Megatron, Galvatron, Shockwave, and to a lesser extent Sixshot. These are the bots that cross that taboo territory of gun alt-modes and Hasbro has not dared go near those alt-modes since their original toys 30 years ago. While I absolutely loath the easy solution of making these bots into tanks, jets, or other vehicles, I would be perfectly happy with a gun mode that wasn't so realistic that a cop might think it's real if I step outside with it. That said, I'm NO fan of the Classics nerf style winged Megatron; (Though I dislike the wings far more than the nerf aspect.) Let's discuss these controversial bots and how we might maintain the spirit of the characters whilst playing nice with today's "toy gun laws." We'll go from easiest to most controversial bot: Sixshot: TR Sixshot doesn't have the traditional gun mode from the G1 version in an official capacity, but it does appear to be very doable nonetheless. I think we can just check him off the list. Galvatron: Also successful, the TR Galvatron pulled off the G1 character even better than the original toy. I could do without the jet mode though. The opposite of masterpiece... Shockwave: I honestly don't get why Shockwave's gun mode is never revisited. Yes, there's the CW legends mini-Shockwave, but cmon... Shockwave is supposed to be a towering presence. In any case, I don't think anyone would mistake a purple hexagonal space gun for a real firearm. If we really must get away from the handgun concept, I've always thought of Shockwave as a big space cannon--even bigger than Galvatron. Something like this: Although of course more purple and hexagon-ish. Megatron Now we get to the hardest sell. The original G1 Megatron alt-mode flat out will not fly in 2016, and as mentioned at the beginning of this post, I'm fine with not risking a megatron being mistaken for a real gun and the resulting consequences. So how do we maintain the spirit of the original gun mode without taking the easy route of just making Megatron a tank/jet ? Well one third party bot maker came up with a gun alt-mode that I think would really do the job: This Megatron figure is actually more TF Prime inspired, but still it does the job quite well. The more mechanical aesthetic makes him look more menacing while at the same time not looking like a real firearm. The other thought is, how can we maintain that same gun mode spirit in a form that stays away from the handgun concept entirely? Although it may encroach on Galvatron's territory a little bit, I was thinking something like a Howitzer: There's also a lot of room here to make it a more menacing gun and maybe add the functionality to be useable as an arm cannon for another Decepticon.
The problem with gun modes is that they don't really have to look like a real gun to get some kid shot by a cop. All they really have to do is be vaguely gun-shaped in someone's hand in poor-lighted conditions. It's a shame and everything, but that's the reality we now live in. That 3P gun mode you posted looks fantastic, but I could see some kid getting shot holding that as easily as if they were holding a perfectly authentic Walther. The only time I really need a gun mode now is for the Masterpiece line. Otherwise, characters like Megatron make more in-universe practical sense having a vehicle mode anyway, imo.
I'm perfectly okay with Megatron turning into a tank or preferably a helicopter. Him having a gun mode I find stupid especially considering how he can be held by his most treacherous of servants (aka Starscream)... That and I don't see a gun mode being as threatening as a tank mode. (Also, we need a Browning retool from either NERF CHUG Megatron or Titans Return Megatron) And if it means getting a bigger CHUG Shockwave, why not base him on Heart of Steel Shockwave? Give him like a boat mode, or heck give him an orbital space station mode that can at least pass as a space gun if your looking for a space gun mode... I'm not, I'd rather get a CHUG Shockwave that turns into either a boat, tank, or jet. Seeing the design of Galvatron in the current IDW comics, I kind of want to see that happen in toy form. I'm happy with Titans Return Galvatron but THAT design, that would be the perfect Galvatron figure if done right.
Yeah, this. Hasbro could try to be totally in the clear with a nerfy megatron slathered in bright orange paint all over. All it takes is for one wise ass 14 year old to spray paint it black and flash it at cops. Not even that, as the quoted poster says. As an alternative, how about this? Yeah, like the one good thing in an execrable cartoon. I love the size, I love the space rifle design. That's why I think it could work: Go big and outlandish. Yeah a toy wouldn't be that big. Even leader class couldn't do this design justice. But I like it.
As someone that grew up with the original Browning and G1 Megatron I still believe they are amazing toys. Back then we ran around with them and other realistic guns and just "shot" each other up all over the neighborhood. It was great fun. Unfortunately in today's US, giving a child one of these toys would be very unwise and risky depending on where you live. I still love the Gun Bots but would not give a realistic looking one to a child to go out into the gun-paranoid streets to play with.
As long as Hasbro actually sells Nerf blasters, what's stopping them from releasing Transformers figures that turn into weapons that look just like Nerf blasters?
That 3p gun mode looks awesome. I dont really need Megs to be a gun, but i'd prefer a space tank to an earth tank. If only boldforms Gladius had been a voyager He would have been my perfect chug Megatron: a spacetank mode for pre earth times, a gun for when he wakes up on earth.
If Megatron turned into a gun emplacement, then they had better work out a way for him to fully integrate into bigger robots like the forthcoming Titan Class Trypticon. But then ironically that would make Megatron a glorified Minicon himself...
It might be worth stating here that Hasbro's decisions have largely been based upon the current state of the USA, rather than other countries. In Japan, and no doubt, the UK and many other countries, the lack of guns and the idiots that wield them mean that such toys are not an issue/problem.
Again, Hasbro sells Nerf blasters. A Transformers figure that transforms into a weapon with aesthetics and a color scheme that's fine for Nerf shouldn't be a problem.
As long as it doesn't result in a bot with wings, I agree! Also, just deferring to a vehicle mode is a lazy solution. There are plenty of options that remain true to what they were going for in G1 without having an actual handgun mode. Besides there are already Autobot & Decepticon tank bots, (and helicopters, and a jillion jets.) We don't need the clutter that already exists with all the jet repaints.
I see no reason why they couldn't make a leader-class Shockwave that would have NERF proportions in gun mode. Of all of them, that would be the most appropriate, IMO.
I LOVE THAT DESIGN. We've talked about this a hundred times over. I think the best compromise Hasbro and Takara could do is give all these guys a "submarine" mode. Like what's happening with TR Sixshot. I've always been a hardcore "Megatron as a gun is AWESOME" type of fan but the funny thing is that I have really fallen in love with the recent non-gun Megatrons. I really dig CW Megs and TR Triplechanger Megs. So my point is, I would find it more "palatable" when a former Gun-Bot loses their gun-mode but gains a great alternate alt-mode. I like the robot mode that Shockwave got in 2012 for his generations figure but the alt-mode was lacking IMO. If HasTak is not going to give us a gun-mode, at least make the alt-mode really good. Oh and pretty much this too. It's just the reality of modern life.
Don't forget Quickswitch! He also had a gun mode. Also, RtS Legends Megatron had a realistic gun mode, just at a small scale. But yeah, if you can't go gun, I like the howitzer type alt mode. Shockwave had one in the 2007 movie video game:
I'd like a retool of nerf Megatron as Action master Treadshot. The Gig toy that Treadshot is based on has long been a grail of mine. Quite a few gun guys when you think about it: Megatron Megaplex Galvatron Shockwave Browning Sixshot Greatshot Quickswitch Six knight Treadshot
Galvatron doesn't really need his gun mode anyhow, I think it was mentioned once in the Marvel comic and never in the cartoon. The only problem with making Megatron a howitzer or other form of semi-mobile cannon is that Galvatron already is a futuristic version (some versions even seem to have a tow hitch). Shockwave should be do-able as a space ship or something if the legs can somehow form wings on the sides of the alt mode, though I'd prefer him to get an earth mode as an apache-style helicopter. +-MWG-+
I fell in love with Transformers because of things like MEGATRON transforming in to a WALTHER - P38 UNCLE , some thing about being a gun just seemed to up the anty in comparison to his Decepticon minions forms ..... And the whole it being ridiculous for a bot to turn in to a gun arguement is silly , I mean if an alian is all so a robot , and can shape shift its parts around in to a disquise , then why is it obsurd for it to some how defy the rest of our laws on earth ? Idk , but I do know I heart GUN BOTS !
I'd be okay with more "submarines" being made if it means being able to satisfy my need for more, uh, "submarine" bots.
The question I have is why don't parents teach their kids not to flash weapons towards police or anything like that. As a kid of the 80's, many kids played soldiers, cowboys and Indians, cops and robbers, etc... and it was extremely rare to to hear about a kid to flash weapons at law enforcement. I was sternly taught at a young age not to act like a fool to police and that guns are dangerous in real life. I was allowed to play with toy guns as long as I respected what they could do. My kids are going to learn about gun safety at a young age and not act like fucking idiots. Anyways, there is nothing wrong with gun modes and the toys should keep it.
