General Information
Release Date: September 2024
Price Point: $24.99 (depending on retailer)
Retailer: Target Exclusive
Accessories: Helmet, Tail Armor, Wing Blasters x 2, Blasters x 2, Wing Armor x 2
Official images and text in italics are from Amazon.com
- MOVIE-INSPIRED 2-IN-1 CONVERTING TRANSFORMERS TOY: Inspired by the Transformers One movie, the Megatron/D-16 Transformers action figure converts from robot to Cybertronian tank mode for awesome 2-in-1 play
- MEGATRON-D-16 FIGURE: The 5-inch (14 cm) Transformers figure Megatron/D-16 figure can change from a robot toy to a Cybertronian tank toy in 11 steps
- DECEPTICON WHIRLWING FIGURE: The Decepticon Whirlwing figure changes from robot mode to alt mode in 3 steps
- RACE AND BLAST PLAY: Convert both figures to alt mode and launch into racing, blasting play
- TRANSFORMERS ACTION FIGURES: Transformers movie figures make a great gift for boys and girls ages 6 and up who love robot toys. Look for more Transformers toys (each sold separately, subject to availability) to build your collection
- ICONIC TRANSFORMERS MOVIE CHARACTERS: Transformers One is the untold origin story of Optimus Prime and Megatron, once friends bonded like brothers, who changed the fate of Cybertron forever
Experience the epic origins of legendary Transformers robots with the Transformers One Race and Blast action figure! This 5.5-inch (14 cm) Megatron/D-16 figure converts from robot to Cybertronian tank mode in 11 steps. It comes with the Decepticon Whirlwing figure that converts from robot to alt mode in 3 steps. Kids can convert both figures to alt mode and launch it from the tank for fun blasting play. The figures are inspired by iconic characters from the Transformers movie, Transformers One. Movie-inspired interactive toys like this Megatron/D-16 toy make cool gifts for boys and girls ages 6 and up. Transformers One is the untold origin story of Optimus Prime and Megatron, once friends bonded like brothers, who changed the fate of Cybertron forever.
TRANSFORMERS and HASBRO and all related trademarks and logos are trademarks of Hasbro, Inc. Copyright 2024 Paramount Pictures Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Includes 2 figures, 8 accessories, and instructions. Figure scale: 5.5 inches Ages 6 and up WARNING: CHOKING HAZARD - Small parts and small ball.
Background:
Upon being given a Transformation Cog by Alpha Trion, D-16 would quickly discover his alt-mode: a tank! This fast and powerful vehicle featured a cannon with incredible destructive capability. There are a few different D-16/Megatron toys released in 2024 (including a Studio Series figure) but one figure stands out as being a rather unusual interpretation of the Decepticon leader. Released as a Target exclusive, this two pack features D-16/Megatron and a Mini-Con named Whirlwing.
These are not brand new tools/sculpts. Instead, the designers went back to the era of Robots in Disguise (2015) to mine for figures to use. There, they chose Overload as the base-tooling for Megatron while Whirlwing is a redeco of the Mini-Con Hammer. Megatron is a significant retool and redeco of Overload, but it's still worth it to check out that review before this one. This review will focus on the changes made to the Overload sculpt for this release. I will however go into more detail about Whirlwing since I never reviewed Hammer.
Packaging:
Megatron/D-16 (as he is described on the packaging) is in a rectangular box with a wide open window. The background has a lot of the blue and purple tones seen on other Transformers One packaging. Megatron is in robot mode, taking up most of the space while Whirlwing is hanging out in beast mode on the upper left hand corner (if you're facing the box). The right side has the vertical Transformers logo in red while the Transformers One logo is smaller and set towards the bottom. Next to the Transformers One logo is a render of Megatron in vehicle mode from the film. The box below that has "Megatron/D-16" and "Decepticon Whirlwing" inside of it.
The back of the box features Megatron/D-16 in both modes along with Whirlwing. The box calls out an 11 step transformation for Megatron while Whirlwing's is 3 steps. Both figures have Decepticon symbols next to their names, chronologically placing this set towards the end of the events in the film (if we assume this represents cannon in any way).
Robot Mode:
While the packaging for this figure describes it as "Megatron/D-16" I think I will keep things simple and just refer to it as Megatron. As mentioned above, this figure is a heavy retool and redeco of Robots in Disguise Overload. Since Overload transformed into a tank with a cannon on top, I can see how a designer could see it as being a good foundation for Megatron himself. Here's the rundown on what has been changed between Overload and this figure:
- Head: The head sculpt is new, featuring Megatron's "final" head design as it appears in the film with angles on his "helmet" section as opposed to the rounder helmet seen earlier in the film.
- Torso: Much of the torso features new tooling to match Megatron's appearance in Transformers One. This includes some angled chest armor panels, the angled sections that look like "vents" under his chest and the "control panel" detail in the middle. The details look great and evoke the character's appearance in the film.
- Fusion Cannon: Overload's cannon has been replaced with Megatron's iconic Fusion Cannon. It features a large piece, round section in the back, a blocky area in the middle and finally a cannon barrel. The big difference between the on-screen version of Megatron and this one (in terms of the cannon) is that the weapon is mounted on his left arm instead of the right.
- Lower Legs: The lower legs feature a different design than Overload's. The lower leg pieces have knee armor that comes up at an angle over the thighs a bit. They also have an indented line going down the middle on each lower leg. These were absent on Overload. That said, the feet formed by the treads are still the same as Overload's.
So it is fair to ask - does this retool work or does it just look like Overload doing Megatron cosplay? Honestly it totally works for me. A lot of this is owed to the head and torso being retooled and while the arms are the same as Overload, they have this bulkiness to them that totally recalls Megatron's appearance in the film. Yes you have to kind of let go of certain things like his cannon being on his left arm, but overall it works, especially for a figure aimed at a younger audience and not hardcore collectors who demand screen accuracy.
This figure is mostly made up of silver and black plastic. Paint details are done in gunmetal grey, red, silver and purple. These are all classic colors for Megatron and they come together beautifully. The red in particular really pops on his torso and eyes.
Megatron has two points of articulation: his arms which are on ball joints and move up and down. If you want to be generous, you can count his legs swinging out as well. Keep in mind, the point of this base design was not to be a very well articulated figure. Instead, the "Deployer" mechanism was the main gimmick and that remains the same for this figure. While not emphasized on the packaging, you can attach Mini-Cons like Whirlwing to his shoulders in their "weapon" modes (aka the "ball" modes).
Transformation to Vehicle Mode:
- Detach any Mini-Cons and set them aside for now.
- Swivel the cannon on his left arm out.
- Push the head forward and down (at an angle) so the face is hidden.
- Swivel the arms up so the sides of the shoulders are facing forward.
- Clip the ends of the forearms to the small tabs on the sides of the lower legs.
- Swing the legs out, then swing the lower legs in.
- On the back of each leg, swing out and straighten out the tank treads and clip the front of them in place.
- Swing the launcher piece on the back forward.
- Swing the treads back.
- Make sure the trigger mechanism on the cannon is attached to the Mini-Con launcher mechanism.
Vehicle Mode:
This tank mode is definitely not screen accurate, but it is kind of an "H Tank" in shape but instead of having his turret in the middle it is located off to the side. The tank is also significantly bulkier looking than Megatron's tank form in the film. This mode mostly shows off details that carried over from Overload but significant changes show on the robot chest section, the Fusion Cannon and the legs in front. This is one of those cases where I will forgive the lack of screen accuracy because this tank looks cool and it is designed around the launcher mechanism in front.
This mode consolidates a lot of the silver color but since so much of the robot mode shows here the paint colors including black, silver and red pop here and there. These smaller painted areas keep this tank mode from looking dull.
There are five tiny wheels on the bottom of the vehicle so it can roll across a smooth surface. The main action feature of this vehicle is the launcher in the front of the vehicle. Fit Whirlwing into the launcher in weapon mode (the ball shaped mode). Then press the silver button on the Fusion Cannon and the launcher pushes Whirlwing out pretty far! I'd say the Mini-Con easily went about 6 inches before smacking into something on my table. The feature has nothing to do with the film, but it is fun! I mentioned above that Megatron's shoulders have tabs on them to attach Mini-Cons (specifically the ball shaped ones from the 2015 Robots in Disguise series). If you have extras handy, you can attach them to these tabs on the back of the tank.
Beast Mode:
Whirlwing is a redeco of the Robots in Disguise Mini-Con Hammer. The Mini-Con's beast mode is a small dragon. The alt-mode is a saw toothed ball (that presumably rolls at and cuts up enemies) so several parts on this figure have serrated looking edges such as the neck, tail and wings. On top of those details there are some really nice line details on the figure, especially the on the wings.
This figure is made up of metallic light blue and metallic dark blue plastic. In beast mode there are no visible paint applications but there is a purple Decepticon symbol on the bottom of the tail which becomes more obvious in weapon mode.
Technically speaking there are two points of articulation on this figure: the edges of the wings which can swing forward and back. Now, when you transform the figure several parts move at the same time, but I'm not really counting that as articulation. The gimmick of these Mini-Cons in Robots in Disguise involved translucent armor pieces that could attach to them in both modes. In this case Whirlwing has seven accessories all made of translucent purple plastic:
- Head/Neck Armor: This curved piece covers the head and neck featuring a blade in the front and layered armor along the neck.
- Blasters (small): There are two small blasters with square shaped barrels. These attach to the front of the wings.
- Dual Barreled Cannons: There are two blasters with two barrels. These each attach to the top of the wings.
- Wing Armor: Each wing can fit a small armor piece on the edge featuring curved, layered armor.
- Tail Armor: The end of the tail can fit a piece of armor that has two pointed bits sticking out in the back, looking almost like tail blades.
Transformation to Weapon Mode:
- You can leave the accessories on during transformation but I prefer to take them off as one or two pieces will inevitably fall off during transformation.
- Push the wing edges in.
- Rotate the end of the tail around.
- Push the head down. This will cause the wings to swing in and the tail to move up. Press all the parts together.
Weapon Mode:
The weapon mode is a ball with serrated blades on two sides. You can imagine if this was rolling at you it would be quite threatening! If you leave the accessories attached, the blades look extra threatening and you can imagine him floating around firing his blaster weapons.
Final Thoughts:
I find this two pack rather quirky and surprising. I honestly never thought we'd see the Overload tooling used again even for a retool. This figure is not for everyone. Generations collectors probably won't be interested in it, but it makes for a really fun toy for younger fans and older fans who want a figure with a fun gimmick. Recommended.
Pros:
- Extensive retooling.
- Nice deco.
- Fun gimmick.
Cons:
- Limited articulation.
- The figure is based around a gimmick, so don't expect a Generations style figure.
