General Information
Release Date: June 2023
Price Point: $54.99 (depending on retailer)
Retailer: General Release (Amazon, BigBadToyStore, Entertainment Earth, Target, Walmart etc.)
Accessories: Cannon Barrel
Official images and text in italics are from Amazon.com:
- CELEBRATE THE LEGACY: Transformers Legacy Evolution celebrates the last 40 years of Transformers history. The Armada Universe Megatron action figure is inspired by the Transformers: Armada animated series
- 2 EPIC MODES: Transformers action figure converts from robot to tank mode in 23 steps. Features articulated cannon barrel in tank mode
- AWESOME ACCESSORIES: This Armada Universe Megatron toy for 8 year old boys and girls comes with a Fusion Cannon accessory that attaches to the figure in both modes
- EVOLVE THE BATTLE: Transformers toy robots are upgraded with Evo-Fusion battle features! Evolve the battle by converting the tank barrel into a chest-mounted Fusion Cannon
- REVEAL TECH SPECS: Scan the code on each package to reveal character tech specs! Collect other Transformers figures to discover facts and abilities (each sold separately, subject to availability)
The battle is evolving with the Transformers Legacy Evolution Armada Universe Megatron action figure! Megatron will stop at nothing until he is the most powerful being in the universe. Transformers toys are upgraded with Evo-Fusion technology! Experience the evolution and convert the tank barrel into a chest-mounted Fusion Cannon to prepare for battle! Celebrate the last 40 years of Transformers history with Transformers Legacy action figures for boys and girls. Transformers Legacy opens the portal to a whole new universe of More Than Meets the Eye, bringing together every generation of Transformers like you’ve never seen before. Collect and combine different characters to create your ideal Legacy lineup. Transformers and all related characters are trademarks of Hasbro. Hasbro and all related terms are trademarks of Hasbro.
Background:
In 2002 the Transformers underwent a full media and toy reboot. A whole new universe (which would come to be known as "The Unicron Trilogy") was introduced. This trilogy began with the Armada series. Armada stepped back from an emphasis on organic, curved looking robots with high articulation to focusing on action features, many of which were activated by attaching smaller Transformers known as Mini-Cons. This series featured a new version of Decepticon leader Megatron. His design was completely revamped looking nothing like his G1 or G2 counterparts. As part of Legacy Evolution Armada Megatron has returned as a Leader Class figure.
Packaging:
Armada Megatron is packaged in the standard Legacy box design. The box is roughly rectangular with an angle on the top and side. Being a Leader Class figure, Megatron is in a closed box with his artwork taking up most of the front of the box. The artwork shows Megatron in both modes. The graphics are very similar to previous years of Legacy boxes with blue and purple tones. On the left side is a box referencing the "Armada Universe" with Megatron's name under it. The Legacy Evolution logo is under artwork of Megatron's vehicle form. The left side of the box (if you are facing it) features the robot mode art.
The back of the box shows Megatron in both modes calling out an 23 step transformation. Off to the right is a box showing off his "Full Blast Mode" as his "Evo-Fusion" feature. Off to the left is another box showing how his cannon barrel can attach to his wrist. To fit this figure into the box Megatron is packaged in vehicle mode, which is a rarity nowadays.
Accessories:
Megatron includes one of the least exciting accessories in recent Transformers history: the end of the tank barrel. It is made of gunmetal grey plastic and attaches to the cannon base. The end has an opening that can fit Blast Effects. If you swing the either of the fists into the forearms you reveal 5mm pegs at the wrist so you can attach this piece as if he transformed his fist into a cannon. And...that's it. It is very unfortunate that no Mini-Con is included with this figure. I would have been happy with a simple PVC slug with a hinge at the hips or something. Not having an update of the Leader-1 Mini-Con feels like something is missing.
Vehicle Mode:
Armada Megatron (who I will just call "Megatron" going forward) is a scifi "H" tank in vehicle mode. The designers did not try to reinvent the wheel here. Instead they used the original Armada Megatron toy as the foundation of this design. This is a double edged sword, but let's focus on the aesthetics first. Like the original Armada Megatron, this vehicle features a ton of cool detailing. This includes "headlights" in the front and similar lights on the turret. The middle of the turret has a hatch cover and the back of the vehicle has a lot of mechanical detailing in the same places as the original Armada Megatron. In between the two front treads is what looks like a claw (but really is the robot head with its "antlers/horns" that looks like claws).
The deco in this mode is fantastic. The main plastic colors in this mode are green, black and gunmetal grey. Paint colors include orange, black, yellow, silver, gunmetal grey and purple. The deco on this figure is really intricate. He looks spectacular. The designers resisted the urge to do a Bulkhead style "conversion" into the Legacy universe. Instead, they just took the aesthetics of the original figure and improved upon them.
So let me drop the other shoe here. The original Armada Megatron had a bunch of play features in vehicle mode. When you look at this figure you will see parts sculpted in that look like this figure has those features but it does not. Here's a rundown of what the original figure could do that this figure cannot:
- The main tank turret was able to fire a missile. Here there is no firing capability (instead you can attach Blast Effects).
- The twin blasters were actually twin missiles that could angle forward. Here they can only point upward, not forward.
- On the right side forward tread there is a rectangular strip. On the original Megatron this section had a Mini-Con peg allowing you to attach a Mini-Con. This piece could then swing forward to "launch" the Mini-Con. Here it is just one solid sculpted piece.
- The "claw" in between the two front treads was made to "grab" Mini-Cons, but on this figure the "claws" pop off really easily do you can't really simulate the "grab".
- On the left side, forward tread there are three trapezoid shaped panels that look like they are on hinges. On the original Armada Megatron they are hinged and actually have attachment points for Mini-Cons. Here they are just sculpted details that cannot move which I find sad.
- On the side of the rear, right side tread section the original Armada Megatron had a small ramp that would fold out for a Mini-Con to deploy complete with a claw to capture it. The beveled section that would be this ramp is sculpted into the figure but it cannot move.
- On the side of the rear, left side tread section, the original Armada Megatron had a compartment to "store" a Mini-Con. Once again this piece is sculpted into this figure but it is non-functional.
Okay, so you may ask - what can this figure do? Well, the turret can turn side to side (but not in a complete circle). The cannon can be moved up and down. There are wheels on the bottom of the treads and there are seven 5mm ports to attach accessories. To be fair, you can also attach some of the Micromasters that came out during the Siege era to recreate the feel of Mini-Cons being attached. The twin blasters on the turret section have attachment points for Blast Effects. And well....that's it. On some other figures this may be just fine. However, for an "update" of a figure that had so much play value I cannot help but feel something is missing when I look at this figure and it's kind of a downer.
Transformation to Robot Mode:
- Flip the tank over and move the green panels on the bottom of the tank up a bit, just to disconnect them from the bottom of the tank.
- Swing each of the rear tread sections out, then down to form the robot legs.
- Swing the green panels on the legs in.
- Swing the foot and heel pieces up.
- Swing the turret out, then turn it around so it's on the back of the robot mode.
- Swing the turret back up.
- Swing the two purple panels on the bottom of the two front tread sections up.
- On the sides of the front tread sections, swing out the side panels.
- Under the newly revealed arms are two black sections. Swing those down.
- Swing the arms out and swing the side panels back in place.
- Swing the two purple panels back down.
- Swing the arms down at the shoulder hinges.
- Swing the fists out from the forearms.
- The cannon can be swing under either arm to point forward.
Robot Mode:
Megatron uses the original Armada Megatron figure's design as its foundation. He has a distinct silhouette which includes large tank treads extending up from his shoulders, giant horns attached to his head and a very narrow waist/pelvis area that then widens at the hips, thighs and lower legs. The proportions have been reworked a bit to make the figure look more like its animated counterpart, but the basic shape is the same. There are a ton of smaller details that come right from Armada Megatron's design including:
- The head sculpt features two huge "antler" like horns on the sides and a curved helmet section in the middle with a crest in the middle that extends upward. The helmet has sections that wrap around the sides of the face and the chin has a pronounced chin piece around it (a feature of many figures in that era of toys).
- The shoulder armor includes panels with a cross hatch design and panels with Decepticon symbols on them.
- His left fist is sculpted in a slightly open position intended for a dagger weapon (more on that later).
- The mid-body features a distinct set of overlapping armor pieces that look almost like robotic abdominal muscles.
- The lower legs both feature square sections with mechanical details inside. Each leg has different details.
- The forearms have beautifully sculpted details in them like tubes and wires.
- The feet are large and feature three triangular sections in front.
Megatron features plastic colors based on the original version including green, black, silver, purple and gunmetal grey. Paint colors include silver, purple, red, orange, black and metallic blue. For the most part these colors are distributed very much like they are on the original Armada figure. The silver is used on most of the figure including the chest, mid-body, shoulders, fae and legs. Orange is mostly focused on the top section including the edges of the antlers. Purple is used for the aforementioned Decepticon symbols on his shoulders. From an aesthetic point of view I have no notes on this figure.
There are twenty five points of articulation on this figure. This includes six on each arm and five on each leg. I'm also counting the ability of the cannon barrel to swing side to side. I was really impressed to see his hip and knee joints have really strong ratchet joints that make a satisfying clicking noise as you move them. There are eleven 5mm ports on this figure including four on each arm/shoulder piece (including the fists) and one on the side of each leg. You can rotate the tank turret on his back to the front and point the main cannon and smaller blasters forward to create the "Full Blast Mode". To do so, swing the tank turret down, then raise the arms up, move it forward to the front and then rotate the top half of the body accordingly. Unlike the original toy the turret cannot spin in a complete circle. The smaller blasters have tips that can fit Blast Effects. If you wish to try, you can try to attach Armada Leader-1 by using his arms (which are basically 5mm pegs). This mainly works in the fists and on the port on the tank turret (but it doesn't hold super firm). Finally, you can swing the chest panel down to reveal a face shield that swings out. Swing the chest panel back up and it covers the face.
This figure is one of the unusual examples of a modern day reinterpretation of a figure from decades ago that is actually less fun than its predecessor. Now, don't get me wrong, the articulation on this figure is several levels above the original figure. However, this figure is missing many play features of the original. Here's a rundown of features you'll find in the original figure that are absent in this mode:
- The left arm had a dagger inside that would slide out into his hand.
- The cannon could fire a missile.
- The figure had multiple pegs to attach Mini-Cons.
That's a lot of play value lost. Perhaps I'm being unfair by hoping for Mini-Con pegs since you can attach Siege Micromasters, but the designers had to know that fans were going to dig Leader-1 Mini-Cons out of storage to attach to this one but there's no way to do so.
Final Thoughts:
If we were in some alternate timeline where I never experienced the fun of the original Armada Megatron figure, I think I'd be pretty happy with this figure. It looks great in both modes, it does have some play features and it has good articulation. The problem is we don't live in that timeline and I generally do not expect Generations versions of figures from previous eras to be downgrades from the original figures but that's what this one feels like. I understand that profit margins are difficult to work with when it comes to action figures so the designers had to work within certain limitations but this figure really suffers for it. For $55 USD I just expect more. Not recommended.
Pros:
- Excellent sculpt.
- Beautiful deco.
- Good articulation.
Cons:
- No Mini-Con included.
- Lacks a majority of the action features of the original Armada figure (and that's a lot).
- Even if you dig out your Armada Leader-1 figure there is nowhere to attach it.
