Review; Transformers Studio Series 86 Perceptor

Perceptor, Autobot scientist and one of the greatest minds on Cybertron, though not much of a fighter. I've always had a bit of a fondness for Perceptor but I felt the character really stood out in the Prime Wars Trilogy. Similar to Blaster and Soundwave, Perceptor hails from the Micro Change toyline, where he's a functional microscope that could transform. Today we will take a look at his latest outing brought to us by the Studio 86 Toyline.

The box is a reduced plastic and cardboard version of it's previous Studio Series releases, with a small plastic window to show off the toy and the rest of the packaging being cardboard, this being before we have the now no plastic packaging that Hasbro would shortly introduce after this release. Personally I welcome this move by Hasbro, I know some people see it as pointless as you are buying a hunk of plastic inside the box, but I feel it is good to reduce the amount of plastic we are producing and using. on side of the box we have a fantastic mural of Perceptor and the back the usual product shots with a little description of Perceptor's role in The Transformers: The Movie.

Inside the box we have the Perceptor toy, as expected, as well as a cardboard backdrop depicting the "Battle of Autobot City" as seen in the 86 Movie. I like these backdrops but I personally don't have the space to display the figures with these nor do I ever seem to photograph the toy with them well. I will try though, you won't stop me.

As for the main attraction itself, this is a great representation of Perceptor. Articulation is that you would expect with the line with the scope being able to pivot and rise, as well as joints in the thighs due to transformation that allow for inward and outward knee bends. the microscope stage that forms the chest piece can also be lowered on Perceptor, to allow for easy lunch consumption. For a Deluxe class toy as well he is big, bigger than some of the other Deluxe class toys from the Transformers mainlines that I own.

The colours on the toy are beautiful with all the usual detailing to show that this is a robot as well as treads on the back of the shins. I just wish there was maybe a bit more colour applied to the toy as it feels a bit bear. The current colouration has it's charm, definitely makes it feel like a small robot toy, some additional colours would have helped the detailing stand out, even just to match the stickers that came with the G1 toy.

Transformation is relatively simple and intuitive, just how I like it. and once it is done you have a great looking microscope. Unfortunately it isn't a functioning Microscope like that of the original G1 toy but still a great looking piece. Articulation only consists of the scope being able to pivot up and you can move the stage. Would have really added to the figure of you could turn the dials but it isn't a make or break on this great figure.

But that's not all, as a nod to it's original G1 toy, Preceptor can turn into a tank! (Kind of, if you squint) Yes just a few more steps from the Microscope mode and Perceptor can form a tank. This is goofy looking to say the least but I love it was taking into consideration when making this toy, unfortunately I don't have any Micromen or Dianauts to see how compatible it is with them but Eject can kind of sit behind the wheel of it.

Overall this is a great figure and one I am glad I have picked up. Maybe we will see it repainted as a Magnificus/SG Perceptor figure down the line. Would I buy it again if they did? Yes...yes I would.