Titans Return Perceptor

Robot Mode: The easiest way to describe this figure is that he is pretty much a spitting image of Perceptor as we’ve seen him in the original Transformers cartoon. He is also pretty much a spitting image of the original G1 Perceptor toy, with the notable exceptions being the head (far more cartoon accurate and also a detachable Headmaster) and different weapons. Otherwise, though? This is G1 Perceptor through and through.

Resemblance aside, Perceptor is as good as we’ve come to expect from the Titans Return Deluxe figures. Very nicely articulated, highly detailed, and no flaws worth mentioning. For a weapon he carries a long black sniper rifle and can also detach the scope from his shoulder to use as an additional hand weapon. So bottom line: a very nice robot mode that fully captures the G1 Perceptor look.

Alternate Mode: While never being advertised as such, Perceptor (both this one here and his G1 predecessors) are basically triple changers. His first and primary alternate mode is the familiar microscope from his G1 days. The transformation is pretty much identical to how G1 Perceptor transformed, thus the resulting microscope basically looks the same, too. Not being a vehicle, this mode offers no cockpit for Perceptor’s Titan Master (see below), who can do little but take a nap on the microscope’s object table. The microscope is “working” in the sense that you can look through the scope, but the magnification is rather minimal, I fear. Still, a faithful update of the original Perceptor’s alternate mode, so no complaints.

Perceptor’s third mode is something of a cross between a microscope and a tank. It’s basically the scope now serving as a gun on tank tracks. Convex can stand behind it as a sort-of gunner. Not the best third mode ever, but not bad, either, and a very faithful adaption of the original Perceptor’s third mode.

Partner: Like all Titans Return figures Deluxe-class and above, Perceptor, too, is a Headmaster. His head detaches to transform into Titan Master Convex. Convex is pretty much identical to the other Titan Master figures and can sit in Perceptor’s rifle as a gunner. Nothing too special here, moving on.

Remarks: Perceptor first appeared in the second season oft he original Transformers cartoon and was one of the few characters who went on to play an important role in the third season, too. More recently he has appeared in the IDW comics, where the formerly mild-mannered scientist had a change of temperament after nearly being blown apart, redesigning himself into a bad-ass sniper.

Apart from being a Headmaster, Titans Return Perceptor is pretty much the same figure he was back in the day. A bit smaller, better articulated, but otherwise more or less the same. Which isn’t a bad thing, mind you, as G1 Perceptor was one of the best figures from that time. So if you are looking for an updated version of the original Perceptor toy, that’s what you’re getting here. Nothing more, nothing less.

Rating: A-