The Transformers: Cyberverse toyline continues the trend set by Robots in Disguise of targeting the young demographic lying between the preschool and preteen audiences.
Announced in time for Toy Fair 2018, Cyberverse brings with it the line-wide "Action Attack" gimmick, with figures from most assortments including a unique "attacking" play feature.
The line also reintroduces a line-wide size class naming system, following Robots in Disguise's erratic mix of designations, with the one exception being the returning 1-Step Changers. Whilst Warrior Class remains similar to its Robots in Disguise counterpart, the new Scout, Ultra and Ultimate Classes bear little correlation to previous assortments with those names, beyond relative sizing.
While a similar size to previous Scout assortments, these figures possess the unique quirk of having only partial transformations, converting into hybrid robot/alt-mode forms in which their Action Attack gimmicks are activated as the final transformation step. Due to their simplicity, some figures' Action Attacks can also be activated in robot mode.
This item is currently scheduled for release, but is not yet available at mass retail.
Wave 3
1-Step Changers
Initially, this assortment was essentially unchanged from previous toylines, even reusing Robots in Disguise molds for the entire first wave, but beginning with wave 3 (the first wave of 2019 product), the assortment introduced Action Attacks. These typically activate only in robot mode, but some (mostly those that fire projectiles) can also work in alt-mode.
This item is currently scheduled for release, but is not yet available at mass retail.
Future waves
Warrior Class
Cyberverse Warrior Class figures are broadly similar to the Robots in Disguise assortment of the same name, although they exhibit a greater willingness to forgo points of articulation which aren't required for transformation. Their Action Attacks are activated in robot mode, although some figures can also activate their Attack in vehicle mode.
This item is currently scheduled for release, but is not yet available at mass retail.
Wave 3
Ultra Class
Closest in size and design to 3-Step Changers, Ultra Class figures' Action Attacks activates in their alternate mode, though a few can also activate in robot mode.
This item is currently scheduled for release, but is not yet available at mass retail.
Wave 3
Ultimate Class
Similar in size to a modern Leader Class figure, but significantly simpler, Ultimate Class figures feature Action Attacks specifically designed to be activated in both robot and alt-mode.
Thus far, Thundercracker has only been released in Singapore, Hong Kong and Canada, markets that still have Toys"R"Us. A United States venue has not been confirmed yet.
Notes
Like with previous lines, Hasbro used character-specific code names for the toys. This time, the theme was "Seinfeld characters":
Acid Storm: "Uncle Leo"
Blurr: "Morty"
Bumblebee: "Costanza"
Grimlock: "Puddy"
Megatron: "Newman"
Optimus Prime: "Peterman"
Shadow Striker: "Susie"
Shockwave: "Kramer"
Slipstream: "Estelle"
Soundwave: "Kruger"
Starscream: "Bania"
Windblade: "Elaine"
Cyberverse toys made their global retail debut at Toyworld stores in Australia on 3 July2018, before arriving at US retail at the end of the same month.
