General Information
Release Date: August 2023
Price Point: $34.99 (depending on retailer)
Retailer: General Release (Amazon, BigBadToyStore, Entertainment Earth, Target, Walmart etc.)
Accessories: Fusion Cannon, Mace (handle, top piece)
- TRANSFORMERS STUDIO SERIES GAMER EDITION: Transformers Studio Series is expanding into the video game universe! These collectible action figures are designed with details from Transformers video games
- 6.5-INCH SCALE MEGATRON: Transformers Studio Series 04 Gamer Edition Megatron action figure for boys and girls is highly articulated for posability and features video game-inspired deco and details
- 2 ICONIC MODES: This Voyager Class Transformers toy for 8 year old boys and girls features classic conversion between robot and Cybertronian tank modes in 21 steps
- AWESOME ACCESSORIES: Transformers figure comes with Fusion Cannon and spiked mace accessories that attach to the toy in both modes
- REMOVABLE BACKDROP: Removable backdrop displays the Megatron figure in the Secure the Station scene. Fans can use the backdrop and pose their figures in the scene with their own style
Bring your favorite action-packed moments from the Transformers video games into your collection with the Transformers Studio Series Voyager Class Gamer Edition Megatron action figure! Megatron launches a full attack on the space station, guarded by Starscream and his army. Transformers Studio Series Gamer Edition toys are collectible action figures for 8 year old boys and girls that feature video game-inspired details and accessories. Convert the action figure from robot to Cybertronian tank mode in 21 steps and pose the Megatron toy in the included Secure the Station removable backdrop scene. Transformers action figures for boys and girls make great gifts! Transformers and all related characters are trademarks of Hasbro. Hasbro and all related terms are trademarks of Hasbro.
Background:
In August 2012, High Moon Studios and Activision released "Transformers: War for Cybertron" a prestige video game taking place on Cybertron long before the Transformers came to Earth. This game was welcomed with open arms by fans who enjoyed its aesthetic and game play. You can check out the trailer below:
In an effort to expand the Studio Series sub-line, Hasbro decided to use this game as the inspiration for a new set of figures: the Gamer Edition! Other figures in this line also include Gamer Optimus Prime. This figure is based on Megatron's appearance in the first game of the series. There was a previous figure based on this design released back in 2010 as Cybertronian Megatron. However, true to the Studio Series label, this figure uses the actual CG models from the game as its foundation versus the 2010 figure which was more of an an artist's interpretation of the CG model featuring very different proportions than the in-game model.
Packaging:
Gamer Megatron is packaged in a standard rectangular Studio Series box. The box is mostly black with the vertical Transformers logo on one side. On the front on top is the "Transformers: War for Cybertron" game logo. Under that is a small open window (no plastic) showing the toy roughly from the chest up. Megatron's box art features him in robot mode and it is big compared to some other Transformers packaging, taking up over half the height of the box. Under him is a D pad from a game console and the number "04". Under that are graphics featuring the Studio Series name along with "Gamer Edition Megatron" and a Decepticon symbol. The back of the box features Megatron in both modes calling out a 21 step transformation. It also mentions the backdrop he comes with which is referred to as "Secure the Station". A photo towards the bottom shows him in front of the backdrop.
Accessories:
Gamer Megatron includes two weapons:
- Fusion Cannon: Generally any G1 inspired Megatron has some version of the Fusion Cannon on him. In the case of War for Cybertron the game designers did something interesting. Usually the cannon has a thick section in the back that leads to a slightly smaller barrel. For this game model the designers reversed this, with the back section being a tube that leads to a thicker barrel in the front that narrows as you get to the front. The game model had a gap on the sides of the cannon carved out, and they are here but they are sculpted details and not sculpted as openings on the sides. This weapon is made of silver plastic with a lot of shiny black paint on it. The cannon has 5mm ports on the front and back and a 5mm peg on the bottom.
- Mace: Megatron's Mace weapon is inspired by the mace featured in the G1 cartoon. However, instead of coming out from his forearm, this is a separate piece he can carry. It is also much larger, with the weapon actually being longer than his arms! This piece features a handle and the Mace section on top with shapes that are seemingly inspired by the angles of the Decepticon symbol. Out of the box you have to assemble these pieces but it is easy. Just slide the top of the handle into the bottom of the Mace section and you're all set! The weapon is made up of dark grey plastic with purple paint applications on the blades on top. The weapon hand a 5mm handle and a peg on the side to attach to Megatron.
Robot Mode:
Using the Megatron game model gave Hasbro a leg up in working on this figure. The 2010 figure used a lot of the key details from the game's CG model, but it changed the proportions dramatically, "bulking" him up to make him look more like the classic image of Megatron from G1. This time out Hasbro embraced Megatron's weird proportions from the game. This means his head is relatively tiny compared to the rest of the body while his arms and lower legs are big. These proportions are going to either turn you off right away or get you intrigued at its unusual design. I believe these proportions were chosen to make your eyes focus more on his upper body as the head is so small it almost disappears into the the rest of the figure. A lot of the designs on this figure seem inspired by the Decepticon symbol. Megatron's "helmet" section features the design from the top of the Decepticon symbol while his chest and arms feature triangular and angled designs that come right from the CG model. Even his legs and knee armor feature triangular shapes that suggest the top half of the Decepticon symbol. I love the concept of Megatron being the walking embodiment of the Decepticons (since he is exactly that).
Megatron is mostly made up of silver and metallic dark grey. You'll note I don't say gunmetal grey, and that is because to my eyes there is something different about the "shine" of this color versus other figures that had gunmetal grey on them. Either way, the combination of colors works perfectly for the Decepticon leader. Paint colors on the figure include silver, red, black and purple. The red is largely used for sections of his arms and chest. Purple is used on line details that look like glowing energy. Sadly, when compared to the game model he is missing a couple of these "energy" details on the chest. Still, the deco looks good, I just wish there was more of it.
There are twenty two points of articulation on this figure. This includes four in each arm and six in each leg. Each fist has a 5mm port and the right forearm has a 5mm port to attach his Fusion Cannon. There is a 5mm port on his back allowing you to store away either of his weapons. He also features a 5mm port set vertically on his right shoulder. In a nod to the game, Megatron's right forearm can be removed, revealing a 5mm peg at the elbow. You can then attach weapons from the various War for Cybertron games to make it look like he transformed his arm into that weapon! I love this as a play feature, but I have to confess, doing this with his Fusion Cannon looks a bit silly but hey, play value is always a good thing!
Transformation to Vehicle Mode:
- Detach the weapons and set them aside for now.
- Straighten out the arms and legs.
- On each forearm, swing open the panel on the inside of the arm, swing the fists in and swing the panels back into place.
- On each lower leg, swing out the tread pieces.
- Rotate the lower legs so the knee armor pieces are facing one another.
- Swing out the back half of each lower leg piece and swing the hinged piece at the end back.
- On each foot, swing the front part of the feet down.
- Swing the feet up into the lower legs.
- Swing the back panels from the lower legs down and swing the hinged piece up.
- Swing the front chest panel down.
- Swing the left forearm up, lining it up with the left shoulder.
- Swing the left arm and shoulder in. On the chest are two tabs. One tab fits into the slot on the left shoulder, the other on the left forearm.
- Swing the back piece out, then rotate it around and swing it up.
- Swing the right arm back, connecting the shoulder to the raised detail on the silver panel.
- Now swing the arm down and connect the slots on the forearms to the raised tabs on the back of the robot waist piece.
- Swing the two leg sections up and in to form the sides of the tank.
- Attach the Fusion Cannon to the 5mm peg on top of the right shoulder piece.
- The Mace weapon can attach to the 5mm peg on the right firearm section in this mode.
Vehicle Mode:
Megatron's Cybertronian vehicle mode is a tank. The theme of being based on the Decepticon symbol carries over here, with pointed pieces sticking out in the back, angles on the sides and claw like parts sticking out in front under the Fusion Cannon. I have always found the treads on the sides interesting as they look like treads set to their sides, but really I believe these are meant to represent thrusters that lift the tank up as it hovers around. Either way, it is a unique and alien looking vehicle!
This mode uses all the same colors as the robot mode. The only real "newly revealed" bits are from the legs in the front. On either side there are large sections painted silver that pop nicely against the dark grey colors around them. The red from the right shoulder also adds another bright spot of color and some of the purple "energy" lines on the front and sides look great.
Other than having attachment points for weapons, there is not a whole lot else happening in this mode. The turret cannot turn since it is attached by tabs but you can attach Blast Effects so that's fun.
Final Thoughts:
I am a big fan of the 2010 version of this Megatron, but I dig this figure too. I think each has its pros and cons but this one is more game accurate, so your mileage will vary on which figure is better for you. Recommended!
Pros:
- Excellent and detailed sculpt.
- Good deco.
- Good articulation.
- Transformation is not overly complicated.
Cons:
- Could use a bit more deco in robot mode.
- I wish there had been a way to allow the turret to turn a little in vehicle mode.
