General Information
Release Date: April 2026
Price Point: $27.99 (depending on retailer)
Retailer: General Release (Amazon, BigBadToyStore, Entertainment Earth, Target, Walmart etc.) - Preceding links are sponsor/affiliate links
Accessories: Blaster, Chest Plate
Official images and text in italics are from Amazon:
- AGE OF THE PRIMES SWERVE: This Transformers Swerve figure features deco and details inspired by the Transformers universe
- CONVERT BETWEEN ROBOT AND TRUCK MODE IN 15 STEPS: This Transformers toy figure converts between modes in 15 steps
- 4.5-INCH DELUXE CLASS TRANSFORMERS FIGURE: In robot mode, the Transformers action figure is 4.5 inches (11 cm) tall
- BLASTER ACCESSORY ATTACHES IN BOTH MODES: Comes with a blaster accessory
- ARTICULATED FOR PLAY AND DISPLAY: Age of the Primes Transformers figures feature articulation for display-worthy poses or action-packed play
- PART OF THE AGE OF THE PRIMES TRANSFORMERS COLLECTION: Look for additional Age of the Primes figures (each sold separately, subject to availability)
- COLLECTIBLE TRANSFORMERS GIFTS: Transformers action figures make a great Christmas, holiday, or birthday gift for boys and girls 8 and up or anyone who collects Transformers toys
Experience the epic universe of Transformers robots with the Transformers Age of the Primes Swerve toy! The 4.5-inch (11 cm) Deluxe Class figure converts from robot action figure to toy truck mode in 15 steps. With intricate poseability and an attachable blaster accessory, the Swerve action figure makes an awesome addition to any collection. Look for more Transformers collectible toys (sold separately, subject to availability) featuring characters like Smokescreen, Cliffjumper, Autobot Ratchet, and more to create a lineup that is — More Than Meets the Eye. TRANSFORMERS and HASBRO and all related trademarks and logos are trademarks of Hasbro, Inc.
Background:
In 1986, Hasbro released a wave of new Mini-Bots. Most of these figures were significant retools and redecos of previous Mini-Bots as new characters. One of these figures took the G1 Gears figure and heavily retooled and repainted it as a new character: Swerve. As the decades have gone along, Swerve has popped up again here and there in the Transformers toy line with post-G1 releases including:
- "Alternators" Swerve
- "Encore" Swerve
- "Universe" Swerve
- "Generations" Deluxe Class Swerve
- "Generations" Legends Class Swerve
- "Vintage G1" Swerve
Some may question if Universe Swerve is actually the same character and I'll grant you that. But I like to think of him as an alt-universe version of the character given that they share the primary color of red.
In 2026, history is repeating itself again as Legacy Gears has been retooled and repainted as a new Generations style Swerve! You can check out my Legacy Gears review for my thoughts on that figure. This review will focus on the changes made to it for this release.
Packaging:
Unlike the unique packaging design of Legacy, the Age of the Primes packaging is more aligned with the look of the Studio Series line. The boxes are now rectangular with a flap on top to hang on pegs. The background color is a flat black. The front features a new series of icons giving information about the figure. This is set to the left and is colored gold featuring a faction logo, calling out how many steps are in the transformation (15 in this case) and the age recommendation (8+ on this box). To the right is artwork featuring Swerve holding his blaster. Under that is an illustration of him in vehicle mode. In between is the figure with a window cut away with the return of a plastic window! These had been removed the last few years but Hasbro heard the fan outcry (and probably got sick of figures getting damaged in box by vandals) so they're back and I'm really glad about that. Below the artwork is the "Transformers" logo now set horizontally for the first time in about a decade. Under that is the "Age of the Primes" line looking a lot less stylized than the Legacy logos of years past. The bottom features his name as "Swerve" with Autobot symbol next to it.
The back of the box features the figure in both modes calling out the 15 step transformation. The bottom half features legal information in multiple languages and an "Authentic Transformers" logo. The box is definitely going for a premium appearance and it aligns the look more with Studio Series but it definitely does not feel as special or unique compared to previous years.
Accessories:
Swerve comes with two accessories, but one of them is really just part of the figure. Like Gears, Swerve's chest plate comes unattached. You just snap the panel onto the hinge at the top of his chest and it stays in place. You could pop it off and use it as part of a "battle damage" scene so I'll count it as an accessory even if it's not really meant to be one. This piece is made of white plastic with black paint details and an Autobot symbol in the middle (more on that below).
The other accessory is Swerve's blaster. This is the same weapon that came with Gears and is made of black plastic with no paint applications. The blaster features a 5mm peg on the bottom and on the side.
Robot Mode:
When I first took Swerve out of the box I expected him to have a new chest plate and head, but it turns out I was wrong. The designers did a lot more than that and I found myself very impressed. Here's a rundown of what was changed from Gears to Swerve:
- Head: Gears had one wide piece for his head, but in Swerve's case he has a more "normal" sized head with a curved helmet, visor eyes and panels on either side. The head is flanked by two panels that are set vertically and angle downward on the sides. This is an unexpectedly intricate interpretation of Swerve's head design and it looks great!
- Arms: The arms mostly feature new parts. The shoulder pieces now feature large, sculpted wheels that are much larger than the ones on Gears' shoulders. The forearms are different too, featuring different line details than the ones seen on Gears.
- Torso: The torso features mostly the same parts as Gears but the chest panel that you attach and swing down is completely different. Instead of featuring a trapezoid shape down the middle, this one features three distinct sections in the middle, each featuring some cool mechanical details (some inspired by the sticker on G1 Swerve's chest).
- Legs: The lower legs and feet both feature all new parts. The front of each lower leg and the feet feature the same rectangular, chunky appearance of the equivalent parts on Gears, but the designs are very different with G1 Swerve inspired details such as a series of horizontal lines on the front of the lower legs.
It would have been very easy for Hasbro to have taken the easy way out and just give Swerve a new chest and head and call it a day. They did not do this and instead gave us extensive retooling that will also extend to the vehicle mode and that makes me super happy!
Swerve is made up of white, red, silver and black plastic. For the most part the color layout matches up with the original G1 figure. Paint colors include black, red, blue and white. The red and blue are used on the head. The chest panel features black backgrounds with white used to paint the small details in each section of this panel. A large Autobot symbol is tampographed in the middle. Interestingly, the faux wheels on his shoulders have been painted black and silver. Gears also had much smaller wheel details on his shoulders, but those were not painted. Overall the deco on this figure looks fantastic. I love how the red and white contrast and the silver breaks them up nicely on parts like the thighs and elbows.
There are twenty four points of articulation on this figure. That includes six on each arm and five on each leg. All the joints are nice and tight with no apparent mold degradation issues. Swerve has six 5mm ports in this mode. Two are under the feet, then you have the fists and finally on his "back pack" for weapons storage.
Transformation to Vehicle Mode:
- Detach the blaster and set it aside for now.
- Straighten out the arms and legs.
- Swing the chest panel up.
- Swing the forearms up against the upper arms.
- Swing the chest panel down.
- Swing the arms in.
- Swing the back section out, and then swing out each wheel.
- Swing the back section forward.
- On each lower leg, swing out the wheels.
- On each foot, swing out the vehicle mode pieces that form the heels.
- Swing the lower legs over the back of the thighs and push the heel panels into place in the gaps on the back section.
- Swing the torso panel back, then push the chest plate against the back of the vehicle.
- The weapon can be attached to the ports on the top or sides of the truck mode.
Vehicle Mode:
Often when Transformers figures are retools and redecos, most of that retooling winds up focused in one mode (usually the robot mode). Swerve is one of those rare cases where the vehicle mode has a ton of new parts. I was honestly shocked by this when I saw the figure up close. Somehow I had missed how many parts had been changed in the promotional photos. Here's a rundown:
- The front end of the vehicle is formed from the back of the robot mode. This entire piece is new. Among the most distinct changes are the hood, which features the "M" (a carry over from the "Microchange" line where Gears originated), the front grille features thicker, vertical strips than Gears and the wheel wells are larger. The shape of his side view mirrors is also different. Interestingly, this design looks more like the original G1 front end for Gears and Swerve than Generations Gears had!
- The sides of the vehicle feature a step to get into the truck, complete with a panel sculpted like a tread plate from a real life vehicle. These are brilliant because they "cover up" the faux "wheels" from Swerve's shoulders!
- The rear wheel wells are much larger than those on Gears. They are also curved instead of angled like those on Gears.
- The truck bed features different details since it is formed from the lower legs of the robot mode.
Overall, Swerve is a really impressive retool of Gears. Even without the color differences he looks like a distinct model of truck when compared to Gears.
However, there are significant color differences (of course!). This mode shows off all the same primary colors as the robot mode: red, white and black (with some silver peeking out if you flip the vehicle over). Paitn colors include black,white and silver. An Autobot symbol is tampographed on the hood. The colors look great and are true to the character.
There are four 5mm ports in this mode. Two are on top of the cabin section and the other two are part of the front wheel wells.
Final Thoughts:
Swerve is a great example of how to do a retool and redeco. Both modes feature plenty of new parts and the deco is distinct and true to the G1 character. I've also always had an affection for Swerve (yes, long before IDW Publishing made him a star) so that make this figure even cooler to me. Highly recommended!
Pros:
- Extensive retooling in both modes.
- Easy and intuitive transformation.
- The detailing inside the torso remains an awesome addition to the figure.
- Good articluation.
- Beautiful new deco.
Cons:
- The torso panel on the back and the relatively small wheels are still a bit of a downer.
