Toybox REVIEW: Transformers Studio Series MTMTE Collection Starscream

Release Date: June 2026

RRP: $42.99/£34.99

Once there's a new version of the Seekers on the market, the biggest question on Transformers collectors' minds is how long Hasbro are going to take to release the rest. And in the case of the Studio Series, it seems the answer is "not very long at all" - with all three of the original Decepticon jets releasing in 2026 as part of Transformers: The Movie's 40th anniversary celebration. But contrary to how the usual release pattern goes, Studio Series MTMTE Collection Starscream is not only the last to be released but also the "exclusive" of the bunch - with both Thundercracker and Skywarp having released as retail items in the months prior. As was the case with previous "MTMTE Collection" figures, Starscream was exclusive to Target (with limited quantities also available on Hasbro Pulse) in the USA - but saw general release elsewhere in the world. Unfortunately, this also made the figure notoriously difficult to get a hold of in the US at first - to the point where Hasbro's themselves had to make an official statement and assist in making the toy more readily available.

Starscream's box may be largely indistinguishable from ordinary Studio Series packaging, however there are a few slight differences that are unique to the MTMTE Collection releases. The most obvious these is the character artwork, which features a slightly more cartoon-accurate aesthetic than that of the main line. Less interesting additions are the coloured lines running along the sides of the box, as well as of course having the "MTMTE Collection" tagline on the front just above the character name. Joining it on the front are the usual features - a nice big window show off the figure inside, the Transformers logo, Studio Series branding and character name. One side of the box continues the character artwork from the front alongside the Transformers 40th anniversary logo, whilst the other features a close up shot of the artwork. On the back of the box are images of the figure in both modes, accompanied by a step counter, a small character bio and still image from Transformers: The Movie. Inside Starscream is tied down to a cardboard tray, with his tailfins and Null Rays in a separate plastic bag.

As surprising as it was for Starscream to be the third use of this new Seeker mould rather than the first, the Decepticon Air Commander was definitely worth the wait. Even as a redeco, Starscream immediately stands out with his red, grey and blue colour scheme - while the mould itself is undoubtedly the most cartoon-accurate version of the character we've ever officially gotten at this scale. If it weren't for the hollow areas on the back, you could easily mistake this for a mini Masterpiece figure. To give the Seekers a bit more variation Hasbro have given them all different face sculpts, with Starscream's smug smirk conveying his onscreen personality wonderfully. Starscream also features a light-piping gimmick, so that the eyes glow red when light is shined from just behind the head. The translucent orange canopy on the chest really brings the whole design together. There have been a lot of great Starscream figures over the years (not all of them the G1 version, and not all of them necessarily from Hasbro), but when it comes to matching the brief - in this instance to be an accurate version of Starscream as he appeared in Transformers: The Movie, this has got to be one of Hasbro's best efforts yet.

As with the previous releases of the mould, there are two different ways you can attach the tailfins depending on whether you want a cartoon or toy-accurate look. For toy accuracy simply plug them onto the sides of the lower legs, but if you'd prefer a more cartoon-accurate look you can plug onto the back of the main wings out of sight instead. It's technically cheating as they should fold up into the legs (as per the Masterpiece figure), but unless you're looking at the figure directly from the back they aren't noticeable at all. It's a simple solution that may lack the complexity of a proper transformation, but works wonderfully for a figure of this size and price point.

Of course this isn't the first version of G1 Starscream to release in the Studio Series, with a Coronation version having previously released all the way back in 2022. That however was a slight retool of the Earthrise version with new accessories, and all the additional detailing the figure had made it stick out quite a bit when compared with the brand new Studio Series figures. Finally though we have a Starscream in all his cartoon-accurate glory, and comparing the two side by side is like night and day. Both are unmistakably the same character, but the smooth panels are more distinct proportions are very different to the boxy, overdetailed sculpt of the Earthrise version. This is undoubtedly the version of Starscream that belongs in the Studio Series, but that isn't to say the older version doesn't have its charm as well. Some collectors may prefer the more detailed sculpt, so it's great that there are options. It's also worth noting that the previous Studio Series version has articulated hands, whereas the new one has moulded fists. Of course this one doesn't have coronation parts either, but it only feels like a matter of time before Hasbro re-release this mould yet again to feature them or third parties step in to fill the gap.

As the third release for this mould most collectors are probably more than familiar with the articulation at this point, but for all those who are yet to experience it and/or only planning to pick up Starscream he features;

- Ball jointed head

- Swivel hinge shoulders and hips

- Hinged elbows, knees, ankles and feet

- Bicep, waist, wrist and thigh swivels

The Null Rays connect to the upper arms via standard 5mm pegs, so can be rotated into position to suit whatever pose you're putting Starscream into. The front of the crotch/skirt piece is also attached via a hinge, allowing it to move upwards and in turn give the legs more clearance when posing. It's a single piece that covers both sides, so the whole part has to be lifted up even if you're only moving one leg. Third time around the novelty of a waist swivel still hasn't disappeared, as it continues to be something that really makes this iteration of the Seekers stand out. The feet are also great too - the combination of the ankle tilt and front foot's hinge making balancing in particularly dynamic posing no issue whatsoever.

Starscream transforms into his iconic grey, red and blue F-15 fighter jet mode in 27 steps - the process itself having lots of intricate moments (such as the way the sides of the hip fold upwards into the torso cavity) hut nothing so complicated that it isn't easy to memorise. If you picked up Thundercracker and Skywarp as well this will likely be muscle memory to you by now. When the process is complete the end result is a jet mode that's every bit as clean as the robot mode. While there may be the odd bit of panelling here and there to give the vehicle a little more depth/detail, much like the robot mode it feels like it leapt straight out of the cartoon. Behind the cockpit is a sculpted interior with chair and control panel, which is a really nice bit of extra detailing that could have easily been missed. That all said some buyers might be slightly turned off by the underside of the vehicle, which does leaves a fairly sizeable gap where the cockpit section once sat. Being the least visible part of the vehicle mode (you'd quite literally have to be looking underneath to properly notice) it doesn't feel like that much of a deal-breaker, but for collectors that prefer a more solid vehicle mode from all angles there are upgrade kits out there for all three Seekers that resolve this issue as well as filling some of the other small gaps on the figure. So if you are only of those that consider it an issue, there is a fix even if you do have to spend a little bit of extra cash to get there.

Credit where it's due the different between this new mould and the Earthrise version isn't quite as vast as it was in robot mode, with the Earthrise figure transforming into a jet that doesn't all that additional detailing the robot body has. There are still key differences between the two though, the most immediate being the older figure using a much brighter blue than the new mould. On closer inspection the new mould also continues to dominate when it comes to screen accuracy, sporting proper thrusters at the back as well as retractable landing gear. So while the gap might be smaller when comparing their vehicle modes, there's still enough differences here to justify the upgrade.

In jet mode Starscream features an opening cockpit as well as retractable landing gear situated under the nosecone - small additions that do add an extra level of playability. Although no effect parts are included with the figure, they can be attached to the figure in various places if you're feeling that your flight display isn't dynamic enough. Sadly the toy lacks a designated socket for a display stand to fit into for aerial display, but the gaps on the underside means there are plenty of places to slot one in. The result is a simple jet mode which may not be heavy on gimmicks, but looks just as good/clean as the robot mode with just as much display/shelf presence. Of course Starscream's jet mode looks especially good when displayed with his fellow Seekers, and with an additional "Seeker Storm" three-pack and the Coneheads presumably on the way that display will only get bigger and better in time.

The new Seeker mould continues to be as impressive as ever third time around, with Studio Series MTMTE Collection Starscream arguably being the version the line should have had from the start. While releasing such a major character as part of a more limited (and in the US, store-exclusive) range isn't perhaps the wisest of decisions, the figure itself is fabulous - offering collectors a cartoon-accurate Starscream at a reasonable scale and price point with lots of personality and poseability. Whilst the three main Seekers have now all been released (and at an impressive pace too), this is far from the last we'll see of this mould. And when it's a figure this good, who can really blame Hasbro for milking it?