"Studio Series 86" Windcharger Toy Review

02/11/26

 

General Information
Release Date: February 2026
Price Point: $27.99 (depending on retailer)
Retailer: General Release (Amazon, BigBadToyStore, Entertainment Earth, Target, Walmart etc. - the preceding links help support BWTF)
Accessories: Blaster, Blast Effect

Official images and text in italics are from Amazon.com

• THE TRANSFORMERS: THE MOVIE WINDCHARGER: This Transformers Studio Series Windcharger figure features movie-inspired deco and details
• 4.5-INCH DELUXE CLASS TRANSFORMERS FIGURE: In robot mode, the Transformers action figure is 4.5 inches (11 cm) tall
• CONVERT BETWEEN ROBOT AND CAR MODE IN 12 STEPS: This Transformers toy figure converts between modes in 12 steps
• 2 ACCESSORIES: Figure comes with blaster and magnetic blast effect accessories that can be attached in both modes
• ARTICULATED FOR PLAY AND DISPLAY: Studio Series Transformers figures feature articulation for display-worthy poses or action-packed play
• GIFT TRANSFORMERS COLLECTIBLES: Transformers action figures make a great Christmas, holiday, or birthday gift for boys and girls 8 and up or anyone who collects Transformers toys

Experience the epic action of The Transformers: The Movie with the Studio Series Windcharger toy! The 4.5-inch (11 cm) figure converts from robot action figure to car mode in 12 steps. With movie-inspired details, good poseability, and blaster and magnetic blast effect accessories that attach in both modes, this Transformers Windcharger action figure makes an awesome addition to any collection. Look for more Transformers collectible toys (sold separately, subject to availability) featuring favorite characters like Optimus Prime, Bumblebee, Megatron, and more to create a lineup that is — More Than Meets the Eye. TRANSFORMERS and HASBRO and all related trademarks and logos are trademarks of Hasbro, Inc.

Background:
Windcharger was one of the original Autobots introduced in 1984 alongside the "greats" like Optimus Prime and Bumblebee. The character made appearances in both the G1 comic books by Marvel and the Sunbow cartoon until he met his end in The Transformers: The Movie. Ironically, it is his death in that film that allowed him to be folded into the Studio Series 86 line. Yes he appeared in the movie, but he was already dead at the time. That said, the character has made quite a few appearances in the Transformers toy line post-G1. These include:

• Alternators Windcharger
• Reveal the Shield Windcharger
• Combiner Wars Windcharger
• Power of the Primes Windcharger

This figure is a brand new figure and not a redeco or retool of any previous figure.

Packaging:
Windcharger is packaged in a standard rectangular Studio Series box. The box design has been changed from previous years. The background is still black and the Transformers logo is in big red letters, but it is now horizontal along the bottom half of the box front instead of being set vertically on the right. Under that is the blue "Studio Series" name. The "86" has been removed but I still use that designation to help differentiate these figures from the other ones in the line. Instead, underneath the "Studio Series" logo is the logo for "The Transformers: The Movie" with Windcharger's name next to it. To the right is Windcharger's artwork showing his upper body in robot mode and vehicle mode under that. The middle is an open window showing off the full action figure thanks tto the return of plastic windows! To the left is a pill shaped border with symbols in it calling out a 12 step transformation and age recommendation of 8+.

the back of the box features Windcharger in both modes, calling out his 12 step transformation. In the lower left hand corner is a call out for his "Magnetic Powers Blast Effect". Instead of a screenshot of his rather grim appearance in the film, the designers used a portion of the film's poster. To the right it says "Windcharger uses his magnetic powers to fight the DECEPTICONS.". Like all the Studio Series figures from the past year or so this one does not include a backdrop. This feature was removed no doubt partly to save money.

Accessories:
Windcharger includes two accessories:

• Blaster: Windcharger includes a small blaster that appears to be based on the one he is briefly seen holding in the G1 episode "Make Tracks". It is mostly cylindrical in shape, with a thicker section making up the back half and a barrel that narrows towards the front. The back has what looks like a small, rectangular shape set vertically while a magazine is hanging off the bottom. This piece is made of light grey plastic with no paint applications. It has a 5mm peg on the bottom for him to hold the weapon. On the sides are indentations that allow you to attach the weapon to the vehicle mode. The small peg on the right side allows you to store the weapon on his back in robot mode.
• Blast Effect: The Blast Effect included with Windcharger is an unusual one. It is circular in shape with a rectangular attachment point to fit on his chest, back or the front of his vehicle mode. This piece is meant to represent Windcharger using his magnetic powers like he was seen doing in "Plague of the Insecticons". This piece is made out of clear plastic with yellow painted on (at least, I believe so. Parts look clear while others look yellow).

Robot Mode:
As I transformed this figure and played with it I really felt like the last couple decades worth of Windcharger figures have all been leading to this one. I really enjoyed all the previous figures, and as time went along they all came closer and closer to the G1 comic book/animation design without quite nailing it (sometimes on purpose). This time out however the designers used the G1 model as their source material and the result is the Windcharger fans have been waiting for. This figure has a lot of the key design elements of that model including:

• Head: The head design comes right from the cartoon, including a very angled "helmet" section, an angled set of "cheek bones" and a trapezoid shaped design on his chin.
• Torso: The torso features an eight sided section that sticks out on the chest with a rectangular opening in the middle.
• Hip/Waist Area: The lower part of the body features two trapezoid shapes in the middle, one taller than the other. Inside one is a small thin line and inside the other is a sculpted trapezoid shape. These come directly from the animation model design.
• Thighs: Each thigh has a series of horizontal ridges on it. These are a carry over detail from the G1 toy that were then integrated into the animation model.
• Lower legs: The lower legs are formed from the rear of the vehicle, which is designed to look like it has a louver cover on the back window. The line pattern from the louver winds up on the front of the lower legs.

Unlike the animation model, a physical toy at a Deluxe price point does not have the luxury of magically making parts disappear, so Windcharger's arms are perhaps the least "animation accurate" part of the toy. This is mostly due to the wheel wells from the vehicle mode winding up on the shoulders and the car doors winding up on the sides of the forearms. That said, the designers did try to mitigate this a bit by allowing the wheel wells on the shoulder to rotate so you can have the wheels facing back. From a front view this gives the illusion that the wheels are tucked away. To me these are not dealbreakers at all. After all, the designers figured out how to make the wheels on his robot legs "disappear" in this mode so I think he looks great overall.

Windcharger is made up of two shades of red, light grey, blue-grey, translucent blue and black plastic. There are actually two shades of red plastic here, a darker one and a lighter one. You can see the darker one on his upper arms, contrasting against the brighter red of the wheel wells on his shoulders. Paint colors include blue, grey, red, black, blue-grey and silver. The grey is used on the face and his eyes are painted blue. A large red Autobot symbol is found on the chest. A darker blue-grey is used on his hip/waist area. Black is used on the louver parts on his legs. More blue-grey paint is used on his back. Overall, he looks good! Windcharger did not exactly have the most complex deco so this relatively simple one fits him well.

There are twenty one points of articulation in this mode. This includes three in each arm and six in each leg. I'm being a bit generous here by counting the ability of the lower legs to shift forward and back a bit. While the fists are attached to the forearms on ball joints, the car doors are in the way of meaningful articulation. In a very unique and interesting articulation choice, there is a small tab on the back of the head that you can push down and up. Doing so moves Windcharger's face so it is looking up ar forward! I appreciate this fun touch. Another interesting note about this figure, due to the design of the legs, Windcharger does not have ankle tilts like most Transformers figures nowadays. Instead, his tilt is built into the knee area. This allows the legs to retain their G1 accurate look while allowing for a modern day bit of articulation.

Windcharger's only 5mm ports are in his fists. The back has an attachment point for Bandai style display stands. The Blast Effect can attach to his chest as if he was radiating magnetic energy or you can store it on his back (a really nice touch).

Transformation to Vehicle Mode:

1. Detach the accessories and set them aside for now.
2. Straighten out the arms and legs.
3. Rotate the wheel wells on his shoulders around.
4. Swing the fists down.
5. On each lower leg, swing out the back sections and unfold them.
6. Swing the wheels on his lower legs out.
7. Push the two lower legs together.
8. Swing the robot arms up at the shoulder joints.
9. Swing the back piece up.
10. Swing the arms into the sides.
11. Swing the back piece down over the arms.
12. Swing the panels from the lower legs up and over, forming the top of the vehicle mode. Push these down, tabbing them into the front wheel wells.
13. The blaster attaches to one of the rear wheel well tabs on the underside of the vehicle.
14. the Blast Effect can be attached to the front of the vehicle.

Vehicle Mode:
The original G1 Windcharger figure transformed into a "Penny Racer" style Pontiac Firebird Trans Am. When it came time to animate the character, the animators used his toy's design as the basis for the animation model's vehicle mode. This means he has some details inspired by the Firebird but a lot was modified to avoid potential licensing issues. Like the Firebird he has a sleek look from the front to the back of the vehicle. The back is curved with louver covers, a feature which was very popular in the 80's. What's different than the real life vehicle is the front and the back. The front end has round headlights and a curved section in the middle of the grille. The rear wheels are larger than the front wheels, so the back section is raised a bit, a feature carried over from the "Penny Racer" influence of the G1 toy and the animation model. Overall he looks great! I love the combination of features from the G1 figure all being worked into this vehicle.

This mode mostly shows off red, black and translucent blue plastic. Silver paint is used on the front and the sides of the wheels. An Autobot symbol is printed with white outlines on the hood, a feature taken directly from the animation model. Black paint is used on the rear window covers. The beauty of the lower leg panels forming panels over the cabin section is that the translucent blue plastic didn't need to be painted red (which can sometimes lead to plastic color matching issues). Instead, the red plastic is right over the translucent blue plastic and it looks great.

The vehicle rolls on all four wheels, but oddly if you store the blaster pointing back like an exhaust pipe he winds up sticking up a bit in this mode, so you need to point the blaster end forward. The Blast Effect can be attached to the front of the vehicle, a callback to his use of his magnetic abilities in the cartoon.

Final Thoughts:
Windcharger is a fantastic representation of the G1 character. Both modes look awesome and I appreciate how much they both look like what we saw in the cartoon in the 80's. The deco is also great and the articulation is good. Highly recommended!

Pros:

• Excellent cartoon/comic book accurate sculpt in both modes.
• Good deco.
• Good articulation.
• Fun Blast Effect bringing focus to his "super power".

Cons:

• I would have liked the blaster to be able to point back like an exhaust pipe in vehicle mode.