16 Megatron [Collection #6]

MEGATRON (16)
TF Collection #6

Megatron (16) was released in Japan in December, 2002 and sold for Ľ5,980. It is the sixth re-issue figure (#6) released in this new stylized packaging, but is the first to have two boxes. Megatron is basically the same figure released back in March, 2001 identified as "16-Special" which includes the Laser & Blade. I will be recycling much of the content from previous reviews of Megatron, especially the transformation direction, so don't be surprised if it sounds familiar.

The box is made of corrugated cardboard with a front flap that is secured by two strips of velcro. Since Megatron is released with several additional parts, two boxes needed to be combined to store everything. Two additional pairs of velcro is used to keep the boxes together. Each box is mostly White with Purple trim with the first box printed with more Purple than White. Each box measures 8.75"Hx6.75"Wx2.375"D. The "Transformers" lettering is embossed on the front along with the anime Megatron created by Dreamwave Productions. The writing on the ends of the box (front & sides) allow it to be displayed on a shelf in different ways, horizontally & vertically. The top & bottom is mostly printed in English and each side panel can be displayed vertically or horizontally. The horizontal panel is mostly in English whereas the vertical is mostly in Japanese characters.

Opening the flap reveals several things--a nice layout with parts secured in a molded plastic containers and data cards attached to the backside of the front flap. The cellophane covers are framed nicely with a Decepticon symbol on the front/top and "Megatron" printed on the front/bottom.

The backdrop is Purple with Megatron's name in the above right corner of the second box and Collection 6 below it. At the very bottom of the backdrop is "Transformers". There are no labels identifying any of the accessory/weapons as with other releases.

The card catalog is almost entirely in Japanese with most of the page titles in English. The index page is glued to the front cover of the box and outlines the contents of the card catalog. This catalog can be removed from the box due to the perforated edge and can be stored in a 6-ring binder.

The following information is contained in the booklet:

- Fold-out Dreamwave Poster
- Fold-out Catalog of Season-1 Destron
(D-49/Mail-Order/Foreign Items)
- Omega Supreme Data File
- 31 Longhaul Data File
- Megatron Data File

CONTENTS & WEAPONS

Left-Side	Miscellaneous Items	Right-Side
Blade	Character Card	Bullets (x20)
Laser	Sticker Sheet	Energy Mace
Silencer (2-Parts)	Instruction Sheet	Megatron (Gun Mode)
Anklestock (3-Parts)	Destron Sticker Sheet	Scope
	Destron Mouse Pad

This collector's set includes a few extra items which haven't been included with previous Megatron releases. The first thing is the Energy Mace which is translucent Purple in color and attaches to either peg hole on Megatron's fist. The second is a Destron Mouse Pad. It's quite small measuring a whopping 6.75"Lx5.75"W. The last item is a Destron Sticker Sheet which includes a total of 32 stickers. Two stickers have the Transformers label in English & Japanese. The other 30 are Destron symbols of various sizes.

The addition of "bonus" items is a neat idea and is always welcome in my collection!

GUN MODE

Megatron is a P-38 Walther pistol in Gun Mode with a Grey, Chrome, & Black color scheme and is 7" in length. Some of the photos below have a Yellow-tint to them due to the poor lighting--sorry! Megatron is comprised of both plastic and die-cast metal which gives Megatron some weight. His Decepticon (Destron) rub-sign is located on the right-side just below the scope's rail.

There are several different modes that Megatron transforms into, but I will only show a couple of photos with attachments and just link the different modes to existing photos:

I've included a list of some variations of re-issued Megatron and its' predecessor (U.S. Transformers & Pre-Transformers) for those of you who are interested:

(Left-Side) Safety lever (to the right of P-38 Walther engraving) has a semi-circle plate which has been extended and also has a "rivet" hole. This semi-circle covers the vertically-angled grooves.
(Left-Side) Doesn't have the "MC.12.13" marking.
(Right-Side) No "TAKARA Made in Japan" marking.
(Right-Side) The vertically-angled grooves (right of the hammer) have been removed which is now flat and has a "rivet" hole.
(Inner-Legs) Red locking-tabs have been shortened/modified for more stability when locking the legs in place.
(Barrel) Lip was added to the bottom end of the barrel for a better connection to the slide when in gun mode.

ROBOT MODE

To transform Megatron into robot mode, begin with extending the hand grips downward and rotating each side (Megatron's legs) forward. The magazine becomes his feet and need to be pushed out. Next step is to separate the barrel assembly (barrel and slide) in two. The slide (piece which has the scope's rail) is rotated downward and the top of the hand grip (Megatron's head) is pulled downward. Continue working with the slide by separating it in half. You should see Megatron's fists tucked away. Now rotate the barrel and front-half of the slide clockwise 90°. The front-half of the slide should be pushed upward which separates from the barrel. You should see the pre-applied sticker which is part of Megatron's torso. The barrel needs to be pushed downward, rotated 90° clockwise, then lifted upward once again so that the barrel is facing forward. The barrel should look like it's tucked under Megatron's right armpit. Next, rotate Megatron's arms and head forward so that his head rests on the slide or shoulders. Extend his arms and fists and you're done!

There was one sticker that was pre-applied to Megatron which was located just under his chest in Robot mode. This is a good thing because it is kind of hidden and would have been difficult applying it correctly.

Articulation is very limited and transformation has always been a little difficult because I just don't want to scratch any part of the chrome paint. Gun Mode is definitely the preferred way of displaying Megatron!