Sideswipe
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- For the tricking move, see Sideswipe.
Sideswipe (Lambor in Japan, Frérot in Canada, Freccia in Italy) is the name of three different characters in the Transformers Universes. Currently, the name is spelled "Side Swipe" with a space because Hasbro wants to use a trademark that's easier to legally defend.
Contents |
[edit] Transformers: Generation 1 (1984)
| Transformers character | |
 |
|
| Sideswipe (Lambor) | |
|---|---|
| Affiliation | Autobot  |
| Sub-Group | Autobot Cars |
| Function | Warrior |
| Motto | "I don't break rules, I just bend them - a lot." |
| Alternate Modes | Cybertronian Car Lamborghini Countach Lamborghini Diablo Dodge Viper Cobra Stinger |
| Series | Transformers: Generation 1 Transformers: Generation 2 Transformers: Universe Transformers: Alternators Transformers: Titanium |
| Voiced by | Michael Bell (English) |
Sideswipe's toy was originally part of a Takara toyline called Diaclone before Hasbro took some of the toys to use for Transformers. Sideswipe was one of the first Transformers to be released. Because they were both Lamborghinis, Sideswipe and Sunstreaker were characterised as twins. Although Sideswipe was repainted to use for other characters, such as Red Alert, he is not considered to be related in fiction to those characters.
The mold used for the original Sideswipe also used for the first Generation 2 Sideswipe, and the Autobots Tigertrack, Clampdown and Deep Cover.
In Japan a miniature version of Sideswipe was released as part of the Worlds Smallest Transformers line. The original Sideswipe toy was reissued in 2005.
Sideswipe is nearly the equal of his twin brother, Sunstreaker, in the combat arts, but less cold blooded. Relishes a fight to the finish with an opponent. Uses underhanded tactics when absolutely necessary. Arms act as powerful pile drivers. Flies for up to 2 minutes with rocket backpack and can fire flares visible for 18 miles. Rash actions often lead to injuries to himself but he takes them all in stride.
Oddly, the Tech Specs and TF: Universe profiles for Sideswipe describe the Sunstreaker toy. The rocket backpack describes Sunstreaker's engine, which is on his upper back in robot mode, and the sholder mounted flares refer to the two yellow pods that mount on Sunstreaker's sholders. The mix-up may have been due to the Diaclone toy decos. The toy used for Sideswipe had three Diaclone versions: red, yellow, and police, while the Sunstreaker mold was released only in red and police decos. This might also explain the red stickers behind Sunstreaker's rear wheels.
[edit] Animated Series
Towards the end of 1985, Sideswipe was a semi-regular in the series, and is among the team of five Autobots who disguised themselves as the Stunticons. Penetrating the Decepticons’ camp, the Autobots ran into trouble when the real Stunticons arrived, trying to prove their identities by forming Menasor. With a combination of Windcharger’s magnetic powers and Mirage’s illusion-creating ability, the Autobots were able to appear as Menasor too, but the deception was soon revealed, though they were still able to thwart the Decepticons’ plans.
In The Transformers: The Movie, the dead body of a robot many fans believe to be Sideswipe appears in the left corner of the frame as Springer attempts to move a torpedo launcher into place during the Battle of Autobot City. However, this is incorrect; the robot in question is actually Wheeljack (whose body appears next to Windcharger's a few seconds later into the scene), mistakenly colored like Sideswipe (The storyboards in this scene show Smokescreen's body and not Wheeljack's). In fact, Sideswipe does not appear at all in the movie, nor does he appear in any post-movie episodes of the Transformers television series. However, there was a scene planned where he, Red Alert and Tracks hop off Ultra Magnus to attack Devastator, but they all flee and Red Alert is shot in the back and killed. Whether or not Sideswipe was intended to be killed himself is unknown. But given how he was a fan favourite character, many prefer not to.
[edit] Dreamwave Comics
Before the civil war between the Autobots and the Decepticons, Sideswipe was a merchant. After the war broke out he joined the Autobots.
When Optimus Prime disappeared in an accident with a space bridge, the Autobots splintered into smaller factions. Sideswipe stayed with the main Autobot force, now under the leadership of Prowl.
With the Autobots learned that the Decepticons were testing a new mobile command base at the Praetorus Wharf, Sideswipe was part of a small investigation team led by Prowl. They discovered the mobile command base to be Trypticon and were forced to battle with little chance of success until the giant Decepticon was ordered to leave.
Some time after being reawokened on Earth four million years later, Sideswipe was aboard a ship named 'The Ark II' created by the Autobots and their human allies to end the war on Earth and return to Cybertron. However, the ship was sabotaged and exploded shortly after take-off. The human allies were killed, but Sideswipe and other Autobots were lost in the ocean. Sideswipe and the other lost Autobots were later found by Optimus Prime who used the Matrix to revive them.
When Ultra Magnus came to Earth claiming that the Earth-based Autobots were Cybertonian criminals; Optimus Prime surrendered and returned to Cybertron with half of his force. Sideswipe was amongst those ordered to stay behind, now under the command of Jazz.
Sideswipe and the other Autobots who remained on Earth were attacked by Starscream and Bruticus. Sideswipe fell in this battle and was later repaired by the Earth Defense Command.
As part of a small group led by Jazz and Marissa Faireborn of the Earth Defense Command to search for missing soldiers and solve the mystery of the deserted city, Sideswipe found and battled the Insecticons along with his twin brother Sunstreaker.
After defeating the Insecticons, the Autobots rejoined the other Autobots and were led by Prowl to the site of the future Autobot City: Earth.
[edit] Devil's Due Comics
In this reimagining of the Generation One story, the Ark was discovered by the terrorist Cobra organization, and all the Transformers inside were reformatted into Cobra vehicles remotely controlled by the Televipers. In this storyline Sideswipe and Sunstreaker both turned into Cobra Stingers.
[edit] Action Masters (1991)
As part of Europe's continuing exclusive Transformer toys, Sideswipe returned as an Action Master, along with his new partner - the battle droid Vanguard. Vanguard transformed into a backpack for Sideswipe to wear which came equipped with a protective double-barrelled helmet.
His function is still Warrior and his motto is still "I don't break rules, I bend them - a lot."
Tech Spec: A hardened battle veteran who enjoys a good brawl! Has been known to instigate photon laser duels between rival Autobots. His controversial, underhanded battle tactics have made him a highly feared opponent. Fellow Autobots claims he carries enough hidden firepower to set off a 30,000 pound TNT explosion. Uses whatever means at his disposal to defeat an adversary. His mobile armored partner, Vanguard, is a double barrelled tank that gives him cover fire when he's fighting it out with a Decepticon rogue.
[edit] Generation Two (1993)
Slightly remolded and recolored black, Sideswipe was re-released in the Transformers: Generation Two toy line.
Sideswipe was released a second time in Generation Two as a blue Lamborghini Diablo, a recolor of an Autobot named Firecracker as part of the Go-Bots line. His motto was still "I don't break rules, I just bend them - a lot."
[edit] Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001)
As a release of an unused Generation 2 Go-Bots mold, the name Sideswipe is reused for the first time on an unrelated toy to the original. This toy did not receive any characterisation and did not appear in the show or any other fiction.
[edit] Transformers: Armada (2003)
Originally called Stepper in the Japanese series "Micron Legend", he was renamed Sideswipe when Hasbro released the series in America. Transforming into a blue Nissan Skyline, Sideswipe's alternate mode is as realistic as an Armada toy can get to an actual vehicle. However, his robot mode is considered by many to be very poorly designed and is the subject of much ridicule.
Motto: "With aggressive precision I will speed toward victory."
Bio: [From the Troop Assessments of Optimus Prime, Autobot Leader] As his motto implies, Side Swipe is trying very hard to act like a capable, mature warrior. The trouble is, he's one of the few Autobots who's younger and more immature than even Hot Shot! He's also less experienced, which is why I think that having Hot Shot take Side Swipe under his wing might be the best way to handle both of their problems. These two young Autobots have their potential, but they also have no lack of shortcomings: Hot Shot's impatience and occasional disrespectful attitude, and Side Swipe's rash actions and overly enthusiastic hero worship. I think that together they can help each other truly see their own weaknesses and improve upon them. Right now, Side Swipe needs all the help he can get. ..I know he means well, but trying too hard can lead to more problems than it solves. I hope that they'll one day learn enough from each other to stand together like brothers among the ranks of the greatest Autobot warriors.
Weapons and Abilities: I fully expect Side Swipe's skill set to grow with time, but for now he only has average strength and intelligence. His speed and endurance are respectable, as is his courage. With more training, I feel confident that he'll become an even greater warrior, but for now...
Weaknesses: Side Swipe's still very green, which makes him a liability on the battlefield. I just hope that assigning Hot Shot to tutor him doesn't turn into the blind leading the blind!
[edit] Transformers: Universe (2003)
After a long absence, the original Sideswipe returns with a new toy. This time it is a convention exclusive, a remold of the Robots in Disguise toy Prowl. He came packaged with his now identical twin Sunstreaker. Both turned into Lamborghini Diablos.
Sideswipe was also depicted in the convention exclusive Transformers: Universe comics, first in his original 1984 form which was reformatted into his new appearance during the course of the storyline.
Sideswipe is nearly the equal of his twin brother, Sunstreaker, in the combat arts, but far less cold blooded. Relishes a fight to the finish with an opponent, and isn't above using dirty, underhanded tactics to come out on top. In robot mode, his arms can act as powerful pile drivers and can deliver up to 4 tons of force per impact with five impacts per second. Double-barreled multi-purpose launcher mounted on right arm fires dual incendiary missiles and doubles as a melee weapon, which can create twin fiery sabers. Shoulder mounted weapons ports fires blinding magnesium-phosphorus flares visible for 18 miles. In car mode, rear mounted rocket boosters allow Sideswipe reach speeds in excess of 450 mph for up to 2 minutes.
In the comic story found in issue 8 of the Transformers Collectors Club magazine Cybertron/Robots in Disguise Optimus Prime told the story of the last battle he was in, set in the Transformers: Universe storyline. Alongside 10th Anniversary Optimus Primal they attacked the last of Unicron's forces when Unicron suddenly disappeared, and they barely escaped. Among the Autobot forces were Universe Fireflight, King Atlas, Universe Night Slash Cheetor, Universe Longhorn, Universe Prowl, Universe Repugnus, Rhinox, Universe Side Burn, Sideswipe, Universe Silverbolt, Sunstreaker, Tap-Out, Trailbreaker, Cybertron/Robots in Disguise Ultra Magnus and Universe Whirl. Among the Decepticons were Universe Blackaracknia, Nemesis Strika, Universe Obsidian, Universe Razorclaw, Reptilion and Universe Skywarp.
Also, the characters of Universe Oil Slick and Treadshot were remolds of Armada Side Swipe.
[edit] Transformers: Alternators (2003)
Side Swipe (with a space for trademark reasons) was the second Transformer to be released in the Alternators/Binaltech toyline by Hasbro/Takara. In the Binaltech line, Side Swipe is named Lambor, for simplicity's sake he is referred to as Side Swipe for this article. Side Swipe's alternate mode is a Dodge Viper SRT-10.
[edit] Serial Number
- Binaltech - BT-02
- Alternators - #2
[edit] Accessories
The engine turns into an "Electron-Pulse Gun".
[edit] Character Card Information
- Autobot Warrior
The second Autobot to be reborn with the help of the engineering team-PVO in the Daimler Chrysler Corporation. With in-depth research into Transformer technology and incorporating their own unique conversion techniques, the team was able to create a high performance robot with specifications unmatched in the world. In robot mode, Sideswipe is equipped with backpack booster and antigrav panels below the legs that allows him to fly short distances. The corporation also prepared a large stock of backup parts to replace any damages Side swipe took during battles.
[edit] Release dates
Takara Japan (Binaltech)
- December 2003 (Hong Kong)
- December 2003 (Japan)
Hasbro USA (Alternators)
- December 2003 (Hong Kong)
- February 2004 (USA)
- February 2004 (Australia)
[edit] Price
- Binaltech - Typically ¥5,229 in stores (Imported to the U.S. $50-$60)
- Alternators - Typically $19.99 in stores
[edit] Remolds
Side swipe has been remolded as Dead End, and Sunstreaker.
[edit] Transformers: Cybertron
Although no character named Sideswipe appeared in the Cybertron series, the mold used for Armada Side Swipe was remolded into the Decepticon Runamuck (Runabout in Japan).
