Transformers Studio Series 86 Soundwave review

Blah blah blah Soundwave superior blah blah blah a Constructicons inferior blah blah blah 1986 movie look we get it already. We know how his toys work and how the cassettes deploy, we know he is blue and evil. What else can be said about him by this point beyond the decision to make this figure 2 years after the Legacy United line reissued Netflix Soundwave? Given the downfall of current day Leaders of late, I made a review talking about how the tape recording Con compared to SS86 Springer, who just barely won. The decision to make a 2020 Voyager with barely any changes beyond some slight deco tweaks and hopefully not yellowing would have been fine enough if it weren't for the fact that a set that cost around $40 more or less increased by nearly $20. The fact that it was also released around the same time as Dramatic Capture Series Soundwave also proves how much easier it would have been to just make a new mold rather than make us do two repaints too close to each other. Rant out of the way, it's time to see if this figure is worth buying or not at another mark up.

Here we have Soundwave in his tape recorder mode. Once again, this rectangle looks fine as it usually does, and while I don't mind the colorless door since it lets the inner details be better appreciated, I hate how the bottom section has none of the silver to help the button layout stand out better. Just paint it in, guys! While the rec/batt decal is not present the bulb is sculpted but not painted. At least R and L are intact for the speakers. 

The back section is thankfully more filled in than the Netflix version and arguably better than the Masterpiece and Core Class versions. The G1 version still is the most filled in, but it is a simpler toy after all. 

The tape deck can open without issue as per usual with the button on top, and I say without issue because unlike Siege and Netflix, this Soundwave can store tapes without getting the door jammed. Took them 3 tries to fix that, but still better than a third strike.

The three cassettes he comes with include Laserbeak, Ravage, and Buzzsaw. While they end up looking slightly better in hand than in stock photos, I wish there was more paint to make these appear less gappy and broken up as possible. I appreciate the spokes in the center representing the tape spools, but there is still room for improvement. The transformations thankfully are better than the Siege versions, and I don't mind the partsforming weapons given they don't compromise the animals as much as on others (cough Steeljaw).

Here we have them with the over versions. Laserbeak transforms more like the MP instead of the cartoon, and Ravage thankfully isn't as chunky. The older versions had far more paint, though. In fact, the red and yellow on the birds is the only paint applied beyond the eyes and wings.

And here we have them with the other Cassette partners of Soundwave. Frenzy and Rumble came individually at a ridiculous price of $10, while Ratbat was part of a Target exclusive retool of Perceptor that also came with Ramhorn. As for the Soundwave duo, here we have Netflix/Legacy United with SS86. While the size differences are barely the priority, I can at least say that the proportions/panel lining are far less prominent on the newer toy than the original. I also like the bottom trim is smoothened out instead of awkwardly having a bumper in front, but I already mentioned that it's not broken up with some silver/grey. Not helping is that the golden yellow lines weren't completed near the door. So much better with being closer to the proper look of the altmode, but some details are annoyingly missing.

Transformation is slightly different from what we had in the past, with the major new differences being the ability to just out the front parts of the shins that were previously kept sticking out on Netflix. The figure ends up with less hollow spots in the forearms as well as having a proper backpack compared to not having one in the Netflix version, though the waist rotation used before is carried over. The resulting robot mode is proportionally much closer to the cartoon than it previously was depicted, and as a result doesn't appear as wide as what we previously had. Ironically, the Siege version had his body frame closer to the character design rather than Netflix, but this ends up being closer to how he appeared in the show. Even moreso than the MP version. I also appreciate that the shade of blue used isn't as bright as it appeared on Thundercracker. Sometimes, he appeared a bit darker in a few G1 episodes, but the movie has a more saturated palette. While he isn't as detailed as the WFC trilogy toys, it doesn't hurt him as much as, say, Windcharger.

Head sculpt is standard affair for Soundwave. Thankfully the mouthplate and visor are easier to pick out with the brighter colors than on the Netflix version. As for his articulation, it consists of mostly the same points as the Netflix version, though now the fingers are able to move while the arms are on butterfly joints and the feet can hinge up for more naturalistic stepping movement. While the cannons still resemble batteries, the silver bit should be rotated on this version's handgun yet it isn't.

Laserbeak or Buzzsaw can perch onto Soundwave's arm via tabs on the forearms, though they barely stay in place. Either the slots are too wide or the tabs just suck as they are.

For a robot mode size comparison, have the same pic from the Thundercracker review. Still feels a bit weird not having Starscream in this size comparison, but besides that, the scale here is also kept accurately to the cartoon. I know Hasbro has a Shockwave on the way, but so far, I'm extremely uninterested in getting a smoother version of a character just for the accuracy when he is not upscaled and cost barely less than the price that Siege Shockwave went for in 2019.

And here he is with his Netflix counterpart. I like the size bump and better proportions, and that takes me back to what I said earlier: we should.habe had this in 2024 instead of Legacy United. It would be one thing to make a straight reissue without any changes, but to put him in a larger size class and justify the price with a Core Class figure that is barely worth its regular asking price is ludicrous. Granted, this also has issues of its own, like the missing paint apps, the cassettes suck in that specific mode, and the price hike is garbage, but this still manages to be better overall than the Netflix version just from being a new mold from the ground up rather than reusing existing parts. Not saying that the Netflix version is automatically garbage beyond the 1.0 version yellowing, but this would have been an easier purchase to go with had it been from a time where Leader Class figures weren't seen as laughable now as they were in the small few years prior to 2025/6. Hell, this easily beats the upcoming Astrotrain without a doubt, and now I want to work on a rant regarding the most recent Studio Series figures coming soon...

Final ranking: ⭐⭐⭐ and a half out of ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐