled "helmet" section and thick lips normally associated with female Transformers characters (in toy form, anyhow). The body design is very similar to Thundercracker's, featuring arms with a blocky section on top, but more slender biceps that lead to slightly wider forearms. The mid-body has what looks like a vent and the legs feature sharp looking knee armor and thick lower legs and feet. I appreciate the design of the "on the ground" Seekers being different than Starscream's and it is cool to have a Slipstream figure that looks like her animated counterpart.
Like most "Cyberverse" figures, there are plenty of hollow parts on this figure, so if that annoys you be warned. Sections like the back of the legs and forearms are hollow, though they do not affect the figure's functionality in any significant way.
From a color perspective Slipstream's deco is interesting. It does not quite match either her animation model in the cartoon or the initial profile on Hasbro's site. The figure is mostly made up of metallic purple, teal and grey plastic. While these colors have appeared on other versions of the character Slipstream, she is much darker in tone on the show. Unlike this figure, the animation model has dark grey-ish biceps and dark lower legs. On this figure the grey is a lighter shade and the lower legs are a bright teal. That said, I really like this deco. It is true to the character and the colors really pop. Add to that plenty of silver, teal and lavender paint (along with some red) and the figure really looks great from a deco perspective.
Articulation has not been a strong point of the "Cyberverse" toy line, even at the Ultra Class scale. For that reason, I was shocked to find that this figure has ten points of articulation. Now, by "Generations" standards this is not impressive by any means, but for "Cyberverse", this is above average. The articulation includes three points on each arm and two on each leg. Amazingly, this includes the ability of her legs to swing forward, something most "Cyberverse" figures lack. Her hands each have a 5mm opening, allowing her to hold weapons from other figures.
Transformation to Vehicle Mode:
- Straighten out the arms and legs.
- Clip the two legs together.
- Lift the chest section up, rotate it around, then swing the legs back, pushing all the pieces together to form the bottom of the jet mode.
- Connect the tabs on the forearms to the corresponding slots under each wing.
- Swing the cockpt piece forward.
- Swing the stabilizer fins up.
- Point the robot feet back.
Vehicle Mode:
Most Transformers perform some type of magical mass shifting when they transform in the cartoons, and Slipstream is no exception. That said, this figure manages to condense the robot mode parts very nicely, creating a rather sleek looking vehicle considering a robot is basically tucked under the jet. The basic shape of the jet looks like it popped right out of the cartoon. The front end is narrow and pointed, with angled sections instead of the traditional cylinder shaped nosecone. It also has small, horizontal fins on it sweeping back. The rear section features wings that sweep back at a dramatic angle and air intakes/vents on top. Slipstream's weapons wind up under the wings. Overall the jet mode looks great from a sculpt-perspective.
This mode is more aligned with the cartoon model than the robot mode. Metallic purple is still the dominant color with teal paint used heavily from the front to the back. The air intakes/vents on the rear section are painted gunmetal grey, silver and red. Again, I find myself much more impressed with the deco than I had expected to be. Kudos to the designers.
Slipstream's action feature in this mode is her Sonic Swirl Action Attack. Push the left arm inward under the wing and it will activate this feature. The middle of the jet will swing back, along with parts of the wings. As this piece moves back, the blades rotate. The effect is not as dramatic as the packaging would have you think. Indeed, I would have happily traded up this feature for two or more points of articulation, but the Ultra Class is partly gimmick based so this is to be expected.
Final Thoughts:
Along with Shockwave, Slipstream is a...um...prime example of how "Cyberverse" can balance a gimmick with articulation, sculpting and deco to form a really solid toy. That said, this figure is not for older fans who want a more "Generations" style figure. However for younger fans this figure ticks off a lot of boxes. Recommended!
Pros:
- Very nice sculpt in both modes.
- Cool deco.
- Intuitive and fun transformation.
- Above average articulation for a "Cyberverse" Ultra Class figure.
Cons:
- Gimmick is not particularly exciting.
- Some hollow parts will turn off some fans.
