Takara-Tomy Transformers Sega Genesis Megatron Takara-Tomy, 2015
Day #1,127: February 27, 2015
Sega Genesis Megatron Fully Transformable Antagonistic Videogame Console
Transformers TakaraTomy Arts Online Exclusive
Item No.: No. 89787 Manufacturer:Takara-Tomy Includes:Gun, controller, cartridge Action Feature:Transforms from Sega Genesis to Robot Retail:approx. $91 ($120-$140 at importers) Availability: February 2015 Other:Limited Edition of 1,000 Pieces
There are a few toys based on this mold - Sega Genesis Megatron wasn't the first. The redeco/remold was produced as a short 1,000 piece run for the online Takara-Tomy shop and as such, I had to snag one. The regular release is as a Mega Drive, and a gold redeco was made as a lucky draw toy. The standard release is significantly cheaper, but given my proclivity toward this kind of thing I went all out and got this one. Since what you want to know is "Is it any good," I have to say it's OK. If you don't mind overly fiddly transformations and a toy that seems about twice the price it should be, you're going to love it. It's a great display piece or trophy, but as a toy it's not a lot of fun. As shelf candy goes, this is a good one.
It's kind of funny that you can get an actual, working Sega Genesis and a Megatron for less than the price of this toy. Bigger ones, more functional ones, with electronics. The nature of collectibles is that you sometimes overpay for something for novelty or because you appreciate the premise, and this is one of those items. The toy is about the size of a standard Voyager-class (read: $20-$25) Transformers release with a bit more in the way of deco and moving parts. The odd arm cannon looks like it's capped by a USB connector for some reason, but that's nothing too special. What's unique here is that the toy was changed from the Mega Drive version with a smaller text reading "16-BIT" on his chest and purple has replaced the red stripes on his torso and arms. A few other minor graphical changes were also made, but when you get right down to it you're overpaying for some unique tampos on a 7 1/2-inch robot "toy."
The robot mode is very OK. Most of the joints are there for transformation purposes, and getting a cool pose out of this toy is difficult - it's an awkward little robot. Getting it to stand requires some patience, fidgeting with the feet and knees to get it balancing takes a tiny bit of work. The arms have limited articulation and generally the best pose can be described as "just standing there." The head sculpt is merely OK, not particularly amazing or anything. There's a lot of silver with red eyes, and not a lot of contrast.
Megatron makes clever use of his accessories. The volume control part of the console becomes the arm cannon, while the controller - for some reason - splits in half and hangs on his back like wings. The game cartridge (in this case the original Sonic the Hedgehog can be stored in his chest. I'm glad all the parts fit nicely. The game controller can also plug in to the arm cannon for some reason, and also the front of the console in its alt mode if you pry out the little cartridge port plug. (Be warned: don't lose it, it may go flying once you get it out of there.)
The robot mode doesn't do much other than stand, but the alt mode does more than most of these tend to do. As mentioned above, the controller plugs in and so does the game. Most alt modes just kind of sit there without many features or interactive elements. It looks like a tiny Sega Genesis, as it should. It's roughly the same size as an iPod Classic, barely 4-inches wide. It's a lovely little recreation of the game console, but it's not like it needs to do much of anything. The volume slider doesn't move, and getting that controller port plug out is kind of a pain in the neck. Don't try to pry it out in a cluttered room, let's say that.
This is not a fun toy. If you display it, it's fine. If you leave it in the box, it's cool. If you just need a toy that says "16-BIT" on it, it's fantastic. But it isn't a lot of fun, and it's certainly very expensive - I paid less for my original release of Masterpiece Convoy nearly 10 years ago. The fifth panel box has a magnetic flap and is mostly in blue, so that's kind of neat - but not all that impressive. It's weird to recommend this on the basis of a collectible aimed at a very specific kind of fan, but that's really what it is - think of it like a statue or a mini-bust, and it's pretty good. Put it on the same plane as a Hasbro toy, and it's terrible. Get it cheap if you get it, unless you're so in love with the idea that you simply must own one.
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