The Energon Pub

I just received mine from BBTS yesterday. I was fully expecting a lot from Ultra Magnus, and hoping for a lot with Megatron, but not expecting much. I was quite surprised by both in different ways.

WWI Megatron- Robot mode is fantastic for a Titanium. Articulation is good, but not on par with some of the best, but still very good. The best thing is, he is solid, and well detailed!!! The gun metal grey is awesome looking with the black legs and red and yellow details.

The alt mode is surprisingly fitting. I know many of you were hoping for more, but I think this is good. He does not just 'lay' down, but reminds me of G1 Galvatron in that he is more like a cannon than a tank. Also the fact that the head gets covered by a main cannon is similar and that they tank tread arms can 'raise' the gun up to look like a cannon ala Galvatron. In my opinion this is more than I expected, and while it is not a fantastic alt mode, it is workable.

The robot mode is the best point though, and he is very good. Sure the cannon on his arm is small, but he does have a shoulder cannon too!

I really liked this Titanium, and I suggest not passing on him.

Ultra Magnus--

No matter what I say, I know many of you will not pass on this one, and you probably shouldn't. It's a great representation of his G1 self with more articulation. His alt mode is fairly accurate, and can carry micromasters.

However, my sample had some issues.

Pearlescent blue paint! I do not like the look here, and I am not sure why they did it.

The head is molded in white so all colors are painted on, and they are not painted on very well... not even the solid blue of his helmet...let's just say it did not get full coverage.

Hardly any hands to speak of, they are stuck in his 'sleeves'.

Alt mode is workable, but very poor. I did not find that the arms for the upper deck of the car carrier locked in to the rear well at all, but it is a nice representation of a car carrier (Cybertronian). One problem, there is no way for cars to get into the bottom trailer unless they are magically lifted there. No ramps, in fact, no open on the back at all (they are his legs).

The upper torso/back are HUGE! Looks like he has a backpack on I suppose, but the arms go a little far back and are placed into the backpack area, so it looks a little off.

Overall, I think this is a good wave of TITaniums, but while most of us are already impressed with Magnus before getting one, I thought I should share that you should not pass on Megatron, this one is uncomparably better than the GI Joe version in the first wave.

Nice review, though you are right - I think alot of fans will be picking up Ultra Magnus regardless of what others say. Let's face it, he's a huge hit with fans and I'll probably pick him up myself (it'll actually be my first Titanium).

Nice to know that WW Megatron is apparently better than he looks - I hope you're right, it upsets me when they screw up a key character like Megatron (poors Megs... hasn't had a cool toy since, what, 2002?

Thanks for the reviews TT, my set should be in the mail today. I'll probably be able to confirm everything you said tonight.

image links??

Yeah, I'm afraid the expectation is going to be so high that UM is actually going to be a bit of a disappointment.

On the other hand, just having an UM that is not a white version of Prime...

well that's good the WW Megatron is better in person, I think I liked that form of him the best in the comics. He looked bulky and tough, what you'd expect for a leader of a group of militants.

Maldroth wrote:well that's good the WW Megatron is better in person, I think I liked that form of him the best in the comics. He looked bulky and tough, what you'd expect for a leader of a group of militants.

It is my favorite Megatron to date. Better than any other versions...

Alt mode may not be complicated or difficult, but it is appropriate. I am quite happy with him.

And I know I did not spend a lot of time on the review, and no I do not have any pictures yet...maybe if I get really motivated...

Thats awesome to hear I am now looking way more forward to recieving mine as I really liked the war within mode I thought it portrayed Megatron really nicely and made him appear way tougher than some of the other modes we have seen of him. Thats another reason why I can't wait to recieve my Revoltech Megatron although done basically in G1 robot form he appears way more intimidating than any of the other G1 Robot modes that I have seen.

you know the Dinobots WW forms were also good. They were small tanks since they were a commando group esentually. Very well done and they still look like they should in their bot form. Now those I'd pick up in a heartbeat if they were made into toys.

I'm glad WWI Megatron is better than he looks. And now I think about it, he does kinda remind me of Galvatron. Just don't tell Hasbro this, or we'll have repaints coming out of our ears.

Ultra Magnus does look a little off. But like many others, I too want this update on a classic character regardless. Just looking like the cartoon version is enough for me.

Maldroth wrote:you know the Dinobots WW forms were also good. They were small tanks since they were a commando group esentually. Very well done and they still look like they should in their bot form. Now those I'd pick up in a heartbeat if they were made into toys.

Supposedly there is a WWI Grimlock in the works.

I may just be too picky about UM. My expectations were so high with the early picks and viewing at Botcon, it would be hard to live up to it...

Be nice to hear what others say when they get a hold of them.

Paint applications have never been a titanium strong point, but it is a little worrying that your UM was a let down.

Ill still pick one up if they get a general store release here in Australia, WWI Prime looks very lonely all by himself.

my UM also has weak paint apps on the head, but its fine everywhere else.

I like the figure a lot in 'bot mode. Alt. mode pretty much sucks, but seeing as the trailer is physically sposed to be armor, I think they did about as well as they could.

In short, I really like the figure and think it poses well, and it displays GREAT next to Tit. Rodimus Prime.

ScottyP wrote:In short, I really like the figure and think it poses well, and it displays GREAT next to Tit. Rodimus Prime.

Yeah, I haven't put him in display with others, so...

He's growing on me, when I look at him posed from a distance, I think he looks really good, it's not that I hate him, I just think the expectations were too high, and with Megatron being much better than I was expecting, I have really been focused on enjoying him. Don't avoid UM, it is a great new take on the old character, much like th TIT Rodimus, it just has its flaws like TIT ROdimus, but overall, the good definitely outweighs the bad.

That sucks.

So, it looks like I'm going forward with my KB of Classics UM...