Post by Rodimus Prime on Apr 8, 2009 11:59:14 GMT
Classics Megatron
Irrespective of where you sit in the Transformers camp, there is simply no denying how utterly fantastic the Classics line was. Okay so it's evolved into the Universe line now, but the Classics toys are still the ultimate, and dare I say perfect, retooling of all of those Generation One figures and toys that people hold so dear.
The Universe line has suffered from poor production and inconsistant quality, and by comparison, it's the much weaker offspring of the Classics toys.
Though the line had it's share of repainted toys and annoying Minicon packs, what we got were some core toys that have re-written the book on the Transformers product line, in my opinion.
A flagship character, and an obvious choice, Megatron is leader of the Decepticon forces.
Megatron - Gun Mode
Megatron, a bit of a controversial character when it comes to any designs that occur to this character. And why would things be different this time around. The green and purple Generation 2 tank is a fence sitter, the Armada version is a disappointment and forget about the movie one being in everyone's collection(although, the newer ROTF edition is making the 2007 version a bit of a collectors item).
The Classics version of Megatron is a bright, almost garish representation of the ultimate Decepticon commander and initially received a tepid response, where as the more cartoon accurate, but equally garish because of it's shiney finish, Henkeii version is in high demand. I guess this review is sorta of a "buried treasure" type of review for an under appreciated toy.
That being said, fan reaction is what it is and whether you like it or not, Megatron transforms into a gun, for the first time since the original toy. There have been pretenders to the gun throne what with Shockwave(nice but not quite nice enough), Galvatron(more campy ray-gun than stylish shooter) and Sixshot(interesting but not quite good enough). But really, there can be only one gun Decepticon.
Hasbro have finally caved and delivered us a gun format Megatron toy. FINALLY. And where the original Megatron had the design stylings only a mother could love, this new Decepticon leader is a vast improvement in one or two very distinctive ways.
First of all, he's what looks like a Socom MK23 minus the silencer attachment but including a scope mounted on the top of the barrell casing. And he fits nicely into the hand. There's some nice weight to him in this mode. The mold is beautiful and really looks like a threatening weapon fit to suit the leader of the Decepticons.
The colours here are something of a dividing line with alot of fans, if memory serves correctly. Dropping the silver motif of the original toy, we now have a matte bright grey-white as the base colour, with purple highlights on the bullet chamber near the front of the barrell casing, the grips, and where the arms are clipped into place at the front and back. Additionally, purple is used on the large mold Decepticon symbol on the scope.
Translucent(and neon) green is used for parts of the bullet chamber and rather unfortunately, to coincide with US toy laws, large orange rings have been placed on the muzzle and forward tip of the scope. Black is the other dominant colour on this mode, which is on the grip and scope.
I like the colours in this mode. Considering the garrish paint jobs we've had on previous Megatrons - neon green and purple on the G2 tank, and neon purple on the hero version - this is a more tame and sophisticated looking colour scheme for one seriously good reason to part with your money.
Megatron - Robot Mode
A slightly fumbly transformation later, and the evil leader is ready to go mano-a-mano with Optimus Prime. Megatron stands a little taller than Optimus, primarily thanks to his wings.
The wings are a new addition to the character. What was his bullet chamber now splits in two and hangs off the robots back, in slightly large fashion, displaying alot more of the same green. The grip and underside of the gun mode flip down to become the legs, retaining the same colours as in the alt mode.
A large purple flap, hidden when in gun mode, folds forward and Megatron's head now flips up, being locked into place by the same purple flap being moved back.
Overall, the colours remain the same as gun mode when now in robot mode.
Megatron also dons his arm cannon, which to my knowldege is the first time any figure named Megatron has done since the first time round. The cannon is almost identical to the G1 version, but rather annoyingly is attached to the side of his arm, as opposed to the top. A minor issue, but one that bugs me a little. However, it's placement seems fairly wise in relation to giving us the most amount of poseability for the figure.
Also, a special note should be paid attention to the head, which looks more like the G1 version than any other toy has previously done.
And the wings. Initially off putting, but to be honest, given that the Decepticons were so militantly uniform looking in the first season of the animated show(Starscream/Thundercrack/Skywarp, the 3 robots that make up Reflector etc), I think the wings add to the Seeker/millitant feel. So much so that Cybertron Soundwave could stand proudly alongside Megs and the uninitiated might think they were part of the same line.
The toy has lot of poseability, but not nearly as much as the likes of Optimus or Mirage. The waist for instance, is fixed because it's molded as once piece with the hips etc. The joints, are however, first class. My G1 Megatron can't support his cannon upright and pointing out all that well.
I'd be surprised if the same ever happens to the Classics version.
Weapons:
Only the one. But the one that matters. Two words. Arm Cannon!
Overall:
Classics Megatron is an essential purchase from this line. He's big, he does his namesake justice and he's just one of the nicest Megatron molds ever. A must have.
Notes:
Megatron doesn't have a rub sign.
Score: 4.5/5
Irrespective of where you sit in the Transformers camp, there is simply no denying how utterly fantastic the Classics line was. Okay so it's evolved into the Universe line now, but the Classics toys are still the ultimate, and dare I say perfect, retooling of all of those Generation One figures and toys that people hold so dear.
The Universe line has suffered from poor production and inconsistant quality, and by comparison, it's the much weaker offspring of the Classics toys.
Though the line had it's share of repainted toys and annoying Minicon packs, what we got were some core toys that have re-written the book on the Transformers product line, in my opinion.
A flagship character, and an obvious choice, Megatron is leader of the Decepticon forces.
Megatron - Gun Mode
Megatron, a bit of a controversial character when it comes to any designs that occur to this character. And why would things be different this time around. The green and purple Generation 2 tank is a fence sitter, the Armada version is a disappointment and forget about the movie one being in everyone's collection(although, the newer ROTF edition is making the 2007 version a bit of a collectors item).
The Classics version of Megatron is a bright, almost garish representation of the ultimate Decepticon commander and initially received a tepid response, where as the more cartoon accurate, but equally garish because of it's shiney finish, Henkeii version is in high demand. I guess this review is sorta of a "buried treasure" type of review for an under appreciated toy.
That being said, fan reaction is what it is and whether you like it or not, Megatron transforms into a gun, for the first time since the original toy. There have been pretenders to the gun throne what with Shockwave(nice but not quite nice enough), Galvatron(more campy ray-gun than stylish shooter) and Sixshot(interesting but not quite good enough). But really, there can be only one gun Decepticon.
Hasbro have finally caved and delivered us a gun format Megatron toy. FINALLY. And where the original Megatron had the design stylings only a mother could love, this new Decepticon leader is a vast improvement in one or two very distinctive ways.
First of all, he's what looks like a Socom MK23 minus the silencer attachment but including a scope mounted on the top of the barrell casing. And he fits nicely into the hand. There's some nice weight to him in this mode. The mold is beautiful and really looks like a threatening weapon fit to suit the leader of the Decepticons.
The colours here are something of a dividing line with alot of fans, if memory serves correctly. Dropping the silver motif of the original toy, we now have a matte bright grey-white as the base colour, with purple highlights on the bullet chamber near the front of the barrell casing, the grips, and where the arms are clipped into place at the front and back. Additionally, purple is used on the large mold Decepticon symbol on the scope.
Translucent(and neon) green is used for parts of the bullet chamber and rather unfortunately, to coincide with US toy laws, large orange rings have been placed on the muzzle and forward tip of the scope. Black is the other dominant colour on this mode, which is on the grip and scope.
I like the colours in this mode. Considering the garrish paint jobs we've had on previous Megatrons - neon green and purple on the G2 tank, and neon purple on the hero version - this is a more tame and sophisticated looking colour scheme for one seriously good reason to part with your money.
Megatron - Robot Mode
A slightly fumbly transformation later, and the evil leader is ready to go mano-a-mano with Optimus Prime. Megatron stands a little taller than Optimus, primarily thanks to his wings.
The wings are a new addition to the character. What was his bullet chamber now splits in two and hangs off the robots back, in slightly large fashion, displaying alot more of the same green. The grip and underside of the gun mode flip down to become the legs, retaining the same colours as in the alt mode.
A large purple flap, hidden when in gun mode, folds forward and Megatron's head now flips up, being locked into place by the same purple flap being moved back.
Overall, the colours remain the same as gun mode when now in robot mode.
Megatron also dons his arm cannon, which to my knowldege is the first time any figure named Megatron has done since the first time round. The cannon is almost identical to the G1 version, but rather annoyingly is attached to the side of his arm, as opposed to the top. A minor issue, but one that bugs me a little. However, it's placement seems fairly wise in relation to giving us the most amount of poseability for the figure.
Also, a special note should be paid attention to the head, which looks more like the G1 version than any other toy has previously done.
And the wings. Initially off putting, but to be honest, given that the Decepticons were so militantly uniform looking in the first season of the animated show(Starscream/Thundercrack/Skywarp, the 3 robots that make up Reflector etc), I think the wings add to the Seeker/millitant feel. So much so that Cybertron Soundwave could stand proudly alongside Megs and the uninitiated might think they were part of the same line.
The toy has lot of poseability, but not nearly as much as the likes of Optimus or Mirage. The waist for instance, is fixed because it's molded as once piece with the hips etc. The joints, are however, first class. My G1 Megatron can't support his cannon upright and pointing out all that well.
I'd be surprised if the same ever happens to the Classics version.
Weapons:
Only the one. But the one that matters. Two words. Arm Cannon!
Overall:
Classics Megatron is an essential purchase from this line. He's big, he does his namesake justice and he's just one of the nicest Megatron molds ever. A must have.
Notes:
Megatron doesn't have a rub sign.
Score: 4.5/5
