Downshift (Armada)
From Transformers Wiki
| The name or term "Downshift" refers to more than one character or idea. For a list of other meanings, seeDownshift (disambiguation). |
- Downshift is aMini-Confrom theArmadaportion of theUnicron Trilogy continuity family.
Downshiftusedto be a real jerk. A speed-demon race champion among the Mini-Cons, there was a time when the fact that he wasn't the absolute #1 would have chapped his lugnuts. He's matured since then, however, and has dedicated himself to fighting for Mini-Con freedom rather than personal glory.
However, some lines of that old bad code still linger in his system. Should theSkyboom shieldfall intoDecepticonhands and remain there for too long, the corrupting influence can affect all three members of theRace Mini-Con Teameven after they disengage, and the selfish, boastful, uber-competitive Downshift resurfaces. While the effect is only temporary, it's not something anyone on the Team wants to go through.
| “ | Nothing to prove, nothing to lose. | ” |
—Downshift'sbioquote. | ||
Contents |
Fiction
Armadacartoon
Downshift was a rare occasion among the Mini-Cons on Earth, as he activated himself and scanned a vehicle mode all without imprinting on aBulkTransformer first. Whereas most missions were little more than a scavenger hunt by both sides to find an inert panel, Downshift had to be actively chased down by both sides. The Decepticons and the arrogant Autobot officerBlurrwere willing to shoot the fleeing Mini-Con into submission; onlyHot Shotfought to protect Downshift and offer him achoiceto work with the Autobots. Despite Hot Shot's efforts on Downshift's behalf, however, the Mini-Con was snatched from his grasp byCyclonus,who teleported back to the Decepticon base on the moon. There, Downshift reunited withMirageandDirt Bossto form the Skyboom Shield for the first time in untold centuries.Reinforcement
In the next battle, Megatron assembled both theAir Defense Teamand the Race Team into the two most powerful weapons in the universe. Armed with both theStar Saberand the Skyboom Shield, he toyed withOptimus Primeuntil his overconfidence caused him to lose his grip on the Shield. Prime's Mini-Con partnerSparkplugthen "locked on" to the Skyboom Shield and brought it under Prime's control, thwarting Megatron's killing strike with the Saber and balancing the powers between the two sides.Decisive Battle
Because the Skyboom Shield was in such demand by the Autobots to protect them from the Star Saber (and later theRequiem Blaster), Downshift and the Race Team appeared quite infrequently as individuals. One day, they went for a walk with the kids to catch some fresh air. Unfortunately, their little stroll happened just asBillyandFredreported thatThrusthad met with Starscream. Squidhead had asked for the Skyboom Shield Mini-Cons as collateral for letting Starscream back into the Decepticons, so their sudden disappearance from the base didn't look too good for the former Decepticon. The Autobots' distrust for Starscream in part led to his decision to take Thrust up on his offer, and so even afterHot Shotuncovered the kids and the Race Team and cleared his name, Starscream stole the Skyboom Shield for Megatron and returned to the Decepticons.Crack
Downshift and the Race Team had little time to act as individuals after that, remaining powerlinxed as the Skyboom Shield while the Decepticons used the shield as one-third of theHydra Cannon,before it was stolen by Thrust and used to provide power to the heart of Unicron. Mirage, Dirt Boss and Downshift reawakened as individuals with the help ofHigh Wireand theStreet Action Mini-Con Team,who had journeyed to Unicron's core with Optimus Prime,Galvatronand the Earth children to grant the super-weapon Mini-Cons their freedom.OriginDownshift fled Unicron aboard the AutobotJetfirejust before the Chaos-Bringer was finally destroyed.Mortal Combat
DreamwaveArmadacomic
Downshift and the other Race Team members were captured early on in theDecepticons' Mini-Con kidnapping spree.Armada #1Alongside many other Mini-Cons, they escaped captivity and made it toEarth'smoon,where they lived in peace for some time. Eventually, the Decepticons found them and attacked theirhome,and Downshift and the others were forced to flee to Earth.Armada #11The Race Team subsequently allied themselves with the Autobots, and traveled toAlaskato assist theAdventure Team,who were up againstThrustandCyclonus.Upon arrival, they found Thrust unconscious, while Cyclonus was stronger and crazier than ever. Downshift and his team failed to harm him, but luckilyOptimus Primewas around.Armada #13
Later, the Race Team joined the rest of the Earthbound Mini-Cons in traveling back to Cybertron, which was under attack byUnicron.They were presumably part of theMini-Con Matrixceremony at theLoop,which caused Unicron some major damage.The End
Cybertrontoy bios
Downshift fell through a rip in space-time and landed on theSpeed Planetin another universe. He was found by the criminalDirt Boss,who enslaved the Mini-Con and used his power-boost to terrorize the Speed Planet's equatorial cities.Wal-Mart exclusive Dirt Boss two-pack toy bio
Thundercrackerabducted Downshift from the Autobots. Surprisingly, Downshift proved willing to help Thundercracker cause chaos among the Autobot forces on Earth.Wal-Mart exclusive Thundercracker two-pack toy bio
Man. Downshifts just can't catch a break.
Toys
Armada
- Race Mini-Con Team(Mini-Con 3-pack,2002)
- Takara name:Race Micron
- Takara ID number:MM-05
- Takara release date:December 26,2002
- Known designers:Shogo Hasui(Takara)
- ArmadaDownshift transforms into a Le Mans Prototype-style race car. He also forms the rear portion of theSkyboom Shieldwith his teammatesDirt BossandMirage.
- As a Mini-Con, he has aPowerlinxsocket on the underside of his vehicle mode that allows him to attach to larger toys with compatible Powerlinx plugs, activating specialgimmickson the larger toys when attached to a "live" plug.
- In theHasbroline, the Race Mini-Con Team was released in the third assortment of Mini-Con teams. In Japan, it was part of the massive first wave ofLegend of the Micronsproduct, released inDecember2002. Aside from packaging, there are no noteworthy differences between the two releases.
- This mold was also used to makeTailslide.
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- Grap & Race Micron(Multi-pack, 2002)
- Sonokong name:Smoky & Race
- ID number:MS-02
- Takara release date:December 26,2002
- The Race Microns were also available in Japan in a multi-pack withGrapand his Mini-Con partnerLift.Grap's expandable crane-boom serves as a launching ramp for the Race Micron's jet-like Cosmotector combined mode. All of the toys in this set are identical to their individual Takara releases.
- This set was also released bySonokongin Korea, with no changes from the Takara release, other than the packaging. This was also the only way to obtain "Smoky" (Smokescreen) and the "Races" in Korea.
- Race Micron Exdimensions(Mini-Con 3-pack, 2002)
- ID number:MM-10
- Release date:December 26,2002
- A limited-edition (but still regular-retail)redecoof the Race Microns was made available in Japan as part of theExdimensions.The entire team was given a deco in varying shades of blue, with "Spin" colored light blue with darker blue and red details.
- This toy also doubles as the separate characterSpin.
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- Spin(Change Micron, 2003)
- Change Micron ID number:2
- Release date:August?? 2003
- This version of the toy is a "candy toy"produced byKabayaas part of the secondChange Micronassortment, sold mainly in convenience stores. The toy is actually an all-new tooling based on the original mold, with minor changes to small details. But the much more immediately obvious difference is the sheer number of missing paint applications on this version, lacking all of the racingtampographsas well as the light blue accents on his fists and feet.
- Road Assault Mini-Con Team(Mini-Con 3-pack, 2003)
- Released in the sixth wave ofArmadaMini-Con teams, this set is a redeco of the Race Mini-Con Team under a new team name. For this release, Downshift was colored mostly white with red and black details.
- This redeco of the team was given the distinction of being a corrupted version of the Skyboom Shield when in possession of the Decepticons, to coincide with theAir Assault Mini-Con Team/Dark Saberrepaint, via theDreamwaveMore than Meets the Eyeprofile books.
- Spin Road Assault Edition(Promotional Micron, 2003)
- Release date:August 2,2003
- In Japan, individually-bagged members of the "Road Assault Edition Race Microns" were only available aspromotional giveaways,a random member of the team given free with the purchase ofLegends of the MicronsJetfireorShockwaveat Ito Yokaido stores in August.
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- Spin(Micron Booster, 2003)
- Booster ID number:7
- Release date:August 7,2003
- Part of the firstMicron Boosterset, this version of Spin is almost totally identical to the retail version, only this uses a slightly-sparkly plastic and paint. Yay.
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- Predacon with Side Burn and Skid-Z(Max-Con Class, 2003)
- Scavenger with Rollbar(Max-Con Class, 2003)
- Thundercracker with Zapmaster(Max-Con Class, 2003)
- The complete Race Mini-Con Team was also included as bonus add-ons with several Max-Con Class toys; samples ofPredacon,ScavengerandThundercrackerhave been found.
- Unfortunately, what retail chain offered these is unknown at this time.
- Downshift(Tiny Tin,2004)
- Accessories:Carrying tin
- In Europe, all three members of the Race Mini-Con Team were made available individually via theTiny Tinsline, under the originalArmadabranding. The toys themselves were unchanged from the original versions, but now each figure included a Tiny Tin carrying case.
Universe(2003)
- Downshift(Tiny Tin, 2004)
- Accessories:Carrying tin
- In the United States, theTiny Tinsversions of the Race Mini-Con Team members were released in different packaging than their European counterparts, branded as part of theUniverseline that didn't exist in Europe. Someerrorsoccurred, resulting in EuropeanArmada-branded Tiny Tin carrying cases being sold on AmericanUniversecardbacks.
Energon
- Race Mini-Con Team / Space Mini-Con Team(Mini-Con 6-pack, 2004)
- An unaltered version of the Road Assault Mini-Con Team was released as part of anEnergon"Mini-Con 6-pack" with theSpace Mini-Con Team.However, the team is not only called the "Race Mini-Con Team", the character art and stock photography show the original Race Team decos rather than what's actually in the package.
- This set was exclusive to bothToys "R" UsandWalmartstores.
Cybertron
- Dirt Boss with Downshift(Bonus pack,2006)
- Thundercracker with Downshift(Bonus pack, 2006)
- Accessories:Carrying tin
- A newredecoof Dirt Boss with aTiny Tinscarrying mini-case was packed in specialWalmart-exclusivesets. Downshift was packaged with bothThundercrackerandDirt Boss(theVelocitrondude, not his teammate). This time he was colored dark purple with details in white, red and light blue.
- HasbrocopywriterForest Leeconfirmed that theCybertronTiny Tins-exclusives were originally planned with two different Race Mini-Con Team decos in mind, hence the backstory involving one version of the team being from an alternate universe and the tins' decos showing the Mini-Cons in silhouette rather than the normal full-color images. He could not confirm what the then-chosen decos were, however, but it seems likely they would have beenrebrandedre-releases of the two schemes fromArmada,given the use of "Road Assault Mini-Con Team".
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Notes
- The Race Team are the only one of the three "legendary Mini-Con weapons" teams to be released in all three chapters of theUnicron Trilogy.
Foreign names
- Japanese:Spin(スピンSupin)
- Korean:Spin(스핀Seupin)
- Russian:Ponizhatel'(Понижатель, "Lowerer" )
