Decepticon Mini-Cassette
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- The Decepticon Mini-Cassettes are a subgroup of Decepticons (and in a single case, a Predacon) from the Generation 1 continuity family.
The Decepticon Mini-Cassettes (also referred to as as Cassetticons and possibly Recordicons), are Decepticons (and in one case, a Predacon) who, on Earth, transform into analog audio cassettes. They can fit into Soundwave's chest compartment, though their apparent relationship to Soundwave varies depending on continuity.
Many of these troops have communication or espionage roles. Recycling of body designs is common among them as well.
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</td><td valign="top" style="padding:4px 10px 5px 10px;font-family: 'lucida console', arial, sans-serif;"> In the days of Megatron, Decepticons developed the art of espionage using cassette technology.
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<td colspan="3" style="padding-top: 0"> <p style="font-size:smaller;line-height:1em;text-align: right"><cite style="font-style:normal;">—Teletraan II, from the Secret Files of Teletraan II</cite>
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- Japanese name: Cassettron
Known Decepticon Mini-Cassettes
<div style="-moz-column-count:3; -webkit-column-count:{{{1}}}; column-count:3;"> <dt>Laserbeak type </dt>
<dt>Ravage type </dt>
<dt>Frenzy type </dt>
<dt>Dinosaurs </dt>
<dt>Combiners </dt>
- They can combine to form Squawkbox.
<dt>Miscellaneous </dt>
- Autoscout
- Flip Sides
- Ratbat</div>
Fiction
Marvel comics
For the most part, the Decepticon Mini-Cassettes did not appear to have a particularly special or unique relationship with Soundwave. Soundwave occasionally carried Laserbeak within his chest compartment, releasing him for surprise attacks Warrior School!.
More often, the Mini-Cassette troops used their small alternate modes for stealth, disguise and transportation by other characters. Rumble and Frenzy frequently hitched rides in the cockpit of the Decepticon jets, for example. DIS-Integrated Circuits! Ravage used his cassette form on several occasions to spy on humans. Power Play! Three of the cassette troops were taken out of play by Omega Supreme, Command Performances! and remained inoperative for quite some time, while Ravage was dropped into a mine shaft by the Autobot Skids, Showdown! taking him out of play for even longer. Only Laserbeak remained operative, acting as a sort of totem of Decepticon leadership. Command Performances!
Ratbat assumed a cassette form upon traveling to Earth, and used this disguise to monitor his human accomplices. Buster Witwicky and the Car Wash of Doom
Generation 1 cartoon continuity
The Mini-Cassettes acted as a sort of special-missions force, under the command of their host Soundwave. Soundwave could store numerous cassettes within his chest, at times ejecting as many as four at once. The Transformers: The Movie Call of the Primitives
Laserbeak was frequently sent to spy on the Autobots at Autobot Headquarters, once using his cassette form to sneak in. Divide and Conquer Ravage likewise used his cassette mode to infiltrate Teletraan I and steal information about Earth's resources. More Than Meets the Eye, Part 2 Rumble was used more often to destroy stuff, though all three frequently engaged in battle.
The less-seen Buzzsaw and Frenzy also appeared on occasion, usually acting in conjunction with Laserbeak and Rumble, respectively. Countdown to Extinction Atlantis, Arise! The Immobilizer
Years later, Ratbat joined the cassette forces; like Laserbeak, he specialized in spy work and reconnaissance, particularly in tight quarters inaccessible to Laserbeak. Secret Files of Teletraan II
Some time after that, Overkill and Slugfest also joined Soundwave's troops. Call of the Primitives
Madman Transformers comic
In the year 2001, Soundwave unleashed his army of new Mini-Cassettes to steal the Autobot Matrix of Leadership from a secure bunker at the construction site of Autobot City on Earth. Madman Transformers Comic
Dreamwave comics continuity
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IDW comics continuity
Toys
<dt>Frenzy mold </dt>
- Frenzy
- Rumble
- Enemy, whose only transformable toy was permanently attached to a radio bigger than he was.
<dt>Laserbeak mold </dt>
<dt>Ravage mold </dt>
<dt>Other molds </dt>
- Beastbox and Squawktalk, who can combine to form Squawkbox.
- Flip Sides, redecoed from the Rewind mold.
- Overkill
- Ratbat
- Slugfest
- Universe Ravage
- This is an entirely new-mold version of the character, still transforming from jaguar to a cassette compatible with G1 Soundwave / Blaster.
Trivia
- This sub-group was called Decepticon Cassettes in the 1984 toy catalog, but Decepticon Mini-Cassettes in all subsequent catalogs.
- The term "Recordicon" was used in a 1986 Toys "R" Us Transformers: The Movie sticker book to describe Laserbeak.
- The term "Cassetticon" is a fan-created term that sees wide usage amongst the fanbase.
- In "The Agenda", Ravage still has his cassette alternate mode, despite undergoing a complete rebuilding. He fits into a compartment on his ship.
