Transformers Universe is a line of Transformers, using characters from the 80′ toy line and remaking them today using modern technology. The result usually, when they are not simply re-issues, is a toy that looks at least as good as it did back then but, is far more playwithable. Often these characters are directly taken from well known characters however sometimes they are lesser known in order to increase the number of toys for sale. The colors are much simpler and “real” world than in other toy lines like Transformers Animated. Universe and newly merged line Classics another similar Transformers line created Universe Classics 2.0, which does not follow any particular cartoon or comic series.
Galvatron, for those who do not know, is Megatron reborn and reformatted by Unicron the dark god of the Transformers universe. Galvatron while more powerful and ruthless than Megatron, even going so far as to kill Starscream the first chance he has, yet the reformatting of his personality takes its toll attempting to subvert Megatron’s powerful personality leads Galvatron to madness. Despite the increased power in the original movie, Galvatron was still not capable of beating the new Prime, Rodimus. Transformers Universe Galvatron is a good homage to the original character while introducing new features, articulation and a new mode. Galvatron’s alternate mode is a tank that resembles the Israel Weapons Industries Merkava. The major color for this tank is a rather bland grey with silver highlights and a translucent orange tank barrel. The nice thing about the tank mode is that the tank turret can rotate 360 degrees and the cannon can shoot the included missile several feet and along the turret on both sides GALV-25 is stamped and is commemoration for the 25 years of Transformers.
Transformation is easy, especially after a few times doing it. I find it easiest to remove the turret of the tank before beginning transformation, and then you can unfold the back of the turret to form the fore arm, straightening the small missile silo and swivelling around to expose the hand. Next pull out gently on the sides of the turret and push up on the bottom of the barrel until it pops up, then point the barrel tip towards the hand and push the turret sides together forming the upper arm. Now, on to the figure, whose tank mode currently looks more like a skateboard without the turret. First unlock the rear “quarter panels” that have molded missiles by pulling them out, this allows you to fold the rest of the tracks in half after separating the sides from the center part of the tank. To completely fold the tracks in half the lower legs must be slid “forward”. The two remaining pieces of the tank “shell” can be flipped aside for now until completion, the hips can now be rotated around. To finish the legs the silver hexagons must face forward along with the purple feet, both pieces can be rotated into place and the feet can be flipped down. The left arm can be clicked down into place and unfolded, while flipping out the hand, then closing the shoulder. Galvatron’s head is revealed by flipping down a two pronged chest piece and sliding it up. To finish the right/cannon arm fold the orange connector for the turret and slide into place, then connect arm. Fold up the rear quarter panels onto the back pack, Now say hi to….. Galvatron!
The robot mode looks quite faithful to the original, from purple feet and purple body to the grey bits to the translucent orange cannon. Height wise Galvatron is in between other figures from this line, taller than Acid Storm but shorter than Sideswipe. Obviously the first thing you notice in robot mode is the massive cannon on his right arm, just where it should be. This is definitely a better looking figure for Galvatron than we got in the 80’s, even if he is not a replica. This Galvatron is quite pose-able featuring articulation at; his head swivels, left shoulder is on a ball joint, upper left arm swivels 360 degrees, double hinged left elbow, hips/waist rotate, hips are on rotating hinges and knees are on hinges and a swivel joint, feet have ball joint ankles. The right arm has limited pose-ability because of the shoulder/turret connecting joint; as such there is no side to side flexibility just up and down, the elbow is double hinged and can swivel 360 degrees. My only real issues with the robot mode are the lack of a ball joint in the right shoulder and that despite the surface are that the feet/ heels cover he is not as stable as one might think. He does not have a problem standing, it just limits the poses he can pull off.
All in all I like this toy, especially for the realistic tank mode. My only issues, they are few and minor, are the lack of right shoulder ball joint and the resultant lack of pose-ability. A desire for the tank turret to have vertical movement also would be nice but; very few tank toys, Transformers or otherwise, have this.
I give Galvatron a 7 of 10: it is an awesome figure and great update of the 80’s character but, the lack of gun arm pose-ability and the limited number of poses hurts his standing a little. If either one of these issues were addressed it would give a great bonus and if both were fixed the toy would be perfect. Recommended.
Thank you
