Buzzsaw (G1)/toys

Own your very own murderbird today.

Buzzsaw is the most awesome cassette Transformer! He may kill your wallet funds.

Toys

The Transformers

The hook at the end of his beak is so that when he punctures you, you can't just yank him out. You'll rip off a wad of flesh.

• Soundwave and Condor Cassette: Buzzsaw (Decepticon Communicator, 1984-1986 / 1990)

• Accessories: Left & right "Twin Mortar Cannons"

Released in the first year of Hasbro's The Transformers toyline, Buzzsaw transforms from a microcassette to a robotic condor. His cassette mode can fit into the tape compartment of the Soundwave and Blaster toys. Unlike the other four original Mini-Cassettes, Buzzsaw's deco is unique to the Transformers line, rather than originating from Micro Change.

He was only available packed in with the larger Soundwave toy, so kids could use the primary tape-bot gimmick right away.

In 1985, a heat-activated rubsign was added to his cassette mode front; unlike other toys, this did not replace his existing Decepticon insignia, located on his head.

Buzzsaw and Soundwave were rereleased in Australia in 1990, in their original packaging.

This mold was also used to make Laserbeak, Garboil, and Sundor.

• More information on Buzzsaw at TFU.info

"I'm not trapped in this box with you guys...you guys are trapped in this box with ME."

• Sunstreaker & Skids vs Buzzsaw (Multi-pack, 1985)

• ID number: VSZ
• Accessories: Left & right "Twin Mortar Cannons", tape case

Released in the first year of Takara's Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers line, Buzzsaw was not Soundwave's pack-in partner, nor was he indiividually-sold like the other "Cassettetrons". He was instead only available in a multi-pack with Skids and Sunstreaker, who were also exclusive to this set in Japan.

Like most Japanese cassettes (and all future Japanese releases of Buzzsaw), he came with a clear-plastic tape case to be "stored" in.

Fort Max's weakpoint may be his shoulder, but Buzzsaw always goes straight for the eyes.

• Soundblaster (Decepticon, 1987)

• ID number: D-101
• Accessories: Left & right "Twin Mortar Cannons", tape case

During the Headmasters-themed portion of Takara's Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers line, Buzzsaw was included as a pack-in with Soundblaster. This version replaces the tape-spool decal with a new sticker featuring Fortress Maximus's weak spot, revealed through the clear-red tape-doors of the Soundblaster and Twincast toys.

Soundblaster himself is given the ID number "D-101", while Buzzsaw is separately labelled as "D-106".

The Transformers Collection

Every time Soundblaster tries to put down Buzzsaw, he loses a body part.

• Soundblaster w/ Buzzsaw and Ravage (Transformers Collection, 2005)

• ID number: 18
• Accessories: Left & right "Twin Mortar Cannons", tape case

The Headmasters version of Buzzsaw was included in the Soundblaster reissue, though this time the duo also came with a similarly-sticker-altered version of Ravage.

Timelines

Sure, it seems like an improvement, but he still has to pick everything up in his jaws.

• Laserbeak and Buzzsaw (bagged souvenir set, 2006)

• Accessories: Left & right energon blades, Energon star
• Known designers: Joe Moore (concept artist)^[1]

A redeco of the Energon Divebomb mold, Buzzsaw gains a humanoid mode along with his robot-falcon form. He came with a set of clear-indigo energon weapons that could combine to form a large blade, plus an indigo energon star. He was available only in a "souvenir" 2-piece set with Laserbeak, sold at BotCon 2006, and limited to 500 pieces.

At BotCon 2006, the signboards advertising the Laserbeak/Buzzsaw set incorrectly identified him as "Buzzclaw". This was the only place the error appeared.

• More information on BotCon 2006 Buzzsaw at TFU.info

Universe (2008)

There was supposed to be another cassette included. But Buzzsaw killed it.

• Soundwave (2009)

• Series: G1 Series
• Accessories: Left & right "Twin Mortar Cannons"

In 2009, Buzzsaw was included with yet another reissue of 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. Included were his weapons and his own cassette case.

Encore

By the time you open this package, he'll have torn all the other cassettes into pieces.

• Great Cassette Operation (2009)

• ID number: 15
• Accessories: Left & right "Twin Mortar Cannons", tape case

As part of TakaraTomy's Encore Generation 1 reissue line, Buzzsaw was released along with Rewind, Eject, and Ravage. Unlike most Encore figures, he features no significant differences from his various previous releases.

In 2014, Buzzsaw and the rest of the Cassettes were re-released as a lucky draw prize (along with the other 2 box sets) for the Transformers Celebration 2014 event held at Ikebukuro Sunshine City store's Toys"R"Us, though this was very likely to be remaining stock.

Masterpiece

Whose bright idea was it to give this murderer more articulation??

• Frenzy & Buzzsaw (2013-03-23)

• ID number: MP-16
• Accessories: Pink tape case
• Known designers: Shogo Hasui (TakaraTomy)

A repaint of Masterpiece Condor, Buzzsaw features a very different transformation sequence from the original toy that gives him a fully show-accurate design, with his jet thrusters no longer being separate accessories. Despite all this, he transforms into a mini-cassette the same size as the original toy, although there's just enough extra mass to keep him from fitting inside the original Soundwave toy's chest cavity. He has a camera hidden on a small flip-up tab on his head (based on the camera Laserbeak used in The Transformers: The Movie), and comes with a pink case which can be used to store him in tape mode.

Care should be taken when transforming this figure, particularly around the jet thrusters, as both the arms connecting the thrusters to the main body and the winglets on top are prone to breakage.

He is packaged with his fellow cassette Frenzy, even if we thought he wouldn't hang with him anymore.

Primus knows what kind of "homemade movies" he records with that camera...

• Soundwave (2013)

• 09 OF 30
• ID number: MP-02
• Accessories: Clear tape case

Included with the Hasbro Toys"R"Us-exclusive version of Masterpiece Soundwave, Buzzsaw features a slightly brighter, less orange-yellow shade of yellow paint, and comes with a clear version of his micro-cassette case.

• More information on Masterpiece Buzzsaw at TFU.info

Linkin Park × Transformers

I remembered black skies
The lightning all around me

• Transformers Linkin Park Soundwave: Special Edition (September 23, 2013)

• Accessories: Left and right "Twin Mortor Cannons", tape case

Linkin Park Buzzsaw is a gold and ... also gold redeco of Laserbeak. He's packaged with Linkin Park gold redecoes of Soundwave, Ravage, Ratbat and Laserbeak (to whom he is completely identical) on a flocked-purple plastic tray inside a special commemorative box. He has no stickers, factory-applied or otherwise. Linkin Park Soundwave: Special Edition was exclusive to SURU and limited to 2000 pieces.

Platinum Edition

• Soundwave Year Of The Goat Edition (2014-03-23)

• More information on Year of the Goat Buzzsaw at TFU.info

Collect them all! This character article is a stub and is missing information on their toys & merchandise. You can help Transformers Wiki by expanding it.

Kre-O

Buzzsaw doesn't need to transform to kill you. This time, all he needs is for you to step on him.

• Kreon Class of 1984 (Kreon figure set, 2014)

• Set number: B0090

A brick version of Buzzsaw's cassette mode was available as an accessory in a San Diego Comic-Con 2014 exclusive pack of 30 Kreons dubbed the "Kreon Class of 1984". Remaining stock was to be sold at Hasbro Toy Shop online, only there was no remaining stock after the show.

Combiner Wars

He will kill you AS a forklift. If he hasn't already.

• Buzzsaw (Legends, 2016)

Part of the fifth wave of the Generations Combiner Wars subline imprint, Buzzsaw turns into both a communicator and a small forklift-like vehicle. The forklift mode features a peg intended for use with a Titan Master figure, and the communicator mode can connect with certain Leader-class figures from the Titans Return subline imprint, such as Blaster. However, Buzzsaw predated the debut of that subline by several months, making him function as a "preview" of sorts for the future line. His stickers are prone to coming off at the edges, particularly in the areas that require transformation such as the wings.

His headphone jack can actually accommodate headphones!

Though Buzzsaw's wave was scheduled for a first quarter 2016 release, it arrived on U.S. store shelves in late 2015.

This figure was redecoed into Titans Return Laserbeak and Bumblebee Buzzsaw.

• More information on Combiner Wars Buzzsaw at TFU.info

Vintage G1

He doesn't need a rubsign to brutally dismember you.

• Soundwave & Condor Cassette: Buzzsaw (June 2019)

• Accessories: Buzzsaw, rocket launcher, 3 rockets, concussion blaster

Vintage G1 "Condor Cassette: Buzzsaw", a Walmart-exclusive reissue of the Generation 1 toy, is included with Soundwave. Like most other reissues (including Hasbro's previous Universe release), Soundwave appears to be based on the running change Japanese version of the original figure, with a door that can only hold one cassette but still with the unified buttons.

Stock photos show Buzzsaw packaged with the cassette detail facing inwards. He does not include a rubsign as Vintage G1 Starscream and Hot Rod do.

Collaborative

We're not getting a redeco of Siege Laserbeak, guys. We're getting something weird.

• J. Balvintron / Energia Buzzsaw & Vibras Stripes (2021)

• Accessories: Left & right cannons

The eighth release in the Collaborative line, "Energia Buzzsaw" is a redeco of his original The Transformers toy... wait, what?

Energia is the Spanish word for "energy", in case you were wondering.^[2]

Energia Buzzsaw has a primarily white body with foil decals of lightning bolts and the logo of J. Balvin's Energia album replacing the stickers from his original toy. As with some previous reissue versions, his cannons have much shortened barrels compared to the original figure for safety reasons. Curiously, his head is painted white, even though the plastic underneath is presumably also white. He comes packaged with J. Balvintron and Vibras Stripes. This set is exclusive to the NTWRK app, with pre-orders beginning on July 13, 2021, and shipping in November of that year.

Legacy

Four years I've had an available mold, and I'm somehow only relegated to a non-transformable?!

• Soundblaster (Core Class, 2023)

• Known designers: Evan Brooks (Hasbro), Shogo Hasui (TakaraTomy)^[3]

Coming with Soundblaster in the first wave of Legacy: Evolution Core Class toys, Buzzsaw is a redeco of the non-transforming version of Laserbeak. Buzzsaw can fit into Soundblaster's chest.

Alright, I may be five years behind, and many size-classes smaller, but that won't save you, Omega Supreme!

• G1 Universe Soundwave, G1 Universe Decepticon Rumble, G1 Universe Buzzsaw, G1 Universe Ravage (Leader Class, 2024)

• TakaraTomy name: Soundwave Set (サウンドウェーブセット)
• TakaraTomy ID number: TL-84
• TakaraTomy release date: 2025 January 25
• Known designers: Mark Maher (Hasbro)^[4]

"G1 Universe Buzzsaw" is a redeco of War for Cybertron Trilogy Laserbeak, transforming from robotic condor to cassette-shaped shield, compatible with 5 mm pegs. He sports a gold deco based on his original toy. He was released alongside his master, G1 Universe Soundwave, and fellow cassettes G1 Universe Ravage and G1 Universe Rumble. He is able to fit into the chest cavity of the included Soundwave, Kingdom Blaster, and any of their mold-mates.

This set makes the unusual move of being a multi-pack of figures from smaller size classes being sold as a regular Leader Class release.

He was revealed on Mark Maher's instagram on June 13, 2024, as part of a week of Legacy United reveals, being put up for pre-order the same day.

• Designer commentary on Legacy Buzzsaw from Mark Maher on Instagram

Merchandise

Mega Super Collection Figure

Can't move, but still finds a way to kill.

• Megatron Metallic Ver. (2002)
  • ID number: 03-X1

Exclusive to Hobby Expo 2002 and Wonderfest 2002, this PVC figurine of Buzzsaw came packaged with an exclusive metallic version of the Mega Super Collection Figure Megatron. It was redecoed from the Laserbeak included with the original mass-release version of Megatron.

• More information on Mega SCF Megatron and Buzzsaw at Transformers @ The Moon

The Loyal Subjects

• Buzzsaw & Transparent Frenzy 2-Pack (2014)

Collect them all! This character article is a stub and is missing information on their toys & merchandise. You can help Transformers Wiki by expanding it.

Transformers Trading Card Game

Watch the card edges...they're microserrated.

• Buzzsaw, Spy (2019)
  • Blaster vs. Soundwave: 35th Anniversary Edition
  • Rarity: RT
  • Card Number: T06/T08
  • Stars: 5

Buzzsaw, Spy was released in the Transformers Trading Card Game Blaster vs. Soundwave box set. The box also includes the character cards Blaster, Communications, Soundwave, Communications, Eject, Electronic Surveillance, Ramhorn, Warrior, Steeljaw, Tracker, Frenzy, Warrior, and Ravage, Saboteur, along with two ready to play 40 card battle decks themed around both Blaster and Soundwave.

In order to represent Buzzsaw's size as a Mini-Cassette, the card is the same size as a battle card, about half the size of a standard character card.

The first release of this set was a 35th Anniversary Edition was initially released at San Diego Comic-Con 2019 alongside the TCG's Omnibot Convention Pack, and later available online on Hasbro Pulse. The 35th Anniversary Edition features throwback artwork, with the original G1 Buzzsaw packaging art on the Bot Mode side, and original artwork matching the G1 packaging art aesthetic for Alt Mode. This original Alt Mode artwork was drawn by Marcelo Matere and colored by Caravan.

Even with an attack stat of zero in cassette mode, he'll still find a way to destroy you.

• Buzzsaw, Spy (2019)
  • Blaster vs. Soundwave
  • Rarity: RT
  • Card Number: T06/T08
  • Stars: 5

This version of Buzzsaw, Spy was released as part of the general retail version of the Transformers Trading Card Game Blaster vs. Soundwave box set.

Gameplay-wise the card is identical to the 35th Anniversary Edition of the set, and features different artwork reused from the Transformers Legends mobile game.

Pop!

• Buzzsaw (2024)
  • ID number: 135

Released as part of the Pop! Retro Toys segment in celebration of the 40 years of the franchise, Funko's Pop! Buzzsaw is a super deformed vinyl figure based on his original Generation 1 toy, flying in condor mode while supported by a translucent stand.

Buzzsaw was released as a limited edition chase variant of Laserbeak.

References