U.S. Name: SOUNDWAVE   Jap. Name: SAME

Cartoon First Appearance: Episode #1: More than meet the eye P1, Season 1, Sept. 1984

Toy Catalog Number: 17

A quick comment:      Back to G-1: Review D-III      Teletran-1

This is my first Soundwave toy.  As a kid, I had always wanted to own one but never really got such luck due to financial problem.  So after two decades with all the rumor that Soundwave mold had been damaged, I thought I would never get another chance to see my number one Decepticon again.  Fortunately, Takara had proven everyone wrong by reissuing Soundwave.  Anyhow, I bought it on Sept. Xx Mmiii and it cost me $L, from Image Anime. 

R-0 Original Soundwave's motto and tech specifications:  

Affiliate: decepticons | Subgroup: none | Function: communication | Alt. Mode: walkman|

| STR 8 | INTL 9 | SPD 2 | ENDN 6 | RNK 8 | CRG 5 | FRPW 6 | SKL 10 |

Original G1 Soundwave Motto:

"Cries and screams are music to my ears."

Original G1 Soundwave Bio:

It is said Soundwave can hear a fly sneeze.  Uses anything he hears for blackmail to  advance his status.  Opportunist.  Despised by all other Decepticons.  Sensors can detect even lowest energy radio transmissions.  Able to read minds by monitoring electrical brain impulses.  Acts as radio link for others.  Locates and identifies Autobots, then informs Decepticons.  Carries a concussion blaster gun.  Often target of retaliation by his comrades.

These images were all photographed and scanned by me.  If you're a Transformers fan, this will definitely bring back some reminiscences.  

NOTE: Images are clearer when viewed with Internet Explorer browser.

- Click on the Thumbnails to view them at a Larger Scale -

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R-1 Soundwave in its Original condition:

1 - Front of the box.  

2 - Here's how it looked once you opened the cover revealing Laserbeak, Soundwave and contents. 

3 - Contents are sandwiched between two clear plastic tray while the paper works are sealed in a separate bag.

4 - These are all the contents that were included in the box/ package/ card: "1" walkman,  " 2" batteries/ guns, "3" missiles, "1" clear cassette tape, "1" cassette case, "2" cassette cannon,  "2" trading cards (Soundwave & Laserbeak), "1" Soundwave sticker sheet, "1" instruction sheet, "1" G1 PS2 game catalog ads, "1" miscellaneous text sheet, "1" world art image featuring Soundwave box art, "1" TF episode guide #64 to #65, Scramble City, and TFTM, "2" Dreamwave art with toy catalog (feature: Rodimus Prime, Hot Rod, Blurr, Wheelie, Wreckgar, Kup, Sandstorm, Springer, and Broadside), and "2" data files (images of Soundwave & Laserbeak).

NOTE-1:

The 2003 Reissue Soundwave came with some of the unusual contents that need to be clarified.  

1- The 2003 Reissue Soundwave is based on the "hinge version or the second variation of Soundwave mold."  Most of the US fans will not familiar with this version since it was only released in Japan in 1985, see R-7 and R-8 for more info.

2 - It does not come with headphone, mouthpiece, and a mini earphone like the 1984 or 1985 version.  Of course these items don't make any difference to the US fans since their original Soundwave didn't come with one.

3 - For US fans, the new reissue Soundwave come with Cassette Case for Laserbeak which was omitted out in US!  Of course the kids in Japan aren't surprise to see this since their original Soundwave came with one.

4 - It comes with Laserbeak instead of Buzzsaw.

R-2 Pre-Applied Decal/ Sticker: 

There are 9 Pre-Applied decal that had been applied onto Soundwave.  The first two stickers are located on either side of the front shoulder. The third sticker is located on Soundwave crotch, "rec and stop".  The forth and fifth stickers located on the knee while the six and seven stickers are just the side of that.  The eight sticker is the Decepticon Insignia which located on the door tape.  The last pre-applied sticker is the Decepticon Rub Sign logo located on the back of the Soundwave belt clip.

Sticker Sheet:

There are 6 registered numbering of stickers on the sticker sheet.  But in reality it's actually 9 stickers since some of the decals/ stickers are grouped or paired together and labeled it as one.    These registering numbering do not include the Pre-applied stickers.  

NOTE-2: Did you know that according to the U.S. 1984 & 1985 Soundwave Ads & Instruction Sheet, the big fat Sticker #1 should be applied at the inner side of Soundwave leg (large gray panel in walkman mode) and not on the battery like the Japanese Soundwaves?  The U.S. is wrong, that sticker is designed for the battery.

R-3 Soundwave in Walkman Mode: 

In walkman mode, Soundwave is a beautiful Sony micro cassette recorder whose measurement is approximately 4 1/2 x 3 1/8 x 1 14/16 (LxWxD) in inch.  If one look from far away, it is hard to tell whether Soundwave is a toy or a real walkman especially when you can clip him onto your belt or jean.  Soundwave tape buttons included: Play, Rec, Stop, Eject, RW, FF, Volume controller, and the last button I believe is a Pause button.  In an exception to the Eject, Volume controller, and the Pause buttons, all other buttons are fixed or non-movable.  Unfortunately, this reissue of Soundwave does not come with any ear/headphone like the original Japanese Soundwave back in the 80's to mimic the real walkman.  

For US fans in particular, don't be so surprise if the 2003 Reissue Soundwave doesn't look like your US Soundwave version when you see it.  The first difference is the tape main buttons since they are a little bit bigger, projected out more in thickness, and the buttons are fused as one not separate.  Lastly, the door tape hinge is expose out, not hidden.  See R-6 for more detail and info.

R-4 Battery Compartment & Tip: 

Soundwave gun and shoulder cannon can be converted into a battery and stored it in the back by removing the belt clip (first image).  Tip - In walkman mode and especially in robot mode, the extra Soundwave 2 missiles can be stored in the back and inside the battery compartment space "if do it right".  To store the missiles, you must align the 2 missiles like a letter "V" with each "End Tip (the part that goes inside the cannon)" of the missile goes inside that upper little hole of the compartment.  Then, slant the flap of missile sort of horizontal so that it doesn't interfere with the battery cover when close it (top right image).  And for the challenge, it is possible to store ALL 3 missiles inside the battery compartment space (bottom right image).  Don't underestimate the battery cover lit thinking having all 3 missiles in there would interfere its closing.  When all 3 missiles are in placed, closing the cover lit onto Soundwave should be as smooth and perfect as if there's no missile in there.  You shouldn't be using any force when closing the lit.  If you do, that mean you didn't do it right so try to reposition the missiles.

R-5 Soundwave in Robot Mode:

In robot mode, Soundwave is one of the most beautiful Transformers to ever be designed in the 80s.  This guy hardly has any flaw on him since his design is so balance from colors scheme to infrastructure.  Moreover, he got one of the best articulation in the G1 line.  Soundwave looks even more hot when both of his battery are converted into a shoulder cannon and gun.  And with his huge size, Soundwave is one fine warrior.  Noticed the orange and white cassette through the clear tape door of Soundwave chest, that is Laserbeak in cassette mode.  

NOTE-3: Did you know that the Decepticon Insignia is based on Soundwave Head while the Autobot Insignia is based on Prowl Head?

R-6 Additional Soundwave Images:

Soundwave door tape can be opened up just like his cartoon counterpart by pressing the eject button located next to his left shoulder.  Only one cassette can be stored inside of him.  In fact, Soundwave cassette storage room is so small that you have to compress his cassette very tight to fit inside his door deck.  Otherwise, the door deck will not close.  A later improve version of Soundwave which go by the name Sound Blaster can hold up two cassettes.  The middle image shows what Soundwave would look like without his cassette inside of him in contrast to R-1 and R-5.  The top right image emphasized the infamous scene Soundwave and sidekick Laserbeak in action.  The last image is a close up shot of his tape buttons, read R-7 and R-8 for more info regarding this topic.

Soundwave comes with Laserbeak, click the link below to access to Laserbeak picture and review page, or proceed to R-7.

Go to Laserbeak Image and Review

R-7 2003 Reissue Soundwave Misconception Rumor:

One of the biggest misunderstandings among people who purchased the 2003 Reissue Soundwave assumed that this new reissue version was "a retool or based on a 1987 SoundBlaster mold (See R-8)".  This is totally wrong and an incorrect assumption because this particular Soundwave hinge version was released back since 1985 and long before SoundBlaster was even born; See left image.  Back in 1985, Japan released 2 version of Soundwaves!  There was the common/ regular version which had the door tape hinge hidden and a second version which had the door tape hinge exposed and a slight modification of the tape buttons.  The Soundwave with the hinge version mold later give birth or idea to the 1987 SoundBlaster.

CREDITED: All  images on R-7 were archived from: http://www.skywarp.co.uk/japanese/17.htm

R-8 Soundwave Variations:

R-9 Soundwave Origin - Cassette Man:

Soundwave was originated from a toy line called Micro Change and in that toy line he is known as Cassette Man.  Not surprisingly, both Micro Change and Transformers are manufactured by the same company, Takara.  Cassette Man was released in 1983 with a toy catalog reference being label as MC-10.  Besides the stickers and reference names such as MC-10 or CassetteMan that were printed onto the the mold itself, he is exactly identical to Soundwave.  Cassette Man was packaged with a red MC-01 Cassette (Frenzy in Transformers), a Cassette Case, 2 guns for the Cassette, 1 headphone, 1 mouthpiece, 1 mini earphone, and 2 batteries gun.  For those that are planning to purchase a vintage Cassette Man, just know that a Knockoff version was also available back then.  Although the molds are the same including materials, you can tell which is which by the following criterias:

R-10 Rémy's Soundwave action figure review:

Manufacturer - Takara.

Line, Series/ Wave: Generation 1 Line, Transformers Collection - Box #10.

Year Issue: [Sept. 2003 Reissue] - The original toy was released in 1984.  But this particular hinge version of Soundwave actually released in 1985 as a second variation.  See R-7 and R-8 for detail.

Made: [China] - Although the original toy was made in Japan, the qualities and materials are pretty much the same as the reissue.

Scale: [N/A]

Box or Card Dimension In Inches: [LxWxD]  - Approximately 8 12/16 X 6 3/4 X 2 10/16 - Box.

Packaging Method: Mint In Sealed Box.  Contents were packed with the following procedure:

Taped down and sandwiched between two clear plastic trays are: "1" walkman, "1" cassette, "1" clear cassette case, "2" battery, "3" missile (not on tree, but loose).  

On the back of the card board and not inside the clear plastic tray, a taped down bag which contained: "2" trading cards (Soundwave & Laserbeak), Soundwave sticker sheet, instruction sheet, G1 PS2 game catalog ads, "1" miscellaneous text sheet.  

Mounted onto the front cover of the box are: "1" world art image featuring Soundwave box art, "1" TF episode guide #64 to #65, Scramble City, and TFTM, "2" Dreamwave art with toy catalog (feature: Rodimus Prime, Hot Rod, Blurr, Wheelie, Wreckgar, Kup, Sandstorm, Springer, and Broadside), and "2" data files (images of Soundwave & Laserbeak).

Box Special Note: Front Box: Soundwave/ Laserbeak box art.  Back Box:  No box art, showed Soundwave/ Laserbeak contents and other reissue TFs ads.  Used Book style format, that is, the flap or cover opened up revealing the toy through a window.

Box Point or Robot Point: [5]  - This number can be found on the right side flap of the box.  You have to open the box to see it.  It contains number and either Autobots or Decepticons insginia depending on which faction you are getting.

Approximately Toy Dimension In Inches: - Height Up To The Head:  6 3/4  Maximum Height: 6 3/4  Width from shoulder to shoulder: 4 1/4  Maximum Width: 4 1/4  Dept: 2 10/16.

Toy Stamp/ Fine Print: - © HASBRO 1974 1983, (Japanese text), ©TAKARA CO. LTD '74 '83, CHINA.

Toy Stamp/ Fine Print Location: - Can be found on the back and inside the battery store room, you will need to remove the battery cover to see it..

Transformation Of Difficulty: [Easy] - Very Easy.

Material Durability: [-A] - Pretty durable

Toy Materials: Die Cast Metal: feet.  Chrome Metal: Tape buttons.  Rubber: N/A.  Plastic: main material.  Clear Plastic Window: tape door.

Stability: [-A] - Robot mode can stand on any surface.

Fun Toy: [+A] - Pretty a fun toy.

Negative Drawback - Major drawback none.   

Articulations: Head: Can be rotated at a 360 degree. Shoulder: Can be swung at a 360 degree as well as 90 degree backward. Arm/ Elbow: Can be bent at a 90 degree.  Wrist/ Hand: Cannot be rotated, used slider to hide hands. Hip/ Waist: Cannot be bent or rotated.  Leg: Can be rotated 90 degree sideway.  Many people may not aware of this, but it is possible to make Soundwave leg bent 90 degree upright.  Simply pull his leg down so that the metal hinge connection have enough length to bent his leg upright.  Don't worry, it won't break since it transforms the same way as his walkman mode.  Knee: Cannot be bent (only in forward position).  Ankle/ Feet: No sideway movement.  Feet can move upward.

Rub Sign Logo: [Yes] - The Decepticon's rub sign located on the back of his belt clip.

Robot's Cartoon looks alike: [A] - He looks pretty much like the cartoon..

Alt's Cartoon looks alike: [+A] - Utterly the bomb!!! Very Hot.

Special Notes: Here are  "4" special notes which I think you should know:

1 - Soundwave's gun/ battery came with spring so missile can be fired out, check for spring.  Secondly, 

2 - Don't over used his door tape open/close too much to prevent the door tape from jamming or stop working.  

3 - Soundwave wrist decal are easily scratch and damage when transforming from robot mode to walkman mode.  Be very careful when you fold the leg as it made contact with the wrist.

4 - The 2003 Reissue Soundwave is packaged with Laserbeak, not Buzzsaw.

Overall Grade: [+A] - Soundwave is a very beautiful toy to have regardless which version.  The idea of a walkman transformed into a robot and with all the special gimmick that came with him, just blow your mind away.  Also, his character in the cartoon is even more impressive.

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