Blaster (G1)/toys
From MediaWiki
Blaster tends to share toys with Soundwave.
Toys
Generation 1
- Blaster (Autobot, 1985/1986)
- Japanese ID number: 38
- Accessories: Electro-scrambler gun
- Rather huge by the typical standards of Generation 1 Transformers, Blaster transforms into a miniature "ghetto blaster" boombox. He features spring-loaded buttons: when pressed, his "start" button stays in the depressed position until his "stop" button is pressed, while pressing the "eject" button pops open his tape door, which can store a single Mini-Cassette Transformer. Due to what was presumably a common internal misassembly issue, many original Blasters had doors which would not open when the eject button is pressed, nor would the other buttons work. Blaster has rather limited useful articulation, located in his neck and shoulders.
- Blaster was reissued by Takara in 2006 as part of The Transformers Collection and then by Hasbro in 2010 during Universe (see below)
- Twincast (Autobot, 1987)
- ID number: C-116
- Accessories: Steeljaw, Electro-Scrambler Gun
- For this Japanese-exclusive release, the first Blaster toy was redecoed into a new blue, yellow, and red color scheme. Like his contemporary redeco Soundblaster, his chest door was retooled in order to accommodate two cassettes at once, and changed from colorless clear plastic to translucent red as part of a gimmick with his pack-in partner, Steeljaw. This version of Steeljaw sports a new decal depicting Scorponok, which reveals the Decepticon's weak spot when placed behind Twincast's red door, working in the same manner as a Tech Specs decoder.
- Blaster w/ Flight Pack (Action Master, 1990)
- Accessories: "Flight Pack" backpack, "tractor beam electron gun"
- A non-transforming action figure, Action Master Blaster (not to be confused with the "Action Master Blasters" price-point) is compatible with any other Action Master vehicle or accessory. His design is based largely on his cartoon model, with elements from the toy added (like his visor). He came with the "Flight Pack" accessory, which converts from a winged jetpack to a massive "electro-scrambler" cannon.
Binaltech Asterisk
- Broadblast meets Lumina (Binaltech, 2005)
- Japanese ID number: BTA03
- Accessories: Engine/gun, Lumina Hoshi with stand, driving arms and driving legs
- A redeco of Alternators Skids, Broadblast transforms into a 1:24 scale Toyota bB, aka the Scion xB. He has working doors, hood, and trunk, plus his engine becomes a non-firing weapon. He also comes with an extra decal sheet, which includes signs for "TBN" which possibly stands for "Transformers Broadcast Network" or some such; there is Japanese text on the labels as well, but it's really tiny and hard to make out.
- He came with a PVC-plastic figurine of the human newsgirl Lumina Hoshi.
The Transformers Collection
- Broadcast (reissue, 2006)
- ID number: 21
- Accessories: Steeljaw, Electro-scrambler gun, cassette case
- Blaster's first reissue was the final instalment in Takara's The Transformers Collection line of re-released Generation 1 toys. He features no notable changes from his original release, save for the fact that he comes packaged with Steeljaw, where his original release had gone without any pack-in partners.
Collector's Edition
- Twincast (2006)
- ID number: C-116
- Accessories: Flip Sides, Electro-scrambler gun, cassette case
- Twincast's first reissue was available as part of the Collector's Edition line exclusively through online retailer e-HOBBY, designed, as most e-HOBBY exclusives were at the time, to accompany the mass-release of the standard reissue of the original Blaster. Though Twincast was unusual in that he was a pre-existing character, where the previous few years' worth of e-HOBBY exclusive redecos had been new characters, he did come packaged with a new partner: a redeco of the Eject/Rewind mold named Flip Sides. The notable difference from the original Twincast was the absence of an Autobot sigil on his left upper arm. At the time, rather than feature unique packaging, all e-HOBBY exclusives came in a generic box in Autobot red or Decepticon purple; oddly, Twincast came in a Decepticon box, but since Flip Sides was characterized as a Decepticon sleeper agent, it just about made sense.
Universe (2008)
- Autobot Blaster with Blockrock Mini-Con! (Voyager, 2008)
- Series: Classics Series
- Accessories: Tri-barrel "particle feedback blaster"/bomb, double-barrel "harmonic wave cannon"/bomb, Cybertron Autobot Cyber Key
- Blaster is a redeco of Cybertron Soundwave, transforming into a Cybertronic stealth bomber vaguely like an F-117A Nighthawk prototype, the Have Blue. He comes with three hexagonal prism "bombs"; one converts into his partner Blockrock, the other two unfold into non-firing blaster weapons. Any one of these "bombs" can be stored in his robot mode chest, which opens by plugging a Cyber Key into him; Blaster comes with a translucent black, gunmetal-bordered Cybertron-style Autobot key, in contrast to the Planet X key that came with Soundwave. The other two bombs store in indents on the underside of his wings.
- His packaging art shows him with only half of his chest-door as clear-blue, emulating the original toy design's tape-window, but the final product (and stock photography) show the blue all the way across. However, his visor does have red paint to simulate the "goggle visor" look of the original toy and Marvel comics model.
- This mold was also used to make Galaxy Force Soundblaster.
- Autobot Blaster (2010)
- Series: G1 Series
- Accessories: Electro-Scrambler Gun
- This reissue of Blaster comes with Steeljaw, Ramhorn, and Eject. Released as part of the 2008 Universe toyline, the packaging also has a special foil-detailed outer slip case. Blaster is technically a slight redeco, having metal-flake beige legs instead of metallic-swirl silver.
- This set was officially a Hasbro Toy Shop exclusive and was, in typical tradition, first made available at the Hasbro Toy Shop booth at San Diego Comic-Con 2010 and subsequently also sold via the Hasbro Toy Shop website. In addition, it was also made available at the Animation-Comic-Game Hong Kong Fair 2010, and was later released at FanExpo Canada 2010.
Device Label
- Broad Blast (7/24/2010)
- Accessories: USB cable
- Device Label Broad Blast transforms into a working USB hub (designed to look like the Toshiba Qosmio laptop computer). The USB functionality works in both robot and laptop modes. Generation 1 Mini-Cassettes can fit into the false tape-deck in his chest in robot mode, but cannot be stored while Broad Blast is in laptop mode due to his head being inside his chest in this form. The Generation 1 Blaster toy's Electro-Scrambler Gun can also fit into Broad Blast's compatible fist holes.
- Originally scheduled for release in late 2009, Broad Blast was delayed until July 2010. According to a report from getnews.jp at the Tokyo Toy Show 2010, the delay was due to the discovery of a connection cut-off problem after the toy/USB hub is transformed into robot mode. TakaraTomy redesigned the entire lower body to fix this problem.[1]
Encore
- Twincast (2012)
- Japanese ID number: 22
- Accessories: Nightstalker, Stripes, electro-scrambler, two mini-cassette cases
- Twincast was available again as part of TakaraTomy's Transformers Encore series of reissues. For this release of Twincast, the techno detailing of his door is smoothed over for cartoon accuracy. Also to add to cartoon accuracy, his face is colored in a metallic yellow with metallic light blue eyes instead of silver with gold eyes. All of the original Twincast's stickers have been replaced with tampographed detailing for this release, including a large Autobot symbol on his chest (where the techno detail was present on previous releases). Twincast also features a darker blue from the previous releases as well as a different shade of yellow for his tape deck door.
- Twincast came with Nightstalker and Stripes.
- This toy was redecoed into Shattered Glass Blaster.
Generations
- Autobot Blaster (Voyager, 2012)
- Series / Number: 1 / 004
- Japanese ID number: TG17
- Accessories: Steeljaw/data disc, rifle
Fall of Cybertron Blaster was repurposed as Cloud Blaster.
- Part of the second wave of 2012 Voyager Class Generations Fall of Cybertron toys, "Autobot Blaster" is a redeco and retool of Fall of Cybertron Soundwave, with a new, grinning head, as well as a new chest, wheels, and weapon. He transforms into an SUV-style "communications truck", and comes with a rifle which is based on Generation 1 Blaster's electro-scrambler. The rifle can peg (via 5mm post) into his hands, right shoulder, and roof/back, and the rifle itself features a peg-hole on each side.
- He also comes with Legends Class Steeljaw, who is a redeco/retool of Ravage, and utilizes Blaster's main gimmick, which is that he is capable of storing and launching Steeljaw and other "data disc" minions. When a button to the left of his head is pressed, his spring-loaded chest compartment is opened, allowing up to three data discs to be stored inside. When the disc/s is/are stored, his back panel/roof now acts as a plunger, and pushing/sliding on this plunger in either mode launches the disc/s out of his chest compartment, wherein they will land on and depress the buttons on their undersides, thus triggering their spring-loaded transformation mechanisms and springing them into action! ...Hopefully.
- As an undocumented feature, the seat on his vehicle roof holds Diaclone drivers (and by virtue of similar sizes, Star Wars Transformers pilots). Additionally, Blaster's trigger finger is molded into his left hand, presumably so he can push his own eject button.
- His chest insignia is the live-action film series "angry eyes" Autobot symbol. Also, his stock photography depicts him with black antennae that are red on the final product, while his instructions reuse Soundwave's image for the "completed" robot mode.
- Autobot Intel Ops (2015)
- Accessories: Concussion rifle, missile launcher, 3 missiles, 6 slides, slide holder
- Hasbro again released Blaster in 2015 in the Platinum Edition toyline. He was co-packed with Perceptor, Eject, Ramhorn, and Steeljaw in a box with an opening front cover. Like the Universe reissue, Blaster features metal-flake beige legs.
- Twin Cast & Autobot Blaster (Leader, 2016)
- Accessories: 'Twin Cast' Titan Master partner, rifle, "rocket-sled"
- Blaster is part of the first wave of Leader Class Titans Return figures, and comes with his Titan Master partner, Twin Cast, who transforms into his head. In addition to his classic robot and boombox alternate modes, he can also transform into a base mode that can link up to the other base modes in the toyline, and features numerous 5mm mounting points for weapons and Titan Master vehicles and turrents, as well as tiny pegs to accommodate many other Titan Master figures. He includes a kind of "rocket-sled" with a seat for a Titan Master pilot which forms the topmost turret of his base mode. The sled stores inside Blaster's chest compartment in other modes; a notch is cut into its underside to store Twin Cast while Blaster is in boombox mode. Blaster's chest compartment is also capable of holding Legends Class 'spy-tablet' figures. He has several (non-functional) ports molded into his legs capable of accommodating real-life USB cables, headphone jacks, and power cables.
- He was later redecoed and retooled into Soundwave. His is mis-transformed in both his stock photography and in-package: his radio handle isn't collapsed down.
Masterpiece
- Tracks (2015)
- Japanese ID number: MP-25
- Masterpiece Tracks comes with a non-transforming Blaster boombox accessory in homage to the two Autobots' team-up in "Auto-Bop".
- This mold was also used to make Masterpiece Loudpedal's Sound Warrior.
- Road Rage (2015)
- Japanese ID number: MP-26
- Masterpiece Road Rage, a retool of Tracks, comes with a blue Twincast redeco of the boombox accessory.
Legends
Welcome to Attitude City
Hey! Hey! No scraps are given
When you're in Attitude City
Hey! Hey! You made the right decision
If your goal was to learn how to rock
Now sit back as I walk you through
My life as the baddest slaggin' dude on the block!"
- Broadcast (2016-09-24)
- ID number: LG27
- Accessories: Headmaster, rifle, spotlight/rocket-sled
- Legends Broadcast is a redeco of Titans Return Leader Class Blaster, and features a deco based on both of his toy and his appearances in the cartoon. Notably, his small Headmaster form's colors are based on Twincast, his rebuilt form. Some samples of Twincast need to have the neck rotated 180 degrees to his back in order for the "headmaster' to connect securely.
Merchandise
Transformers Gum
- Broadcast (model kit, 1986)
- Accessories: Electro-scrambler gun
- A snap-together model kit of Blaster was released by Kabaya as part of their Transformers Gum line of candy toys. Released in the third wave of the line and sculpted from red, grey and black plastic with a few stickers for detail, Blaster is broadly identical to his larger figure, right down to the moulded-in left-over details from his MicroChange release like his power switch and dials . There is one major difference: his chest does not open, so he can't store any of the tapes from Kabaya's smaller Transformers Choco line the way the Transformers Gum Soundwave can.
Decoy
- Cybertron Hero Collection 22 (multi-pack, 1986)
- Blaster was among the many characters rendered by Takara as part of their series of 1.5" keshigomu figurines. Like all the Autobots in the series, Blaster was molded in soft red rubber, and featured a number sculpted into his back that was the sum total of his Tech Specs, for use in the various games that could be played with the figurines.
- Blaster was available as part of a 22-piece box set of Autobot figures, in a variety of colours through "gachapon" capsule machines, and later, in a peach coloration randomly packed as part of various other box sets distributed by Seven.
- Blaster (Decoy, 1987)
- Decoy number: 29
- The figurine was later brought over to Hasbro markets as part of the Decoy promotion, largely identical to the Japanese release except for the fact that the number on his back was replaced with a simple "checklist" number. Like all Autobot Decoys, he was a randomly-chosen pack-in available with the carded Throttlebots, Aerialbots, Protectobots and Technobots
Attacktix
- Blaster (Booster,
2007)
- Blaster was likely to have been one of several Transformers Attacktix Booster pieces, using a powerful spring-loaded "blaster" missile launcher attack. Though displayed as part of the Attacktix display at the Star Wars "Celebration IV" convention, he —and all the other pieces revealed at the show— were ultimately never released.
 Game over. |
Robot Heroes
- Blaster and Thrust (2008)
- Part of the third wave of Universe Robot Heroes, "Generation 1 Series" Blaster comes packaged with Thrust. He has the standard shoulders-and-neck articulation. His headsculpt is more toy-based than cartoon-based, featuring his "goggles" (even though his eyes kind of pop out from them).
G.I. Joe and the Transformers
- The Epic Conclusion! box set (2013)
- An exclusive release for San Diego Comic-Con 2013, this is a non-transforming Blaster boombox with cassette pieces representing Steeljaw, Ramhorn, and Eject. The set also comes with a retooled Skystriker representing Jetfire, a G.I. Joe VAMP redecoed into Hound, a new Snake-Eyes figure bearing an Autobot symbol, a Baroness figure with Ravage on a leash, and a "samurai robot warrior" based on Bludgeon.
- The box set was announced via a USA Today article on June 5, 2013, along with Hasbro's other Comic-Con exclusives.
