General Information
Release Date: March 2021
Price Point: $9.99 (depending on retailer)
Retailer: General Release (Amazon, BigBadToyStore, Entertainment Earth, Target, Walmart etc.)
Accessories: Blaster
Official images and text in italics are from Amazon.com
- DISCOVER KINGDOM: Worlds collide when the Maximals and Predacons join the fight, coming together with the Autobots and Decepticons in an epic battle that will alter their destiny forever
- 3.5-INCH CORE CLASS SCALE: This collectible figure stands at the new Core Class scale and depicts the brutal Decepticon leader, Megatron! The 3.5-inch mini-figure allows fans to collect a mini version of the iconic character to pose out with other Megatron figures at larger scales! (Each sold separately, subject to availability.)
- CLASSIC EARTH MODE: This Core Class Megatron toy converts to his classic Earth tank mode with a swivel turret in 12 steps
- CLASSIC G1 ACCESSORY: Comes with Fusion Cannon and blaster accessories. Blaster accessory is inspired by the G1 alt mode of Megatron and can connect to his Fusion Cannon accessory
- GREAT GIFT: This 3.5-inch Megatron makes a great gift for kids and adults!
Optimus Prime was one of the characters in the first wave of Core Class figures in Kingdom, so it is no surprise that his nemesis, Megatron would be in the second wave. This time out Megatron is a 3.5 inch (about 8.89 cm) tall figure, making him a kind of descendent of the old Legends Class. This figure features Megatron turning into a tank, which is pretty much his default alt-mode nowadays. However, the designers made it a point to appeal to Old Skool fans as well with its design resulting in an interesting little figure.
Accessory:
If it is possible to be excited (or at the very least amused) by an accessory this one will do it. Megatron comes with a gun/blaster, but not just any gun. The design of this weapon is deliberately shaped to look like the Walther P-38 pistol that served as the alt-form of G1 Megatron! As most fans know, United States laws around toys make creating a Megatron figure that transforms into a gun difficult at best, hence Hasbro defaulting for years to a tank as his alt-mode. However, this weapon features all the distinctive parts of the Walther weapon including a sight on top, a short stock in the back and there is even a curved trigger on the bottom! The weapon has a 3mm peg allowing Megatron to essentially hold "himself" in weapon mode, something I find very amusing.
Robot Mode:
Like so many Megatron figures released in the last few years the designers at Hasbro used the G1 Megatron design as a foundation but then built on top of it with tank parts. Here are the G1 elements:
- The head sculpt looks like it came right out of the G1 cartoon and comic books. He features a distinctive "helmet" section with a crease in the middle and a face that has a distinctive brow over the eyes.
- The chest is rectangular with three distinctive vertical lines on either side.
- The mid-body area features vent-like designs and a square "control panel" in the middle with designs that look like buttons.
- The front of his hip area has distinctive shapes sculpted into it. These were present on the animation model used in the G1 cartoon.
- The legs look a lot like the ones drawn in the cartoon and comic books from the 80's, down to the curved section in front and the feet having trapezoid shapes on them.
- Megatron's right arm has his signature Fusion Cannon mounted onto it and unlike most Megatron figures it is permanently attached and not a separate accessory.
Looking for more G1 callbacks? Take his gun accessory and attach it to his back on the right side and it simulates the look of his gun barrel being mounted on his back from G1!
Of course, this is not a pure G1 design. His back has large tank treads on them and the legs also have treads on them. His arms are also more square and detailed than the ones drawn in the G1 animation model. This gives him a good balance of smoother parts (like the chest) and more detailed sections like the arms.
Megatron is made up of black and gunmetal grey plastic. Silver paint is used extensively on parts like his torso, head and even his fists. Other colors used include red, purple, light blue and yellow. I was very happy with his deco. The designers did a good job of contrasting colors and kept the figure from looking dull.
There are twelve points of articulation on this figure. This includes two ball joints on each arm and leg. He also has waist articulation and the Fusion Cannon can spin around. I am totally cheating here a bit as I am counting the ability of his right wrist to turn as part of his transformation. As mentioned earlier you can attach his blaster to his back or you can place it in one of his hands.
Transformation to Vehicle Mode:
- Detach the weapon and set them aside for now.
- Straighten out the arms and legs.
- Turn the robot head around.
- Swing the treads on the back up and over.
- Rotate the Fusion Cannon up.
- Swing the arms (and the panels they are attached to) together to form the tank turret. Use the peg on the left arm to connect to the port in the Fusion Cannon.
- Rotate the right wrist so the black panel sides over the forearm, making it look even with the other forearm.
- Push the front tank treads up.
- Rotate the lower robot body around.
- Swing each lower leg out, then swing it up and snap it into place to form the rear half of the tank treads.
- Attach the blaster accessory to the front of the Fusion Cannon barrel.
Vehicle Mode:
Megatron's tank mode is not really where this figure shines but it does the job. The main body of the tank is wide and powerful looking and there is a lot of wonderful sculpted detail including the wheels on the treads and armored panels in front. The turret leaves a bit to be desired partly because it relies on the gun accessory to serve as the cannon barrel. It works but winds up looking kind of stubby. That said, this tank mode has one huge advantage over its larger cousins: it can move. The turret is actually able to turn in a circle and the Fusion Cannon can move up and down, which adds to play value. He also has two extra ports towards the back allowing you to attach additional weapons from other Core Class figures.
This mode is mostly black and gunmetal grey plastic but the treads have a ton of silver paint on them. I would have liked a tad more paint on the turret and tank body but I can't complain about the actual amount of paint used on the figure.
Final Thoughts:
I really like this pocket sized Megatron figure. While his tank mode may not be the strongest alt-mode ever, it is functional and fun to play with and the robot mode is excellent. I love his "Mini-me" accessory too! Recommended.
Pros:
- Excellent robot mode sculpt.
- Awesome accessory.
- Good articulation.
- Good play value in both modes.
Cons:
- Needs a tad more paint in vehicle mode.
- The tank barrel is a bit too short.
