This year for San Diego Comic-Con, Hasbro offered two Soundwave exclusives for fans. Not only was Soundwave offered a G.I. Joe Hisstank in the G.I. Joe/Transformers Crossover Box Set, but he was also re-imagined to look like one of today’s mobile tablets used for wireless internet access and more.
Thank you to Hasbro for providing their San Diego Comic-Con 2016 Exclusive Transformers Evolution Soundwave figure for review.
Official Product Description:
TRANSFORMERS SOUNDWAVE Tablet
(Ages 8 years & up/Approx. Retail Price: $39.99/ Available at HasbroToyShop.com on August 9)
TRANSFORMERS continue to push the boundaries in MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE with the introduction of the SOUNDWAVE Tablet, available at 2016 San Diego Comic Con. One of TRANSFORMERS most iconic Decepticons, SOUNDWAVE, comes to life from what appears to be an ordinary mobile tablet. With a few clicks and twists, this seemingly ordinary tablet converts into the extraordinary Decepticon SOUNDWAVE, capable of detecting and jamming Autobot transmissions across the entire energy spectrum.
Availability: July 20th-24th San Diego Comic-Con 2016; HasbroToyShop.com August 9th
Hasbro has gone back to the drawing board and recreated Soundwave to look like one of today’s tablets as if the Transformers were created in 2016 rather than 1984. Soundwave is best remembered as he could transform from a cassette player that can hold tapes, and transform into a robot for the Decepticon army. Other than the name and included minion, there is no likeness between the two.
The tablet could actually pass as an actual tablet used today, and if it wasn’t for the light weight, cracks in the plastic, and the incredible amount of detail on the back (as opposed to just being smooth) anyone would think this was an actual tablet. It even has non working buttons on the bottom, a camera hole on the back, and a place to plug in a wire on the side. This is an exceptional amount of detail for a $40 figure at San Diego Comic-Con.
The tablet transforms into a robot, which looks to be Michael Bay movie inspired compared to anything else. Since the tablet is flat, Soundwave’s chest is also flat, but parts of him do fold to give parts including the arms, legs, upper chest, feet, and back. The minion (either Laserbeak or Buzzsaw) can connect to his back though ports, and transforms into a bird-like object capable of spying for the Decepticons.
Soundwave’s articulation is limited, but he does have swivel shoulders, swivel biceps in two places, and swivel-hinged hips. He includes two blasters, and a shield that connects to his forearm.
Overall:
The detail and transformation is incredible and an exceptionally imaginative piece. Hasbro has done an incredible job here and have offered fans something new that otherwise might not have happened if this were offered to retailers (due to the size and price point).
While this might not be for everyone, there is a lot to love about this new Soundwave figure.
Recommended.
Purchase:
