Transformers Retro Starscream review

Overdone 86 movie jokes are commonplace nowadays as much as dickridng said movie can get, but there's always the chance to still enjoy the merch associated with the movie regardless. If you've paid attention to my prior reviews, you may be wondering why I chose to get another G1 Starscream when I own the collection version, and that is simply because I wanted to have a fresher copy. My Takara Collection version feels pretty loose in some areas, has a somewhat messed up nosecones, and was stuck using some repro fists that don't match the shade of blue associated with the rest of the media. So why not get a more complete copy? Here's my look at Retro Starscream...a year after it came out.

Here we have Starscream in his jet mode. It's the classic F-15 Eagle associated with the G1 Seekers, and it matches the overall look pretty well without the need of a license. As a Diaclone toy, this could accompany a pilot meant to fit in the cockpit. The vehicle mode features die-cast for the landing gear (the one in the front being removable) as well as the fuselage, which becomes the chest for the robot mode. It should be mentioned that this doesn't have the cluster bomb missiles, but it's okay since they are elongated for safety reasons and are way less convincing than the null rays.

The Megatron gun can peg into the right chest hole, but be sure to avoid paint chipping for the chest and accessory.

For a comparison with the Collection version, main differences include a slightly lighter shade of gray, no stickers are included, light gray is used in the cockpit rather than silver, the blue tailfins, in addition to not having any paint apps, are a lighter shade than on the Collection version, the ring trim around the missiles is gray rather than blue, and the nosecone is now gray rather than blue. 

Transformation normally requires partsforming in order to make things easier, but you can leave the wings, tailfins, and stabilizers on; otherwise, all that you need to remove or relocate would be the null-rays and landing gear while the fists go in the arms. The fuselage, arms, and feet are the only genuine parts of the transformation. The robot mode looks rather stumpy and non-threatening when you consider how his legs are all shins and his arms are just stumps with boxing gloves. Obviously, the engineering back then was limited for there to be any elbow joints or extending legs to reveal any thighs, but this still comes off as a bit amusing in terms of aesthetics. The wings sit lower than usual as well. You can tell how much inspiration was taken from the box art before they refined the design in the comics and cartoon.

His head sculpt is noteworthy for being fully painted rather than using a sticker for the eyes. Even the side parts are painted, too. Articulation is solely in the arms, and Starscream can hold the Megatron gun after separating it in two parts.

Since I already have the Takara Collection reissue to show off, let's go over some general Starscream iterations. The original had darker colors and a smokey grey cockpit, making this version of the mold a little more evil than the cartoon colors. This was the usual deco we got in reissues, including the Walmart 2019 version with it's own Megatron gun.

This is the Generation 2 version of the mold, with a sky camo deco of sorts, new missile launchers, and a sound box for aerial combat.

This is Takara's Ghost Starscream, which casts almost everything in clear plastic. The chest remains opaque because its die-cast. It was an eHobby exclusive.

This is a black version of Starscream, also exclusive to Takara. It loosely resembles the Machine Wars design, and was also exclusive to eHobby.

This is Secret Starscream, which has only 5 copies given away to any lucky TF fan in Japan as part of a Lucky Draw contest. He looks more Ghostly than Ghost Starscream!

This is a hand-painted mock up prototype for a possible Jungle Camo Starscream. So far, it has not been repurposed as a separate Seeker.

As for other characters, I'll try to not go overboard on specific releases like with Starscream, so here are the regular and Retro versions of Skywarp. Purple becomes lavender.

Original and Retro versions of Thundercracker. Hasbro cranked up that brightness level.

This is the Creamsicle-esque Sunstorm, exclusive to eHobby.

Dirge, who has remained unchanged in his reissues, was the only Conehead to have a Commemorative Series reissue (though the others got attention in other reissue lines).

Ramjet, who is a more popular Conehead in repaint potential yet never got a Commemorative reissue.

This is the G2 version, with similarly new accessories to Starscream and a radically different deco that was homages a few times.

This is Thrust, who has VTOL capabilities long before Windblade ever did! He also has his fair share of reissues, but the Commemorative Series one got canceled.

And here are canceled G2 Seekers Blackout, Sandstorm, and Cloudcover. The latter two got official Generations figures in Kingdom and Legacy Evolution.

For a size comparison, here he is next to former Micro Change toy, Megatron. Being from incompatible lines makes their height difference more noticeable than in the media they became a part of.

And here is the Collection version in bot mode. The stickers are a part of dated 80s detailing but they do at least cover those holes. If you want a more affordable Collection Starscream without getting the stickers applied, Hasbro's retro version makes for a great alternative. The mold shows its age, especially as a partsformer, but it's one you can get by itself without needing a Seeker Squadron like with CHUG. You could get this on clearance if it's possible at your Walmart, or online if they have decent prices.

Final ranking: ⭐⭐⭐ out of ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐