chuckdawg1999

Megatron and Starscream are the real standouts from wave 1 of the Authentics line with Megatron being the best figure overall from wave 1. While simple, these figures are highly articulated and would fit in with any Scout/Legends sized figure.

Outside of some tolerance issues with the chest Voyager Starscream is a good figure and is using the best Tetrajet mold we'll probably get outside of Masterpiece. Many people will consider this figure a shell former and I don't feel that's accurate since there's a lot going on with the jet parts and main body coming together. This figure would be a solid addition to any collection.

While the Scout Class in the Cyberverse line is one of, if not the most polarizing sublines in Transformers history, I enjoy the figures for what they are. Shadow Striker features a fun spring-loaded blast effect that kinda reminds me of Mario Kart for some reason. Ultimately, I see most collectors passing on the figure and holding out for a Warrior Class version.

One of the last figures released from the Energon Igniters subline from Bumblebee: The Movie, Nitro Class Blitzwing is an interesting figure. Hasbro was able to work a nod to Animated by including a face-changing gimmick into the figure, a nice touch that's usually not found on these simplified figures. While I feel Dropkick is the overall better figure from the Nitro Class, Blitzwing might have some interest to fans of the movie and Animated.

Hasbro has gone ahead and saved the best for last, Ironhide is a fantastic figure and the best of the Power/Power+ subline. The transformation is the most involved of any previous Power figure and has the added benefit of ball-jointed arms. Ironhide is definitely worth a pick-up.

This is a figure that a lot of people were looking for when it was revealed, even people who don't usually enjoy simplified figures. This version of Soundwave is a tribute of sorts to a certain style and period during the 1980s. Turn up the melodic rock and enjoy this great toy.

With Ultimate Class Bumblebee there are now Bees at every price point and size, sorta like a fast food menu. While there's a chunk to the figure, the thin plastic makes me feel concerned over time that the toy won't be able to hold up to normal play. Transformation is surprisingly involved but again the thin plastic brings me concern. Overall, I think there are better options to get your Bumblebee fix in this line.

Bumblebee is, unfortunately, the weakest figure of this wave, which is a shame since the character is the main focus of the show. Bumblebee uses the newer side rotation transformation which was first seen on TLK One-Step Drift I believe. While a fun transformation it does result in the car kibble almost forming a cape of sorts around the figure. This can be an easy pass as there's plenty of other options for Bumblebee in the line.

With Ultra Class Optimus Prime there is now at least one Prime for every price point in the Cyberverse line, with more to come. It's not the best figure but it's not bad either, it's just there. My one major complaint is that the legs activate the action feature, which results in a very long cab if the shield isn't deployed. I can't give a solid yay or nay on this figure so the decision on purchasing is up to you.

Nitro Class Dropkick is one of the best figures I've handled thus far in 2019. It's chunky and all the parts come together solidly in both modes making for a pleasurable transformation back and forth. I can't recommend this figure enough, but I also know many of you will pass on it just because it's been labeled a simplified figure.

Prowl has always been one of my favorite characters so I was quite happy to see its inclusion in the Cyberverse line. The last time we got a One-Step figure was back during AOE and it was a curious addition which gave me hope for more "Classic" characters getting the One-Step treatment. Transformation for Prowl is simple but I feel the action attack would've benefited from a spring-loaded action like the transformation. Overall, this is one of my favorite One-Step figures we've gotten thus far in the Cyberverse line.

This version of Optimus Prime features one of the smoothest Transformations I've experienced from a one-step figure. In robot mode, the figure looks very close to the animation model and I like the axe hand feature as it swivels independently and adds another level of play to the figure. Most are going to pass on this figure which is a shame since it's a fun little toy.

To my surprise, Hasbro downscaled their Wave 1 Alpha Class Grimlock to a pocket-friendly size. Transformation is identical to the larger scaled figure but as to be expected, paint details are lost and the small dino arms are just molded in. Bravo Class Grimlock makes for the perfect desk toy and is fun to have.

In what can be considered the natural evolution of One Step changers, Action Attackers feature the same simplified transformations but with the bonus of a weapon feature. Megatron features a firing Fusion cannon naturally and a robot mode that is closer to the show model than the previous One Step Megatron release. Ultimately there's nothing I can say that will steer most collectors towards this line but if you're looking to try something fun and simple, you can't go wrong with this line.

For many collectors, the Authentics line is a series of figures that can be overlooked. That's a shame since a few of the figures tic many of the necessary boxes for collectors. Alpha Class Megatron, for example, features a nice amount of articulation and a transformation while simple is surprisingly involved. If you should happen to see Megs on a shelf it's definitely worth a pickup.

Hot Rod is an ok figure but I think a lot of collectors and fans are going to find it lacking. The flame gimmick is ok but it really doesn't do much and doesn't look to have any offensive purpose. Transformation is fun but there isn't a stand out wow moment. I think only fans of the character will really want the toy.

The Warrior Class from the Cyberverse line has been hit or miss, mostly miss. Soundwave benefits from a gimmick that isn't tied to a limb or something more intrusive. Yes it's still a simplified figure, and it doesn't have the articulation most collectors would want, but it's an overall good figure that I feel a lot of fans and collectors would be satisfied with.

Ultra Class Slipstream is a good figure. While not overly articulated it does enough to have a fair amount of play value. The action gimmick is relatively unobtrusive and fun, while the transformation is surprisingly involved for a simplified figure. Overall I feel this is worth a look if not a purchase.

There was once a time I really liked the Aerialbot mold, that time has passed. this figure was floppy, the wings are bent out of the box, and it's just not fun. I hope we get a better Darkwing down the line.

The Evolution gimmick in the Power of the Primes line allowed for a basic Voyagerish figure to merge with some extra parts into a more powerful version of the character. The two figures that best utilized this gimmick were the first two released, Optimus Prime and Rodimus Prime. Unfortunately, neither pulled the gimmick off as well as they could. Optimus is the better overall figure but the entire transformation process screams this was designed for Powermaster Optimus Prime, not Orion Pax. Rodimus embodies the gimmick perfectly but the transformation and resulting robot mode are lacking. Ultimately both figures are good, not great members of a somewhat lackluster line.

The Speed Series from the Energon Igniters subline of the Bumblebee movie line, are the smallest figures in the line, close to the old Legion Class. Out of the five, the Volkswagon Bumblebee is the best but the Barricade/Hot Rod mold makes for a fun car that works well with the Igniter engine. If you can find these figures for retail or less pick one up.

There's something barbaric to the idea of Weaponizers from the Siege line. I mean Cog's allies are meant to rip it apart and wear it as armor or weapons. It's also a lot of fun that opens up the playability of the COMBAT system to a whole other level. As a figure, Cog isn't the best and many other reviewers and collectors have mentioned that the joints are extra loose and Cog wants to come apart just a little too easily. With that said if you're nostalgic like I am for the G1 Fortress Maximus it's a really fun figure to have in an updated form.

Sitting in the shadows of Sideswipe and Skytread, Hound is a surprisingly overlooked member of wave 1 from the Siege line. The figure does have a fiddly leg transformation that might turn some people off, but robot mode is stocky and solid. The solid build makes Hound an excellent choice to pair with the Weaponizer figures. While not a first choice, Hound is a solid figure and definitely worth a pick-up.

I've always been a fan of the One-Step style figures so when we saw that there would be G1ish styled figures released in the Cyberverse line I was quite pleased. Well, for one reason or another these have been somewhat hard to find in certain areas but I got lucky and am VERY happy to bring them to you now. If you're going to buy one, Starscream is my personal favorite, but all of them would make for great desk toys.

Skytread, renamed from Flywheels, is the Duocon partner of Battletrap. The difference in the Siege line is that Skytread does not feature individual robot modes for each vehicle component. I feel this makes for a more stable figure and an overall cleaner look. I would almost wish for a redo of Battletrap done in this neo-classic style.