Revision as of 23:56, 24 February 2014 by Noerk(talk | contribs)(→Titanium Series: Removed the question mark from the end of a sentence which wasn't a question.)
Accessories: Left & right fists, 2 missile launchers, 2 null-rays, 2 cluster bombs, left & right wings, left & right tail fins, left & right tail wings, landing gear
Starscream's first toy began life as "Jet Robo" from the Diaclone line, transforming into a grey, red and blue F-15 Eagle fighter jet. To transform Starscream, one must essentially take most of his plane parts off and transform his body, then reattach most of plane parts on again, along with the addition of two blue fists. If you don't mind being fiddly, though, transformation can certainly be achieved by only removing the fists, weapons and landing gear (which can store in Starscream's cockpit). Owing to the modular nature of his design and the fact that it is impossible to store all the parts in either mode, it can be quite difficult to find an intact original set of this toy.
Starscream is armed with a pair of missile launchers that mount on his arms in robot mode, and under his wings in jet mode, with a pair of specialized projectiles for each. In jet mode, two short "cluster bomb" projectiles are fitted into the launchers to make them resemble the drop tanks a real F-15 carries, while in robot mode, they are replaced with the long barrels of Starscream's null-rays. The original Diaclone version of the mold featured spring-loaded firing mechanisms in these launchers; while this feature was removed for the Hasbro release of the toy, it was left intact for the Takara version, and all subsequent reissues.
The Diaclone version of the Starscream mold featured tailfins with solid tips and solid fists, and both these features carried over to the earliest Transformers releases. Soon, however, the Transformers mold was modified to add hollow tips to the fins, and tabs to the insides of the fists to allow them to hold onto his arms tighter, resulting in a visible slit on either side of each one. These altered versions became the standard for all subsequent reissues of the mold. Like all his 1984 brethren, a rubsign was added to Starscream in 1985.
Starscream's mold was redecoed into the concurrently-available Thundercracker and Skywarp. It would later be redecoed again to make Sunstorm, and retooled into Dirge, Ramjet, and Thrust. On top of this, given his role as a major Generation 1 character, Starscream himself would be reissued many times down the years; this article strives to list each reissue of the figure under its own header. The long lifespan of his toy actually began in 1986, when Starscream remained part of the assortment for that year despite the departure of nearly every other 1984 toy from store shelves.
Accessories: Left & right fists, 2 missile launchers, 2 null rays, 2 cluster bombs, left & right wings, left & right tail fins, left & right tail wings, landing gear
The second release of Starscream's toy came with this Japanese-exclusive two-pack, which saw him packaged alongside Megatron, in commemoration of the Decepticon leader's passing (of sorts) in The Transformers: The Movie. Starscream himself was actually dead, but where was his "Good Bye Starscream" set, eh?
You can tell he's evil because he's spiky.
Starscream (Classic Pretender, 1989)
Accessories: 2-part Pretender shell, helmet, left & right wings, left & right "lasers"/tail wings, rifle
The first new Starscream toy since the original brought the treacherous Air Commander back as a Classic Pretender. He still transforms into a grey, red and blue F-15 fighter jet, though his vehicle mode now borders on the super deformed. He is armed with a pair of blue lasers, which become his tail fins in jet mode.
Starscream's two-piece Pretender shell resembles a human in a teal, grey and brown space armored suit with a removable helmet. The shell is armed with a large blue rifle, and while Starscream is stored inside it, his removable grey wings store in holes on the shell's back. There is, however, nowhere to store Starscream's tail fins.
Accessories: Left & right wings, left & right "lasers"/tail wings
The inner robot of Pretender Starscream was also sold as a Kmartexclusive "Legends" figure, sans its shell and its accessories. It was otherwise identical to the Classic Pretender release.
Odd 'Con out
Hero Set (Multi-pack, 1989)
Accessories: Left & right wings, left & right "lasers"/tail wings
Released exclusively in Japan instead of the individual Classic Pretender figures, rather than in addition to them, this giftset contained the "Legends" versions of Pretender Starscream and his fellow Classic Pretenders, Bumblebee, Jazz, and Grimlock. This version of Starscream featured a silver face, as opposed to the Hasbro version's black.
In Italy, GiG also forewent releasing the individual Classic Pretenders, and instead released their own version of the Hero Set named "Set Commandos". These versions of the toys were identical to the Japanese "Hero Set" versions.
He loved the gray helmet so much, he used it again.
Starscream (Action Master, 1990)
Accessories: Turbo Jet, rifle, 2 missiles
Action Master Starscream is a non-transforming action figure based loosely on his cartoon character model, but using a color scheme derived from the Pretender toy. His main accessory is the Turbo Jet, a small personal attack craft that Starscream can set astride like a motorcycle. The Turbo Jet rolls on three small wheels, and can transform into a gun emplacement.
Accessories: Left & right fists, 2 missile launchers, 2 null rays, 2 cluster bombs, left & right wings, left & right tail fins, left & right tail wings, landing gear
The first of numerous reissues of the original Generation 1 Starscream toy in the 21st century, this Japanese release of the figure included functional spring-loaded launchers, and was also simultaneously available as three different exclusive redecos, listed below.
Wait a minute. Since when do ghosts have painted metal chests?
Starscream Ghost Version (e-Hobby Exclusive, 2001)
Japanese ID number:22
Accessories: Left & right fists, 2 missile launchers, 2 null rays, 2 cluster bombs, left & right wings, left & right tail fins, left & right tail wings, landing gear
Available concurrently with the 2001 reissue of the original Generation 1 Starscream figure, "Starscream Ghost Version" is an e-HOBBYexclusive redeco of the 2001 Starscream reissue, cast almost entirely in translucent plastics (except for those parts made of die-cast metal) in homage to Starscream's tenure as a ghost in the third season of the Generation 1 cartoon. To make the toy further match Starscream's cartoon appearance, it features a notably lighter shade of blue, and a translucent orange cockpit as opposed to the traditional smoky grey. The toy came in unique monochrome-blue window box packaging featuring CGI artwork of Starscream.
Starscream Black Version (e-Hobby Exclusive, 2001)
Japanese ID number:22
Accessories: Left & right fists, 2 missile launchers, 2 null rays, 2 cluster bombs, left & right wings, left & right tail fins, left & right tail wings, landing gear
The second e-Hobby-exclusive redeco available concurrently with the 2001 reissue of the original Generation 1 Starscream toy, "Starscream Black Version" sports a color scheme loosely based upon Machine WarsStarscream, despite the only real point of similarity being that they're both black. The toy's bio makes a rare fictional reference to Machine Wars, describing the events of the series in the past tense. The toy shared the window-box packaging of the "Ghost Version" (see above), except it's box was monochrome-black.
Songs are made of mystery... and clouds are made of moonbeams... Secret Starscream.
Starscream Secret Version (Lucky Draw figure, 2001)
Japanese ID number:22
Accessories: Left & right fists, 2 missile launchers, 2 null rays, 2 cluster bombs, left & right wings, left & right tail fins, left & right tail wings, landing gear
The third exclusive redeco of the original Generation 1 Starscream toy released alongside the 2001 reissues, "Starscream Secret Version" was available through the Lucky Draw contest held in conjunction with the first edition of Transformers Generations (with a Super Collection Figure Skywarp figurine as second prize). The figure was limited to only five pieces, making it one of the rarest officially-released Transformers toys in the world, and to cap it off, the toy was not actually shown during the contest, hence its "Secret" moniker. Given its amazingly limited availability, it was not even 100% known what the toy looked like until a picture of it appeared in Transformers Generations 2009, showing it as being primarily clear and colorless. Prior to this appearance, it was suggested that both this toy and the SCF Skywarp were not officially released, due to the bankruptcy of Generations publisher Keibunsha. Whether or not this scenario is accurate is still unknown at this time, as no one has publicly translated the text regarding the figure from Generations 2009.
With my camouflaged wings, I'll appear to be merely a fuselage flying through the sky!
Starscream (Decepticon Jet, 1993)
Accessories: Left & right fists, left & right wings, left & right tail fins, left & right tail wings, landing gear, 2 missile launchers, 3 missiles, sound/light energy unit
Starscream's Generation 2 release is a slight retool of his original toy, armed with new, functional spring-loaded launchers and missiles, and an electronic light-and-sound "energy unit" in the shape of a tank. The electronic box lights up with the press of either button, and emits electronic "machine gun" or "jet engine" noises. In robot mode, the box attaches to Starscream's back; in jet mode, it plugs into his tail-end.
The new accessories were also used, in different colors, for Generation 2 Ramjet.
A planned-but-more-or-less-canceled redeco of Generation 2Dreadwing, "Advanced Tactical Bomber" Megatron would have come with Starscream, a redeco of Dreadwing's partner Smokescreen. The pair could combine into the "flying wing" Advanced Tactical Bomber, while Starscream coud detach to become a smaller solo jet, leaving Megatron to transform into a treaded tank mode. According the Toy Fair 1995 Transformers presentation, the toy's missiles were intended to glow in the dark.
This toy's deco (but not the glow-in-the-dark missiles) was used to make Beast Wars II's BB and Starscream out of the same mold-set. This mold was also used to make Robots in DisguiseDreadwind and Smokejumper, while Starscream's mold was sold separately during the Robotmasters line as Smokesniper.
This figure was only released to test markets in Ohio in very limited quantities. It was never available as a wide release.
Starscream's Machine Wars incarnation is a redeco of the PredatorSkyquake, transforming into a large bomber jet based vaguely upon an SR-71 Blackbird. The main feature of the toy is its "carpet bombing" gimmick; each wing contains a drum that holds up to four missiles, which drop out as the drum is rotated. A further two missiles can also store on each wing, and one on each side of his fuselage, but while Skyquake came with enough missiles to fill all these ports, Starscream only comes with ten. The short length of the missiles necessary for this gimmick to function means that Starscream does not come with Skyquake's firing missile launcher, since the missiles are shorter than safety reasons allow, although it is incorrectly shown on his packaging. Starscream also lacks Skyquake's Megavisor gimmick.
Starscream is known to have come with either pale grey missiles, better fitting his new color scheme, or bright green missiles like Skyquake's.
Starscream would have been made available in the aborted Transtech series in 2001. Control art and early Prototype images have surfaced, showing that the toy would have been at the Deluxe scale and featured internal lighting mechanisms that changed color depending on its mode. The toy is clearly a homage to his Machine Wars body, which at the time of Transtech's intended release would have been the last form Starscream had inhabited in American markets.
This design was revived by Draxhall Jump when they were contracted to create the Marvel Megamorphs line for Toy Biz; Starscream ultimately became the Iron Man toy.
Your bargaining posture is highly dubious.
Proceed on your way to oblivion. This item has been canceled, with no current plans for release.
Commemorative Series
He's back, with a big boost of confidence.
Starscream (2003)
Accessories: Left & right fists, 2 missile launchers, 2 null-rays, 2 cluster bombs, left & right wings, left & right tail fins, left & right tail wings, landing gear
The first reissue of the original Starscream toy in North America since the Generation 1 toyline reached its end, this "Commemorative Series" edition of the figure was a Toys"R"Us exclusive. It featured functional missile launchers for the first time on a Hasbro version of the toy, but because the launchers now worked, both sets of missiles had to be lengthened for safety reasons. This didn't work out so badly with the null-rays, but the cluster bombs just wound up looking stupid.
Accessories: Left & right fists, 2 missile launchers, 2 null-rays, 2 cluster bombs, left & right wings, left & right tail fins, left & right tail wings, landing gear, two-piece gun-mode Megatron, Optimus Prime fist
As another in an increasingly large number of reissues of the original Generation 1 Starscream toy, this entry in the Japanese-exclusive The Transformers Collection line of reissues decided to mix things up by giving the figure a full-scale redeco into show-accurate colors. His blue plastic became much lighter, while his cockpit was made bright orange, and even featured new grey paint applications running across it. Several of his stickers were replaced with new, show-accurate paint applications, including new wing-stripes and tampographed Decepticon symbols on his wings and nosecone (of course, Starscream didn't have one on his nosecone in the cartoon, so it isn't perfect!).
Starscream's fists were remolded with new circular peg-holes so he could wield his missile launchers in his hands, which also worked in conjunction with a new tab on the fists' undersides to allow him to hold his new accessory: Megatron in gun mode. This miniature Megatron splits into two pieces at the handle, with each half plugging into the new hole and tab added to each of Starscream's fists. Megatron can also plug into Starscream's underside in jet mode, replicating the time the characters linked up in this fashion in the cartoon episode, "S.O.S. Dinobots". The set also came with a remolded fist for the original Optimus Prime toy, allowing him to hold the Megatron accessory, and a DVD featuring a trailer for the upcoming Playstation 2 video game The Transformers and Japanese toy commercials for Optimus Prime, Rodimus Prime and Chromedome.
Accessories: Left & right fists, 2 missile launchers/cluster bombs, left & right wings, left & right tailfins
Standing at only two inches tall, Smallest Transforming Transformers Starscream is a very small-scale simplification of the original Starscream toy. It retains a surprising amount of the larger toy's functionality and accessories, except its tail fins and wings are combined into single pieces, and his null rays and landing gear are left out.
This mold was, of course, redecoed into Smallest Transforming versions of Skywarp and Thundercracker, and retooled into Thrust.
Starscream's Robotmasters toy is a re-imagining of the original Generation 1 figure, retaining its basic transformation scheme, but designed to be closer to the animation model, with greater articulation and integrated parts that do not require detachment during transformation. The only pieces that now need to be removed are Starscream's null ray rifles, which move from his wings to his arms. He has three peg-holes on each arm, allowing the null rays to be mounted on his shoulders, on his forearms, or in his fists. These holes are also designed to accommodate the generic spring-loaded missile launcher weapon included with RobotmastersG1 Convoy, Beast Convoy and Beast Megatron.
Starscream came with two "missile pods" based on weapons Starscream used but once, in the Generation 1 cartoon episode "Fire on the Mountain". These chromed accessories plug into the square holes in Starscream's chest, and feature opening covers that reveal (non-firing) missiles within.
Available only via mail-order through Figure Ō No. 80, the "Limited Black Version" of Starscream is just that: a straight black repaint of the Starscream toy, replacing the original toy's blue, red and the grey of his wings with black. He comes with all his original accessories, as well as a gold-chromed version of the "Jamming Trident" Solitarium weapon that came with Wingstun.
Accessories: 2 null rays, 2 missile racks, Doctor Arkeville pilot figurine, gun clip, two-piece display stand
The second new mold in Takara's Masterpiece line, this highly-detailed version of Starscream is the "odd man out" of the series, eschewing the slavish cartoon-accuracy of the other Masterpiece figures in favor of creating as accurate an F-15 Eagle alternate mode as possible, with a somewhat more stylized robot mode. The toy features several unobtrusive built-in gimmicks, including numerous opening panels on his jet-mode surface (highlighting the attention this mode received), flip-up panels in his chest that reveal missile racks based on the weapons seen in the Generation 1 episode "Fire on the Mountain", and a rotating face that allows Starscream to switch his expression from stony-faced to sneering. Owners of the toy are given quite a few customization options, as Starscream comes with an extensive sheet of sticker decals, including variously sized Decepticon symbols, and squadron numbers and markings, including one of Waspinator!
In addition to his built-in features, Starscream comes with several accessories. He is armed with both his traditional null-ray rifles, but his familiar cluster bombs are replaced with a rack of (slightly inaccurate) Sidewinder missiles. He also comes with a clip that mounts under his nosecone, allowing him to hold the Megatron pistol accessory that came with 20th Anniversary Optimus Prime in emulation of the way the characters linked up in "S.O.S. Dinobots", and a small figurine of Doctor Arkeville, his partner in crime from several first-season episodes of the Generation 1 cartoon, which can fit in his cockpit. Finally, he includes a two-piece, reconfigurable display base that allows the figure to be posed in mid-flight in either jet or robot mode, and can store Starscream's accessories while they are not in use. Control art for Masterpiece Starscream which showing the figure wearing his Crown of Leadership (as seen in the coronation scene of the original animated movie) and a pair of otherwise-pointless flip-out notches in the finished toy's shoulders indicated that Takara planned for a set of clip-on coronation gear. Ultimately, it would take six years before these accessories were finally released.
Masterpiece Starscream's creation was overseen by famed Japanese mecha designer Shōji Kawamori, who was particularly intent on hiding the robot-mode details on the underside of the fighter mode. The first prototype for the figure was essentially an upgraded, more complex version of the original toy, with much more accurate robot and jet modes, but Kawamori's desire to avoid simply making a new version of an old toy saw the figure go through a major redesign into its finished form. Perhaps the most notable change was the repositioning of Starscream's tail-fin structures from his legs to his hips, with the intent of creating the feel of a samurai wearing a pair of swords at his waist (presumably, if somewhat oddly, based on the then-recent Armada and Energon cartoons' portrayal of their Starscream as a noble swordsman). Even so, Kawamori was still unhappy with the amount of robotic parts visible underneath the plane, but conceded that too many changes would essentially not make the toy look like Starscream in robot mode. In this pursuit of realism, the most visible concession to the Starscream's design was the abandonment of his traditional color scheme, replaced with an all-over greenish-tinged grey. Given that this color is inaccurate to most real F-15 fighters (whose Gunship Gray coloration is much closer to Starscream's traditional shade), the question of why it was changed at all is not an unreasonable one. However, there are instances of F-15 Strike Eagles that actually utilize this (seldom seen) color scheme.
Though not stated on the package, Starscream is in fact a 1/60 scale F-15. The same scale used by many popular Japanese mecha toys including Kawamori's own Macross Valkyries. Coincidence?
Oh sure. Make a Transformer from the line that has some of the most complex figures ever cast ENTIRELY out of translucent plastic. Great idea.
Starscream Ghost Version (2010)
ID number:MP-3G
Accessories: 2 null rays, 2 missile racks, Doctor Arkeville pilot figurine, gun clip, two-piece display stand
Cast almost entirely in translucent plastic, this "Ghost Version" Masterpiece figure is yet another callback to Starscream's spectral tenure from the Generation 1 cartoon. When purchased from e-HOBBY, buyers will receive an exclusive comic packaged with the figure.
Like Gentei Ghost Starscream, Masterpiece Ghost Starscream is cast in light purple translucent plastic instead of just colorless clear plastic like the G1 Ghost Starscream figure.
Accessories: Crown, pauldrons (left and right), cape, 2 null rays, hologram pilot figurine
Following up on the original plan for the Masterpiece Starscream figure six years after the fact, MP-11 decks Screamer out in his coronation gear from The Transformers: The Movie, including crown, twin shoulder pads, and a sculpted plastic cape (rather than a fabric one). In addition to his new accessories—which also includes a new hologram pilot figure in place of Doctor Arkeville—Starscream features some extensive retooling to wind his Masterpiece design back into Kawamori's original, more Generation 1-accurate look, with most of the robot mode being newly tooled parts, including chunkier legs that now incorporate his tail-fins, retooled shoulders and wingtips that no longer curve into one another, a new head (with collapsible head fins), new heel spurs that flip out for added support in robot mode, and re-engineered null rays attached to extending armatures that mean they no longer have to be removed for transformation. Despite the similarity to the original MP-3 prototype, the retooled parts are in fact a whole new design heavily based on the original concept. This new version of the mold was redecoed into Sunstorm and (without the coronation gear) into Hasbro's Thundercracker and Acid Storm.
2013 saw a China only re-release of MP-11 Starscream. While announced as the same as the original, it featured some changes. Chief among them are the head is no longer molded in light gray plastic painted over gloss black and dark metallic gray (for the face) but it's molded in a more cartoon accurate dark gray (for the helmet) and a lighter metallic gray for the face. This release also features the nosecone molded in light gray plastic rather than molded in blue and then painted over light gray. It also included a collector's coin like the original Asian (excluding Japan) release.
Classics (2006)
Fear my extra-long null rays!!!
Starscream (Deluxe, 2006)
Accessories: 2 null-ray cannons (left and right), 2 missiles
Like the other entries in the Classics series, Starscream is a faithful "modernizing" of his original Generation 1 form, updating his original toy with modern standards of toy engineering, transformation, sculpting detail and articulation (not dissimilar in principle from his Robotmasters incarnation, but with less of an adherence to his cartoon character model). Sharing many design elements with his Masterpiece toy, Starscream still transforms into an F-15 Eagle, but has the nose of an F-14 Tomcat fighter jet. His color scheme is, of course, based on the traditional Starscream palette, but seems to owe its new layout to the original F-15 prototype.
As usual, Starscream is armed with his familiar null-rays, which can mount under his wings, on his shoulders, or in his fists, and fire spring-loaded projectiles. The large size of his null-rays (necessary for safety reasons) restrict his arm movement somewhat in robot mode, as they bump into his wings. Like all Classics figures, he has a heat-activated rubsign on his left wing. Certain parts of Starscream, like his back panel and tailfin assemblies, are made of unusually rigid gray plastic that is slightly prone to cracking or breaking, and should be handled with care.
Later versions of Starscream saw a retool in the jet intake area, which involved the slope of his shoulders being decreased, and a fifth small rectangle being added to the vertical area. This version of Starscream is the harder to find of the two, but was redecoed to create Starscream's Henkei! Henkei! counterpart, ClassicsSkywarp (on whom the retool was first observed), Timelines and GenerationsThundercracker, as well as UniverseAcid Storm and TimelinesBitstream, Hotlink and Sunstorm. The toy was also more significantly retooled to create Classics and Henkei!Ramjet, and Timelines, Gentei!, GenerationsThrust and Dirge. Phew.
Wait, you say the Hasbro version is the slavishly 'toon-accurate one? Your credibility is on shaky ground, Wiki.
Masterpiece Starscream (2007, 2008)
Accessories: 2 null rays, 2 missile racks, Doctor Arkeville pilot figurine, gun clip, display stand
A Walmart exclusive, Hasbro's Masterpiece Starscream is an extensive redeco of the previous year's Masterpiece figure from Takara, recolored to resemble the character's animation model, down to the orange canopy and the silver nosecone, although the cartoon-accurate silver paint on the nosecone actually covers toy-accurate blue plastic.[1] In an effort to bring out detail in the sculpt, he has also been given an extensive paint wash to bring out his panel lines. His colors were not the only thing changed, however; the tips of his vertical stabilizers were shortened and rounded, and the plastics used overall have greater resilience to impact and damage than the fragile Japanese release.
Starscream includes the same accessories as the Takara version of the toy, including a two-piece display stand, null rays, sidewinder missiles, a small figurine of Doctor Arkeville (which now has the correct skin color), and a clip to hold 20th Anniversary Optimus Prime's Megatron gun while in jet mode. Starscream was finally given the correct tech spec stats he was originally supposed to have back in 1984 for this release, which had been mistakenly given to Skywarp instead.
Takara got in on the act the following year when they released Hasbro's version of Masterpiece Starscream as a "USA Edition", adding a Japanese sticker to the Hasbro Classics packaging. This version of the toy was not without a few changes: the original mold for the tail fins was used, an extra Decepticon symbol was added to Starscream's nosecone (which was present on his original toy, but not his animation model), and his black "scorch mark" paint operations were dialed back, and those that remained were switched to a lighter gray.
"How dare you make me a redeco! Do you know who I am?!"
Starscream (6" Cybertron Heroes, 2007)
Accessories: Display stand
Perversely enough, Titanium Starscream is actually a redeco of TitaniumThundercracker, instead of the other way around. Based on the Seekers' Cybertronian forms as seen in the Dreamwave comic series The War Within, this version of Starscream transforms into Cybertronian "tetra-jet", as designed by Don Figueroa. As a Titanium figure, Starscream is made in large part from die-cast metal, and comes with the generic display stand shared by all of the 6" "Cybertron Heroes", with a unique removable nameplate.
Sportscream? Shoescream? So many possible nicknames...
Starscream featuring Nike Free 7.0 (unreleased)
Accessories: Gun
This red and black redeco of the Sports LabelMegatron figure (itself a retool of the Sports LabelOptimus Prime) appeared on eBay in mid-2007, identified by the auctioneer as Starscream. More pictures followed from a different source a month later, but after that, this strange little redeco quietly vanished, never released, and never even officially acknowledged by TakaraTomy. Was it a knock-off, or an abandoned official product? We may never know.
As a redeco of the one communal mold used for all the Sports Label toys, Starscream, if that's who he really was, would have transformed into an undersized Nike sneaker with real fabric shoelaces, and would have been armed with a modular two-piece gun that split and stored inside each half of the large sneaker "shell" that made up a big chunk of his alternate mode.
Proceed on your way to oblivion. This item has been canceled, with no current plans for release.
Encore
Meet the new box, same as the old box.
Starscream (2007)
Japanese ID number:04
Accessories: Left & right fists, 2 missile launchers, 2 null-rays, 2 cluster bombs, left & right wings, left & right tail fins, left & right tail wings, landing gear
A new series of reissues means a new release of the original Generation 1 Starscream figure, and Takara's Encore series proved no different. This edition of the figure featured no extra accessories, with its only notable change from past versions being a pale yellow window instead of dark gray, and the inclusion of tampographed Decepticon insignias on its wings and nosecone, rather than stickers (similar to the Transformers Collection reissue before it but not flipped like the animation and metallic purple and silver instead of glossy purple and white).
Henkei! Henkei!
He feels much better in the boring ol' stripes.
Starscream (Deluxe, 2008)
Japanese ID number:D-02
Accessories: 2 missile launchers (left and right), 2 missiles
Henkei! Henkei! Starscream is a redeco of Classics Starscream, decorated in entirely different colored paint applications to more closely mimic a more detailed version of the original Generation 1 cartoon model. Like all Henkei toys, he lacks the heat-sensitive rubsign that the Classics counterpart featured, but has two vacuum-metallized barrels on his missile launchers.
Starscream's transparency; sometimes it isn't just figurative.
Starscream Ghost Version (Deluxe, 2009)
Accessories: 2 missile launchers (left and right), 2 missiles
Available only as a mail-away exclusive offered through Transformers Generations 2009 Vol 2 that was released in November 2009, this redeco of Starscream is the second in the character's history to pay homage to his time as a ghost in the third season of the Generation 1 cartoon by casting him almost entirely in traslucent colored plastic. Parts of the figure made in softer plastic, like his thighs, remain opaque.
Starscream Ghost Version uses the altered version of the Classics Starscream mold that originated with Classics Skywarp and was last seen with Acid Storm (down to the 2006 copyright date stamped on it), rather than the modified version first used on Universe Starscream and the iterations that followed (see below). He has the date K0409 (11/04/2009) etched into the inside of his leg.
Universe (2008)
On casual Fridays, Starscream prefers to wear his wings down.
Accessories: 2 missile launchers (left and right), 2 missiles
The second Universe Starscream toy is a redeco of Classics Starscream, with a considerably lighter gray base color, more vibrant red paint, his face painted in dark gray compared to Classics Starscream's flat gray plastic color for the face and a deco more faithful to Starscream's original Generation 1 toy, very similar to the Henkei! Henkei! release. Several minor changes were made to the sculpt for this release: his launcher pegs were widened, and the peg-holes for them on his shoulders and wings were modified in order to accommodate them, while his air intakes were further modified (on top of the changes made to the mold for Classics Skywarp) so that the bottom-most rectangle goes completely across the air intake's surface rather than just the center. This modified version of the mold was used for Henkei! Henkei!Skywarp and Thundercracker.
The firstsecond Starscream toy not to turn into a jet, Alternity Starscream transforms into a licensed 1:32 scale Mitsuoka Orochi. Like the other toys in the line, he features die-cast metal parts and rubber tires, as well as an opening hood, trunk and doors. This is also currently the only Alternity mold to feature a fake kibble chest.
In car mode, small wings are supposed to be able to flip out from under Starscream's rear wheels, giving him the appearance of a flying car. Unfortunately, this gimmick suffers from a rather nasty design flaw: there is simply not enough clearance under the car for the wheels to be able to pass and hinge through, and attempting to do so will result in the plastic reinforcement struts underneath deforming the rims and chipping the tires. His door panels also tend to detach from their ball jointsvery easily.
This mold, with a different head sculpt, was also used to make the simultaneously released AlternitySkywarp, and later Thundercracker and Banzai-Tron as well.
Transformers (2010)
Starscream (Legends Class, 2010)
Legends Class Starscream is a new sculpt based on his Generation 1 jet appearance with many fuselage details borrowed from the Masterpiece version. This is the first Starscream in many years to attempt an entirely new transformation for him, with the arms now forming the rear of the jet and the legs folding under the wings. Amusingly, he has two cockpits, with the one that is actually part of his jet mode folding right behind the fake one on his chest in robot mode. As part of the "Reveal the Shield" subline imprint, Starscream sports a rubsign.
Early samples of the toy feature an unpainted gray-plastic helmet, a comparatively rare variant. This variant is the one featured in the Hasbro stock photography.
The "Reveal the Shield" Legends figures saw exceedingly limited release at large-scale retail chains in the US. Throughout 2011, they eventually started appearing in discount stores like Ross, TJ Maxx, Marshalls and Tuesday Morning, with perhaps the largest and most consistent outlet being Five Below stores.
Accessories: Two guns (running change variant only)
The "Reveal the Shield" Legends Class Starscream sculpt in the deco from the first Chronicle EZ Collection wave (see below) was released as a "Dollar Store" exclusive (available at stores such as Dollar General and Big Lots) in generic 2010 Transformers packaging alongside Optimus Prime, Bumblebee and Megatron. A later running change variant featured the new tooling originally used for Generations Legends Class Thundercracker, with not only the retooled hands and holes inside his wings compatible with 3mm posts, but also Thundercracker's gun accessories.
Let's see what you can see...
This article is in need of images.
Chronicle
Starscream (EZ Collection, 2011)
Chronicle Starscream is a redeco of the Legends Class Starscream toy. This version of the figure is nearly identical to the painted helmet variant of the Hasbro release, except the entirety of his head is painted black (making it look strange in F-15 mode) and his heat sensitive symbol is replaced with a tampographed Decepticon symbol on each wing. Like many Japanese "EZ Collection" toys, Starscream was blindpacked.
Part of the third wave of 2012-onwards Generations Deluxe Class toys, Fall of CybertronStarscream transforms into a Cybertronian jet fighter. He comes with two spinning, triple-barreled "assault cannons" which can combine to form a larger hand-held weapon that is geared to spin its two triple-barrels together, and resembles the Neutron assault rifle from Fall of Cybertron. Each of the weapon halves features two 5mm posts, as well as a peg-hole on their hollow sides, while the combined form features another peg-hole at the top, but makes the peg-holes on the hollow sides inaccessible. Starscream features numerous 5mm peg-holes, such as his hands, forearms, lower legs, and wing undersides.
In an undocumented feature, Starscream's tail-fin is attached via a 5mm post on its underside, and can be detached to reveal three additional peg-holes, with two of these peg-holes being just the right distance to accommodate the two pegs found on the underside of the combined assault cannons/rifle, with the tail-fin pegging on the rifle's top peg-hole. This allows the weapon to mount on top of the vehicle mode, and store on his back in robot mode.
Doctor Arkeville was traded for someone more used to abuse.
Starscream & Waspinator (Legends Class, 2013)
Series / Number: 02 / #003
Accessories: 2 null ray cannons
Part of the fourth wave of 2012-onwards Generations Legends Class toys, Thrilling 30 Starscream is a new mold that is roughly the same size as a Cyberverse Commander Class toy. Based on a Guido Guidiseeker concept for IDW comics, Starscream transforms from a hybrid F-15/F-22 style jet. He features a fold out front landing gear, 5mm-compatible hands, and back/roof, and has 3mm-compatible upper arm ports. He comes with two removable null rays that have both 5mm and 3mm pegs.
Alluding to the Beast Wars episode "Possession", Starscream is partnered with Waspinator, who can transform into a wasp, a robot with 3mm-compatible hands, and a gun with 5mm handle. He has an autotransformation feature that folds up his wings when his gun barrel is extended.
The TakaraTomy release of Legends Class Starscream is a redeco with a number of minor differences in color, most notably a gray nosecone, null ray cannons and tailfins. He also features different wing stripes and his torso is coated in metallic red and silver paint. Starscream and Waspinator were only available in a two-pack with Megatron and Chop Shop.
Armada Starscream (Deluxe, 2014)
Series / Number: 02 / #011
Accessories: 2 Energon Swords, 2 missiles
This toy was repurposed as Generation 1 Starscream in IDW Publishing's Robots in Disguise comics.
Part of the eighth wave of 2012-onwards Generations Deluxe Class toys, Thrilling 30 "Armada Starscream" is a modern update of the original Armada Starscream figure. He comes with two "Energon Swords" which can fold up and store on his wings, as opposed to the wings themselve detaching and forming swords. Although the toy features numerous Mini-con plugs, they are all functionless, including the folding missile launcher found in previous iterations of the design. Despite this, his huge cannons can each fire a missile in either mode via pressure-launch.
While his bio paints this toy as Armada Starscream, the included comic by IDW Publishing repurposes this toy as a new body for Generation 1 Starscream in their Robots in Disguise comic book series.
United Starscream is a fifth redeco of the Classics Starscream mold, and the first time he is offered with both of his wing mates Thundercracker and Skywarp.
This version of Starscream is heavily based on his cartoon appearance. He features a light gray (lighter than the Henkei! Henkei! figure), shiny metallic blue paint on most of his blue plastic, an amber cockpit, and shiny metallic red paint on his torso. Paint operations found on the Henkei! Henkei! release were shuffled around for the sake of cartoon accuracy.
Merchandise
HG Toys
Licensor HG Toys released quite a few piece of Transformers merchandise in 1984, including several sculpted in Starscream's likeness. All of these items shared the same basic sculpt, modified to fit the piece of merchandise in question.
Stamp Bot (1984)
A small, non-poseable figurine of Starscream with a rubber stamp on the base. An alternate version of Starscream was also available with fewer paint applications and Autobot symbols on its wings!
Zippper Clip (1984)
A smaller version of the Starscream sculpt, designed to be attached to a coat zipper.
Clip On (1984)
A pocket clip depicting Starscream.
3-D Jigsaw Stand Up Puzzle
Starscream (1984)
This piece of Starscream merchandise was a jigsaw puzzle in disguise! The puzzle was of a battle scene of the Seekers battling Optimus Prime, Sideswipe and Sunstreaker, but once broken down, the puzzle pieces could be assembled into a three-dimensional model of Starscream in either robot or jet mode—a progenitor of the 3D Battle-Card Game in many respects!
Transformers Milk Caramel
Starscream (1985)
One of Kabaya's first Transformers candy toy lines, the Transformers Milk Caramel series featured small rubber figures, similar to the later-released Decoys, but smaller, flatter and based more on the toys, rather than their animation models. Starscream was available in numerous different colors.
Transformers Choco
No, no, no, I said green screen!
Starscream (1985)
One of the first of many snap-together candy toy model kits released by Kabaya during the Generation 1 era, this small version of Starscream was available as in various solid colors as part of the Transformers Choco range, coming packaged with small "Chocolate Dots". Owing to its diminutive size, it could only transform between robot and jet modes by being disassembled and put back together in different configurations. The figure was apparently also available through capsule machines.
Transformers Gum
Starscream (1985)
Accessories: Left and right fists, 2 missile launchers, landing gear
Starscream was also available as part of the larger Transformers Gum range of figures. Released in the first wave of the series and standing at about four inches tall, he was moulded from red, black and grey plastic and featured stickers for detail. Unlike his smaller Choco counterpart, as was standard for the Gum figures, he is fully transformable, essentially being a scaled down version of the actual Starscream toy.
This Starscream figure was later re-released in 1997 by a Korean company named Toon Town, in a two-pack with the "Transformers Gum" version of Sideswipe.
Starscream (2011)
Released in the third wave of the revived Transformers Gum series in 2010, this transforming model kit of Starscream is made from red, blue and silver plastic, with stickers for detail. He's based on the Henkei Starscream release.
Decoy
Not a mis-colored Skywarp
Destron Hero Collection 22 (multi-pack, 1985)
This small purple rubber figurine of Starscream was released in Japan as part of a large multi-pack of similar figures, which were used as playing pieces for Transformers board games. The figure features a number etched into its back which is the sum total of Starscream's Tech Spec ratings, which served some function in the gameplay the figures were used for. A peach-colored version of the figure could be found packed in various other multi-packs the following year.
Starscream (1987)
Decoy number:35
The Starscream figurine was later brought over to Hasbro markets as part of the Decoy promotion, largely identical to the Japanese release except for the fact that the number on his back was replaced with a simple "checklist" number (35, in Starscream's case). Like all Decepticon Decoys, he was a randomly-chosen pack-in available with the carded Throttlebots, Stunticons, Combaticons and Terrorcons, and was, very early on in the promotion, available in an alternate red coloration that was only packed in with the Throttlebots. Unsurprisingly, this red figurine is much rarer.
"Don't push me, Megatron, my desire for cuteness is as great as yours!"
Starscream (1990)
A small red and white, non-transforming super deformed model kit of Starscream was available as part of Kabaya's "Parody Deformed" line of candy toys. The tenth figure in the series, he came with a "Transformers PD Type" comic about himself, "Good Luck! Starscream!!", and something that could charitably be described as "chocolate".
A three-inch tall PVC figurine of Starscream was available as part of the first wave of Takara's Super Collection Figure line. Like all the figures in the wave, it was available as both a standard full color figure and a clear plastic version, one of each of which was available in a standard case of twelve blindpacked figures.
This figure was redecoed into Super Collection Figure Thundercracker and Skywarp, and retooled to become Thrust, Ramjet and Dirge.
Ghost Starscream (2001)
Starscream's figurine was recast in translucent colored plastic to represent his ghostly form from the third season of the Generation 1 cartoon, and re-released as a rare chase figure in the fifth wave of the Super Collection Figure series.
Coronation Starscream (2002)
Starscream was retooled for a third and final release in the eight and last wave of the Super Collection Figure line. Like the ghost figure, "Coronation Starscream" was only available as a rare chase figure, and features a new head and arms with the crown, shoulderpads and cape from his cornation scene in The Transformers: The Movie.
Heroes of Cybertron
When the Super Collection Figure series was imported to become Hasbro's Heroes of Cybertron line, the figures were all cast entirely in translucent colored plastic, then painted over, save for the eyes and a small patch on the back of their heads, giving them all a light-piping gimmick. Unlike the Japanese figures, they were sold in individual blister packaging, with character profile cards.
Starscream (2002)
Leader of the pack.
A first-wave Heroes of Cybertron release of the first Super Collection Figure Starscream figure.
This Heroes of Cybertron release saw the SCF chase figure of Starscream in his coronation gear reach a much wider audience. It came packaged with the left leg of the fifth wave's Metroplex "build-a-figure".
Starscream (OTFCC exclusive, 2003)
The original Starscream figurine was re-released again in this six-pack of figures available exclusively at OTFCC 2003. He came packaged with Heroes of Cybertron versions of Thundercracker, Skywarp, and three Air Warriors.
Accessories: 2 open hands (left & right), 2 clenched fists (left & right), right fist w/ Megatron, 2 shoulderpads (left & right), cape, alternate head w/ crown
Mega Super Collection Figure Starscream is a highly articulated non-transforming PVC action figure. Standing at five inches tall, Starscream features several interchangeable fists, including one clutching Megatron in gun mode, and a full compliment of coronation gear, including two shoulderpads, a real fabric cape that attaches to them, and an alternate head wearing his Crown of Leadership.
This mold, minus accessories, was supposed to be used to make Skywarp, but the figure was never released.
Hard Hero
Caught mid-pelvic thrust.
Starscream (2002)
A cold-cast porcelain Starscream bust measuring six inches in height with a nine-inch wingspan. The bust was fifth in Hard Hero's main series of Transformers busts, and was limited to 5000 pieces. An additional 100 pieces were signed by sculptor Jason Ray.
MyClone
Every Transformers fangirl owns this.
Starscream (2003)
ID number:MTF003
Accessories: Display base
Released in the third wave of the MyClone line of Transformers PVC figures, this adorable little Starscream comes with a hexagonal red display stand, which can link up with the identical stands included with other MyClone figures. Starscream's modular design is common to all MyClone figures, allowing his parts to be mixed and matched with those of any other figure.
This mold was also used to make MyClone Thundercracker.
Q-Robo Collection
Starscream (2003)
A super-deformed PVC of Starscream was released as part of the Q-Robo Collection. Like all the figures in the series, it was sold blindpacked in a plastic capsule, featured articulation in the neck and shoulders, and was also available in a translucent purple color scheme.
At only one inch in height, this Starscream "bottlecap" figurine (so named because its display base is the size of a bottlecap) was one of fourteen blindpacked figures available in Kabaya's Transformers Generation 1 Figure-Collection. The figure was rendered in a "retro" black and white color scheme, and came with a leaflet, personalized with cartoon screen captures.
Takara produced this PVC figurine of Starscream as part of their History Collection. Despite its diminutive size, this two-piece full-color figure features articulated shoulders.
Starscream is a six-inch-tall polystone statue with articulated head and arms. He can stand normally or use a stand to take on a "hovering" pose. Starscream was sculpted by 3L Creation Group from a design by George Tremarco.
This statue was later redecoed as Skywarp, Sunstorm, Thundercracker, and the Ghost of Starscream.
Ghost of Starscream (Palisades, 2005)
A Previews-exclusive clear redeco of the Starscream statue, the Ghost of Starscream is a six-inch-tall polystone statue with articulated head and arms. He can stand normally or use a stand to take on a "hovering" pose. Limited to 300 pieces, Ghost of Starscream was sculpted by 3L Creation Group from a design by George Tremarco.[1]
Titanium Series
Stop, in the name of love...
Starscream (3" Robot Masters, 2006)
Accessories: Pistol, "cloud" base, Display stand
Released in the second wave of "Robot Masters", Titanium Series Starscream is a small, non-transforming die-cast metal figurine, based upon his Generation 1 cartoon appearances. He is sculpted holding a pistol in his left hand (Why? He's got guns on his arms!) and holding up his palm outward with his right, while using his jets to fly up.
This mold was also used to make Titanium Thundercracker.
A redeco of the PVC figurine of Atari Hitotonari released the previous year, this black-costumed version of the figure represents Atari while she was possessed by Starscream, as seen in the 15 Go! Go! manga. It was available only as an online-order exclusive from Dengeki Hobby magazine.
Robot Heroes
He's cute when he betrays you.
Starscream (Mirage Vs Starscream, 2007)
Starscream is a two inch high figure sculpted in a super deformed style and articulated at the shoulders. This figure was later redecoed into (guess what) Thundercracker for the Jazz vs. Thundercracker set, and Skywarp for the "Decepticon Sneak Attack" set.
A non-transforming PVC figure of Starscream was released as part of a promotion by Boss Coffee. The small figure was randomly included with single cans of the company's "Rainbow Mountain Blend" coffee, contained in a plastic capsule affixed to the top of can which then became a display base for the figurine once removed. Starscream features articulation at the shoulders and waist, and came with a small catalog leaflet that could be folded up and attached to the lid/base to form a diorama background for added display value.
Starscream (2008)
A larger, metallic gold version of Starscream was also part of the promotion. Nearly twice as tall as the smaller figure, it was not merely an upsized version, but an entirely different sculpt, with a notably broader wingspan. This Starscream was randomly included with two-packs of Rainbow Mountain Blend coffee cans, which featured a double-wide plastic capsule to hold him.
Attacktix
Elephantiasis of the blaster
Starscream
The Attacktix Starscream game piece was to be a small figure depicting on his robot mode. A missile-type piece, he would have featured an oversized null-ray missile launcher on his right arm. Starscream would have been a Captain-class piece worth 30 points.
Hasbro displayed Starscream at a few conventions, but he was ultimately canceled alongside the rest of the Attacktix line.
Game over. This Attacktix item has been canceled, with no current plans for release.
3D Battle-Card Game
Classic Starscream (2007)
A 42-point "rare" character in the 3D Battle-Card Game's "Energon Wars" expansion, "Classic" Starscream "transforms" into a grey and red fighter jet with a color scheme based on his Classics toy. He uses the same parts layout as MovieStarscream, Dreadwing, Thundercracker and Jetfire, and Generation 1 Skywarp and Ramjet.
Revoltech
Let's just hope Pat Lee didn't get royalties from this.
Starscream (2008)
Yamaguchi Series number:046
Accessories: Megatron gun mode, 2 closed fists (left & right), open right hand, pistol grip right hand, pointing left hand, display stand
A non-transforming but highly articulated Starscream action figure, Revoltech Starscream uses the Revoltech "revolver joints" for maximum articulation. It comes with his twin null-ray cannons, a gun-mode Megatron, a posing stand, and three extra hands (a Megatron-holding right hand, an open-palmed right hand, and a left hand for pointing or disco-dancing).
Transformers - Mini Bust
Only half here and I still look this good.
Starscream (Diamond Select, 2008)
Released by Diamond Select Toys in 2008, Starscream was sculpted by Mark Wong of Art Asylum and limited to 1,000 pieces.
This bust was retooled and redecoed into Sunstorm.
Released by Diamond Select Toys in 2008, Coronation Starscream was an exclusive to on-line retailer Action Figure Xpress. He was sculpted by Mark Wong of Art Asylum and limited to 600 pieces. It features Starscream decked out in the royal crown, cape, and big honkin' shoulder pads he wore (albeit briefly) in The Transformers: The Movie.
Mighty Muggs
Bet that they got it wrong because of the faction symbols?
Starscream (2009)
Accessories: Wings
This super deformed, non-transformable PVC figure uses the standard Mighty Muggs body template, with swivel joints in Starscream's neck and limbs. Although Hasbro stock photography (right) shows him with his wings pointing down, they are detachable and are meant to be put in the standard upwards position.
A hand-painted mock-up and accompanying artwork for what seems to have been a proposed Generation 2-era redeco of Starscream appeared in auctions on eBay, amongst similar items put up for sale from the collection of a former Hasbro employee. The mock-up features the words "Black Death" on its nosecone, which would probably lead fans to refer to the figure as "Black Death Starscream" if anyone were aware of it existing.
Somewhat confusingly, there appear to be two different pieces of artwork related to this redeco concept: one is simply a palette-swapped version of Starscream's Generation 2 artwork (down to having the exact same color stickers), while the other features numerous alterations, among them new foot, knee, and shoulder intake detailing, differently positioned wings, and the missile launchers included with the Generation 2 releases of Starscream and Ramjet. Though unconfirmed, it is thought that the second piece of artwork was meant to go with the final release.
Speaking of the final release: in 2012, it was revealed that "Black Death Starscream" was much further along in production than the fandom had previously suspected when a sticker-less test shot was discovered on the Chinese auction site TaoBao (from a seller also possessing loose Generation 2Stunticons, Protectobots, and a production-colors Sandstorm). The test-shot differs from the package art and mock-up by possessing black missiles instead of blue ones and having no Decepticon symbols on the rear stabilizers (although it's possible those were meant to be stickers).
The actuality of the figure being intended as Starscream is uncertain. In fact, the "desert" redeco of Ramjet discovered at the same time has been revealed as having been intended as a separate new character and not an alternate version of Ramjet as had been assumed. It very well may be that this toy was likewise intended as a new character with the working name "Black Death," and not Starscream at all, but without confirmation of this it may as well remain listed here.
A second unproduced redeco of Starscream for the Generation 2 line was found in 2007, also in an auction on eBay. It is known to the fandom as "Jungle Attack Starscream", although just as with "Black Death Starscream", it is unclear if it was intended to actually be another Starscream toy.
