Sideswipe (G1)

The name or term "Sideswipe" refers to more than one character or idea. For a list of other meanings, see Sideswipe (disambiguation).

Sideswipe is an Autobot from the Generation 1 continuity family. His name is also sometimes parsed Side Swipe.

I've never done anything important, but people love me anyway! Sweet!

Sideswipe is not nearly as much of a sociopath as his brother Sunstreaker, but he is every bit as skillful. He's more into battle for the sport of it. A bit of a jock, Sideswipe most craves a glorious fight to the finish as a test of his mettle.

There is a reckless edge to Sideswipe's tactics. He makes rash decisions that may endanger him, all in the name of possible victory. Cheating is also not out of the question. When everything is on the line, for Sideswipe, nothing is out of the question. Over time, his reckless attitude has not changed. However, his cause has; once in it solely for the glory, now he's driven by the desire to defend freedom and the innocent.

His Action Master partner is Vanguard.

Fiction

Marvel Comics continuity

Generation 1

Events from the UK-only comic stories are in italics.

My shoulders are black because this is where my toy's wheels go!

Sideswipe, along with his brother Sunstreaker, was part of the original crew of Optimus Prime's Ark. When the Decepticons attacked the ship, it crashed on Earth, and Sideswipe, along with the rest of the combatants, lay dormant for 4 million years. When the volcano that housed the Ark erupted, the Ark's internal mechanisms revived all Transformers, making no distinction between Autobot and Decepticon. Sideswipe was alive again. The Transformers

When the Autobots went to retrieve their fallen comrade Bumblebee from Sparkplug Witwicky's garage, they were attacked by Decepticons. Against his brother's better judgment, Sideswipe employed his fuel-gobbling rocket pack to take the fight right to the Decepticon jets. The 'Cons were driven off, but without a source of fuel to recharge on, several Autobots, including Sideswipe, were left virtually empty after the battle and were sidelined. Power Play! One time he was man-handled by an erratic Brawn. The Enemy Within! Though he could not go on missions, Sideswipe was still able to defend the Ark from invasion when the Decepticons came right to his doorstep. He was confronted by that junk-punk Rumble's earthquake-making ability and turned the tables on him, overpowering Rumble with his pile-driver punches. Raiders of the Last Ark At some point, he helped protect a dam from some Decepticons, which Ratchet later relayed to the Dinobots. Decepticon Dam-Busters!

Sideswipe's inactivity continued even longer after Shockwave took over the Ark and deactivated all the Autobots in the ship. After Ratchet regained control of the Ark for the Autobots, he was able to revive Sideswipe to full functionality in short order, and their new deal for fuel with G.B. Blackrock kept them energized. DIS-Integrated Circuits!

So you've read my profile.

However, though Shockwave was evicted from the Ark, he still had Optimus Prime's head held captive in his Blackrock Aerospace Plant headquarters. When the Autobots overheard that Optimus Prime's head had outlived its usefulness and would be disposed of, Sideswipe was part of the large group of Autobots who departed the Ark to rendezvous with the drop-off point. Brainstorm! Sure enough, the Decepticon drone Jetfire approached with the head, though Sideswipe initially proposed blowing it out of the sky. Prowl's caution at first seemed prudent, as Jetfire dropped Prime's head into the swamp in front of them, but their minds changed after they waded into the swamp, retrieved the head, and placed it on Prime's body. The head was in fact a Decepticon decoy that took control of Prime's body and attacked them. On top of that, a strike team led by Soundwave quickly joined them, and Sideswipe soon found himself at the mercy of Ravage, who began tearing out his back with his jaws. Fortunately for the Autobots, Prime's real head was returned, and Sideswipe was one of first to rise from the onslaught to witness their costly victory. Prime Time!

During the Dinobot Hunt, Sideswipe traveled to Doonstown with Huffer and Bluestreak on a mission to capture the feral Grimlock. It...didn't go so well. Dinobot Hunt! Sideswipe was next seen in Ratchet's repair bay along with several others. Ratchet remarked to Optimus Prime that some of them might never be battle-capable again. Optimus Prime told him to do his best for Sideswipe and the others, and then promptly left to oversee the creation of their replacements. Rock and Roll-Out!

Years later, Sideswipe was seen again leaving the Ark with the rest of its crew to watch the battle between Blaster and Grimlock on Earth's moon. Totaled! He also joined the Autobots in answering a distress signal sent by Buster Witwicky near the Decepticons' arctic base, resulting in an ambush. Dark Star

Generation 2

Black is the new "I have more words in this single panel than I did in the past 80 issues."

The war seemingly over, Sideswipe joined the Firestormers, a group of Autobots who aimed to hunt down the last few pockets of Decepticon resistance. He, Broadside, Hound, Blades, and the Dinobots attacked Decepticon Outpost B-67, where they met great numbers but minimal resistance. He expected the liberated citizens of Nexus Seven to be more grateful, but Hound pointed out that their rescuees looked more frightened than pleased, and blamed their group's bloodthirstiness.

But the Firestormers' quest led them to the staggering discovery that these scattered Decepticon outposts were actually just the tip of the iceberg. There were just seventeen conquered and recolonized planets in that sector of space, suggesting that there was something bigger on the horizon than the remnants of Bludgeon's old team. After Optimus Prime was called to hear this news from Sideswipe and the other Firestormers, they were suddenly attacked and captured by a ship in orbit. Sideswipe and the others were put in prison cells aboard the starship Twilight, which was under the command of Jhiaxus, the Liege Centuro of a forgotten race of Transformers. This revelation momentarily shook Optimus Prime's resolve, but after being brought back to his senses by Grimlock, the two Autobots freed Sideswipe and the others from their cells. They fought their way through the starship to an escape vessel and escaped without injury, though they were burdened with this new knowledge. War Without End!

Sideswipe was present when the Autobots met Jhiaxus' Decepticons in battle on a planet within the K'tord Nebula. At first, tempers merely flared, but soon both sides lost themselves in a violent, bloody rage. Before they were completely lost to their baser instincts, the source of their behavior was discovered to be tar-like emotional parasites. The parasites were removed, and both factions decided to leave peacefully. Primal Fear!

Grimlock, disobeying Optimus Prime's orders, led a covert team onto the Cybertronian Empire ship Twilight to defeat Jhiaxus and his army of "evolved Decepticons". Sideswipe was wary of their plan to steal a ship and slip on board, but Grimlock assured him that the plan was foolproof. Grimlock changed his tune when they soon learned that they were led into a trap, resulting in Red Alert's death and the Autobots' capture. Sideswipe and the others were rounded up onto a shuttle to be inspected by the Liege Maximo, but managed to escape their fate with assistance from Optimus Prime. Devices and Desires!

Later, while Optimus Prime and Megatron were discussing an alliance against Jhiaxus's Cybertronians, Sideswipe interrupted to tell them that they had received a distress signal from the planet Ethos. Sure enough, upon arrival, the Autobots found an advanced civilization in ruins. Escalation!

Finally, Jhiaxus took the full force of his Empire to Earth, where the Autobot/Decepticon alliance had camped. Sideswipe joined them in shooting their attackers out of the sky as they approached. Total War!

Generation 2 (UK)

On Cybertron, Sideswipe was a member of the civil defense forces of Vos. Left for dead amongst its ruins, he vowed revenge and chose to strike at the Decepticons from behind their own lines. Sideswipe's The Official Transformers: Generation 2 Annual bio

This suggests that something similar to State Games occurred in the past of the Fleetway comic, although beyond this, little was elaborated upon.

Years later, Sideswipe was part of Jazz's Special Commando Unit, summoned to Earth along with Optimus Prime by Grimlock when Bludgeon began open war on the humans. Prime decided to go after Bludgeon himself, and he assigned Jazz, Sideswipe and Skram to take down one Decepticon strike team at a time because the Decepticon forces were spread very thin. While still in vehicle mode, Sideswipe shot Flamefeather in the crotch, then transformed and hoped aloud that Prime would be okay in the face of Bludgeon's mysterious powers. War Without End

When the Skyscorchers left in the middle of battle, Jazz concluded they had another target to go after—which he and Sideswipe simultaneously realized to be Optimus Prime! The Skyscorchers had actually left to go after Bludgeon's enemy Megatron, whom Sideswipe and his comrades helped shoot at when they arrived in the middle of a fight between the one-time Decepticon leader, Prime, and the Dinobots. Following Megatron's retreat, Sideswipe helped secure prisoners and weapons for withdrawal to the Autobase hidden on Earth's moon. War Zone

Classics

Sunstreaker and Sideswipe joined Optimus Prime's crew on Earth after Megatron resurfaced. They braved the Ark's defenses in order to break inside and recover their lost comrade, Ratchet. Sideswipe unsealed him from the CR chamber Megatron had left the medic in, and together the twins carried him away to safety. At Fight's End

Subsequently, Sideswipe was stationed with several other Autobots in Canada within the Ark II. He was present one day when Rad reported from the Ironworks base in Oregon about a foiled attack by Gigatron and his Decepticons. Soon thereafter, due to the actions of an evil Ultra Magnus from another dimension, a rift of space time opened over Earth, causing catastrophes worldwide. Sideswipe, with the aid of his rocket pack, assisted his peers in evacuating a devastated city block. Invasion

Generation 1 cartoon continuity

The Transformers cartoon

Voice actor: Michael Bell (English), Kōki Kataoka (Japanese), Juan Carralero (Latin American), Edgar Wald (Latin American, The Golden Lagoon), Peter Musäus (German), Claus Brockmeyer (German, Generation 2), Thomas Albus (German, Generation 2, "More than Meets the Eye, Part 2"), Gerd Rigauer (German, Generation 2, "S.O.S. Dinobots"), Gerd Wiedenhofen (German, Generation 2, "Dinobot Island, Part 1")

"Oh, you want my rocket pack? The one that I've never had until just now?"

Sideswipe was part of the initial crew of Autobots aboard the Autobot ship when it crash-landed on Earth four million years ago. He awoke along with his fellow Transformers in 1984, with both he and his brother being reformatted into Lamborghini sports cars. He volunteered for an unsuccessful mission to foil a Decepticon attack on an oil rig. More than Meets the Eye, Part 1 After Soundwave and Ravage were discovered snooping around headquarters, he was one of the Autobots who attempted to shoot Ravage before he could escape. He also took part in the rescue mission to Sherman Dam when the Decepticons attacked it.

He and Sunstreaker came to Trailbreaker's aid when the Autobot was attacked by Seekers, and he had to console Sunstreaker after his brother's paint job was damaged. Sideswipe was part of the Autobot team which went to the ruby crystal mines of Burma to foil yet another Decepticon attack, and he watched in horror as Optimus Prime was caught in an explosion. More than Meets the Eye, Part 2 He took part in the last-ditch effort to stop the Decepticons blasting off in their space cruiser. The Decepticons managed to blast off anyway, and Sideswipe loaned Optimus Prime the use of his rocket pack so that the Autobot leader could go after them. Though Prime failed, Mirage disabled the cruiser, causing it to plunge into the sea, and the Autobots celebrated. More than Meets the Eye, Part 3

Wheeeeee!

Sideswipe was among the Autobots who were trapped in a cave after Megatron used Bumblebee to lead them there. Transport to Oblivion When antimatter-fueled Decepticons attacked the Autobots' headquarters on one occasion, Sideswipe and Sunstreaker took to the air to battle with the incoming Seeker jets in a rambunctious, if ultimately ineffective, display of "jet judo". Roll for It He also defended Autobot Headquarters against the Decepticons while Optimus Prime was out of action. Divide and Conquer

When investigating tremors that were shaking the Autobot base, Ironhide's scanner found some interesting objects inside a rock wall. Sideswipe, using his piston-like arms, helped Brawn remove the rock wall and found a cave full of dinosaur bones, the discovery of which would lead to the development of the Dinobots. Unfortunately, at their unveiling, the Dinobots ran wild, and the Autobots had to subdue them. During a subsequent battle at the Great Falls, Sideswipe and the other Autobots were taken prisoner by the Decepticons, and they were only saved from destruction by the reactivated Dinobots. S.O.S. Dinobots

I can dig it!

Sideswipe helped Wheeljack by recovering their frozen comrade Skyfire and came with the rest of the group to Peru, where he assisted in shooting a rockslide into rubble. After Wheeljack capped the energy stream from a local temple with one of his new inventions, Sideswipe flashed his lights on with the other Autobots to celebrate. Fire on the Mountain Sideswipe was chosen by Wheeljack to test two new Dinobots. Though he smashed Swoop out of the air, Snarl was able to get in a counterattack and shoot Sideswipe down. War of the Dinobots

When Soundwave's cassettes infiltrated Autobot Headquarters, Sideswipe went to take a shot at Rumble, only to be attacked by Ravage. The Ultimate Doom, Part 1 The presence of Cybertron in Earth's orbit caused the volcano in which Headquarters was located to become active, forcing Sideswipe and the rest of the Autobots to evacuate. The Ultimate Doom, Part 2 After Cybertron was blasted out of orbit, the Autobots tracked the Decepticons to Doctor Arkeville's secret laboratory, where they fought to prevent the Exponential Generator from destroying Earth. Countdown to Extinction

Hallelujah! I've struck chocolate!

Heading to Bali to investigate reports of giant robotic insects, the Autobots found their way blocked by some sort of parade. Sideswipe led the other Autobots down a "short cut" which turned out to be a dead end. He totally meant to do that. He put his pistons and drills to work, and in no time at all, he and Sunstreaker were charging recklessly into battle against the Decepticons. Megatron picked him up and threw him at the rest of the Autobots. As they pursued the Decepticons across the island, Shrapnel used his override waves on Sideswipe and Sunstreaker, forcing them to try and ram their fellows. Trailbreaker disrupted the control signal, and the brothers were able to take part in the battle against the Decepticons and Insecticons at the oil refinery. A Plague of Insecticons

Sideswipe turned out to cheer on Optimus Prime during the Autobot leader's one-on-one fight against Megatron. To the shock of all of the Autobots, Prime lost, and they were legally obligated to vacate the planet. Once they returned to base, they discovered that Megatron had cheated, and they were legally allowed to blast the Decepticons into a crevasse filled with lava. Heavy Metal War

When the Autobots' human friend Spike was badly injured in a Decepticon attack and his mind was transferred into Autobot X, the stress affected his psyche and he ran rampant. Sideswipe and Sunstreaker attempted unsuccessfully to subdue him and were knocked aside. Though Spike was restrained by Optimus, he later fell in with the Decepticons, and a group of Autobots including Sideswipe went to try and talk some sense into him. Autobot Spike Sideswipe, Sunstreaker and Bumblebee faced battle taxis and Constructicons in New York City during a Decepticon plan to recreate Cybertron on Earth. As the Seekers attacked Optimus, who was scaling the Decepticon tower, Sideswipe launched himself into the air, grabbed Starscream, and managed to wrestle the Decepticon air commander into crashing into the Hudson. City of Steel Sideswipe was later one of the Autobots affected by Megatron's personality destabilizer device, turning him evil. He got better. Attack of the Autobots

When Optimus Prime took the Autobots to test Wheeljack's latest invention, the Immobilizer, Sideswipe came with them. Decepticons attacked soon after, with Sideswipe leaping at Starscream in midflight and forcing the Decepticon to fire on his own comrades. When the Decepticons retreated, Sideswipe returned to Autobot headquarters with his comrades while Wheeljack recovered from his immobilization. Once Wheeljack was back to normal, Sideswipe was part of Optimus Prime's team to recover the Immobilizer. Rumble began immobilizing various Autobots, and Sideswipe decided that he was going to defeat Rumble shortly before being immobilized himself. When Spike's friend Carly was able to reroute the Immobilizer, Sideswipe and the other Autobots were freed. The Immobilizer

Oh man! It's time to hold my fire!

Sideswipe took part in a charity Autobot race which was hijacked by the Decepticons when they used a Transfixatron on the racers. The Autobots were taken to a ghost town to be destroyed, but were rescued by a small group who had escaped the ray's effects. Sideswipe joined the others in lining up to be fixed by Ratchet. The Autobot Run He rolled out to Quantum Laboratories to investigate a Decepticon incursion and found himself battling TORQ III-controlled machinery, at one point getting his gun shot out of his hand and being caught in a machine's robot arms. Having overcome that, Sideswipe took part in the attack on the oil refinery which the Decepticons had set up to steal the world's oil supplies. Day of the Machines

Sideswipe helped install detection panels for Wheeljack, but he did not come with the other Autobots to help Doctor Fujiyama, nor did he chase after Fujiyama's robot when it was reprogrammed by Bombshell. Enter the Nightbird Sideswipe was present when the Autobots were confronted by the fact that they had two Optimus Primes, but didn't offer any suggestions or solutions. A Prime Problem He took part in a mission to place dominator discs on the Constructicons. Though he didn't place any discs himself, he ended up battling Devastator until Chip Chase could activate the discs and bring the giant under control. He also took part in an attempt to destroy the drill which the Decepticons were using to reach Earth's core, and he was one of the first Autobots to be zapped by Devastator after Megatron counteracted the dominator discs. The Core

Have we run out of digging jokes already?

During yet another Dinobot rampage at Headquarters, Sideswipe was ready to fight them to the end, but Optimus persuaded Grimlock to get things under control, and the Dinobots were sent to Dinobot Island for more training. Dinobot Island, Part 1 Sideswipe took part in repair efforts, but was part of the team of Autobots who responded to strange time warp readings near the city library. After using his pistons to dig out Bumblebee and Spike, Sideswipe and the other Autobots found themselves tangling with barbarians on woolly mammoths. They took some rounding up, but soon the anachronisms were sent back through the time warp to their own time. Dinobot Island, Part 2

As a result of another of Megatron's plots, the Autobots were framed and forced to leave Earth in a rocket provided by Shawn Berger. Megatron's Master Plan, Part 1 Trickery on Megatron's part further put the ship on a collision course with the Sun. Utilising the abilities of Trailbreaker and Cosmos, and with the unwitting help of Thrust, the Autobots were able to make it back to Earth, where the Decepticons had already shown their true colors, and free the humans. Megatron's Master Plan, Part 2

Disabled by Cybertonium depletion, Sideswipe was as helpless as the other Autobots until Spike, Carly and the Dinobots managed to procure some more from Cybertron. Desertion of the Dinobots, Part 2 Sideswipe was part of the team that transformed to respond to a distress call when the Decepticons stole the Voltronic Galaxer, but didn't actually roll out, so it's a mystery where he actually went. Blaster Blues He also coated himself with Electrum, along with most of the other Autobots, in order to fight the Decepticons. The Golden Lagoon

Well, I see Ravage is a boy cat.

When Tracks and Raoul were discovered spying on a Decepticon operation, Sideswipe came to their aid, grabbing Ravage mid-leap and slamming the cassette to the ground. He also took part in the battle against Decepticon drones in downtown New York and attacked the Decepticon base in the Pine Barrens. Make Tracks After the disappearance of a group of Autobots through the space bridge, Sideswipe watched Chip Chase unsuccessfully attempt to track them down using Teletraan I. Child's Play

Sideswipe appears in "The Secret of Omega Supreme", but only in a rather blatant animation error, standing next to Megatron while the Decepticon leader communicates with Hook. Eeesh!

Sideswipe was one of Kremzeek's casualties when the energy critter invaded Autobot Headquarters. Kremzeek! He and Sunstreaker took part in the Europa 2000 in order to protect Auggie Cahnay's car from possible Decepticon abduction. Sideswipe forced Sunstreaker to take a detour in Italy, and a short time later, they were ambushed by Stunticons, who boxed them in so Dead End could shoot them. Both brothers were knocked out of the race. Trans-Europe Express

Like every other Autobot, Sideswipe turned out to rescue Perceptor from the Decepticons and was subsequently infected by Cosmic Rust. Cosmic Rust After being cured, he and the others attempted to stop Megatron and the Insecticon army. When the Combaticons attempted to send Earth into the Sun, Sideswipe joined in the search for the Insecticons, who had stolen the space bridge control panel. They were eventually located, allowing a combined Autobot/Decepticon force, including Sideswipe, to travel to Cybertron and defeat the Combaticons. Sideswipe was able to reverse the damage done by the Combaticons and return Earth to its proper orbit. The Revenge of Bruticus

So they made a Sideswipe toy retooled into Breakdown after seeing this.

We're wastin' good ammo on these creeps! I'd like to just squash a few of 'em!Sideswipe, The Revenge of Bruticus

When the Stunticons stole a collection of components and were captured by the Autobots, Optimus Prime hatched a scheme to disguise some of the Autobots as the Stunticons in order to learn Megatron's latest plan. Sideswipe was sprayed with camouflage paint to make him look like Breakdown, though he sincerely hoped the paint would come off. He and the other four Autobots drove to the Stunticons' destination to discover that Megatron was building yet another cannon. Menasor arrived at the construction site, having escaped Autobot containment, and Optimus and the others were forced to improvise their own version of the combiner. Luckily, the rest of their comrades arrived before things could get too out of hand. Masquerade

Japanese cartoon continuity

Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers comic

In the previous panel, Optimus made a one-liner and took off his sunglasses.

When Megatron sent Starscream, the Seekers and Menasor to raid Tokyo for energy, Sideswipe accompanied Optimus Prime and a unit of Autobot vehicles to defend the city. Sideswipe didn't perform very well, immediately getting slugged in the face by Menasor's humongous fist. Luckily, his pummelling made the perfect distraction for Optimus Prime, Wheeljack and Smokescreen, who drove up a ramp and slammed Menasor and the Seekers directly in their faces, sending them into retreat. Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers #1

Later, during an attack on Autobot Headquarters in Arizona, Sideswipe yet again failed to perform very well in battle. Attempting to confront the Decepticons in the sky on his jet pack, he wound up instead getting bombed by Blitzwing and damaged badly in the resulting explosion. Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers #2

Maintaining his image as a punching bag, Sideswipe was once again trounced in battle, this time at Yokohama against Starscream, Blitzwing and the Super Megatron Gun (Megatron in gun-mode but not shrunken down). Unable to stand up to the might of the Decepticon attack, Sideswipe was blasted many, many times before Ultra Magnus arrived to save the day. Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers #4

Full Throttle Scramble Power!

When the Decepticons threatened the world with their new Omega Whip, Sideswipe was among the Autobots seen reacting with some degree of panic to the news that Hound and their human allies, Jenny and Toru, had been captured while investigating the crisis. Soon after, he was also among those who objected to sending the wet-behind-the-ears Aerialbots out to deal with the marauding Stunticons, though his protests went unheeded. While the Aerialbots and Stunticons went at it, Sideswipe was part of the team assembled by Prime that headed to the Decepticons' headquarters to rescue their captive allies. A huge brawl erupted, concluding with an Autobot victory when Metroplex and a full Autobot battalion arrived to back up Sideswipe and company. Full Throttle Scramble Power!

Story of Binaltech

In the year 2004, Sideswipe was one of several Autobots stationed at Autobot City on Earth who were infected by Cosmic Rust when the deadly plague was unleashed upon them by Swindle. With a large portion of their army, including Optimus Prime himself, currently across the galaxy battling for control of Cybertron, the Autobots seemed doomed until their human allies, the Earth Defense Command, introduced the Binaltech Project, uniting many Earth automotive companies to build new super-powered bodies for the wounded warriors. Sideswipe's new body, a Dodge Viper, was the second Binaltech frame constructed, equipped with a TORQ 3000 processor and powered by electro-cells. He retains his piledrivers and his flight capabilities, the latter now enabled by way of anti-gravity panels in his legs and a booster on his back. Story of Binaltech, Chapter 1 Assembled under the command of Ultra Magnus alongside Smokescreen, Bluestreak, Hound and Tracks, Sideswipe joined the fight to force the Decepticons off of Earth. Binaltech Is...

While Sideswipe would make no further named appearances in the Story of Binaltech, the tale went on to involve some complicated time-travel and history-alteration. As a consequence, it is not entirely clear how many of the events of the storyline, including those related above, actually happened in the mainstream timeline when all was said and done.

The Headmasters cartoon

Some time before the Transformers' war left Cybertron, Sideswipe engaged the Decepticons with his comrades. Later, on Earth, Sideswipe was present for a suspiciously similar battle with the Decepticons that resulted in the death of Optimus Prime. In 2011, Kup recalled the Cybertronian skirmish that Sideswipe took part in—or another one very much like it. Four Warriors Come out of the Sky

Sideswipe appears in two Cybertronian flashback battles within the episode, alongside the same team of Autobots, suggesting that they represent the same fight. He also appears in a flashback battle on Earth, which depicts Optimus Prime's death in a scene that doesn't match up to his actual death in The Transformers: The Movie. This was a continuity patch-job by the Headmasters production staff, as the movie hadn't been released in Japan yet, hence the oddness.

In 2011, when the Decepticons found a way to reactivate their old space bridge on Cybertron, the Autobots found themselves under siege from within. Sideswipe was at the Autobots' secondary headquarters on the planet Athenia at the time, and he was present when Spike Witwicky's message about the Decepticon assault reached the Autobots stationed there.

A short time later, Sideswipe was on Earth with Ultra Magnus, and he was one of the soldiers gathered to use the Autobot space bridge to reinforce their allies on Cybertron. On their way to the space bridge, however, Sideswipe and the others were attacked by a squadron of Decepticons under the command of the villains' new Earth commander, Sixshot. The Trainbots soon arrived to join the battle, freeing up Sideswipe's team to carry on their way to Autobot City, but the Decepticons flew ahead and were able to ambush the convoy, sending Sideswipe and Prowl careening. The two sides then began fighting again until Metroplex appeared out of the sky, driving the Decepticons off. Sideswipe then flew to the entrance of Autobot City with Ultra Magnus and Prowl and presumably traveled to Cybertron via the space bridge, though he was not actually seen fighting there. Four Warriors Come out of the Sky

Um, oops. Sideswipe being on two planets at once was likely an animation error. Maybe he was sent to Earth to gather up the troops?

e-HOBBY storyline

Maturity tempered Sideswipe's rule-bending, thrill-seeking ways, and his heroic deeds steadily earned him a reputation as a respected warrior. His changed attitude was perhaps most reflected in the aid he gave Optimus Prime and the Battlestars in a battle on the planet Karn: although his help was of great significance in the fight, he acted entirely covertly, his involvement unknown until afterwards. Following the end of the Battlestars' conflict with Dark Nova, Sideswipe experimented with reinforcing his weapons systems, and then adopted a new Go-Bot body with increased speed, but eventually returned to his original form so he could continue to live down the legacy of his hot-headed younger years. e-HOBBY Sideswipe bio

Some time after Optimus Prime forced Megatron and the Decepticons into exile, Sideswipe was dispatched to the bottom of the sea with Cliffjumper, Splashdown, Diver and an Eldedroid to investigate possible Decepticon involvement in a rash of attacks by "sea monsters". Finding a Decepticon base beneath the waves, the Eldedroid tore through the Constructicons standing watch and ventured deeper into the structure while Sideswipe and the others interrogated the incapacitated guards to learn more about the genetically engineered monsters the Decepticons had created. MP-1B Cybertron Commander / Convoy Black Ver.

The Battle for Planet Earth

Voice actor: Peter Marinker (English)

Sideswipe was one of the group of Autobots who explored for energy in South America, and engaged in a battle with the Decepticons on Mount Sheelah shortly before the volcano erupted. Terror of Mount Sheelah After a hard day's work repairing the Ark, he and the other Autobots were relaxing and watching television when they learned the Deceptions had started kidnapping humans. Sideswipe favored mounting an attack, but it was pointed out that that would endanger the humans. Bumblebee to the Rescue

Following the Decepticons to Stanley Lake dam, Sideswipe used his flare gun to lure them out in front of the dam. After a brief fight, the Autobots retreated and flooded the valley with water, washing the Decepticons away. Menace at the Dam After Starscream defected to the Autobots as a trick, Sideswipe showed him a box supposedly containing the Deuterium Orbital Laser Tracing System. Starscream, in reality spying for the Decepticons, sent Megatron's forces on a wild goose chase, and Sideswipe and the other Autobots took the opportunity to destroy the Decepticon base. Espionage!!!!!

3H comics

Sideswipe, Sunstreaker, Trailbreaker, Roulette and Shadow Striker returned to the technorganic Cybertron after a prolonged journey and were welcomed by the Maximals. Unicron abducted these newly-returned Transformers, in addition to many others from different times and universes, to start a final confrontation against Primus. Sideswipe and Sunstreaker were rebuilt into new forms, corrupted by Unicron's influence, and set against one another in the Cauldron. Before either brother could land a killing blow, however, the fight was broken up by Optimus Primal. Sideswipe then fought his way out of Unicron alongside many other Transformers rescued by Primal and returned to Cybertron. Abduction OTFCC Live-Action Drama Escape Homecoming

Dreamwave comics continuity

Events from The Transformers Trilogy novels are in italics.

Before the war, Sideswipe was a trader who liked to con his customers. Transformers: The Ultimate Guide He was one of the few Autobots to continue operating under that title during the Dark Ages of Cybertron. Sideswipe was one of the elite warriors serving under Prowl and as such was chosen for the mission that sent him against the newly constructed Decepticon battle station, Trypticon. Of course the mission was a failure, but that isn't likely to have discouraged Sideswipe. War Within: The Dark Ages

"This is what Skyfire was whining about? Loser."

Sideswipe was part of Operation Liberation in 1998, a joint human-Autobot effort to defeat the Earth-bounded Decepticons. At the end it was a success, and the captured Decepticons along with the Autobots and a human crew departed Earth en route to Cybertron in the Ark II. The ship, however, was sabotaged and exploded upon liftoff.

A few years later, Megatron and other Transformers, including Autobots, were seen causing havoc. It was discovered that Lazarus, a scientist who participated in the Ark II project, was responsible for the sabotage of the ship and the resurrection of several Transformers under his control via technological tampering. Prime Directive #1

General Hallo of the US military contacted Spike Witwicky to ask him if he could do something to help them reactivate Optimus Prime, whom they had recovered locked in a state of stasis. Spike managed to reactivate Optimus with a portion of the Matrix that Optimus had given him prior the ill-fated journey of the Ark II. Optimus subsequently went to the Arctic and used the Matrix to reactivate several Transformers, including Sideswipe. Prime Directive #2

We're trying to look dynamic, but all these puffy proportions are putting a stop to that.

Sideswipe accepted the new task at hand and fought alongside his brother when the Autobots faced the Decepticons at Lazarus' ruined base (punching Starscream in the face for attacking Wheeljack) before Hallo betrayed the Autobots by attempting to destroy both factions with a nuclear weapon. Prime Directive #3 The Autobots survived when Megatron's technovirus absorbed the blast, and Sideswipe helped his comrades recover the captive Autobots imprisoned inside the base. Prime Directive #4

As Jazz's unit worked on Megatron's virus, Sideswipe followed Optimus Prime to San Francisco for the last battle against Megatron and his Decepticons. When Superion was taken down, Sideswipe and Sunstreaker heroically (though foolishly) charged at Devastator, and they were smashed between the giant Constructicon's palms for their trouble. After Optimus Prime brought Devastator down with a blast to the head, Sideswipe was restrained by the surviving Decepticons. Prime Directive #5 However, through human intervention, Optimus Prime freed his Autobots and the battle was rejoined. Sideswipe tag-teamed with his brother to pummel Soundwave, though the Decepticons eventually escaped when Superion sacrificed his life to save the city from General Hallo's unauthorized nuclear missile launch. Prime Directive #6

Months later, after Optimus Prime, Megatron, and an assortment of other Transformers and humans vanished in a flash of light from Tokyo, Japan, the world went on high alert. When the U.S. military detected Starscream in the Nevada canyons, Sideswipe accompanied a flight of jets in confronting the Decepticon. Their battle led down a tight box canyon, and Sideswipe had some difficulty chasing Starscream while also coordinating with his military wingmen, as he tried to limit the human casualties. Eventually, Sideswipe was led straight into Devastator, who had been hiding in the canyon on Starscream's order. The combined surprise firepower of Starscream's arsenal and a near-pointblank blast from Devastator's solar energy rifle left Sideswipe in several charred pieces. Hardwired

Sideswipe was eventually repaired by Ratchet, and returned to duty just in time to fight in Nevada once more. This time, the Autobots and Decepticons had joined forces against an ambush arranged by the President of the United States, who hoped to rid his country of the Transformers. Sideswipe waded through General Michelle Grajkowski's troops, heavily routing her Delta Team, but the deconstructionite weapons being used by the U.S. Armed Forces were too much of a surprise for the Cybertronians—they were clearly on the losing end of the battle as many of their number fell before the severity of the weaponized nanites became evident. Sideswipe and Prowl helped load the injured Autobots into Prime's trailer as they made their getaway. Fusion

Hi, I'm a jock.

When agents from the united Cybertron arrived on Earth, Optimus Prime split his forces in order to ensure Earth would not be left undefended. As Prime and many other Autobots travelled back to Cybertron with Shockwave, Ultra Magnus and their crew, Sideswipe and Sunstreaker remained on Earth with several other Autobots under Jazz's command. Brothers' Burden Sideswipe was deactivated in battle with Bruticus when Starscream and his followers returned to Earth, and was left to rust at the bottom of a lake. Night of the Combaticons Warpath and Bumper later dredged him and the others up, only to be taken into custody by Earth Defense Command. Jazz, Sideswipe, and Sunstreaker were reactivated to help Marissa Faireborn and her team in investigating an outbreak of Insecticons in small-town America. Infestation After routing and capturing the Decepticons, Sideswipe and the other Autobots joined up with the returning team from Cybertron under Prowl's command, and began construction of Autobot City. The Route of All Evil

Devil's Due G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers comics

Along with several other Transformers, the dormant Sideswipe was found on the crashed Ark by Cobra, a human terrorist organization who soon reprogrammed the alien robots to serve them. Sideswipe and Sunstreaker were rebuilt into Cobra Stingers and sent to assault the SPS Research Facility alongside Soundwave and his minions. The two brothers didn't succeed in their mission, though, as they were rammed aside by Wheeljack while charging at the building and were eventually ordered to retreat. G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers #3 Wheeljack later freed Sideswipe and the others from Cobra's control, and he helped Sunstreaker and Cliffjumper fight back against the similarly freed Decepticons and their former captors. G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers #5

Two years later, Serpent O.R. took control of the Decepticon forces on Cybertron and captured Optimus Prime. Sideswipe joined a team of Autobots led by Hot Rod who were planning on charging in and rescuing their leader as soon as the opportunity came up. The Art of War #4 After reinforcements arrived in the form of G.I. Joe, the Autobots made their move and attacked Serpent O.R.'s Decepticon army, ultimately defeating it. The Art of War #5

Sideswipe returned to Earth a few months later, where he worked to keep Cybertronian technology from being misused by humans. During one mission to Cuba, he helped stop Destro from selling S.N.A.K.E.s to one Mr. Calandero, but failed to capture the arms dealer and returned to the Autobots' base, the Arc II. When the ship was attacked by the Pretender Monsters, Sideswipe was the first to fall. Black Horizon, Part 1 of 2 The crew later received medical attention at the Pit, where they'd eventually recover from their injures. Black Horizon, Part 2 of 2

IDW comics continuity

This section covers fiction that is ongoing. It will be added to as the story progresses. If it isn't current, you can help by updating it.

Sideswipe's feeling small standing under Nova Prime's crotch. Sunstreaker, on the other hand, seems strangely excited.

Sunstreaker was Sideswipe's P-3 Training Officer and strike partner, and constantly looked down on him as the rookie. Nothing Sideswipe did was seen as good enough, and he was left under Sunstreaker's shadow, something that left a deep mark on him. He's forever been resentful and wanting to be seen by others as a skilled, notable warrior. Spotlight: Sideswipe

Before the war, the two of them attended illegal underground arena deathmatches and witnessed Megatron's 54th victory. Megatron Origin #2 When Sunstreaker wanted to join Megatron's underground fighting team, Sideswipe went along to try and talk him out of it. Whether they stuck around and were caught up in the Autobot security raid is unknown. Megatron Origin #3

Later, as war engulfed Cybertron, Sideswipe was one of the many Autobots trained by Kup. Spotlight: Kup Early in the war, Sideswipe and Sunstreaker were present during the battle for Sherma Bridge, where they witnessed the first duel between Optimus Prime and Megatron. Chaos Theory Part 1

In more recent times, Sideswipe was part of an Autobot squad lead by Sunstreaker, and helped liberate an unnamed planet from the Decepticons. Replay

This hand of mine glows with an awesome power!

Much to his dismay, Sideswipe was later stationed at Thunderhead Pass on Cybertron to guard Thunderwing's remains. Sideswipe wanted action, something he wasn't going to get standing guard over comatose Decepticons. His desire to "bust some heads" became even stronger after Sunstreaker was apparently kidnapped during his duties on Earth, and Sideswipe began actively disregarding his squadron leader, Hound, to routinely contact High Command and demand a transfer; unknown to everyone else, this wasn't down to brothers-in-arms loyalty, this was down to him wanting to save Sunstreaker so his former strike partner would have to recognise his skills. Spotlight: Sideswipe

His need for action was alleviated, however, when a mysterious and powerful Transformer attacked Cybertron. Sideswipe blew off part of the being's head, but he recovered almost immediately and knocked Sideswipe and the rest of the Autobots offline, then stole Thunderwing away. Spotlight: Galvatron

Soon after, Optimus Prime apparently caved in to Sideswipe's pleading and put Jetfire in charge of Thunderhead Pass, transferring Hound's entire team, including Sideswipe, to Earth once Megatron began breaking Infiltration protocol. Devastation #1 However, once word of the break-in at Garrus-9 reached his audio sensors, Prime directed his team and Hound's to head there instead of Earth. Devastation #6

He can punch and angst at the same time!

Sideswipe took the reassignment pretty harshly, and had pushed Hound well to the edge of his tolerance. He got a minor diversion from worrying about Sunstreaker when another mysterious and powerful Transformer, Cyclonus attacked their ship.

Surprisingly, he wanted to find out who Cyclonus was, but Hound felt that time was a factor and hit Cyclonus with a full volley. It was enough to slow him down, but not enough to stop him. Ultra Magnus' arrival forced a retreat, and the two Autobot ships followed. When they caught up to Cyclonus, Sideswipe goaded him into battle, and made no apologies for it. Spotlight: Cyclonus

When his unit finally reached Earth, he personally took on both Grindcore and Straxus so the others could reach the Space Bridge. This earned him recognition and an apology from Hound, and the battle against superior foes gave Sideswipe the chance to prove to himself that he was better than Sunstreaker thought. This exorcised, he realised he didn't actually care if Sunstreaker was alive or dead, and turned away from his obsession without looking back. Spotlight: Sideswipe

One year later, the Decepticons ambushed the Autobots in a crippling assault, during which Skywarp ripped off Sideswipe's arm. The Autobots were subsequently tossed through a space bridge to the lifeless shell of Cybertron, where they would be finished off by the Insecticon swarm. All Hail Megatron #7 Along with the others, Sideswipe stood around brooding about the situation, All Hail Megatron #1 occasionally staring at the similarly one-armed Trailbreaker. All Hail Megatron #4 When the crew of the Trion ended up on Cybertron, Sideswipe listened to Hot Rod explain what had happened. All Hail Megatron #5

And he can angst and angst more at the same time too!

Later, Sideswipe tried to talk to Sunstreaker and tell him to stop picking on Mirage, who was blamed for leading the Autobots into the Decepticons' trap. Sunstreaker responded by telling his brother all about the horrible things the Machination had done to him, leaving Sideswipe speechless. All Hail Megatron #7 Later, after Sunstreaker revealed himself to be the true traitor and sacrificed himself, Sideswipe had enough and declared that all the Autobots deserved to die for carrying on such a senseless war. His speech was interrupted by the return of Optimus Prime. All Hail Megatron #9 Sideswipe later defended the Autobot base against a massive swarm attack, but the Autobots were overrun and only saved by the arrival of Omega Supreme, who took them all back to Earth. All Hail Megatron #10

As the Autobots confronted the Decepticons in New York City, Sideswipe beat up Kickback with a street light and was jumped by Bombshell, who gleefully told the Autobot how he had dissected Hunter O'Nion, Sunstreaker's Headmaster partner, and used his knowledge to toy with Sunstreaker's mind. Following the defeat of the Decepticons, Sideswipe found Hunter, strung up and mutilated in Bombshell's lab. Horrified at the sight, he decided to end the human's tortured existence by shutting off the machines keeping him alive. All Hail Megatron #12

Three years later, Sideswipe was still serving with the Autobots on Earth under Optimus Prime's command. He was present when Prime abdicated leadership of the Autobots and surrendered to Skywatch. ...For All Mankind When Hot Rod left the Autobots to form a splinter faction, Sideswipe chose to remain in the desert caverns with the majority of Autobots under Bumblebee's new leadership. New Arrivals, Old Encounters He was seen standing at strict attention when Ultra Magnus arrived to address the Earth troops, although he was confused by Magnus's over-use of Earth idioms and "lingo". A Rude Awakening

Under Bumblebee, Sideswipe was part of the Transformer hunters clandestinely employed by Gordon Horiuchi of Skywatch. He was present when Bumblebee announced the Autobots' intention to break free from Horiuchi's unyielding directives. The Impossible Knot

Months later, the Autobots on Earth were joined by several long-lost comrades from space, including Sunstreaker, who had survived his earlier sacrifice. From them, they learned that Cybertron was restored to a habitable planet, but to reclaim their home they had to challenge Galvatron, who had recently occupied it. The majority of the Autobots, including Sideswipe, boarded Omega Supreme and left Earth the next day. Space Opera—Final Tableaux: Orphans of the Helix He was among the Autobots who tried to listen in on Optimus Prime's questioning of a captive Megatron. Chaos Theory Part 1

After arriving on Cybertron, the Autobots fought against Galvatron's Sweep army. During the battle, Sideswipe bore witness to an escaped and upgraded Megatron completely massacring the Sweeps, then was himself attacked by Ravage when Megatron summoned the Decepticons to his side. He and the others fought the Decepticons until D-Void took control of them via Galvatron. Chaos Part Three: Kings Sideswipe watched part of the battle between Megatron and the monstrous Sweep-Decepticon combiner before making himself scarce. Chaos Part Four: Genesis

In the wake of Galvatron and D-Void's defeat, Cybertron was "reset" into a primordial state and the Decepticons were put behind bars. Sporting a new paintjob, a bandolier and a sword, Sideswipe kept the peace alongside Whirl when unaffiliated Transformers began returning to the planet. He greeted Optimus Prime when he returned three weeks after the battle, then was caught up in a riot as the "NAILs" protested against the Autobots being in charge. When he reported to Prowl that the Autobots were outnumbered, he was ordered to let the Decepticons out and have them lend a hand. The Death of Optimus Prime Of course the Decepticons didn't know how to hold back, and so Sideswipe and Prowl later ended up having to admonish Needlenose and Horri-Bull for beating up Tappet. The Autonomy Lesson

When Starscream approached the Autobot headquarters, Sideswipe spotted him and joked about killing him. The World & Everything in It Sideswipe later provided crowd control again while Prowl had the deceased body of Ratbat removed from the Decepticon encampment. Stick Together Sideswipe later stood at the crime scene of Skydive's murder. He was instructed by Prowl to deactivate the waste chutes, stating that the crime scene was filthy enough and Sideswipe sarcastically replied he was going to do it but Wheeljack did it for him. Devisive

When Sky-Byte arrived on Cybertron, Sideswipe kept an eye on him and discovered him collaborating with the Decepticons. He, Prowl, and Streetwise then raided their hiding area and caught Needlenose and Sky-Byte and prepared to lynch them but were stopped by Ironhide, who wanted a better future for both Autobot and Decepticon. A Better Tomorrow

Hearts of Steel

Sideswipe participated in the pursuit of Astrotrain, and partially transformed from artillery boxcar mode to robot mode in order to shoot down Scourge. He stated, "The name is Sideswipe." Hearts of Steel #4

For unclear reasons, in the original comic book issue, the Autobot who shoots down Scourge identifies himself as Ironhide, not Sideswipe. Sideswipe only appears in the trade paperback collection.

Henkei! Henkei! pack-in comic

You are stupid! You are stupid! And don't forget; you are stupid!

Sideswipe was chasing a mysterious plane that had stolen supplies of energon, using his jetpack to catch up with it. But the next thing he knew, the plane was gone! The befuddled Sideswipe ran into Silverstreak, who was chasing a truck also charged with energon theft. Just then, the truck arrived before them, revealing itself to be the plane as well. It was the Triple Changer Octane! Though Octane tried to attack the two Autobots, Sideswipe blasted the Decepticon and knocked him to the ground. Henkei! Henkei! #6

Wings Universe

During the Battle of Autobot City, Sideswipe was part of a team which took down Devastator after the Decepticon breached Autobot City. They had to retreat when the Constructicons fought back. A Flash Forward

He was called to fight against the Decepticon Syndicate at the site of the Large Hadron Collider. Sideswipe and many other Autobots were exposed to forestonite, mutating them. In Sideswipe's case, this resulted in a new color Generation 2: Redux and the ability to change his appearance. A Flash Forward, Part 4

He was part of Pyro's team investigating a theft from Quantum Laboratories. Their mission took them to Nebulos where they discovered that the scientist Hi-Q had been abducted. A Flash Forward, Part 3 The search for Hi-Q took them to Qre where they were attacked on arrival by training guns. Sideswipe thought them easy to deal with, at least until he was shot in the back by one. A Flash Forward, Part 4

After the rest of the team were captured by Jhiaxus, Sideswipe disguised himself as a Sharkticon and snooped around. He found tubes containing clones, including a clone of himself. When Soundwave and Ironhide came to investigate the movement, Sideswipe posed as his own clone and sufficiently fooled Jhiaxus long enough to free Pyro and the rest of the team. A Flash Forward, Part 5

Commercial appearances

Sideswipe appeared in the following commercials:

• The very first Transformers animation, advertising the Marvel comic book. He drives out of a base alongside Jazz and Prowl; the three arrive at a power plant and counter-attack the Decepticons.

• Again alongside Jazz and Prowl, he transforms and takes off, on what appears to be Cybertron, in a commercial for Soundwave.

• He can be glimpsed trying to stop Astrotrain from escaping, in a 1985 commercial for the Decepticon Triple Changers.

• He is briefly visible driving alongside Jazz in a CGI Generation 2 commercial for the Decepticon jets and Autobot cars.

Games

Adventure Game: Defeat the Decepticons

When Optimus embarked on his mission to rescue the Autobots' Minicar troops from the Decepticons, Sidswipe could come to Optimus Prime's aid, helping him move around the Decepticons' maze-like base. Adventure Game: Defeat the Decepticons packaging blurb and game

Transformers G1: Awakening

Transformers G1: Awakening

Toys

Generation 1

He had the look before it was trendy.

• Sideswipe (Autobot Car, 1984/1985, 1991, 2001/2002/2003)
  • Japanese ID number: 04, TFC-07
  • Accessories: "Laser gun", rocket launcher, 3 rockets

Originally a Diaclone "New Countach LP500S", Sideswipe transforms... well, into that. In robot mode he is armed with a white rifle and a missile launcher that can clip onto either of his shoulders. The launcher can fire one of three included white missiles, in theory, as the springs were weakened for the US release for safety reasons. The original 1984 US release did not have the rubsign found on later releases.

This mold was also used to make Red Alert, Clamp Down, Deep Cover and Tigertrack.

More information on Generation 1 Sideswipe at TFU.info

I have a hat!

• Sideswipe w/ Vanguard (Action Master, 1991)
  • Accessories: "Photon laser" rifle

A non-transforming action figure that combines elements form both his original toy and his animation model, Action Master Sideswipe is compatible with any other Action Master weapon or vehicle. His partner-unit Vanguard forms a backpack and battle helmet, and complements Sideswipe's color scheme quite well.

Action Master Sideswipe was only available in European (and certain Australian) markets.

More information on Action Master Sideswipe with Vanguard at TFU.info

• Sideswipe (Classic Heroes, Europe/Australia 1991)
  • Accessories: "Laser gun", rocket launcher, 3 rockets

The original Generation 1 Sideswipe toy was re-released in Europe and Australia in 1991 as part of the Classics line, with no apparent changes other than the new packaging.

Generation 2

File:G2Sideswipe toy.jpg

He got dressed in the dark and accidentally put his colors on backwards.

• Sideswipe (Autobot Heroic, 1993)
  • Accessories: Gun, missile launcher, 1 missile

Part of the first assortment of Autobot cars, Sideswipe's original toy had his colors re-arranged to a black car mode with red and white robot parts, plus new neon green "racing" decals were added to the mix. His original rocket launcher was removed, and replaced with a large spring-loaded launcher that could be hand-held or mounted on his retooled car-mode roof.

His new spring-loaded missile launcher was taken from Snow Serpent from the G.I. Joe toyline.

More information on Generation 2 Sideswipe at TFU.info

File:G2GobotSideswipe.jpg

Then he shrank and faded in the wash.

• Sideswipe (Go-Bot, 1995)
  • Accessories: Gun

A redeco of Go-Bot Firecracker, Sideswipe transforms into a blue Lamborghini Diablo with through-axle construction for super-fast rolling on smooth surfaces in car mode. He is compatible with many "Hot Wheels" and "Matchbox"-brand racetrack sets.

This mold was also used to make Go-Bot Optimus Prime and Robots in Disguise R.E.V..

More information on Generation 2 Go-Bot Sideswipe on TFU.info

Collector's Edition

• Lambor (World Character Convention 12 exclusive, Japan 2001)
  • Japanese ID number: 04
  • Accessories: "Laser gun", rocket launcher, 3 rockets

In 2001, the Generation 1 Sideswipe toy was re-released by Takara under his Japanese name "Lambor", as a set bundled with his mold-mate Red Alert ("Alert" in Japan), exclusive to World Character Convention 12. His license plate decal was changed from the infringing "COUNTACH" to "CAR MACHINE".

• Lambor (e-HOBBY exclusive, Japan 2002)
  • Japanese ID number: 04
  • Accessories: "Laser gun", rocket launcher, 3 rockets

Lambor (Sideswipe) and Alert (Red Alert) were once again re-released together in January 2002 as an e-HOBBY exclusive "New Year Special" set, with several factory-applied decals replaced with paint operations, the "CAR MACHINE" plate-decal now blank, plus an additional recolored alternate sticker sheet for each one and bio cards with new art by Hidetsugu Yoshioka.

Transformers Collection

• Lambor (Japan 2003)
  • Japanese ID number: 07
  • Accessories: "Laser gun", rocket launcher, 3 rockets

The version of Generation 1 Sideswipe previously released as an e-HOBBY exclusive, minus the extra decal sheet, was again re-released as part of the Transformers Collection "book-box" series.

Universe (2003)

File:UniverseSideswipe toy.jpg

I should've had a Wheeljack retool!

• Sideswipe (Deluxe, 2003)
  • Accessories: 2 launchers (left & right), 2 flame missiles

One of several exclusives to OTFCC 2003, Universe Side Swipe is a redeco of the Robots in Disguise Prowl mold, once again transforming into a Lamborghini Diablo. A pair of add-on thrusters become arm-mounted launchers for robot mode; each one being a pressure-launch missile launcher.

It is notable that the part that connects the toy's windshield to the main body uses a red decal rather than paint, as that part is made out of unpaintable plastic. The police lights from the original mold were removed, leaving this area bare.

This mold was also used to make Universe Inferno and Sunstreaker.

While the toy's name was spelled "Sideswipe" (one word) on its own packaging, the cross-sell on the packaging for the OTFCC 2003 Shadow Striker/Roulette two-pack spelled it "Side Swipe" (two words) instead. See Notes for more.

More information on Universe Sideswipe on TFU.info

Smallest Transforming Transformers

Yet another release Sunstreaker just wasn't cool enough for.

• Lambor (2003)
  • Japanese ID number: GTF-02

Smallest Transforming Transformers Lambor is a very small-scale, extensively simplified replica of the original Sideswipe toy. He has very little articulation, he has no weapons, and his vehicle mode wheels cannot roll.

This mold was retooled to make Smallest Transforming Transformers Alert.

More information on Smallest Transforming Lambor at TFU.info

Alternators

Just think, he was almost Tracks.

• Side Swipe (2003, 2004)
  • Alternator ID number: 2
  • Japanese ID number: BT-02
  • Accessories: Dodge Viper Engine/gun

The second Alternators toy released, Side Swipe transforms into a licensed 1:24 scale Dodge Viper (identified as an SRT-10 model by the Japanese Binaltech version) featuring opening doors, a detailed interior, and a hood that opens to reveal an engine bay holding a replica Viper V-10 engine. The vehicle mode also features movable steering and rubber tires with vacuum-metalized wheels. His removable engine becomes a blaster.

The main difference between the American Alternators and the Japanese Binaltech releases is that the Japanese version has die-cast metal parts for most of the car's outer body shell, with the exception of the rear end, and the entire red exterior of the car is fully painted, unlike the Alternator's flat red plastic. Furthermore, the Alternators version sports additional "blackwash" paint operations on his chest the Binaltech version lacks.

The Dodge Viper sculpt was originally designed to be a new body for Tracks after the first attempt to secure the Corvette license had fallen through. Eventually, though, Chevrolet had a change of mind and granted Hasbro and Takara the license for the Corvette design after all. As a result, the Viper mold was slightly redesigned, was given a new head sculpt and released as Sideswipe (or "Side Swipe") instead. This explains why, unlike most of the early Alternators toys, Side Swipe's robot mode bears little resemblance to his G1 self. The most noticeable redesign from the "Tracks" design was the vehicle mode's doors being moved from the "backpack" kibble (where they would have resembled the G1 Tracks toy's wings) to the sides of the arms, thus being the most obvious visual cue taken from the G1 Sideswipe toy. The doors are, however, still splayed out to the sides in the Alternators box art and can be moved to match Tracks's wing configuration, which implies that the redesign may have been done before the switch from Tracks to Sideswipe was made.

This sculpt was retooled to make Dead End, who was then redecoed into Sunstreaker (although the retool was originally done with Sunstreaker in mind).

More information on Alternators Side Swipe on TFU.info

Commemorative Series

• Side Swipe (Toys"R"Us exclusive, Australia/Canada 2004, KB Toys exclusive, 2005)
  • Series: VIII
  • Accessories: "Laser gun", rocket launcher, 3 rockets

The version of Generation 1 Sideswipe previously released as part of Takara's "Transformers Collection" series, albeit with its spring-loaded launcher de-sprung for safety reasons, was reissued by Hasbro under the modified name "Side Swipe" as part of their Commemorative Series VIII, one of the last American reissues. However, because Toys"R"Us, who had carried the Commemorative Series as an exclusive line up until that point, had abruptly decided to discontinue the line, he was never available at Toys"R"Us stores in the USA (despite the occasional unproven rumor to the contrary). He was, however, available at Toys"R"Us stores in Australia and Canada in 2004, and was finally made available in the USA as a KB Toys exclusive in 2005, at heavy discount.

Universe (2008)

Classic Series

Better red than...

• Sideswipe (Deluxe, 2008)
  • Accessories: "Flare Launcher", engine supercharger intakes

Part of the third wave of 2008 Universe Deluxe Class toys, Sideswipe is a retool/redeco of Universe Sunstreaker, transforming into a modified Lamborghini Gallardo. Though the car is mostly based upon the Gallardo, to avoid legal problems, it also features modified headlights and elements taken from other cars—most of them are taken from other Lamborghini models, such as a rear end that is basically a cross between a Murciélago and a Diablo; however, the split side windows and the ridges on the door vents are based on a McLaren F1. He also comes with the same roof-mounted engine supercharger accessory as Sunstreaker. To differentiate him from Sunstreaker, Sideswipe not only features a new head sculpt, but he has a slightly altered transformation scheme and assembly: The upper half of his body is rotated 180 degrees at the waist, giving him his "classic" hood-chest. The hands are swapped compared to Sunstreaker to accommodate the different upper body orientation.

His Flare Launcher (a redeco of Sunstreaker's Electron Pulse Blaster) can be combined with the removable supercharger engine accessory by wrapping the intakes around the gun and mounted in either of the holes on his shoulders to simulate Sideswipe's Generation 1 missile launcher. Of course, this leaves him without a hand-held weapon. The engine can also be mounted on Sideswipe's back as his jet pack. Most of this is not shown in the instructions, which only instruct the owner of the toy to put the gun in his hand and attach the supercharger to his back.

Universe Tigertrack. Fortunately, this didn't happen.

Even worse, Sideswipe's instruction line art is recycled from Sunstreaker's instructions and therefore incorrectly gives him Sunstreaker's transformation and head, despite the stock photo depicted on top of the instructions showing him with the hood as the chest and the correct Sideswipe head. Unfortunately, the stock photo Hasbro provided to online retailers retains this incorrect transformation, and throws in some additional mistakes as well. Oy.

Hasbro's early plans for Universe Sunstreaker and Sideswipe had the two as straight redecos of each other, only differing in their head sculpts besides their colors—namely, Sunstreaker would have just been Sideswipe in yellow with a different head. It was TakaraTomy designer Hisashi Yuki who suggested an alternate transformation by turning the upper body by 180 degrees, thus providing more individual robot mode looks for the two characters that resemble their respective Generation 1 designs more. In addition, Hasbro originally intended the alternate mode's supercharger to split into two halves which would then become the handgun and a spring-loaded shoulder launcher for the robot mode.

The Sunstreaker/Sideswipe sculpt was also retooled into Timelines Punch, Generation 2 Breakdown, and Generation 1 Breakdown, as well as Henkei! Henkei! Alert and Generations Red Alert.

More information on Universe (2008) Sideswipe on TFU.info

Henkei! Henkei!

Whoever does Takara's photography seriously needs to be outsourced to Hasbro.

• Lambor (Deluxe, 2008)
  • Japanese ID number: C-09
  • Accessories: "Flare Launcher"

The Japanese version of Universe Sideswipe has vacuum metallized silver on his flare launcher and his spoiler, but does not come with the supercharger engine/"rocket backpack" accessory that Henkei Sunstreaker and Universe Sunstreaker/Sideswipe included. This was a willful decision meant to differentiate further between him and Sunstreaker. That's right: Takara deliberately omitted an optional piece of accessory to make the toy more "G1-accurate".

He also has correct, personalized instructions that aren't just Sunstreaker's. Like Sunstreaker, the Japanese version's roof paint is a much closer match to the red colored plastic. The Japanese version also features a glossier black paint and the white has yellow tint compared the white plastic used for Hasbro version. His license plate says "LAMBOR" rather than "SWIPE".

Timelines

Folks are gonna be pisssyyyyyy.

• Sideswipe (BotCon 2010 customization class Deluxe)
  • Accessories: Gun/tailpipe, engine supercharger intakes

A Generation 2-style redeco of Universe Sideswipe, Timelines Sideswipe is pre-molded in new colors, which is unprecedented for the BotCon customization class exclusive (and apparently came as a surprise to Fun Publications). During the class, the mold is assembled, painted and stickered by those enrolled in it. Between the two classes, there were 52 participants.

In regards to the plastic mold changes, white remains white, but like the original Generation 2 figure, the red and black colors are swapped. Clear green replaces the clear plastic used for the window and thighs.

This figure uses the Generations Red Alert version of the mold, which includes two screw holes in the canopy (rather than one like Henkei! Henkei! Alert or none like all other versions of this mold). The samples Shawn Tessmann had on display used the original version of the mold, and lacked the screw holes. Despite the mold change, the lightbar was not included. These holes replace the slots used to mount the rocket pack in robot mode. The rocket pack can still be mounted on the gun in robot mode and in car mode though. As an unintended result of having empty screw holes over the rocket pack sockets, Sideswipe can now mount his gun inside either screw hole on the roof of his car mode.

The unassembled figure was also given out to those who volunteered at BotCon 2010.

Masterpiece

• Lambor (10-27-2012)
  • Japanese ID number: MP-12
  • Accessories: Missile launcher, flare gun, two pile drivers (A), two pile drivers (B, Amazon.co.jp only)

Masterpiece Lambor transforms into a licensed Lamborghini Countach LP500S. As with other figures in the Masterpiece line, he is intended to be an accurate representation of his cartoon model, and even features a Lamborghini-supervised paint scheme, such as glossy red paint covering the entirety of his vehicle mode panels and robot shoulders, as well as various bits of black detailing to make it accurate to the real-life vehicle. Standing at around 6 1/4 inches (or 15 1/2 centimeters) from head to toe in robot mode, he is also in scale with MP-10 Optimus Prime, and can fit inside Prime's trailer in vehicle mode. In contrast to previous entries in this line, Lambor lacks die-cast parts, and his tires are cast in hard, non-rubberized plastic.

The Amazon version's additional cake slicers screwdrivers pile drivers.

For accessories, he comes with his flare gun, which can be held with his hands, and his non-firing missile launcher, which is jointed at the peg to allow it to pivot up and down, and can mount on either shoulder in robot mode. Both his launcher and gun can be combined and mounted on a self-covering peg-hole on his vehicle roof/robot back. He also comes with a pair of pile drivers, which can snap onto the ends of his forearms when either hand is flipped in, and are based on the blunt arm pistons he uses in "S.O.S. Dinobots".

If purchased in Japan through Amazon.com, one additionally gets a different vacuum-metalized pair of pile drivers, which are based on the jackhammer-like pistons he uses in "Dinobot Island, Part 2". If purchased in other Asian markets outside of Japan, a collector's coin is included instead. Both the coin and its wheel-shaped package identify him as Sideswipe instead of Lambor. In Malaysia Lambor included both the additional Amazon.co.jp pile drivers and the coin.

This mold was redecoed and retooled to make MP-14 Alert.

Merchandise

Decoy

Decoy Sideswipe.

• Sideswipe #18

Sideswipe was one of the many character represented by a small plastic decoy available carded with other transformers.

More information on Decoy Sideswipe at TFU.info

Titanium Series

Sideswipe turns small a lot.

• Side Swipe (Robot Master, 2006)
  • Accessories: Engine blaster

Titanium Series Side Swipe is based upon Sideswipe's Alternators toy. Constructed partially of die cast metal, Side Swipe has limited articulation located in his shoulders and neck. He comes with a removable engine blaster and an Autobot symbol display stand.

This mold was going to be redecoed to be Titanium Sunstreaker, but that release was canceled.

More information on Titanium Side Swipe at TFU.info

Attacktix

• Sideswipe (2007)

Attacktix Sideswipe was to be a missile-firing "blaster" style playing piece, presumably part of a third wave of "Booster" packs. He was revealed at the Star Wars "Celebration IV" convention alongside many other Attacktix pieces that would ultimately never see release.

Game over. This Attacktix item has been canceled, with no current plans for release.

Notes

• Sideswipe's The Transformers Universe bio text describes features of Sunstreaker's toy, leading many to believe Sideswipe's original toy was supposed to be created from Sunstreaker's mold and vice-versa, with the colors swapped between the molds. The Diaclone Sunstreaker toy was available in red and police versions, but not yellow (hence the red shoulder stickers on an otherwise yellow car). The mold used for Sideswipe, on the other hand, was released in Diaclone in police, yellow and red decos.

• Sideswipe's Japanese name, "Lambor" is derived from the name of his vehicle mode, a Lamborghini. It may also be a word play on the Japanese word "Ranbō", which means "reckless, violent, rough". Wouldn't be the last time Takara's done such word puns.

• According to a story page in the October 1985 issue of TV Magazine, Sideswipe and Red Alert are brothers, with Sideswipe being slightly older than Red Alert. This connection may have been invented because, aside from Sideswipe and Red Alert sharing the same mold, Sunstreaker was not sold in the Japanese market outside of a special "versus" set with Skids and Buzzsaw. However, the familial dynamic between Sideswipe and Sunstreaker was not changed in the Japanese dub of the original Transformers cartoon, leading some Japanese fans to consider the three Lamborghini characters as triplets.

• During the 1990s, another company held the "Sideswipe" trademark in the "toys" field, even though Hasbro still released two toys using that name as part of the Generation 2 line (it's unclear if this resulted in any legal repercussions for Hasbro). When Hasbro finally managed to reclaim the name for the Robots in Disguise line, the name was now parsed as "Side Swipe", in two words, for whatever reason. The next two toys to spell "Sideswipe" as one word again were the OTFCC 2003 exclusive and the Armada Super-Con. However, the OTFCC figure was referred to as "Side Swipe" when featured as a cross-sell on the packaging for the OTFCC 2003 Shadow Striker/Roulette two-pack, whereas the "Unicron Battles-style packaging redesign for the Armada figure saw the name changed to "Side Swipe" on the name insert as well. Hasbro finally decided to re-file the name "Sideswipe" (as one word) as a trademark in 2008, presumably because a character in the upcoming movie Revenge of the Fallen and the accompanying toy line was going to sport that name, and Hasbro were using that as an opportunity to re-introduce the spelling of the name as one word. As a result, the Universe Deluxe Class toy was the first toy to "properly" sport the name "Sideswipe" as one word. Oddly enough, in 2012, Hasbro re-filed "Side Swipe", along with several other old trademarks.

• Sideswipe has the dubious distinction of being the only one of the European Autobot Classic Heroes range not to feature in Marvel UK's Earthforce stories, not even making a late appearance like fellow 1991 addition Tracks.

• If you are a fan-girl, odds are you've written a story about him pranking someone. Admit it.

Foreign names

• Japanese: Lambor (ランボル Ranboru)
• Cantonese: Swipe (斯韋伯 Si Wai Baak, literally "This Soft-leather Elder")
• French: Frérot (Canada, "Bro")
• Hebrew: Métsóded (מצודד, "Sidler")
• Hungarian: Csatár ("Striker")
• Italian: Freccia ("Arrow")
• Mandarin: Tsè Sǎu (Taiwan, 側掃, "Side Swipe"), Heng Pao (China, 横炮, "Horizontal Cannon")
• Portuguese: Esgalhador (Portugal comic), Surrupio (Brazil comic)
• Russian: Apperkot (Апперкот, "Uppercut")
• Ukrainian: Krutobiy (Крутобій, "Toughpuncher")

External links

• Sideswipe at TFU.info
• Sideswipe's Universe profile at NTFA.net