Machine Wars Starscream

This series on the Machine Wars toy line is getting closer to being finished. The next figure up for a review is Starscream. This toy is actually a repaint and a slight retooling of the European exclusive Generation One figure called Sky Quake. The gimmick was that the figure had a target built into him so that the jet could drop bombs out of the wings for near pin point accuracy. The Machine Wars version still has the built in scope, but no mirror inside to use to target which renders the gimmick useless. Also, the toy came with fewer missiles.

The figure is pretty good looking, but it's not a well designed figure with any real playability. It also doesn't feel or look like any kind of Starscream character fans ever saw. His color scheme was primarily black and grey. He was also a giant toy easily towering over the Machine Wars Megatron. Since Starscream was always questing for power, this was must have been the chance he had. The transformation is super simple with flipping down the legs, folding the back of the jet, and folding back the wings. The toy can only move in the shoulders. It does come with missiles which could be loaded in the wings and dropped with a gear, but that is as cool as it got.

Overall, would this figure be worth picking up? It really depends. If you are a die hard Transformers collector and want to own the entire Machine Wars line, yes. If not, he would probably be a pass in favor of the much better designed Generation One figures. I don't hate the figure, but this was a definite example of the hasty assembly of the Machine Wars line. This figure does not work as a Starscream.