Megatron (G1)/toys

Many toys have been made of Generation 1 Megatron. So many, they have to get their own page!

Generation 1

 * Megatron (Decepticon Leader, 1984, 2001, 2002, 2007)
 * Japanese ID number: 16




 * Megatron was released in 1984 as part of the first year of the Transformers line in the United States. It transformed into a Walther P-38 pistol, as seen in the popular 1960s spy television series The Man from U.N.C.L.E., with attachments to make the "U.N.C.L.E carbine" (scope, barrel extension / silencer and stock) . It was originally released in Takara's Microman toyline as "MC13 Gun Robo - P38 U.N.C.L.E." The Japanese release of Megatron didn't come with the attachments. While the American release was chrome and red, the Japanese release was flat gray and blue (one of the Microman decos for the standard P-38).

The toy is infamous for having a trigger where his...well, in an unfortunate place and generally being an awkward, waddling stick mutant. He is so highly valued because his character was way more awesome.


 * In 1986, Megatron was made available as a mail-away item (since he was theoretically no longer shipping to retail shelves) in the Digital Doom on the Highway to Destruction flier packed in with boxed Transformers toys. He cost $21.50 and five robot points.


 * The flat gray and blue deco Megatron was also used in the Japanese VS-X giftset with Optimus Prime.


 * It was released in gray and red with Starscream in the Good-Bye Megatron set. This time, it came with his fusion cannon. (The boxart for this set was recolored blue to match the colors Megatron finally was not in Japan. Oops.)


 * In 2001, Megatron was reissued in Japan, and came with all of the American and Japanese accessories. A "black" redeco (mainly replacing the silver chrome with a darker gunmetal) was released the same year, initially available at BotCon Japan.


 * Megatron was again reissued in 2002 in Takara's Transformer Collection series. This release was identical to the previous reissue, but included the energon mace used in the episode "More Than Meets the Eye, Part 2", a sheet of Decepticon stickers, and a Decepticon mouse pad.


 * The toy was reissued yet again in 2007 as part of the "Transformers Encore" line.


 * Galvatron (Decepticon City Commander, 1986)


 * Megatron (Action Master) (1990)


 * Megatron returned as an Action Master in 1990, and as with most Action Master figures, he could not transform. His sculpt was based heavily upon the Megatron's animation model design. He came packaged with the Neutro-Fusion Tank, a large tank vehicle whose hull could transform into a base/gun emplacement, with the turret forming a flight pod.

Generation 2

 * Megatron (1992)


 * Owing to the inability of Hasbro to re-release the original Megatron because that toy was a pistol, Generation 2 Megatron was released in 1992 as a large green M1A1 Abrams main battle tank. His main gimmick was a 'lock and load' cannon that can load most of his projectile ammunition, and then fire them one at a time. This was accompanied by electronic sounds (including engine, laser and cannon sound effects) and a voice chip.


 * In robot mode, Megatron is by the standards of the time, a very large robot, towering over all Generation 2 incarnations of Optimus Prime. His legs were immobile, but he had upper shoulder rotation and elbow joints. His left arm, when raised, activates a laser sound. Pressing down on his head activates his battlecry "Megatron Attack!". His main cannon still functions in this mode.

This mold was slightly redecoed (with new stickers) as Megastorm.


 * Hero Megatron (1995)
 * Japanese ID number: TRF-2




 * Megatron was released again the following year as "Hero" Megatron: a smaller, but similarly styled tank based off the M1 Abrams. This Megatron was purple and came with a bellows that fired an air-propelled missile.


 * Hero Megatron was designed with articulation in mind, so he was loaded with multiple swivel and universal joints, giving him far greater movement compared to his original Generation 2 toy.


 * This toy was released in Europe, albeit with "MEGATRON RULES"-free blank chest sticker, as Archforce. It was also redecoed into Robots in Disguise Bludgeon in 2003.


 * Megatron (Go-Bot, 1995)
 * Megatron was released in a third form, "Go-Bot" Megatron. This was a minor repaint of the previously released Blowout mold, substituting silver for transparent gray plastic.


 * In Japan, his hood was tampographed with a stylized T, with the Transformers logo set within.


 * Unreleased
 * There were a few unreleased Megatron toys in the G2 line. The first was the Megatron ATB (with Starscream), a recolor of the Dreadwing mold. The Beast Wars II BB and Starscream used a very similar deco. A second toy was a recolor of the Hero mold in a gray deco with black camouflage stripes. The third toy was a flipchanger, later used in 1997 as Machine Wars Megatron and Megaplex (see below).

Machine Wars

 * Megatron (1997)


 * This toy was redecoed from an unreleased Generation 2 flipchanger Megatron.
 * Oddly, The Machine Wars stock photos (and even the boxart) portray Megatron as the gray F-22 jet and Megaplex as the blue one, the opposite of the actual toys. This means that either the package designers made the mistake, or the toys were displayed on the wrong cards. The latter is more likely since gray is more associated with Megatron than blue. Like most other toys in the line, the boxart was recycled from an earlier figure, in this case from the Predator Falcon.

Transformers Collection

 * Starscream ("anime" version)
 * Japanese ID number: TFC-09


 * The Transformers Collection reissue of Starscream with a notionally more show-accurate redeco included an original accessory, a G1-scaled representation of Megatron in his Walther P-38 altmode. Needless to say, he doesn't transform (well, maybe not quite needless to say), but he is designed to be capable of being "held" by Starscream... in both modes!


 * Megatron's handle splits apart to reveal a peg, which can be inserted into a secondary specialized right hand included with Starscream especially for this purpose. While the gun's peg slots into the hand, the hand itself features an additional peg that slots into the corresponding hole in the other half of the gun. This leads to a rather ugly result, as the halves do not sit flush to Screamer's rounded fist, and since the handgrip is now merely positioned on either side of the fist rather than replacing it (by, y'know, gripping), it gives the appearance of Megs having a double-length handle. Also, given the design, it is only compatible with Starscream; none of the other the Decepticons can hold him (Soundwave is pissed)... buuut, Optimus Prime can! Despite the broader shortcomings of the compatibility of this accessory with other figures, the set does rather considerately include a similarly-modified "pegged" hand for the classic G1 Prime toy.


 * Slightly more effective is the method of attaching to Starscream's jet mode. The right-hand side of Megs' butt features a square peggy thing which is designed to fit snugly in either of Starscream's "boob exhausts", as in that one episode where he does just that. Or, alternatively, he could still do it in robot mode if he fancied, wearing his hated leader like a rather macabre and oversized brooch.


 * Unfortunately, this peg has, for no fathomable reason, been cast in the same sky blue color as Screamer's hands, unnecessarily making it as obtrusive as humanly possible.

Smallest Transforming Transformers

 * Megatron (2004)
 * Japanese ID number: GTF 07




 * Smallest Transforming Transformers Megatron was released in 2004, including only his fusion cannon. Its other attachments were planned for release, but were scrapped as the line was eventually canceled. He is a barely-simplified version of his original toy, posessing the same transformation scheme and retaining most of his articulation.


 * A VS-X homage set was also released the same year, packed with a Smallest Transforming Transformers Optimus Prime figure.

Robot Masters

 * Reverse Convoy (Rebirth Megatron) (Deluxe, 2004)
 * Japanese ID number: RM-24




 * A retool of the Generation 2 Hero Megatron, Robot Masters' Reverse Convoy features an all-new cannon, a new Convoy head (where Megatron's head used to be), and a new Megatron head that flips out from behind the cannon. The cannon fires a missile when the barrel is pulled back. The back of the cannon also detaches and can form a hand-held weapon.

Titanium

 * Megatron (6" Cybertron Heroes, 2006)


 * The first 6" Titanium Series Megatron toy was inspired by Dreamwave Productions' first G.I. Joe crossover, set in an alternate reality World War II. Since that Megatron's gun form was nonviable as a toy, a tank alternate mode was designed. The backstory of the Megatron from the crossover, including references to Cobra, was retained on the package, make it the first U.S. figure ever produced as part of a G.I. Joe / Transformers crossover.


 * Although the figure looked somewhat impressive, it notably had the tendency to fall apart during transformation and was relatively difficult to pose in robot mode with it falling over.


 * War Within Megatron (6" Cybertron Heroes, 2007)


 * A new Titanium Megatron based on his War Within design was initially shown at Botcon 2006, and was released in spring of 2007. Like the original comic book design, his robot mode has a removable arm cannon and shield, but unlike the original comic book design, his robot mode transforms into his alternate mode at a different angle.


 * As opposed to the earlier toy, this one has a more posable robot mode, but somewhat unimpressive alternate mode, being little more than lying the toy on its back and attaching the gun/shield. There is a small clip on the back of the toy which designer Don Figueroa said was to hold his sword, seen in the comic book, but ultimately not produced.


 * The figure was later available packaged with War Within Optimus Prime as a Toys "R" Us exclusive.

Classics

 * Megatron (Voyager, 2006)
 * Japanese ID Number: D-01


 * Classics Megatron is a "fusion blaster" based loosely on the original Megatron toy and appears to transform into a Nerf N-Strike Maverick blaster (seen at right) to comply with modern US toy gun regulations (an orange cap on a Walther P-38 won't cover it). Its scope/arm cannon houses a working crosshairs and its trigger includes clicking action.  In order to pass modern safety regulations (both the government's and Hasbro's), its blaster mode includes lots of purple and green, plus bright orange on both the tip of the "barrel" and the scope.


 * Although some official Hasbro photographs, including those appearing on the toy's packaging, show the gun mode's trigger and other small parts as being orange, those parts were gray in later stock photography and the final release.


 * In these above-mentioned early promotional photographs, Megatron also had noticeably different "eyebrow" paint applications that matched those of the original Megatron toy. These were two small black triangles on a gray plastic forehead.  The final release has the placement of the black reversed, with two small gray triangles and a black forehead, sometimes referred to as Megatron's "unibrow" by fans.


 * It has been recently discovered that the orange parts on Megatron, particularly the more exposed ones, seem to have their colors fade out over time. The exact cause of this change has not yet been discovered but care should be taken to avoid this from happening.


 * Curiously enough, the UK version of the packaging reads "Scope becomes canon!".


 * Classics Megatron was released in Japan as part of the Henkei! Henkei! Transformers line by TakaraTomy. It features different paint applications that remove all of the toy's neon colors and to give it a closer resemblance to Megatron's Generation 1 cartoon model.


 * Optimus Prime vs Megatron: The Ultimate Battle (Deluxe versus set, 2006)


 * The Megatron included in this two-pack is a tank inspired by the first Megatron toy from Generation 2. Instead of a right hand, its arm ends in a blade with "spinning dervish action."  He is packaged with Optimus Prime and a "The Ultimate Battle" DVD.  Later releases of this toy in some European countries had him individually packed but otherwise unchanged from the original release.


 * Many (all?) units of this figure have Megatron's splayed feet assembled backwards, a fact which is not immediately apparent as the "heel" half of his feet are actually larger than the "toe" half (this is the opposite of most splay-footed transformers), and the situation is not helped by the promotional (exhibit A, to your right) and box-art photography displaying an identically misassembled figure. However, examination of the instructions and any attempt to transform Megatron into tank mode immediately demonstrate the mistake, which is easily corrected by unscrewing the halves of his lower legs and reversing the foot pieces.


 * In 2008, the Optimus Prime vs Megatron set, sans DVD, has been reissued to outlets like Kay Bee in new Universe packaging. The feet are still misassembled.

Masterpiece

 * 20th Anniversary Optimus Prime/Masterpiece Convoy (2003/2004)
 * Japanese ID number: MP-1


 * The Masterpiece Prime/Convoy included an accessory of Megatron in his classic Walther P-38 altmode. Although non-transforming, it is quite detailed and includes the individually removable silencer / barrel extension, scope, and (hinged) stock.
 * Although notionally scaled to be wielded by Masterpiece Prime, the handle is marginally too short and thus has a sliding joint diagonally across the butt of the gun, thus slightly lengthening and narrowing the grip so that Prime can actually hold it. The reason for this odd design concept is unknown.
 * Needless to say, the later-released Masterpiece Starscream can also hold this version of Megatron, and far more appropriately too!
 * The stock extension connecting clamp is prone to breakage to the chargin of owners who keep theirs sealed and untouched.


 * Megatron (2007)
 * Japanese ID number: MP-5




 * Scaled to the same height as 20th Anniversary Optimus Prime/Masterpiece Convoy, Masterpiece Megatron is designed to make a figure closely resembling Megatron's fairly non-toy-accurate original animation model actually able to transform into a realistic (if oversized) Walther P-38 altmode. Something which, on paper, should be impossible. This results in an incredibly complex transformation, likely making it one of the most elaborate Transformers toys to date, even including the unusually complicated automorphing Movie toys.




 * Similar to Masterpiece Starscream, Megatron contains virtually zero die-cast, the only metal components being his feet and some structural rods (and not even as many as you'd expect). Combined with the fact that most of his parts are very thin in order to accommodate the intricacy of the transformation, this results in a comparatively light toy for its size.


 * Megatron has the least articulation of the Masterpiece line, lacking the ability to pivot out at the shoulder by more than a small angle, and his head cannot look upwards. The figure is completely incapable of rotating its arms sideways at the elbows. Also, due to the fact that the fusion cannon is very large (being scaled for a realistic gun mode sight), it butts into the gun mode barrel behind his right shoulder whenever his arm is raised at any angle other than straight ahead.


 * Accessories include Megatron's purple energy flail from More Than Meets the Eye, Part 2, the light saber (referred to by Takara as an "energy dagger" for obvious legal reasons) used in his duel against Prime in Transformers: The Movie, as well as the discarded laser pistol with which he subsequently kills him. Also included is a tiny translucent Kremzeek figure. His fusion cannon also contains a powerful red LED which casts a short-range spotlight when a button is pressed.




 * Due to updated realistic toy gun laws, a debate arose surrounding the Masterpiece Megatron toy. Many fans thought the toy would prove difficult to import into the United States. These fears led some online importers to modify the toys to comply with customs laws. Although initially believed that this would involve permanently painting both the sight and barrel tips blaze orange or gluing on a large plug, final versions have been comparatively discreet. Manufactured by the individual importers, some retailers have elected to attach a rounded red plug into the barrel with "adhesive" (permanent?), while others have used a flat-tipped yellow plug that was apparently only temporarily secured with double-sided tape. Still other retailers chose not to modify the toys at all.


 * Additionally, Australians have also had to deal with strict gun and gun replica laws. While some collectors have managed to receive their Megatrons without incident, Australian Customs and the Federal Police have seized mass shipments and individual packages of the toy sent by certain online retailers, as they now classify Masterpiece Megatron as a gun replica. It is possible to collect a seized Megatron from customs if you live in New South Wales, but it requires a special permit issued by the government. To get this permit, you must go through a lengthy process to prove that you are elligible to own the figure and that you won't misuse it. The only exception is South Australia, where it is perfectly legal to own MP-5, but you must get it from within the country...which seems stupid when you think how hard it is to get him into the country in the first place.
 * After much discussion with the Queensland Police and Customs, one collector was able to verify that, under Queensland law, it was classified as a "restricted" import. Further inquiries showed that importation was allowed if the importer held a B709A license to import replicas, and that whilst a license was required to import, there are (currently) no laws governing registering the item or providing secure "gun cabinet" storage. Obtaining this license involved mailing off an application plus photographs of the item, along with a statutory declaration stating that if the item was ever sold or disposed of that the collector would inform the police for tracking purposes. The issued license permitted importation of 1 figure only and was valid for 3 months. Customs allowed the import without incident.


 * Some owners of this figure have reported rust problems for this figure. Seibertron.com is hosting a guide to combat the Cosmic Rust problem.

Revoltech

 * Series No. 025 Megatron (2007)

A non-transforming but highly articulated Megatron action figure(ine), Revoltech Megatron uses the Revoltech "revolver joints" (appropriate, if you think about it...) for maximum poseability. Megs includes a non-removable fusion cannon and a few alternate hands, as well as an alternate head with its mouth open in either a smirk, growl or sneer, depending on how you read it. His sculpting is explicitly in the style of Pat "serfdom" Lee's interpretation of Megatron.

This figure uses specialized gray revolver joints in order to better blend with the surrounding sculpted parts.

Attacktix

 * Megatron (Booster, 2007)
 * Attacktix ID number TF2-20




 * Faction: Decepticon
 * Class: Leader
 * Special: Recover - 16/26 (61%) success ratio
 * Point Cost: 40
 * Base Speed: 6
 * Attack Type: Shooter (Force Blast)
 * Based on his G1 cartoon appearance, this Megatron toy is a killer. He was available only in the Series 2 Starter Set along with Generation 1 Optimus Prime, Energon Landquake and Cybertron Skywarp.


 * Megatron has an incredibly powerful translucent missile (don't fire it at at children or small dogs if you value their lives) and a Recover special power that allows the figure to stand back up if there's another Decepticon in play. Two Megatrons are a dangerous combination, feeding each other's recover powers and making them very hard to kill off. Plus you can pretend one of them is Straxus.


 * As an added bonus, because of the way it is worded, you can use the Cybertron Megatron vehicle mode figure's Transform power to bring Megatron into play from your back-ups.

Takara Sport Label

 * Megatron Nike Free 7.0
 * Seeking to exploit the tremendous energy potential of sweatshops, Megatron has taken on this new altmode to cement his alliance with Nike inc., since Cobra evidently wasn't enough of an Evil Empire for him...


 * This rather unusual product line, thus far comprising only three entries, entirely utilizes the same body mold with different heads, making this the first time Optimus and Megatron have had identical bodies.


 * Something of a shellformer, Nikeatron is colored primarily black and gray in his altmode of a realistic-looking, scaled-down Nike sneaker, complete with (gratuitously long) real fabric shoelaces. In robot mode, he incorporates a little additional red in predictable areas and has a somewhat uniquely-shaped yet instantly recognizable G1-inspired head, with rather snooty (or camp, take your pick) pursed lips. An undocumented aspect of his transformation is that his gun, which splits in two halves and stores inside his kibble when transforming (much like Rattrap's) has two handle pegs on opposite sides, so that the gun can be held either at its far end or halfway along its length. Additionally, the Megatron figure has an extra peg hole in his right forearm (well, technically so does Prime), allowing you to insert the mid-length plug of his black-colored weapon at this point, positioning the weapon in such a way as to resemble (vaguely) his traditional fusion cannon, rather than simply holding it in his hand.


 * Somewhat perversely, Sneakertron's feet are sculpted in the likeness of his own sneaker altmode, so in effect, he is wearing himself! Kinky...

Universe (2008)

 * Megatron (Legends of Cybertron, 2008)


 * This toy is a scaled-down version of the G2 Megatron toy. Thus, it transforms into a tank, but does not feature a G2 style Decepticon insignia.


 * Megatron (Special Edition Deluxe, 2008)
 * A G1 colored redeco of the Classics Battle begins Deluxe Megatron. The feet appear to have been fixed.
 * Like all Special Edition Deluxes shown so far, he is a hasbrotoyshop.com exclusive with impressive box design with black and white artwork, and a flip-open front that reveals Tech Specs, a profile and the figure, which is packaged in robot mode, interestingly. The Hasbrotoyshop.com listing states this figure was originally intended for the Asian market. The box for the figure is in fact styled like several Takara lines such s Masterpeice and Music Label, with the Transformers logo in an imprinted silver.

Transformers - Mini Bust
Released by Diamond Select Toys in 2008, Megatron was sculpted by Mark Wong of Art Asylum and limited to 1,500 pieces. The sculpt features Megatron perched above a raised Decepticon symbol while the front of the bust showcases the Heart of Cybertron as seen in the G1 episode "Microbots".
 * Megatron (Diamond Select, 2008)

Released by Diamond Select Toys in 2008, Reformatted Megatron was an exclusive to on-line retailer Action Figure Xpress. He was sculpted by Mark Wong of Art Asylum and limited to 600 pieces. Set above Unicron, the sculpt features Megatron in the beginning stages of his reformation into Galvatron as featured in Transformers: The Movie.
 * Reformatted Megatron (Diamond Select, 2008)

Robot Heroes
Available in a two pack with Ultra Magnus.
 * Megatron

Available in the "Decepticon Sneak Attack" 5-pack with "Hologram" Mirage, Cliffjumper, "Supermetal Finish" Optimus Prime and, Skywarp.
 * Megatron (Supermetal Finish)

Trivia



 * It seems that no-one could get Megatron's box art right in Japan. His standard release used edited box art from the standard Microchange P-38 toy's black deco, recolored to Megatron's US toy color scheme with shiny 'chrome' and red on his legs and arms instead of the Japanese toy's flat gray and blue. The VS-X art replaced the red with blue, but kept the 'chrome'. The art on the 'Goodbye Megatron' set used edited US box art (which in turn was the Microchange P-38 UNCLE art with an added sigil) that replaced the red with blue, yet this toy used red plastic.


 * In a possible fit of madness, a triple changer was proposed that would switch between Skywarp (possibly mistaken for Starscream), Megatron, and Skywarp's jet mode.


 * In a slightly more sane attempt, another triple changer was proposed which would switch between Megatron, a very awkward Galvatron, and a Walther P-38 handgun with a futuristic silencer and laser sight.


 * According to Don Figueroa, the mysterious clip on the back of 6" Titanium War Within Megatron was meant to carry the sword Megatron was depicted as using in The War Within. As in the comics, it would presumably have resembled the sword packaged with various versions of G1 Megatron.  It may have been omitted due to cost concerns.


 * G2 Megatron's lock-and-load shoulder cannon was remolded slightly and reused as the main cannon on the I.R.O.N Panther Tank in the very short-lived 1995 G.I. Joe line Sgt. Savage & The Screaming Eagles.