NewCybertron

Pics to come soon.

As opposed to my video reviews, I will be using the number rating system, which is becoming easier and might replace my letter grades in my videos.

So far, the animated line has 3 Megatrons to offer...and its only been out for a month. We have the newly released Leader Megatron, the best of the three IMO. We have Cybertron Mode Voyager Megatron, which some people, including myself, passed on because of issues with pose-a-bility and the heavy fusion cannon. Now, we'll take a look at the Battle Begins Megatron, a shrunken down version of his Voyager counterpart. But does he hold up as a good Megatron?

Galactic Powers and Abilities:

No known weaknesses.
Scientific, strategic and engineering genius.
Fusion cannon can disintergrate up to 40 feet of solid steel

Vehicle Mode:

We are given what Hasbro dubbed a "Cybertron Fusion Fighter". From an angled top view (or even a head-on top view) it does look particularly impressive. Main colors are gray and black, with brick red feet and translucent red for the fusion cannon/cockpit and what will become the arms This all changes when you view it from the front. There is a noticeable gap between the landing gear (arms) which expose his head. There are also a lot of small gaps, which take away from the figure itself. Without the fusion cannon/cockpit section, it's atrocious. If you ever display this figure in jet mode, make sure you angle it someway so it looks like its diving towards the ground.

Rating: 6.5/10

Transformation:

1. Pop off fusion cannon/cockpit
2. Take tail-fin-like portions of the back and seperate them
3. Seperate entire back section of fighter mode, which will become the legs
4. Rotate the legs about 90 degrees on the ball joints, and flip them so the hollow section is facing back.
5. Close the square blocks that made up the landing gear, rotate the wings into the back of each foot, flip each foot forward until it can no longer rotate, and flip up the tail-fin up until they resemble knee-guards.
6. Take the arms and push them out until they are even with the shoulders. Rotate each shoulder 180 degress so the battle damage is facing forward. Push the shoulders in and flip the forearms/hands forward.
7. Place the fusion cannon's peg into the socket on his right arm. It will not go in all the way, but will not come out easily.
8. Click the chest down so there is no longer a triangular gap in his abs.

There is the transformation. Its enjoyable, but gets too easy after transforming it about 8 times. 8/10

Robot mode.

Very nice looking. Battle damage isn't as bad in person as it is on the 'net. Decepticon symbol is present on the chest, but its GOLD instead of PURPLE. Different colored Bot and Con symbols bug me. Understandable for the movie line, annoying for animated where they are clearly the classic colors in the TV show. Anyways, aside from the battle damage, size is the only thing in the way of being totally show accurate. Colors stay the same, but again, with battle damage. Very poseable, fusion cannon does not hinder any type of posability. Some complain about his leg joints being too loose, causing him to perform the splits. Mine has perfect joints and will stay up fine. Only posability issue is the head, the chin hinders it from rotating a full 360 degrees. But its realistic.

Gimmicks:
1. Fusion cannon opens up, and a translucent blade can be flipped around from the other side. Wish the blade was longer. Good idea, but not that well executed
2. When you rotate the waist to the right (only direction the waist can be rotated without screwing this gimmick up), he will automatically rotate back, creating a punching-like effect. Some people HATE it, I actually like it. Its clearly there for little kids, but I still enjoy it. And if you hold his fusion cannon up while he punches, and let him punch you chin, you can feel vibrations and it almost hurts.

Robot mode rating: 9.5/10

IMO the better figure of the battle begins set. Definate pick-up for anyone looking for a nice Prime/Megsy pack. This is the best Prime/Megatron pack to come out in awhile. The classics one had poor appeal, as far as what I've heard, and the War Within set was too flimsy (they're terrible toys, but good display pieces). Its only $20 for two figures and the first episode, beats the War Within set which gives you a good comic, but 2 good display figures/crappy toys for $30.

If you don't have a Cybertron Mode Megatron, I suggest picking this set up over the Voyager figure for the same price. You get more for your money. Display in robot mode, unless you really, really love the vehicle mode.

Overall rating: 8.5/10