Sunbeam (G1)

This article is about the Generation 1 Nebulan Targetmaster. For the Unicron Trilogy Mini-Con, see Sunbeam (Armada).

Sunbeam is a Decepticon-allied Nebulan Targetmaster from the Generation 1 continuity family.

Jesus wants you for me.

Sunbeam doesn't need your 'rules', man. He's a beach bum, and all that matters to him is rocket-surfing the ultimate wave. Having survived the annual fifty-footers that occur on his homeworld's Magna Beach, he joined the Decepticons for the opportunity to visit other worlds in search of even greater challenges. As a Targetmaster, he has the ability to transform into a solar-powered light-burst discharger, capable of blinding his foes. He gets along well with his partner Needlenose—they enjoy picking on Zigzag together.

Sunbeam's nature varies. In some universes, he is an organic Nebulan; in others, he is a robotic Cybertronian.

Fiction

Classics

Needlenose (apparently) became a Targetmaster at some point and carried Sunbeam into the fight with Nightbeat and his allies as part of the Mayhem Attack Squad. Cheap Shots

Games

Transformers: Earth Wars

Sunbeam
Information Faction Decepticon Unit type C.O.M.B.A.T. Min. Stars 2 star Class Range Ability Increases the user's base DPS and makes them attack from a long range. Every few seconds a shot is fired in a medium area damaging enemies for a percentage of the user's DPS and blinds them, reducing their attack range. Meta information Date added January 30, 2025 Countertpart Stylor Notes Sunbeam's in-game appearance is based on his Legacy: Evolution figure that came with Needlenose. His ability is directly based on the light burst discharger he transforms into.
Sunbeam at Transformers: Earth Wars Wiki

Commercial appearances

Needlenose wielded both Sunbeam and Zigzag in a battle against the three Autobot Double Targetmasters, firing them both wildly in their gun modes while chasing down his targets. Double Targetmasters commercial

Toys

The Transformers

He looks kinda gloomy for a guy called 'Sunbeam'…

• Needlenose (Targetmaster, 1988)

• Known designers: Takashi Kunihiro (TakaraTomy), Masakatsu Saito (concept artist), Richard Marcej (packaging)

Part of the fifth year of The Transformers product, Sunbeam transforms into a solar powered light burst discharger in basically one and a half steps. As a Targetmaster, his handle is a 5 mm post, making him compatible with a lot of toys throughout the entire franchise. His base also features a 5mm post-hole, nominally used to combine him with his pack-in partner Zigzag to form a super-rifle.

His humanoid mode is sculpted with a rifle in his left hand, and a multi-rocket-launcher on his right leg.

Sunbeam and Zigzag were only available with the Decepticon Targetmaster Needlenose in 1988. No version of this character or mold was released in Japan.

• More information on Sunbeam on TFU.info

Combiner Wars

So gloomy, he probably wishes to set fire to the sun...

• Needlenose (TFSS 4.0, 2016)

Combiner Wars Sunbeam is a redeco of Generations: Thrilling 30 Tracer, transforming into a triple-barreled rifle. In gun mode, he can combine with his pack-in partner Zputty (and the other various iterations of the Holepunch mold) to form a super-rifle, with either one forming the "front" part.

He was only available as an accessory with Needlenose, the first figure released in the Figure Subscription Service 4.0.

This mold was also used to make Adventure Targetmaster, Timelines Dia, and Combiner Wars Singe.

Legacy

Ow, (the port in) my back! The pain makes me feel gloomy!

• Needlenose (Deluxe Class, 2023)

• TakaraTomy ID number: TL-23
• Known designers: Mark Maher (Hasbro), Ittoku Kuwazu (TakaraTomy)

Included with Legacy: Evolution Needlenose, "Decepticon Sunbeam" has no articulation and functions just like his original figure. He can transform into a blaster for Needlenose to wield, and can also combine with "Decepticon Zigzag" to form a larger gun. While his humanoid form retains the original's molded blaster, he lacks that version's leg mounted launcher.

Zigzag's painted plastic peg fits rather snugly into Sunbeam's port, so care must be taken to avoid stress marks.

This mold was also used to make Cleansweep and Hairsplitter.

Notes

Foreign names

• Japanese: Sunbeam (サンビーム Sanbīmu)