This looks like it could be pretty cool. BWTF has posted an image showing that the TakaraTomy Leader Class “Legends” Ultra Magnus may come with an Alpha Trion, which will be a repaint of Minimus Ambus. Since we don’t have an official source on this, we can’t confirm if it’s legit, but it sure looks that way.
Check it out by clicking the thumbnail.
General Tekno
He definitely looks a lot more "premium." The whites are very different in person.
80sforged
Hoping to get mine today, I saved a WHOLE dollar going through RK!
Rob3880
This guy Just entered my pile of loot. Been very patiently waiting for this guy.. Based on Monari's pic I'd say this guy has a far more "premium" look to him over Hasbro's. When I saw Hasbro's in person, I thought the plastic & color did not look very good.. It looked like a big step down from Leader Megs, which isn't exactly spectacular itself. There was something kinda "rescuebot-y" about it. Don't let me down, Takara!
Mercutio
Thanks for the first look! Can't wait to get him!
And in answer to your final question: not much. I would've loved to see this Magnus design made when the "golden age" of quality figures (around CHUG and the first two movies) was at its height. Imagine what they could have done with this Magnus if they'd had, say, a ROTF leader Prime budget.
That said, I am impressed with how much they've been able to fit into the budget restrictions, both on this figure and CW Megs. But as you say, how much lower can they go?
Monari
So I just got Takara Magnus in. Overall he's great, no stress mark issues that I've found so far. The comic is cute also.
One thing that's a bit dismaying, but I suppose is standard for Generations figures at this point, is just how much cost-cutting can be seen on this toy. There isn't a *single* piece of plastic on this toy that hasn't been hollowed out or skeletonized as much as possible to reduce plastic use. Even the car ramps in carrier mode aren't actually smooth ramps!
The desperation from the poor engineers is palpable when you hold this toy. You can feel their struggle to get as much done as possible with what seems to be an ever shrinking budget. I imagine it's the same way the Star Wars characters felt being stuck in the trash compactor.
It's a heroic effort, but how much more can they possibly cut on these toys?
Shin Densetsu
I remember it was mentioned months back. That would also drive up demand for a new Armada Optimus.
Btw those of you who have Magnus, do the upper ramps fold down at all? Was wondering of they could as to form a launch ramp for jets/shuttles.
I made the decision to get Takara Magnus but not sure if I will pass up Hasbro Magnus since I want Minimus and the light blue is a nice touch. Maybe I'll just get the Takara and pretend Alpha Trion in that set is just Ambus pretending he's Alpha Trion to conceal his identity? Or maybe I'll just buy both.
Digilaut
Ra88 mentioned Armada Overload as a potential retool down the line, not sure if that's been mentioned by other people as well.
We already got Armada Starscream and Megatron, and his general shapes already match Magnus very wel in both modes, so looking at the level of retooling in Combiner Wars it might be feasible.
Also, it would make sense of the weird tiny doors and ladders all over Magnus: they might've been added there for Overload instead. Just look at that guy's altmode, he is a beast! Even Huffer pulling Prime's trailer didn't feel so small!
Overload (Armada) – Transformers Wiki
Shin Densetsu
I would think new guns, panels to close up the trailer and a new head. New chest plate too.
omegafix
The red spot on the roof is a eyesore
artiepants
man, i hope so (it seems like a no-brainer) ~ i've been calling this since he was first revealed. Curious what level of remolding he'd get…
Thundershot
I really hope a remold into Powermaster Optimus Prime is in the works. They can have Hi-Q/Ginrai instead of Minimus.
GizmoTron
There is no way that anything larger than a Micromaster or Mini-con is going to fit inside Minimus'/Alpha's cockpit for Magnus (They stay in there tight as it is, almost like Brainmasters). So no RTS Legends Optimus painted white here.
Cal
^ I was wondering whether or not AE would get Ultra Magnus. It's a good deal, but I've already pre-ordered from AmiAmi for 5650 yen. It's a tad more expensive, but at least I don't have to pay until release. I'm over-budget already.
Thundershot
AE has TT Magnus up for only $45 USD.
I got him. I can ship him with Tracks and Darth Maul. Probably Road Rage too, if there's nothing to ship her with in Nov or Dec…
Wh33ls
Sweet, is this what people are referring to when they say, "I'll just take a sharpy to it."?
I guess I should really just ask in the Radicons forums.
AutobotAlvaron
I wish Hasbro wasn't so cheap & added a little silver paint to the wheels of their car-bots. CW Optimus & MotorMaster really need it & the Stunticons all have it, so why not the Voyagers & Hasbro CW Leader Magnus? That improvement alone makes this Magnus really shine. His overall color-scheme is not only comic-accurate, but G1-toy accurate, & adding Alpha Trion to this really is the icing on the cake.
Years ago after the Unicron Trilogy, when Hasbro began omitting painting car wheels, I discovered Pilot silver & gold markers at Hobby-Lobby/Michael's. They're for arts & crafts and the ink (it's not quite paint) is shiny & thick and works well for Transformers with unpainted wheels. They can be messy/gloppy so extreme care should be taken, but the silver really makes the wheels look chromed. Once dried, it lasts a long time. The gold often darkens to a dull brown, but my CHUG Gold-Bumblebee's forearms are still shiny.
Anyway, I'm torn between the two Magnii; I wish I could get both…
Splendic
You could do one as Diaclone Powered Convoy, or IDW Delta Magnus.
Bountyan
Nope. The only prior 'nemesis' version of Magnus I've seen is this, but it's third party and not based on any official character
KFGatri
Ok, This just confirmed it – if I get any version of this mold, I'm getting the Takara.