First Look at Studio Series Widowmaker and 86 Leader Megatron

Here’s a shot from Instagram:

Got to see the vid before it was privated. I'm liking what I see. Bot mode is as close as I think they can get. A definate pick up for me when this comes out. Now we just gotta see the accessories.

Initial thoughts on Megs...

The only nit-pick I'm pointing out is still the cannon... And because the rest of the figure looks so good, the cannon looking off actually sticks out more.

But overall this is very, very good. I saw the video before it was made private as well, and the engineering is a lot more involved than I even thought it would be.

Quick heads-up, I'm watching a livestream on YouTube right now, and the photo being shown multiple times is way over-saturated, making parts of Megatron's legs look blue-ish. But in the photo I've posted those same parts look more gray. There's no way those are as blue as what I'm looking at on my tv.

I'm glad they nailed the face and headsculpt... Honestly, I can't wait to see side by side comparisons of this version vs the ER version... Finally people will see what I've said in the past that the ER face/head were really off.

Well, bring on the preorders!!

What a lame tank mode.

Considering they weren't even bothering with a movie accurate alt mode, they could've given him a much simpler one, kept the part count down, kept the robot mode more accurate and included a bunch of extra accessories to, at least, give him more play value. Instead, it's Leader class prices for a pretty weak figure.

Pass

Photos from Reddit:

So the alt mode gun has a tab on the top of the scope so it can store on his back...

The back of the waist and the back of the lower legs are kind of mehhhh, but overall, the more I'm seeing the more I like this figure. I'm really glad he isn't like Galvatron with shoulders that are too broad/wide, and imo the lower legs and feet look better proportionally than the MP figure's. In fact, overall, I think I may like this better than the MP, at least from the front.

That is a very clean looking back. No altmode kibble, and minimal tech greeble.

If I ever see it in store or on Amazon, I'll get it. But it's not a must-have. Now, if Hasbro decides to put out a comic version, with black helmet, I'm all over that. The cannon would even be more acceptable that way.

I’m liking what I see so far. Thank goodness they’ve finally abandoned that disgusting “H” tank configuration. Perfection only exists in the imagination, so SS86 Megatron is definitely on my list of desired acquisitions. The treads appear to run all the way front to back, there are no robot feet hanging off the back. I think it’s safe to say that the Siege mold can be consigned to the garbage dump of history. I can’t tell if there’s open gaps under the front or in back, or if the cannon suffers from the same annoying floppy-ness as AotP Megatronus. But overall - good work.

Now Hasbro - PLEASE make sure you stock enough on Pulse so they don’t sell out instantly! Make sure you provide enough for everyone who wants one for a change!

I think I can see at least a “G2” repaint for THIS mold…

I see Megatron decided that his assless pants were the ones to go for this time.

I just rewatched the American Pie movies a few days ago and this Megatron is reminding me of the character of Bear from the third movie. When he goes to Jim's house for the bachelor party and he's wearing the assless pants.

I don't know, they remembered to get his full front diaper and his side skirts. But the shot form the back just looks funny. Like there should be two more flaps back there.

Figure looks amazing though. Too bad I missed the videos.

He's taller than Optimus and Galvatron though. Wasn't expecting that.

They should do the Goodbye Convoy and Goodbye Megatron gift sets that were released as exclusives in Japan once SS Megs is released. Always loved those sets. They could use the same cover art and styrofoam too, like Japan likes to do (Missing Link line).

Unfortunately, the Studio Series Red Alert figure is not a Lamborghini Countach LP500S. Thoughts to suggest another mould? They could use the upcoming Crasher for Mirage retooled and recolored of course.

Too bad the Megs videos has been killed.

RED still has a better alt mode but Megatron looks pretty good in bot mode, def not paying leader or new voyager price on this one, even if it looks like one of the better options for display.

I definitely see the G2 deco being used for this mold, and I’d guess a Reformatting version as well from Gen Selects. From there, possibly a battle-damaged version, but maybe more likely, a comic deco with a different head.

This also has me wondering if the Optimus in next year’s ‘86 movie capsule will be a battle damaged or even grayed-out, “dead” version…. Either would make sense being a sans trailer release and such an important part of the movie. Done well enough I may bite since I’m probably passing on the majority of those others in the capsule.

Back to Megs, I agree the back of the waist looks kind of odd. The hole there looks to be a good opportunity for a 3P part, which could be designed with hinged flaps.
I see an upgrade kit containing that, a better cannon, fillers for 5mm ports, the hole in the back of his head, possibly other small gap-filler pieces, & the smaller gun he shot Prime with.
Of course there are other options as well, the ‘ol energon chain mace being one, and even an improved sculpt for the smaller alt mode gun.

A couple more photos:

Having seen all the pics, it's impressive how the tank mode simply melts into the robot mode, leaving only a couple of very small hints that that is what he transforms into.

The tank mode itself, is nothing spectacular. But then, nobody's here for the Tank mode.

Robot mode is really good. Still the scope is annoying.
Missing the red panels on the inside of the lower legs.
Rocking the bell bottoms
Kind of sad he does not get the man from uncle parts. I know, no gun mode, but it would have been nice to give him a gun emplacement. 3rd parties... roll out and design.

All that said, definitely pre-ordering him.

Grahf_ wrote:I see Megatron decided that his assless pants were the ones to go for this.

I think that’s a design feature based on transformation. It looks like the side skirts swing backwards.

Overcracker wrote:Missing the red panels on the inside of the lower legs.

That's due to Megatron's cartoon model not having any red on his legs:

Sabrblade wrote:

Overcracker wrote:Missing the red panels on the inside of the lower legs.

That's due to Megatron's cartoon model not having any red on his legs:

Good point.
Now we can look forward to Toy accurate repaint, and a Megaplex redeco from Takara.

Grahf_ wrote:I see Megatron decided that his assless pants were the ones to go for this.

Damn, that totally cracked me up.

Is it bad I had to look up who widowmaker is? Ha, ha. Never heard of or knew about her.

Other than the cannon, it is nice that the issues with this new Megatron are all on the back of the figure, which still overall is pretty clean. I don’t mind the tank treads that much, but I do wish the squares with the partial tank wheels (or whatever those are called) were twice as small.

Then, poor Scavenger is wearing a diaper…. I get it’s all part of the design/engineering for transformation…. But man, that does not look good….
So overall is his appearance better than Bonecrusher’s???
I’d say maybe by just a little bit.

I am really starting to consider only getting/keeping one set.

It appears the pre-order for Megs is up on the Walmart App, can't find it on the website though.

Got it: https://www.walmart.com/ip/TRA-GEN-STUD?wmlspartner=FYAGeMjDX6c&=&affs=p&wid=5b6b4213e4b0bcb699adeb9f&u1=&oid=223073.10006940&sourceid=37141976172661509211&affillinktype=3&veh=aff ... 4904023810

Overcracker wrote:

Sabrblade wrote:

Overcracker wrote:Missing the red panels on the inside of the lower legs.

That's due to Megatron's cartoon model not having any red on his legs:

Good point.
Now we can look forward to Toy accurate repaint, and a Megaplex redeco from Takara.

Grahf_ wrote:I see Megatron decided that his assless pants were the ones to go for this.

Damn, that totally cracked me up.

Reprolabels will make the toy accurate stickers long before Takara release that deco. Like they did for pretty much every single G1-ish Megatron molds before.

Not sure how I feel about Megs yet. I thought we were getting battle damaged parts and a mace with it.

Man, I'm no longer a mainline guy but damn if they didn't knock it out of the park with this one.

LordBludgeon wrote:Is it bad I had to look up who widowmaker is? Ha, ha. Never heard of or knew about her.

Nope it's not!!!

After learning this Megatron cannot have his arm removed to give to Prime, I kinda lost interest.

I hope they do a Marvel comic black helmet repaint though

Diggin both of these wow happy to see SS bring back some original unique designs with WidowMaker and Megs.

That SS86 Megs is insane. They done changed the game with 86 Prime and Megs. I think I said that right. Those 2 should be what quality every figure strives to be made at. He looks just about as good from the back as he does from the front. Head sculpt is great too. Now I just need to decide to buy this one, or wait for a maybe G2 repaint. I just hope he can look up a lot and down some. Neck articulation is way lacking in most figures(poor SS86 Bee can't even look up, he is always looking at knees or crotches). Just leave some space or a cut out in the back of the lower head. I don't mind the sacrifice in looks. It's gotten to where only 1 in 10 or more Transformers I buy has any meaningful head articulation up/down. I bought one Blokees and it has spoiled me on articulation. These new figures look amazing and more and more screen/comic accurate. Which is a great thing, but they BEG to be dynamically posed, and can't with basically just a neck swivel.

Posting this photo so people can see how Megatron’s lower legs really look in terms of the color; this isn’t edited desaturation, as you can see Galvatron is still very Blue-Violet.
Even though I knew some of the initial photos had to have been off, this is good verification of the accurate color and is even better than I predicted.
Also nice to get a look at the new version next to the old one. Man, this new figure is really outstanding.

Perhaps it might be possible to swap out the Fusion Cannon for the Siege/Earthrise one, if the new one is 5mm compatible.

Sabrblade wrote:Perhaps it might be possible to swap out the Fusion Cannon for the Siege/Earthrise one, if the new one is 5mm compatible.

I’d like to see that swap; it may look better, although it may put the cannon too close to his forearm.
But I’m very confident multiple 3P companies are cookin’ on upgrade kits as we speak.

Seeing SS86 Megs & Galvatron next to each other... Hasbro really should've retooled Galvatron's legs. Always thought the legs look proportionally too short even before SS86 OP & Megs exist. It wasn't great then, but now... the lazy recolored SS86 Galvatron is just stupid & infuriating for those that bought it (happy I'm not one of those).

Back to Megs. It's a great bot mode with a bit of a proportion problems imo, but it's nitpick territory. I don't like how the turret works in tank mode. It's the same problem with BBM Megs with the pivot situated in the back. The visible ball joint is even worse than Megatronus' between of the lighter grey, making it far more visible than Magatronus. But oh well, none of us are here for Megs' tank mode are we now, right? Too bad we don't get the mace yet again. I guess Hasbro would rather see (some) 3Ps fed off them for add-ons/upgrade kits.

For a regular leader, they really knocked out that Megatron out of the park! With some minimal upgrade kit and Reprolabels, he'll be perfect.

Studio Series 86 Megatron truly looks completely amazing in my eyes. I am excited to own one of these now. I think it'll replace the Combiner Wars one in my collection for the top spot for sure too. It definitely has a lot of aspects of it that I like. I'll miss the working treads, but you know it definitely has a lot of pluses with it that the CW Leader Megatron didn't have.

Tyrannacon wrote:Studio Series 86 Megatron truly looks completely amazing in my eyes. I am excited to own one of these now. I think it'll replace the Combiner Wars one in my collection for the top spot for sure too. It definitely has a lot of aspects of it that I like. I'll miss the working treads, but you know it definitely has a lot of pluses with it that the CW Leader Megatron didn't have.

I'm glad I'm not alone in liking the old CW leader Megs. I even put some Reprolabels on him and bought a small cannon upgrade. He's still a solid Megatron, despite not being in scale with anything. Maybe the PotP leader Evolution Optimus Prime?

Sabrblade wrote:Perhaps it might be possible to swap out the Fusion Cannon for the Siege/Earthrise one, if the new one is 5mm compatible.

Was just thinking the same thing last night while reviewing the images

This video was just recently posted that shows Mixmaster’s barrel can completely detach from the figure:
https://youtu.be/yzmeSKwudx4

Screenshot:

adamage1 wrote:This video was just recently posted that shows Mixmaster’s barrel can completely detach from the figure:
https://youtu.be/yzmeSKwudx4

Screenshot:

Thanks for sharing that; I hadn’t seen this feature…. I was never bothered by the drum on his back for bot mode, but I’m sure a lot of people will appreciate having that removable.

adamage1 wrote:

Sabrblade wrote:Perhaps it might be possible to swap out the Fusion Cannon for the Siege/Earthrise one, if the new one is 5mm compatible.

Was just thinking the same thing last night while reviewing the images

By looking at the ports on the arm, you can see that we’ll be able to do that.

Megs is looking really good, so glad I waited for the ultimate/better version and sold off the WFC figure. Now the long wait to actually get him in hand!

Mixmaster looks good, Scavenger less so but still okay.

I fully realize this is wishful thinking, but I would love to see an SS86 Devastator in more screen-accurate colors, with purple treads for Bonecrusher and more saturated hues, like so (this is my edit of the gray model):

Back for fans who missed it the first time!

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Bring home this collectible figure set featuring movie-inspired detail and classic conversion between robot and boombox modes. Includes the Eject mini-cassette figure, a blaster accessory, and a removable backdrop for display.

Pre-order now on Hasbro Pulse while supplies last.

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-Kanrabat- wrote:

Tyrannacon wrote:Studio Series 86 Megatron truly looks completely amazing in my eyes. I am excited to own one of these now. I think it'll replace the Combiner Wars one in my collection for the top spot for sure too. It definitely has a lot of aspects of it that I like. I'll miss the working treads, but you know it definitely has a lot of pluses with it that the CW Leader Megatron didn't have.

I'm glad I'm not alone in liking the old CW leader Megs. I even put some Reprolabels on him and bought a small cannon upgrade. He's still a solid Megatron, despite not being in scale with anything. Maybe the PotP leader Evolution Optimus Prime?

Well great minds think alike all around! I feel CW Megatron the Takara version of course is a fine represention of our mighty leader with the 3rd Party upgrades being a must.

This 86 Megatron will definitely replace my Dramatic Capture version which I'll be parting ways with soon....'nuff said!

I wasn't impressed with the new Megatron so I have been thinking about picking up the Dramatic Capture figure, or the 35th anniversary edition for my TF:TM shelf.

Just got a confirmation email from Amazon that Hook and Long Haul are arriving Tuesday!

Emerje

Emerje wrote:Just got a confirmation email from Amazon that Hook and Long Haul are arriving Tuesday!

Emerje

Yeah mine are coming as well, on Monday. A full month ahead of schedule. Rather inconvenient financially, but I don't think I can bring myself to cancel the order... FOMO sux...

Wow, I also got a delivery update saying Hook and Long Haul are coming Monday, then an hour later a notice that they shipped and will be here today!

Edit: Delivered about an hour ago, sweet!

Curious: Does anyone have both the SS86 Contructicons and the Unite Warriors (Takara) version of Devastator? I'm undecided if I want to collect the SS86 Devastator and want to know if the build quality is really that much of an improvement. Thanks in advance!

Mkdlmr wrote:Curious: Does anyone have both the SS86 Contructicons and the Unite Warriors (Takara) version of Devastator? I'm undecided if I want to collect the SS86 Devastator and want to know if the build quality is really that much of an improvement. Thanks in advance!

Of course the build quality is much improved with the SS86. UW Devy is just the regular Hasbro one with an "upgrade kit". The original Titan Devy is just an amalgam of empty tupperwares snapped together. Light, hollow, and soft. Like, Authentic level.

The new SS86 will be much, much more expensive than the old titan overall, but you'll have your money's worth. Those will be at least "real" Transformers. With the quality you can expect from regular Generations toys.

So, instead of paying the absurd after-market price of the UW, you're better off with the SS86. If you already have it, keep it. The UW/CW Titan is still not so bad for its original price, and it would be a nice comparison with the SS86. Plus, it can be useful for remaking iconic moment when Devy is depicted grossly out of scale with the rest of the crew. Especially if you use Core/Legends scale figure with it.

If you don't have the old titan, no matter the version, get the SS86. If you're made of money, get both.

-Kanrabat- wrote:

Mkdlmr wrote:Curious: Does anyone have both the SS86 Contructicons and the Unite Warriors (Takara) version of Devastator? I'm undecided if I want to collect the SS86 Devastator and want to know if the build quality is really that much of an improvement. Thanks in advance!

Of course the build quality is much improved with the SS86. UW Devy is just the regular Hasbro one with an "upgrade kit". The original Titan Devy is just an amalgam of empty tupperwares snapped together. Light, hollow, and soft. Like, Authentic level.

The new SS86 will be much, much more expensive than the old titan overall, but you'll have your money's worth. Those will be at least "real" Transformers. With the quality you can expect from regular Generations toys.

So, instead of paying the absurd after-market price of the UW, you're better off with the SS86. If you already have it, keep it. The UW/CW Titan is still not so bad for its original price, and it would be a nice comparison with the SS86. Plus, it can be useful for remaking iconic moment when Devy is depicted grossly out of scale with the rest of the crew. Especially if you use Core/Legends scale figure with it.

If you don't have the old titan, no matter the version, get the SS86. If you're made of money, get both.

I already owned the unite Warriors version of Devastator. I would really like to hear from someone who owns both the unite Warriors version and the ss86 version. A lot of reviewers compare the two focusing on proportions and articulation, but seem to gloss over actual build quality.