General Information:
Release Date: November 2022
Price Point: $24.99 (depending on retailer)
Retailer: Fan Channel Release (BigBadToyStore, Entertainment Earth, Gamestop, Hasbro Pulse etc.
Accessories: Blaster
Official images and product description in italics below are from Hasbro Pulse:
Fans can take their Transformers figure collections to the next level with the Transformers Generations Selects Magnificus figure! Generations Selects adult collectibles are a fan-dedicated line of figures featuring fan-favorite, special edition characters you can’t find in the main line. Convert the Transformers G1 figure from robot to microscope and attach the blaster accessory in both modes! Inspired by the original e-HOBBY exclusive Magnificus figure released in 2005.
- Includes figure, accessory, and instructions.
- EXPAND YOUR COLLECTION WITH SPECIAL EDITION FIGURES: Transformers Generations Selects is a fan-dedicated line of figures featuring special edition characters that can’t be found in the main line
- INSPIRED BY E-HOBBY EXCLUSIVE: This figure is based on the original e-HOBBY exclusive Magnificus action figure released in 2005
- CLASSIC TRANSFORMERS CONVERSION: This Transformers G1 Magnificus figure converts from robot to microscope mode in 18 steps
- AWESOME WEAPON ACCESSORY: Transformers Magnificus figure includes a blaster accessory that attaches in both modes
- ACTION FIGURES FOR ADULTS: Look for more Generations Selects Transformers figures, great adult collectibles for fans (each sold separately, subject to availability)
- Ages 8 and up
- WARNING: CHOKING HAZARD - Small parts. Not for children under 3 years.
Background:
In 1985, the Transformers line released a standalone figure who was not part of any other assortment: Perceptor. This unique figure transformed from a robot to a "working" microscope to a "mobile laboratory" (really a tank mode). Like so many Transformers before it, this figure was originally part of a different Takara toy line: Micro Change. This is the same line that included the figures that would become Soundwave, Megatron, Cliffjumper and more. The original "Micro Scope" figure would eventually become Perceptor. However, instead of Perceptor's red and teal colors, this figure was made up mostly of black and silver colors.
As a homage to "Micro Scope", e-Hobby released a Decepticon named Magnificus in 2005 as an exclusive redeco of the G1 Perceptor figure. Magnificus came with the a partner figure named Ga'Mede. Ga'Mede was a redeco of a Microman figure named Walter. e-Hobby would release another Magnificus in 2013 as a redeco of Reveal the Shield Perceptor. Now in 2022 the Generations Selects line has brought this character back once again! This figure is a redeco and retool of the Studio Series 86 Perceptor, so definitely check out that review. This review will focus on the changes made to the figure for this release.
Packaging:
Magnificus is packaged with the new style of Selects boxes. The box is still a rectangular cardboard box, but there are graphics all over the box depciting the figure with the Legacy logo (though the official listing still lists this as a Selects figure so I guess it's both). The figure is attached to a cardboard tray inside the box, another indicator of Hasbro moving away from the use of plastic in their packaging.
Accessories:
Magnificus comes with one accessory: his blaster. The base design has its origins in the original Perceptor action figure's weapon. It has a very angled body with a barrel that grows thinner towards the end and a "magazine" (or power pack maybe?) on the bottom. This weapon has one 5mm peg and the barrel can fit Blast Effects. The weapon is made up of black plastic with no paint applications.
Robot Mode:
The original Micro Change head for Micro Scope featured a round helmet section with a crest in the center, a mouthplate, nose and eyes. However, when the figure was brought into the Transformers toy line the head was redesigned, most notably Perceptor would have a regular mouth instead of a mouthplate. For this release, it was decided to give Magnificus a different head than Perceptor's. They share the same "helmet" section design, but instead of a mouth, he has a mouthplate, calling back to the Microchange figure! The head sculpt looks great and it's fun having a head that looks a lot like the head sculpt on the original G1 Perceptor toy. The head is made up of black plastic with silver paint applications on the crest, face and mouthplate. The eyes are painted gold calling back to the yellow eyes on the Microchange Micro Scope toy.
The rest of the sculpt remains unchanged, and Magnificus is mostly made up of the classic colors from the Micro Change era: black and silver. Most of the figure is made up of black plastic while the silver helps break the color up in areas like the forearms and thighs. Paint applications on this figure include grey, silver and red. The grey is used on parts like the edges of his chest panel while red is used on the panel underneath the clear piece on his chest. A Decepticon symbol is on his abdominal area. There's definitely no mistaking this guy for Perceptor!
There are twenty four points of articulation on this figure. This includes four in each arm and six in each leg. I'm also counting the ability of his shoulder cannon to move up and down and extend upward. All the joints on my copy of this figure are just as tight as those on my copy of Studio Series Perceptor. He has a 5mm port in each fist, on the shoulders and lower leg. He has one more on the back for weapon storage. There is also has a small port on the back for stands such as those made by Bandai to display figures.
Transformation to Microscope Mode:
- Detach the accessories and set them aside for now.
- Straighten out the arms and legs.
- Turn the robot head around, then swing it into the back.
- Swing each fist into the forearms.
- Pull the arms down to the sides.
- Swing the microscope/cannon piece to the middle. Then swing the red piece with the tab on the right side to help lock that into place.
- Rotate the arms up, then push them into the sides.
- Swing the chest panel down.
- Point the robot feet down.
- Swing the legs out to the sides.
- Rotate the legs at the hips.
- Swing the lower legs forward.
- The weapon can be attached to the sides of the arms, legs or back for storage.
Microscope Mode:
There are no surprises in the microscope mode. Black and silver continue to be the dominant colors, but with his chest piece swung down you now get a much better look at the red paint details on the torso. This mode also gives us a good look at the large purple and silver Decepticon symbol tampographed on the top of the scope. e-Hobby Magnificus had this same detail, so it is a fun callback to that figure.
Mobile Laboratory Mode:
The "Mobile Laboratory Mode" (aka the "Tank Mode") is a variation on the microscope mode. Starting with the microscope mode, swing the lower legs back. Then lower the top part of the microscope so you can connect the tabs on the lower leg sections to corresponding slots on the robot arms. Point the cannon forward and you're done!
I am really glad Hasbro decided to keep this mode. Sure it's just a simple variation of the microscope mode, but adding the tabs to "lock" it into place is a great touch. It is also a nice tip of the hat to the original Microchange Micro Scope figure.
Final Thoughts:
I am a big fan of figures that pay homage to the era before Transformers. The past two years have seen a wealth of these (including Lift Ticket and Deep Cover) and I'm really happy to have another. Recommended!
Pros:
- Cool new head sculpt.
- Nice "dark" themed deco that pays homage to Microchange Micro Scope.
- Solid figure with no loose joints.
- Good articulation.
- Adding the "Tank Mode" was a really nice touch.
Cons:
- I would have loved to have an additional weapon representing his G1 missile launcher. This was a wish of mine too with Perceptor but it's even more strong here since this is a redeco. It would have added some value to the set.
