PDA

View Full Version : Toy Review - Combiner Wars Ultra Magnus



GoktimusPrime
8th June 2015, 12:53 AM
Series - Combiner Wars
Size/class - Leader
Wave - 3
New/remould/redeco – New
Released here - June 2015
Approximate Retail Price - $100
Approximate Size - 22cm to top of head (antennae), 26cm to top of shoulder stacks
Allegiance - Autobot
Alt-mode - car carrier truck
Main Features/Gimmicks – Minimus Ambus, weapons can combine
Main Colours – Ultra Magnus = blue, white, red; Minimus Ambus = white, green
Main Accessories - x2 rifles, x2 dual missile launchers

Minimus Ambus
True to his name ("Minimus" means 'small' in Latin), Minimus Ambus stands at a dimunitive 5.3cm. Based on Alex Milne's design (http://tfwiki.net/mediawiki/images2/c/c5/Minimus_ambus_rodimus_this_calamitous_life.jpg), Minimus has 6 points of articulation, with shoulders and hips on ball-socket joints, giving this little figure a reasonably good range of articulation. The transformation of the back/canopy part can be tricky because it's so small and hard to get a decent grip. There also doesn't appear to be any real mechanism to lock the shoulders into place, but at such a small size it's not as serious an issue as on larger toys, as there's less mass to drag the shoulders back as easily during play. The vehicle mode is a kind of "hover car" with no rolling wheels. It also has a Rodimus-esque spoiler on the back; not sure if that's some kind of in-joke (regarding Ultra Magnus' view towards Rodimus) or just a coincidence, I don't know.

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y227/goktimusprime/Transformers/Combiner%20Wars/cw_ultramagnus10_zpsobxppudf.jpghttp://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y227/goktimusprime/Transformers/Combiner%20Wars/cw_ultramagnus09_zpsy8xoycyz.jpg
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y227/goktimusprime/Transformers/Combiner%20Wars/cw_ultramagnus08_zps31gotqwl.jpg

Ultra Magnus
Based on Nick Roche's design (http://tfwiki.net/mediawiki/images2/5/5f/MTMTE12_magnus_in_action.jpg), Ultra Magnus features 19 points of articulation, which for a figure of this toy's nature, is rather impressive. Minimus Ambus sits inside the truck cab which becomes the core of the robot body, with a sculpted 'cockpit' interior. The overall colour scheme is more influenced by G1 Ultra Magnus' cartoon colours, particularly with the use of white thighs. The TakaraTOMY version uses more G1 toy accurate (and also IDW comic accurate) red thighs. Ultra Magnus comes with two missile launchers and two rifles, each of which have 5mm posts and can be placed on the shoulders or in the hands. The hands have fingers which can open and close, but unfortunately they cannot seem to hold any of the weapons firmly. I would have personally preferred solid fists with 5mm holes (finger articulation is already something we got from the MP toy). The all of these weapons can combine to form a war hammer, which of course is a homage to Animated and TF Prime Ultra Magni. While the TakaraTOMY clearly has more paint ops, the paint apps on the Hasbro version are also reasonably well done - there's a nice use of silver on the face, chest, belly and knees, which helps to break up the blue, red and white. My only main gripes about it would be:
+ Hubcaps really should be painted silver.
+ The red used for the chest panel is a distinctly darker shade of red than that used on the plastic for the body/trailer. As such, they do clash.
Ultra Magnus does sport a neat looking Autobot insignia on the left side of his breastplate, in concordance with the Military Regalia Act. ;)

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y227/goktimusprime/Transformers/Combiner%20Wars/cw_ultramagnus01_zps9avdiuly.jpghttp://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y227/goktimusprime/Transformers/Combiner%20Wars/cw_ultramagnus02_zpsdtnzqlft.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y227/goktimusprime/Transformers/Combiner%20Wars/cw_ultramagnus03_zps2tilotpg.jpghttp://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y227/goktimusprime/Transformers/Combiner%20Wars/cw_ultramagnus04_zpsealbrwoo.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y227/goktimusprime/Transformers/Combiner%20Wars/cw_ultramagnus06_zps6jgnla8g.jpghttp://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y227/goktimusprime/Transformers/Combiner%20Wars/cw_ultramagnus07_zpscmyn0yrc.jpg

The car carrier mode can hold up to four Commander Class or current Legends size figures. It can hold two Deluxes, but it's not really designed for this, and the Deluxes cannot freely roll in and out, and just look silly when packed in there.

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y227/goktimusprime/Transformers/Combiner%20Wars/cw_ultramagnus11_zpsyoansku3.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y227/goktimusprime/Transformers/Combiner%20Wars/cw_ultramagnus12_zps9lpgjokk.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y227/goktimusprime/Transformers/Combiner%20Wars/cw_ultramagnus13_zpsajnog3wh.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y227/goktimusprime/Transformers/Combiner%20Wars/cw_ultramagnus14_zpsd3yqn8cn.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y227/goktimusprime/Transformers/Combiner%20Wars/cw_ultramagnus15_zps3yztxxzt.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y227/goktimusprime/Transformers/Combiner%20Wars/cw_ultramagnus16_zpsiqzf9s4n.jpg

Quality Assurance
My toy came without a wheel! :eek: :mad: Hopefully this is a one off freak thing and nobody else has this problem. :(
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y227/goktimusprime/Transformers/Combiner%20Wars/cw_ultramagnus00_zpsr8pqh0uq.jpg

Overall
While the missing wheel on mine is incredibly aggravating, it's more of a QA issue rather than a design flaw. As far as the design of this toy goes, I'm thoroughly impressed. We all know that this is a conceptually challenging toy as the toy incorporates the truck cab into the robot without being a detachable and transformable robot itself.
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y227/goktimusprime/avatars/jaam_yum.gif

Raptormesh
8th June 2015, 01:08 AM
Thanks for the review Gok! He looks really good in botmode. Hope you got that wheel sorted quickly and painlessly. Btw, what jet is that launching off Magnus in one of your photos?

GoktimusPrime
8th June 2015, 01:12 AM
Thanks for the review Gok! He looks really good in botmode. Hope you got that wheel sorted quickly and painlessly. Btw, what jet is that launching off Magnus in one of your photos?
Transformers Prime Commander Class Starscream (http://tfu.info/2012/Decepticon/CommStarscream/starscream.htm). :)

That mode is the "Battle Station mode," which is not an official mode for this toy, but was an official mode for Diaclone Powered Convoy...
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y227/goktimusprime/Transformers/diaclone_poweredconvoy_allyourbase_zps8052ab35.jpg
...and CW Ultra Magnus can also replicate this mode. :cool:

kurdt_the_goat
8th June 2015, 01:27 AM
That missing wheel must be really bothersome :( Since they're just snap-ons, at least when it's on display you could swap which one is missing, so it's hidden a little? For play, i imagine you've already come up with repair scenarios :)

BigTransformerTrev
8th June 2015, 07:30 AM
I had the Hasbro version ordered, but when they pushed it back a month I changed my order to the Tak/tom version for the better paint apps since it's going for the same price. Looking here I think I made the right choice, but it's still a damn fine looking Magnus in both modes :) I think the way Minimus sits in there looks very cool too - a plus the Hasbro version has since Trion being inside makes little sense. Anyway, can't wait for mine to finally get in. :D


P.S: Gok, I know we've decided to ignore each other online in order to keep the peace, but that's really sucky about the missing wheel mate. Hope ya can get it sorted :)

Burn
8th June 2015, 08:56 AM
Missing wheel? Damn ...

I have to say, this is an incredibly well engineered figure. There's a couple of disappointing things (tightness of Minimus' backpack, hollow feet which can be overlooked, a loose left shoulder which doesn't support the pointless hammer) but as a modern day 21st century take on Ultra Magnus it is awesome.

In terms of Hasbros paint apps ... honestly, he's pretty damn detailed. Normally I opt for TT over Hasbro but in this particular case I wanted Minimus, not Alpha Trion.

All in all, highly recommended figure.

GoktimusPrime
8th June 2015, 09:49 AM
That missing wheel must be really bothersome :( Since they're just snap-ons, at least when it's on display you could swap which one is missing, so it's hidden a little? For play, i imagine you've already come up with repair scenarios :)
They snap on, but they don't snap out (at least not easily). It's that kind of design where the pegs expand after being pushed through the hole. I attempted to remove the middle wheel on the other side to swap it (thus making the truck cab an even four-wheeler), but I couldn't get the sucker out! :eek: :rolleyes:

P.S: Gok, I know we've decided to ignore each other online in order to keep the peace, but that's really sucky about the missing wheel mate. Hope ya can get it sorted :)
Thanks, Trev.

Missing wheel? Damn ...

I have to say, this is an incredibly well engineered figure. There's a couple of disappointing things (tightness of Minimus' backpack, hollow feet which can be overlooked, a loose left shoulder which doesn't support the pointless hammer) but as a modern day 21st century take on Ultra Magnus it is awesome.

In terms of Hasbros paint apps ... honestly, he's pretty damn detailed. Normally I opt for TT over Hasbro but in this particular case I wanted Minimus, not Alpha Trion.

All in all, highly recommended figure.
Mine can hold the hammer fine from the shoulders. The problem is from the hands because of the finger articulation. Toys with articulated fingers never hold weapons as tightly, but other toys try to compensate through the use of pegs and slots (BTs and some MPs do this). There are actually little pegs on the gun handles, but I haven't found any slots on the palms to peg them into. Perhaps it was something that was originally intended but got lost in communication when the hands were designed. <shrugs> :confused: He'd be able to hold the hammer easier if he could afford a two-handed grip, but that's not really a possibility given the inevitable bulk of the toy (very few Transformers can pull off a double handed sword grip, not even most (all?) MPs).

GoktimusPrime
8th June 2015, 11:31 AM
Okay, I've managed to remove and rearrange the wheels making it an even four wheeler. I tried it last night just using my finger nails which doesn't work but this time i used a closed pair of tin snips to apply greater pressure and it worked. :)
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y227/goktimusprime/Transformers/Combiner%20Wars/cw_ultramagnus00a_zps3gpu117q.jpg

UltimateGalvatron
8th June 2015, 01:05 PM
Can the cab detach from the trailer?
Thanks

GoktimusPrime
8th June 2015, 04:16 PM
Can the cab detach from the trailer?
Thanks
Nope.

Raptormesh
8th June 2015, 04:20 PM
Transformers Prime Commander Class Starscream (http://tfu.info/2012/Decepticon/CommStarscream/starscream.htm). :)


Cheers and thanks.

UltimateGalvatron
8th June 2015, 04:23 PM
Nope.

Damn.

I still wanna get one so I can launch my Cmndr Starscream off him though! :cool: :D

Trent
8th June 2015, 04:25 PM
Unlucky Gok. That could have been me.

Review-wise, I agree wit Gok on all points. A very nice Leader class toy but not without its flaws. I personally am not a huge fan of the face sculpt, although I don't have any problems getting him to hold his guns. In fact I as quite surprised at just how well he grips them.

Handsprime
8th June 2015, 04:27 PM
Once I get him, I'll compare him with Masterpiece Ultra Magnus and RID Ultra Magnus and see which one is the Ultimate UM!

UltimateGalvatron
8th June 2015, 04:30 PM
Once I get him, I'll compare him with Masterpiece Ultra Magnus and RID Ultra Magnus and see which one is the Ultimate UM!

I think Masterpiece Ultra Magnus comes out on top for looks etc, but CW UM would be the more 'play-able' one. Just my 2c. :cool:

GoktimusPrime
9th June 2015, 12:35 AM
I think Masterpiece Ultra Magnus comes out on top for looks etc, but CW UM would be the more 'play-able' one. Just my 2c. :cool:
^I'm inclined to agree with this. :)

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y227/goktimusprime/Transformers/comparisons/Classicsverse/compar_ultramagnus_mp_zpsyv7a5cph.jpg

Tetsuwan Convoy
9th June 2015, 12:20 PM
Gonna go againts the trend and say I prefer CW Magnus to MP. MP just looks a tad too plain for my liking. Maybe a tad too chunky as well.

Just for clarification, is the hollow feet thing being referred to the gap on the top of his feet by the ankles?

The more I see this figure, the more I like it!

Maruten
9th June 2015, 02:26 PM
Give me CW Magnus any day. Absolutely amazing, both as a G1 Magnus and as a love letter to IDW. One of my all time favourites.

Trent
9th June 2015, 08:40 PM
Comparison with the other leader class Magnus:

http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc88/Wrxus/0671d4b2b869e5a372eca18e6f95e0c6.jpg
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc88/Wrxus/ba3563b9b038a00fe49c83503a061bf9.jpg

Animated Magnus has significantly more heft to him. CW Magnus has a ton of sculpted detail.

prjkt
9th June 2015, 09:08 PM
Magnus just dropped into my PoL... so tempted to ship the whole lot but I've got a couple of other things due this month...

Burn
9th June 2015, 10:32 PM
There are actually little pegs on the gun handles,

Really? Do you have close up pics because I can't see any on mine. Just curious as to what you're seeing.

DELTAprime
10th June 2015, 03:17 AM
I just wish Minimus Ambus was available separately so I didn't have to buy a whole Hasbro UM to get Ambus for my TT UM.:p

Seriously tho, I don't think I'll mind buying two of him cause he looks awesome.

Handsprime
24th June 2015, 10:58 AM
So I just got my Ultra Magnus and I love him! Sure he does have a few faults, with the biggest being the fact his hands can't firmly grasp his guns, but he has more pros than cons.
For example, he has more Posability than RID Ultra Magnus and MP Ultra Magnus. While his vehicle mode is too small for deluxes, this isn't much of a complaint as it means my scouts/legends/commander figures can now travel on CW Ultra Magnus, while my Deluxes can travel on RID Ultra Magnus.
Minimus Ambus is a little bugger. His arms and legs do like to come off and despite being minicon size, lacks a minicon port. But then again that's just me complaing :p

Overall, this figure is just amazing. I won't give him a rating but if you ever have the chance, go and find him!

Also interestingly enough, Ultra Magnus uses the angry eyes autobot insignia instead of the regular one

prjkt
8th July 2015, 10:39 PM
Well finally got my Ultra Magnus today, and I've gotta say, THIS is the Ultra Magnus I've been waiting for.

My KO City Commander just got retired.

Not perfect, but then, nothing is.

Transformation is very intuitive, not a great deal of the "hollowness" that I've heard being mentioned, no more so than any other figure in the line, and certainly not as obvious as Jetfire.

Alt-mode doesn't really scale with much of anything I have, but that's OK, didn't buy him for the alt-mode.
EDIT: Scales kind of well with the RTS Laser Prime mould actually.

MayzaPrime
8th July 2015, 11:14 PM
I finally got around to opening my UM. He is awesome...

prjkt - totally agree about retiring City Commander, anyone want to buy one :P

prjkt
9th July 2015, 12:06 AM
heh, City Commander I guess was the best option at the time, inspired idea, but not a very good Ultra Magnus - too chunky, and a ridiculous amount of parts-forming.

CW UM, while still having chunky legs, is a lot more dynamic, and VERY MTMTE in appearance, which to me is quite a good thing. I'm tempted to keep my preorder on the Takara one for the slightly better deco, and keep this one for my mini-prjkt who's on the way, or get a few extra Gen. Scourge's and re-create the TF:TM scene of Ultra Magnus' demise - depends on how destructive I feel at the time ;)

Sutton
9th July 2015, 12:11 AM
Got him today, and likewise my City Commander set is now retired...

Coincidentally, there's more plastic in the old 'white prime' classics Ultra Magnus than there is in this thing, but whatever...

prjkt
12th July 2015, 07:04 PM
considering how easily the cab is removed from the rest of the figure, I won't be surprised if some 3P company releases a transforming cab for this guy.

Would probably end up somewhere between legend and deluxe in size... I'd even be tempted to pick it up, as I'm planning on getting the Takara version as my IDW one with Minimus Ambus inside (will probably stick Alpha Trion with Metroplex, a la IDW's Ironhide miniseries.)

M-bot
13th July 2015, 10:26 AM
Just got mine last week. Great toy!!

Pros: Great sculpt, especially in robot mode. Clever transformation - like MP Magnus, he shares a similar but updated transformation from the G1 toy, while remaining quite different from the MP toy. Very clever. I especially liked the tidy way everything neatly and securely tabs into place, especially alt mode. Love Minimus Ambus's little cockpit in robot mode.

Cons: I could've done without the hammer. Especially since the bottom end of it just looks like a gun... mainly because it is a gun.;) The guns don't fit securely into the hands at all, but as Gok mentioned, its the price one pays for hands with articulation.

Overall, I'm super pleased. Especially since my '86 movie cast shelves are now complete.:D

CBratron
13th July 2015, 02:16 PM
Was UM ever released in Australia? I don't ever remember seeing him on shelves and wondering if he's been and gone.

M-bot
13th July 2015, 10:55 PM
Was UM ever released in Australia? I don't ever remember seeing him on shelves and wondering if he's been and gone.

You mean CW UM? Not that I'm aware of, at least from the major chains.

Dimi194
20th July 2015, 06:11 PM
Just opened this guy up... wow big fan! None of the QC issues (I ordered him in the second shipment from BBTS so maybe they sorted them out?), and he just looks good! The colours and chunky-ness work much better than I thought they did in the pictures, and his guns + launchers are awesome. Minimus is a cool extra, but as he'll be inside UM he won't see much light.

Transformation was nice; actually challenging a bit and love how the kibble all folds away nicely. Good looking truck, if a little odd.

Overall, well worth it! :cool:

Eazy D
20th July 2015, 07:27 PM
Big fan of CW Ultra Magnus!

I actually prefer him over MP Magnus. MP is a great toy with great engineering but he looks so blocky in robot mode it takes away from him somewhat. CW UM may have huge boots but the molding on the thighs and torso gives him a more humanoid look. Poseability is also leaps and bounds better. Overall, an extremely fun and playable leader class toy and the definitive classics upgrade to GI Magnus.

I'm impressed with the transformation too. Hasbro has tender to be rather underwhelming with the transformations on their larger figures recently [eg - Combiner wars Megs was a GREAT looking figure but had a rather simple transformation]. Magnus has the complexity I would expect from a flagship toy.

DELTAprime
23rd July 2015, 06:50 PM
I'm disappointed in CW Magnus because of the fact he just doesn't feel as good in the hand as MP Magnus. MP Magnus is nice and sturdy, CW Magnus is kind flimsy. Also I remember the international fan sites said MA was a Legends class size, he's more like Micromaster size.

GoktimusPrime
23rd July 2015, 11:58 PM
Yeah, but MP Ultra Magnus is 2~3 times the price of CW Ultra Magnus.

prjkt
24th July 2015, 07:20 AM
Ambus is about the size of the recent Targetmasters guys that came with the Legends figures, maybe a tad smaller, and if he really was Legends size, he'd basically BE the cab, not sit inside it. Not sure why he was refered to as Legends rather than Minicon size, but then Americans have never really mastered the English language ;)

I get what you mean about UM not really being all that solid, but he's on par with Jetfire and Megs, the only other Leader class moulds in the Generations line, and as Gok said, MP is a whole other league.
(I still prefer the CW Magnus aesthetics though, might just be my preference for the IDW designs)

Paulbot
27th August 2015, 09:46 PM
I'd read that Ambus was small but was still taken aback with how small. Got the Hasbro version today and it's a nice looking Ultra Magnus. Pretty much everything you'd want in a classics Magnus. I liked the transformation, like his size (all though the cab is maybe a tad bit smaller than I'd have liked) and don't mind the hammer as an alternate use of his weapons.

GoktimusPrime
28th August 2015, 12:05 AM
Not sure why he was refered to as Legends rather than Minicon size, but then Americans have never really mastered the English language ;)
Nor accurate measurements. :p

Tetsuwan Convoy
3rd October 2015, 10:15 PM
Whee, finally finished my thoughts on Legends Ultra Magnus from Tak tome.

Gots ta say that I relly dig this guy and it makes me glad I skipped the Masterpiece version so I could get this one. Sure, he may feel a bit light and all, but it all just manages to feel just 'right.' Nice tough looking poseable robot mode, impresseive, interactive (with other toys) vehicle mode. I find myself just consistently playing and fiddling with this guy.

I even managed to (just) get over Alpha Trion becoming a major player in the Transformers fights and having a vehicle mode. Still, would have liked an attempt to explain Minimus Ambus to the Japanese fans, as we'd still have the whit robot in armour theme running.

Feel free to check out my pics and more in depth ramblings here. (http://tetstoys.blogspot.jp/2015/10/LegendsUltraMagnus.html) Just note, there are a LOT of pics....:o:D

BigTransformerTrev
4th October 2015, 02:10 PM
Got around to opening my Tak/Tom version today. Geez - Ultra Magnus fans have been spoiled this year! The Masterpiece was just excellent and this guy is great too! I think the vehicle mode looks really good but the robot mode is just freaking excellent! :D Well done the designers!

Between this guy and MP Magnus it puts me in a quandry. I like to display my Magnus' figures that turn into car carriers in their alt-modes, with the others in robot mode. But both these figures look so freakin fantastic as robots I may have to think that :)


A big thumbs up for this figure from Big Impressed Trev :D


Oh, and the little Alpha Trion figure is cool too. Digging all the detail in his tiny face :D

Lord_Zed
11th October 2015, 11:52 PM
Well I finally got my Legends Magnus, the combiner Wars mold I was most looking forward too, and after all the waiting he's ok.

I know everyone else is signing his praises, but I can't, not for his cost. I don't dislike him, but he's not amazing either.

I love the sculpt in robot mode, that is awesome, just perfect. The space trick is decent too, even though it is clearly meant to be 10 stories high.

Transformation is ok too, not amazing but it works and the gimmick is fun. Alpha Trion over Ambus sucks, but I'd take the extra paint any day.

The articulation though bugs me for a toy this size, I guess it's part in parcel for collectors who are used to buying Leader Class toys these days, but I tend to avoid them, I think the last one I bought may have been Buster Prime, and boy how they've simplified them since then, no wrist swivels, no waist swivel, no side to side for the foot and all for no good reason other than it keeps the production cost down I bet. I get they've been doing the half cut feet on some toys since Generations Jazz, but couldn't they have done something better for this guy? The only leg pose he looks vaguely convincing in is the standing with his legs a bit splayed. And then there is his combiner hammer gimmick, but due to the way he hols it (or sometimes doesn't) and his lack of wrist articulation means he doesn't really look any good wielding it.

So yeah, love the sculpt, but I feel the unnecessarily curtailed articulation prevents this toy from being the amazing toys it could of been, as it stands it feels like and up scaled deluxe. So no regrets, on this one but by and large I maintain my stance that Leader Class toys are not worth the cost, I'd rather and overpriced TRU MP car over most leaders any day.



Yeah, but MP Ultra Magnus is 2~3 times the price of CW Ultra Magnus.

But' he's 3-4 times the value in parts alone. :p

Zommael
16th November 2015, 12:57 PM
I got mine whilst in the UK, the CW version. I could have got the Legends version but it was $20 or so more expensive and I wanted Minimus Ambus.

To me, this is basically the perfect Ultra Magnus toy. I feel like it serves as a synthesis of some of the other UMs we've seen over the years, with the integrated cab being reminiscent of CRID, the hammer as a reference to Animated, and the overall looks and transformation scheme harking back to G1.

His articulation is excellent for a toy of his bulk, particularly in the arms where it would be quite tricky to execute, but has been done very well. The lack of ankle tilts is slightly disappointing but he is stable without them, and as a giant robot as opposed to a human is able to get away without them from a looks point of view.

He has oodles of sculpted detail, and from that point of view is one of the nicest looking Transformers I think I've ever owned. I'm not sure exactly how much paint he is lacking compared to the Legends version but it doesn't show too much IMO, apart from I think the red legs look nicer even if they're no longer comic-accurate.

The hammer is an interesting accessory in that it basically looks like a bunch of other weapons stuck together, particularly the lower part of the haft, which is what it is. However, it still looks okay if you remove the bottom rifle to give him both ranged and melee options. I like the full hammer and have it displayed like that atm but there's also the more G1 option of giving him shoulder launchers.

Minimus Ambus is a nice little figure in himself but where he really shines is the gimmick of the opening cab in robot mode into which he can sit and "pilot" Ultra Magnus. I prefer to think of this version of Ambus as something like a Minicon that the "real" Ultra Magnus is partnered with rather than actually wearing the armour. Whilst that's not borne out by most fiction it is hinted at in the toy's bio so I'm running with that explanation for the Zomniverse.

I don't have Masterpiece Ultra Magnus but I have to say from looking at the pictures I would choose CW Ultra Magnus any day. It has far more personality in terms of looks where the MP just seems to be made of blocks. It also wins by homaging various different eras of the franchise, not just G1, which is always a win for me. This is the definitive Ultra Magnus.

GoktimusPrime
16th November 2015, 10:41 PM
The lack of a solid grip on the guns doesn't bother you in the slightest?

Zommael
17th November 2015, 09:19 AM
The lack of a solid grip on the guns doesn't bother you in the slightest?

I've not had any problems with the grip, so I didn't want to comment. With the hammer at keast you can use the slot below the hand to slide it in and make a better hold.

AJ_Prime
20th December 2015, 01:03 PM
I finally got some time to take some pics of the Takara version of this mold with Reprolabels and some minor paint apps. I've included some comparison pics with the Hasbro version. All in all, it's a decent figure and a fine addition to the IDW Generations line.

http://i1162.photobucket.com/albums/q525/AJPrime75/20151219_160158_zpsixc6ccau.jpg (http://s1162.photobucket.com/user/AJPrime75/media/20151219_160158_zpsixc6ccau.jpg.html)

http://i1162.photobucket.com/albums/q525/AJPrime75/20151219_162628_zpsxlcavd8x.jpg (http://s1162.photobucket.com/user/AJPrime75/media/20151219_162628_zpsxlcavd8x.jpg.html)

http://i1162.photobucket.com/albums/q525/AJPrime75/20151219_160617_zpsyupnxwec.jpg (http://s1162.photobucket.com/user/AJPrime75/media/20151219_160617_zpsyupnxwec.jpg.html)

http://i1162.photobucket.com/albums/q525/AJPrime75/20151219_160627_zpsu0tclx2v.jpg (http://s1162.photobucket.com/user/AJPrime75/media/20151219_160627_zpsu0tclx2v.jpg.html)

http://i1162.photobucket.com/albums/q525/AJPrime75/20151219_160634_zpsyww63kqt.jpg (http://s1162.photobucket.com/user/AJPrime75/media/20151219_160634_zpsyww63kqt.jpg.html)

http://i1162.photobucket.com/albums/q525/AJPrime75/20151219_162924_zpsuuuu254p.jpg (http://s1162.photobucket.com/user/AJPrime75/media/20151219_162924_zpsuuuu254p.jpg.html)

http://i1162.photobucket.com/albums/q525/AJPrime75/20151219_160725_zpslypmwzf1.jpg (http://s1162.photobucket.com/user/AJPrime75/media/20151219_160725_zpslypmwzf1.jpg.html)

http://i1162.photobucket.com/albums/q525/AJPrime75/20151219_161529_zps8wuroelv.jpg (http://s1162.photobucket.com/user/AJPrime75/media/20151219_161529_zps8wuroelv.jpg.html)

http://i1162.photobucket.com/albums/q525/AJPrime75/20151219_161852_zpsxv19tgux.jpg (http://s1162.photobucket.com/user/AJPrime75/media/20151219_161852_zpsxv19tgux.jpg.html)

http://i1162.photobucket.com/albums/q525/AJPrime75/20151219_161609_zps7o5obexm.jpg (http://s1162.photobucket.com/user/AJPrime75/media/20151219_161609_zps7o5obexm.jpg.html)

http://i1162.photobucket.com/albums/q525/AJPrime75/20151219_161750_zpsdjoisaud.jpg (http://s1162.photobucket.com/user/AJPrime75/media/20151219_161750_zpsdjoisaud.jpg.html)

http://i1162.photobucket.com/albums/q525/AJPrime75/20151219_161808_zpse6ebjwr1.jpg (http://s1162.photobucket.com/user/AJPrime75/media/20151219_161808_zpse6ebjwr1.jpg.html)

http://i1162.photobucket.com/albums/q525/AJPrime75/20151219_161907_zpskpzs0pui.jpg (http://s1162.photobucket.com/user/AJPrime75/media/20151219_161907_zpskpzs0pui.jpg.html)

UltraMarginal
20th December 2015, 04:57 PM
haha, the bumper stickers are awesome!

Tetsuwan Convoy
21st December 2015, 08:56 PM
Wow, they look pretty nice! Really like the Cockpit area paint and stickers! Very nice. However the sticker on the front of the truck enhances the grumpy angry TimBirton-esque angry face