Top 5 Best Ultra Magnus Transformers Toys
Friday, February 9th, 2018 10:44pm CST
Categories: Site Articles, Editorials, Top ListsPosted by: william-james88 Views: 42,448
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Top 5 Best Ultra Magnus Transformers Toys
From day one, Ultra Magnus toys were always closely related to Optimus Prime toys, with his first toy being a redeco with a different trailer which turned into a powersuit giving him a totally different look from Prime. Toy designs and ideas evolved from this giving a wide variety to Ultra Magnus toys where some are Prime redecos, others more extensive retools and others being fully original. We will explore the rich history of this autobot's toys by looking at the best ones to have come out so far.
5. Transformers Generation One Ultra Magnus
This is the grand pappy of all Ultra Magnus toys and probably the most important Ultra Magnus toy out there. Unlike even the Masterpiece toy, this toy includes an extra level of playability by having the trailer become the armour for the transforming cab. This gave everyone the option to form their own stories and ideas about this character. Is he a white optimus with armour? Or is the that simply the transformation process for his one and only form being that big armoured fellow? It was and still is ultimately up to you to choose. This legitimizes every future attempt at having Ultra Magnus be simultaneously a redeco/retool of Optimus Prime as well as his own mold. - william-james88


4. Transformers Prime Beast Hunters Ultra Magnus / Transformers Adventures Ultra Magnus
Speaking of being an offshoot of Optimus, this is by far the best version of that (well, maybe tied with the commander class version which is a gorgeous G1 homage and a perfect retool). So much love went into this retool, making him look just two smokestacks away from his show model, and making him own this mold even more so than Optimus. It almost feels like this is who the mold was made for all along especially when comparing to the show models.The added shoulder cannons work great and let you position them as you wish, giving you extra fire power in a sweet G1 homage (while the earlier PRID Magnus only gave you one shoulder cannon, why?!). You even get a nice hammer and a pair of wings, just for added playability. While simply having Ultra Magnus be a redeco/retool of Prime always felt a bit lazy, this is one instance shows us how that can sometimes work, and work wonders. - william-james88



3. Transformers Animated Ultra Magnus
This is THE titular leader class Ultra Magnus toy. This is the best Ultra Magnus toy from the golden age of Transformers toys where it seemed no expenses were spared. This toy is beefy, the plastic is solid, the transformation is complex yet intuitive, he has a bunch of pop out weapon gimmicks, none of which are intrusive, along with electronics. This toy happens to also be a perfect rendition of the cartoon model which was a fresh new take on the character where he, and not Optimus, was the leader of the Autobots. You can feel that magnitude in your hands as you play with this toy or when you see him on your shelf. All of the top three toys on this list are amazing and the only reason why this toy is not higher is simply because his alt mode is a little underwhelming, especially in the back area, and his hip ratchets are quite restrictive. - william-james88




2. Transformers Masterpiece MP 22 Ultra Magnus
Like all Masterpiece figures, 22 is a work of art. On heft alone this figure is awe inspiring. While I was always a fan of the idea that Ultra Magnus was a smaller bot in a suit of armor, I can't deny that the feat of engineering it took to get the character to be all-in-one is amazing. For me, the fact that I made it through his intense transformation without instructions was a huge relief. I can't say that for every Masterpiece.That meant I could enjoy this highly detailed representation of one of my favorite characters without the burden or fear of being bogged down by the process. It's involved, but it's intuitive. Which equals fun.
While I would have prefered a little more painted/tampoed detail and color, he is till an amazing design. In robot mode he retains all the design elements I loved about the original, but is presented (obviously) in a much more contemporary package. 22 has great articulation for the hoops he has to jump through to transform. He has that "mighty leader" posture no matter how you pose him. And he is a huge and intimidating presence on your shelf.
The carrier mode is perfection. Everything you would want it to be. It's hard to believe it's NOT a white MP-10 pulling that trailer, and of course it can fit any of the Autobot cars. The Fun-O-Meter shoots straight through the roof when you have the ability to roll out an entire team on some perilous adventure all contained in the mighty Magnus in MP scope and scale! - Cobotron


1. Transformers Generations Combiner Wars / Legends Leader Ultra Magnus
An overly involved puzzle of a transformation is one kind of fun, but it can get in the way of another kind of fun. When I'm imagining my way through an intense adventure situation on my coffee table, I can't be bothered with overly difficult transformations. I lose steam. The adventure losses momentum. And that's why Combiner Wars Leader Ultra Magnus beats his Masterpiece counterpart out of 1st place. Playability!
While his transformation is really kind of a truncated version of the MP's, it's simplified enough to be fast and efficient. With enough twists and turns to be fun and you get really close to the MP version, but for a fraction of the cost of the MP.
Another merit is his aesthetic design. He sports a fresh modern updated design in both modes that pulls from some great sources, but maintains his iconic stature. I was absolutely thrilled with the inclusion of the hammer. For me, with this figure,it declares that that is Magnus's weapon now and it's here to stay. And with Minimus Ambus we still get the smaller bot in a suit of armor mythos we expect from the character.
In a world of wonky scale his size class puts his robot mode right in the sweet spot among Voyagers and Deluxes. He's got good articulation where he needs it, and is a joy to pose.
Would I have prefered that his carrier mode could tote Deluxe class cars? Sure, but I'll take what I can get. He can hold a fare amount of Legends class figures and he looks good doing it.
When I walk into my collection and get that Magnus hankering, he is now the one I reach for first. He is fun to transform, fun to play with, and looks great. In the race for best Ultra Magnus figure, he is a hard bot to beat. - Cobotron





Honourable Mention:
Transformers Subscription Service Ultra Mammoth Gallery
Now I know William James likes to keep the lists to main line releases, and I agree. It's the broadest stroke and allows the lists and the conversation to reach the largest audience. But I would be remiss if, on a list of possibly my 2nd favorite heroic Autobot character of all time, we didn't include one of my most favorite versions. I talked it over with Will, and he said he'd let it slide. This one time.
I'm honestly not a huge fan of a lot of the TFCC toys, but I think Ultra Mammoth is one of the smartest repaints they ever did. Before I ever saw the Beast Wars cartoon, I assumed that Beast Wars was just a new iteration on a classic theme, and that the Transformers had rescanned their alt modes to fit some new scenario. I like where the cartoon took us, but I still revert to my original interpretation for fun and play sometimes. When I saw Ultra Mammoth I think I fell over. I had to add him to my Beast Wars collection. The mold fits the character really well. Those tuskes as a new take on Magnus's iconic shoulder pylons is just brilliant. And instead of just painting this Prime white, they went the extra mile and designed his color scheme to emulate Magnus's complete form. He's the appropriate size, and an appropriately powerful beast to use as this large and in charge character for the Beast Wars world. -Cobotron

Transformers Subscription Service Ultra Mammoth Gallery

Transformers Subscription Service Ultra Mammoth Gallery
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Posted by Quantum Surge on February 9th, 2018 @ 11:07pm CST
Posted by Ultra Markus on February 9th, 2018 @ 11:35pm CST
the masterpiece i thought since its a dead on and very accurate representation would have been no 1
Posted by Rodimus Prime on February 10th, 2018 @ 12:57am CST
5. God Magnus
4. Titanium Ultra Magnus
3. Prime Ultra Magnus
2. Animated leader Ultra Magnus
1. Combiner Wars Ultra Magnus
Honorable mention: MP-22 Ultra Magnus. Only because he's not a "toy." Otherwise, he'd be 2nd on the list, bumping everyone behind him down a spot.
Posted by -Kanrabat- on February 10th, 2018 @ 1:46am CST
That tell a lot about how amazing all of them are.
Posted by Bronzewolf on February 10th, 2018 @ 3:53am CST
Posted by ShockBlade501 on February 10th, 2018 @ 4:07am CST
Posted by Randomhero on February 10th, 2018 @ 4:52am CST
ShockBlade501 wrote:Don't know why you mention the inability to put deluxe cars in the trailer as one of combiner wars Magnus's flaws. Works fine for me.
Your very picture is a shining example of what he means. Arcee is hanging off the back, kup looks like he’s forced in there and looks like he’s being crushed in there and that hotrods wheels are hanging off the side.
Is it possible? Yes. Is it intended? Nooooo
Posted by Rysquad on February 10th, 2018 @ 5:03am CST
I kinda loved all of the Prime Ultra Magnus toys. But I agree with the top 5 in the order presented.
Posted by Targetmaster Kup on February 10th, 2018 @ 5:16am CST
Posted by Twitchythe3rd on February 10th, 2018 @ 5:42am CST
Randomhero wrote:ShockBlade501 wrote:Don't know why you mention the inability to put deluxe cars in the trailer as one of combiner wars Magnus's flaws. Works fine for me.
Your very picture is a shining example of what he means. Arcee is hanging off the back, kup looks like he’s forced in there and looks like he’s being crushed in there and that hotrods wheels are hanging off the side.
Is it possible? Yes. Is it intended? Nooooo
Legends class fit more comfortably if you really want to load him up.
Posted by -Kanrabat- on February 10th, 2018 @ 6:52am CST
ShockBlade501 wrote:Don't know why you mention the inability to put deluxe cars in the trailer as one of combiner wars Magnus's flaws. Works fine for me.
Just look at your picture again. THE SCALE. The truck cab look like a freaking shopping cart to the cars. That's why legends cars would work way better.
------------
I put up the best Magnuses on display in by living room, the rest being in another room. The top five is here in the living room, but I added a sixth. FOC Ultra Magnus. Often Magnus is a repaint of Optimus. But the mold work so well for Magnus that I think this time, it was the other way around.

Transformers Fall of Cybertron Ultra Magnus Gallery

Transformers Fall of Cybertron Ultra Magnus Gallery
EDIT:
Come on Seibertron. You're supposed to leave Magnus's smokestacks UP in bot mode:

Posted by blackeyedprime on February 10th, 2018 @ 6:59am CST
2.As much as I like the other Ultras, it's hard to pick any more with them all having some kind of flaw or lacking the magnus in small robot mode/big robot mode. Guess my second spot would be the original masterpiece version with the cardboard trailer (back when masterpieces were master pieces compared to the downsized 'high grade' Mp10). It gets the robot/truck mode right and there was always hope for a trailer or armor at the time.
3.Probably the Armada deluxe, the paint app just works well with it. Eye catching, looks like a soldier (sadly there wasnt much third party stuff at the time it was released, would have liked to see a trailer/armor for it. Ultra should always be able to be bigger than Optimus and with out that ability at least it is still a good looking robot/alt.
4.RID Ultra Magnus for it's play value as much as I disliked the transformation. Being a car carrying transporter that can carry cars is kind of important. Probably the best vehicle mode besides the second masterpiece since the G1 toy but something just feels lacking, robot mode feels more god bomber than magnus to me.
5.Second Masterpiece felt a bit of a let down, I'd passed on third party efforts with the lack of it's own robot mode. So when Takara went and did the same thing it was even more of a let down and Citizen stack who I'd previously disregarded got purchased. I've not had the money or justification to pick up the Takara version yet but some how it always feels like I don't have a MP ultra Magnus.
Posted by kriksix on February 10th, 2018 @ 7:40am CST

Posted by Emerje on February 10th, 2018 @ 8:29am CST
Emerje
Posted by Evil Eye on February 10th, 2018 @ 11:03am CST
Posted by ScottyP on February 10th, 2018 @ 11:08am CST

Posted by -Kanrabat- on February 10th, 2018 @ 11:22am CST
ScottyP wrote:The MP is the best one by several country miles and it's not even close. I say this also really loving the CW mold, but when the two are put side by side it's really not even close. Outside of that, this is a good list! No Titanium version?
I own the Titanium and it quite nice for what it is. It dosent deseverves to be on the list, but anyone coming accross him for a reasonable price, they should buy him.

Posted by Cobotron on February 10th, 2018 @ 12:01pm CST
Another Honorable Mention for me is this Cyberverse Commander Class figure.

Transformers Prime: Cyberverse Ultra Magnus Gallery
Not sure why I like him so much. I just really like the scale, and he has great articulation for a little guy. Also, translucent parts and weapon!
ShockBlade501 wrote:Don't know why you mention the inability to put deluxe cars in the trailer as one of combiner wars Magnus's flaws. Works fine for me.
I just think this works better. I'm not a stickler for scale, but this just makes more sense to me.

But this statement is what's most important to me.ShockBlade501 wrote: Works fine for me.

@Kanrabat - I DO like that FoC Magnus. I like that mold better for UM than for Prime. But we all know why he didn't make the list. Will hates the FoC line with all his might!

@Will - Thanks for including me and my opinions on this list. It was fun to collaborate!
Edit:
ScottyP wrote:The MP is the best one by several country miles and it's not even close. I say this also really loving the CW mold, but when the two are put side by side it's really not even close. Outside of that, this is a good list! No Titanium version?
For me personally, play is most important. While I love MP Magnus, and he would make a top 5 list of MPs for me. CW is more approachable, more accessible, and easier and more fun to just play with. (IMO

Posted by -Kanrabat- on February 10th, 2018 @ 12:21pm CST
Cobotron wrote:For me personally, play is most important. While I love MP Magnus, and he would make a top 5 list of MPs for me. CW is more approachable, more accessible, and easier and more fun to just play with. (IMO)
I found MP Magnus to be surprisingly easy to transform... for a MP figure, that is.
I too, preffer more simple and easier transformations. Even though the MPM and ROTF lines gave wonderful looking bots, I always hate the overlong and overcomplicated transformations.
It's for the same reason that I preffer to play with my good old G1 Optimus rather than MP-10.
Oh, and have my glorious living room UM display:
