Fellow toy collectors, are you ready to face the surging, monstrous tidal wave?
Since 2013, the colossal and astonishingly sized "Titan Class" has become a staple of the "Transformers Generations" line. The design team at "Hasbro" has not only remade the largest base-formers and combiners of the past with brand-new technology but has also paired them with accessible transformation schemes and high-density detailing. Titan Class Transformers are absolute heavyweight masterpieces that fans cannot afford to miss!
The latest Titan Class release for "Legacy United" is none other than "Tidal Wave," who first appeared in the 2002 animated series Transformers: Armada (see note below). Though taciturn and a bot of few words, his immense, domineering size and unparalleled combat strength make him arguably the most powerful Decepticon warrior under Megatron's command. In addition to his giant form that strikes fear into the Autobots, Tidal Wave can separate and transform into a three-vessel Dark Fleet mode, a massive battleship mode, and an all-new, original battle base mode. Not only that, but a scaled-down set of weapon components can be detached and combined with the previously released Legacy United Armada Megatron to form his "Burning Megatron" mode from the animation. With its incredibly diverse playability and awe-inspiring giant size, this figure is guaranteed to leave you thrilled!
Note: Transformers: Armada is the American title; the Japanese version was called Super Robot Lifeform Transformers: Micron Legend. The Legacy United line uses the American title. Incidentally, the Japanese name for Tidal Wave was "Shockwave."
▼The box, featuring newly drawn cover art. The box alone is enough to convey Tidal Wave's overwhelming power.
▼The full cover art revealed by Hasbro designer Sam Smith. It looks absolutely domineering!
▼The side box art also teases the upcoming recolored version of Armada Megatron, which is Galvatron, or as he's known in the Japanese version, Megatron Super Mode.
▼Alright, let's start with Tidal Wave's robot mode!
▼Truly worthy of the Titan Class name. Believe me, you'll be stunned by its size the moment you unbox it.
▼It's not just the insane 48cm height; the details all over its body are abundant and meticulously sculpted.
▼The head. The facial sculpt accurately captures Tidal Wave's appearance from the original animation.
▼The skirt armor is articulated to accommodate the transformation and improve poseability, reducing interference when lifting the legs.
▼As a Titan Class giant, having articulated hands is perfectly logical, right?
▼Ankle pivots are, of course, included. Paired with the ratchet joints in the hips, they allow for a variety of stable poses.
▼Let's test out the full range of articulation! Don't underestimate him; Tidal Wave can easily handle all the basic posing needs!
▼Full firepower!!
▼Having seen the robot mode, let's now look at the three-part "Dark Fleet" mode.
▼The first vessel is the twin-bowed battleship, formed from the torso.
▼The four dual-barreled turrets on the hull can all rotate freely.
▼The second vessel, the landing craft, is formed from the legs.
▼The multiple thrusters at the rear are another area of fine detail.
▼The final vessel is the aircraft carrier, formed from the arms.
▼Hidden beneath the bow are the dual-barreled cannons from the robot mode's hands!
▼The various markings on the flight deck and the bridge also feature excellent detail, worthy of close appreciation.
▼Fleet assembled, commence operations!
▼Next up is the three-in-one "Super Battleship" mode!
▼Once combined, the elongated form is even more impressive.
▼Beyond its massive scale, the designers have included an interesting feature. First, let's look at the bottom of the twin-bowed battleship.
▼That's right, a miniature version is hidden in the hull!
▼The landing craft can also have parts detached from the side...
▼...to form a mini landing craft!
▼The aircraft carrier has a similar separation feature.
▼The mini carrier appears!
▼So, what's the purpose of these miniature fleet vessels? We'll keep you in suspense for now.
▼After separating the mini Dark Fleet, Tidal Wave can still maintain his robot mode without any issues!
▼The most praiseworthy part is the hand design. After detaching the mini carrier, the original thumb rotates around to replace the four fingers. This clever design is absolutely brilliant!
▼OK, let's move on to the next mode: the "Base Mode," an original creation for the Legacy United line. This is a common play pattern for many past Titan Class Transformers.
▼It's perfect for playing with some of the smaller Core Class figures.
▼"Our boss is finally back to take command!"
▼Finally, let's reveal the function of the mini Dark Fleet! That's right, it combines with the Legacy United Armada Megatron to complete the awesome Burning Mode!
▼By attaching the shoulder armaments, the back wings, and the boot extensions, you can upgrade Megatron's firepower to the next level!
▼One has to admire this design. After all, disassembling the original Titan body into armor would surely result in unbalanced proportions. This mechanism of using a hidden miniature version for the combination is truly a stroke of genius!
▼And that concludes our unboxing of the Legacy United Titan Class Tidal Wave. Its immense size and diverse, rich play features make it an unmissable heavyweight masterpiece of the year. All you Transformers-loving toy collectors, don't miss out! We'll see you in the next unboxing report!
