Review: #284
Name: Ultra Magnus
Brand: Transformers
Allegiance: Autobot
Line: Alternity
Year of Release: 2010
Size Class: N/A
Mold Status: repaint of A-01 Convoy
PACKAGING:
Ultra Magnus is an exclusive redeco for e-HOBBY. It comes in a fully enclosed box.
The back shows the stock photos and parts of the transformation, as well as some features of the figure.
The artwork used is very nice and the official name of the color is "Brilliant White Pearl".
When you take Ultra Magnus out of packaging, it comes in a nice clear box that you can even use for display.
VEHICLE MODE:
Ultra Magnus transforms into a licensed Nissan GT-R, he is actually at a 1:32 scale.
He looks fantastic from the back as well, and it is a marvel how there are no robot bits sticking out anywhere.
Alternity is the spiritual successor to the Binaltech line, just at a smaller scale. Therefore, you can expect a high attention to detail on this figure. First up is the small GT-R logo in front of the grill.
It's hard to tell but they have also chromed up the headlights too give that metallic shine that real cars have.
Something that was impressive was that they had chromed the side mirrors. This needn't have been done but they did and it gives you a sense of the high quality of the product.
Ultra Magnus has a complex transformation and so there are transformation panel lines everywhere. The worse is the rear where it doesn't like to sit flush.
The tires are rubber which is a rare occurrence (not even Masterpiece toys have rubber tires much anymore).
The other thing to note is that there is a decent amount of die-cast in the body, Ultra Magnus feels very hefty in your hands, seemingly heavier than a lot of Voyager classed figures.
The hood can open to reveal the engine block.
The doors can open too, as the windows are in their fully upright position, you have to rely on using the side mirrors to lever it out.
Inside, there are two front seats and the steering wheel is on the right side (this mold was only released in Japan thus far).
The other side also reveals a rudimentary dashboard.
If you look very carefully, you can just make out the rear seats (formed by his robot legs). It is a vague outline but still nice.
The rear boot can open up to reveal a small gap, best to leave it closed.
Having everything open makes Ultra Magnus a great display piece.
The other thing is that not only are the wheel rims painted, but the inside and the brakes are too.
In terms of size, Ultra Magnus is roughly Deluxe sized.
Although he does hold his own weight against Voyager classed figures too.
A fantastic vehicle mode, this is one of the best vehicle modes a Transformer has ever had. The attention to detail, both in terms of sculpted and painted, is phenomenal. The white is very nice and overall, he feels very premium.
TRANSFORMATION:
Ultra Magnus has one of the most complex transformations ever devised. It is complex to the point where most people will need the instructions due to Automorph-like gearing, which can easily be wrecked if not careful (moving the hood together will push the head open, and snapping the waist down will automatically push his arms out). It ends up being very impressive in this small size, particularly with how the rear of the vehicle ends up being separated into panels and then compressed to form his lower legs. The only negative is that there is a lot of clear plastic used (easier to break) and the tolerance is very tight. While he does have ratchet joints, I found that the weight went against him as parts would flop around. You will notice a lot of small pieces of plastic needs to be manipulated.
ROBOT MODE:
Ultra Magnus' robot mode is pretty cool. He has an aesthetic that is unlike the other Transformers toylines, being more mecha-like, more streamlined and complex.
Due to the need for an accurate car mode, he carries a heap of kibble, most noticeably the roof and hood on his back, and the shoulder door wings.
The head sculpt is somewhat undefined. It looks like Optimus Prime since that was the original usage of the mode. Being the engine block, the back of the head is flat.
He's also very "fat" lengthwise. His torso is die-cast pieces meshed together.
In terms of size, he is once again roughly the height of a Deluxe figure, probably a bit taller than most.
However, he is definitely nowhere near a Voyager figure.
Poseability is fantastic, Ultra Magnus is lacking a waist joint but had everything else including balljointed wrists and his ankles can be adjusted slightly too.
Due to all the die-cast in his torso, it puts a lot of strain on his hip and knee ratchets, which can give way from time to time (they're not as strong as they can be). Also due to transformation, his left leg can come apart at times due to slightly off plastic tolerances. If you force the pegs together, the socket will definitely crack over time due to it being clear plastic.
While having fist holes, the only weapons that Ultra Magnus has are flip out wrist guns, which does look pretty good.
They're more than enough as ranged weapons. I really love the layered look and he is very well painted, just take a look at the silvered torso.
I find that his arms feel too short and makes it harder to pose as it is more fiddly.
This robot mode is every bit as good as the vehicle mode, Ultra Magnus looks fantastic and ready to take on some Decepticons.
OVERALL:
Alternity Ultra Magnus is a brilliant toy. The vehicle mode is stellar, the robot mode is stellar and the color scheme works well. The only negative is the complex transformation which some people would like. It just takes a while and care to transform him between the modes. Otherwise, be sure to pick up at least one variant of this mold!
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