Transformers war for cybertron kingdom core class

04/06/21

General Information
Release Date: March 2021
Price Point: $9.99 (depending on retailer)
Retailer: General Release (Amazon, BigBadToyStore, Entertainment Earth, Target, Walmart etc.)
Accessories: Null Rays x 2

Official images and text in italics are from Amazon.com

• DISCOVER KINGDOM: Worlds collide when the Maximals and Predacons join the fight, coming together with the Autobots and Decepticons in an epic battle that will alter their destiny forever
• 3.5-INCH CORE CLASS SCALE: This collectible figure stands at the new Core Class scale and depicts the scheming Decepticon second-in-command, Starscream! The 3.5-inch mini-figure allows fans to collect a mini version of the iconic character to pose out with other Starscream figures at larger scales! (Each sold separately, subject to availability.)
• CLASSIC G1 EARTH MODE: This Core Class Starscream toy converts to G1-inspired Earth jet mode in 17 steps
• CLASSIC G1 ACCESSORY: Comes with his 2 classic Null Ray weapon accessories
• GREAT GIFT: This 3.5-inch Starscream makes a great gift for both kids and adults!

Starscream has been a staple character of the Transformers toy line. Even after G1 and Generation 2 ended, he wound up appearing on the Beast Wars television show. In other continuities versions of him appeared including a very different portrayal in the Unicron Trilogy. So it is no surprise that he pops up again and again in any G1 related toy line. Recent figures of this character include the Earthrise and Power of the Primes Starscream. The Core Class of figures is a new class (sort of a descendent of the Legends Class) and it seems almost logical that Starscream would be part of it!

Accessories:
Starscream includes his twin Null Ray weapons. Each takes its design from the animated series, featuring a rectangular base with "fins" extending to the sides and top and a barrel that extends all the way down his arm. Both pieces are grey plastic and feature 3mm pegs to attach to the figure.  The ends of each weapon are designed to accommodate Blast Effects from the Siege and Earthrise figures (sadly, there no Battle Masters in Kingdom).

Robot Mode:
Being a Core Class figure you would expect some simplified designs on this version of Starscream, and there are some but for the most part he looks really good and not cheap at all. The primary "cost cutting" element are the wings not rotating on his back so the symbols show in robot mode. Other than that he looks fantastic. His design features the traditional Seeker elements including the cockpit on his torso, the turbines on his chest and the thrusters on his lower legs. This figure also features some greebles most notably on the arms and legs. Despite that he has the basic shape of the G1 animation model, making him akin to recent Starscream figures released at larger scales

This figure is made up of light grey plastic. Paint colors on the figure include black, silver, red, yellow and blue. I was surprised that almost all his colors came from paint rather than having plastic molded in different colors. While the deco looks good, there are some bits missing that I wish had been filled in. Specifically the lower legs could have used more paint. They are made of light grey plastic so they look kind of plain without any paint on them.

There are nine points of articulation on this figure. These are mostly ball joints (such as the elbows and knees) allowing for a good range of movement. You can also swing his wings back on central hinges, allowing for more poses. Starscream has ports on the sides of his arms and in his fists to hold his weapons.

Transformation to Vehicle Mode:

1. Detach the weapons and set them aside for now.
2. Straighten out the arms and legs.
3. Swing the arms and the torso panels out.
4. The head is attached to a hinged section. Swing that down.
5. Swing the jet cockpit/nosecone section up.
6. Rotate the section with the wings and arms on it around.
7. Swing the section with the nosecone and cockpit back.
8. Rotate the robot head around, then swing the piece it is attached to up to tuck it under the cockpit section.
9. Push the lower legs together, then connect it to the section with the wings.
10. Swing the sections with the torso panels back together.
11. Rotate the forearms around so you can connect the tabs on them to the slots on the underside of each wing.
12. Swing the rear stabilizer fins on the ankles up, then swing out the horizontal stabilizer fins.
13. Attach the Null Rays to the robot arms under the wings.

This was a surprisingly complex transformation for a figure of this size. I also really appreciate how it is a unique transformation scheme for a Seeker despite borrowing some elements from previous Seeker figures.

Vehicle Mode:
Starscream's vehicle mode is partly based on his G1 design, including the stabilizer fins in the back and some angles on his wings. However, he looks like an updated, more modern version of the F-15 Eagle based vehicle that G1 Starscream transformed into. I do feel like the cockpit/nosecone section could have been slightly longer but that is my only criticism of the vehicle mode. Some fans will not be crazy about the robot kibble on the underside of the vehicle but I feel like at scales like this (or even the Voyager Class) this is to be expected.

This mode features classic Starscream details including red stripes on the wings, purple Decepticon symbols on the wings and yellow on the cockpit. Overall, it looks good!

Final Thoughts:
Core Class Starscream is quite a surprise. The initial promotional photos looked good, but I had not anticipated his transformation being so different than the typical Seeker design and I appreciate the sculpted detail on the figure. Recommended!

Pros:

• Excellent sculpt given the size class.
• Good articulation (thanks in part to the use of ball joints).
• Classic Starscream design.

Cons:

• Could use a tad more deco.
• Some fans may not be crazy about the amount of kibble in vehicle mode (I personally do not mind).