Review – Transformers “Reveal the Shield” Perceptor
The Transformers Reveal the Shield series* included a mix of old molds in new colors and completely new designs, and one of the designs I was most excited about had to be this deluxe Perceptor*. While he’s no longer a microscope he has the right look in robot mode and, mostly, is a fun toy.
Vehicle Mode, the Mode I Don’t Like
And by “don’t like” I don’t mean that I dislike the look of the vehicle mode. No, my one big complaint with Perceptor’s vehicle mode is that transforming him into the half-truck mode is annoyingly frustrating with a few pieces not lining up quite perfectly for me. And if you can’t get the parts into the precise positions then the truck mode doesn’t quite come together; after ten minutes of trying the last time I took a shot at transforming him I quit and just left him in robot mode.
But this is really my only complaint with the toy, and it’s not all that big a problem since I typically just display my Transformers toys in robot mode.
Robot Mode
Fortunately, the problems with Perceptor’s transformation don’t harm his robot mode and what we get is an excellent robot toy that looks a lot like the Generation One version of the design without being an exact copy. Below you can get a look at Perceptor’s full robot body (and if you keep scanning down the page you can see Perceptor next to Perceptor for an idea of how the two designs compare to each other).
Articulation
Lots. Ball-jointed shoulders, hips, and ankles. Hinged elbows and knees. A swivel head and swivel wrists. Pity there’s no swivel joint at the waist. We’ve seen Transformers with more articulation before, but for the size and design I think Perceptor’s got everything he needs in the articulation department to be playable and fun. The toy is a little top heavy at times, and the entire back that the shoulders are connected to likes to drop out of place, but generally what we have here is the right amount of articulation for a Transformers toy.
Closing Thoughts
While not the best toy in the Transformers Reveal the Shield series*, what we get is an excellent version of Perceptor that looks good on the shelf and is fun to play with. The frustration of transforming him is a downcheck against the toy, but in the end I say that if you’re a fan of Perceptor as a character design then you will want this toy in your collection.
The Transformers Reveal the Shield series* has been difficult to find at times, but these are now starting to appear in the closeout stores (I’ve seen them as low as $6 so far) so don’t give up hope just yet. Of course, if you’re reading this after winter 2011 that may no longer be true; for terrifying reasons some of the Generation One-inspired Transformers toys from the last five years or so have ridiculously high after-market prices so for all I know this guy is $100+ when you’re reading this.
But not at this exact moment, so go find one if you like how he looks. You’ll be happier paying $6 today than you will be paying $60 tomorrow.
Philip Reed knows that some Transformers toys from the Classics series have stupid prices because he saw them on shelves, passed them by, and now wants them when eBay is the only source.
What!? No secret mode microscope pic!
Unbelievable! Hehe. You can find the altmode on some TF sites, i just forgot where but you can still get him into the shape of it.
@ralph – That would require me to try and transform the damned thing again. The transformation on this monster really is a fiddly annoyance.
Or maybe I’m just too stupid to play with today’s Transformers toys. That must be why I love the Rescue Bots series; easy transform!
I’m glad I’m not the only one who has problems transforming this guy. I have yet to successfully get him back into truck mode. I even find the WFC Bumblebee mold easier to transform.
Love the robot mode though, perfect colors. He hangs out with Rapido on my shelf.
@Seth L – I never like to admit when transforming a toy gives me problems, but I figure we all have issues with these on occasion. Maybe we can form a support group.
No it’s not just you Phil, I too had a near hair-pulling experience in trying to transform this dude. I don’t know why they designed him the way they did, but when I finally got him into robot mode I was very reluctant to turn him back into a truck. Very cool version of Perceptor aside from that though. 😀
@Bah’glenn – You guys are making me feel a lot less stupid; I thought it was just me getting frustrated trying to transform Perceptor.
Phil – The Battlegrip Bad at Transformers Club?
I honestly think there’s some lousy quality control on these guys, as others report having no troubles. Nothing serious, probably just enough flash and mis-aligned pins to make a complicated transformation into a nightmare.
It’s a pity too, I want the reprolabels set for him, but I will never get him back into truck mode, so it’s not really worth it.
@Seth L – If we form a club will we need t-shirts?
And I know what you mean about the Reprolabels work. Did you see the sets for those Fansproject Insecticons?
Yes! That’s almost pushed me over the edge, but I am horribly broke right now, I’d also probably just airbrush silver on, instead of messing with the stickers.
The other is the Fansproject Warbot Defender set:
http://www.reprolabels.com/Classics/springer.php
It took a figure I was lukewarm on, and made me really like it.
Of course, this is after they’ve sold out, and I have to chase him on ebay. Just like City commander, etc, etc. You would think I would learn my lesson eventually, this stuff doesn’t get cheaper.
I also kinda fell in love with TFs recently but i always hate when transforming these guys back from their robot mode into the vehicles. Scouts & Legends are kinda easy but alot of the Deluxe are a pain in the ass and i always suffer in keeping them in robot mode since one flap or any other joint prevents from closing the shape properly and i wanna smash the stuff on the wall, haha. I got waaay more picky and choosy with my TF purchases recently. i tend also more to Legends since they are so fun collectible and small.
@Seth L – I just pretend that the Warbot Defender doesn’t exist. That’s easier for my life.
@Ralph – The Scout class have been growing on me. I still prefer the Deluxe, though, because they just feel right in my hands.
@Phil – I had been happy to ignore 3rd party stuff all together, but it’s getting harder. Especially since I decided to skip Prime toys.
@Ralph – Cyberverse commanders have not filled the scout-class hole in my heart. The ROTF scout line was one of the best series of transformers in the past few years. Even the clunkers like Ejector, Dirtboss, or Scalpel were fun.