Ratchet and Bumblebee [Cyberworld Energon Surge/Armored Cyber Changers]

@robfromzonebase Ratchet [Transformers Cyberworld Energon Surge/Armored Cyber Changers] #zonebase #transformers #cyberworld #energonsurge #cyberchangers ♬ 苦悩の聖人 (Saint of Suffering) - Akuma Dollz

Last year when I was writing about "season 1" of Cyberworld toys, I regularly took note of what felt like a missing gimmick with all the Cyber Changers having multiple ports. I was also never super fond of the Armored Cyber Changers' "armored" parts, which were essentially larger Mech Tech-style weapons. I didn't hate them, but I rarely felt like they actually fit the toys.

Now, with the new Energon Surge figures, the phantom gimmick and the Armored Cyber Changers are here, and it's awesome.

Like with the new Armored Cyber Changer Megatron we looked at a little bit back, the gimmick is built into the new Energon Surge Armored Cyber Changers Ratchet and Bumblebee, and it just makes me love Armored Cyber Changers instead of simply accepting them as a way to mark up a toy's price. Not to mention, now under the Energon Surge sub-line, the Cyber Changers have wonderful translucent plastic parts that look absolutely amazing.

The colorful clear plastic, of course, reminds me of Microman/Micronauts, and the new armored parts really make me think of 2000s Microman toys. Of course, being Cyber Changers, the articulation isn't anywhere near as extensive, but it's impossible for me not to make that comparison.

I could also make a comparison to the energy weapons from Transformers Energon, and guys... I love this type of gimmick. Translucent plastic looks amazing, even on more simple figures like these.

Bumblebee is a recolor of the first Armored Cyber Changer Bumblebee we've already talked about here. This version feels more like an upgrade, as those new translucent blue parts just pop on the mold, looking a million times better than the original.

His new Energon Surge armor parts include two blade blaster style weapons, two energy stinger style parts, and a large shield/backpack piece. These can be used in multiple ways. I've leaned into using the large piece more as a jetpack than a shield, with the stinger parts as armor and the blade blasters as guns... unless he needs to cut a fool.

The blade blasters can become wings as well, making me use the parts similarly to Macross booster parts for his car mode. It's a modular design, so you can really get creative with it.

It's worth noting that you can combine these parts with the ones from other toys.

Go nuts.

Ratchet is a new mold and a really fun one at that. Instead of changing into his traditional ambulance alt mode, Ratchet converts into a rescue helicopter. That's a neat little touch of variety that gives Ratchet a more exciting look.

The chevron on his helmet is orange, which contrasts nicely with the white and translucent blue that makes up the majority of him. It makes me think of the Powerlinks Red Alert toy from Armada, which has always been a deco I've liked.

Part of me wonders—and hopes—this toy will get more green in the future for a Cyberworld version of Medix.

Ratchet's Armored parts actually work nicely with his helicopter mode, forming jet boosters and rocket pods. Additionally, there are two large bladed bits that look cool, and now that I think of it, they probably would have made more sense if I'd plugged them into the rear section of the helicopter rather than making wings with them.

Oh well.

@robfromzonebase Bumblebee [Transformers Cyberworld Energon Surge/Armored Cyber Changers] #zonebase #transformers #cyberworld #energonsurge #cyberchangers ♬ One Shot TV size Theme Song of "KAMEN RIDER MY-TH" - THE RAMPAGE from EXILE TRIBE

This is seemingly an all-new mold and engineering, so I wonder where it'll resurface? The bits that the helicopter's blades are connected to can be detached, and part of me finds that base body similar enough to a motorcycle without wheels.

As creative as these designers have been with the shared engineering, I'm looking forward to something unexpected.

Part of me can't help but compare the Energon Surge armor parts to the upgrades your ship gets in a shooter game. Like, Ratchet is flying into action and, just because Cyberworld is a video game, he's blasting little floating capsules and adding onto his firepower.In robot mode, the armored bits can make for some nicely dramatic... armor. They can be held as well as plugged in, so get creative. Those big-ass blades, though, make for some sharp ornamentation for Ratchet, giving him some serious super robot energy.

It's really awesome for me to see the Armored Cyber Changers stepping up and bringing that gimmick that the line always felt designed for into Cyberworld. I've said it before, and I'll say it again: Cyber Changers feel like the continuation of the Beast Alliance toys that I had such a good time with a few years ago, and it's good to see something like a line-wide gimmick.

I'm hopeful they continue with more fun things like this, or even expand it with even more cool stuff.

Because apparently all these ports were just waiting for someone to finally say, "You know what? Let's put some crazy shit in there."

And I'm absolutely here for it.

Megatron [Cyberworld Energon Surge/ Armored Cyber Changer & Cyber Changer]

@robfromzonebase Megatron [Cyberworld Energon Surge/Cyber Changers] #zonebase #transformers #cyberworld #energonsurge #cyberchangers ♬ 月が見えなくても愛して - Nebelhaus & MAD JAMIE

Today we have a tale of two Megatrons as we look at the two most recent Megatron figures in Transformers Cyberworld under the Energon Surge sub-line. This time we've got the all-new Armored Cyber Changer Megatron and a reissue of the excellent Bull Megatron Cyber Changer as an Energon Surge figure. Both are super cool and share a similar palette, which is appropriate.

Of course, I'll be spending more time with the Armored Cyber Changer. I've been giving the Energon Surge editions of prior Cyber Changers a look as part of my quest to cover all of Cyberworld, but obviously they don't need an entire post of their own.

In his Armored Cyber Changer debut, Megatron transforms from a more traditional version of himself into a drill tank. Apparently he shares engineering with Optimus Primal, which is something I didn't initially notice thanks to his arms, where the drill becomes his right arm. Looking at his core and torso, though... yeah, I see it now. That's pretty clever.

Cyber Changers are obviously really simple toys, so it's pretty neat seeing how they can reuse engineering so creatively. It gives their designs a modular feel. A lot of folks think a transformation needs to be super complex to have impressive engineering, when something simple can be just as impressive. They've managed to churn out a variety of toys with completely different alt modes using just a few basic skeletons to make them work. Neat.

Like I said, Megatron's right arm is the drill from the tank and even has elbow/wrist articulation (it's a little vague) in addition to the drill being able to spin. It's pretty neat. It's easy to compare a tank Megatron with his Generation 2 version, but this one is so unique that it's kind of its own thing. If anything, I'm a little reminded of the tank Megatron from the 2006 "Ultimate Battle" two-pack with Optimus Prime. That tank has a similar shape, and the robot also features a spinning arm weapon gimmick.

In robot mode, Megatron is nicely beefy, as someone who turns into a tank should be. That right arm with a giant drill makes him look a little crazy, too.

One thing I absolutely love about this toy is that it's an Armored Cyber Changer where the additional accessories are actually armor. Last year, when I was looking at the original batch of Cyber Changers, I kept saying how the multiple ports looked as if they were designed for some sort of gimmick. With prior Armored Cyber Changers, the "armored" part was essentially a giant Mech Tech-style weapon. Here, Megatron actually has armor for both robot and tank modes!

The armor pieces are made from a nice translucent purple that matches Megatron's body and look like a mixture of Energon shards and some form of energy armor. It looks neat in robot mode, but I really enjoy the way it looks on the tank. Thinking about it, if the toy were silver, it'd resemble the earlier live-action movie look for Megatron. There's even a gun that he can hold or plug into one of the many ports. This is a really fun toy, and it's awesome to finally see those ports getting utilized.

@robfromzonebase Megatron [Cyberworld Energon Surge/Cyber Changers] #zonebase #transformers #cyberworld #energonsurge #cyberchangers ♬ 불꽃으로 / Bulkkoch Eulo - past self

The Bull Megatron is the same toy I talked about before, and that's a good thing because it's a great figure. Definitely one of my favorite Cyber Changers and the toy that initially sold me on the line. I really like the new blue color used on this version in conjunction with the translucent purple. It's a nice new outfit, so to speak.

One thing about Cyberworld is that, despite their limited articulation, they remind me of Microman in the way the figures interact with the larger toys. Now that the Energon Surge toys are getting these translucent bodies, the comparison is even harder to ignore. I'm outright comparing them to '90s Microman, because regardless of the limited articulation, they visually match. Bull Megatron would make a fine Acrobeast!

Like I've said before, Cyber Changers are so much fun to collect and blog about. The new Megatron was an absolute treat to fiddle around with, while the Bull Megatron was like going on a new adventure with an old friend.

This mission of mine to blog the entirety of Cyberworld continues to be a great decision. 

Cheetor and Jazz [Cyberworld Energon Surge/Cyber Changers]

@robfromzonebase Cheetor [Transformers Cyberworld Energon Surge/Cyber Changers] no, not Tigatron #cyberchangers #energonsurge #transformers #cyberworld #zonebase ♬ Catcat Heaven - The Lethal Weapons

One of the things that first got my attention with Cyberworld was the Bull Megatron design. It reminded me so much of early Beast Wars that even if I hadn't jumped headfirst into my "get them all" quest, I probably would have gotten every version of him anyway. A year later, the Energon Surge toys are continuing that vibe with today's subjects: Cheetor and Jazz.

Both come with little caveats that make you pause for a second before you realize exactly what they're doing. Cheetor is white, while Jazz has a beast mode. Those little details lean even harder into that early Beast Wars vibe I was talking about.

You see, when Beast Wars first started, the fiction we know today wasn't there yet. It was essentially Transformers Generation 3, with familiar characters taking on a new gimmick. If you find any of the old concept art, that idea becomes pretty clear.

Cheetor originally began life as a new Prowl toy. That's pretty obvious when you look at the original toy's head sculpt, and I've always thought the cat-head chest was reminiscent of the car-hood chests of the G1 toys.

While this Cheetor is a mixture of white and translucent blue, it's a little hard for me not to think about that original Prowl destination.

Jazz, on the other hand, isn't a character I remember seeing in that original concept art, but I've always thought Polar Claw's head sculpt looked very Jazz-like. That makes Jazz's beast mode, which is a polar bear, stand out even more to me. Then there's the fact that we're taking a classic G1 character and putting his traditional head on a clearly beast-warrior body. That's exactly the kind of weirdness I love.

Part of me hopes they make a black bear Ricochet version of this toy.

@robfromzonebase Jazz [Transformers Cyberworld Energon Surge/Cyber Changers] yes, he's a polar bear #zonebase #transformers #cyberworld #energonsurge #cyberchangers ♬ VISIONS Theme Song of "KAMEN RIDER ZEZTZ" - NAQT VANE

It's worth noting that Cheetor is supposed to be a snow leopard and not a cheetah, despite his card placing him in the Jungle biome rather than the Arctic biome that Jazz comes from. Considering the arrival of the Maximal stasis pods shown in an Arctic region of the Cyberworld during the season-ending episode, it's pretty clear that the upcoming monster truck Optimus Primal is going to have a non-traditional crew of Beast Warriors. I'm really looking forward to seeing what they do with them.

Like other Cyber Changers, Cheetor and Jazz share engineering. That's clearly part of the model behind Cyber Changers: keep the price low through shared engineering and a universal silhouette that allows the smaller figures to interact with the larger toys in the line.

I really hope Cyber Changers continues beyond Cyberworld. Imagine having figures that can interact with each other for years regardless of what series they come from. Since these are the mainline toys aimed at younger kids (and loved by old farts like me), it's entirely possible that a kid could receive one from their grandparents years from now, bought from a liquidation or discount store, and have it work with whatever the current iteration of the kids' line happens to be.

I'd love to see straightforward versions of classic characters as Cyber Changers. The white-box general line already has Deluxe Class figures of traditional characters, so why not make some of those characters in this format as well?

There are differences between Cheetor and Jazz, though. They're not simply the same mold with different heads. Both have unique sculpting and deco. They're both primarily white and translucent blue, but their other colors are different, as is their glow-in-the-dark paint. One fun little tradition that carries over to Cheetor is having his beast-mode tail become his weapon. He has a tail that turns into a sword. Neat!

I do wish Jazz had a gun, though. I'll probably pair him with one eventually. It just feels right, you know?

The slight auto-transformation that most Cyber Changers have is present here as well, shifting their upright robot bodies into a more quadrupedal beast form. While writing the earlier paragraph about the original Beast Wars designs, I started thinking about the Manta Ray Optimus Prime sketch and the obvious comparison to Manta Ray from the McDonald's Beast Wars Happy Meal toys.

Man, I'd love to see that design fleshed out as a Cyber Changer.

I'd also love to see the Panther from those Happy Meal toys become the obvious eventual Ravage repaint of this Cheetor. Honestly, I might just make one myself. The sculpt is too similar. Which makes me think that toy really was originally intended to be Prowl, especially since Manta Ray was so clearly intended to be Optimus Prime.

And now I've had another thought.

A Cyberworld Happy Meal would be amazing.

I wonder if the toys would hold up to the Beast Wars-era Happy Meal toys. Probably not. But wouldn't that be amazing?

Weekly Update 8/17/26

Monday rears its ugly head once again, threatening the sanctity of peaceful vibes the weekend gave us. Don't fear, Zone Base readers! I've got another fun week of robots, monsters, and misadventure lined up for your eyeballs.

Pumpkin Spiced Mayhem is spooking right along as our annual Halloween party gets underway. You know, sometimes people wonder why I start celebrating Halloween so early, yet every year by late July everyone seems to be chomping at the bit for spooky season. I originally started doing it because it was fun, but now I honestly don't understand why more don't. Maybe it's because I'm not monetizing the site and spending all my time trying to capitalize on my readers. 

As I've mentioned before, August is ghost month in several Asian countries. Japan celebrates Obon while other regions hold Hungry Ghost Festivals, and I always enjoy the influx of spooky stories that appear around this time of year. Lately I've been watching VHS transfers of older Japanese paranormal television shows uploaded to YouTube. Back during my tape trading days, I ended up with quite a few of these through various J-Horror circles. I've always preferred the reenactment-style ghost shows, and Japan produced some really fun examples of the format. Funnily enough, many of them were hosted by either Count Takeshi or Junji Inagawa, who many of you might recognize as Vic Romano and Guy LeDouche from "Most Extreme Elimination Challenge". Junji Inagawa is actually a famous ghost storyteller in Japan as well as a television personality, but it's almost impossible for me to see him without expecting him to say something completely ridiculous. Thinking back to those tape trading days, I probably watched more than a few questionable recordings copied from questionable recordings of questionable recordings. Hopefully I didn't accidentally end up cursed.

There's something else I'd like to tell you all about from last week. Some of you probably saw the Transformers: The Movie 40th Anniversary press boxes that have been showing up on various toy and news sites. Several months ago, I was contacted by the PR agency handling them and asked if I'd like to be considered for one. Of course I said yes. Unfortunately, I didn't end up receiving one.

Now, to be fair, these things are extremely limited and the email even makes it clear that receiving one isn't guaranteed. Still, I'd be lying if I said it wasn't a little disappointing to realize I had been passed over.

The Mrs. apparently noticed.

Earlier this week, while I was at work, she messaged me and told me some package had arrived from "PR People" and that I should open it when I got home. Sure enough, sitting there was a box covered in Transformers stickers with the words "PR BOX" written across it in pink marker.

Inside were several Cyberworld Cyber Changers and the Transformers Icons Optimus Prime figure.

To this day she's maintaining that she has absolutely no idea where it came from.

I can't begin to tell you how great that surprise felt.

Know what?

I got the better PR Box.

Transformers- News has been relatively quiet this week outside of retailer solicitations. Dear news sites: affiliate links are not news. Then again, considering how overwhelming San Diego Comic-Con season can be, a slower week is honestly kind of refreshing.

One item that did catch my attention was the discovery of the new Transformers Vaultz Big Heads blind boxes at some Walmart locations. These are stylized chibi-like Transformers figures that immediately caught my eye. You all know how much I love blind boxes, so of course I'm interested. The designs remind me quite a bit of the Bikkuriman-style artwork I'm so fond of, and from what I've seen they use the Evergreen character designs, which I'm perfectly happy with.

Even better, they appear to include both a trading card and a sticker.

That combination appeases me greatly.

From what I understand there are variants as well. The news originally came from someone who pulled a glow-in-the-dark Megatron.

That.

Is.

Awesome.

I fully expect to end up with several of these, and any extras will almost certainly become desk bots at work.

Also along similar lines, Jada has shown off their new Transformers: The Movie 40th Anniversary Metalfigs assortment. These continue to use the roughly 2¾-inch scale they've stuck with for previous releases, which I'm happy about. It's a great size for the price point, and the die-cast metal gives them a satisfying heft. I've picked up quite a few of these over the years and am really looking forward to this movie-themed wave, which appears to contain mostly new characters.

Man, I really miss the days when Metalfigs Nanos were sold individually for a dollar.

Blokees- Adding to my excitement for the next Transformers Defender Version series (Battlestars MOFO!) is the news that Astral Rally Defender Version 01 and Transformers Wheels C04 are now available to order. I fully plan on picking up a case of each and adding them to the ever-growing backlog. I'm still working through Transformers Defender Version 07, Wheels C02, and Wheels C03, not to mention several other kits patiently waiting their turn on the build pile. I'll get to them eventually... probably.

The newest Wheels assortment includes a train mode Astrotrain, and that alone has me excited. Astrotrain has always been my favorite Triple Changer, so seeing his classic locomotive mode represented as a Wheels kit makes me ridiculously happy. There's just something about that original train design that I love. That said, I do hope Blokees eventually revisits the 2006 Classics version as well. I've always been fond of that design and would love to see it translated into kit form. 

The Weekend (written on my phone while I ate breakfast Monday morning)- This weekend was a good one, albeit super hot. It was that reverse hot that we opted to stay in the air conditioning and not go to the pool. We did get some weekend shopping in which included a trip to Five Below to pick through Over the Garden Wall blind boxes and looking at Halloween decor at TJ Max.  I managed to build my new new shelf for my desk, it's a great little spot for storage that will work just great by my desk. I built some Blokees and played my Atari Gamestation Go. Comiket was also this weeked  I'm enjoying the pictures from the show as their posted. That's another show I'd love to attend, definitely a Zone Base type of con. Good weekend.

As for toy pick ups, unfortunately Walmart had sold out of Mega Zarak whom I'll definitely order soon. I did pick up Nexus Prime who've I been wanting and putting off. Also another Blokees TF One part two blind, another Starscream, he's going into the custom pile. I also grabbed a Funko Mini Pops Dragonzord with tiny Green Ranger figure to pilot on clearance. I got the regular Megazord a few years ago, this will be a nice companion.

Speaking of that "PR Box" the Mrs gave me, it had Icons Optimus Prime (who I think looks great) and Cyberworld Cyber Changers Energon Surge Bull Megatron, Optimus Primal, Tank Megatron, and a Cyberworld blind bag that ended up being Skybite (woo)! In addition, I got a Five Nights at Freddy's Tiny Mights capsule that ended up a red Springtrap Freddy and a 3D printed skeleton keychain. Overall a good weekend haul.

Soundwave Deep-Sea Explorer [Cyberworld Energon Surge]

@robfromzonebase Soundwave (Deep-Sea Explorer) [Transformers Cyberworld Energon Surge] #zonebase #transformers #cyberworld #energonsurge #seamonster ♬ Square Hammer - Ghost

One of the more fun aspects of Transformers Cyberworld is its imaginative takes on existing characters. With the newer Energon Surge toys, they cranked that concept well past eleven.

Normally, when Soundwave isn't a cassette player (or a modern interpretation of one), he's a communications truck, stealth bomber, drone, or something similarly high-tech. Proving that stranger things happen in the Cyberworld, this version of Soundwave transforms into a hybrid submarine and sea monster.

I should point out that submarines use sonar...

You know...

Sound waves.

While I'm almost instantly sold on robots that turn into monsters, Amazon also delivered my Soundwave just in time for the beginning of the Zone Base Halloween season. Synergy!

There's another reason I love this design, though. It should come as no surprise that I'm a huge fan of Transformers Prime: Beast Hunters, especially Sharkticon Megatron. This Soundwave fits right alongside that figure in the wonderfully strange "Lovecraftian vehicle monster" category. Honestly, I could even see him as some bizarre Quintesson experiment, and I wouldn't be surprised if the Quintessons ended up lurking somewhere behind the events of Cyberworld.

I regularly compare Cyberworld toys to older robot lines, and Soundwave is no exception. He's a larger figure like Grimlock, but thanks to his proportions and construction, he really feels like something from the G1.5 era of Transformers. I joked on social media that Cyberworld feels like G1.5 if it had been adapted into a PC Engine game, and Soundwave is a Prime (hurr hurr) example of that.

His robot mode looks like something straight out of that era, while his alternate mode feels like a boss from Darius or R-Type. Thinking about it, if he were a smaller figure, he'd make a perfect companion to the original G1 Seacons.

I just can't stop comparing him to other things, and that's exactly what I love about him. It's funny how a toy clearly aimed at younger kids makes me think so much more than many of the far more detailed Generations figures.

It's probably unnecessary to mention that Soundwave doesn't have a ton of articulation. In fact, I'm surprised he isn't classified as an Ultimate Cyber Changer. He's basically a giant Cyber Changer already. Honestly, I swear they could shrink his CAD model down and release him as one... just without all the extra gimmicks, obviously.

Speaking of gimmicks, he's got quite a few.

The most obvious are those massive tentacles. The two longer tentacles on his right arm are bendable, allowing you to pose them however you'd like—or wrap them around an unfortunate victim. The three tentacles on his left arm can open, spin, and also grab unsuspecting victims.

When you're a sea monster, you spend a lot of time grabbing victims.

The tentacles on his right arm can even be removed and replaced with the sea monster's head, just in case he wasn't monstrous enough already.

I don't know if it technically counts as a gimmick, but Soundwave also comes with a removable battle mask. It matches the sea monster aesthetic perfectly and even features a little glow-in-the-dark paint. Combined with the monster mouth sculpted beneath his iconic faceplate, it looks absolutely fantastic.

I freaking love this ridiculous toy.

My only real complaint is that I wish the sea monster head stored on his back in a more compact way. As it is, it makes for a rather awkward backpack.

Transformation is simple, once again reminding me of the Cyber Changers. I'm honestly beginning to wonder if this toy started life as one before being enlarged into its final form. The engineering just feels too similar to be a coincidence.

Once transformed, those dangling tentacles give the sea monster mode an incredibly gnarly silhouette that's honestly hard to describe.

This thing is awesome.

The monster's jaws open and close so it can chomp down on another unfortunate victim because, once again, sea monsters and victims simply go together.

Like chocolate and peanut butter in a Reese's Peanut Butter Cup.

Which I sincerely hope you get while trick-or-treating this Halloween because they're delicious.

Unless you're allergic to peanuts.

In which case, I'd like to point out that this is a very awesome toy that could really use a little more teal so everyone would know Soundwave's lair is peanut-free.

The sea monster head also doubles as a cockpit, allowing a Cyber Changer to pilot the submarine. Like the other removable components found on the larger Cyberworld toys, it can also be swapped around and combined with similar parts from other figures to create all sorts of fun combinations.

It goes without saying that this is a very unconventional Soundwave toy, and that's exactly what makes it so special.

The designers simply made a fun toy, and I absolutely love that they did.

It's packed with personality, wonderfully creative, and just plain enjoyable.

Cyberworld may not be everyone's cup of tea, and that's perfectly okay.

Because those of us who love it...

Really love it.

I'd be shocked if this mold didn't receive a repaint at some point. Soundblaster is the obvious choice, but honestly, I'd love to see something even stranger. A Piranacon-inspired deco? Sign me up. Teal and purple would look absolutely incredible on this sculpt.

If it already looks this good in traditional Soundwave colors, imagine what it could do with a truly aquatic color scheme.

I literally cannot stop gushing about this guy...

...which, for a sea monster submarine named Soundwave, is pretty remarkable.

Airachnid and Energon Surge Off Road Bumblebee [Cyberworld/Armored Cyber Changers and Cyber Changers]

@robfromzonebase Airachnid [Transformers Cyberworld/Armored Cyber Changers] There's lots of spiders in Transformers and this one has a little Convertors evergy (that's a good thing). #zonebase #cyberchangers #hasbro #cyberchangers #cyberworld ♬ Children of the Night - NECRONOMIDOL

It felt so good to finally get my hands on an Airachnid Armored Cyber Changer after chasing one for what felt like forever. She was the last of the "Season 1" Transformers Cyberworld toys I needed on my quest to complete the line and blog the entire thing here on Zone Base.

Airachnid (no, she's not Black Arachnia) makes sporadic appearances toward the end of the first season in a role that isn't entirely villainous for a Decepticon. One of the things I really enjoy about Cyberworld is that the line in the sand isn't always clearly drawn. Considering the episodes only run about five to ten minutes, they could have easily just been nonstop action scenes. Instead, they're surprisingly competent little cartoons.

This version of Airachnid is also quite a bit different from her previous incarnations. In Transformers Prime she was an extremely villainous schemer, while in Transformers One she served as Sentinel Prime's sneering right-hand enforcer and leader of the Death Trackers. There's an ongoing rumor that this version was originally intended to be Crasher from GoBots. Whether that's true or not, who knows? It's a fun coincidence considering how often I compare Cyber Changers to Machine Robo toys anyway. Here, Airachnid is more of a scientist and actually helps the Autobots probe Optimus Prime's memories in an effort to better understand the Cyberworld and why they've all ended up there... which naturally leads to more drama.

As a toy, Airachnid shares her engineering with Chop Shop, although nearly all of the sculpting appears to be unique. Being an Armored Cyber Changer, she also comes with the oversized MechTech-style weapon/armor thing that Chop Shop included.

Interestingly, Airachnid already has an upcoming Energon Surge version that features an entirely different weapon/armor thing. Combined with the fact that its product number is actually lower than the standard release we're looking at today, it's led to speculation that this version may have been rushed into the original assortment while the intended accessories were still being finalized. Since Airachnid was the only new figure in her wave before later being repacked, the theory isn't impossible.

If nothing else, it's fun to speculate.

As her name suggests, Airachnid transforms into a spider, and that beast mode influences nearly every aspect of her robot design. It makes for a wonderfully creepy-looking robot, making her a perfect Spooky Beast Summer entry.

Despite the inherent simplicity of Cyber Changers, she has a ton of personality. Like every other Cyber Changer, she shares the standard size and articulation, but thanks to her spider mode she has a completely different silhouette. The spider legs remain attached to her arms and even swivel slightly, adding just a little extra articulation.

One particularly fun accessory is the pair of front spider legs with an integrated chain gun. They can either attach at her navel or be held awkwardly as a handheld weapon. Transformation is exactly what you'd expect from the line—quick, easy, and largely handled through the auto-morphing gimmick.

Spider mode is fantastic. The colors work really well, and I especially like those front legs with the chain gun.

Of course, Cyber Changers constantly make me think about older toy lines. Airachnid immediately reminds me of an early Beast Wars Basic figure, while her shared engineering with Chop Shop still brings Creepy from GoBots to mind. Honestly, I'd love to see this mold repainted into the old Happy Meal Transmetal Black Arachnia. The sculpt is surprisingly close, especially with the spider legs hanging from her arms.

Then my brain starts wandering.

The spider mode makes me think of Armored Insect Corps Beetras. The colors remind me of Convertors. I also keep comparing her to Phobia from Zoids Wild. If I hadn't just moved and packed Phobia away, I'd have loved to photograph the two of them together.

Phobia would've been a great name for this toy.

@robfromzonebase Bumblebee (Off-Road) [Transformers Cyberworld Energon Surge/Cyber Changers] My quest to blog all the Cyberworld continues with the slightly Microman vibed Energon Surge series. #zonebase #transformers #cyberworld #hasbro #cyberchangers ♬ CORNDOG! - RinRin

Of course, as the title says, we're also talking about Energon Surge Off Road Bumblebee.

This is my first Energon Surge figure, and I absolutely love him.

It's pretty obvious this is simply the Off Road Bumblebee Cyber Changer I reviewed previously with a slightly different color layout, so I'll link to that review for anyone wanting a more detailed look. Since I'm trying to blog the entire Cyberworld line, though, I still wanted to cover the differences here. Because.

Thankfully, these toys are inexpensive, so buying another version of a figure I already own doesn't bother me. It comes with the territory. 

The biggest and most obvious difference is that translucent blue torso, which immediately makes me compare Cyberworld to Microman and Micronauts even more than I already do. There's also a bit of glow-in-the-dark paint on his shoulders.

When an Energon Surge figure is connected to the Power Spark Bumblebee, the electronics light up. That light charges the glow-in-the-dark paint, causing it to glow afterward. It's a really fun little play feature.

Obviously, it's a gimmick designed for kids.

What's funny is just how many adult Transformers fans have embraced Cyberworld anyway, despite there already being countless collector-focused lines aimed directly at us.

I think that just goes to show what the right combination of affordability and fun can accomplish.

Weekly Update: 7/20/2026

Another week has begun here on Planet Zone, and with it comes more robots, monsters, and mayhem!

Now that we're settling into the new posting routine, I guess it's time to make these Weekly Update posts about more than just telling you where I ate and what I picked up at Walmart. I mean, I'm still going to tell you about eating at Olive Garden and what I found at Walmart... but, you know... other stuff too.

Since I'm gathering my thoughts throughout the week now, I'll probably write the final part of these updates Monday morning from my living room while poking away at my phone just before I hit "Publish." Everything else? Well, those are just random thoughts that popped into my head during the week.

Transformers Cyberworld

I'm excited that the new Cyberworld toys are finally starting to hit store shelves. It's been way too long between new releases, and I'm practically salivating over the new Energon Surge figures.

Hopefully they'll be a little easier to find than last year's assortment. While toy hunting can certainly be fun, I'm nowhere near as patient about it as I used to be. Honestly, with just about everything available at my fingertips these days, it's always a little surprising when something winds up being genuinely difficult to track down.

I also got a chuckle out of seeing several Cyberworld fans practically will the Transformers Wiki into adding each character's biome to their entries. It reminds me a little of the Transformers Cybertron days when fans became absolutely obsessed with maps of the various planets and collecting keys.

Now I'm wondering...

Will Hasbro eventually release an official guide to all of the Cyberworld biomes?

If not, that sounds like a pretty fun fan project.

I'm particularly fond of the upcoming Ultra Magnus toy. I love how his robot mode resembles his appearance in Transformers Prime, although I still wish that toy line had paid a little more tribute to his original toy from the line.

At first, I couldn't quite tell what his alternate mode was from the early pictures. Was he some kind of Dustbuster? Thankfully, once better images surfaced, I realized he transforms into a jet that reminds me a lot of Wingsaber from Transformers Energon. That's always been a design I've liked (yes, even with the limited articulation), so the resemblance is a welcome one. Like the Cyber Battalion and Authentics Shockwave figures, he transforms into a ship that looks like it flew straight out of a 16-bit shooter. I'm half expecting someone to discover it's secretly paying tribute to some obscure PC-98 game.

He's also an Ultimate Cyber Changer, which means the standard Cyber Changers can interact with him. We've already seen that one can ride him in his jet mode, and I'm curious to see what other interactions they've built into the toy.

He just looks incredibly cool, and once again Cyberworld has me slipping into pure fan-mode giddiness.

I absolutely love it.

The new Lockdown Cyber Changer also looks like a lot of fun. I really appreciate that they chose to have him transform into one of his wolfves from Age of Extinction instead of simply giving him another sports car mode.

I've seen a lot of people comparing his robot mode to Wildwheel from Transformers Cyberverse, but honestly, my first thought was Cad Bane from Star Wars. Whether that resemblance was intentional or not, I couldn't tell you, but I definitely see it.

Blokees

Now that the move has settled down, picking up Blokees Wheels Series 3 and that new Shattered Glass Optimus Prime truck and trailer set has become a pretty high priority for me.

I still haven't assembled any of my Series 2 kits, but that's mostly because every weekend has been spent getting the new house organized. Once things finally calm down a bit, you can bet I'll be snapping together a lot more Blokees and other kits.

Blokees have also begun showing off another one of their original IPs called Astral Rally, and I absolutely love what I'm seeing so far. They'll be releasing kits in the Defender Class (which, as you know, is my favorite), and I'm already excited to jump into these. Astral Rally looks like it's going to be a wonderful mix of science fiction and fantasy, and a really fun new robot series to follow! 

Sandbox Mainline?

Recent comments from Hasbro's designers have revealed that future Transformers lines are going to be more of a sandbox made up of different fictional settings. That's actually something I've been hoping they'd do with Generations (or Legacy, as they called it. Honestly, I was hoping they'd just rebrand the whole Generations line as Legacy) for a while now.

When you think about it, Generations already works this way. Studio Series falls under the Generations umbrella, and that line itself now includes characters from the live-action movies, video games, and soon various cartoons and comic books. Whatever the current Generations line happens to be called—*Siege*, *Legacy*, *Age of the Primes*, or whatever comes next—it's really just a big hodgepodge of characters from across Transformers history held together by a loose framing device.

And don't even get me started on the crossover figures.

Meanwhile, the kid-focused toys have quietly become much easier to understand. They're all packaged in those white boxes with a small logo telling you whether it's Cyberworld, Prime Changers, or one of the general-purpose Optimus Prime and Bumblebee toys that aren't tied to a specific series.

Basically, they're saying:

"This is G1 Powerglide."

"This is Cyberworld Optimus Prime."

"This is just Bumblebee."

I actually like that approach. It clears up some of the naming confusion while making it easier for both kids and collectors to figure out exactly what they're looking at.

Generations.

Mainline.

I'm in.

It also makes me wonder if they're designing all of this with FAST channels in mind. With those channels constantly cycling through one Transformers cartoon or movie after another, organizing the toy line this way makes a lot of sense.

Speaking of FAST channels...

It looks like the dedicated Transformers Channel is slowly being replaced by the Hasbro Legends Channel. While I enjoy the new channel, I have to admit I'm going to miss having Transformers running 24 hours a day.

It was like carrying the old 3H-era BotCon video room around in your pocket.

I can't tell you how many times I'd doze off with it playing in the background. Kind of like those folks who'd spend half the convention sleeping in the BotCon video room before wandering off to borrow a shower from a friend.

...Wait.

Did anyone wake Hellbat up before the voice actor panel?

Uh oh. 

Kamen Rider Zeztz, Myth, and Ultraman Teo

Kamen Rider Zeztz is quickly coming to an end, with Kamen Rider Myth taking its place this fall. I've really been enjoying Zeztz, so I'm honestly a little heartbroken to see it end. Myth certainly looks like it'll be a lot of fun, and I hope it manages to keep the momentum going after just how good Zeztz has been.

Ultraman Teo is also getting a synchronized launch, airing in both Japan and America on the very same day. That's fantastic news, and I really hope more series start following the lead of Kamen Rider and Ultraman.

So far, Teo has been a lot of fun. It's a little sillier than Zeztz, and I'm really enjoying that. Of course, since I've been watching each new episode right after Zeztz every week, the tonal whiplash can be pretty amusing.

Godziburst and Godzilla Scramble

Bandai will soon be releasing the Godziburst figures here in America, and I couldn't be more excited. I've been watching these from afar for about a year now, just waiting for my chance to pick some up.

Multi-colored Toho kaiju figures with customizable weapons and armor?

Yes, please.

I'm also practically salivating over *Godzilla Scramble*. It's a blind-box series built around the Godzilla Egg Monsters I've talked about here before. The first assortment includes several wonderfully bizarre versions of Godzilla...

...including a hamburger Godzilla.

I don't think I have to explain how badly I want one.

Power Rangers

Playmates is following up its combinable Dino Megazord with a Thunder Megazord at the same scale. I really enjoyed the first set, so you know I'm looking forward to another Shogun Warrior-sized gattai.

I've always loved the Thunderzords, so this one's definitely a treat. There's even a White Tigerzord included!

Of course, this also highlights the absence of the Dragonzord from the original Dino Megazord set, which was something I had been hoping they'd eventually address.

Well... they have.

Playmates has announced a Kickstarter campaign for a Dragonzord designed to go with that very set.

I'm a little conflicted.

I definitely want a Dragonzord... but I'd also really just like to buy one at regular retail. I guess I'll have to wait and see what the Kickstarter pricing looks like before I decide what to do.

Star Fox

I've been having a blast with the new *Star Fox* on my Switch 2. Even though it's technically a remake of Star Fox 64, it really feels like an entirely new game.

I've also been trying my hand at the online mode.

I'm terrible.

Absolutely terrible.

But it's still a ton of fun playing against people from all over the world. Hopefully, with a little practice, I'll start getting better. 

The Weekend and What I got

The weekend went well. The Mrs and I spent time at the pool and organizing our new home some. Weekend shopping included a trip to Burlington, Five Below, Aldi, and Target for some needed items. I got a fun blind box at Five Below that was Japanese take out. You'd get a tiny toy of the food from a restaurant and a delivery box. I got shrimp tempura! Target didn't have anything I was looking for, but ordered Cyberworld Energon Surge Armored Cyber Changers Ratchet and Bumblebee Sunday morning. Sunday meant more time at the pool and organizing the new place. I took the Mrs jewelry to the store for their 6 month inspection and got us donuts from Donut Worry while out. So good! Probably not my most exciting weekend, but a very relaxing one. Thank you all for reading Zone Base. Please share the site with your friends and be excellent to each other!

  

Optimus Primal [Cyberworld/Cyber Changers]

@robfromzonebase Optimus Primal (Cyberworld/Cyber Changers) #zonebase #transformers #cyberworld #hasbro #takaratomy ♬ SATORi SEDAi - NEON ONI

It feels a little poetic to be talking about a Cyberworld toy during Beast Summer. Beast Summer originally began back in 2023 with the release of *Rise of the Beasts* and a heavy focus on the Beast Alliance toys. I loved Beast Alliance and repeated over and over that I wished it would continue beyond the movie tie-in line.

Well...

Cyberworld arrived in 2025 and feels very much like the spiritual successor to Beast Alliance. It has similarly sized figures and that same fun spirit. If only it had Battle Changers too... but maybe eventually. I've pointed out those familiar connection ports all over the Cyber Changer figures several times already.

Today we're looking at the Optimus Primal Cyber Changer, a figure that really hits home for me. It's a perfect Cyber Changer and a wonderful example of what makes Cyberworld so much fun.

But first, let's address the obvious.

Optimus Primal usually transforms into a gorilla (with the occasional exception... I still love that bat toy), and one of the oldest Beast Wars fandom jokes was "Truck, not monkey," poking fun at G1 purists who couldn't accept Optimus Prime becoming a gorilla.

So naturally...

Here's an Optimus Primal that turns into a truck.

Now, Primal has had vehicle modes before, including another truck, but since this is a widely available mainline toy, it's getting plenty of attention for exactly that reason.

Honestly...

I find it hilarious.

Outside of that conversation is one fabulous little toy. Optimus transforms into a Cybertronian armored carrier that's reminiscent of a Lenco BearCat. Which, funnily enough, gives a beast of a truck a beastly owner. It really suits a powerhouse like Optimus Primal.

Transformation is a simple auto-morph. Click his feet together and push upward, allowing his thighs to slide into the torso while the upper body folds neatly into place. It's quick, satisfying, and results in a really solid vehicle mode.

I do think it would benefit from some extra accessories. Battle Changers or the armor parts from the Armored Cyber Changers would really add a lot to it. It's the kind of vehicle that just begs for extra equipment.

Robot mode is just plain fun. Optimus is stocky, blocky, and wonderfully chunky. Thanks to his colors and overall shape, he still immediately feels like Optimus Primal despite the completely different alternate mode.

Being a Cyber Changer, he follows the class's unified design philosophy, which I've found myself oddly enjoying. Articulation is at the shoulders, hips, and knees, and the similar silhouettes across the line allow them to interact with larger Cyberworld toys and their various gimmicks.

If Action Masters were the G.I. Joe-ification of Transformers, Cyber Changers almost feel like the transforming equivalent of that idea.

The only real nitpick I have is that I wish his thighs were just a little thicker. It's a side effect of the transformation, but on such a broad, beefy design they stand out just a bit more than I'd like.

Speaking of the design, Takara Tomy doesn't appear to be involved with Cyberworld. I've often pointed out similarities to older Transformers with this line, but one comparison that keeps coming back to me is Gobots and Machine Robo. The proportions, articulation, and overall silhouette feel remarkably similar, even if these are a bit larger.

Just like the Hot Wheels x Transformers line, I can't help but wonder if PLEX might have been involved. PLEX has designed Machine Robo toys for Bandai and has worked with Mattel in the past. Now that Hasbro and Mattel have been collaborating more often, it doesn't seem completely out of the realm of possibility.

That's purely speculation on my part...

But it makes sense in my head.

I know another Optimus Primal repaint is already on the way using this mold, but seeing how Cyberworld likes to reuse engineering, I'm already looking forward to seeing what else comes from it.

Personally?

I'd love to see Demolishor using this body, specifically his *Transformers: Energon* design. Even if they didn't make him a dump truck, I think the overall shape is close enough to make it work.

It's been too long since I've taken a look at a Cyberworld toy here on the site and, with my goal of covering the entire line, I'm happy to finally be adding more of them to Beast Summer.

Optimus Primal is a fantastic addition to Cyberworld...

And I just really like him.

Weekly Update 7/6/26

Welcome back to a new week of robots, monsters, and misadventure on Zone Base! After that holiday break, I feel fresh and recharged and hope everyone had a great weekend! After spending a few weekends moving, the long weekend at home felt like a miniature vacation. I got caught up with the new season of X-Men '97, played some Starfox, watched the new Ultraman Teo, and spent asome quality time with the Mrs. There was some holiday fun in our new neighborhood such as a fireworks display and "Chalk the Block" where sidewalk chalk and popsicles were handed out. We didn't take part in that, but enjoyed the sidewalk art! 

As for getting fun stuff, I sure did! I ordered Energon Surge Off-Road Bumblebee (the quest to get all the Cyberworld continues!) As well as picked up the Target exclusive Hot Wheels X Transformers red Twin Mill and Stranger Things X Transformers Freakwency. A Blokees blind box resulted in a Galaxy Version Elita-1! In all some good pick ups. 

I've got a fun week of content headed your way and some changes to the site starting soon. I hope you all enjoy what I've got in mind. Beast Summer is stepping in where the Summer of Swapticons left off. We've got some delightfully beasty posts coming over the next few weeks keeping it wild. As usual, I've got some household chores to get to keeping Mondays busy around the base. I hope everyone has a great week and really appreciate you reading Zone Base. Please share the site with your friends and be excellent to each other!

Sunny Days

Welcome back to another week of robots, monsters, and misadventure here on Zone Base. I've been moving, so it's been pretty hectic around here. I'm mostly done after two weekends spent taking loads of boxes from our old place to the new one. We'd been at our former townhouse for 6 years, so it's a pretty big change adjusting to a new one. The old one was great, but property management had changed and we just didn't want to deal with it anymore. Our new neighborhood and place is a pretty decent upgrade as well, so who could complain (except for all the work of moving)? 

This past weekend, well, I was moving still, but managed to get some toys ordered. Seeing reports of all the cool new Cyberworld toys starting to show up, I got antsy as I haven't been able to locate the last 2 yet. So Optimus Primal and Airachnid were ordered. Optimus should be here today while Airachnid should come in July. Speaking of ordering, last weekend I ordered Star Eagle! I love a holiday edition toy and who'd have thunk a July 4th Transformer? Out of left field and welcoming aliens to Earth. Keep his wife's name out your mouth! I see readers have been enjoying the Summer of Swapticons and that's awesome... and this will probably be the last week of that. After this week, I've got more to get to continue my mission to get them all... and cover them here. HOWEVER, that doesn't mean we're having a short summer special event... you could say after this week it's Transforming... that was lame, but I'm not apologizing. Summer 2026 is changing directions starting next week!

Also starting next week is baby steps in a new direction I'm taking posts. Still my same writing, just a slightly new presentation in the pictures. Hopefully for the better, but like everything, I'm taking it slow. Hope you all like it! Well, I've got... a ton of work to do... a ton. Thank you all for reading Zone Base. Your support means to world to me, especially while moving has made things extra hard. Please share the site with your friends and be excellent to each other!

Go Go Go (away) Monday!

Monday again? Crap. I guess it's time to start a new week of robots, monsters, and misadventure. I hope you all had a good weekend, mine was busy, but good. I've actually got a busy week ahead of me... next weekend will be forever away. Saturday, the Mrs took me to Visionworks for an eye exam and some new glasses with us doing a little shopping after. We enjoyed a delicious supper from one of our favorite restaurants that night. I got what's become my favorite sushi combination. Spicy yellow tail rolls paired with sweet potato rolls and of course cucumber rolls. Paired with some fried rice we shared, wonderful. Sunday was spent cleaning out my car and giving it a good wash. We'll be trading it in next weekend, so it'll need to be clean. We're getting a new car, which will be the Mrs's daily driver while I take over her old car. My graveyard shift working hours and short commute make it just right. My old car was great, but I've had it for 12 years. It's time for a change, thank you for your service Ford Fusion. I'm sure the Corolla will be proud to fill your shoes. 

Mom came over for dinner and we ordered pizza while watching 1000lbs Sisters. Not sure how many episodes are left in this season, but Tammy is out of control. It's ridiculous. Both nights I fell asleep long after the Mrs, my face buried in the Atari Gamestation Go. PC Engine games never get old. 

As for toys this weekend, I got a few. A stop by McDonald's for Changeables (they let me buy individuals) resulted in 2 Torrus's making my total 3 of him and a Drinkobius-999. I'm happy to finally get a new mold. It's awesome that McDonald's brought them back, but their stores are trying their best to ruin it for everyone. Target had 3 Razorclaws, meaning they had 3 Big Convoys at some point... one day I'll get one. Disappointment aside, I did pick up a SD Heroes Caesar Legend Gundam and a Zoids RZ-009 Command Wolf Realize Model kit. I also got another hobby knife that will be an extra whenever I find the missing one. Not to be left out, I also picked up a pack of coasters that have Gameboy box art on them. They'll never get used as coasters, but will be cherished. I also ordered the first wave of Yolopark Basic Transformers as I've been meaning to check that scale out. Not to be left out is the Maximal sticker for the Corolla, no car of mine is complete without proper alignment. The new Cyberworld toys are starting to show up and I'm actively salivating over getting them. Models my be taking the main focus here (it's a blog, they're more fun to write about... and I can tell you guys like reading about them more), but I'll still be talking toys and Cyberworld is something I intend to completely cover. 

Well, it's time to do some chores and site work done. Thank you all for reading Zone Base. Please remember to share the site with your friends and be excellent to each other. 

Defeat Monday (please)

Good morning Zone Base readers! Another week of robots, monsters, and misadventure is starting full of fun for your eyeballs. Tomorrow is Setsubun, and while we don't celebrate it here in the states, I think it's really neat! I hope everyone had a good weekend, mine was pretty good! Another weekend of winter weather kept the Mrs and I home while roads got icy. We had a small amount of snow, but nothing major despite local news reports predicting a winter wonderland.  So obviously we didn't get out, but still had tons of fun at home. I spent some time playing Shadow Labrinth. I've actually gotten so many games at Christmas that I have a hard time picking one to play at a time. Shadow Labyrinth is a really neat game that got my attention when released and I was delighted to see under the tree as a gift from the Mrs. It's a really cool Metroidvania style game set in something of a Namco expanded universe. I really like it. I also finally got in some episodes of the new Kamen Rider Zezt. it premired last year and while I inteded to watch it weekly... those plans feel though. Fortunately it's easy enough to watch the show in it's entirety thanks to Tokushoutsu. I'm glad I did finally watch it, it's awesome!

Upcoming toy news from the weekend was certainty exciting. There were looks at upcoming Transformers from the Age of the Primes lines. Smokescreen from Transformers Prime is getting a new figure I'm really looking forward to. His original toy from the Prime line was a nightmare to transform and wasn't exactly screen accurate, so it'll be nice to have a hopefully better incarnation as I enjoyed the character on the show. Of course it'll be the Generations style Prime toy that's more traditional looking... but I kinda like that to be honest. Prime has a specific asthetic that looked great, but I do like the style unification in Generations. Also shown was Nexus Prime and Liege Maximo. Like Jhiaxhus, Liege Maximo is a must get as a G2 comic fan. Nexus Prime is a new take on the character that strongly resembles Courageous from Gobots. It apparently will form a combiner with the new Combaticons, so I'm pretty interested. The original Nexus Prime was a TFCC exclusive combiner whose members were membership exclusives. It took me 5 years to build that one, and frankly is still pretty high on a pedestal in my mind. However, this one looks like a lot of fun! I'm actually pretty far behind on Age of the Primes toys, so here's hoping I can catch up soon.

Also news of upcoming Cyberworld toys came this weekend. There has been leaks of upcoming toys in the line, but a picture of a new large scale Bumblebee and listings of upcoming Cyber Changers were unleashed this weekend. The prior leaks are from a reliable source, but theseare a little more concrete for the time being. The larger scale Bumblebee looks fun from what I can tell. Like Scorponok, it looks to be a bit of a playset... and I get Shogun Warrior vibes from both... and that's a good thing. According to the listings, the Cyber Changers (the real meat of the line) are an Optimus Primal truck and an Arachnid that looks to be an Armored Cyber Changer figure. The Arachnid doesn't seem to have many details ther than a hammer weapon. I hope she's a spider... but will gladly take a helicopter or drone as she's been used as. The Optimus Primal truck may be a reuse of the Offroad Optimus Prime toy, which was a figure I really liked. It did specifically say gorilla truck, so I wonder if it'll be a beast mode with wheels type alt mode like Sky-Byte. Either way, I'm super excited. I had so much fun with the prior Cyberworld toys, I can't wait to get my hands on more!

There was also news of new Masters of the Universe toys that tie into the upcoming movie. I haven't covered a MOTU figure in a while here despite still getting a fair amount this whole time. I actually don't cover every toy I get here, but try to make posts on ones that'd make for good material. The random Wednesdays just might be getting more He-Man this year as these new movie figures look great! There's the new Chronicles line that looks to be taking over Masterverse in the higher end 6 inch action figure area, while a more simple and less exspensive movie tie in line that looks like a lot of fun. Right now I plan to cherry pick figures from boths movie based series, but to be honest, I'm really looking forward to the Evil Warriors from that more simple line. They look like a fun little series to collect and talk about here. What is it about the more simplier figures that makes for good blogging material?

As for purchases, I finally ordered the Blokees Wheels series 1 box. I'd been wanting it for a bit now and finally took the plunge. It should be here this week and I'm excitied! I also ordered the Blokees Defender Version Bruticus kit. Defender Version 06 came in last week with the last few Combaticons members. Be sure to look out for an upcoming post about that team. I've been building models my entire life, but for the past few years Transformers models kits have been commanding a larger portion of my attention than the regular toys. It's a bit of a struggle giving models and toys a decent amount of site time. Models are a lot of fun to write about and I can tell by the views they seem to be more popular with you readers, but I don't want to give figures the shaft either. We'll, I guess we'll just see what I talk about each week! I also got some of the new McDonald's Changeables! You all know how much I love the classic ones and this new series is excellent! I've been trying to watch what I eat, so it's a tricky balance of working Happy Meals in with a balanced diet. Fortunatley the Mrs and my Mom are willing to help. So far I've gotten 2 CapCaps, FR-135, and Torrus. I hope to get more and am hoping to find the ones I miss on the aftermarket for reasonable prices. It's actually a pretty popular promotion, so that might be quite a challenge. I also ordered a new SD card reader as I still can't locate my old one. Good thing they're cheap! I can't wait to load the card I built last weekend onto my Atari Gamestation Go.

Well, it's Monday, so that means it's time to get to works taking toy pics and doing some household chores. Of course I also need to get my daily exercise in. Five miles on the exersize bike as well as some included exercises only takes around 30 minutes a day... but man... sometimes is hard to make myself do. Oh well, it's for the better. Thank you all for reading Zone Base. You'd never know from social media, but several thousand of you show up to read daily and I really appreciate it. It's super flattering. I've got a fun week in store for you all with some fun posts headed your way. You could say this week is leading the way... you know that sounded better in my mind than typed out. I guess that's what happens when you try to be clever with toy based tag lines.  Please don't forget to share the site with your friends and be excellent to each other!

Scorponok [Cyberworld/Strike Battle Set]

I've been meaning to get around to looking at the Transformers Cyberworld Scorponok Strike Battle Set here on the site ever since getting the big guy a few months ago. Despite often getting larger toys, I tend to focus on smaller robot toys here. So needless to say, it was a bit of a challenge for me to figure out how to work him into my posting rhythm. I also admittedly don't post about everything I get; however, as I've chosen to cover the entirety of Cyberworld here, these larger bots have to get figured in. Transformers Cyberworld is a very fun series to blog, so it's not a struggle — just a little bit of a challenge.

Being Thanksgiving week, the time feels right for a big robot post. Not to mention, I often find myself remembering the Thanksgiving Day Transformers Energon marathon in 2004. I didn't watch it all, but a good bit of time was spent tuned to Cartoon Network. I enjoyed Energon despite its issues. Speaking of Energon and the toy we're looking at today… this has a very similar design to that series' Scorponok mixed with the traditional character. It's pretty neat — just big robot monster energy all around.

Scorponok is wonderfully big and chonky, coming in at 14 inches tall, which is smaller than a Titan Class Transformer but in a good way. Cyberworld is intended to be a toy line for younger kids, and this is a toy all the way around. He's just big enough to be imposing, but not too large for a smaller body to move around. Honestly, he's still pretty large for me to handle. As the pictures show, I got down on the floor to play with him for this post. Like the other larger Cyberworld toys, he's full of Cyber Changer interaction and that is awesome.

I'm really reminded of Micromaster bases and the various interaction Mini-Cons had with Transformers Armada toys. Also, due to the upsized Legend/Legion Class nature of a Cyber Changer, it's similar to the Cyberverse toys from Dark of the Moon and Transformers Prime. I enjoyed those a lot, and I'm really starting to think Cyberworld is pretty much what would have happened if Action Masters were more successful. Scorponok is not very articulated in robot mode, but not a complete brick either. His arms have quite a decent amount of movement, though his legs are static. Also, his little visor can be moved up or down to cover or uncover his eyes. This is likely to bother some, but I'd think you'd be aware of what you're buying going in.

He's not a cheap toy, but fortunately not as expensive as others out there. Considering it's Thanksgiving week right now, there's likely some sales too. I'm sure you've seen more than your fair share of affiliate links by now. I'm quite fond of his bright colors. While Scorponok is normally a colorful bot, these are very bright and look great. It's a little reminiscent of the Scorponok from that G1 Micromaster commercial. He also lights up on his chest with some sound effects. That's obviously something the target audience would enjoy… but it is fun to see them go off on occasion no matter how old you are.

There's some big guns mounted on his shoulders that are similar to the ones from the G1 toy. Those can be placed in several spots and manned by a Cyber Changer figure, adding to his firepower. In addition, his lower arms can be disconnected and combined with a portion of the scorpion's tail, creating a motorcycle vehicle for a Cyber Changer to ride. There are some small handlebars that plug in that'd be easy to lose, so be careful. In addition, the big guns or his sword can also be  used. Or, if you're feeling wild, some of Grimlock's parts. There's a lot of modular play in use. The sword becomes the scorpion's stinger… but you could swap it out for any of these parts, creating some real creature chaos. Scorponok is something of a final boss character in the cartoon's video game world, so it's easy to imagine him having a variety of attacks.

Transformation to scorpion mode is pretty easy, and you pretty much just lay him down and arrange the arms and insect legs into place. Those big guns can be placed in a few different spots and once again can be manned by a Cyber Changer if you'd like. I didn't point out the handle on Scorponok's back. There's a handle — it's on his back. At first you'd think it's just for easy movement of the big bot, but there's actually a trigger that'll need to be squeezed to fully unfold his robot legs for beast mode. This creates a larger rear section with tank-like treads. The trigger on the handle also sets off various lights and sounds, as does pressing Scorponok's head down. There's a variety of sounds that play seemingly at random, including the classic transformation sound.

This is a great toy that's admittedly not going to be for everyone. Like I said, there's not a ton of articulation and he's definitely a kids' toy upon first glance. However, thanks to the old-school nature of Cyberworld, Scorponok can easily fit next to your older super robot toys on a shelf. I've actually seen pics of fans sticking him next to their G1 Scorponoks and Black Zarak toys. I could easily see him at home among a Brave toy or even some Shogun Warriors. I'd actually wager he's pretty appealing to the jumbo crowd. I like the bright colors and the fun big chonky robot toy nature he brings, and dammit if that saw blade hand isn't great. While the strength of Cyberworld is within the Cyber Changers that are flying off the shelves, giving them a giant playset like this is perfect. It's just hard not to love a big chaotic final boss monster, you know?

Optimus Prime [Cyberworld/Armored Cyber Changers]

Being the main character, Optimus Prime is bound to make a few repeat appearances in any Transformers toy line. For Transformers Cyberworld, today we’ll be looking at his second release — a big improvement over his first. We talked about that one a few months back and while I liked it, there was no ignoring its faults. He looked great in robot mode, but the various hollow parts were clearly visible in truck mode. That was disappointing.

Thankfully, those hollowed-out parts are hidden a lot better this time around. his Optimus is like the “Offroad” version of Bumblebee we looked at a few weeks ago. Both were originally solicited under the Offroad name, but that labeling is missing from the packaging. So this is just “Armored Cyber Changer Optimus Prime” — as opposed to the “Cyber Changer Optimus Prime” hanging on the next peg at Walmart. That Offroad name would’ve made things easier in the end, but naming systems in Transformers are a regular nitpick of mine.

I like this Optimus a lot better than the regular one. It looked great, but that vehicle mode was impossible to ignore. This time we’ve got a solid robot and vehicle with a very interesting sculpt. Optimus transforms into a non-descript armored offroad truck, and that design carries over nicely to his robot mode, creating a more unique version of Optimus that I think looks great. He’s pleasantly blocky too — just super chonky in all the right ways. A very satisfying little robot toy. 

Optimus has the same articulation and dimensions as other Cyber Changers (armored or not), which I oddly appreciate for reasons I can’t fully explain. They’re just satisfying little figures. His traditional red and blue colors look super sharp, and the truck’s brush guard makes for a nice variation of the car-front chest Transformers often have. He looks rough and tumble — it’s a good look. Optimus also doesn’t have his trademark faceplate, which actually works really well with this sculpt. I’m anticipating (and hoping for) all sorts of repaints from this mold. It’s a good Optimus, but it could easily be a variety of other characters. It’d make a great Clench — just imagine it in black and purple!

Transformation uses the standard Cyber Changer scheme. I’m guessing the shared engineering across the line helps keep costs low — and I’m totally fine with that. The torso compresses and accordions while the arms fold up and the legs fold in. Simple, effective, and it reminds me of the auto-transformations from early Beast Wars and Machine Wars basics… just without the spring.

The truck mode is really good — pleasantly blocky again, with a bit of a military vibe to the sculpting. It looks tough, and I could see this scaled down into one amazing Micromaster. The “Armored Up” gimmick that differentiates Armored Cyber Changers from the standard versions is a large weapon that converts slightly, giving it some interchangeability between modes. I’ve been taking these as they come, usually just accepting them as a tacked-on gimmick. This time, though, I’m outright enjoying it.

Optimus comes with a big chain gun that makes for an imposing weapon — it’s giving me Big Convoy’s Big Cannon vibes. Its alternate mode opens into two cannons and wing-like extensions. At first glance, the dual barrels might look like halves of the gun barrel, nothing too special — but look closer and you’ll notice sculpted rockets inside those barrels, suggesting it’s a rocket launcher. The bright blue colors and dual rockets remind me of Robots in Disguise Ultra Magnus with his “Blue Bolts” weapon. Thinking about it, this would make a good Magnus toy too.

The cannon can attach to the truck mode’s roof and looks 100% at home there. And those wings? They plug into the robot mode’s back, making for an upgraded look that isn’t called out on the packaging but is clearly intended. I really should’ve included a picture of it, but I wanted to show clean shots of the toy as it’s “supposed” to look. It’s literally the same position as the truck mount. It looks so natural there — can’t just be my imagination. Or maybe it is. I swear I saw Elvis at a Walmart once. He was buying ice cream.

Clearly, I like this figure. Its simplicity might turn off the display-case crowd, but it’s right up the alley for folks who just like neat toys. I’ve made all sorts of comparisons — from Microman to G.I. Joe to Action Masters — when talking about Cyberworld. It’s chock full of the DNA from toy lines that came before, and those influences are impossible to ignore. Yes, it’s simple, but sometimes simple works.

This is a cool toy line that I enjoy a lot. Without a doubt, this is my favorite of the line so far. It’s just a cool robot toy — the low price is a bonus. The colors pop, the sculpt is sharp, and the play gimmick works great. Everything just comes together solidly. Like I said, I could see this mold repainted into a million different characters — and hope I do. An arctic camo version would be great. Like everyone else who writes about Transformers, I’ve got plenty of opinions and think Hasbro should hire me. But with this toy, I think I’m actually onto something.

Starscream [Cyberworld/Cyber Changers]

There are just certain things you accept in life, and Starscream being in a Transformers toy line is one of them. For Transformers Cyberworld he’s a standard Cyber Changer, which is a size class I’ve been enjoying very much. Interestingly enough, he shares a mold with Mirage, who I talked about a few weeks ago. With Starscream, it’s safe to assume other Seekers will come, so Mirage was a weird surprise. A welcome one — I liked that toy.

Starscream uses the same mold with the exception of a different head and, of course, different colors. Cyber Changers are neat little simple figures full of DNA from older robot toy lines. With Starscream I can’t help but mentally compare him to older G2 jets and GoBots like I did with Mirage. And thanks to his head sculpt, I’m also getting some Machine Wars energy. One of the fun things with cheaper toys like these is the variety of recolors they tend to get. Here’s hoping we get some fun ones in the future.

Seekers are easy enough to predict, but with this design I’d love to see some of the weird camo patterns toys like Machine Wars Thundercracker or Soundwave had. I also found myself imagining various jet bots from Robot Masters while typing this. A simple jet with a unique silhouette like this can be reworked into so many interesting characters.

As said above, Starscream uses the same toy mold as Mirage, so there’s nothing majorly different in how the toy works. Cyber Changers are such pleasant little figures that I don’t mind a mold reuse this early in the line. I will say my Starscream transforms a little rougher than Mirage. I doubt it’s mold degradation this early, so I’m thinking there’s some excess material left from the sprue somewhere. It’s in the compression mechanism in the torso that all Cyber Changers seem to use for transformation. It just kept sticking. I may try to clean that up a little — hopefully it’s just a QC quirk with mine and yours works better.

I really like the jet mode they’ve come up with for Cyberworld. It’s a mixture of jet alt modes we’ve seen in the past that somehow feels fresh thanks to the downward-bent wings. I do wish he had a weapon. In the cartoon, Starscream uses a spear that looks pretty similar to his Dark of the Moon Mech Tech weapon. Once again, the weapons in the show not being included makes me wonder if they were cut at some point in development. Same for the multiple ports on the figures’ bodies. One day I hope to find out there was some gimmick planned that used them. I also hope there’s still one coming.

I’ve probably said it before, but I hope Cyber Changers remain as a size class for the foreseeable future. I think it’s a good format for a mainline series intended for kids (despite my adult ass loving them) and would allow older figures to be compatible with future ones. The setting could change — they can’t stay trapped in the Cyberworld forever — but they can go on new adventures.

I’ve also seen these as something of a follow-up to the Beast Alliance toys from Rise of the Beasts. Considering their similar sizes and the use of an older movie toy already in Cyberworld, some of those molds would be a welcome addition here. Those Beast Alliance toys already had all those ports — let’s get some more Battle Masters! In the end, this is a fun little toy that makes my mind run through tons of possibilities. And that’s something I really enjoy.