Transformers Studio Series 86 Thundercracker review (2025)

The Studio Series 86 Thundercracker gives one of the core initial Decepticons a classic style figure upgrade.

Initially, I grabbed the Earthrise Thundercracker and Skywarp two-pack, but Hasbro decided to make more on model versions of the Seekers according to their cartoon appearance. There was nothing inherently wrong about the Earthrise versions, but the cleaner, more streamlined animation-inspired look convinced me to do the double dip for this Studio Series 86 Thundercracker. And I can always just keep the Earthrise figure in his alt mode.

Let’s see if Thundercracker can deliver the boom or if he’s just a bust.

Packaging: Studio Series 86 Thundercracker gets the revamped Studio Series packaging. It’s got the transformation steps and artwork featuring both his bot and alt modes that carry over slightly to the right side of the package.

The right side also shows the hole in the Autobots shuttle marking the Decepticons’ murderous attack. It also includes artwork of the battle-wrecked Autobot City. The left side features a larger version of the Thundercracker portrait.

His bio is ok. The Transformers team has some creative set ups with the packaging and the occasional great artwork, but they’ve never put much effort into the write-ups.

The back also features a picture from The Transformers The Movie as Shrapnel, Bombshell, Skywarp and Thundercracker are coming out on the wrong end of the Decepticon vote. For the wider pic, it’s a monochrome grey backdrop of the Autobot shuttle.

Likeness: Studio Series 86 Thundercracker has a far more streamlined appearance to match up to his cartoon counterpart. The Earthrise figure had a lot more paneling and bits like it was designed for Michael Bay.

Maybe this my old school bias, but the smoother design is far more aesthetically pleasing since it doesn’t have so many distracting elements. The one area that isn’t improved is the back, which almost looks incomplete with so many open ports. Ideally, it would have a shell covering to hide this half-done look, but that would require a separate part and defeat the whole premise of the Transformers.

His head sculpt is more G1 cartoon oriented and he’s got a cocky smiling expression.

Alt Mode: The Seekers turn into F-15 jets. That was awesome back in the 80s and remains the case in the 20s. His cockpit is wider and you can actually open it. That’s not common with this scale, but you could do that with the Masterpiece Seekers.

He also has a landing gear instead of resting on his mid-section like the Earthrise figure.

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Transformation: Thundercracker can be transformed in 27 steps, curiously 3 less steps than the Earthrise version. He’s fairly easy to transform and doesn’t require running to YouTube to figure out what the instructions were poorly explaining.

Scale: Thundercracker features an all-new mold, but he is right around the same height as the Earthrise figure. That’s disappointing since the SS86 Megatron towers over him. In the cartoon, Megatron was just slightly taller than the Seekers and Soundwave. Thundercracker is taller than the mid-size combiners and Insecticons.

Paint: Thundercracker’s paint job is more in line with his cartoon appearance, so his blue has a periwinkle and light grey midsection with some red, white and black accents. His translucent cockpit retains the yellow orange shading.

He has a faint darker mark on his face but otherwise sports a clean paintjob right down to the red and white stripes and the Decepticons logo. As usual, the line would benefit from some sort of light piping to make their eyes brighter. Thundercracker’s mouth should be a darker shade of grey to break up the light grey faceplate.

Articulation: Thundercracker’s articulation is very well done. He’s got 24 points of articulation allowing him to hit most of the essential poses you’d expect from him.

In a new articulation point for Seekers, he’s got waist articulation. This gives him some extra range and the ability to hit deeper stances.

Studio Series 86 Thundercracker has:

• neck
• bicep
• ball-jointed shoulders
• elbows
• wrists
• wrist hinge
• torso
• waist
• hips
• thighs
• knees (double-jointed)
• ankles

Accessories: Studio Series 86 Thundercracker comes with two null ray blasters. These are a different sculpt than the Earthrise versions with less intricate detail to better mirror the cartoon aesthetic. I definitely think Hasbro could add in some extras like a few Energon cubes to toss in some value.

Worth it?  Studio Series 86 Thundercracker goes for $42.99. The Earthrise Seekers were $32.99, which is a steep price hike for a less complex figure. That’s a very tough price and speaks to how prices for the Studio Series have gone to a nearly astronomical level.

Rating: 9.5 out of 10

The Studio Series 86 Thundercracker was well worth the upgrade. With the exception of the open back section, it’s hard to see how this one could be improved.

Where to get it?  Studio Series 86 Thundercracker was in Walmart and Target stores for a bit although you might not find him now outside of grabbing him online from Amazon or Entertainment Earth.

As an Amazon and Entertainment Earth affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases.