Toy Review - TFPrime Voyager Megatron

[griffin]

(Please post photos, comments or even a fully comprehensive review - these are just brief details)

Toy Review - Megatron
Series - Transformers Prime
Sub-line - Robots in Disguise
Size/class - Voyager/Powerizer
Wave - 1
New/remould/redeco - New
Released here - March 2012 (Released globally Jan 2012)
Approximate Retail Price - ($45-50?) US$20
Approximate Size - (18cm?)
Allegiance - Decepticon
Alt-mode - Cybertronian spaceship
Main Features/Gimmicks - parts that are illuminated from a certain light-source
Main Colours - Silver, grey, purple
Main Accessories - cannon, hand-weapon

[GoktimusPrime]

Got this toy today, here are my thoughts:

+ The colours on this toy are a major let down. Hasbro Grey(TM) dominates and there's little to break it up.
+ The opaque purple parts look kinda neat in giving him that "Dark Energon" look, although I can see how some people might find it silly looking.
+ The automorph weapon is a forgettably lame gimmick. It has a blade that comes out, but there's nothing to lock it in place (as shown in the stock photo). So that's jolly useless. There's also a blinding red light that swings out (much like the light in MP Megatron's fusion cannon, only there isn't a long shaft to "muzzle" the light, the bulb is fully exposed!)
+ For some odd reason, the weapons, knee caps and toes are copper colour which clashes with the rest of the body.
+ The plastic quality on this toy feels very light and cheap.
+ Shoulder pads can obstruct arm articulation (sigh)

Unlike FE Voyager Optimus Prime, this toy does not offer a substantial improvement over the Deluxe. The transformation is slightly more complex, but this isn't always a good thing. The shoulder pads may be separate panels and not sculpted onto the arms like on the Deluxe, but it interferes with articulation and really doesn't enhance the look of the toy anyway. The alt mode canopy splits and goes back... leaving two large kibblicious wing-a-lings on the back that the Deluxe toy doesn't have!

So in some ways, the more complex elements of this toy's engineering actually make the toy worse than the simpler Deluxe. The only real substantial improvement I'd say that the Voyager has over the Deluxe is that the two chest halves that form the front of the jet -- the lock into better (whereas on the Deluxe they just dangle there). That's it.

The boring monotonous Hasbro Grey and cheap feeling plastic makes this toy look and feel like an oversized Knock-Off of the Deluxe figure. Even though I bought this toy at full retail - I would have to vote on saying "No" -- this toy isn't worth getting. Not at full RRP anyway. And even for a cheaper price, you might as well get the Deluxe.

Only recommended if you really want to have a Voyager size Megatron to tango with Voyager Optimus Prime (that's why I got it). Otherwise, just pass it or what until it's on sale.

Here are some photos comparing the Voyager and the Deluxe:




IMO the Deluxe looks a lot better (and it's half the price of the Voyager!). (-_-)

[Doubledealer]

Looking at the two Megatrons there, I think the voyager definitely has the better mould, it's just that the deluxe has such better paint apps & colouring, it also doesn't have the kibble behind the shoulders and the gun is much, much nicer.

[Cyberwing]

Looking at the two Megatrons there, I think the voyager definitely has the better mould, it's just that the deluxe has such better paint apps & colouring, it also doesn't have the kibble behind the shoulders and the gun is much, much nicer.

Well you can't have everything, especially with Hasbro.

[1orion2many]

Definitely the colour scheme which makes the deluxe stand out for me, The finish on the Voyager doesn't look as clean either I voted only if and that is only if they improve the colour scheme, I'll most probably fold like a deck chair when I see it

[Doubledealer]

Voyager Megatron owners - can you unscrew the kibble behind the shoulders and take this piece off for a nicer looking robot mode?

[SMHFConvoy]

Definitely the colour scheme which makes the deluxe stand out for me, The finish on the Voyager doesn't look as clean either I voted only if and that is only if they improve the colour scheme, I'll most probably fold like a deck chair when I see it

Apparently that's deliberate, to give him a brushed steel look

[GoktimusPrime]

The only real substantial improvement I'd say that the Voyager has over the Deluxe is that the two chest halves that form the front of the jet -- the lock into better (whereas on the Deluxe they just dangle there). That's it.

I take this back. When the two chest halves are fully brought forward in jet mode, it makes the crotch plate flip up and not lock in properly. So basically you have to choose - either the crotch plate locks in by the chest halves dangle, or the chest halves lock in and the crotch plate dangles. The instructions show the chest halves dangling and the crotch plate locked in; so that's the official config... which is just as bad as the Deluxe (actually worse) so there's NO actual improvement in this area at all.

Also I have posted a series of comparison pics between Deluxe FE and Voyager PRiDE Megatron here; it shows both toys being transformed side-by-side step by step to compare the engineering between both figures... and there really isn't much substantial difference between the two. The Voyager only has two extra steps more than the Deluxe... so it is a little bit more complex than the Deluxe, but it doesn't achieve a whole lot in the end; the only real improvements made in the vehicle mode is that the hands fold in (but you can still see them), the canopy that forms around the robot head is formed from two halves instead of a single piece (which is far less obtrusive than on the Deluxe - that panel is prone to making the two back "vent" panels pop off) and the legs are a little bit better concealed in jet mode. But this is offset by the inferior colours on the Voyager.

In robot mode the Deluxe wins hands down. The stupid shoulder pads on the Voyager are a constant obstruction during play, often getting caught on the retracted blades on the weapon. And the weapon is so big and cumbersome (made even more awkward by the blades) that it's hard to pose him shooting straight ahead or above. It's almost as if Hasbro just thought, "okay, it attaches. Good enough." What?!? Don't they ever test-play these things themselves?!?!?!?!?

And of course, in terms of colours there's no contest - the Deluxe just pwnz all over the Voyager's bland grey and try hard "Dark Energon" transparent purple (which looks really daft in jet mode).

The sole advantage that the Voyager has over the Deluxe, IMO, is size. I do like how he towers over the other Decepticons... although he is shorter than First Edition Voyager Optimus Prime (I imagine he's about the same height as PRiDE Optimus Prime). But I suppose having him be a little bit shorter is better than being substantially shorter like the Deluxe would be.

So unless the size/scale thing is an issue for you, I cannot think of any reason to recommend this toy. Even then, try to get it at below RRP. There's no way this toy is worth $50 (or more).

[Doubledealer]

This is the weakest toy in the Prime lineup imo, if it can't even look good in the packaging then why even bother? Looking forward to Takara deluxe Megs and Gora but also praying for the perfect toy in Weaponiser form.

[GoktimusPrime]

Be forewarned that the Deluxe Megatron toy is pretty cringeworthy in its own right and is by far the worst of the TF Prime Deluxes; but at half* or a third** the price of the Voyager the Dlx offers much better value for money.

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*The TakTOM Dlx RRP is 2100JPY (AU$24); about 1/2 that of our Voyagers. The additional Arms Micron adds even more value.
**The Hasbro Entertainment Pack cost me AU$34; since it comes with 2 Deluxes if I halve that ($17) then that's approx 1/3 of what I paid for Voyager Megs. The inclusion of the DVD and 3 human figurines adds more value.