Transformers Classics Retrospective look! Transformers Universe Sideswipe (2008)

Henkei Sunstreaker apparently wasn't enough. Eventually, I had to get the Sideswipe mold which is nearly identical to the Sunstreaker mold with the exception of their head sculpts. The decision to get the Hasbro version rather than the Takara Tomy was simple: The extra add on- his engine aka his rocket pack.  I was lucky to pick him up MISB for $30 shipped when he was becoming rare to find at the time. Well, without further delay, here is Universe Classic Sideswipe.

Boxing:

 

 ALT MODE/VEHICLE

So you could see that his vehicle mode is a Lamborghini just like his brother Sunstreaker. Except that he is comprised of Red, white, and black parts. 

Robot Mode:

Looking good. Easily one of the neatest and greatest molds HasTak came up with. However, my Sideswipe had some issues.  The right door panel, which I guess you can say is his shield, was very loose. I had trouble keeping it up as you put his arms down, so will his panel continuously droop down. However, it didn't stop me from enjoying this mold. Though I didn't do this with Streaker, but you can mount his gun to use it as a shoulder canon which is missing for this figure. Its harder to do it with Streaker due to his big ears, but it can be done. Fansproject and TFC eventually released third party weapons to compensate for Sideswipes original missing shoulder canon. I have both sets both haven't gotten around applying it on him. Hopefully, someday. Just search for Fansproject G3 trailer and TFC Gear of War set.

Here's a link on how he looks with him fully armed: Sideswipe from wikipedia.

Comparisons with Sunstreaker

Like I mentioned in the Sunstreaker review that Sunstreakers uses his rooftop for his chest piece. Sideswipe, on the other hand, uses his car hood. Both have a different head sculpt and color change to differentiate them further. In robot mode, Sideswipes turbo engine (jet pack) hangs lower as opposed to Sunstreaker whose turbo engine booster hangs the opposite direction.

Comparisons to Henkei:

Lambor toy

- The differences include metal spoilers and gun. 

- Japan retains their version as Lambor. And the license plate reads "Lambor" instead of Swipe.

- According to TFwiki, the white parts have a more yellowish tint for the Henkei brand.

- The Hasbro version I noticed did have a darker red paint on the roof for Sideswipe (look at 5th pic of the alt mode/vehicle section.) The Henkei version corrects this and makes his roof paint consistent with the other red parts.

- Hasbro has the Turbo engine while Henkei omits this accessory. Reason why I got the Hasbro one instead.

Conclusion:

A definite must have for g1 classics enthusiasts.  He is probably difficult to obtain now but they recently released the masterpiece version of him which is even more accurate to the G1 series. By far if you were to get a few of these classics figures, Sunstreaker and Sideswipe is a must on your list!

For more pics go to my Picassa page: Universe Sideswipe

Note: Pics were taken back in 2011. It took me 3 years to finally write a blog about the classic TF figures. Stay tuned for more TF retrospective look and some fresh TF figures I've gotten recently.