Sideswipe is a young, instinctive Autobot from Cybertron Division 10, defined by his inexperience and eagerness to prove his worth. His initial idolization of commanders leads him to Earth after being rescued from a trap by Blurr, whose skills he deeply admires and aspires to emulate. This admiration fuels his desire to become a respected warrior like Blurr, though his impulsiveness frequently causes problems. Blurr assigns him to Hot Shot for training, initiating Sideswipe's development under Hot Shot's mentorship.

His early actions reveal his emotional nature and fierce loyalty. When Hot Shot's former protégé, Wheeljack, arrives seeking revenge, Sideswipe immediately leaps to Hot Shot's defense but is swiftly defeated. Later, Wheeljack captures and chains him in an abandoned oil refinery during a confrontation. As the refinery catches fire, Sideswipe panics and blubbers in fear until Hot Shot rescues him. This incident cements their bond, with Sideswipe dubbing Hot Shot "Bro" and attempting to hug him in gratitude.

Sideswipe participates in major conflicts, including defending a rainforest against Starscream and Tidal Wave. During a Decepticon infiltration of the Autobot base, he guards the human children while others aid Smokescreen. After Smokescreen is critically injured, Sideswipe joins the salute for their fallen comrade. When Smokescreen clings to life, Sideswipe spars with Hot Shot to distract him. Later, he accompanies Hot Shot to confront Decepticons without waiting for reinforcements, engaging Starscream in combat until Jet Optimus intervenes.

His technical aptitude surfaces when he decodes data provided by Starscream to open a warp gate to the Moon, enabling an Autobot assault on the Decepticon base. During the battle, he rashly attacks Tidal Wave to prove his mettle, but his efforts prove ineffective, forcing Scavenger to advise him to target opponents his own size. He is later assigned to oversee the evacuation of rescued Mini-Cons back to Autobot headquarters.

Following Optimus Prime's apparent sacrifice to stop the Decepticons' Hydra Cannon, Sideswipe expresses his growing affection for Earth. He witnesses Hot Shot's emotional turmoil and subsequent leadership struggles, intervening with a pep talk that helps Hot Shot accept command. Sideswipe later protests Hot Shot's initial decision to leave the human children behind during the pursuit to Cybertron, a decision Hot Shot reverses.

During the journey to Cybertron aboard the Axalon, Sideswipe mans the radar, detecting approaching Mini-Cons. He rescues Scavenger from Megatron but is repelled by the Requiem Blaster. After Optimus Prime's revival, the Axalon encounters a wormhole; Sideswipe attempts to intervene when Hot Shot and Red Alert are pulled in but is stopped by Optimus. Back on Cybertron, he remains aboard the ship during initial battles to protect the children and Mini-Cons, launching the Overload weapons system to aid Optimus against Galvatron. As Unicron's threat looms, Sideswipe assists in evacuating Cybertron, reporting difficulties convincing entrenched troops to abandon their positions.

Sideswipe possesses average strength but notable speed and endurance. His technical skills include code-breaking, demonstrated by decrypting Decepticon transmissions. His Mini-Con partner, Nightbeat, often encourages his rash tendencies. Throughout these experiences, he evolves from an unproven rookie into a more reliable soldier, though he still struggles with restlessness during lulls in combat. Optimus Prime recognizes his raw potential, believing experience will make him an invaluable asset.