"Cyberverse" Deluxe Class Shockwave Toy Review

12/15/21

General Information:
Release Date: December 2019
Price Point: $19.99 (Varies by retailer)
Retailer: General Release (Target, Walmart, Amazon etc.)
Accessories: Blaster, "Blaster Arm", Blast Effects x 2, Maccadam Part (Right Leg)

*Images and text below from HasbroToyShop (via Walmart):
Transformers Toys Cyberverse Deluxe Class Shockwave Action Figure, Shock Blast Attack Move and Build-A-Figure Piece, For Kids Ages 6 and Up, 5-inch

• 5-INCH SHOCKWAVE FIGURE: Shockwave figure is an impressive 5 inches tall.
• 2-IN-1 CONVERTING TOY: Easy Transformers conversion for kids 6 and up. Convert Shockwave toy from robot to vehicle mode in 20 steps. Makes a great gift for kids!
• INCLUDES BUILD-A-FIGURE PIECE: Each Deluxe Class figure comes with one build-a-figure piece. Combine all the pieces to build a figure of Maccadam, the beloved character from the show! (Maccadam figure does not convert)!
• TRANSFORMERS CYBERVERSE CHARACTER: Classic purple Shockwave toy robot inspired by the Decepticon twisted scientist from the Transformers Cyberverse cartoon, as seen on Cartoon Network and YouTube.
• INSPIRED BY CARTOON NETWORK SHOW: In the G1-inspired Cyberverse series, giant Transformers robots from the planet Cybertron engage in epic battles, harnessing their powers to activate signature attack moves! Kids can imagine unleashing this new ability with this Deluxe Class figure!

The battle between heroic Autobots and evil Decepticons continues on the Cyberverse animated series! Discover the unique powers and skills of each Cyberverse character, and see how those powers will be used to defend Cybertron… or threaten it.

Easily convert and attack with Transformers Cyberverse Deluxe Class figures (Each sold separately)! Simply convert Shockwave figure from robot to vehicle mode in 20 steps. The last step of conversion activates the figure’s Shock Blast attack in both robot and vehicle mode! Once converted, move can be repeated through easy reactivation steps.

Kids can collect other Deluxe Class 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. Hasbro and all related terms are trademarks of Hasbro. Includes: figure, 2 accessories, build-a-figure part, and instructions.
Figure scale: 5 inches Ages 6 and up Warning: Choking Hazard - Small parts may be generated. Not for children under 3 years. Maccadam figure does not convert. © 2019 Hasbro. All Rights Reserved.
Manufactured under license from TOMY Company, Ltd.

Revealed at New York Comic-Con 2019, the Deluxe Class of Cyberverse figures was a pleasant surprise. Most of the Cyberverse line has focused on gimmicks that would lead to design sacrifices that left some fans frustrated. Even the Warrior Class figures came short of being more traditional Transformers figures. The Deluxe Class seek to fill this need in the Cyberverse line offering traditional transformations from a robot to vehicle mode with Generations style articulation. Even better, each figure would include a part of a "Build-a-Figure" of Maccadam, the legendary bartender of a mysterious bar on Cybertron originally introduced in the UK Generation One comic books.

Shockwave has had several representations in Cyberverse up until now. These include:

• 1-Step Changer Shockwave
• Warrior Class Shockwave
• Ultra Class Shockwave
• "Power of the Spark" Shockwave

So he has been very well represented thus far, so this figure adds another to the pile in the form of a brand new sculpt.

Packaging:
The packaging for the Deluxe Class Cyberverse figures takes some thematic cues from Generations. Instead of a bubble card or open packaging these figures are packaged in boxes. The boxes are quite striking, featuring mostly a purple background with yellow borders. Interestingly, these boxes bear a logo that says "Transformers Bumblebee Cyberverse Adventures" which is quite a mouthful for a toy or show title. It has been said online that this is the international title for Cyberverse, which is possible and that is as good as an explanation as any.

The front of the box features a vertical Transformers logo on the right with a Decepticon symbol above it. There is a "wear pattern" running across the logo which gives the background a hand painted look. Also in the front is a diagram of the Maccadam Build-a-Figure singling out the part that comes with Shockwave. One side of the box features Shockwave, Starscream and Megatron with the term "Deluxe Class" in four languages. The other side shows a rendering of Maccadam.

The back of the box features the figure in both modes, indicating a 20 step transformation. It also lists his function as "Twisted Scientist" in five languages. Towards the middle there is artwork calling out his "shock blast" referencing the Shock Blast pieces included with the figure. Maccadam is also shown fully assembled with numbers next to his respective parts. These eight parts are spread out across eight figures in two waves. Wave one features Optimus Prime, Megatron, Shockwave and Bumblebee. Wave two will have Hot Rod, Grimlock, Arcee and Thunderhowl (a new character).

Accessories:
Shockwave includes four accessories:

• Blaster: This blaster has an unusual design. It looks rather generic with a barrel that has angled parts above and below it. The middle has a large circle. The blaster has a 5mm peg at the bottom. There is a shorter 5mm peg on the top towards the back. This piece is grey plastic with pink and bleck deco on it. I was honestly surprised at how much effort was placed into this weapon. It looks great!
• Arm Blaster: Shockwave's traditional "blaster arm" is actually made up of two pieces here. One looks like the top of his forearm with the "blaster hand" at the end. This piece is purple with pink deco. It connects to a pink, flexible plastic tube that connects to his back pack. This is a fun callback to G1 Shockwave who had a rubber tube going from his blaster arm to his back.
• Blast Effects: Technically these count as two accessories, but they are really meant to go together. Like the figures in Siege, the Deluxe Cyberverse figures include soft plastic "Blast Effects" that you can connect to the figure to simulate weapons fire or weapon hits. Shockwave has two: an energy "burst" and then a "blast" that can attach to it. These can attach to various points on his body.
• Maccadam's Left Leg: Not much more to say than that. I'll go into detail on Maccadam once the full figure is assembled.

Robot Mode:
Given that Cyberverse has largely catered to more gimmick-oriented figures, fans are alikely wondering if these are truly "Deluxe" figures in the traditional sense. To start, they definitely share height similarities. Like current Siege Deluxes and the previously released Warrior Class Shockwave the figure is about 5 inches (about 12.7 centimeters) tall. In terms of weight, Shockwave comes in at 3.2 ounces. In contrast, Siege Mirage is about 2.6 ounces! For those curious, Warrior Class Shockwave weighs in at 2.4 ounces.

If you have seen the Cyberverse cartoon or read any of my other Shockwave reviews you'll recognize the general design of this figure. Indeed, if you're a G1 fan you will recognize it. This figure takes a ton of design cues from G1 Shockwave including the head with one eye in the middle and "ear flaps" on the sides. The chest is six sided and his legs feature details that look like gun grips on the sides. This figure even has a "back pack" similar to G1 Shockwave. To modernize the look of this character a lot of line details were added in to make it look like he has energy conduits running through his body.

Shockwave is primarily made up of purple and grey plastic. Translucent flexible plastic is used for the aforementioned tube that runs from his "blaster arm" to the "back pack". Pink, silver and yellow paint is used to fill in detailing. The most striking is the pink color, wich runs through all the "energy conduit" details on the shoulders, torso, forearms and legs. Silver fills in detailing on the chest, arms and legs. The deco is really beautiful and is on par if not superior to the other Cyberverse Shockwave figures that came before it.

There are twenty two points of articulation on this figure, which even by the standards of Generations a decade ago is considered a really good number. This includes four in each arm and six in each leg. Much to my surprise, this articulation included wrist articulation and ankle tilts! Til now, these were reserved for Generations figures only. It's great to see these figures get the same treatment.

Each of Shockwave's fists have 5mm ports. There is also a 5mm port on the top of his "blaster arm" piece and on the side of the back pack, allowing for weapon storage. The "blaster arm" is actually a separate piece from his forearms, so you can attach that blaster to either fist. Both the "blaster arm" and the blaster rifle have attachment points for the Blast Effects in front. Even more fun? There are four pegs you can use to attach Blast Effects! There is one on each shoulder and one on each leg. I love that this Siege play pattern was brought over to Cyberverse for this class of figure.

Transformation to Vehicle Mode:

1. Detach the blaster and "blaster arm" accessories and set them aside for now.
2. Straighten out the arms and legs.
3. On each forearm, lift up the fists. Then swing out the vehicle mode feet and swing the panels with the fists down.
4. Swing the back pack down.
5. Swing the "ears" on the head back.
6. Swing the chest piece up over the head.
7. Swing the mandibles behind the shoulders forward.
8. Swing the arms up, then rotate the forearms around, then bend them at the elbows.
9. Rotate the waist around, then bend the legs at the knees.
10. Attach the end of the pink tube to the back pack, then attach the "blaster arm" piece on top.
11. Attach the blaster rifle to the side of the back pack.

Vehicle Mode:
Shockwave's vehicle form is a "spider tank", a scifi vehicle with a turret on top walking on legs. This version is not much different than the other iterations of Shockwave in this line. However, it has a couple small details that separate it from the previous ones. These are mostly focused in the front. Near the front legs are mandible like protrusions. The robot mode "ears" wind up becoming antennae in the middle of the insectoid-like head in the front. The small detail at the bottom of the chest piece looks like a mouth with teeth in it. I really love how this vehicle mode looks.

This mode does not really show off any new parts, so nothing about the deco is new or particularly surprising, but it does look great. Between the pink and silver colors there is a ton of deco on this figure and the purple serves as an excellent canvas for the paint colors.

There are sixteen points of articulation in this mode, mostly in the legs. I wish I could count the turret as one, but the pink tube connected to it is not flexible enough to allow it to turn without forcing it into a different position. If I had to cite one weakness of this figure, this is it. In another fun design choice, all the Blast Effect pegs can be used in this mode.

Final Thoughts:
Shockwave is a fantastic figure. The Warrior Class Shockwave came very close to be being great, but this figure definitely beats it. Highly recommended!

Pros:

• Excellent sculpt.
• Fantastic deco.
• Great articulation and play value.

Cons:

• The cable that connects to the "blaster arm" is flexible, but not flexible enough to allow certain poses with the arm it is attached to. It tends to force the arm in certain directions. If you are going to move it, I recommend perhaps warming it first with hot tap water (NOT boiling, and kids, make sure an adult is supervising if you do this).