General Information:
Release Date: July 2022
Price Point: $9.99 (depending on retailer)
Retailer: General Release (Amazon, BigBadToyStore, Entertainment Earth etc.)
Accessories: Radar Dish
Official images and text below in italics are from Amazon:
- TRANSFORMERS G1-INSPIRED DESIGN: This Transformers: Legacy 3.5-inch Shockwave robot toy is inspired by the animated series, The Transformers, updated with a Generations-style design
- UNIVERSES COLLIDE: Universes continue to collide with Transformers: Legacy! This epic line of Transformers toys brings together fan-favorite characters from across the Transformers multiverse
- 2 EPIC MODES: Action figure converts from robot to Cybertronian spacecraft mode in 11 steps
- HARNESS THE POWER OF ENERGON: Gear up with the most powerful substance on Cybertron, Energon! This Transformers Shockwave figure comes with an Energon shield accessory that attaches in both modes
- SCAN CODE: Scan the code on each package to reveal character tech specs from across the multiverse! Collect other Legacy figures to reveal their character tech specs (each sold separately, subject to availability)
Harness the power of Energon with the Transformers: Legacy Core Shockwave robot toy! Devoid of all emotion, Shockwave feels that a scientific approach to leadership is the logical choice. Universes continue to collide! Transformers: Legacy brings together fan-favorite characters from across the Transformers multiverse. Figures feature deco inspired by their universe with an updated Generations design. In honor of the almost 40-year legacy of Transformers entertainment, the fandoms come together from across the Transformers multiverse, all in one toy line. Transformers: Legacy action figures are more than just kids’ toys. They’re exciting collectibles for fans of all ages! Transformers and all related characters are trademarks of Hasbro.
Packaging:
The Transformers Legacy packaging represents a radical update to Transformers packaging for (what is presumably) a new "trilogy" of Generations toys. For the Core Class we have already seen this design with the releases of Studio Series Ravage and Shockwave. This packaging was designed with a new ethos in mind: minimizing the amount of plastic used to be more eco-friendly. That means the "window" that reveals the toy has no plastic over it. Instead there is just an empty space. The figures no longer sit in a plastic tray. Instead they are tied to a cardboard panel. I am all for eco-friendly packaging and reducing plastic use, but some fans have expressed concern that this could lead to figures being easily stolen or damaged in box. Frankly, I cannot say this is unfounded. During a recent shopping trip I did see Core Class Ravage gone from his packaging. He had simply been torn out. Now, it's probably easier to do that with a Core Class figure than a Deluxe or Voyager, but the concern is a valid one and I will be interested to see where this design choice goes in the future.
The box art itself is pretty spectacular. The more Earth-tone colors of Kingdom have been traded up for a very retro-scifi (circa the 90's) look. The background tones are mostly purple and black and the Legacy logo just screams "Pay Attention to Me!!!" with its sharp angles and beveled letters that look like something right out of 90's toy packaging (and yes, this is what the BWTF logo circa 2022 is a homage to). On the right is the now traditional vertical Transformers logo with the Generations logo above that. Both have a "worn metal" coloring on them that really looks great. Since Shockwave is packaged in robot mode, the art on the top flap shows his vehicle form. To the left of that is the name "Shockwave" without a "Universe" called out, which presumably means the line defaults to "G1" as an assumed universe. The side flap shows Shockwave in robot mode, holding his radar dish accessory. The back of the box features Shockwave in both modes, calling out an 11 step transformation. Generally, Legacy boxes feature a QR code to scan to see the character's tech specs but in this case it is printed on the instruction booklet. I have screen captured and composited the tech spec in the gallery below.
Background:
Shockwave was one of the original Transformers characters introduced in both the 1984 comic books and cartoon. The character would have a substantial presence for years to come in various interpretations including a Combiner Wars version and a recent Cyberverse version. However, for this Core Class figure the designers at Hasbro and Takara Tomy decided to mine a more recent source for inspiration: Siege Voyager Class Shockwave. Shockwave continues the tradition of releasing characters (such as Hot Rod) who have had figures in larger size classes released in the last few years.
Accessories:
Shockwave includes a radar dish, which may not be one of the most obvious accesories for the character but there is likely a twofold explanation for this. First, this is likely part of the concept of having weapons from various figures combining as posted about by Mark Maher on Instagram. Second, it might be a possible side reference to the Unicron Trilogy's Shockblast who was inspired by Shockwave but transformed into a satellite and tank. The dish is pretty large compared to the figure and features 3mm posts on the bottom and back. The pointed part in the middle can accommodate Blast Effects, which is a nice touch. The dish is purple plastic with silver and red paint.
Robot Mode:
In G1 Shockwave was a straightforward robot to "space gun" Transformers figure. However, over the years the toy market has become less hospitable to any action figure transforming into weapons that could potentially be mistaken for a real life weapon. To that end, Shockwave's modern day forms are often vehicles of some kind such as a tank or space ship. The Siege version for instance transformed into a spaceship that looked like some type of large warship or troop carrier. This figure is based on that design.
For the robot mode, this means Shockwave largely has G1 influences including the design of his head, chest, arms and legs. Iconic design elements include his ingle eye with the "ears" on the sides of his head, his left forearm having a blaster mounted on the end instead of a fist and the wide, six-sided chest design. Like the Siege Shockwave figure, this one has a lot of small mechanical details etched into every limb. I really appreciate how much the designers tried to get the "feel" of the Siege figure worked into this smaller design and for the most part it is very effective.
Shockwave is made up entirely of dark purple plastic, which surprised me since most Transformers tend to have at least two plastic colors. The purple shade is actually darker than it came out in my photos. Silver paint is used on several parts including parts of the back, the "ears", the chest, thighs and feet. His eye is painted yellow with a black background. Both shoulders have Decepticon symbols on them. Honestly I think he looks fantastic given the size class. The only additional deco I would have liked is maybe some lavender color on his "blaster hand".
There are nine points of articulation on this figure. That may not sound like a lot by today's standards, but many of these points are ball joints so his range of motion is pretty good. In a way he's a bit of a throwback to the G2/Beast Wars era where ball joints were largely used for articulation. His "blaster hand" can fit a Blast Effect and if you want him randomly shooting lasers out his back they can attach to the cannons on his back as well. Shockwave has several attachment points for 3mm peg weapons including ports on his shoulders, fist and legs. Once you accumulate enough Core Class figure weapons you can really arm him up Siege style!
Transformation to Vehicle Mode:
- Detach the accessory and set it aside for now.
- Straighten out the arms and legs.
- Swing each of the arms up so he is holding his arms up over his head, then rotate the arms around at the shoulders.
- Swing the cannons on his back along with the wings out to the sides.
- Swing the wing section on the back up. This will fold the robot head into the chest and swing up the central tower for the ship mode.
- Connect the arms to the back/wing piece.
- Swing the peg behind the tower down.
- The thighs are connected to a central hip piece that swings forward. Swing that piece forward.
- Swing the legs forward, then rotate the lower legs out to the sides and over the thighs. Connect them together, forming the front of the ship.
- Connect the radar dish to the area behind the central tower.
Vehicle Mode:
As someone who loves "pocket sized Transformers toys", Shockwave's vehicle mode is a bit of a treat as it is clearly meant to be a tiny version of his Voyager Class counterpart's vehicle mode. It has the same general design with a flat, rectangular front end that resembles G1 Shockwave's blaster mode. The middle has a central control tower and behind that are large missile pods. The sides each have a large cannon (resembling Shockwave's arm blaster) and small wings on the sides. The biggest difference is the huge radar dish behind the tower.
Silver makes up most of the color detailing in this mode. I do wish there had been a line of silver on the control tower, but it looks great otherwise.
This "ship" mode has one curious feature: a 5mm peg on the bottom. Sure we could say it's some weirdo ship detail, but nope! It's actually a peg so he can be held as a blaster similar to Combiner Wars Shockwave in his "vehicle" mode.
Final Thoughts:
Given how there is a separate Core Class Shockwave figure on shelves now, this figure is being released at an odd time (though I grant the two designs are not the same). At the same time, I love the idea of cool, small size Transformers figures that you can just toss into your bookbag or jacket pocket. Overall, I think this figure is very successful. Recommended if you want a small size Shockwave that transforms into a ship.
Pros:
- Cool scupt that emulates the Siege Shockwave nicely.
- Nice deco (especially if you consider it's mostly silver and purple).
- Good articulation for this class of figure.
- Intuitive transformation.
Cons:
- Could use a tad more deco.
