NewCybertron

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Like many Generation 1 characters, Blaster was left to be forgotten after the conclusion of Generation 1. The communications officer for the Autobots, Blaster served as a great asset to both the Optimus and Rodimus areas of the G1 cartoon. Like his Decepticon counterpart, Soundwave, Blaster was able to hold his own small squad of Cassetbots: Steeljaw, Ramhorn, Eject, and Rewind. Soundwave went on to have incarnations in Cybertron, Animated, and in the upcoming Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen. Although still in the hearts and memories of older fans, the newer TransFrans have never really gotten the chance to even own a Blaster figure that didn't appear on ebay or a vintage TF store...until today.

With the new Universe line being like its predecessor, repaints were expected. This incarnation of Blaster, now called Autobot Blaster due to trademark issues, is a repaint of Cybertron Soundwave. Only new addition to this figure aside from a new colorscheme and Autobot logos is a new Cyber Planet Key, this time with the Autobot version instead of the Planet X version.

Vehicle Mode:

G1 Blaster's alt mode was a large boombox. This time around, Blaster's vehicle mode is akin to that of a Stealth Fighter jet. The overall look of it is good, but smaller than I thought. Overall, the colors work good with this vehicle mode. My only complaint with this mode is that (or at least on mine), the feet do not attach to the front part of the jet as they should, they constantly shift around and take awhile to get into place. But overall, the colors are really nice, and I think are manageable for a much needed update for Blaster.

Vehicle Mode rating: 8/10

Transformation: Not too hard, intructions aren't necessarily needed. Once you get the arms folded out and chest situated, its almost too easy. Could have been harder, but not extremely easy.

Transformation: 7/10

Robot Mode:

In robot mode, things start to get weird. Blaster's original robot mode, cartoon-wise, had both a mouth and eyes, the eyes having retractable goggles. The robot mode was primarily red in the torso and arms, and gray in the legs. Universe 2.0 Blaster's colors are differet. Though the arms are still red and the feet still gray, the chest and upper thighs are mostly black, save the bottom part underneath Blockrock's compartment and the flaps on the sides of each leg. The head is also quite different, as a mouth plate and a non-retractable visor. However, there is an extra pain app on the visor that makes it look like there are two eyes behind it.

Like Cybertron Soundwave, Blaster comes with 4 accessories. The first two are octagonal prism-like structures. The first one has two large transparent blue pieces that fold out, and one smaller blue piece. This is Soundwa...I mean Blaster's first gun, which can also be used as a shoulder cannon if you flip out the small black peg and attach it to the slot on Blaster's right shoulder. The second one has a large piece of transparent blue plastic that flips backwards, revealing two gun-barrels. This is Blaster's second gun, which can be place in either hand.

The third accessory is his Cyber Key, which can be plugged into his back, opening the chest compartment. This reveals another octagonal bomb. However, this one is different, as it doesn't convert into a gun. No, it converts into Laserbe...I mean Steeljaw....wait....huh? Nope, this is a totally new birdy called Blockrock. I myself was expecting it to be named Sundor, after Blaster's Laserbeak-lookalike from the KISS players manga. Blockrock is a little birdy, exactly like Cybertron Laserbeak, but with its colors reversed. Blockrock can fit on top of Blaster's wings, or on either hand. Blockrock is also labeled as a Minicon, but Blaster has 0 Minicon ports, and Blockrock does not have a minicon attachment hole inside of him.

Blaster is pretty pose-a-ble, but can be quite backheavy if he's not standing in the right position on your toy shelf.

Although a big departure from G1, I still like this version of Blaster's robot mode. It's fun and very enjoyable to play with. It's out of the box for Blaster, but knowing Hasbro, its far too in the box with its usual repaints.

Robot Mode: 9/10

Overall, Blaster is one of Hasbro's better repaints...much much better than most of non-premium Movie Line repaints (save Thundercracker, G1 Starscream and G1 Jazz, and Rescue Ratchet). I highly recommend getting him if you missed out on Cybertron Soundwave. If you already have Cybertron Soundwave, I'd only get him if you really like the new colors, the new Cyberkey is the only new addition aside from the colors.

Universe Voyager Class Blaster:

Vehicle Mode: 8/10-----B
Transformation: 7/10---C
Robot Mode: 9/10------A

Overall: 8/10-----------B

Final Recommendation: Definite buy if you don't have Cybertron Soundwave. If you have Cybertron Soundwave, save $20 unless you really like his new colors.

---Astrotrain signing off. Have a great day, take care, and stay tuned...