General Information:
Release Date: March 2022
Price Point: $33.99 (depending on retailer)
Retailer: General Release (Amazon, BigBadToyStore, Entertainment Earth etc.)
Accessories: "HI-KEP Concussion Blaster," "LR-HD Sonic Cannon," and "EMTX Blitz Charge Blaster" (combines to form "USW HF Sonic Compression Mega-Blaster")
Official images and text below in italics are from Hasbro.com:
- TRANSFORMERS G1-INSPIRED DESIGN: This Transformers: Legacy 7-inch Soundwave robot toy is inspired by the animated series, The Transformers, updated with a Generations-style design
- UNIVERSES COLLIDE: Universes 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 25 steps
- AWESOME ACCESSORIES: Comes with 3 blaster accessories that combine to form a larger weapon accessory
- QR CODE: Scan the QR 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)
- Ages 8 and up
- Warning: Choking Hazard - Small parts. Not for children under 3 years.
- Includes: figure, 3 accessories, and instructions.
Background:
Back in the War for Cybertron: Siege era a new version of Soundwave was released featuring the character in his past Cybertronian form. This figure was an interesting one. While he was mainly a two mode figure (robot/vehicle) he could also transform into his "lamp post" mode from G1 and even a (sort of) boom box mode. This figure's base sculpt was used a couple of times over the years and now it has been released as part of the Legacy toy line. To be frank, this figure is not a huge change from the previous release so this review will be relatively short. I recommend reading my Siege Soundwave review to see my detailed thoughts on the base sculpt.
Packaging:
As part of the Legacy line Soundwave has been repackaged in a Legacy style box. It has the angled shape of other Legacy boxes and an open window without any plastic window. It has all the purple and blue tones of the Legacy packaging with the huge Legacy logo in front, on top and off to the left side. Since Soundwave is packaged in robot mode the main box art in front shows him in his vehicle mode. The right side of the box shows him in robot mode. The other side features artwork showing Megatron, Dragstrip, Iguanus, Skywarp and Kickback. The back of the box features Soundwave in both modes calling out his 25 step transformation. While this figure is basically a very simple redeco/repack, the designers did take the time to set up a QR Code to scan for a new tech spec (which you can see in the gallery below).
Accessories:
Soundwave includes all the same accessories as the previous release. As far as I can tell, they are all still made up of the same plastic colors. One of the cannons still has the blaster end that can slide out (based on the one of G1 Soundwave's missiles). The only difference I will call out is that the red bands painted on the blue cannons looks like a slightly darker red than the one used on Siege Soundwave, but it is possible that is more of a result of the quantity of red paint being used. It's a reall subtle difference and not a big deal at all.
Robot Mode:
I spent some time looking at Siege and Legacy Soundwave side by side under different lighting conditions including my photography lightbox, sunlight and under my phone's flashlight and as far as I can tell the plastic colors used on both are the same: blue, silver and clear plastic. It makes sense as these are the classic Soundwave colors. For the most part, the paint colors are the same too. This includes the gold on the edges of his chest panel and on his legs. Black on the lower legs and distinctive yellow and pink dots on his knees. The biggest difference between the two? The lack of battle damage. Siege Soundwave had several areas of silver battle damage from his chest to his arms to the legs. The idea was to give him a worn look as if he's been through tons of battles (and for the most part I think it did a great job). Legacy Soundwave eliminates all that battle damage deco and instead has a "clean" look as if he just rolled off the assembly line.
All the ports and Blast Effect pegs on Soundwave still work nicely so no concerns about mold degradation from that standpoint. That said, the joints on the left arm and knee joints feel slightly less tight on Legacy Soundwave than they do on the Siege version. The figure can still be posed without issue.
Transformation to Vehicle Mode:
- Detach all the weapons and set them aside for now.
- Swing the back pack out, swing the head into the chest.
- Swing the back pack over the section where the head was.
- Swing the back of each lower leg up, then swing out the panel with the three circles on it.
- Push each leg into the interior of the lower legs.
- Swing the lower leg panels back down.
- Rotate each lower leg outward, then swing the panels on them back.
- Swing the chest forward, then up, pushing it into place against the middle of the vehicle. This will go over the edge of the panels from the lower legs.
- Swing each fist into the forearms.
- Swing each arm down. Rotate the forearms around, then clip them together.
- On the left side, swing the grey, triangular piece under the thruster section up.
- Attach each of the blue cannons to the thruster sections.
- Attach the grey blaster to the section under the right side thruster.
Vehicle Mode:
The deco in this mode remains the same minus the battle damage. It gives it clean look like a ship that was just built. The biggest splash of deco are the silver panels in the middle area and the vents. The black deco on the front and around the vents look great. Without the battle damage the silver and black details stand out a lot more. All the functionality of the figure is the same including attachment points for weapons and Blast Effects.
Final Thoughts:
Siege Soundwave was a fantastic figure in my book, and by extension this figure is great. That said, this is perhaps the most boring redeco they could have done. I would have preferred a more dramatic difference between this and the original version. Perhaps a purple and blue "Marvel" Soundwave or a Soundblaster based one? Basically this release is mostly for those who missed out on Siege Soundwave and want to add the sculpt to your collection. Personally I'm still hoping the retool of this figure as the later "Earth Mode" Boom Box Soundwave makes its way out of exclusive purgatory and into a mass release later on in Legacy. Soundwave is a great figure, but not the most impressive redeco.
Pros:
- Excellent G1 based robot mode sculpt.
- Good articulation.
- Plenty of attachment points for extra weapons.
- Fun play value.
- Lamp post mode!
Cons:
- The vehicle mode is a bit weird and not very "in character".
- As redecos go, this one is kind of dull (but ultimately it's great if you don't have a version of this figure already).
