Mini-review : Universe Classics Galvatron

[Pascal]

Before people start complaining "Oh, but it's just a prototype": NO, it's not a prototype. It's the actual production toy. What you see here is what you will get.

ROBOT MODE

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh187/PascTF/100_4168.jpg

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh187/PascTF/100_4170.jpg

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh187/PascTF/100_4169.jpg

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh187/PascTF/100_4171.jpg

TANK MODE

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh187/PascTF/100_4179.jpg

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh187/PascTF/100_4180.jpg

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh187/PascTF/100_4181.jpg

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh187/PascTF/100_4175.jpg

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh187/PascTF/100_4178.jpg

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh187/PascTF/100_4176.jpg

ATTEMPT AT FIGURING OUT HYPOTHETICAL SPACE CANNON

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh187/PascTF/100_4182.jpg

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh187/PascTF/100_4183.jpg

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh187/PascTF/100_4184.jpg

PROS

-nice compact tank mode (no gaps or visible robot parts except for the hand inside the back of the turret)
-turret can rotate 360
-interesting transformation

CONS

-left arm keeps popping off because the ball joint is too big for the socket
-headsculpt makes Galvatron look like a toothless grandpa
-backheavy
-legs may pop off during transformation
-back halves in robot mode may also pop off during transformation
-ugly shade of orange (similar to Micron Legend Megatron)
-could use more paint apps to better define the tank treads (see: Marvel Crossovers Hulk)
-weird leg design... knees are too high
-not very stable in robot mode because of the backheavyness and the funky feet design
-limited poseability in the right arm (backpack gets a bit in the way when you move the arm up and it cannot move in or out - forearm is more poseable though)
-still no clue about the foldable legs... can't figure out the space cannon mode if there is one...

Overall, pretty disapointing. I say wait and pray for the Henkei version to solve the shoulder and deco problems. I've been able to fix the shoulder by resculpting it and adding epoxy to re-shape, but we shouldn't have to perform that kind of stuff when we purchase a brand new toy.

[CobraCommander]

Mmmm... Geezertron sounds lame, just as bad as TIT Megs :p

What's the scale of this fig, is it as tall as Classics Megs?

[Pascal]

Same height, but Galvatron looks skinnier because of the odd proportions...

[-KG-]

I was really looking forward to this figure. Now, not so much...

[Pascal]

Pics added...

[Batman]

I feel like the con logo should be on his chest, not shoulder, if there is room. I'm also getting sick of the silver and gold faction symbols. It was cool for the movie, but for these and animated I would like to see the red and purple. Guess I will be waiting for the Henkei version of this too. Thanks for the review as always Pascal:)

[Crobot91]

Any chance you have a Titanium G1 Magnus or Titanium G1 Rodimus... I'm curious as to whether they all fit to scale with Universe Galvatron?

Otherwise, he looks cool IMO...

[Pascal]

Additional pics...

ADDITIONAL PICS

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh187/PascTF/100_4185.jpg

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh187/PascTF/100_4186.jpg

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh187/PascTF/100_4187.jpg

As for people claiming this Galvatron was originally planned as a 6Ti figure, I don't think it's the case, the transformation is way too complex for a 6Ti figure.

[Crobot91]

Cool, thanks for the pics - finally, Rodimus Prime & Galvatron are to scale, now I can re-create the final battle scene in the animated movie, lol...

[y2jversion1]

The tank mode to me looks to lazy and lacks detail, ie. from the side view, you can barely make out the different colour used for the treads.

Bot mode looks cool though. I think the joint QA is shitty in general for the Universe line - the Prowl I got last night has the same thing with his right door..keeps popping off during transformation.

[y2jversion1]

Oh.. and that space cannon mode that Pascal has it in looks like a deformed lynx portion of Skylynx :P

[Pascal]

The new Classics 2.0 figures feel cheaper than Classics 1.0, that's for sure. It feels like a different line, not a continuity.

[crimbot]

Nice haul Pascal.
I gotta say, that Galvatron looks real shrimpy. Kind of disapointing, and I really haven't been disapointed with too many universe figs. maybe I'll like him more when I get him.

[Blurrz]

Beauty...

[Optimus_Prime]

The new Classics 2.0 figures feel cheaper than Classics 1.0, that's for sure. It feels like a different line, not a continuity.

To me it seems Hasbro's gotten very cheap since the original Classics, especially when it got to Animated.
In Classics, BB and CJ were 2 solid figs IMO.

[Pascal]

Animated figures are much more sturdier imo. They seem to be using a thicker and more flexible plastic that is more resistant to breakage. I read about people breaking their Animated toys and complaining about QC, but honestly, I don't know what they do to achieve that. It takes a lot of force to break Lockdown's hands or BB's stingers. I think people are too quick to blame Hasbro when they should really be blaming themselves for being unable to handle durable toys meant for kids. :D

[Blurrz]

Animated figures are much more sturdier imo. They seem to be using a thicker and more flexible plastic that is more resistant to breakage. I read about people breaking their Animated toys and complaining about QC, but honestly, I don't know what they do to achieve that. It takes a lot of force to break Lockdown's hands or BB's stingers. I think people are too quick to blame Hasbro when they should really be blaming themselves for being unable to handle durable toys meant for kids. :D

I whole-heartedly agree with that. I went on another TF board the other day, and they yelled at me when I said they were simply being too rough with their figures. Supposedly Animated figures break when you take them out of the pack. But.. i've already bought 6 Animated figures and this has yet to happen to me.

[Nocturn]

I think i'll pass.

[Peaugh]

Animated figures are much more sturdier imo. They seem to be using a thicker and more flexible plastic that is more resistant to breakage. I read about people breaking their Animated toys and complaining about QC, but honestly, I don't know what they do to achieve that. It takes a lot of force to break Lockdown's hands or BB's stingers. I think people are too quick to blame Hasbro when they should really be blaming themselves for being unable to handle durable toys meant for kids. :D


I whole-heartedly agree with that. I went on another TF board the other day, and they yelled at me when I said they were simply being too rough with their figures. Supposedly Animated figures break when you take them out of the pack. But.. i've already bought 6 Animated figures and this has yet to happen to me.


I'm glad I'm not the only one who feels this way. I currently have over 27 Animated figures (counting doubles for my daughter), both release and ebay early specials, and not one of them has broken. Some loose joint issues? Sure. But they all have good paint jobs, and even the ones I've given to my 22-month-old daughter that get dragged and thrown around have yet to break. They barely even have any paint damage after all that. I just gotta wonder what people are DOING to these things.

[SMOG]

Can anybody tell me why I'm not getting any pics?

Anyone else having this prob?

zmog

[Whisky Tango Foxtrot]

All I know is that my Ratchet recently fell off a 5-foot shelf onto a hard wood floor without damage. That figure has quite a few problems (gimmick interfering with elbow articulation, shoulder panels interfering with arm articulation, hood/stomach being extremely difficult to get into position for robot mode, one foot refusing to come out unless I pry it out with a small flathead screwdriver, headsculpt that makes him look like he's about to cry) but breakage isn't one of them.

[Incepticon]

As for people claiming this Galvatron was originally planned as a 6Ti figure, I don't think it's the case, the transformation is way too complex for a 6Ti figure.
Haha, why do I feel like that's in direct reference to me saying that I thought this mold was originally intended to be a Titanium? :)

But yeah, you're right, after looking at the transform complexity again and the shockingly small size even compared to the other 6" Titaniums, I don't think that's the case either.

The new Classics 2.0 figures feel cheaper than Classics 1.0, that's for sure. It feels like a different line, not a continuity.
I haven't held any of the new Classics yet, but that's been my impression as well. In terms of design & aesthetic, there's definitely something different about these new figures... above & beyond that they now have actual faction logos instead of rubsigns. I think it's the bot modes - they look more mini Alt-ish than the previous Classics do. Though I'm not sure if that's a good or bad thing yet. Guess I'll find out soon enough.

[brr-icy]

thanks for the review pascal, i personally like the new classics line though

[Benzo]

despite all the cons in your review, I'm still looking forward to getting this guy. maybe if he was a voyager class he'd be better.

[Optimus_Prime]

The only thing that's making me accept his size is the fact that he is now the same size as classics Rodimus.

[Icetron]

Thanks for the review, but it looks like another Classics 2.0 I pass on. Can't wait till they make something I'm interested in though.

[Vangelus]

I really love the toy's design, -just- enough for me to get over the size. Only just. :(

[Robimus]

I think it looks like a good homage of Galvatron, only too bad that its not a voyager, but I guess that keeps him to scale with Hotrod. Nice Pics Pascal. :)

[SMOG]

The only thing that's making me accept his size is the fact that he is now the same size as classics Rodimus.Seeing as how Classics Rodimus is actually Hot Rod, wouldn't that make Galvatron too small? I mean, Galvy should be a bigger guy, but this figure doesn't even match scale with the Titanium leader types like Rodimus and Ultra Magnus. He's notably smaller than both of those guys. :(

zmog

[Robimus]

Seeing as how Classics Rodimus is actually Hot Rod, wouldn't that make Galvatron too small? I mean, Galvy should be a bigger guy, but this figure doesn't even match scale with the Titanium leader types like Rodimus and Ultra Magnus. He's notably smaller than both of those guys. :(

zmog

I think your right in a sense, That said I think they likely have no notion of doing a true Rodimus Prime, thus making them the same size works for me.

[slippy]

All I know is that my Ratchet recently fell off a 5-foot shelf onto a hard wood floor without damage. That figure has quite a few problems (gimmick interfering with elbow articulation, shoulder panels interfering with arm articulation, hood/stomach being extremely difficult to get into position for robot mode, one foot refusing to come out unless I pry it out with a small flathead screwdriver, headsculpt that makes him look like he's about to cry) but breakage isn't one of them.

Yeah I just press down hard on the belly to make it bend. No problem with my feet however. I'm not gonna try the drop test :D

[knightrider2000]

Cool I want him I wish he was a cannon

[Pascal]

I decided to repaint my Galvatron a bit last night. The trigger on the cannon is now black and red (with the 4 squares on the stomach repainted with the same red to match), 4 tiny squares on the legs are now also painted red, tank treads are painted black where there was grey left to better define them, gone are the 4 ugly orange wheels and the legs in the backpack, all are black noir. Looks much better... I'll post a picture later.