Megatron (from the TF:Armada series) is the leader of the Decepticons and the arch-nemesis of Optimus Prime.

Review

I will review Armada Megatron in three categories:

- Sculpt (Form and Color)
- Articulation (Moveable Parts and how can it be moved)
- Fun Factor (How did I enjoy it)

Sculpt

Vehicle mode:

Megatron’s vehicle mode is a battle tank that hosts a large cannon and a missle launcher. There are treads but they don’t move, instead small wheels that are attached on the bottom-side of the treads to enable Megatron to move in tank mode.

When in tank mode, toy measures around 8 inches long.

Just like an Army Tank, the tank mode sports an olive green color with a few splashes of violet and orange. The green-violet coloration is actually a good color for this toy, it gives it a darker feel to it, but why do they have to add orange to it? The orange throws off all the effects the Green and Violet color does for the tank. IMO, they should have gotten rid of that orange and replaced it with a darker hue.

If you look at it carefully, Megatron is actually armed to the teeth with Mini-con connectors. Almost every part of this Armada TF can be sticked with a Mini-con. Making this toy feel more like a Battle Fortess than a Battle Tank. But since I only have TWO minicons, I wasn’t able to fully see HOW MANY mini-cons could be sticked to Megatron without limiting his movement and functions.

To add to the previous comment there is also a Mini-Con compartment found on both rear-treads, so you can keep a mini-con hidden until the final moment. Or just keep your Mini-con for safe keeping.

Also, another arsenal of this tank is the two pincers found below the gun turret, I guess this is used when an enemy get too close to the tank or when the tank goes on a plowing rampage against enemy lines. Unfortunately I have never seen a REAL tank with this kind of arsenal, but what the hey… Its a cool toy concept.

Robot Mode

Transforming Megatron to Robot Form requires absolutely no brain-power. Well at least SOME brain power. But just to stress it, Megatron is quite easy to transform. Actually when in Tank mode, try flipping it and you can already see his Mech form (In a very demeaning pose ^_^; )

When in Robot form Megatron stands at 7.75 inches (At the top of the head), 9.5 inches (at the top of his Horns - Pincers when in Tank Mode) and 10 inches (At the top of the shoulders - Front Treads in Tank mode)

Robot form also sports a Green-Violet-Orange color combination but this time there is more Violet and much less orange. (Still the orange throws-off Megatron’s total look) Green is still evident but is concentrated on the legs and the tank parts.

Grays also appears to highlight the upper-arms, thighs and torso.

As for the weapons, besides the-oh-so-obvious Gun turrent, there is also “an opposable blade”, by pulling a switch in Megatron’s left hand a small black serrated blade will pop-out of Megatron’s hand and the final position of the weapon looks to me like a thumb rather than a blade.

His Mini-con also can become a weapons that is attached to Megatron’s arms… Actually it could be attached any where in Megatron. It made me think that Megatron needs more Mini-cons for him to be effective, strenghtening his “Greedy” image.

Articulation

Gear-joints are the main joints that this toy possess, giving it more hold when doing possess.

But there is a deep dark secret that Megatron keeps… He may be able to do splits but he can’t pose his legs forward nor backward. Which was really a big let down in terms of Articulation. Well at least he can do the French Tickler’s dance (As show by Ondoher Prime )

The arms could be posed forward or backward and has some arm swivel, but since the shoulder is pretty big (because of the treads), posing Megatron’s has some limitation.

Rohml’s Kick Test (Patent Pending)

Rohml’s kick test will test the balance of this toy and the ability of its joints to hold a difficult pose and Armada Megatron passes.

Not really a high-score but enought to take consideration that this toy is balanced.

Fun Factor

After opening this from its box (I got it MISB), I decided to take a look at the Tank more closely so I did what people normally do when holding a Toy Tank… I swiveled the Gun turrent. Then it happened, out of the blue, a robotic voice yelled: “Decepticons, attack!” followed by gun shots and laser sounds. I was suprised, Megatron almost slipped off my hand. I then laughed and remembered that this is in fact a toy, designed for Kids. As a model kit builder and a Gashapon collector, I’m not used to my toys yelling commands for reinforcements, so this in fact is quite new to me.

Aside from the Gun Swivel action, there are two more sound activation switches in this toy. First, you can press a small button that activates some laser shot sounds. This button can be pressed without a minicon and is found on left side of the turrent. And the other is activated via a minicon, the sound is sounds of gattling guns. This button is found on the end of the tank-hub.

Overall

As a Tank, Megatron is quite impressive, with a lot of mini-con connectors you could really create your own Battle Fortess. Plus the fact that the sound chips gives it a very fun edge.

But as a robot, its lack of poseability (Legs can’t move forward) gives it a not so big disadvantage.

As a TF collector, I don’t think this is a toy to pass up, but if you prefer poseability get it only if its cheap or not at all. (I got mine cheap… ) But if you just like to keep it in tank mode or in a box, get this toy, the fact that its Megatron (A mainline characters) makes it worth it.

Write a comment

Name

E-mail (will not be shown)

Website