Transformers Generations: Perceptor review!

Howdy doodly folks! I've actually had this figure for quite some time now on my Transformers display shelf. As I've probably mentioned about a bazillion time before, I'm quite the ardent fan of the Takara Tomy versions of these Transformers. Meaning that I'd most likely to get the 'United version rather than Hasbro's Generation version. Well, ol' Percy (that's short for Perceptor in case you didn't get it...hehe) here is an exception. You see, while most 'Generations figure pale in comparison with their 'United counterpart (usually the Japanese version will be 'blinged' up to look more metallic and shinier than the US version), ol' Percy is ALREADY blinged up despite being a Hasbro offering. Read on to learn more.

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The packaging is the same as the the previous Transformers Universe Classics line. Hasbro kept it very simple but yet it works just fine for me. As you can see on the packaging, Percy here is rated as a 'Level 3' in terms of the difficulty to get him into his robot mode. More into that later on.

As you could probably gauge by now, Perceptor is no longer the microscope we use to know from the good old 80s cartoon days. He is now a research truck. Bummer if you ask me. Even though his 'scientist' look is retained (you know...microscope....'research' truck..) he's just different.....well, at least to me. I had my qualms on Kup not being a Cybertronian pickup truck, but at least he's still a truck just like we remembered him from the '86 TF movie! 

Here's his bio on the back of the card. He's a scientist through and through. Means no fighting or any confrontational nature. Unfortunately, it also means Percy won't come with any weapons or guns to fight them Decepti-creeps.

Out of the package and here he is in his "Research truck mode". Half-track and all.... 

I wonder what MR 5 1409 stands for? Is it a standard Cybertronian license plate? Can anybody shed a light on this?

*Drumroll*......now after a gruelling time trying to figure how his wheels twist and turn to properly get his arms in place (IMHO this figure should've at least be a 'Level 4', I wonder how kids are gonna figure the minor glitch to get his arms to where they are.... =p) Percy is finally in his robot mode. 

At the point of typing this review, the Takara version of Perceptor is rumoured to have already hit the Malaysian market. But truth be told, I can't seem to find much differences between Hasbro's version and its Japanese counterpart. Ol' Percy here has already been 'blinged up' honestly...just look at his scope thingy on his shoulders, his chest piece and those round 'cuffs' on his arms. Aren't they silver already? I recall seeing the Takara version having some silver highlights while in truck mode....and that's pretty much it.

Percy's  shoulder-mounted scope is superbly done too. Very closely resembling its 80s predecessor toy.

Yup, you can point the scope upwards towards the sky too.....errr.....to become a telescope (?!)....

No matrix of leadership there Percy! But nevertheless this is a cool feature. His chest-piece can be opened or rather flipped down to reveal his Autobot insignia and some internal circuitry.

Well, I guess that's pretty much it. Nothing much to shout about. Perceptor 'the scientist' here is a must have only if you're really into completing your G1 line up. I'm guessing most casual Transformers fans will skip Perceptor and go for those well-known ones like Wheeljack and co. Oh, by the way, Takara Tomy has recently (and inexplicably) announced that the recently revived 'United' line (Henkei's successor line) will come to a halt when the G2 Optimus is released sometime next month. *bummer*....I think history's repeating itself soon, these fine G1 toys are gonna disappear to make way for them 'inferior' Dark of The Moon movie toys (the upcoming Sentinel Prime looks waayyyyyy to much like Alpha Trion...what heck Bay?!!!).

Till then....let me end this review by saying..."G1 toys rocks!"