Review – Transformers – Cybertron – Soundwave
Posted in2005 - Cybertron

Review – Transformers – Cybertron – Soundwave

Ah yes, Soundwave. One of the few G1 transformers that has been hardly ever remade but really probably deserved to be. We've had a ton of Megatron's and Starscreams but Soundwave has had what, that Beast Wars bat that turned into an Alligator? I've always thought Soundwave was cooler than Starscream personally, and who is more deserving of a remake than Megatron's right hand man? Of course the original Soundwave was a cassette deck. So how do you remake him? Cd Player? MP3 Player? Stereo system maybe? The newer lines haven't really used the idea of mass displacement. It's really…
Review – Transformers – Cybertron – Crosswise and Smokescreen
Posted in2005 - Cybertron

Review – Transformers – Cybertron – Crosswise and Smokescreen

It seems to me that Hasbro was strongly considering the upcoming classics line near the end of Cybertron. We got Blurr, we got Breakdown GTS, and we got Smokescreen, right at the tail end. It's actually fairly rare for Hasbro to release a G1 homage recolor and actually get the name correct. We're lucky that Smokescreen wasn't named Ironhide or Silverstreak really. But no, this color scheme belongs undisputedly to G1 Smokescreen, and the appropriate name was assigned. Still, that's only one hurdle for Hasbro to overcome. The other is mold. This deco could have easily been applied to a…
Review – Transformers – Cybertron – Downshift
Posted in2005 - Cybertron

Review – Transformers – Cybertron – Downshift

Transformers have had a pretty low point in their life the last few years. Armada and Energon has some fairly weak toy design in terms of sculpt and articulation. Seriously, what’s up with Armada Hot Shot’s shoulders? Still, Energon was better than Armada, and Cybertron has been better than Energon. Lately, Cybertron has even been better than itself. The toys are starting to receive joints that make sense again, they have all sorts of neat detailing, they have better alt modes, and better transformations. One of the latest Transformers released to the market is Downshift. Now, you may remember Energon…
Review – Transformers – Energon – Alpha Q
Posted in2004 - Energon

Review – Transformers – Energon – Alpha Q

Every once in a while we get a Transformer’s toy that doesn’t actually Transform into anything.  Alpha Quintesson (Alpha Q) is one such Transformer.  We first met the Quintessons back in Transformers the Movie.  They led a pack of hungry Sharkticons and liked to toss random bots into pits of doom.  As it turns out the Quintessons were more intertwined with the history and origin of the Transformers race then was originally believed.  Of course those Quints also looked like Eggs and had 5 faces (of darkness!).  This is Energon.  I couldn’t tell you what alpha Q’s role is in…
Review – Transformers – Beast Wars 2 – Lio Convoy and Galvatron
Posted in1998 - Beast Wars II

Review – Transformers – Beast Wars 2 – Lio Convoy and Galvatron

Lio Convoy  Beast Mode Wow, it's a bit bigger than I expected it to be. The white fur and gold mane really look nice on it, he looks very noble. As some people have mentioned though, the plastic seems kind of low grade compared to other toys. Minuses for this mode: the robot mode arms seem to have a bit of trouble keeping attached to the inner gray piece. This isn't helped by the mane pieces getting in the way of attaching them to the gray piece. Also the single joint on the front legs is kind of loose, so…