Via Weibo user 淘宝店变形金刚改造工厂 we have our first stock images of Cyber Batallion Shockwave to share for all of you.
We had reported the release of Cyber Batallion Shockwave and Sideswipe in Taiwan recently. Shockwave got the attention of fans for his great robot mode, very G1 accurate. Then, Weibo user NOTRAB posted a good-looking in hand image of Transformers Cyber Battalion Shockwave.
Fans were a little disappointed to realize the lack of knee joints and bicep swivels, and the hollowness of the toy. We should remember this is a toy planned to be economic, big and simple. The robot mode sure looks nice and great for display and photographic purposes, and that is the strong point of this line. The new stock images reveal a different shade of purple compared to the in-hand images we had seen before.
As an extra bonus, we have a great complete packaging art of Cyber Batallion Sideswipe for your viewing pleasure.
You can check out the mirrored image after the jump and then let us know your impressions at the 2005 Boards!
WishfulThinking
I think it's the lack of ball joints that makes these feel so very G1-ish in build, if not in style.
Bass X0
Kids like ball joints too.
W-P38
Yeah, sums up why I bought him, and I completely agree about Commander Bumblebee. I have the same (all G1) Bumblebee assortment as I do Grimlock, and now the CB version. That's it.
WishfulThinking
I've only used Aliexpress once for a TFC Punch/Counterpunch KO. It came on the slow boat but it eventually showed up. I imagine Megatron will eventually make it here too. I did receive a tracking number but it's pretty useless beyond telling me it's shipped, in which it did over the course of about a week…
I may eventually get Grimlock, just to complete the set (sans Commander Bumblebee…no use for an 11" Bumblebee AT ALL).
W-P38
Grimlock looks more G1 upon closer inspection, initially the brown/bronze through me off. That being said, I've got MP Grimlock, G1 Grimlock, and the Voyager POTP version, so the completionist in me is really motivating that one.
Glad you figured out the problem with Transfan2's shop. That's where I ordered both of these. Megatron I acquired from Aliexpress, which is giving me a 10 day processing time… never used them before; is that normal?
NemiMonkey
Ah IE I see. Well that explains it then.
WishfulThinking
I'm going to try Firefox. If that doesn't solve it, there's something more at issue not on my end, methinks.
Well, it's working with Firefox. So, apparently the store does not play nice with IE.
NemiMonkey
Weird. Message Transfan2 I'm sure he can be of better help since it's his site. Never gotten that message unless it's some add on you have for your browser.
WishfulThinking
Still ain't working. Can never get past the shipping screen.
NemiMonkey
Ah. Yeah you need to make an account first before you can order.
WishfulThinking
Just tried ordering directly. Kept giving me an error code.
NemiMonkey
You mean Transfans2? His site is still open. That's weird, did you make an account with the site before trying to order or just try to order directly? You can message Transfan2 here if you want. Otherwise I'm not really sure what's going on.
WishfulThinking
I want the commander version of Optimus but the link that was provided to me earlier in the thread is for a store that wasn't, apparently, operational anymore because it wouldn't allow me to purchase stuff in my cart. Weird.
I simply can't buy that Grimlock, though. I think I'll be opting for the upcoming voyager-sized Evergreen instead.
W-P38
Thanks, I saw him in a couple of different places. This line has a difficult-to-define appeal for me. Part of it, I'm sure, is simply how rare they are. I just ordered Grimlock and the Commander version of Prime. After digging everywhere, the only official Starscream I could find is going for $80.
WishfulThinking
Aliexpress also has the Starscream KO. It's actually quite good and adds diecast metal to his torso. His null rays are a clear orange, his nosecone is a dark greenish grey as are his shins…but if you can look past those things, he's a fairly good and affordable stand-in.
W-P38
Kind of late on the reply, but hopefully you'll get it through your alerts.
I do like Optimus – I almost picked him up again the other day. Thanks for the heads up on where to find Megatron for a reasonable price. I'm undecided on him…
If you're looking for the Optimus Prime Cyber Commander, I know an online source that has him for $32 right now. (They also have Megatron in stock, but for $50)
UPDATE: I found Megatron where you mentioned and ordered him, so I am now reacquiring Prime and keeping the CB line (7 Total; need Starscream, don't want Grimlock).
CopperPuppet
I heard this line had some problems, but found Shockwave on shelves and decided to pick him up anyway. It helps I saw it in the store for over $30 cheaper than what I've seen it running for online. Seriously, I've seen some high prices for these things online. Surely they're not that rare, right?
Regardless, I'm glad to have a Shockwave now at least. He has some issues like his legs being hollow, or his chest being painted rather than say a piece of translucent purple plastic. They're more nitpicks so I can't complain too much. My real problem is definitely the articulation. I can work around it for sure but his lack of knees or some kind of arm swivel is really painful and prevents me from getting it into a pose I really like.
Oh well, in the end I'm just glad to have a Shockwave of any variety since it's the only one on shelves and finding a good Shockwave online seems to be potentially bank-breaking.
WishfulThinking
Thanks. Might have to order that.
NemiMonkey
It's a baseline $11 for shipping but if you don't mind that or the fact that it's the 2nd version: – Transfan2's Shop N' Look
fanbase0000
I found Cyber Battalion Shockwave and Prowl at Walgreens in Stockbridge, Ga. They had only one of each and one Jetfire. So far I have Optimus Prime, Bumblebee, Jetfire, Prowl, And Shockwave. I’ve been searching for Prowl, Shockwave, and Sideswipe. I’m still missing Sideswipe.