You’ve built Optimus Prime, you’ve assembled Bumblebee—now it’s time to let the bad guys have their day. LEGO’s newest Icons set brings the Decepticons to brick life for the very first time, and it’s none other than—and who else—Soundwave. The 1,505-piece marvel arrives this summer with an electronic twist that’ll have nostalgia-fueled fans pressing that play button again and again.

When LEGO teamed up with Hasbro to launch the Icons Transformers series back in 2021, it kicked things off with the towering Optimus Prime. Nearly two years later came the compact, curve‑friendly Bumblebee. Both sets impressed with seamless transformation and intricate detail—but they were all Autobots. Until now. With set 10358, Soundwave steps into the spotlight as LEGO’s inaugural brick-built Decepticon, and the line’s most ambitious model yet.

At 1,505 pieces, Soundwave is only three bricks shy of Optimus Prime’s 1,508 pieces, yet stands just over 12.7 inches (32.4 cm) tall in robot mode. It balances display‑worthy heft with the mechanical elegance you’d expect from a 1980s tech‑spy Decepticon. The set recreates every iconic ridge and panel from the G1 cartoon—right down to the Decepticon emblem printed on the front ‘window.’

Just like his fellow transformers, Soundwave converts to cassette‑player mode without disassembly, sliding his arms and legs into place while retaining every bit of posability in robot form. Articulated shoulders, elbows, hips, and even fingers let you strike classic poses: whether he’s ‘transmitting intel’ or preparing to eject his cassette‑minions, you’re covered.

What truly sets Soundwave apart is LEGO’s first sound brick in any Transformers Icons set: a small, battery‑powered module tucked into his chest. Press the play symbol, and you’ll hear specially recorded voice clips and theme music from the ’80s animated series—everything from the ominous opening riff to synth‑tinged one‑liners. While it doesn’t feature Frank Welker’s original performance, the chunky, lo‑fi renditions capture the spirit of Soundwave’s monotone menace perfectly.

LEGO’s official site teases five distinct audio tracks—phrases like “Decepticons are awesome” and “Danger, Autobots detected!”—making it feel less like a static display piece and more like an interactive time capsule. Of course, some builders might still choose to channel their inner ‘transform’ effects manually, but the sound brick is a playful nod to the character’s roots—and a sign that LEGO is willing to push the envelope on electronics in collectible builds.

True to the original toyline’s wry brilliance, LEGO includes not just Soundwave but also Ravage and Laserbeak—his cassette‑shaped minions. These micro‑builds snap together into tiny tape cassettes that slot snugly into Soundwave’s chest compartment, just like the 1980s originals. And yes, the rocket pod and laser blaster accessories double as ‘batteries’ for your Decepticon captain, adding a playful twist for those who remember the old-school gimmick.

Moreover, a display plaque details Soundwave’s power statistics—Intelligence, Strength, Speed, Endurance—framed alongside a miniature rendering of the set in cassette-player mode. It’s pure shelf candy for adult fans who want their desk to look like a toy museum.

Price, preorders, and availability

At $189.99 USD, Soundwave is officially the priciest Transformers set LEGO has ever offered, edging out Optimus Prime’s current $179.99 price tag. But for fans who’ve been waiting patiently for a Decepticon entry in the Icons line, the electronic features and detailed sculpt more than justify the premium.

• Early Access (LEGO Insiders): August 1, 2025
• General Release: August 4, 2025

You can preorder directly through LEGO.com or visit your nearest LEGO Store.