Toy Review - Titans Return Megatron with Doomshot

[SharkyMcShark]

BLITZW... er MEGATRON and his head who is named DOOMSHOT
Series – Titans Return
Size/class - Voyager
New/remould/redeco - New
Wave - 3
Released here – January 2017
Approximate Retail Price - $50
Approximate Size - Ive told you before I don't own a ruler. Its approximately a voyager sized voyager figure.
Allegiance - Decepticon
Alt-mode – Tank AND Jet
Main Features/Gimmicks – Oh happy days its a triple changing head master
Main Colours – two tones of grey, red and black.
Main Accessories – two cannon pieces, and his head.

Capsules!

The Alt Modes actually work! - So I've felt that most of the voyager releases in this line have been a bit slapdash, with at least one alt mode feeling entirely tacked on. Not the case here at all, thankfully. Yes, the jet is fat, but it works because the only bit that's really actually just hanging off the bottom of the jet is the tank turret, which is actally a cool look (if you care nothing for aerodynamics). Tank mode ends up looking like it hews a bit to the cybertronian, but is again perfectly acceptable in the context. Neither mode is particularly compromised or token.
Its a plane! - this looks pretty dead on to Blitzwings su25 mode. Theres quite a large wingspan in play here, which helps the folded up tank treads hiding under the wings. Weapon attachment here hews to the inelegant (how else to describe to giant F off cannons stuck underneaththe belly of a fighter jet?), but its excusable given the amount this figure has to do especially when you consider that one of those things is "be Megatron", a robot notable for carrying a giant inelegant cannon.
Its a tank! - solid effort. The low profile turret and your choice or tiny barrel/giant murder cannon have this feeling slightly cybertronian.
The stickers and paint rant- this figure has a lot of stickers, and not a lot of paint. Seriously, as far as I can remember there are literally three paint apps on the whole figure - eyes for the head, yellow and red on abs, and black on cannon. This doesn't really fuss me as much as it should because this figure looks like an easy candidate for panel lining.
Transformation is effective and has a strong theme - transformation for all modes more or less involves rearranging everything around the central mass of the chest of the robot. Theres a lot going on but its all technically so straightforward and everything locks into place well.
Robot mode looks proportionally a bit weird in an entirely excusable way - I think maybe the crotch is too long? Either that or the legs look a bit small.
No kibble, no problem - Im seriously impressed at how kibble free this robot mode is. Theres a tank turret and pair of folded up wings on the back. Really that's it in terms of dangling kibble. The rest is all very well integrated.
All Hail Megatron - This has all the standard TR poseability less wrist swivels. No ankle tilts either but they're uncommon these days. The two guns can combine into a reasonable fusion cannon facsimile. Everything on mine is tight enough though the legs could stand to be a bit more so. The only thing I really worry about long term aside from the stickers are the wings- they're multi segmented and rely on friction alone to stayin place.

All up this will make a fine Blitzwing. As it stands it also makes a fairly excellent Megatron.

[griffin]

(added poll... with a creative option added, since it seems like an obvious upcoming toy)

[GoktimusPrime]

Yeah, I'll wait for the Blitzwing redeco. I skipped TR Astrotrain as I feel that it doesn't surpass my Henkei Astrotrain (which I know isn't the perfect toy, but I'm happy enough with it, plus I do have the TR Astrotrain mould in the form of Sentinel Prime), and I'll be skipping TR Tall Tankor for the same reason - but Generations Blitzwing's shoulders just drive me nuts so I am rather tempted to get this toy when it's redecoed as Blitzwing. Happy to hear that it's a solid mould though.

And while I'm personally not interested in getting what I perceive as 'superfluous' redecos like this Megatron and the Triple Changer Optimus Prime, I do completely agree with Hasbro releasing them ahead of the "real" characters intended for these moulds. It's a really clever move for Hasbro. I just hope that the "real" characters do end up being mass released and being easy enough to find - and especially being released here. Because we initially saw Hasbro doing this in Combiner Wars with toys like Alpha Bravo, Off Road and Rook, who replaced Slingshot, Wildrider and Groove (Deluxe) respectively. Those figures were eventually released but we all know what the distribution was like. :(

Still... considering that I do already own Generations Blitzwing I'm not going to be devastated if I miss out on the Blitzwing redeco. It'd be nice to have and if I find it locally I'll grab it straight away, but I'm not gonna bother with preordering it, especially if it's going to be a crazy scramble like it was for those CW characters.

[Sutton]

Yeah, I'll wait for the Blitzwing redeco. I skipped TR Astrotrain as I feel that it doesn't surpass my Henkei Astrotrain (which I know isn't the perfect toy, but I'm happy enough with it, plus I do have the TR Astrotrain mould in the form of Sentinel Prime), and I'll be skipping TR Tall Tankor for the same reason - but Generations Blitzwing's shoulders just drive me nuts so I am rather tempted to get this toy when it's redecoed as Blitzwing. Happy to hear that it's a solid mould though.

And while I'm personally not interested in getting what I perceive as 'superfluous' redecos like this Megatron and the Triple Changer Optimus Prime, I do completely agree with Hasbro releasing them ahead of the "real" characters intended for these moulds. It's a really clever move for Hasbro. I just hope that the "real" characters do end up being mass released and being easy enough to find - and especially being released here. Because we initially saw Hasbro doing this in Combiner Wars with toys like Alpha Bravo, Off Road and Rook, who replaced Slingshot, Wildrider and Groove (Deluxe) respectively. Those figures were eventually released but we all know what the distribution was like. :(

Still... considering that I do already own Generations Blitzwing I'm not going to be devastated if I miss out on the Blitzwing redeco. It'd be nice to have and if I find it locally I'll grab it straight away, but I'm not gonna bother with preordering it, especially if it's going to be a crazy scramble like it was for those CW characters.

Mm, Octane in particular needs the release, he's the last deluxe Triple standing now...

[GoktimusPrime]

TR Triple Changer Optimus Prime is screaming Octane. Hasbro would be crazy not to redeco that toy, but again, hope that distribution of said redeco will make the toy easily accessible.

[reillyd]

What are the stickers like? Early reviews of the first batch showed many stickers already peeling.... I held off ordering any in case it was QC issues across the board

[SharkyMcShark]

The nose sticker is much better than the early samples, hasn't lifted in the slightest.

The wings are beginning to peel a little bit but nothing too alarming.

Chest seems fine.

[shockNwave]

I've played with this Megatron enough to comment:

1. The tank mode is awesome as long as the mega cannon is attached (this tank doesn't look good with it's little "Sherman" cannon). Another point from a playability perspective is that all four wheels make contact with the ground and actually move due to sufficient clearance (hurdles that the tank toys usually fail to overcome more so than the cars).

2. The jet mode is also impressive despite it's undercarriage kibble and is the reason I bought this toy because it's the first time I've seen Megatron turn into a jet instead of a space ship ( it's as if he's throwing down the gauntlet to a certain overambitious Seeker that wishes to depose him;)).

3.The robot mode is of course the best. Especially with the wings folded out and the fins folded out on his ankles to give more stability and more poseability.

[GoktimusPrime]

the reason I bought this toy because it's the first time I've seen Megatron turn into a jet instead of a space ship
*clears (http://tfwiki.net/mediawiki/images2/9/9f/MWMegatron_toy.jpg).throat* (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lockheed_Martin_F-22_Raptor) ;)

[shockNwave]

*clears (http://tfwiki.net/mediawiki/images2/9/9f/MWMegatron_toy.jpg).throat* (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lockheed_Martin_F-22_Raptor) ;)

And thanks to Goktimus, I've now seen Megatron turn into a jet for a second time.:)

[Seraphim Prime]

Also sort of (in intent, not quite in execution)

IDW Megatron (http://tfwiki.net/mediawiki/images2/e/ee/Generations_IDW_megatron.jpg) is at one point (http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Heart_Like_a_Wheel) based off the Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northrop_Grumman_B-2_Spirit)

[GoktimusPrime]

Also sort of (in intent, not quite in execution)

IDW Megatron (http://tfwiki.net/mediawiki/images2/e/ee/Generations_IDW_megatron.jpg) is at one point (http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Heart_Like_a_Wheel) based off the Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northrop_Grumman_B-2_Spirit)
This is true, and this idea was originally meant to be done with Generation 2 Megatron (http://tfwiki.net/mediawiki/images2/6/6d/G2toy_ATB_megs_and_screamer.jpg) but the product was cancelled (though later released as BB (http://tfwiki.net/wiki/BB)).

[shockNwave]

Also sort of (in intent, not quite in execution)

IDW Megatron (http://tfwiki.net/mediawiki/images2/e/ee/Generations_IDW_megatron.jpg) is at one point (http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Heart_Like_a_Wheel) based off the Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northrop_Grumman_B-2_Spirit)

Damn! How could I forget about the stealth bomber.

[Handsprime]

I swear I saw a megatron that transformed into a jet similar (at least deco wise) to this toy

[KingGrimlock]

Pretty good toy, I have to say I prefer this one over his combiner wars release. This one I feel has better proportions and articulation and incorporates a lot of nice features. I realize that this is going to be reminded as blitzwing but I can't help but feel that they had megatron in mind when it was designed as the blitzwing remold doesn't seem to have a cockpit chest as he usually does but it suits megatron pretty well. Headmaster has a great face as well, the bucket head we all know and love. Also for some reason I feel the mini on fits really well into the jet cockpit with just his tiny head showing up through the clear plastic.

[GoktimusPrime]

Pretty good toy, I have to say I prefer this one over his combiner wars release.
Whhooooaa... that's pretty epic considering how incredibly awesome CW Megatron is! :eek: I'm not interested in this Megatron and I was on the fence about getting the Blitzwing redeco, but this comment has further swayed me towards considering buying Blitzwing. We all know that Generations Blitzwing has those pathetic shoulders so it'd be nice to get a new one. But on the other hand...


This one I feel has better proportions and articulation and incorporates a lot of nice features. I realize that this is going to be reminded as blitzwing but I can't help but feel that they had megatron in mind when it was designed as the blitzwing remold doesn't seem to have a cockpit chest as he usually does but it suits megatron pretty well.
It would be really lazy for Hasbro not to have a new chest for Blitzwing. As far as I can tell Megatron's chest doesn't form part of either alt mode.

Btw, would anyone be able to post photos? It'd be easier to have photos on this thread/browser to look at rather than opening a new browser and shifting through images (and having to omit search results for 3P KOs :rolleyes:)

[Jellico]

http://www.toycollectors.com.au/toyfair/17toyfair26.jpg

From the 2017 Australian Toy & Hobby Fair thread on this site.
http://www.otca.com.au/boards/showthread.php?t=24031

And some Megatron
https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTpnD3GcG95M-6-j9W1PPLCpxTZBIoXy1NQndsfKyNukPcp33oO01RlEOn1

It really might be the same chest under the paint.

[KingGrimlock]

The chest is the underside of the tank but also forms the back of the jet. I was just trying to show how the transformation means that the the cockpit can't form part of the chest like it normally does for blitzwing and they would need a false one. Combiner wars megatron was ok for me, I didn't like his shoulders or arms in general or the headsculpt. Just me being nit picky really. As for comparing it to generations blitzwing... hooboy.. that's another argument all together, each has its own merits but I would probably give it to the combiner wars for having a more solid figure and that the junk hanging off it is less noticeable. I would argue the generations version has a better robo mode

[GoktimusPrime]

Cheers for that, Jellico. :) The retooled chest does make it look much better.



I was just trying to show how the transformation means that the the cockpit can't form part of the chest like it normally does for blitzwing and they would need a false one.
It's only the back rise of the cockpit that forms the top of G1 Blitzwing's chest. Most of his cockpit actually sits on his back.


As for comparing it to generations blitzwing... hooboy.. that's another argument all together, each has its own merits but I would probably give it to the combiner wars for having a more solid figure and that the junk hanging off it is less noticeable. I would argue the generations version has a better robo mode
Although bear in mind that Generations Blitzwing was exclusively designed to be Blitzwing rather than being co-designed to be Blitzwing and Megatron. A similar argument could exist for CW G1 Megatron as that toy was concurrently developed to be Armada Megatron as well.

[KingGrimlock]

Although bear in mind that Generations Blitzwing was exclusively designed to be Blitzwing rather than being co-designed to be Blitzwing and Megatron. A similar argument could exist for CW G1 Megatron as that toy was concurrently developed to be Armada Megatron as well.

That's a fair point, I forgot about armada megatron. I guess then I would say this figure is a lot like generations springer/sandstorm, the mold works for both characters really well even though its the same basic structure (although theres a bit more retooling with the springer/sandstorm mold).

[SharkyMcShark]

I've got to say that this mold absolutely destroys Gen Blitzwing, which to be fair I thought was thoroughly underwhelming.

[shockNwave]

I've got to say that this mold absolutely destroys Gen Blitzwing, which to be fair I thought was thoroughly underwhelming.

I have to agree. The shoulders on Gen Blitzwing are atrocious and changing the faces is a strain.

[Nonalyth]

Does anyone else have trouble getting the arms to peg in in jet mode? Aside from a complete lack of friction, they just don't want to sit flush after I fold them back. I can't figure out what's interfering, but it has tonbe something.

My only real niggle with the figure.

[Bidoofdude]

Cheers for that, Jellico. :) The retooled chest does make it look much better.



It's only the back rise of the cockpit that forms the top of G1 Blitzwing's chest. Most of his cockpit actually sits on his back.


Although bear in mind that Generations Blitzwing was exclusively designed to be Blitzwing rather than being co-designed to be Blitzwing and Megatron. A similar argument could exist for CW G1 Megatron as that toy was concurrently developed to be Armada Megatron as well.

I would argue that he was pretty much designed to be G1 Megatron from the beginning. The Armada bits seem pretty tacked on and last minute.

[klystron]

I'm really liking this figure. Nicely fills a Megatron void in my collection. I've always been a fan of the character, but have had a hard time finding toys that adequately capture that character. (I'm not including any Armada/Cybertron/Energon/BW lines here). For me the only ones that have worked are WFC Meggs & Henkei - love both these!
(Tho I might be interested in adopting a CW version if someone wanted to rehome one...)

And now this TR Blitzwing pre-mould.
I do love a triple changer, and this one is not too bad at all. As per normal, both alts are a little compromised, but still pretty solid, useable, and distinctive. Easily the best of 3-mode TR voyagers so far IMO.
Bot mode looks fantastic, despite the lack of paint and the questionable stickers. So much G1 appeal.

The stickers on mine are fine so far. No lifting/peeling, and placed correctly.
But the right arm/tank tread assembly was pretty loose and didn't sit flush in jet mode. This problem was mentioned in some other reviews as well. A layer of superglue on the bot shoulder peg and the jet mode pegs fixed the problem. Sits flush and holds together nicely now.

I think my biggest grip would be the lack of cockpit for the titan master dude in tank mode. Not a fan of him sitting exposed in the tank turret. Jet mode cockpit is cool tho.
And the second gun accessory thing (which is pretty useless and I dont use at all) should be black. Think I'll maybe paint this one day.

http://i1250.photobucket.com/albums/hh525/Isamu_D/IMG_20170423_102309_zpsviovsg9q.jpg

http://i1250.photobucket.com/albums/hh525/Isamu_D/IMG_20170503_211601_zpsvbeidump.jpg


Does anyone else have trouble getting the arms to peg in in jet mode? Aside from a complete lack of friction, they just don't want to sit flush after I fold them back. I can't figure out what's interfering, but it has tonbe something.

My only real niggle with the figure.

See above.

[Sutton]

Good figure, like all the modes, but giving him Toyworld Hegemon's arm cannon improves him a lot IMHO...

http://i1276.photobucket.com/albums/y464/darthsutius/18342151_10212409195892568_8439372962198402844_n_z psuhohe1b5.jpg

http://i1276.photobucket.com/albums/y464/darthsutius/18424079_10212409195812566_3624047047888399667_n_z pszfvd7l8d.jpg

[klystron]

^ Yes. Yes it does.
:eek::D

[Jellico]

That high angle makes it look like he has been skipping his leg work.

[Sutton]

That high angle makes it look like he has been skipping his leg work.

Nah, he looks like that from all angles! Absolutely never heard of leg day.