Wreck-Gar's one of those characters that you may be pretty hopeful shows up in some capacity during the WFC line, between the G1 characters getting constant redos, the improved engineering, and the accessibility being much better than previous lines had to offer. However, Studio Series 86 was one of those lines that people expected the Junkion to show up in because it was about the 86 movie and it meant we wouldn't have to deal with him having a compromised character in the shitty WFC Netflix series! I greatly appreciate it, but does that mean the toy itself is any good? Well, while I did like the Studio Series 86 figures despite some irritating aspects of the line being invaded by G1 characters, I don't like the way they made the details softer and the engineering less on-par with the WFC Trilogy toys. Either way, review time.
Here is Wreck-Gar in his motorcycle mode. As always, it's a replica of the way it appeared in G1, from the colors to the proportions and the design overall. While we've had pretty sweet modern motorcycles for the past few years, Hasbro gave Wreck-Gar a motorbike that feels like the one you'd ride for a simpler form of transportation while accepting the clunky design. It's quite the mess of robot parts with motorcycle elements here and there to make it passable, but given how Junkion was not a planet that was as refined as Cybertron, this works surprisingly well. Obviously, because of the way G1 Wreck-Gar works, but I legitimately think that the motorbike mode doesn't feel too shabby if you ask me. That being said, rolling this guy is not easy; one wheel spins more freely than the other, and the other is much stiffer. Also, they have the studs on the tires for cartoon-accuracy, but it does mean having to contend with paint-chipping if you try to roll it somehow. Also, there is a kick-stand from the shins, and I do like that the flame deco is carried over for the toy.
The weapon can be placed on the back, and it weirdly reminds me of how Armada Jolt pegged onto Hot Shot from the back. For a size comparison, he is clearly bigger than the Power of the Primes version of the guy (and probably the Reveal the Shield version, too?). Also has the benefit of being a brand new mold instead of a repaint with a new head.
While other Wreck-Gars or Deluxe figures can ride this guy, let's be a little more creative, eh? Here we have the first Studio Series Optimus Prime riding on the Junkion leader, and another photo stars Jar Jar Binks! While Transformers scale varies from figure to figure, I'd say that Jar Jar suits it because of his size and how he scales with the toy.
Transformation is pretty standard for this guy, as you mostly shift the robot parts around from what is basically a "biking" that looks like a TV set. Honestly, the transformation is neat but it's not interesting or well-defined. It's mainly about the few neat tricks and been-there-done-that schemes that make a Wreck-Gar a Wreck-Gar. One note is that because of the way the figure transforms, partsforming is necessary for the forearms and wheels to go to more straightforward accuracy without adding an extra amount of engineering, It's just a basic transfer of parts that, while understandable in terms of show accuracy, does look unbalanced. The robot mode carries the toon-aesthetic quite well, though I think even THEY feel a little underwhelming; the sculpted details are nice to have, it's just that they feel softer than usual. They're on-par with Jazz, Blurr, and Hot Rod with how they don't represent themselves as well. At least the color layout is good, and fits the character.
Head sculpt is very accurate to the movie and show, with a blocky design that makes it look like his head turns into the front of the motorcycle, but it is thankfully a faux part. No way do I want actual front to become an oversized head. As for his articulation, ball-joint, shoulders that move front and back as well as in and out (though hindered somewhat because of the cheetah parts behind them. Biceps swivel, elbows bend, and wrists bend. Waist swivels, hips move front and back, in and out, thighs swivel, knees bend, and the ankles pivot.
As far as reuses are concerned, this is Junkyard, aka Junkheap, having been mostly retooled on the upper body in addition to having new shield accessories to differentiate the vehicle mode a bit further. It's not the same level of T30 Sandstorm from Springer or Studio Series Helicopter Drift from Helicopter Dropkick, but the colors and the retooling used makes the figure feel distinct.
After a year-long gap without a reuse, we would later start 2024 with Scrapheap, who has his own retooled pieces further distinct from Junkyard. He comes with a gun that might be compatible with Wreck-Gar if you want.
For a size comparison with a previous version of himself, here is the POTP version on his right. There is quite a size difference between the two, but more importantly, the Studio Series version has a body-type that fits the character much better than what the POTP does. Even the proportions look better, from the arms feeling better integrated within the body! And of course, the head's bigger on the Studio Series figure while we get the nipple blasters on the chest. Oh, and the spikes!
For an 86 size comparison, here he is with Siege's Springer, Earthrise's Arcee, Kingdom's Rodimus and Magnus, and fellow SS86 toys Blurr and Kup. All of em go well together pretty smoothly (at least better than the pre-Prime Wars toys). Classics and 2010-2014 Generations had varying aesthetics while Prime Wars had some bots either be normal (CW Magnus, Headmasters (pretty much the cars), or a combiner limb (POTP); these guys feel more consistent, even if some have better looks than the others. I still think Rodimus looks too damn gorgeous compared to the rest, including Wreck-Gar. Still, the Junkion's a nice figure in spite of the somewhat soft details, and it is neat to have a solid version of him that's neither boring like POTP or fragile like Reveal the Shield (I prefer that design though). If you want this guy, good luck because poor distribution plus scalpers equals hell.
Final ranking: ⭐⭐⭐ and a half out of ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
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