Cyberworld Scorponok

Prelude: He is the monster at the heart of the maze, the final boss at the end of the final level. He is Scorponok from the Cyberworld series, the scary monster… nah, not really. He’s a fun playset from a kid-oriented Transformers toy line. Which is enough for me. How about you? Let’s say go!

Robot Mode: Let us start by saying that Cyberworld Scorponok is (so far, at least) the biggest figure released in the Cyberworld line and he easily towers over all the other figures released. In fact his claw hand seems custom-made to grab any of the smaller figures, be it in robot or alternate mode, and lift them up to face their doom. Like most of the figures in the line his design somewhat mirrors the later-day Generation 1 design in terms of blockiness and bright colors. 

Cyberworld Scorponok is, in fact, rather similar to G1 Scorponok. Not only are the two figures nearly identical in size, they also resemble each other in general style, range of articulation, and have a similar transformation into their scorpion mode, too. Sure, Cyberworld Scorp is not a Headmaster, but still, it’s kind of amusing that two toys that are nearly 40 years apart could be so similar. Though the head is more Energon Scorponok than G1, to be honest. 

You quickly notice that Cyberworld Scorp is not designed as a big collectors figure, but as a fun toy for kids. Articulation is restricted to the arms, the rest of him is pretty much immobile. Which is okay, as he is mostly there as a playset for the smaller figures. I already mentioned the claw and his other arms ends in a big circular saw. He has a tail that ends in a pretty big sword, which he can detach and wield with his claw. He also comes with two double-barreled shoulder turrets, which can also detach and you can use one of them as an alternate “stinger” for the tail. Said tail could use an extra joint or two to not stand out quite so awkwardly on the robot’s back, but again, it’s a kid’s toy.

Now we come to the fun interactive part. Both of Scorp’s gun turrets are made to detach and interact with smaller figures. They can attach them to their backs, arms or on top of their vehicle modes, or you can attach them to Scorponok’s chest (which opens up), shoulders, or legs and have the smaller figures serve as gunners.

Also, the middle part of the tail is an extra detachable part that becomes a motorcycle. Well, half of a motorcycle, really, as you need to attach either the claw, the saw, or the sword to it to serve as the front half. It’s totally weird and bonkers and I love it. Reminds me of the weird laser cycle included with Beast Wars 2 Tako Tank, another weird and bonkers toy. You can also attach one of the turrets to the front of the bike, mind you, but that doesn’t really work well as the bike tips forward.

Finally, Scorponok includes lights and sound effects, too. Press down on his head and his chest lights up and you get sounds, including the classic transformation sound. The sounds change depending on the mode (robot or scorpion). So bottom line: I love this guy. He is about as far away from a Transformers collectors’ figure as you can imagine, but he is so much fun.

Alternate Mode: Cyberworld Scorponok might well be the biggest 1-Step Changer ever made, because his transformation is really just one step. Grab the handle on his back, press down on the grip, and tip him forward until he lies on his stomach. You’re done. Okay, you need to raise his arms above his head, but that’s really it now. He is now a scorpion, more or less. But let’s be honest, the original Scorponok’s transformation was barely any more complicated. Cyberworld Scorponok skips the city mode, though.

The Scorpion is really just the robot lying on his stomach, but makes a good showing as a scorpion as well. The tail, which stood out awkwardly in robot mode, now looks pretty good here and if you leave the motorcycle part attached, you can have a smaller figure riding the tail. Crazy, weird, and awesome.

You can, of course, still grab smaller figures with the claw in this mode, too, and attach the gun turrets to multiple ports on Scorponok’s back and shoulders and have smaller figures serve as gunners. Just as much interactive fun here as in robot mode. So bottom line: a very simple transformation, sure, but the figure (or play set, really) is just as much fun in this mode as in robot mode.

Remarks: Still haven’t seen much of Cyberworld, but Scorponok did appear in the very first episode, chasing Optimus Prime out of the desert and into the jungle. He appears to serve as a sort of final boss in the video-game-like world of the series.

I skipped Earthrise Scorponok and while I bought its retool, Black Zarak, I sold him off again shortly afterwards. So buying Cyberworld Scorponok seems somewhat counterintuitive, I know, but I can already say that I’ve had so much more fun with this figure than with just about any of the (few) Titans I ever owned. He’s not a Titan, of course. He’s not a collectors’ figure, either. He is a fun toy, made to interact with other fun toys in weirdly entertaining ways. Did Earthrise Scorponok have a Claw-Cycle? No? Then don’t waste my time with him!

So bottom line for this toy: it’s a toy! A very fun toy that doubles as a playset for other figures! Don’t expect anything but that and you will be perfectly satisfied. If you’re looking for a highly detailed collectors’ figure, then this is not your thing.

Rating: B+