The neat thing about the Animated alt mode is it straddles the line. It's clearly recognisable as A helocopter, just not as an Earth one. An attack helicopter works because it fits his personality. He's a heavily armed ground attack. He leaves Starscream his specialisation as a jet while fulfilling a very Megatron-ish role. and of course, he gets the "transform and rise up" line.
Can we also talk about how fantastic the weapon storage was for Animated Megatron? Sure it has its problems, like the obvious parts forming and how easy it is to lose the weapons for him. But the swords turning into the helicopter blades?! That was genius!
Springer does the propeller sword thing too, but Megatron pulls it off way better. You're right on his weapon storage being really natural to the alt mode 👍
I prefer Megatron as a tank. He is the leader of his faction. He should not rely on anyone such as Starscream when he is a gun. A tank leads the charge.
If you notice on 6:45, the number on the side of the tank, it says d16 (megatron's original name). Coincidence? Also megatron was better as a gun. Starscream never mishandled megatron when he was a gun. I should know, i've seen the og series long enough. But the sad part about the gun toy is that when megatron transformed into a robot, the toy version looked like he had an erection. They should've made the toy gun megatron, a little better.
D-16 isn't a name, it's an ID number. Megatron is one of the characters who uses his American name in the Japanese toyline. The point of the two videos isn't that there is something wrong with the original P-38 Walther release, but that it both can't be done at mass retail anymore due to changing attitudes related to guns and that nothing done to replace it for G1 specifically is working. Making the G1 toy 'better' is ultimately irrelevant when no physical store will carry it.
Animated Megs has always been S-tier for me. Flight is a big part of the Decepticon identity, and it makes sense for their leader to embody that while not stepping on the toes of jet characters like Starscream. I'd personally like to see a more realistic take on this concept in the future where he turns into something like the Mi-24 gunship or the AFH-02B Hellhound from Patlabor, as these types of helicopters have such a menacing look to them that I think would suit Megatron well. Plus, the leap from gun to gunship kinda makes sense.
I honestly don’t care if Megatron is a tank, jet, helicopter, or whatever. As long as the design is good and looks like Megatron then it’s good enough. But I am glad he has moved on from the weird mass shifting pistol.
Animated Megatron to me, is the perfect alt mode for Megatron. It looks so satisfying on the eyes, so stunning and sleek. It feels like G1, but also a new take.
I think he should be slightly redesigned, then have his default be a Tank, or Helicopter. However, I think we’re owed a good G1 Megatron that isn’t a masterpiece figure. Also I don’t like the idea of Megatron flying as a normal jet, or proper plane. I think that if he can fly fast, then there’d be no reason to keep someone as treacherous as Starscream around to lead the Decepticon air forces. Basically if Megatron can fly, Starscream is destined to get annihilated after 1 or 2 betrayals.
Yeah, the plane works so much better in a situation like The Last Knight where Starscream isn't part of the cast. I only touched on the retail shelf aspect of it, too many jets, but the storytelling aspect is noteworthy too.
Attack helicopters are the tanks of the skies. They embody air to ground superiority in an OPPRESSIVE manner. They've been used as gunships, stealth attacks, troop transports, area controls, and in some rare cases can be used in areal dogfights. It takes all the aspects that makes the tank so fierce and powerful and puts it in the skies, making it that much more dangerous. It's only fitting that Megatron's alt mod have such an oppressive force
The new Studio Series Concept Art Megatron is my new favorite Megatron figure and design ever. It's everything I love about Megatron. He has the right silhouette, the red accents, he's taller and Broader than Optimus, and he's both of my favorite Alt modes for Megatron. My preferred alt modes for Megs are either a tank or a jet. And being a triple changer he is both. How successful those alt modes are is a whole different discussion but that new Studio Series Megatron is so awesome.
A lot of people have brought him up, but he benefits greatly from being both Cybertronian and having the movie aesthetic. Very hard to translate into G1 style.
Animated Megatron is without a doubt the BEST Megatron outside of G1. Like many, I feel the original gun just doesn't fit the leader of the Decepticons any more, as someone with that amount of power likely wouldn't rely on others to function at full capacity. Designing my own Megatron, I think I would make him a triple-changer, using a Sci-fi Cybertronian tank (like Bayverse ROTF or Siege), as well as some kind of copter/jet (something like Animated's tiltrotor would be my choice).
My personal favorite has always been the Stealth Bomber from IDW's comics. But I feel like if Takara's engineers really got in there and did a masterpiece Tank Megatron, we could get something good.
Ive always preferred Megatron to be a Cybertronian jet, probably cause I'm biased af and grew up with the movies. I like the idea of him refusing to adopt an Earth mode unless absolutely necessary for his survival, due to a burning hatred and disgust for humanity and their technology, and I can't imagine him wanting to restrict himself to land travel exclusively. As the Decepticon Emperor, he deserves that level of freedom in flight and that distinguishing presence, that "oh shit, that's Megatron" feeling, and that power of being a technologically superior aircraft to Earthen jets.
For me, Megatron jet mode in prime has always been my favourite alt mode. My hot take is that I prefer megatron alt mode to be a jet rather than a tank, because I always find his jet to represent the decepticons more as autobots are mostly stuck as land vehicles and decepticons are land and air. It also make him equal to starscream power as starscream can easily escape megatron when he a tank. I do however like his alt mode in ROTF as it a best of both worlds where he a tank and a jet.
For Studio Series 86 Megatron, I hope they at least include his gun alt mode as an in-scale accessory weapon. That I think, would be the best compromise. Of course, the primary reason Megatron ceased being a gun is because of toy regulations, but when it comes to toys specifically referencing G1 Megatron, like the SS86 line-up, that's when I think the argument for his gun mode has the most merit. The very reason his alt mode was a gun in the first place is because the toy came first, and the characterization of Megatron was invented later. All that being said, I far prefer his other alt modes... well not not his Bayverse alt modes, the jet and tank modes especially. I just want his gun mode to at least be a weapon accessory in his future SS86 design.
My friend, who is a serious puritan when it comes to classic stuff, actually really liked the attack helicopter form. He pointed out with the fusion cannon mounded underneath he's pretty much like a flying gun. But the only Megatron I ever owned was the Generations Deluxe Cybertronian tank. In my headcanon I think of that as being the form Megatron returns to when the other Decepticons get tired of dealing with Galvatron's madness. So they knock him out and take him to Unicron's head to use its systems to change him back to Megatron. However, the only way to do that is to return him to his earliest form. So, they do that and revive the proper Megatron, take him back to Charr, and upgrade him based on the scans they had of Galvatron, so he's just as powerful but without the screaming insanity.
If we want to talk about potential unexplored alt modes, two that I don’t see mentioned often are heavy gunships (like the AC-130) and artillery trucks like the RMMV HX. both have lots of guns that can be used to replicate his fusion cannon and back mounted barrel and could look more organic than the Earthrise Fusion Cannon
I'm not so sure about the AC-130, since it's very asymmetrical with the guns pointing off to the side (being proportionally smaller relative to plane, if we're talking the IRL armaments, and also in unique positions on the plane) which I think would be challenging to get toy designer to work with without major parts forming. Yeah an artillery unit like RMMV HX (or for something in mass production, France's CAESAR truck-howitzer) are ones they can also explore, and in a way, allows Megatron to contrast against Optimus, a civilian truck.
I need to mention this, the aerialbots have an undeserved reputation of being “the first autobots that can fly” that really can’t be farther from the truth because, quite a number of autobots from 1985, turned into vehicles that can fly, Cosmos, Powerglide, omega supreme, jetfire. All autobots that can fly, so this idea that the aerialbots are the first flying autobots is a big lie, that needs to stop being spread.
Yeah, Jetfire is even in Season 1. Probably the popularity of The Key to Vector Sigma and War Dawn in action here. The Jetfire commercial is a quintessential G1 commercial and pushes Jetfire as the Autobot jet, but his episodes aren't as iconic. So people's favorite episodes having the characters pushed as the Autobot jets may set an idea in their mind. Truth be told though, I completely forget about Cosmos and Powerglide existing sometimes.
@@SGD_ToysDownUnder they came as part of a slightly later wave. Toywise they may have made it to the shelves before the Aerialbots but i think they had animated appearances first
Watching the video and reading the comments made me realize, in a certain narrative it makes sense for Megatron to take flight, bc of how long he spend on the ground working as a miner, so him starting as a tank but later switching makes for a cool idea of him ultimately taking to the sky
I'm a big fan of Galvatron being Energon styled rather than G1, I think it's more 'playable'. Galvatron showing some of Megatron's inner self is a great idea.
Thanks! :D Yeah, Shockwave is on my to do list, but Soundwave / Blaster are a bit tricky. Might take some time till I have my thoughts straight on them.
@@SGD_ToysDownUnder no. The only thing that I don’t like is how small the toy is especially compared to Bulkhead. But he’s perfect in the show! (At least to me)
@@Mike-mf3ed I'm inclined to agree with you. Love Animated, but Soundwave as a design has issues like Megatron where the original toy hurts later toys. It's really hard to incorporate the action feature into anything else. Animated turning Soundwave into a van with pets that become weapons in robot mode not only keeps some of the theming, but solves a lot of problems.
I’ve been around since the beginning. I remember Megatron, along with Soundwave and Optimus Prime as being the most desirable toys in that first line. The “big” transformers. I have a G1, G2, and Beast Wars Megatron. The G2 simply looks and functions the best despite its ridiculous color scheme and lack of an arm cannon. Also, as a tank, Megatron becomes a counter to Optimus Prime’s 18 wheeler.
I'm inclined to agree with you, but I love the G2 colours. G2 Megatron was one of my grails in the early 2000s as I love Skyquake and he's got the same feel to him. I wouldn't mind the G2 body being default if we get G2 and G2 Hero redecos of it.
i think one thing that i feel like people dont talk about enough is Megatrons scale. He's usually depicted at around Optimus's height, not including any super mode, with only one instance of him being larger and thats the first Bay movie. Imagine if they played around with him being bigger again, and gave him al alt mode to fit? Imagine one of those german ultra heavy tanks or maybe a large but fast bomber like the B1B Lancer, to distinct from Starscream for jets.
@@SGD_ToysDownUnder True! Yes I forgot Armada does have him being larger, my bad. But hey that just goes to show how awesome Armada Megs is, the big size really makes him more menacing
I think for Studio Series 86 they need to make him look as close as possible to the character as priority one. Then make him a tank. And as a safe nod to the gun mode, let us give him a turret he stands behind like the original. Not a gun, but a nice nod to the classic design.
Siege is my favorite of the modern G1 Megatrons. Like implied, he follows in the spirit of Shockwave as being a sci-fi alt mode. It paints him as in the same category of that character. Plus, since he looks down on the humans, it's logical he'd see their technology as beneath him. He's only interested in plundering their resources.
Megatron can do well as an Earth-based tank, it would just be harder unless the Fusion Cannon was made to look like a tank cannon. Animated, as my favorite Megatron, honestly did really well for his alt mode, making him have a G1 silhouette and a unique (at the time) alt mode, while emphasizing how Decepticons tended to only fly in that show and justify him saying "Transform and rise up." Getting a Legacy version of him would instantly make me buy it lol If we are supposed to get a Studio Series Megatron at some point, theyll have to find some way to make him work, maybe give the option to make him a gun without actually showing it (as thats not really allowed, huh?). Tank would probably be hard, but if the design team has shown us anything they could do really well with at least a tank
Concept Megatron does just that, Tank, Jet, fan gun that looks intended, but I think that toy benefits from the Cybertronian movie aethetic. It's a lot harder in the G1 style.
@@SGD_ToysDownUnder the gun to me seems a lot more out-there in terms of design, like its not actively meant to be a gun, moreso the abstractness of the figure allows it to look much more like a gun. What im hoping for is a gun mode that’s actually intended, like dedicated tabs and parts that do little in tank mode but are used to let a gun be a real option and not just a fan mode
@@varuhash50 Ah. Yeah, I get you. I've been checked out of mainline SS for a while, don't buy movie figures or pay them much thought, but was told in another comment on the first vid it was intended by the designers. It had parts that otherwise shouldn't be there. I think I'm going to have to better research that toy. I don't know how far they can go with a wink and a nudge with fan modes. Maybe a handheld tank? lol
@@SGD_ToysDownUnder i mean Sixshot from Titans Return had a gun mode disguised as a “boat” and Shockwave is Shockwave lol. And maybe the gun mode was intentional, but just from what i saw it didnt look too convincing and felt like a true fan model
@@varuhash50 Funny mentioning both of them, I was lamenting recently I'd missed out on Sixshot as it wasn't distributed well here, while I was setting up my Shockwave for display. Sixshot feels much more deliberate and probably closer to what they could do. I'm not sure on his size, is it closer to a proper pistol or is it small like Shockwave? I really like that Shockwave, but the gun thing feels forced and it needs all the parts to look right in vehicle mode for me.
as far as any future g1 megs figures a gun or a tank works best. In my opinion any new incarnation needs to be a copter. Animated megs is peak and even though i dont like earthspark as a show i think their design for him is orgasmic
I think Animated still beats out Earthspark by a lot. Not fond of how soft that design looks with the rounded front. The harshness of Animated's cockpit has a lot of personality.
As long as Megatron looks & acts like Megatron, I'm good. He's my all time favorite Transformer from day one. I had a g1 as a kid😊. Gunship, tank, tankship, it doesn't matter, as long as the fusion cannon is on the right side, and a prominent focal point of his alt form it's cool. Besides, Megatron doesn't need to be in disguise, if he shows up, things blow up😂
For me I always liked the G2 Megs as an update and new body removing all aspects of the gun and replacing with a realistic tank or as close as you could get, instead of trying to add the fusion cannon it is replaced by the new tank barrel as a shoulder mounted gun letting him have his hands free to fight or wield other weapons, Animated was also a great new idea taking the G1 and keeping alot of his body and weapon just making a new alt mode that still envokes power and domiantion of Megatron. The only down side to G2 was the colours green and purple camo were alittle sticking out there but it was the 90's. Todays Tank Megatron's keep trying to use the fusion and that is why they fail.
I'd rather have the tank barrel on the back like G1 megs pistol barrel, and then be able to fold it over the shoulder when deployed. Done well it might able be able to recall Armada Megs fold around cannon too.
I much prefer the tank over the helicopter. Megatron needs a commanding alt mode, and helicopters are notoriously flimsy. It's just not a good pairing in my opinion. Also, I don't think the animated Megatron is a really fair comparison. That design is heavily stylized, so it has a lot more leeway when it comes to wacky proportions. Other Megatrons tend to be styled after G1, so they have to work within certain limitations. I think Robosen's design is the perfect blueprint. It has excellent proportions, and it transforms in a limited number of moves. That means there's of real estate to create a REALLY good manual transforming figure from that design. Personally, I'd retool the treads so that they fully collapse into the legs. That might be a bit of a tall order, but it wouldn't be impossible, and doing so would eliminate the back kibble. I'd keep the scope where it is, but I'd add some extending panels to cover up where the scope has been wedged. Doing those two things, in my opinion, would go a long way in creating an near perfect Megatron.
I don't think Animated Megatron is stylised in such a way that you can't retrofit it into a G1 form. Actually, I'm positive it'd very easy to convert that toy into something with a more traditional styling.
@@SGD_ToysDownUnder I mean it's hard to create an alt mode specifically for other Megatrons by comparison. The stylized look of Animated leaves a bit more wiggle room proportion wise. A helicopter in Animated doesn't have to LOOK exactly like a real life helicopter. You know what I mean?
Oh I get what you mean, but I think if you kept the general shape, in particular the cockpit, you keep the feel. If anything, I think it's the dual propellors that could be changed. A few people said a HIND, but I think Animated's cockpit looks better.
I don't really have any issues with Megatron's various designs, mostly because I don't have G1 nostalgia. I grew with the Unicron trilogy, so Armada Megatron is probably my favorite. I have bigger beef with Shockwave as nobody seems to have any idea what his alt mode should be, so we get alien tanks and spider tanks that don't feel quite right to me. As Prime gave an excellent interpretation of Soundwave, I'm hoping Shockwave could someday have the same treatment. I'd just like If he had a proper earth mode.
Even though a tank makes sense for megatron, the toys manage to make it boring instead of menacing, thats my problem with tank megatron. So I rather have a menacing or cool jet. Gun forms arent out of the question either because although non earth weapon is a shockwave thing, he hasn't been one for some time. Megatron can be some kind of space gun.
The recent Concept Megatron can be turned into a space gun, but it benefits from not looking much like anything aside from a robot doing a lot of yoga. If we were to return to the jet, I think a take on The Last Knight Megatron in G1 style would be in order. The voyager toy is very popular and rightfully so.
If Megatron is to be a flying vehicle, he should be a large and heavy one. Not a jet, something to distinguish him from a seeker. My favorite flying Megatron alt mode is the stealth bomber, but a heavy gunship helicopter could fit as well. The A-10 Thunderbolt II is also an option, but I think its a bit too slender for Megatron. If he's a tank, however, I think it'd be cool to make him a tank destroyer specifically. Less mobility, but more raw power. There's a prototype Sewdish tank destroyer called the Taifun II that was never put into production that I think fits Megatron well. I admit this is personal bias, but I dont think Megatron should be a triple-changer. In my opinion, triple changers should be more like specially-trained shock units that undergo specific augmentations to allow them to triple-change. I also dont think he should keep his Cybertronian alt-mode while on Earth. Perosnally, I want to make my own version of Transformers that is more realistic and hard science fiction. The tactical disadvantage of exposing yourself as an alien in the modern era, especially with the internet, cameras everywhere, and satellites, would just make Megatron look incompetent.
Thunderbolt would also tread on Powerglide's toes, but that's only going to affect hardcore fans. Media doesn't love Powerglide quite like Astoria does. I'm also not a fan of Megatron being a triple changer in his base form.
Megatron doesn’t need anything set, he’s a war machine a powerhouse and a leader. To that end he should be a multi changer. The more alt modes the better but if it causes issues a triple changer, the ability to at least thrive on land and air should be standard. I have my gripes and think sticking to G1 is a shackle that drags designs down (though Derrick J Wyatt proves that it’s the other designers being too restricted in thought or criteria as animated Megatron was badass) he shouldn’t even need to care about an earth alt mode so being able to become anything he wants is fine. A perfect Megatron to me would be a mix of RID2001 Megatron and Cybertron Megatron as both are imposing and powerful without needing to rely on the common tropes and can transform into multiple forms. Personally I’ve been conceptualizing an idea for a Megatron that had a heavy assault armored vehicle (not necessarily a tank but certainly has the firepower to make a tank look weak) with a high speed setting as a partial transformation then able to switch to a gunship/jet
My biggest problem with modern Megatron designs is how the designers have the robot mode resemble his g1 counterpart as closely as possible while giving him an alternative mode that doesn't match. I.E. they want to have their cake and eat it too. I have the same problem with Soundwave and Blaster.
To me Megatron's alt-mode should be one where's he's more powerful as it. He can be a pistol if shots do more damage when used as a pistol, so the logic can be same with other forms.
My first Autobot (and second transformer) as a child was G1 Highbrow. The gunship helicopter from animated looked cool, but to me it seemed like an odd choice. Personally, I like him more as a tank; considering that it was his first 'new' alt-mode after the gun-mode. Even his Action Master vehicle was a tank in opposition to Optimus' truck. My only complaint about the tank is there's a lack of consistency. The tank looks different every time. It would be nice if Hasbro drew the line in the sand and said "He's a silver M1 Abrams tank (EDIT: ... albeit a modified one), similar to how Sideswipe is a red Lamborghini Countach, or how Thundercracker is a blue F15 Eagle".
So at the end where I mentioned having more to say? I really couldn't work Megatron's Neutro Fusion Tank from Action Masters into the script naturally, but it's really interesting. Not only is it the first tank, but the origins of the Green and Purple the character would use throughout the 90s. Something I'd really like to see the designers do is use the Neutro Fusion Tank as Megatron's Cybertronian mode as a callback. Not sure how well the colour scheme would work though. I'm happy someone mentioned Action Masters though :D
Oh and I agree with you on just sticking to an actual alt mode and not restarting all the time. I think the Abrams specifically is a nice call back to the G2 toy and opens up for redecos.
@@SGD_ToysDownUnder Yeah, it's a bit of a balancing act. To me the Abrams is the 'traditional' Megatron tank, and the AM vehicle sorta looked like one too. However, the arm cannon placement in alt-mode is strange, and seems to work better on the sci-fi tank from Siege. If I was forced to choose, I'd prefer him to be a silver Abrams tank (and for Hasbro to stick to it!). Not perfect, but it's more definitive.
I do wonder if something like Legacy Armada Megatron might be in order. Give it a realistic barrel and the right posts, the body itself the right ports, then choose your own adventure. Hip, back, shoulder, arm. Emgo's it's your toy, play with it however you want in action.
@@SGD_ToysDownUnder watch the G1 season 1 episode 3 during the fight at the power plant where the Decepticons faked out the Autobots with dummy Decepticons
I still think that G1 megatron as a tank can be done well, I guess it’s just hard to incorporate (or not include) the fusion cannon into the tank mode and transformation unless they have to partsform and no one likes that
I like Megatron cybertronian helicopter jet favorite alternative mode also did you know that the new movie concept Megatron toy is a quad changer actually changes into a gun a jet a tank and a robot I've seen some videos where people transform that Megatron into a gun for those who don't know
Yeah, some people have brought up Concept Megatron. The gun mode I've heard two claims on, either it was intended or it's purely fan mode. I'm not sure what to believe.
People complained about... whatever Legacy Bulkhead is meant to be, but I think a version of Animated Megatron with more G1 aesthetics could be a lot of people's default Megatron. I know it'd be in strong consideration for mine.
Megatron G1 taught me the most important lesson in transformers. READ THE INSTRUCTIONS. Because after tearing apart the box he came in, i accidentally broke him 😞
I've never liked Megatron as a tank, because it is too close to the artillery cannon mode Galvatron has. A Cybertronian jet or the Animated helicopter is better in my opinion.
I will always love yhe goody pistol form but i fully acknowledge that it doesn't really suit his station as Decepticon Commander. Tank is the logical choice in my mind. Though i donlove the fact that over the years we have had so many different alt modes for Megatron. Optimus Prime is great but accept a few very specific versions its always a big red truck. Every time they reboot transformers its always kind of exciting to think what will Megatron be. A tank, a dragon, a jet, and alien whatchamacallit. As just one more note. Of all the transformers ive always felt Megatron kind of needs an alt mode the least. Maybe its because in the G1 cartoon he was able to fly in robot mode already so an alt mode really didnt matter to him as much. He also had the personality that gives the impression. Why would i hide in an ugly earth disguise? I am MEGATRON! Even turning into a gun didn't really do much. He was already packing the most dire power on the field. I guess if your in a toy line called transformers though you kinda need to turn into somthing.
Yeah, Megatron not having an alt mode would be antithetical to the brand identity. A few people like the current SS Bee Movie Megatron, it's made me wonder if something like Sixshot or Gigatron with many different alt modes would be a good fit. Or at the very least, a more Megatron feeling Titans Return Megatron.
One of the problems is that Optimus's truck is fairly unique to him, but Megatron is always stepping on someone's toes. I'm personally a champion of triple changer Megatron...it makes him a powerhouse that needs no one else...but that renders Blitzwing pointless. Tank? makes him more an answer to Warpath, and that doesn't make sense. Original gun mode? Shockwave makes more sense as a gun (simple, straightforward, leaves the dirty work in someone else's hands). The Animated aircraft is definitely the most unique to him, but even that isn't the magic solution for me. Looks too vulnerable, like you could shoot out a propeller and he'd be done. Honestly my favorite Megatron alt mode is the custom Mad Max oil tanker from Dark of the Moon. Perfect counterpoint to Optimus, similar big truck but while of Optimus's radiates safety and warmth, Megatrons is all sharp edges and intimidation.
@@SGD_ToysDownUnder Eh, those are minor enough characters that it doesn't as much matter. Like, when I call Optimus's truck mode unique I'm not counting the likes of Motormaster because honestly who cares about Motormaster? For me, the shared alt-mode issue is mostly a problem for characters who are regular members of their teams.
@@DantheManIamIam heh, that was actually the argument I was going to go for originally but it felt rude. I'd say in modern era Blitzwing and Warpath are pretty obscure, especially Warpath.
@@SGD_ToysDownUnder It's admittedly a grey area, since the franchise has a frustrating habit of treating all but Optimus, Megatron, Starscream and as of the movies Bumblebee as interchangeable (Soundwave and Shockwave are pretty regular too, I guess Ratchet and Arcee show up a lot but that has more to do with their roles as the medic and the token girl than any kind of consistent characterization. Decepticons really do tend to get more love than Autobots, huh?). I was mostly thinking in terms of the original G1 cast but I guess in broad strokes that thinking doesn't hold up for the broader franchise (sad that my boy Warpath gets so little love, at least the Cybertron games gave him a spotlight).
The core character concept does have drawbacks, but honestly, rewatching Season 1 recently, it's been like this longer than you'd expect. 80s cartoons were just better at appearances and spotlight episodes.
Then you had earthspark Meg that had a good alternative mode...... if it wasn't on Meg who was base of g 1 Meg color. Yeah in term of flyer Meg from animated wins. Also the cannon being shown for animated fit as animated Canon they can reveal any part of robot mode or weapon during vehicle mode so Meg showing it isn't a issue.
Earthspark looks like someone took Animated, hated the cockpit kibble, gave him the shoulders of Cybertron Hotshot instead and due to this, he looks so soft. I'm not a fan of it.
Ill be real with you, not a fan of the Animated designs in general though I don't mind Megatron, but he is not the best Megatron design. That goes to IDW Lost Light Megatron.
@SGD_ToysDownUnder his stealth bomber design is REALLY god, but no. I mean his final body, this body. static.wikia.nocookie.net/p__/images/9/9d/MegatronIDW.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20231231115403&path-prefix=protagonist It's got all the hallmarks of a perfect Meg body to me. Very much G1 but clearly a tank without the clumsy tread-backpack and has all the things you pointed out for a good design such as extra red accents from Animated and the barrel on the back. Maybe I'm just biased because I absolutely adore how his character developed and changed while in this body but to me it is perfect Megatron.
@SGD_ToysDownUnder his stealth bomber design is REALLY god, but no. I mean his final body that he rocked in Lost Light, this body. static.wikia.nocookie.net/p__/images/9/9d/MegatronIDW.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20231231115403&path-prefix=protagonist It is flawless to me. Is very clearly G1 while being updated, still being a tank-esque but without all them clumsiness of the tread backpack, fixes your gripe about the barrel/scope discrepancy, and has some well placed red highlights throughout like animated, and just generally looks fantastic all together. Maybe I'm biased because I absolutely adore what the writing staff did with him while he was on this body but to me, it is perfect Megs.
His stealth bomber design is REALLY god, but no. I mean his final body he rocked during his time in Lost Light. This body. static.wikia.nocookie.net/outlier-battles/images/e/e2/IDW-MTMTE-Megatron.png/revision/latest?cb=20200520025619 It is PERFECT to me. Clearly G1 while being updated to match the style of the comic, being cybertronian tank but without the clumsy tread backpack, keeps the back barrel (from his unshown alt mode), well placed alternating tones of black and grey with plenty of red highlights splashed throughout, and he even eventually gets his arm cannon back. Maybe I'm biased because I love how his character changed and developed while in his body, he has easily some of the best written dialogue in all of Transformers history during this run, but to me, it is neigh unbeatable. Absolute perfection
I like the idea of Megatron having a Cybertronian Alt Mode, rejecting the concept of disguising himself as an earth vehicle.
The neat thing about the Animated alt mode is it straddles the line. It's clearly recognisable as A helocopter, just not as an Earth one. An attack helicopter works because it fits his personality. He's a heavily armed ground attack. He leaves Starscream his specialisation as a jet while fulfilling a very Megatron-ish role.
and of course, he gets the "transform and rise up" line.
Can we also talk about how fantastic the weapon storage was for Animated Megatron?
Sure it has its problems, like the obvious parts forming and how easy it is to lose the weapons for him.
But the swords turning into the helicopter blades?! That was genius!
Springer does the propeller sword thing too, but Megatron pulls it off way better. You're right on his weapon storage being really natural to the alt mode 👍
Parts forming for weapons should never be demonized, a weapon that blends into and works perfectly with the vehicle mode is a well designed weapon
I prefer Megatron as a tank. He is the leader of his faction. He should not rely on anyone such as Starscream when he is a gun. A tank leads the charge.
The tank really has the presence and threat necessary, doesn't it?
If you notice on 6:45, the number on the side of the tank, it says d16 (megatron's original name). Coincidence? Also megatron was better as a gun. Starscream never mishandled megatron when he was a gun. I should know, i've seen the og series long enough. But the sad part about the gun toy is that when megatron transformed into a robot, the toy version looked like he had an erection. They should've made the toy gun megatron, a little better.
D-16 isn't a name, it's an ID number. Megatron is one of the characters who uses his American name in the Japanese toyline.
The point of the two videos isn't that there is something wrong with the original P-38 Walther release, but that it both can't be done at mass retail anymore due to changing attitudes related to guns and that nothing done to replace it for G1 specifically is working. Making the G1 toy 'better' is ultimately irrelevant when no physical store will carry it.
he doesn't rely on anyone as a gun tho, he always shoots on his own, he can even float as a gun
I prefer him as a triple-changer, a tank and an aircraft
Animated Megs has always been S-tier for me. Flight is a big part of the Decepticon identity, and it makes sense for their leader to embody that while not stepping on the toes of jet characters like Starscream. I'd personally like to see a more realistic take on this concept in the future where he turns into something like the Mi-24 gunship or the AFH-02B Hellhound from Patlabor, as these types of helicopters have such a menacing look to them that I think would suit Megatron well. Plus, the leap from gun to gunship kinda makes sense.
The Hellbound looks pretty darn cool. I could totally be on board with that.
I honestly don’t care if Megatron is a tank, jet, helicopter, or whatever. As long as the design is good and looks like Megatron then it’s good enough. But I am glad he has moved on from the weird mass shifting pistol.
Ok, Megatron is the most infamous Chinese toy now; the Evil Clever Dog!
Animated Megatron to me, is the perfect alt mode for Megatron. It looks so satisfying on the eyes, so stunning and sleek. It feels like G1, but also a new take.
I think he should be slightly redesigned, then have his default be a Tank, or Helicopter. However, I think we’re owed a good G1 Megatron that isn’t a masterpiece figure.
Also I don’t like the idea of Megatron flying as a normal jet, or proper plane. I think that if he can fly fast, then there’d be no reason to keep someone as treacherous as Starscream around to lead the Decepticon air forces. Basically if Megatron can fly, Starscream is destined to get annihilated after 1 or 2 betrayals.
Yeah, the plane works so much better in a situation like The Last Knight where Starscream isn't part of the cast. I only touched on the retail shelf aspect of it, too many jets, but the storytelling aspect is noteworthy too.
Attack helicopters are the tanks of the skies. They embody air to ground superiority in an OPPRESSIVE manner. They've been used as gunships, stealth attacks, troop transports, area controls, and in some rare cases can be used in areal dogfights. It takes all the aspects that makes the tank so fierce and powerful and puts it in the skies, making it that much more dangerous. It's only fitting that Megatron's alt mod have such an oppressive force
The new Studio Series Concept Art Megatron is my new favorite Megatron figure and design ever. It's everything I love about Megatron. He has the right silhouette, the red accents, he's taller and Broader than Optimus, and he's both of my favorite Alt modes for Megatron. My preferred alt modes for Megs are either a tank or a jet. And being a triple changer he is both. How successful those alt modes are is a whole different discussion but that new Studio Series Megatron is so awesome.
A lot of people have brought him up, but he benefits greatly from being both Cybertronian and having the movie aesthetic. Very hard to translate into G1 style.
Animated Megatron is without a doubt the BEST Megatron outside of G1. Like many, I feel the original gun just doesn't fit the leader of the Decepticons any more, as someone with that amount of power likely wouldn't rely on others to function at full capacity.
Designing my own Megatron, I think I would make him a triple-changer, using a Sci-fi Cybertronian tank (like Bayverse ROTF or Siege), as well as some kind of copter/jet (something like Animated's tiltrotor would be my choice).
Titans Return or Super Megatron come to mind first when you go down that angle.
My personal favorite has always been the Stealth Bomber from IDW's comics. But I feel like if Takara's engineers really got in there and did a masterpiece Tank Megatron, we could get something good.
I agree on an MP tank Megatron. I'd like to see if they'd get any Easter eggs in the design too
Ive always preferred Megatron to be a Cybertronian jet, probably cause I'm biased af and grew up with the movies. I like the idea of him refusing to adopt an Earth mode unless absolutely necessary for his survival, due to a burning hatred and disgust for humanity and their technology, and I can't imagine him wanting to restrict himself to land travel exclusively. As the Decepticon Emperor, he deserves that level of freedom in flight and that distinguishing presence, that "oh shit, that's Megatron" feeling, and that power of being a technologically superior aircraft to Earthen jets.
It's interesting how different people approach the brand based on what they grew up with. I guess I have a bit of that too being a G2 kid.
For me, Megatron jet mode in prime has always been my favourite alt mode. My hot take is that I prefer megatron alt mode to be a jet rather than a tank, because I always find his jet to represent the decepticons more as autobots are mostly stuck as land vehicles and decepticons are land and air. It also make him equal to starscream power as starscream can easily escape megatron when he a tank. I do however like his alt mode in ROTF as it a best of both worlds where he a tank and a jet.
If you want Jet Megs, TLK Megs has my vote.
For Studio Series 86 Megatron, I hope they at least include his gun alt mode as an in-scale accessory weapon. That I think, would be the best compromise. Of course, the primary reason Megatron ceased being a gun is because of toy regulations, but when it comes to toys specifically referencing G1 Megatron, like the SS86 line-up, that's when I think the argument for his gun mode has the most merit. The very reason his alt mode was a gun in the first place is because the toy came first, and the characterization of Megatron was invented later.
All that being said, I far prefer his other alt modes... well not not his Bayverse alt modes, the jet and tank modes especially.
I just want his gun mode to at least be a weapon accessory in his future SS86 design.
My friend, who is a serious puritan when it comes to classic stuff, actually really liked the attack helicopter form. He pointed out with the fusion cannon mounded underneath he's pretty much like a flying gun. But the only Megatron I ever owned was the Generations Deluxe Cybertronian tank. In my headcanon I think of that as being the form Megatron returns to when the other Decepticons get tired of dealing with Galvatron's madness. So they knock him out and take him to Unicron's head to use its systems to change him back to Megatron. However, the only way to do that is to return him to his earliest form. So, they do that and revive the proper Megatron, take him back to Charr, and upgrade him based on the scans they had of Galvatron, so he's just as powerful but without the screaming insanity.
That's a pretty interesting story!
Crazy thought what if Megatron became and orbital satellite, so his fusion cannon wouldn't be a problem
Space themed Decepticons could be interesting. Fits in well with Space Dreadnought Shockwave.
If we want to talk about potential unexplored alt modes, two that I don’t see mentioned often are heavy gunships (like the AC-130) and artillery trucks like the RMMV HX. both have lots of guns that can be used to replicate his fusion cannon and back mounted barrel and could look more organic than the Earthrise Fusion Cannon
AC-130 just makes me lament that they don't use Lugnut.
I'm not so sure about the AC-130, since it's very asymmetrical with the guns pointing off to the side (being proportionally smaller relative to plane, if we're talking the IRL armaments, and also in unique positions on the plane) which I think would be challenging to get toy designer to work with without major parts forming.
Yeah an artillery unit like RMMV HX (or for something in mass production, France's CAESAR truck-howitzer) are ones they can also explore, and in a way, allows Megatron to contrast against Optimus, a civilian truck.
I need to mention this, the aerialbots have an undeserved reputation of being “the first autobots that can fly” that really can’t be farther from the truth because, quite a number of autobots from 1985, turned into vehicles that can fly, Cosmos, Powerglide, omega supreme, jetfire. All autobots that can fly, so this idea that the aerialbots are the first flying autobots is a big lie, that needs to stop being spread.
Yeah, Jetfire is even in Season 1. Probably the popularity of The Key to Vector Sigma and War Dawn in action here. The Jetfire commercial is a quintessential G1 commercial and pushes Jetfire as the Autobot jet, but his episodes aren't as iconic. So people's favorite episodes having the characters pushed as the Autobot jets may set an idea in their mind.
Truth be told though, I completely forget about Cosmos and Powerglide existing sometimes.
Finally someone gets it. You did forget Swoop from the Dinobots but that’s nitpicking.
@@DarthVoxyn sorry, I was just on a time crunch when I wrote this comment, and was in a hurry, but yes, swoop is a perfect example.
@@SGD_ToysDownUnder though, Jetfire is technically a Decepticon defector
@@SGD_ToysDownUnder they came as part of a slightly later wave. Toywise they may have made it to the shelves before the Aerialbots but i think they had animated appearances first
I prefer a tank with wings and a massive gun.
So Revenge of the Fallen?
@@SGD_ToysDownUnder Yes
Watching the video and reading the comments made me realize, in a certain narrative it makes sense for Megatron to take flight, bc of how long he spend on the ground working as a miner, so him starting as a tank but later switching makes for a cool idea of him ultimately taking to the sky
I'm a big fan of Galvatron being Energon styled rather than G1, I think it's more 'playable'. Galvatron showing some of Megatron's inner self is a great idea.
A great two part series, I could totally see videos of a similar style for other characters like Soundwave and Shockwave
Thanks! :D Yeah, Shockwave is on my to do list, but Soundwave / Blaster are a bit tricky. Might take some time till I have my thoughts straight on them.
Animated Megs is my favourite, but I’m a Soundwave fan and my fave version is TFA so…
Not bothered by losing the minion deployment action feature?
@@SGD_ToysDownUnder no. The only thing that I don’t like is how small the toy is especially compared to Bulkhead. But he’s perfect in the show! (At least to me)
@@Mike-mf3ed I'm inclined to agree with you. Love Animated, but Soundwave as a design has issues like Megatron where the original toy hurts later toys. It's really hard to incorporate the action feature into anything else. Animated turning Soundwave into a van with pets that become weapons in robot mode not only keeps some of the theming, but solves a lot of problems.
Unfortunately animated got cancelled because in the fourth season Megatron would’ve become a triple changer
Based on Super Megatron too!
@@SGD_ToysDownUnder I know it got cancelled for prime but man I would really love a revival and season 4 was basically done
@@FatalGod404 I don't think it'd be the same without Derrick :(
@@SGD_ToysDownUnder yeah
I’ve been around since the beginning. I remember Megatron, along with Soundwave and Optimus Prime as being the most desirable toys in that first line. The “big” transformers. I have a G1, G2, and Beast Wars Megatron. The G2 simply looks and functions the best despite its ridiculous color scheme and lack of an arm cannon. Also, as a tank, Megatron becomes a counter to Optimus Prime’s 18 wheeler.
I'm inclined to agree with you, but I love the G2 colours. G2 Megatron was one of my grails in the early 2000s as I love Skyquake and he's got the same feel to him. I wouldn't mind the G2 body being default if we get G2 and G2 Hero redecos of it.
i think one thing that i feel like people dont talk about enough is Megatrons scale. He's usually depicted at around Optimus's height, not including any super mode, with only one instance of him being larger and thats the first Bay movie. Imagine if they played around with him being bigger again, and gave him al alt mode to fit? Imagine one of those german ultra heavy tanks or maybe a large but fast bomber like the B1B Lancer, to distinct from Starscream for jets.
Isn't Armada Megs bigger than base Armada Prime?
@@SGD_ToysDownUnder True! Yes I forgot Armada does have him being larger, my bad. But hey that just goes to show how awesome Armada Megs is, the big size really makes him more menacing
@@ORLY911 Megatron is also slightly taller than Prime in TFP
I think for Studio Series 86 they need to make him look as close as possible to the character as priority one. Then make him a tank. And as a safe nod to the gun mode, let us give him a turret he stands behind like the original. Not a gun, but a nice nod to the classic design.
Actually the turret + barrel becoming a battle platform like the original toy's attachments could be neat.
Enjoyed the content well presented looking forward to future videos
Thanks! :D
I still have my
Animated Megatron.
And still love it
Today.
👍👍👍
Me too! I loved Animated.
Siege is my favorite of the modern G1 Megatrons. Like implied, he follows in the spirit of Shockwave as being a sci-fi alt mode. It paints him as in the same category of that character. Plus, since he looks down on the humans, it's logical he'd see their technology as beneath him. He's only interested in plundering their resources.
I think it would be cool to see him as a mortar or artillery gun
A few people have suggested that. I do wonder if Hasbro has thought about it internally.
I totally agree about Animated Megatron being the best!
The one time where I want Generations to be more G1 looking so I can use him as my default Megatron. Might end up kicking rocks on that one lol.
I think he could work as a seeker jet, but a suped up seeker jet like Jetfire/skyfire. Fusion cannon could form from booster jets.
That's actually a really interesting idea. I could get on board with that! Great thinking.
Megatron can do well as an Earth-based tank, it would just be harder unless the Fusion Cannon was made to look like a tank cannon. Animated, as my favorite Megatron, honestly did really well for his alt mode, making him have a G1 silhouette and a unique (at the time) alt mode, while emphasizing how Decepticons tended to only fly in that show and justify him saying "Transform and rise up." Getting a Legacy version of him would instantly make me buy it lol
If we are supposed to get a Studio Series Megatron at some point, theyll have to find some way to make him work, maybe give the option to make him a gun without actually showing it (as thats not really allowed, huh?). Tank would probably be hard, but if the design team has shown us anything they could do really well with at least a tank
Concept Megatron does just that, Tank, Jet, fan gun that looks intended, but I think that toy benefits from the Cybertronian movie aethetic. It's a lot harder in the G1 style.
@@SGD_ToysDownUnder the gun to me seems a lot more out-there in terms of design, like its not actively meant to be a gun, moreso the abstractness of the figure allows it to look much more like a gun. What im hoping for is a gun mode that’s actually intended, like dedicated tabs and parts that do little in tank mode but are used to let a gun be a real option and not just a fan mode
@@varuhash50 Ah. Yeah, I get you. I've been checked out of mainline SS for a while, don't buy movie figures or pay them much thought, but was told in another comment on the first vid it was intended by the designers. It had parts that otherwise shouldn't be there. I think I'm going to have to better research that toy.
I don't know how far they can go with a wink and a nudge with fan modes. Maybe a handheld tank? lol
@@SGD_ToysDownUnder i mean Sixshot from Titans Return had a gun mode disguised as a “boat” and Shockwave is Shockwave lol. And maybe the gun mode was intentional, but just from what i saw it didnt look too convincing and felt like a true fan model
@@varuhash50 Funny mentioning both of them, I was lamenting recently I'd missed out on Sixshot as it wasn't distributed well here, while I was setting up my Shockwave for display. Sixshot feels much more deliberate and probably closer to what they could do. I'm not sure on his size, is it closer to a proper pistol or is it small like Shockwave? I really like that Shockwave, but the gun thing feels forced and it needs all the parts to look right in vehicle mode for me.
as far as any future g1 megs figures a gun or a tank works best. In my opinion any new incarnation needs to be a copter. Animated megs is peak and even though i dont like earthspark as a show i think their design for him is orgasmic
I think Animated still beats out Earthspark by a lot. Not fond of how soft that design looks with the rounded front. The harshness of Animated's cockpit has a lot of personality.
As long as Megatron looks & acts like Megatron, I'm good. He's my all time favorite Transformer from day one. I had a g1 as a kid😊. Gunship, tank, tankship, it doesn't matter, as long as the fusion cannon is on the right side, and a prominent focal point of his alt form it's cool. Besides, Megatron doesn't need to be in disguise, if he shows up, things blow up😂
I have the Titans Return Megatron. Ok toy but the head has a tendency to fall off
For me I always liked the G2 Megs as an update and new body removing all aspects of the gun and replacing with a realistic tank or as close as you could get, instead of trying to add the fusion cannon it is replaced by the new tank barrel as a shoulder mounted gun letting him have his hands free to fight or wield other weapons, Animated was also a great new idea taking the G1 and keeping alot of his body and weapon just making a new alt mode that still envokes power and domiantion of Megatron. The only down side to G2 was the colours green and purple camo were alittle sticking out there but it was the 90's. Todays Tank Megatron's keep trying to use the fusion and that is why they fail.
I'd rather have the tank barrel on the back like G1 megs pistol barrel, and then be able to fold it over the shoulder when deployed. Done well it might able be able to recall Armada Megs fold around cannon too.
I much prefer the tank over the helicopter. Megatron needs a commanding alt mode, and helicopters are notoriously flimsy. It's just not a good pairing in my opinion.
Also, I don't think the animated Megatron is a really fair comparison. That design is heavily stylized, so it has a lot more leeway when it comes to wacky proportions. Other Megatrons tend to be styled after G1, so they have to work within certain limitations.
I think Robosen's design is the perfect blueprint. It has excellent proportions, and it transforms in a limited number of moves. That means there's of real estate to create a REALLY good manual transforming figure from that design.
Personally, I'd retool the treads so that they fully collapse into the legs. That might be a bit of a tall order, but it wouldn't be impossible, and doing so would eliminate the back kibble. I'd keep the scope where it is, but I'd add some extending panels to cover up where the scope has been wedged.
Doing those two things, in my opinion, would go a long way in creating an near perfect Megatron.
I don't think Animated Megatron is stylised in such a way that you can't retrofit it into a G1 form. Actually, I'm positive it'd very easy to convert that toy into something with a more traditional styling.
@@SGD_ToysDownUnder I mean it's hard to create an alt mode specifically for other Megatrons by comparison.
The stylized look of Animated leaves a bit more wiggle room proportion wise. A helicopter in Animated doesn't have to LOOK exactly like a real life helicopter. You know what I mean?
Oh I get what you mean, but I think if you kept the general shape, in particular the cockpit, you keep the feel. If anything, I think it's the dual propellors that could be changed. A few people said a HIND, but I think Animated's cockpit looks better.
I don't really have any issues with Megatron's various designs, mostly because I don't have G1 nostalgia. I grew with the Unicron trilogy, so Armada Megatron is probably my favorite.
I have bigger beef with Shockwave as nobody seems to have any idea what his alt mode should be, so we get alien tanks and spider tanks that don't feel quite right to me. As Prime gave an excellent interpretation of Soundwave, I'm hoping Shockwave could someday have the same treatment. I'd just like If he had a proper earth mode.
I'll be getting to Shockwave, Soundwave, Blaster and Perceptor eventually. Expect Shockwave to come up first ;D
Even though a tank makes sense for megatron, the toys manage to make it boring instead of menacing, thats my problem with tank megatron. So I rather have a menacing or cool jet. Gun forms arent out of the question either because although non earth weapon is a shockwave thing, he hasn't been one for some time. Megatron can be some kind of space gun.
The recent Concept Megatron can be turned into a space gun, but it benefits from not looking much like anything aside from a robot doing a lot of yoga.
If we were to return to the jet, I think a take on The Last Knight Megatron in G1 style would be in order. The voyager toy is very popular and rightfully so.
If Megatron is to be a flying vehicle, he should be a large and heavy one. Not a jet, something to distinguish him from a seeker. My favorite flying Megatron alt mode is the stealth bomber, but a heavy gunship helicopter could fit as well. The A-10 Thunderbolt II is also an option, but I think its a bit too slender for Megatron. If he's a tank, however, I think it'd be cool to make him a tank destroyer specifically. Less mobility, but more raw power. There's a prototype Sewdish tank destroyer called the Taifun II that was never put into production that I think fits Megatron well.
I admit this is personal bias, but I dont think Megatron should be a triple-changer. In my opinion, triple changers should be more like specially-trained shock units that undergo specific augmentations to allow them to triple-change. I also dont think he should keep his Cybertronian alt-mode while on Earth. Perosnally, I want to make my own version of Transformers that is more realistic and hard science fiction. The tactical disadvantage of exposing yourself as an alien in the modern era, especially with the internet, cameras everywhere, and satellites, would just make Megatron look incompetent.
Thunderbolt would also tread on Powerglide's toes, but that's only going to affect hardcore fans. Media doesn't love Powerglide quite like Astoria does.
I'm also not a fan of Megatron being a triple changer in his base form.
I can't help it. The first ones my favorite.. That gun
Megatron doesn’t need anything set, he’s a war machine a powerhouse and a leader. To that end he should be a multi changer. The more alt modes the better but if it causes issues a triple changer, the ability to at least thrive on land and air should be standard. I have my gripes and think sticking to G1 is a shackle that drags designs down (though Derrick J Wyatt proves that it’s the other designers being too restricted in thought or criteria as animated Megatron was badass) he shouldn’t even need to care about an earth alt mode so being able to become anything he wants is fine. A perfect Megatron to me would be a mix of RID2001 Megatron and Cybertron Megatron as both are imposing and powerful without needing to rely on the common tropes and can transform into multiple forms.
Personally I’ve been conceptualizing an idea for a Megatron that had a heavy assault armored vehicle (not necessarily a tank but certainly has the firepower to make a tank look weak) with a high speed setting as a partial transformation then able to switch to a gunship/jet
You hear that Hasbro? Six Shot retool to be Megatron.
Megatron as a tank is my pick any day. The designers just have to go in and do a better tank mode, I think. I await with bated breath for the day.
I think if the designers could just work on making a good Megatron tank toy rather than a loyal Megatron tank toy, we'd great a great Megatron toy.
If he can’t be a gun then he shall be a gun with treads. tank megs ftw
My biggest problem with modern Megatron designs is how the designers have the robot mode resemble his g1 counterpart as closely as possible while giving him an alternative mode that doesn't match. I.E. they want to have their cake and eat it too. I have the same problem with Soundwave and Blaster.
To me Megatron's alt-mode should be one where's he's more powerful as it. He can be a pistol if shots do more damage when used as a pistol, so the logic can be same with other forms.
Oooh Dragon
The recent toy is an absolute banger. I am usually much harder than most people on BW remakes, but I love it so much.
@SGD_ToysDownUnder Now ...the good ol days
My first Autobot (and second transformer) as a child was G1 Highbrow. The gunship helicopter from animated looked cool, but to me it seemed like an odd choice.
Personally, I like him more as a tank; considering that it was his first 'new' alt-mode after the gun-mode. Even his Action Master vehicle was a tank in opposition to Optimus' truck. My only complaint about the tank is there's a lack of consistency. The tank looks different every time. It would be nice if Hasbro drew the line in the sand and said "He's a silver M1 Abrams tank (EDIT: ... albeit a modified one), similar to how Sideswipe is a red Lamborghini Countach, or how Thundercracker is a blue F15 Eagle".
So at the end where I mentioned having more to say? I really couldn't work Megatron's Neutro Fusion Tank from Action Masters into the script naturally, but it's really interesting. Not only is it the first tank, but the origins of the Green and Purple the character would use throughout the 90s. Something I'd really like to see the designers do is use the Neutro Fusion Tank as Megatron's Cybertronian mode as a callback. Not sure how well the colour scheme would work though.
I'm happy someone mentioned Action Masters though :D
Oh and I agree with you on just sticking to an actual alt mode and not restarting all the time. I think the Abrams specifically is a nice call back to the G2 toy and opens up for redecos.
@@SGD_ToysDownUnder Yeah, it's a bit of a balancing act. To me the Abrams is the 'traditional' Megatron tank, and the AM vehicle sorta looked like one too. However, the arm cannon placement in alt-mode is strange, and seems to work better on the sci-fi tank from Siege. If I was forced to choose, I'd prefer him to be a silver Abrams tank (and for Hasbro to stick to it!). Not perfect, but it's more definitive.
I do wonder if something like Legacy Armada Megatron might be in order. Give it a realistic barrel and the right posts, the body itself the right ports, then choose your own adventure. Hip, back, shoulder, arm. Emgo's it's your toy, play with it however you want in action.
Actually, Megatron did shoot his gun barrel a few times in the first season of G1
In robot mode?
@SGD_ToysDownUnder yep. Look at the first 5 episodes of season 1and I think he did it later on that season
I watched those recently for my Ironhide video, I don't recall any scene like this. The fusion cannon sure, but not the gun barrel on his back.
@@SGD_ToysDownUnder watch the G1 season 1 episode 3 during the fight at the power plant where the Decepticons faked out the Autobots with dummy Decepticons
Oh wow! So he does! That's such a split second thing I've never noticed it! He has two barrels in that scene though lol.
You left out Earthspark Megatron, which is a fantastic design.
I'm not a fan.
I still think that G1 megatron as a tank can be done well, I guess it’s just hard to incorporate (or not include) the fusion cannon into the tank mode and transformation unless they have to partsform and no one likes that
I do wonder if the fusion cannon should be an accessory underneath the tank instead of incorporated into it.
I like Megatron cybertronian helicopter jet favorite alternative mode also did you know that the new movie concept Megatron toy is a quad changer actually changes into a gun a jet a tank and a robot I've seen some videos where people transform that Megatron into a gun for those who don't know
Yeah, some people have brought up Concept Megatron. The gun mode I've heard two claims on, either it was intended or it's purely fan mode. I'm not sure what to believe.
Thank you for the video.
Glad you enjoyed it! :D
You got a subscriber out of the two Megatron videos.
@@zephon6745 Thanks mate, I really appreciate it! I hope you enjoy next week's video on Thundercracker too.
I want, no, NEED Hasbro to release a new Animated Megatron!
People complained about... whatever Legacy Bulkhead is meant to be, but I think a version of Animated Megatron with more G1 aesthetics could be a lot of people's default Megatron. I know it'd be in strong consideration for mine.
Megatron G1 taught me the most important lesson in transformers. READ THE INSTRUCTIONS. Because after tearing apart the box he came in, i accidentally broke him 😞
Yeah, he can be fragile. Lots of the Diaclone and Micro Change toys can be, Swoop and Mirage are notorious.
I've never liked Megatron as a tank, because it is too close to the artillery cannon mode Galvatron has. A Cybertronian jet or the Animated helicopter is better in my opinion.
I'd love a G1 take on the Animated chopper.
I will always love yhe goody pistol form but i fully acknowledge that it doesn't really suit his station as Decepticon Commander. Tank is the logical choice in my mind. Though i donlove the fact that over the years we have had so many different alt modes for Megatron. Optimus Prime is great but accept a few very specific versions its always a big red truck. Every time they reboot transformers its always kind of exciting to think what will Megatron be. A tank, a dragon, a jet, and alien whatchamacallit.
As just one more note. Of all the transformers ive always felt Megatron kind of needs an alt mode the least. Maybe its because in the G1 cartoon he was able to fly in robot mode already so an alt mode really didnt matter to him as much. He also had the personality that gives the impression. Why would i hide in an ugly earth disguise? I am MEGATRON! Even turning into a gun didn't really do much. He was already packing the most dire power on the field. I guess if your in a toy line called transformers though you kinda need to turn into somthing.
Yeah, Megatron not having an alt mode would be antithetical to the brand identity. A few people like the current SS Bee Movie Megatron, it's made me wonder if something like Sixshot or Gigatron with many different alt modes would be a good fit. Or at the very least, a more Megatron feeling Titans Return Megatron.
One of the problems is that Optimus's truck is fairly unique to him, but Megatron is always stepping on someone's toes.
I'm personally a champion of triple changer Megatron...it makes him a powerhouse that needs no one else...but that renders Blitzwing pointless.
Tank? makes him more an answer to Warpath, and that doesn't make sense.
Original gun mode? Shockwave makes more sense as a gun (simple, straightforward, leaves the dirty work in someone else's hands).
The Animated aircraft is definitely the most unique to him, but even that isn't the magic solution for me. Looks too vulnerable, like you could shoot out a propeller and he'd be done.
Honestly my favorite Megatron alt mode is the custom Mad Max oil tanker from Dark of the Moon. Perfect counterpoint to Optimus, similar big truck but while of Optimus's radiates safety and warmth, Megatrons is all sharp edges and intimidation.
Truck imposes on Scourge / Nemesis Prime though.
@@SGD_ToysDownUnder Eh, those are minor enough characters that it doesn't as much matter.
Like, when I call Optimus's truck mode unique I'm not counting the likes of Motormaster because honestly who cares about Motormaster?
For me, the shared alt-mode issue is mostly a problem for characters who are regular members of their teams.
@@DantheManIamIam heh, that was actually the argument I was going to go for originally but it felt rude. I'd say in modern era Blitzwing and Warpath are pretty obscure, especially Warpath.
@@SGD_ToysDownUnder It's admittedly a grey area, since the franchise has a frustrating habit of treating all but Optimus, Megatron, Starscream and as of the movies Bumblebee as interchangeable (Soundwave and Shockwave are pretty regular too, I guess Ratchet and Arcee show up a lot but that has more to do with their roles as the medic and the token girl than any kind of consistent characterization. Decepticons really do tend to get more love than Autobots, huh?).
I was mostly thinking in terms of the original G1 cast but I guess in broad strokes that thinking doesn't hold up for the broader franchise (sad that my boy Warpath gets so little love, at least the Cybertron games gave him a spotlight).
The core character concept does have drawbacks, but honestly, rewatching Season 1 recently, it's been like this longer than you'd expect. 80s cartoons were just better at appearances and spotlight episodes.
Then you had earthspark Meg that had a good alternative mode...... if it wasn't on Meg who was base of g 1 Meg color.
Yeah in term of flyer Meg from animated wins. Also the cannon being shown for animated fit as animated Canon they can reveal any part of robot mode or weapon during vehicle mode so Meg showing it isn't a issue.
Earthspark looks like someone took Animated, hated the cockpit kibble, gave him the shoulders of Cybertron Hotshot instead and due to this, he looks so soft. I'm not a fan of it.
@@SGD_ToysDownUnder well you have to remember in earthspark he is a good guy so
Megatrons with aerial alt-modes: superior
Megatrons with land base alt-modes: inferior
But what about space based alt modes?
@@SGD_ToysDownUnder If it can fly, it’s aerial.
@@TomCat0217 So Satellite Soundwave Go?
@@SGD_ToysDownUnder He floats (orbits)?
@@TomCat0217 I guess. The RotF toy also had a plane configuration.
Not even gonna show a pic of TF PRME Megatron and his Cybertronian starship alt. Mode? Pffft.
Ill be real with you, not a fan of the Animated designs in general though I don't mind Megatron, but he is not the best Megatron design. That goes to IDW Lost Light Megatron.
I don't read the comics, so I had to search what that meant lol You mean the Stealth Bomber, right?
@SGD_ToysDownUnder his stealth bomber design is REALLY god, but no. I mean his final body, this body.
static.wikia.nocookie.net/p__/images/9/9d/MegatronIDW.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20231231115403&path-prefix=protagonist
It's got all the hallmarks of a perfect Meg body to me. Very much G1 but clearly a tank without the clumsy tread-backpack and has all the things you pointed out for a good design such as extra red accents from Animated and the barrel on the back. Maybe I'm just biased because I absolutely adore how his character developed and changed while in this body but to me it is perfect Megatron.
@SGD_ToysDownUnder his stealth bomber design is REALLY god, but no. I mean his final body that he rocked in Lost Light, this body.
static.wikia.nocookie.net/p__/images/9/9d/MegatronIDW.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20231231115403&path-prefix=protagonist
It is flawless to me. Is very clearly G1 while being updated, still being a tank-esque but without all them clumsiness of the tread backpack, fixes your gripe about the barrel/scope discrepancy, and has some well placed red highlights throughout like animated, and just generally looks fantastic all together. Maybe I'm biased because I absolutely adore what the writing staff did with him while he was on this body but to me, it is perfect Megs.
His stealth bomber design is REALLY god, but no. I mean his final body he rocked during his time in Lost Light. This body.
static.wikia.nocookie.net/outlier-battles/images/e/e2/IDW-MTMTE-Megatron.png/revision/latest?cb=20200520025619
It is PERFECT to me. Clearly G1 while being updated to match the style of the comic, being cybertronian tank but without the clumsy tread backpack, keeps the back barrel (from his unshown alt mode), well placed alternating tones of black and grey with plenty of red highlights splashed throughout, and he even eventually gets his arm cannon back. Maybe I'm biased because I love how his character changed and developed while in his body, he has easily some of the best written dialogue in all of Transformers history during this run, but to me, it is neigh unbeatable. Absolute perfection
You got flagged in spam with the link and it doesn't work for me.