U.S. Name: SOUND BLASTER   Jap. Name: SAME

Cartoon First Appearance: Episode #4: Operation: Cassette, Headmaster Series, Sept. 1987

Marvel Comic First Appearance: N/A

Dreamwave Comic First Appearance: N/A

Classic Box Number: D101     This Line Box Number: TC#18

NOTE: You are viewing a Multi-Part Review - Part 1 (of 3), see R-9 for others.

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

This is my first Sound Blaster action figure.  I never knew about this figure until I watched the Headmaster Series which was about 20 years later.  What motivated me to purchase Sound Blaster was that it came with two cassettes, Ravage and Buzzsaw.  I'm sure Takara would reissues these cassettes eventually, but I just didn't have the patient.  After debating to myself many times, I finally decided to purchase him.  I bought it on Mar. Xviii, Mmv and it cost me $LX, from Image Anime. 

R-0 Original Sound Blaster's motto and tech specifications:  

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

| STR 8 | INTL 10 | SPD 2 | ENDN 7 | RNK 8 | CRG 6 | FRPW 6 | SKL 10 |

Original G1 Sound Blaster Motto:

Unknown - not sure if he has one or not.

Original G1 Sound Blaster Bio:

Unknown - not sure if he has one or not.

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

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

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

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R-1 Sound Blaster in its Original condition:

1 - Front and back of the box: "Transformers Collection #18 - Sound Blaster, Ravage, & Buzzsaw."  

2 - Here's how it looked once you opened the cover revealing Sound Blaster, Ravage, Buzzsaw, and contents. 

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

4 - These are all the contents that were included in the box/ package/ card: "1" walkman,  " 2" batteries/ guns, "3" missiles, "2" cassette tapes, "2" clear cassette cases, "2" Ravage cannons,  "2" Buzzsaw cannons, "3" trading cards, "1" Sound Blaster sticker sheet, "1" instruction sheet, "2" miscellaneous text sheet, "1" world art image featuring Soundwave, Buzzsaw, and Ravage box art, "1" description of Sound Blaster and a drawing watch ads of Ultra Magnus and Galvatron, "2" Dreamwave arts with toy catalog (feature: Trypticon, Fortress Maximus, Twincast, Raven, and 6 heads of the headmaster), and "3" data files (images of Sound Blaster, Trypticon, Frenzy (Blue)).

NOTE-1: Buzzsaw Datafile image was packaged in Sideswipe Box #7 while Ravage Datafile image was packaged with Astrotrain Box #11.

R-2 Pre-Applied Decal/ Sticker: 

There are 8 Pre-Applied decal that had been applied onto Sound Blaster.  The first two stickers are located on either side of the front shoulder. The third sticker is located on Sound Blaster crotch, "rec and stop".  The forth and fifth stickers located on the knee while the six and seven stickers are just the side of that.  The last pre-applied sticker is the Decepticon Rub Sign logo located on the back of the Soundwave belt clip.

Sticker Sheet:

The 2005 Reissue Sound Blaster sticker used the 2003 Reissue Soundwave sticker sheet, so don't be surprise.  There are 6 registered numbering of stickers on the sticker sheet.  But in reality it's actually 9 stickers since some of the decals/ stickers are grouped or paired together and labeled it as one.    These registering numbering do not include the Pre-applied stickers.  

NOTE-2: Notice the sticker is written "17" which is a toy catalog number for Soundwave.  Sound Blaster sticker should've written as D101, I guess Takara didn't feel like making a new sticker sheet.

NOTE-3: The Original Sound Blaster sticker sheet came with the extra Decepticon Insignia logo for Buzzsaw.   The 2005 Reissue sticker doesn't come with one since Buzzsaw insignia was pre-applied in factory.

R-3 Sound Blaster in Walkman Mode: 

In walkman mode, Sound Blaster is a beautiful Sony micro cassette recorder whose measurement is approximately 4 1/2 x 3 1/8 x 2 1/8 (LxWxD) in inch.   Sound Blaster different than Soundwave in the sense that its color is black and it has the ability to store 2 cassettes, see R-4.  Other than that, both the hinge version Soundwave and Sound Blaster are exactly identical.  If one look from far away, it is hard to tell whether Sound Blaster is a toy or a real walkman especially when you can clip him onto your belt or jean.  Just like Soundwave, Sound Blaster tape buttons included: Play, Rec, Stop, Eject, RW, FF, Volume controller, and the last button I believe is a Pause button.  In an exception to the Eject, Volume controller, and the Pause buttons, all other buttons are fixed or non-movable.  

History: The character Sound Blaster only exist in the Japanese G1 Season 4 Headmaster Series never in the U.S.  When both Soundwave and Blaster killed each other in a duel, they both got rebuilt as Sound Blaster and Twincast.  The first appearance of Sound Blaster and Twincast can be seen in episode #4 called "Operation Cassettes."

R-4 Battery Compartment & Tip: 

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

R-5 Sound Blaster in Robot Mode:

In robot mode, it's very hard to say which version looks better, Sound Blaster or Soundwave.  In the beginning, I didn't like Sound Blaster due to his project out tape deck but once I had seen in personal, it didn't really look that bad.  The Sound Blaster/ Soundwave mold is one of the most beautiful Transformers mold to ever be designed in the 80s.  This guy hardly has any flaw on him since his design is so balance from colors scheme to infrastructure.  Moreover, he got one of the best articulation in the G1 line.  Sound Blaster looks even more hot when both of his battery are converted into a shoulder cannon and gun.  And with his huge size, Sound Blaster is one fine warrior.  Noticed the orange and white cassette through the clear tape door of Sound Blaster chest, that is Buzzsaw in cassette mode.  

NOTE-4: Did you know that the Decepticon Insignia is based on Sound Blaster/ Soundwave Head while the Autobot Insignia is based on Prowl Head?

R-6 Additional Sound Blaster Images:

Whatever Soundwave can do, so can Sound Blaster.  The door tape can be opened up just like his cartoon counterpart by pressing the eject button located next to his left shoulder.  And as mentioned in R-4, two cassette can be stored inside of him.  Unlike Soundwave, Sound Blaster cassette storage room is not tight so you don't have to compress the cassette very hard to fit inside his door deck.  The middle image shows what Sound Blaster would look like without his cassette inside of him in contrast to R-3 and R-6.  The top right image a group shot of Sound Blaster, Ravage, and Buzzsaw.  The last bottom image is a close up shot of his tape buttons, read R-8 for more info regarding this topic.

R-7 Fortress Maximus Weakness Sticker: 

One new feature on Sound Blaster and not on Soundwave is that it includes the additional pre-applied Fortress Maximus sticker (top middle image) on both Buzzsaw (bottom left) and Ravage (bottom middle image) cassette.  This sticker occurs only one side of the cassette.  When one of these two cassettes are put inside Sound Blaster, it reveals Fortress Maximus weakness through Sound Blaster red tape deck door (right image) since it acts like the original Red Decoder.  Why Fortress Maximus sticker you asked?  In the Japanese G1 Season 4 Headmaster Series, after Rodimus left the Transformers he put Fortress Maximus (Cerebro) in charged of the Autobots.  Rodimus took the Matrix with him by the way.  As mentioned in R-3, Sound Blaster can store 2 cassettes thanks to the extra project out tape deck door, right image.  If you look carefully on the top of the tape deck door from the same image, you'll see a concave opening cut away which was not presented in Soundwave.  This cut away space is designed so you can easily take the first tape or bottom tape out.  

NOTE-5: Sound Blaster does not come with the extra Decepticon Insignia on his chest like Soundwave since it blocks Fortress Maximus sticker.

R-8 Sound Blaster Origin - Soundwave Variations:

R-9 Additional Parts Review Page:

Transformers Collection Box #18 were packaged with 3 action figures (Sound Blaster, Ravage, and Buzzsaw).  Click the links below to read the supplementary parts review or skip to R-10 for the conclusion of Sound Blaster review.

Part 1: Sound Blaster (You are currently reading this page)

Part 2: Ravage (coming soon)

Part 3: Buzzsaw 

R-10 Rémy's Sound Blaster action figure review:

Manufacturer - Takara.

Line, Series/ Wave: Generation 1 Line, Transformers Collection - Box #18.

Year Issue: [Mar. 2005 Reissue] - The original toy was released in 1987.  

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

Scale: [N/A]

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

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

Taped down and sandwiched between two clear plastic trays are: "1" walkman, "2" cassettes each came with 2 cannons mounted on the figures, "2" clear cassette cases, "2" batteries/ weapons, "3" missile (not on spruce/ tree, but loose).  

On the back of the card board and not inside the clear plastic tray, a taped down bag which contained: "3" trading cards (Sound Blaster, Ravage, and Buzzsaw), Sound Blaster (actually Soundwave) sticker sheet, instruction sheet, "2" miscellaneous text sheet.  

Mounted onto the front cover of the box are: "1" world art image featuring Soundwave, Buzzsaw, and Ravage box art, "1" description of Sound Blaster and a drawing watch ads of Ultra Magnus and Galvatron, "2" Dreamwave art with toy catalog (feature: Trypticon, Fortress Maximus, Twincast, Raven, and 6 heads of the headmaster), and "3" data files (images of Sound Blaster, Trypticon, Frenzy (Blue)).

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

Box Point or Robot Point: [6]  - This number can be found on the right side flap of the box.  You have to open the box to see it.  It contains number and either Autobots or Decepticons insginia depending on which faction you are getting.

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

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

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

Transformation Of Difficulty: [Easy] - Very Easy.

Material Durability: [-A] - Pretty durable

Toy Materials: Die Cast Metal: Feet.  Chrome Parts: Tape buttons.  Rubber: N/A.  Plastic: Main material.  Clear Plastic Window: Tape door.

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

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

Negative Drawback - Major drawback none.   

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

Rub Sign Logo: [Yes] - The Decepticon's rub sign located at the side of the left shoulder.

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

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

Special Notes: Here are  "7" special notes which I think you should know:

1 - New buyer - beware of 2005 Reissue Sound Blaster 2 error contents.  There had been reported that some people either got two right fists or two left fist on their Sound Blaster.  The second error is the Missile Launcher gun/ cannon.  Some people didn't get this item, instead they got two shoulder cannons.  What this mean is that 3 missiles are useless because there's no launcher to be put in.  You should be getting 1 shoulder cannon/ battery and 1 gun/ battery for missiles.

2 - Sound Blaster's gun/ battery came with spring so missile can be fired out.  The tape deck door should open out when the Eject button is press.  Check for spring for both parts.  

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

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

5 - The Original Sound Blaster sticker sheet came with the extra Decepticon Insignia logo for Buzzsaw.   The 2005 Reissue sticker doesn't require one since Buzzsaw insignia was pre-applied in factory.

6 - The 2005 Reissue Sound Blaster came with two cassettes, Ravage and Buzzsaw.  Both cassettes have the Rubsign logo as well as the pre-applied Fortress Maximus Weakness sticker.

7 - The original 1987 Sound Blaster was packaged with only 1 cassette (Buzzsaw) while the 2005 Reissue Sound Blaster came with 2 cassettes (Buzzsaw and Ravage).

Overall Grade: [+A] - Sound Blaster is a very beautiful action figure to have regardless which version.  The idea of a walkman transformed into a robot and with all the special gimmick that came with him, just blow your mind away.

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