United UN-31 Beast Megatron

So. Takara has done their own takes on certain lines, usually with something extra in the paint apps like adding chrome to a part or two they want to draw attention to...or someplace completely random. That changed with Animated, where the figures instead mostly got a shiny metallic paint job. Their next toyline to feature this was United, which was more or less their version of the 2010 Generations and 'Reveal the Shield'. However. It wasn't entirely just those figures. The Classics Voyager Megatron mold got re-released in this line too, featuring the shiny metallic silver paint instead of chroming his mighty chest. Then there's figures whom I presume never got released in Takara's markets before. One Energon mold, three Cybertron molds. I also presume that these four, UN-28-31, are of limited quantity going by the 'LIMITED QUANTITY' sticker on the box. So let's look at the diabolical, and oh so handsome and intelligent and hammy, UN-31 Beast Megatron. Yesss.

Megatron in beast mode is a bright purple and dark purple Tyrannosaurus Rex, with a little black poking out on the neck. Some white for the teeth, red for the eyes and tongue, black on the shins, and metallic greenish gold give the paint for this mode. Outside of the black on the legs and the bright purple plastic, (and the Decepticon symbol on the right thigh instead of a Predacon symbol on the left) the deco is actually almost identical to the Beast Wars 10th Anniversary version of the mold. Why, see for yourself!



Unlike the original Beast Wars Ultra Megatron, this Megatron actually does have some articulation in this mode. The little Tyrannosaurus arms' shoulder ball joints are the only points not carried over from robot mode, so I won't give a total here. The jaw does open, though opening it too far lifts it away from the molding designed to make it look connected by 'skin'. How about a size comparison?



Yeah, the Cybertron Hot Shot mold in car mode isn't quite as long as Megatron, is he? I compare him to this mold because the mold did get released in the Cybertron line as Cybertron Megatron having been transformed by the powers of the Jungle Planet Key not unlike Overhaul into Leobreaker. He even features the pseudo-organic and technological details all over! And unfortunately...a Cyber Key gimmick. It's unfortunate because of where the key goes and unlocks. It goes up his ass and unlocks a missile launcher by making the top part of the tail spring up. I wish I were making that up, but...



Moving on, let's get to the robot mode, shall we? Yesss... Now, how did it go again? Ah, yes...

Megatron, TERRORIZE!!!



The robot mode looks similar to Beast Wars Megatron physically, though there are some differences, most notably a three digit claw for his left hand instead of a normal hand...though it matters little when the tail is going to be covering most of the time anyway. The transformation even feels similar to the original Ultra Class toy, just in the opposite direction with regard to how the body splits apart. I like how the belly inverts to make the left shoulder guard. More dark purple and black get exposed here. As for paint, all the new stuff is exactly the same as the Beast Wars 10th Anniversary version. Slightly dark silver around his face, and metallic turquoise on the chest, with pale gold and red becoming more prevalent. Kind of wish his face was painted purple to help bring it out more, but whatever. So how does everyone's favorite megalomaniac compare in this mode next to a toy of the same design era?



The Hot Shot mold is ever so slightly taller, but Megatron has a bigger and more complicated weapon in the form of the Tyrannosaurus tail, so it evens out somewhat. Speaking of weapons, the Tyrannosaurus head can open up really far in this mode, and cannon detail can be found molded into the back of the throat. Nice touch. His hand is only really designed to hold his tail weapon, but there's a 5mm port on the arm right where the handle sits to remain stable, as well as the screw hole on the other side of the arm, and a pair of 5mm pegs if you feel like having someone else hold his tail weapon. There's about 20 points of articulation, including a waist. The feet can move down, but the heels can't move back any further than with them flat. And of course, the Cyber Key gimmick works in this mode too. Much better, too. Don't believe me? Then behold.



So, is United Beast Megatron worth it? Mold wise, yes. But be wary that this guy and the other three limited quantity figures in the line are Deluxe figures in Voyager packaging. The price is going to be somewhat high. I like the toy, but a brighter purple and black shins doesn't justify the bigger price tag vs. the Beast Wars 10th anniversary version.

That said, if this is the only version you can get a hold of, it is completely worth your time in getting. Yesss...

Nice review!   I was rolling in tears upon seeing the cyber-key gimmick in T-Rex mode.   Megatron is literally shitting missiles. Nice figure, though, and the paint apps are pretty much spot on, too.

Very nice. I've never owned this mold, but I need to.