Ratbat (G1)/toys
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Ratbat is often not a cassette.
Contents |
Toys
The Transformers
- Ratbat / Frenzy (Cassette 2-pack, 1986)
- Accessories: 2 "radar-guided free-electron laser" thrusters
- Known designers: Takashi Matsuda (TakaraTomy)
- Released in the third year of The Transformers toyline (second year in Europe), and the only new Decepticon cassette that year, Ratbat transforms from a robot bat into a microcassette that can fit in the chest compartment of the Soundwave and Blaster molds. He was released in a two-pack with Frenzy in 1986 in the US and European markets. The toy had either gold or silver weapons, and either painted or sticker cassette detail. It is unknown if the color of the weapons corresponded to the detailing types.
- Ratbat's tiny "ears" are among the more easily lost parts in the original Transformers toyline.
- This mold was later used to make Encore Wingthing and Shattered Glass Ratbat.
| The Transformers mold: Ratbat | ||
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- Ratbat (Cassettron, 1986/1987)
- ID number: D-61, D-107
- Accessories: 2 "radar-guided free-electron laser" thrusters, cassette case (1987 release only)
- Known designers: Takashi Matsuda (TakaraTomy)
- In Japan, Ratbat was initially released by himself on an individual card in the second year of Takara's Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers toyline. This version of the toy came with golden weapons and stickered paint detailing.
- The following year, he was re-released in the Headmasters-themed era of the line, this time in a small box with a new ID number. The toy itself appears to have no significant changes from the first Takara release, though it did gain a clear-plastic cassette case Ratbat (or any other cassette) could be stored in.
Universe (2008)
- Standoff Beneath the Streets (2-Pack, 2008)
- A Target-exclusive redeco of Cybertron Sideways, Universe Ratbat is a purple, alien spacefighter with a pop-out "internal displacement cannon". When his Cyber Key is inserted into the back of the cannon, he switches factions (from Decepticon to Ultracon) and the built-in spring-loaded "combat blades" deploy. His wings can also detach from his ankles and be used as blades, with both pegging into either his hands, either with one blade in each hand, or with both blades pegging into the top and bottom of a single hand, forming a double-bladed weapon. His (conveniently color-coded) purple Cyber Key is unpainted, save for its silver Decepticon symbol. He was available only with Springer.
- His packaging stock photography has his robot mode flipped, and his instructions and packaging call-out erroneously mention that his key-activated faction-changing gimmick makes him switch from "Autobot to Decepticon at will!" Worse yet, in an effort for him to fit in the box, he is horribly mis-transformed, with his crotch being left split open, and the panel above it not being fully attached to his main body.
- Despite being a redeco of a Cybertron mold, Universe Ratbat is a remarkable homage to his Dark Ages robot mode and altmode. This is further enhanced by packaging him with Springer, whom Ratbat had a rivalry with in the story. See the relevant story section for more details.
- In its first release in Canada, the set did not include a comic (in spite of the INCLUDES COMIC! marking on the package), and in its first reported US sighting, included the wrong comic. Instead of a reprint of "Target: 2006" parts 4 and 5, which was meant for the "Autobot Ambush" Deluxe-Voyager two-pack of Roadbuster and Dirge, the right comic was to be The Dark Ages issue "Escalation", which was similarly and erroneously included with the "Autobot Ambush" two-pack.
- This mold was also used to make the Noisemaze Mass Production Type Version, and retooled into Timelines Scourge and Sweeps Two, Six, and Seven. The Sweeps were later repurposed as Shattered Glass Scourge.
- Soundwave (Multi-pack, 2009)
- Series: G1 Series
- Accessories: 2 "radar-guided free-electron laser" thrusters, cassette case
- In 2009, the original Ratbat toy was included with yet another reissue of the original Soundwave as part of the Universe line, this time as a Hasbro Toy Shop exclusive that was prominently offered at San Diego Comic-Con 2009. This release has stickered tape detailing and gold weapons, as well as a clear cassette case.
- Surprisingly for a reissue, the US San Diego Comic-Con release and the Encore release were near simultaneous, both occurring on the same weekend... but the two have a significant difference (see below).
| The Transformers mold: Ratbat | ||
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Encore
- Great Cassette Operation Vol.2 (Multi-pack, 2009)
- ID number: 17
- Accessories: 2 thrusters
- As part of TakaraTomy's Encore line, Ratbat was reissued in a box set along with Slugfest, Ramhorn, and Steeljaw. While this release retains the gold weapons, its tape detailing is now a tampograph, a first for Japanese Ratbats.
- In 2014, this and the other two cassette four-packs were re-released as lucky draw prizes for the Transformers Celebration 2014 event held at Ikebukuro Sunshine City store's Toys"R"Us, though this was likely just leftover stock.
| The Transformers mold: Ratbat | ||
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Generations
- Hardhead vs. Ratbat (2-pack,
2011)
- This figure would have been a pretool/redeco of Generations Deluxe Class Scourge, utilizing the alternate head sculpt depicted in Scourge's instructions (inspired by Ratbat's pre-war Senator body as seen in IDW's Megatron Origin).
- It was intended to be released as part of a Toys"R"Us exclusive two-pack with Hardhead, a redeco of Generations Warpath that would have similarly used that toy's alternate head sculpt. The intended deco sheets for the two figures were revealed by the unofficial Pete's Robot Convention on Facebook in 2020, but later taken down again at the request of Hasbro.
| Generations mold: Scourge | ||
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Proceed on your way to oblivion. |
Generations (Japan)
- Ratbat (Deluxe, 2013)
- Release date: June 29, 2013
- ID number: TG20
- Accessories: 2 handguns
- Part of the seventh wave of TakaraTomy's Generations toys, Ratbat is a pretool/redeco of Generations Deluxe Class Scourge that utilizes the alternate head sculpt previously intended for the unreleased Hasbro Generations figure listed above, but features a considerably different deco. He transforms into a jet loosely based on the Boeing X-48 blended wing body concept aircraft, and comes with two weapons that are both held via 5 mm post. They can combine via C joint into a triple-barreled weapon, and can store inside each of his cape halves/aircraft wings.
- Aside from the actual toys sharing the same basic tooling as Ratbat, this particular version using the Ratbat head also served as the basis of the non-toy IDW incarnation of Deathcobra and the Ex-Jet.
| Generations mold: Scourge | ||
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Linkin Park × Transformers
- Transformers Linkin Park Soundwave: Special Edition (Multi-pack, 2013)
- Release date: September 23, 2013
- Accessories: 2 "radar-guided free-electron laser" thrusters
- Linkin Park Ratbat is a gold and... also gold redeco of the original Ratbat microcassette toy. He has no stickers, factory-applied or otherwise, leaving his tape mode bereft of tape detail.
- At least one Ratbat (*ahem*) was misassembled so that the tips of the feet are unable to swing forward for bat mode, requiring disassembly and reassembly. Currently unknown if this is a widespread problem.
- He's packaged with Linkin Park gold redecoes of Soundwave, Laserbeak, Buzzsaw, and Ravage on a flocked-purple plastic tray inside a special commemorative box. Linkin Park Soundwave: Special Edition was exclusive to SURU and limited to 2000 pieces.
| The Transformers mold: Ratbat | ||
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Masterpiece
- Soundblaster (2014)
- Release date: March 23, 2014
- Accessories: Cassette case
- Known designers: Shogo Hasui (TakaraTomy)
- Masterpiece Ratbat transforms from micro-cassette to a character model-accurate mechanical bat. Similar to Masterpiece Buzzsaw/Laserbeak and Ravage, Ratbat's gold accessories are now integrated into the transformation and separation is not possible. Unlike the other TakaraTomy Cassettrons however, Ratbat comes with a colorless-clear cassette case instead of a hot pink cassette case.
- Due to the modified transformation scheme compared to the original toy, the cassette mode details are visible on the front of his wings. The line art of these details were actually part of Ratbat's original character model, although in most depictions of this model in fiction the wings remained solid purple. The details were properly colored in for his appearance in All Hail Megatron #5, however, as shown in Ratbat's IDW section.
- This mold was also used to make Masterpiece Wingthing.
| Masterpiece mold: Ratbat | ||
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Xiaomi/Transformers
- Soundwave (2016)
- The result of a team-up between Hasbro and Chinese consumer electronics company Xiaomi, Ratbat is included with the larger Soundwave figure that transforms from an officially licensed Mi Pad 2 tablet to a Voyager-sized robot in 30 steps. Ratbat is a somewhat large figure formed from part of Soundwave's kibble, and can be mounted on his back as a wing attachment, or perched on his arm. Ratbat's whole design seems like something of an afterthought and lacks any semblance of a bat face other than a Micro-USB port that is perhaps meant to represent his head in this form. Soundwave's weapons store within Ratbat's wings while the two are combined in tablet mode.
G.I. Joe and the Transformers
- G.I. Joe featuring Ninja Force and Transformers (Multi-pack, 2017)
- Part of a comics-inspired G.I. Joe / Transformers crossover set sold by Fun Publications, this redeco of Masterpiece Ratbat has super-comic-inspired colors, most notably replacing his black with blue, as was the way "black" was usually depicted in comic coloring through the '80s and '90s.
- Also included in the box set were Megatron, the Joe figures Ninja Force: Scarlett, Dr. Sidney Biggles-Jones, and Cobra Commander, a figurine of Autobot Black Cat, and accessories of gun mode Megatron, Autobot Toaster, and three Crusticons.
| Masterpiece mold: Ratbat | ||
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War for Cybertron: Siege
- Decepticon Rumble & Ratbat (Micromaster 2-pack, 2019)
- Hasbro ID number: WFC-S46
- TakaraTomy ID number: SG-41
- TakaraTomy release date: January 25, 2020
- Part of the fifth wave of Siege Micromaster two-packs, Ratbat transforms into the "V4 Sonicsurge Drone Armor". This flattened box mode is theoretically compatible with Siege Soundwave, but in practice it is slightly too large to fit into his chest compartment without bending the clear plastic door. He can, however, attach to Soundwave and other figures as some sort of shield.
- Ratbat was only available packaged together with Rumble. Legacy Thundertron, released five years later, has two slots on his right shoulder in robot mode for Ratbat to securely perch on him.
- This mold was also redecoed to make Generations Selects Wingthing, and retooled with a new head as Skar.
Legacy
- Rise of Tyranny 2-Pack (2-pack, 2023)
- Accessories: Blaster
- Known designers: Evan Brooks (Hasbro), Koki Yamada (TakaraTomy)[1]
- Revealed on the May 16th, 2023 Transformers Fanstream, and released as part of an Amazon exclusive Pre-Cybertronian War Collection subline, Legacy "Senator Ratbat" is a retool of Studio Series Scourge, transforming into a Cybertronian hovercraft in 17 steps. The figure's new head, shoulders, and chestplate are based on his appearance in the Megatron Origin comic. His new vehicle mode face cover features an embossed senate insignia. He lacks the blast effect accessory included with original iterations of the mold.
- Ratbat comes in a 2-pack with "Miner Megatron".
- Amazon mistakenly mixed up the product IDs for the "Rise of Tyranny" and "Humble Origins" two-packs; as a result, customers who pre-ordered this set were actually sent Data Clerk Orion Pax and Senator Shockwave. This was corrected a few days after the pre-orders started arriving; customers who purchase this set now will receive what they ordered.
- The original version of this mold was also used to make Studio Series Sweep, and retooled differently to make Legacy Alpha Trion.
Merchandise
Diamond Select
- Sound Blaster (Diamond Select, 2008)
- Released by Diamond Select Toys in 2008, the Sound Blaster bust was sculpted by Mark Wong of Art Asylum, limited to 1,000 pieces. It includes a new sculpt of Ratbat perching on Sound Blaster's shoulder.
- Rumble (Diamond Select, 2009)
- Released by Diamond Select Toys in 2009, Rumble was sculpted by Mark Wong of Art Asylum and limited to 1000 pieces. Ratbat is seen blazing over his shoulder and decoed in a deeper purple than he is usually depicted in.
G.I. Joe and the Transformers
- An exclusive release for San Diego Comic-Con 2012, this box set contains a redeco of the 2012 new-mold G.I. Joe: Retaliation HISS tank meant to represent Shockwave, along with the Cobras Destro and a "Constructicon B.A.T." with a trolley for carrying Energon cubes.
- Destro's accessories include Soundwave in the form of a non-transforming tape deck and three "Mini-Con Deployers" – micro-cassettes capable of being placed within the Soundwave toy. The toy's press release identifies the tapes as Laserbeak, Ravage, and Ratbat, but since all three sport the sculpted details of the original Laserbeak toy and are colored solid red, gold, and orange, just who is meant to be who is unclear.
Imaginarium Art
- Soundwave (2018)
- Imaginarium Art's Soundwave statue stands 32 inches tall and features light-up eyes. Though it is a statue, the set includes alternate heads and arms to change Soundwave's posture and whether he is holding his concussion blaster. The set also features attachment points for the included Ravage, Laserbeak, Rumble, and Ratbat. Only 200 were produced.
Transformers Trading Card Game
- Raider Ratbat, Spy Patrol-Fuel Scout (2019)
- Wave 4: War for Cybertron: Siege II
- Rarity: CT
- Card Number: T37/T52
- Stars: 6
- Raider Ratbat, Spy Patrol-Fuel Scout is one of forty-eight double-sided character cards available in Wave 3 of the Transformers Trading Card Game, War for Cybertron: Siege I. In order to represent Ratbat's size, Raider Ratbat, Spy Patrol-Fuel Scout is the size of a battle card, about half the size of a normal character card.
- The card's artwork is based on the Siege Ratbat toy, with the Bot Mode artwork being reused from the toy's packaging art, and original Alt Mode artwork with lines by Sara Pitre-Durocher.
Super Cyborg
- Soundblaster (2021)
- Accessories: Concussion blaster, torso plate, Ratbat cassette
- Super Cyborg Soundblaster is an 11-inch-tall non-transforming figure with 7 points of articulation, released by Super7. The figure's main selling point is the ability to remove the entire front of the torso, revealing sculpted mechanical innards (including internal speakers and tape reels, appropriately enough). The figure includes a non-transforming cassette that is purportedly Ratbat, even though it is clearly a repaint of the previously-released Super Cyborg Laserbeak cassette.
XM Studios
- Soundwave (2022)
- XM Studios' statue of Soundwave is 29" tall, made of hand-painted porcelain. Soundwave comes with closed and open chest doors, and alternate arms depending on whether owners want him to be posing, pointing, opening his chest door, holding his own guns, or holding a gun-mode Megatron. He is accompanied by Ravage, Rumble, Ratbat (written as "Redbat" on the XM Studios website), and Laserbeak. The set also includes a sculpted representation of Soundwave's cassette player mode that can be displayed next to the robot.
- 599 pieces were produced, with a suggested price of about $1,700 US.