Egotistical, self-centered, cowardly, spiteful, and traitorous, a vile concoction of personality traits that define one of the most popular Decepticons, Starscream. Despite the personality flaws that define him, this character has remained a mainstay in Transformers toy lines and Media.
The toy that would become Starscream was originally known as Jetrobo from the Diaclone toy line from Japan. When Hasbro localized and reinvented the line to the Transformers for the American toy market, Jetrobo faded away into the past, and Starscream roared onto the scene. He has appeared in series from the original, now known as G1 and G2, Beast Wars II, the Unicron Trilogy, Animated, the Aligned Series, Robots in Disguise, and Cyberverse. Since Starscream is such an iconic character for the Transformers toy franchise, there have been dozens of toys released based on his various incarnations.
Here are my picks for the top 10 Starscream toys released by Hasbro and Takara. I am not including any 3rd party interpretations of the character in this list, so there will be no mention of Make Toys Meteor. Also, despite the popularity of the Armada’s Starscream, I cannot look past the cockpit crotch nor wing sword. So, no variant of Armada’s toys will be present on this list.
10. Generation One
The original toy that Hasbro released in 1984, this is the figure that started it all. The historical importance of this figure cements it in the top 10 with ease. Unfortunately, there are several flaws that have lowered its standings in the rankings.
While the G1 Starscream transformed into a sleek F-15 interpretation, the engineering from the era leaves the figure with a box-like appearance and stiff joints. To transform the G1 toy, the hands must be removed and stored separately. Stickers also defined the detailing of toys from this era; however, the adhesive from the stickers can peel with time.
Despite the flawed and dated design, the G1 figure deserves respect and admiration. Hasbro has released the mold 3 times, attesting to the importance of the 1984 toy.
9. Cyber Battalion
Released in 2015, this figure only made an appearance in American retailers via Universal Studios Theme Parks In 2016.
While this is a simplified toy, designed as a budget figure, it still manages to pull strikingly sleek and streamlined jet mode. The bold colors also help it stick out amongst the trove of other Starscreams. The transformation is effective as well, easily moving between the two forms.
Unfortunately, the robot mode suffered from the budget design. Not only does this figure have a bland frowning face, but the robot mode also lacks any knee joints. Otherwise, the Cyber Battalion figure stays a solid addition to any Starscream collection.
8. Prime Voyager Class
A radical departure from the designs from the first generation of Transformers, Starscream once again appeared in the Prime Series. From this line, I prefer the voyager class toy that Hasbro released in 2012.
The robot mode is the highlight of this figure. The long limbs and light design for this toy permit for easy posing in the robot mode. Unlike most other Starscream designs, there is no need to work around the wings when posing the arms for this figure.
Unfortunately, this figure’s unique design makes the transformation unintuitive. The jet mode also suffers since it is not as clean as even smaller variants of this design. Still, the articulation and stability give the Voyager Class a spot on the list.
7. Animated Voyager Class
While the Starscream from Armada and the Unicron Series left too far from the G1 incarnation to catch my eye, the Voyager Class toy, released in 2008, harkened back to the G1 design while reinventing the character for a new generation.
While the figure has a bulky underside when in jet mode, the robot mode effectively disappears apart from the hands, which are only visible if you completely flip over the toy. The transformation to robot mode is quick and efficient, with most pieces folding into place on their own. There are also ratchets in the knees and shoulders that easily supply options for posing the figure. The eyes glow thanks to the orange light piping found in the back of the head.
There are only a few points that keep this figure from being ranked higher. First, the colors are muted. Instead of having the bright silver base color with highlights of vibrant red and blue, this Starscream transformer has a darker blue-silver base color with highlights of dark red and black. Also, the forward-swept wings in jet mode and chicken legs in robot mode never quite sat well with me.
6 MP03 Masterpiece
Since Takara created the original Masterpiece MP-03 mold for Starscream, the company used multiple times for many characters. My personal favorite versions of this line come from the Hasbro release that Walmart sold in 2007 and the Ghost variant sold in 2010.
There are few sleeker jet modes available outside of the Masterpiece variant. The robot virtually vanishes into the jet mode for this figure. The range of motion found in the robot mode far outclasses most other Starscream transformers released by Hasbro.
Unfortunately, the process to move from plane to robot mode requires some panels to fit into precise positions to snap into place. Beyond the transformation issues, the side skirt panels of the robot design are hard to ignore.
5. Siege
The advances in engineering shine in the Transformers Siege series. Hasbro released this toy in 2019, but it has already proven to be one of my favorite Starscreams.
The robot mode has an impressive articulation, easily moving into dynamic poses. The Siege figure is very reminiscent of the Generation 1 design. Sadly, the faceplate that comes with the toy lacks the personality that Starscream is known for.
As for the vehicle mode, instead of a typical jet design, this is one of the few figures that transformers into a Tetrajet. Unfortunately, the Tetrajet is where this figure falls short. The robot mode folds into a square under the shell of the Terrajet. The chest panel tends to fall off when shifting from the chest to the back panel for the Tetrajet.
4. Robotmasters
The 2004 Robotmasters Starscream transformer recreates the charm of the G1 toy while updating it. The Robotmasters figure is about half the size of the G1 toy. However, it removes the negative aspects from the original. There are no gaps between the wings and the rest of the body. The wings securely fasten onto the body when transformed into jet mode. Also, the hands remain on the figure at all times.
The jet mode is sleek, with virtually all sections securely snapping into place. Only the cockpit consistently refuses to snap on to the nosecone in my figure. While the Robot mode improves the articulation from the G1 toy, the Robotmasters figure lacks any knee joints. The transformation is simple and quick.
The Robotmasters Starscream came with two small accessories, chrome rocket launcher pads for his chest. These accessories attach to the chest plate so that they do not hinder transformation at any point.
3. Universe
The Transformers Universe line brought forth one of my favorite designs for Starscream transformers in 2009. This toy is a basic recolor of the earlier Classics design sold in 2006. Unlike the prior release of the mold, the Universe line featured a Starscream that harkened back to the original G1 toy’s design. I personally prefer the thin lines for the wing highlights, which is why the Universe line’s Starscream makes my list.
This figure cleanly folds into the jet mode from robot mode, creating a sleek profile. The transformation is simple yet effective. While the robot mode is true to the G1 design, the upgrades in engineering provide the figure a far greater range of movement than its forebearer.
2. MP 11
In 2012, Takara released a retooled version of their Masterpiece Starscream, the MP-11. This toy improved upon the prior attempt at a Masterpiece figure. Unlike the MP-03, the MP-11 figure removed the excess kibble like the side skirts. Thus, the MP-11 Starscream sports a much cleaner profile in both jet and robot modes.
Most importantly, Takara included accessories such as Starscream’s crown and cape from his coronation scene. The ability to recreate scenes from the 1986 movie boosts the attractiveness of this figure. Unfortunately, these same accessories throw off the balance of the toy.
Honorable Mention: Combiner Wars Leader Class
Hasbro released a Leader Class Starscream transformer in 2015 for the Combiner Wars line. This toy has several positive features that could have cemented it in the top 10 list. When transformed into a jet, the figure creates a sleek profile. Meanwhile, the robot mode has a vast range of articulation.
Unfortunately, the paneling on the back of the wings and hollow limbs mar the attractiveness of this toy. While there are smaller figures on this list with less articulation, the aesthetics of this figure are unforgivable in my eyes.
1. Earthrise
The newest iteration of Starscream transformers, released in 2020, the Earthrise Starscream easily soared to the top of my list. Long time fans of Transformers will easily spot the similarities between this figure and the Classics mold from over a decade ago. The Earth Rise toy resembles an enlarged Universe Starscream with a few extra details. However, this toy possesses the same advanced articulation found in the Siege line.
The robot mode securely folds up into the streamlined jet mode, leaving little excess bulk below the jet. Each section of the jet mode is smooth and securely locked into place. All the limbs fold and tuck away so that they are not discernable.
The robot mode is just as impressive, the design aims to recreate the feel of the Sunbow animation design. The articulation found in the toy provides a dynamic range of movement, so collectors will not be pressed to pose their figure.
Even though Earth Rise has offered my favorite Starscream transformers toy to date, there is still room for improvement. The nosecone becomes little more than kibble on the back of the figure in robot mode. Also, the figure gives little leeway in parts of the transformation, such as the clasps on the chest.
Made in Collaboration with:
Chris Ingledue
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Bio: I am the founder and owner of Wheeljack’s Lab Pop Culture and Toy Shop. My vision has always been to reunite customers with their favorite childhood toys and pop culture, triggering fond memories, and reigniting their imaginations. Every day, I work in the “lab” where it’s Christmas 365 days a year. I scour the internet, like when we had the Sears Catalog of yesteryear, for the next great treasure. Then, I await the arrival of the postman as if he were Santa Claus himself and helping collectors worldwide with their versions of Christmas. Every day as a vintage toy buyer is an absolute joy!