The Energon Pub

[El Duque]

Japanese toy blogger Alfes 2010 has posted in-hand images of Takara Tomy's recently released Generations Voyagers TG-13 Soundwave and TG-14 Soundblaster. We've mirrored a selection of his images below. Click the following links for his full galleries:

TG-13 Soundwave
TG-14 Soundblaster

[Rated X]

Well they definitally look better without the yellow and light grey plastic. Now all we need is for someone to make him a proper G1 gun and some buttons like Blaster has to get rid of that stupid claw thing on his belly.

[Jelze Bunnycat]

Now all we need is for someone to make him a proper G1 gun and some buttons like Blaster has to get rid of that stupid claw thing on his belly.

I'm with you only on the gun thing. And that's saying an awful lot

The darker colors on Soundwave are really striking I must admit, but I'd still go for the Hasbro version for the sake of money.

[gothsaurus]

Wow, it's amazing how a little different paint can make a toy pop SOOO well. The purple deco on the wheels, darker sparkle paint, less bright colors (yellow), etc. make these two look so much more game-like, darker, accurate, and adult. I'm so glad I opted to order them.

Agreed on the weapon and buttons... but eek. Looks like it's all pins holding that front panel on, unless I'm remembering wrong. Anyone have one handy to confirm? Either way, a 3rd party would have to redo at least the front panel to do new buttons, I think. Too bad.

[Sabrblade]

It's like day and night versions.

But in all seriousness, I find that the darker colors make them look drab, dull, and boring, almost like depressed Goth versions of their more lively Hasbro counterparts.

[gothsaurus]

Ha ha! YES! Goth versions.

I guess I prefer those because of the game's dark lighting and nature. It' a little more gritty than the cartoons.

I do find a place in my collection for some bright colors on the ole G2/Euro shelf. Brighter the better.

<---- brighter!!!

[Sabrblade]

Ha ha! YES! Goth versions.

I guess I prefer those because of the game's dark lighting and nature. It' a little more gritty than the cartoons.

Ironic since High Moon made it a point to make FOC a much brighter and vibrant looking game than its predecessor, with a much more colorful Cybertron and such.

[gothsaurus]

Given, I am comparing those shadowy drains and abandoned ruins and derelict spaceships in the game... to the old G1 cartoon in my brain. That's always going to be pretty drastic.

[Sabrblade]

Given, I am comparing those shadowy drains and abandoned ruins and derelict spaceships in the game... to the old G1 cartoon in my brain. That's always going to be pretty drastic.

Then again, G1 cartoon Cybertron was most just shades of dark gray and dark blue, as well.

[GuyIncognito]

If Hasbro had used that color scheme for Soundwave, I would have bought him instead of Soundblaster.

[JackStraw]

Darn, so much better, as usual. I really dislike the kiddie colored decos that Hasbro gives us.

G1 Soundwave is my favorite transformer. I have the Hasbro versions of this mold,and the only thing keeping me from getting these is the fact that I feel this mold is highly overrated. Not a fan at all of the pointy shoulders or the chest. And of course, the gimmick stinks.

[gothsaurus]

I do like the matching purple energon glow on all these guys. It's a nice detail and theme running through the figures. All the tires look amazing across the Takara set. Makes me want to touch up all my Hasbro ones with some details.

[Megatron Wolf]

I like the hasbro version of soundblaster better but the others look like crap compared to takaras. The discs look like actual figures not just cheap knock offs & the coloring on Soundwave is far superior. Is it really so hard for hasbro to use darker color plastics? No extra paint required just use better plastic. I guess these crayola colored plastics are cheaper so thats why they use them all the time.

[gothsaurus]

I'm sure it has more to do with the audience... brighter colors sell better to kids, which is primarily the USA market.

[Manterax Prime]

Why do people drool over these? Hasbro's versions are better than these.

[gothsaurus]

I could see you liking the brighter color choice... but there are like 1/2 the paint apps. None on the wheels, forehead, etc.

[kirbenvost]

IMO the Soundwave is just way too dark, but Soundblaster looks good. The darker colors really do improve the data discs though.

[Blurrz]

Those wheels look really nice..

[gothsaurus]

I'm going to get the hasbro and takara... then arrange them from light to dark.

[RAcast]

Hasbro's Soundwave looks better by miles, but I like Takara's Soundblaster.

[Sodan-1]

I do believe I'm slightly torn.

Being a good little geewunner, I'm really digging the Takara version, but I think I'd be pretty happy with the Hasbro one. The only thing I really dislike about that one is the red and yellow.

[Manterax Prime]

I could see you liking the brighter color choice... but there are like 1/2 the paint apps. None on the wheels, forehead, etc.

Yeah, I know. The Hasbro versions have more paint apps.

Granted Takara's version is accurate to the game but man.......blah.

[gothsaurus]

Whaaa? Hasbro versions never have MOAR paint apps. Takara's are always higher budget and more paint apps. (Anyone know any exceptions to this?)

[Genocide G2.0]

Whaaa? Hasbro versions never have MOAR paint apps. Takara's are always higher budget and more paint apps. (Anyone know any exceptions to this?)

Generations preceptor the Hasbro version got the chrome treatment.

[gothsaurus]

Wow. Yeah, that's the only example I can think of. That must have been Takara Hasbro opposites day.