Megatron

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Megatron Review

-Submitted by: Omegus Prime

Since July of 2003, Takara has been releasing the World's Smallest Transformers, toys made as convenience store items that are shrunken down versions of original G1 toys. Packaged like trading cards, you don't know which you got until you open it. When Wave 1 featured Optimus Prime but no Megatron, fans were upset, but wouldn't have to wait long. Wave 2 came and offered up Smallest Megatron. Originally his attachments were to come as a chase figure, but for one reason or another, the idea was scrapped and Megs gets his arm cannon. This review is based on the Wave 2.5 version which is identical to the Wave 2 version.

Alternate Mode

At two and a half inches long from barrel tip to back of the handle you might mistake Megs for a gun-shaped novelty lighter.

As a gun, Megatron always stood out from other Transformers and in this series that's no different. he's rather monochrome in this mode, the plastic mostly silver with black at the handle. As with most TFs, and with the original Megatron, most of the toy's detail comes from molded detailing. In this department, Megatron's hit and miss. At certain parts he mimmicks the original very well, over the trigger and around the handle in particular, the grip grooves intact. No attempt was made to mark the type of gun it was as the original version does, however, leaving a blank spot in the middle. The detailing around it, in the scope and main section in particular, is enough to detract from the blank area. The detailing on the main section, however, is quite impressive. The swirling line decal that goes onto Megatron's chest is intact with Decepticon symbol in the middle and looks excellent. The molded detail also includes the grip at the base of the handle where the original toy's stock would go, showing this toy was indeed intended to have it's parts.

Now it has some glaring flaws, unfortunately. Red detail can be seen in this mode that's very visible against the silver and black. These parts replace the small parts used in the original version's transformation and couldn't fit internally. Also, behind the trigger the gap is filled in, helping to hold the robot mode together, but at the least it could have been done in black to make the trigger stand out. Worse is only one side of this toy is presentable, flip it over and the other side lacks a great deal of detail and includes an even more glaring red piece. As I said, hit and miss gun mode.

Robot Mode

Transformation, amazingly, is almost the same as the full sized version, with just the hands on a hinge instead of being pushed out. I will note here that in some shots you'll see him transformed as the main toy is, torso elevated a bit. Accomplishing this requires pulling on a slide joint that is very tight, too tight to pull into position without pulling the piece off completely. Risk it if you choose.

I was amazed to find the transformation was exactly the same as the normal Megatron as I was surprised at how complicated that toy was for being 20 years old. This is a massive credit to the engineres, but hinders the toy somewhat, more later. The robot mode is excellently detailed, all of it molded in aside from the torso decal brought from gun mode. The upper legs use a shade of grey instead of the silver plastic used for the rest of the toy, seperating themselves as the original did. The inner legs and arms also expose red as the original toy had, adding color to the monochrome figure. The head is also done just as the original was, looking as meanacing as the original toy. You can leave his cannon on or take it off, it's held on by a simple peg that's far less annoying than the slide clip the original uses. Simply put, in this mode, it's an excellent representation of Megatron.

Now, drawbacks. As I said, the transformation is masterful but costly. The complex transformation and torso problems leaves this figure very loose, it has a hard time holding itself in this mode. There is one trick, if you leave the torso down the tab hanging down from it can snap onto a groove in the midsection to lock the chest in place, though. But it only hurts the second problem, the gun barrel. Now matter how you position it, it hinders the toy's right arm badly, putting it to point forward hinders the right leg keeping it's feet from holding a good balancing position. If you have the cannon attached it's even harder to balance this figure, the wobbly joints dont help hold it in place either.

Overall

While Megatron looks very cool and a worthy Smallest TF, it's a case of being too perfect in engineering. A few shortcuts in the transformation and it might have been simplified to a point where it could have been made more sturdy or the barrel wasn't such a problem. Still, if you're a fan of Megs this won't disappoint.

Additional Megatron Resources