Most toys ofSoundwave tend to fall into one of two camps: very Geewun, or very not.

Toys

Generations

War for Cybertron

Nogiant guitar this time!

• Cybertronian Soundwave (Deluxe Class, 2010)

• Accessories: Handgun, missile launcher
• Known designers:Joe Kyde (Hasbro)

Part of the third wave ofGenerations Deluxe Class toys,War for Cybertron "Cybertronian Soundwave" transforms into a Cybertronian "communications truck", as seen inthe video game.

He comes with his classic shoulder launcher and rifle, both of which can be held in his hands, mounted on his right shoulder, or mounted on his rear vehicle sides via5 mm posts. Both weapons can also store inside his chest compartment (once you compress the handgun's barrel into its main body), approximating the visual of cassette spools.

Soundwave's head features alight-piping gimmick, but the effect is largely neutered by his painted visor.

This mold wasredecoed intoUnitedSoundwave Cybertron Mode andKnights of Unicron Soundwave.

• More information on Cybertronian Soundwave at TFU.info

Fall of Cybertron

With all the downsizing, Soundwave's surprised he's gotten so big. (Hasbro version pictured)

(Takara version pictured)

• Soundwave (Voyager Class, 2012)

• Series / Number:1 / #001
• TakaraTomy ID number:TG13
• Accessories: Laserbeak/Data disc, shoulder cannon
• Known designers:Aaron Archer (Hasbro),Takashi Kunihiro (TakaraTomy),Andrew Scribner (deco artist)

Part of the first wave of2012 Voyager ClassGenerationsFall of Cybertron toys, Soundwave transforms into a Cybertronian armored vehicle, and comes with a shoulder cannon which can peg (via 5mm post) into his hands, right shoulder, and roof/back.

He also comes withLegends ClassLaserbeak, who utilizes Soundwave's maingimmick, storing and launching Laserbeak and other "data disc" minions. A button to the left of his head can be pressed to open his spring-loaded chest compartment, allowing up to three data discs to be stored inside. With discs stored, his back panel/roof now acts as a plunger, which can be moved forward in either mode to launch minions out. Launched minions should land on buttons on their undersides, thus triggering theirspring-loaded transformation mechanisms and springing them into action! ...hopefully.

As an undocumented feature, the seat on his vehicle roof holdsDiaclone drivers (and by virtue of similar sizes,Star Wars Transformers pilots). Additionally, Soundwave's trigger finger is molded into his left hand, presumably so he can push his own eject button.

For some reason, hisstock photography andinstructions depict him with theGeneration 1Optimus Prime toy'sIon blaster accessory, which isn't included with the final product.

TheTakaraTomy release of Soundwave, part of the fourth wave of JapaneseGenerations toys, features different colors, using a more purple-ish metallic shade of blue and replacing almost all of his gray parts (the exceptions being his face and "grill") with a much darker metallic shade. It also features none of the red and yellowpaint details on his arms and legs, and renders the seat on his roof black. He features new paint applications in addition to those not present from the Hasbro version.

The Hasbro deco of Soundwave wasrepurposed as2005 IDW continuitySoundwave in IDW'sRobots in Disguise comic series while the TakaraTomy deco of Soundwave was also repurposed asCloudSoundwave. This mold wasredecoed andretooled intoAutobot Blaster.

• More information onFall of Cybertron Soundwave at TFU.info

"Am INew Soundwave, orOldOldOld Soundwave?"

• Soundblaster (Voyager Class, 2012)

• Series / Number:1 / #002
• TakaraTomy ID number:TG14
• Accessories: "Buzzsaw" data disc, shoulder cannon

Also available in the first wave of2012 Voyager ClassGenerations Fall of Cybertron toys, Soundblaster is a charcoal gray, red, gold, and yellowredeco of Voyager Class Soundwave, as is the trend withSoundblasters. In fact, he uses exactly the samepaint mask as Soundwave, simply changing some of the colors.

He now comes withBuzzsaw, a redeco of Laserbeak.

His stock photography and instructions still depict him with the ion blaster accessory which he still doesn't have.

• More information on Soundblaster at TFU.info

Prime

Robots in Disguise

Toy doesn't talk, just like in the TV show!

Good luck stickering this guy!You'll need it.

• Soundwave (Deluxe Class, 2012)

• Series / Number:1 / 004
• TakaraTomy ID number:AM-09
• TakaraTomy release date:April 28, 2012
• Accessories:Laserbeak, Arms Micron "Zori" (TakaraTomy only)

Part of the first wave ofPrime: Robots in Disguise toys, Soundwave transforms from a UAV not unlike thePredator B drone into an angular batlikerobot mode. His transformation includes a spring-loaded head that deploys automatically when his tail and thrust bottle are folded up. His vehicle mode has a5mm port on the top of its fuselage; the robot also has 5mm sockets passing entirely through his palms.

He comes withLaserbeak, who can store inside Soundwave's chest in either mode, or be mounted on any of the 5 mm holes.

In wave six of thePrime toyline, Soundwave was put into new packaging, which came with a DVD featuring thePrime episode "Loose Cannons".

TheTakaraTomy release of Soundwave, part of the second wave of JapanesePrime product, has considerable differences from theHasbro version. Most of the Hasbropaint operations have been removed and replaced with numerous, small, customer-applied foilstickers, including ones for his tiny sculpted kneecaps, which are practically guaranteed to peel off at the sides. In addition, theinstructions for applying the stickers unfortunately contain an error, with the placement of stickers 14 and 15 being swapped around.

Cannons with 5mm ports and posts have been added to his wings (on his shoulders in robot mode) in order to accommodate the line-wideArms Micron gimmick. He also includesZori, a robotic scorpion that transforms into one of Soundwave's in-show tech-tentacles.

The Hasbro version of this mold was redecoed into theAdvanced Stealth B.A.T.s duo, which were sold withOld Snake through theTransformers Collectors' Club as a "Club Crossover" exclusive toy, also available to the G.I. Joe Collectors' Club.

• More information on Hasbro Soundwave at TFU.info
• Arms Micron Soundwave gallery at Alfes's blog

Cyberverse

This is what happens when you letKnock Out choose your alt mode.

• Soundwave (Legion Class,2012)

• Series:2
• Number:007
• Accessories: "Hacking tool"
• Known designers:Joe Kyde (Hasbro)

Cyberverse Series 2 Soundwave is a dark blue and silver redeco/retool of theDark of the MoonCyberverse Legion Class Soundwave toy, transforming into a fully-licensedMercedes-Benz SLS AMG and featuring a retooled left hand to be able to holdCyberverse weapons. He comes with the same weapon/tool accessory as thePrime Cyberverse Legion ClassVehicon (later also used byDecepticon Flamewar, in an ever-so-slightly different color). In a bizarre instance of aquality control error, the figure'spackaging has itsbio printed in white instead of black ink, making it impossible to read on the white background of the card.

The United States market release of Soundwave used the template for theTransformers: Prime-based Series 2 Cyberverse Legion Class packaging style but lacked the "Prime" moniker, thus arguably making him anotherSoundwave. Themultilingual European market packaging, meanwhile, retained thePrime title.

• More information onCyberverse Series 2 Soundwave at TFU.info

Now let's seeLaserbeak pop out ofthis guy's chest.

• Soundwave (Legion Class, 2013)

• Series / Number:3 / 005
• Accessories: "Sonic Saw"
• Known designers:Joe Kyde (Hasbro)

Part of the second wave ofPrime: Beast HuntersSeries 3 Cyberverse Legion Class toys, Soundwave is a smaller-scale toy. He comes with a "Sonic Saw" rifle with a chainsaw bayonet, and the weapon features four3mm posts and two ports, allowing it to peg onto any of the ports on Soundwave's hands, forearms/wings, and back/fuselage. This weapon, in varying colors, was also used byHun-Gurrr,Smokescreen, and theAir Vehicon. Arunning change gave his face a slightly darker, more glossy paint job.

In 2017, this Soundwave also saw release as a one of the 3 random free Legion Class gifts for the Walmart exclusive Blu-Ray release of thefourlive-actionmovies.

This mold was also used to makeThe Last KnightRavenspar.

• More information on Cyberverse Soundwave at TFU.info

Beast Hunters

Yeah, being lost in the wilderness for a couple of months will do that to you.

• Soundwave (Deluxe Class, 2013)

• Series / Number:2 / 002
• Accessories: "Ravage" Mini-Con, "Talon Grapple Cannon"
• Known designers:Andrew Scribner (deco artist)

Part of the first wave ofBeast Hunters Deluxe Class toys, Soundwave is a redeco and extensiveretooling of theRobots in Disguise Soundwave mold, and transforms into a spiky aerial drone with a massive wingspan and three tail-fins. Aside from the usual peg-holes on his fuselage and palms, his wings have been retooled with two new peg-holes, with one on each wing. Instead of Laserbeak, Soundwave features a new partner in the form ofRavage, a robotic jaguar that transforms into a thing that fits into Soundwave's chest just as Laserbeak did.

Soundwave also comes with the "Talon Grapple Cannon", a spring-loaded launcher that fires amissile with an opening "claw" at the end, with the missile and launcher being tied together with a length of string. The launcher itself features an additional peg on each side, and its main peg is sculpted to be able to fit in the specially-shaped socket on his chest, allowing the cannon to mount on his vehicle mode underside when Ravage is removed.

His instructions include thesecond chapter of theTales of the Beast Hunters series.

This toy also served as the basis of the non-toyBeast Wars: Uprising incarnation ofBotanica.

• More information onBeast Hunters Soundwave at TFU.info

Go!

Megatron's optics were quickly poked out.

• Hunter Soundwave (Deluxe, 2013)

• ID number:G18
• Release date:April 27, 2013
• Accessories:Ravage, "Capture Anchor" weapon

Part of the first wave ofTakaraTomy'sTransformers Go! toys, Hunter Soundwave is a redeco of theBeast Hunters Deluxe Class Soundwave toy above, now featuring a different blue, white, and black color scheme with a red faceplate.

The back of the packaging erroneously depicts theBeast Hunters version of the toy.

EZ Collection

• Soundwave (EZ Collection, 2013)

• ID number:EG-09
• Release date:October 26, 2013
• Accessories: Sonic Saw

Part of the second wave of TakaraTomy's mixed-themeEZ Collection single packed figures that ran duringTransformers Go!, Soundwave is a minimally-changed redeco of Hasbro's Legion Class Soundwave figure, using an ever-so-slightly lighter shade of metallic blue for the base plastic color, while the black paint operations on the abdomen and knees get changed to metallic gray. The paint mask is mostly identical, with the only exception being the head, which this version paints a show-accurate blue.^[1]

Robots in Disguise (2015)

Super Soundwave FUSION!!!

• Soundwave (Warrior Class, 2017)

• Accessories: Shoulder cannon

Released in the tenth wave ofRobots in Disguise Warrior Class toys, a part of theCombiner Force subline imprint, Soundwave transforms from chunky robot into a Cybertronian armored truck. His shoulder cannon has its own swivel joint, allowing it to angle up (but not down), and can of course be rotated in any socket it's placed in. It can also be removed and placed in Soundwave's hand, albeit with some difficulty. However, without the shoulder turret in place, Soundwave's upper torso has a tendency to swing forward. Although this is undocumented, the shoulder cannon can be hidden inside the truck mode by sliding it between Soundwave's thighs and securing it with the hollows of his feet.

Unused head variant.

Scanning the badge on his chest into theRobots in Disguise phone game unlocks 8 Ultra Sparks and 2 Tickets instead of a playable version of the character.

His package art shows his head with the addition of a faceplate, for more of aGeneration 1 look; this design is known to exist as a pre-tooled alternate head for the toy, thanks to a (thus far) one-off misassembled figure using it.

• Laserbeak / Soundwave (Activators, 2017)

• Accessories:Laserbeak

Released as part of the third and final wave ofActivator Combiners, this Soundwave is a larger-but-simpler-than-Warrior figure that transforms into his SUV mode. Plugging an Activator Mini-Con, such as his pack-in partner Laserbeak (in his Weapon Mode), onto his vehicle-mode roof activates "Throttle Up" mode, flipping out his side doors to reveal hidden missiles.

Unlike mostRobots in Disguise Soundwave toys, his wheels are molded in black instead of red.

• Soundwave (1-Step Changer, 2017)

Released as part of (and the only new toy) in the twelfth wave ofOne-Step Changers, Soundwave transforms from an SUV into a robot in just one step, triggered by flipping up his front vehicle kibble to his back. Soundwave also features 5mm-compatible hands.

Due to being one of the lastRobots in Disguise figures released, he was never added to the mobile game and thus his insignia is rendered useless and unrecognizable by the app.

This mold was later redecoed intoCyberverse One-Step ChangerSoundwave, and had its engineering reused forCyberverse One-Step ChangerRatchet.

• Soundwave (3-Step Changer, 2017)

Released in the twelfth and final wave of Three-Step Changers lineup, Soundwave is functionally an upscale of the One-Step changer version, and as such changes from armored car to robot automatically when his front bumper is lifted up. He features articulation at his elbows and 5 mm compatible fists.

Merchandise

Mashems

• Transformers: Prime (2012)

Available in a 2-pack with Optimus Prime, Soundwave is a super-deformed version of his cartoon model and is made out of a very squishy material.

Soundwave was also available in a 6-pack with Optimus Prime, Bumblebee, Bulkhead, Ratchet, and Megatron, identical to his previous release. Yet another version was released in a blind box and has a different head sculpt.

If you build it, they will play. Thistoys & merchandise-related article is astub. You can helpTransformers Wiki byexpanding it.

Kinder Surprise

• Transformers: Prime (2014)

Only available inside a blindpacked chocolate egg as part of Kinder'sTransformers: Prime series, this buildable Soundwave mini-figure consists of a generic "cog" onto which his limbs and armor can be clipped to construct him. He has articulation in his shoulders.

Thrilling 30

• Soundwave (Collectible Figurine, 2014)
  • Series / Number:2 / #24
  • Accessories: Collector's base

A super-deformed Soundwave was released among the blindpackedThrilling 30 Collectible Figurines byGoldie Marketing. He comes with a base to help him stand, a collector's card that doubles as a puzzle piece, and a checklist.

• Collectible Figurines (5-pack, 2014)
  • Series:2
  • Accessories: 5 collector's bases

The same Soundwave figurine was also available in a 5-pack alongsideBumblebee,Shockwave,Wheeljack and anInsecticon.

Let's see what you can see... This article is in need of images.

Notes

Arms Up Modes

In the JapanesePrime toyline, Soundwave has named powered-up modes when given variousArms Microns in certain configurations:

• Night Attack Mode (ナイトアタックモードNaito Atakku Mōdo)
  • Arms Microns: Balo, Jida, Zori

In this mode, shown on his box-back photo, Soundwave uses the two-Micron weaponSpike Hammer Rod, whileJida in "Defense Shield" mode hangs on his left shoulder. What exactly makes all this ideal for nighttime attacks is anyone's guess.

• Jet Mode (ジェットモードJetto Mōdo)
  • Arms Microns: Gora (x2), Zori

Meant simply for flying in fast and blowing crap up, this heavily modified version of Soundwave requires some real work. Because of all the recycled non-Transformers parts in this mode, TakaraTomy designerTakashi Nakase has nicknamed this version "Recycle Mode". Two jet thruster/fuel tanks are created using bottles from a Japanese "common yogurt drink" and a pair ofGoras painted up silver, with snipped Arms Micron sprues added on for detail. Soundwave also carries a large weapon made from Zori, a plastic fork, and more sprues. Yes, a plastic fork. You read that correctly.

There is also a vehicle mode configuration for this Arms Up Mode, with the massive turbines on the end of Soundwave's wings and the weapon on top of the main body. The whole shebang can be seenin this TakaraTomy developer video on YouTube.

References