Shockblast is of course a nod to the G1 toy, Shockwave, the giant purple gun. It's a repaint of Meister, but different enough I think to warrant purchase.

Shockblast is of course a nod to the G1 toy, Shockwave, the giant purple gun. It's a repaint of Meister, but different enough I think to warrant purchase.

In car mode, Shockblast is a custom Mazda RX-8. It's substantially different from Meister, featuring a remolded grill, Rear bumper and spoiler. The rims are also substantially different. I was initially dismayed by the lack of paint detail but I guess that's the style for this type of car. As with Meister, the hood, doors and trunk all open.

Transformation is easy, and similar to both Meister and Smokescreen. This toy has some clicky joints, which is always nice.

The real draw here is the fact that this toy looks so badass. The G1 style head on this body, with the dark purple color scheme is really fantastic. Check out the translucent arm cannon, a very obvious connection to the G1 toy. The cannon, unfortunately does not light up. The head features a light-pipe gimmick, where the eye appears to light up based on light coming in from the top. The fins on the head do not move.

Shockblast also has a gun that is part of the exhaust system in vehicle mode. Unfold the part and the gun attaches to the right hand via a peg.

I wasn't planning on getting this toy originally, because I am pretty sick of re-colors. But I got it as a gift from my kids, and I am glad I did. This toy is very cool.

Definitely worth getting.

Grimlock really inspires mixed feelings in me. I love the car mode, as I am a fan of the new Mustang. The robot mode is not bad, but transforming it makes me want to tear my hair out.

Grimlock really inspires mixed feelings in me. I love the car mode, as I am a fan of the new Mustang. The robot mode is not bad, but transforming it makes me want to tear my hair out.

In car mode Grimlock is a shiny silver new Ford Mustang. The hood, doors and trunk all open. The interior is detailed, and the front wheels move in tandem. The tires are rubber. The silver painted parts tend to scratch easily on my toy.

Transforming Grimlock is a lesson in humility. I guess these things were not designed for 32 year old men to transform. It seems the part of my brain that used to be able to instinctively figure any Transformer out is gone. I couldn't get it to work without popping off doors, arms and this big plate that attaches to the waist. The feet are easy, but above the waist is a pain. The whole mechanism to get the head out is odd, and I can never seem to figure out how to get it back into car mode without looking at instructions.

Once transformed, Grimlock looks.... Ok. He is bulky, and the feet are kind of tiny. I like the doors becoming shoulder pads, but there is this big solid plate that hangs behind him. In car mode this plate covers the bottom of the car, but it is really unnecessary.

Grimlock has 2 weapons. A translucent sword fits into his hand via a peg on the hilt, and it stores under the car when in vehicle mode. The engine becomes a double barreled gun, a nod to the G1 Grimlock. This too is secured via a peg on the handle.

While I appreciate that this is an original design, and not a repaint, I still can't get into it. I've tried, but it went back into the box and into storage. Your mileage may vary, depending how into Transformers you are.

Swindle is pretty much the same toy as Hound, with only minor differences. Swindle is a Decepticon, and is based on the same Jeep Wrangler.

Swindle is pretty much the same toy as Hound, with only minor differences. Swindle is a Decepticon, and is based on the same Jeep Wrangler. They color scheme is a nod to the original G1 Swindle, one of the Combaticons.

The most notable difference between Hound and Swindle is the head. Swindle gets its own head, which is more than we can say about most re-colors. Also new on Swindle is a chrome grill, fatter tires and different rims.

I actually prefer Swindle over Hound. It just looks better. Both toys feature realistic vehicle modes with opening doors and hood, as well as working spring suspension. Transformation is easy - probably one of the easiest Alternators to date. Usually I skip re-colors, but I recommend picking this one up.

Silverstreak is the first repaint in the Transformers, Alternators line, signaling a trend that grew very old, very fast. You know it's not a good sign when the third car in the series is a repaint.

Silverstreak is the first repaint in the Transformers, Alternators line, signaling a trend that grew very old, very fast. You know it's not a good sign when the third car in the series is a repaint.

Silverstreak is basically the same toy as Smokescreen, with very minor mold changes and an entirely new color scheme. There's no doubt that it is a beautiful toy, and the quality is typical Alternators - Excellent.

In car mode, Silverstreak is a Subaru Impreza WRX. There are subtle changes to the cars exterior, such as a remolded hood, grille and spoiler. Also, the very first Silverstreaks released in the US had right hand drive interiors, but subsequent releases have had left hand drive setups.

Transformation is simple, and if you know how to transform Smokescreen you can do this one in your sleep.

I don't have much to say about this.. If you want to know details about the toy, check out the Smokescreen review. It is a good toy on its own, but if you own bluestreak, you may not need this one.

Hound was the third vehicle released in the Transformers Alternators line, and the first vehicle that was not a sports car.

Hound was the third vehicle released in the Transformers Alternators line, and the first vehicle that was not a sports car. Hound is a 2003 Jeep Wrangler Sport. In vehicle mode, Hound features rubber tires, independent suspension, opening doors and hood, detailed interior, and a storage compartment in the spare tire that holds his gun. Hound does not feature tandem steering like the other Alternators do.

Robot mode is a little odd at first, but he grows on you. I don't personally like the way they handled the back of the robot. Things just kind of hang off his back. Otherwise he is pretty cool, and fairly articulated. He can hold a small gun in his hand that is stored in the spare tire. Hound is also the first Alternator that has a gun that is not from the engine.

The rest is pretty typical Alternators fare: realistic vehicle mode, quality construction, intricate transformation.. Not much wrong with him. He looks great and is fun to play with.

The car is typical alternators fare. If you like the others, then you'll like this one.

Meister came in two colors, Red and White. There's a long complicated story that has to do with licensing that you probably don't care about. He's the 7th entry in the Transformers Alternators series. He would have been named Jazz, but Jazz was already in use by Honda, so the name Meister was chosen. Meister is the name of the original G1 Jazz toy in Japan. I have no idea why.

The car is typical alternators fare. If you like the others, then you'll like this one. Transformation is similar to that of Smokescreen and Silverstreak. In car mode, Meister features opening hood and doors, tandem steering, detailed interior and real rubber tires.

In robot mode, Meister is very articulated, and features some detented joints, a feature they will hopefully continue to add to other Alternators. The engine becomes a weapon, like all the other alternators.

In a nutshell, it's cool. But you already knew that. No suprises with this one.

My only complaint is that it's a little too white. It could have used some graphics, or other detailing, but I guess licensing requires them to stay true to the production car.

This is Windcharger, from the Transformers Alternators line. It's a Honda S2000; a cherry red convertible. Like all the alternators, Windcharger features realistic detailing such as rubber tires, detailed interior and tandem steering. Windcharger's removable top can be used as a shield in robot mode.

This is Windcharger, from the Transformers Alternators line. It's a Honda S2000; a cherry red convertible. Like all the alternators, Windcharger features realistic detailing such as rubber tires, detailed interior and tandem steering. Windcharger's removable top can be used as a shield in robot mode.

Transformation is difficult at first. I definitely had to refer to the instructions. Once I did it a few times, it became intuitative. Robot mode is fairly articulated, and Windcharger has a sleek, lean look. The engine becomes a gun, but it is clearly missing something. Early pre-production models showed a drive shaft that became the barrel of then gun, but it is missing from the final version. Perhaps it was dropped due to safety concerns?

Windcharger is the first Alternator to use the S2000 body, but an additional toy using the same mold has already been announced as Decepticharge.

First thing you notice about Battle Ravage in car mode is that it is very,
very black.

Battle Ravage is one of the latest Alternator toys from Hasbro. This Alternator is almost the same as it's Japanese Binaltech counterpart, except it is all plastic, and half the cost.

First thing you notice about Battle Ravage in car mode is that it is very, very black. Even though it is all plastic, this toy in car mode could fit right in with any line of scale auto collectibles. This Chevrolet Corvette has real rubber tires, opening doors and hood and working steering. The license plate has a Decepticon logo, with the letters RVG printed on it. Little details such as colored brake pads and detailed dashboard make this a really exceptional piece.

Transformation is a little tricky, but is essentially the same as the previous corvette, Tracks. Once you've done it a few times you get the hang of it. Joints pop off instead of breaking off, so you can transform him without fear.

In Robot mode, Ravage looks damn cool. The cat-like head is a nod to the original G1 Ravage, a black panther cassette. Battle Ravage's head features an articulated jaw. Shoulder cannons and arm cannons make this cat one that you don't want to mess with. The engine transforms into a gun for added firepower.

This is one of the more articulated Alternators cars. He stands without assistance, and can achieve a variety of poses.

I'd definitely recommend this to any Transformer fan. it's different enough from the previous Corvette to be worth getting. Let's hope that Hasbro doesn't overuse the same molds though.. Although Battle Ravage is cool, we don't need any more toys based on this mold.

Transformers: Alternators are 1:24 scale transforming vehicles. Designed to appeal to both the 1:24 car collector and transformer fan, Alternators feature authentic licensed vehicles and details.

Alternators originated as Binaltech in Japan. Manufactured by Takara, the Binaltech toys feature die cast metal, and a much higher price point. Hasbro brought Binaltech to the US, removed the metal, and introduced them as Alternators at a price anyone can afford.

Smokescreen is the first entry in the Alternators line. It is based off of a Subaru Impreza WRC. This particular Subaru is the #8 rally car driven by Tommi Makinen. The car is exactly like the real thing, right down to the sponsor decals. Smokescreen features opening doors and hood, detailed interior, rubber tires, and even a steering mechanism. Smokescreens' gun doubles as an intercooler under the hood.

Transformation is a bit tricky at first. Going from car to robot is easier than going back to car. To transform, pull the back of the car out and separate the legs. Fold out the foot sections, and fold the back doors in. Then pull the arms out from under the hood, and collapse the side door sections. Twist the waist, fold down the hood, and pop the head through the hole on top. Be careful of the bar that connects the steering in car mode. If not positioned properly, it will pop off. It will pop right back on though.

Smokescreens' robot mode is amazing. It is extremely articulated, and can achieve a variety of poses. It has knee joints, elbow joints, even a waist-joint. The hands feature moveable fingers (with separate trigger finger). The gun folds out and can be placed in either hand via a post on the handle.

Transforming the toy back to car mode is where it gets difficult. Getting the legs to fold back into the car just right requires a certain amount of patience. Try not to get frustrated. Once you go through the process a few times you will understand what you have to do to get it to work.

The last thing I want to mention is the packaging. Hasbro did it right this time by featuring packaging with NO TWIST TIES! That's right, you just cut a few plastic tabs and the plastic shell comes off. The toys is just resting in the tray, so you can just lift it out and start playing with it. It's about time someone did this. Hasbro, if you're listening, keep it up.