Pricepoint/Vintage: Leader, 2015.
Modes: Robot and Truck Trailer. Robot
and Hovercar.
Transformation Style: New “open
trailer into boxy robot” and “ lay flat, fold legs”.
Play Patterns: Robot and vehicle, chest
cockpit, modular 5mm weaponry.
Points of Interest: Famously based on the IDW depiction, Minimus being a spoiler and flame bait.
Points of Interest: Famously based on the IDW depiction, Minimus being a spoiler and flame bait.
The
Good
Ultra Magnus has a very IDW robot mode and a very 80's altmode, while Minimus Ambus is as good as his tiny size allows. Magnus is big and imposing, most of his colours coming from plastic, and having 21 points of articulation. Minimus has a surprising amount of painted detailing, and has six joints so he can sit inside Magnus' cockpit, which is a charming gimmick. The trailer mode is achieved by a simple but effective transformation, with an articulated hitch, opening doors, and space for legends toys. Magnus also has two guns, and two decorative missile launchers, which combine into a magnus hammer. These can stow in either mode via 6 ports, with flexible shoulder mounts. Play value is excellent, they're so much fun to mess around with, and its depiction of the character(s) is great.
Ultra Magnus has a very IDW robot mode and a very 80's altmode, while Minimus Ambus is as good as his tiny size allows. Magnus is big and imposing, most of his colours coming from plastic, and having 21 points of articulation. Minimus has a surprising amount of painted detailing, and has six joints so he can sit inside Magnus' cockpit, which is a charming gimmick. The trailer mode is achieved by a simple but effective transformation, with an articulated hitch, opening doors, and space for legends toys. Magnus also has two guns, and two decorative missile launchers, which combine into a magnus hammer. These can stow in either mode via 6 ports, with flexible shoulder mounts. Play value is excellent, they're so much fun to mess around with, and its depiction of the character(s) is great.
The Bad
Ultra Magnus is not a toy you look at from some angles, with many gaps and carved out areas, although better than Jetfire. Some of this can be blamed on transformation, but the missile launchers and feet are big offenders, with the feet looking like an area for breakage. The opening hands should have been a plus, but they suffer from a loose grip, so they are annoyance instead. Trailer mode has almost no ground clearance, and unpainted hubcaps. Minimus meanwhile has an arm that comes off, no wheels, and no obvious place in trailer mode. The little dude is also a sore point for G1 purists by virtue of existing.
Ultra Magnus is not a toy you look at from some angles, with many gaps and carved out areas, although better than Jetfire. Some of this can be blamed on transformation, but the missile launchers and feet are big offenders, with the feet looking like an area for breakage. The opening hands should have been a plus, but they suffer from a loose grip, so they are annoyance instead. Trailer mode has almost no ground clearance, and unpainted hubcaps. Minimus meanwhile has an arm that comes off, no wheels, and no obvious place in trailer mode. The little dude is also a sore point for G1 purists by virtue of existing.
The
Mediocre
The rendering of Minimus Ambus and his relationship with UM differs from the source a bit; in the comic Minimus wears armour to become Ultra Magnus, not pilot him. The cockpit is full of sculpted gubbins, but unpainted. Magnus' trailer is covered in 1/144 detailing, for some reason, and you can't detach the cab if you wanted to.
The rendering of Minimus Ambus and his relationship with UM differs from the source a bit; in the comic Minimus wears armour to become Ultra Magnus, not pilot him. The cockpit is full of sculpted gubbins, but unpainted. Magnus' trailer is covered in 1/144 detailing, for some reason, and you can't detach the cab if you wanted to.
The Alternatives
Takara is doing a version of Ultra Magnus with red legs, and in a decision that baffles everyone, Minimus repainted into a tiny Alpha Trion. There's also a masterpiece Ultra Magnus, and numerous third party versions, but expect to pay upwards of a 100% more.
Takara is doing a version of Ultra Magnus with red legs, and in a decision that baffles everyone, Minimus repainted into a tiny Alpha Trion. There's also a masterpiece Ultra Magnus, and numerous third party versions, but expect to pay upwards of a 100% more.
The Verdict
Today's modern leader class has yet to produce a complete success, but Ultra Magnus and Minimus Ambus are the best example so far. The hands are irritating and the plastic thin, but they look great and are lots of fun to play with. If you can accept Minimus, you be silly not to consider this toy. If you can't, well, sorry to hear that, but at least there's other options.
Today's modern leader class has yet to produce a complete success, but Ultra Magnus and Minimus Ambus are the best example so far. The hands are irritating and the plastic thin, but they look great and are lots of fun to play with. If you can accept Minimus, you be silly not to consider this toy. If you can't, well, sorry to hear that, but at least there's other options.
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