U.S. Name: MEGATRON   Jap. Name: SAME 

Cartoon First Appearance: Episode #1: More than meet the eye P1, Season 1, Sept. 1984

Marvel Comic First Appearance: The Transformers #1, Sept. 1984, $0.75

Dreamwave Comic First Appearance: G1. Vol. 1, Issue #1, Apr. 2002, $2.95

Toy Catalog Number: 16

A quick comment:   Back to G-1: Review D-I      Teletran-1

This is my first Megatron toy.  I bought it on  May Ix, Mmi and it cost me about $CXXX.  At first, I wasn't sure to get him or not.  I mean he's a gun, what if people think it's a real gun...then what?  But then I came to my sense...and said...get real...he's only a toy.   Anyhow, Thank God they re-issued him again because back in the old day there was no way I could afford him.  So now, he's part of my toy collection.

Affiliate: decepticons | Subgroup: none | Function: decepticon leader | Alt. Mode: walther p38 hand gun|

Megatron's motto and tech specifications:  

| STR 10 | INTL 10 | SPD 4 | ENDN 8 | RNK 10 | CRG 9 | FRPW 10 | SKL 9 |

" Peace through tyranny. "

Megatron combines brute strength, military cunning, ruthlessness and terror. Aches to return to Cybertron to conquest after destroying all Autobots on earth. Plans to possess all Earth resources. Incredibly powerful and intelligent. Fires nuclear- charged fusion cannon. Can link up interdimensionally to a black hole and draw antimatter from it for use as a weapon. No known weakness.

NOTE-1: This review page is meant to give you some ideas about the figure and for nostalgic or sentimental purposes.  I hold no responsibility for your action.  

- Click on the Thumbnails to view them at a Larger Scale -

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R-1 Megatron in its Original Condition:

1  - Here's Megatron in it's original box, this is the Japanese version which is better than the American version because the Japanese Megatron come with pellets and sword.  Anyhow, other than that, the two version are very much the same in an exception of  the box and instruction which is written in Japanese and not English.

2 - Back of the box showing the 1984 Battle Scene Box Art.

3 - This is how the content looks once it was removed from the box exposing the clear plastic tray.

4  - These are all the contents that were included in the box/ package/ card: "1" walther P38 pistol, "2" piece silencer, "3" piece stock, "1" telescopic sight (view finder), "1" high density infrared laser cannon (chrome cannon), "1" sword, "2" row of pellets (total of 20), "1" trading card, "1" sticker sheet, "1" instruction sheet, and "1" miscellaneous text sheet. 

R-2 Pre-Applied Decals/ Stickers: 

There is only 1 Pre-Applied sticker that had been applied onto Megatron and that is the Decepticon Rub Sign logo which located on the left arm.

Sticker Sheet:

There are 19 registered numbering of stickers on the sticker sheet.  But in reality it's actually 32 stickers since some of the repeat stickers are labeled as one instead of two. These registering numbering do not include the Pre-applied stickers.   

\R-3 Megatron as Walther P38 Configuration:

It's funny that the pistol mode had never debut in the cartoon despites being the root mode of the infamous U.N.C.L.E configuration.  This is how Megatron looks in his naked pistol mode without all the stocks being connected onto him.  Overall, I thought it looks awesome.  If the barrel and the trigger section were all chromed like the rest of his upper body, one may mistakenly think it's a real gun.  The red pellet or bullet is loaded on top of the pistol main body or should I say above and across the trigger area.  The handle of the pistol is actually heavy thanks to the die cast metal of the feet and leg.  With the heavy weight and the comfortable grip of the handle, it makes the pistol feel like a real gun.  In addition, the handle is so strong and firm that you can even rest the gun in standing or vertical position.  All the images of R-2 were all shot in vertical position, not flat on a desk.

R-4 Megatron as U.N.C.L.E. Configuration:

Besides having a great villain character, Megatron is also marveled by his infamous gun configuration type called U.N.C.L.E. (United Network Command for Law and Enforcement).  This configuration type was well known from the TV Series called "The Man From U.N.C.L.E."  In U.N.C.L.E configuration, he is approximately 20 1/2 inches in length which is one big gun.  And just like the pistol mode, the pellets can also be fired from this mode as well so keep those pellets ready.  As for stability wise, the U.N.C.L.E. configuration hold each other members very well despites many parts.  The weakest point of the connection is the stock since your arm or elbow tends to get in the way which can cause that joint to fall off.  No big deal since you can always reattach it back.

R-5 Robot Mode According to the Instruction Sheet:

In Robot mode, I thought the designer did an excellent job in actually make it works from something as flat as a gun into a full three dimensional figure especially when this figure was designed in the early 80's.  Anyhow, other than proportion and the pelvis, Megatron figure doesn't look that bad all.  The Instruction Sheet suggested that Megatron gun barrel should be positioned parallel to his waist and not pointed up to the sky like his cartoon counterpart (see R-5).  Before you go mad, there is actually one episode in the cartoon where Megatron actually had his barrel positioned parallel to his waist and that was in "xxx" (I don't recall).  On other area, Megatron articulation is actually better than most of the other G1 figures of his era.  Colors are well applied thoroughly so there is no negative comment on that department.  However, some of the sticker locations are crazy because during transformation the stickers can get ruined especially the inside shoulder.  So with that said, it is best to leave certain stickers out. 

R-6 Robot Mode According to the Cartoon:

It is possible to make the gun barrel to point upward like the cartoon by simply positioned the barrel upward, see left image.  There is no trick, it is that simple.  Just because it wasn't mentioned in the instruction, that doesn't meant you can't do it.  You can only position the gun barrel to point upward about 85 degree which is 5 degree short of 90 degree.  If your Megatron gun barrel is pointed less than 85 degree, you need to slide the gun barrel little peg toward the body but under and away from the shoulder skeleton metal bar joint.  Don't worry, it won't break since the shoulder skeleton metal bar is movable.  Besides, I did a zillion time.

NOTE-2: This configuration with the barrel pointing 90 degree upward is only possible with the 2001 Reissue Megatron.  You cannot achieve the same transformation for the 1984/85 Megatron because there is some sort of peg which prevent the barrel from moving upward.

R-7 Additional Features:

There are two accessories that the U.S. Megatron did not have in comparison to their Japan counterpart and that is, the Sword and the red Pellets or bullets.  The left image showed Megatron holding the sword.  The connection between the hand and the sword take place on side because that is where the hole is located, not on top like most regular hand.  The right hand is clamped with a High Density Infrared Laser Cannon.  This chrome canon cannot be held, instead the cannon is clamped over his hand.  The image next to that shows a cartoon version of Megatron depicting from Transformers The Movie in which Optimus Prime knock off Megatron arm cannon or view finder from his arm.  Yup, the arm cannon is removable.

R-8 Megatron w/ Telescopic Laser Cannon:

If you think that the Stocks and the View Finder are only good for the U.N.C.L.E. configuration type, then you are wrong.  These so called accessories can be converted into other weapon adding more firepower as well as more playing value to your Megatron.  The Telescopic Laser Cannon used Megatron gun barrel and shoulder for support while the actual firing missile/ pellet comes from the stock or rear end.  The view finder can also be attached onto the main barrel or silencer for telescopic purpose.

R-9 Megatron w/ Particle Beam Cannon:

Another bonus to Megatron playing value is the Particle Beam Cannon which all were all constructed using the Stocks, Silencer, and the View Finder.  It a shame that neither the Telescopic Laser Cannon nor the Particle Beam Cannon make any appearance in the cartoon.  Otherwise with these two additional new firepower features, the Autobots could be in big trouble for battle.  On the end where Megatron is standing, I forgot to open two tiny horizontal flap or bar which sort of serves as Megatron handler, see R-9 for this section.  Images are showing front, side, back, and three quarter view of the Particle Beam Cannon.

The original 1984/85 Megatron was packed on a white Styrofoam.  For paper works, you should be getting: "1" color pictograph instructional manual (see R-11), "1" sticker sheet, "1" 1984 catalog, "1" white paper illustrating how to assemble the gun stocking, "1" small Autobot Proof of Authenticity, and "1" small Decepticon Proof of Authenticity.  For Accessories: "2" piece silencer, "3" piece stock, "3" piece telescopic sight (view finder), "1" high density infrared laser cannon (chrome cannon).

R-11 Megatron Original U.S. Instruction Sheet:

NOTE:  This 1984 U.S. Megatron instruction sheet is for references only, it's not part of this 2001 Japan Megatron package which had its own instruction sheet.  

I usually don't include instruction sheet onto my review but I'll make an exception to Megatron.  The reason is because it got some nice pictures and information regarding official name such as Telescopic Laser Cannon, Particle Beam Cannon, and those technical terminology for Megatron parts such as Silencer, Stock,  Telescopic (view finder), or that High density infrared laser cannon.  I'm sure many transfans didn't know that Megatron cannon had a name.

R-12 Rémy's Megatron 2001 action figure review:

Manufacturer - Takara.

Series or Wave or Line: [Serie 1] - 1984-85 [Season 1 Character].

Year Issue: [Mar. 2001 Reissue] - The original toy was released in 1984.  

Made: [China] - Although the original toy was made in Japan, the qualities and materials are pretty much the same as the reissue.

Scale: [N/A]

Box or Card Dimension In Inches: [LxWxD]  - Forgot to measure - Box.

Packaging Method: Mint In Seal Box.  Contents were packed with the following procedure:

Taped down and sandwiched between two clear plastic trays are: "1" walther P38 pistol, "2" piece silencer, "3" piece stock, "1" telescopic sight (view finder), "1" high density infrared laser cannon (chrome cannon), "1" sword, and "2" row of pellets (total of 20).

On the back of the card board and not inside the clear plastic tray, a taped down bag which contained: "1" Megatron trading card, "1" sticker sheet, "1" instruction sheet, and "1" miscellaneous text sheet.

Box Special Note: Front Box Appearance: Megatron art.  Back Box Appearance: 1984 Battle Scene Box Art.

Box Point or Robot Point: [-- - --]  - I forgot to check the box. 

Approximately Toy Dimension In Inches: - Height Up To The Head:  6 1/2  Maximum Height: 7 1/4 (top of the cannon)  Width from shoulder to shoulder: 4  Maximum Width: 4  Dept: 3.

Toy Stamp/ Fine Print: - ©MADE IN CHINA, TAKARA

Toy Stamp/ Fine Print Location: - Can be found on the right side of Megatron hip.

Transformation Of Difficulty: [Very Hard] - There are two parts of difficulties: A, converting his barrel to his waste or back.  B, Converting his hand and torso into robot mode.

Material Durability: [C] - Be careful with the joints and stickers.

Toy Materials: Die Cast Metal:  Skeleton of the shoulder, legs and feet.  Chrome Metal: Sword, gun look a like, arms and torso.  Rubber: Not applicable.  Plastic: Main material.  Clear Plastic Window: Not applicable.

Stability: [C] - Average.

Fun Toy: [-A] - Definitely a fun toy due to many functions, challenging, and a cool design.

Negative Drawback - The cannon on his arm is out of proportion compared to his overall scale.  

Articulations: Head: Cannot be rotated. Shoulder: Can be swung at a 360 degree. Arm/ Elbow: Cannot be bent.  Wrist/ Hand: Cannot be rotated.  Used slider to hide hand. Hip/ Waist: Cannot be rotated  Leg: Can only be bent about 5 degree. Knee: Can be bent at a 90 degree angle.  Ankle/ Feet: Cannot move up, down, or sideway.

Rub Sign Logo: [Yes] - The decepticon's rub sign located on the side of his canon arm, but earlier version does not have the rub sign.

Robot's Cartoon looks alike: [-A] - I must say, I'm very impress with his design.  I didn't think they could do it.

Alt's Cartoon looks alike: [A] - Utterly the bomb

Special Notes: Megatron's pistol came with spring load inside of him and 20 pellets / bullets  so that the toy can be shoot around.  His cannon peripheral  is also shoot as well.  Also, additional chrome Sword is included with the package - the American version did not have these items.

Overall Grade: [A] - You got to give him an "A", after all he is Megatron.