Transformers Studio Series 86 Megatron review (2025)

I’ve been waiting for the Transformers Studio Series 86 Megatron for a minute. My Decepticons have been awaiting his orders before they start mauling Autobots. I’d already gotten the excellent Masterpiece Megatron, which is one of my favorite figures in my collection. The Studio Series 86 Megatron is a lot cheaper, but from most accounts, this looked to be a solid alternative for a smaller TF collection.

Let’s see if the Studio Series 86 Megatron will rise or if it’s all primed (heh) for a fall.

Packaging: The Studio Series line doesn’t have the most exciting package setup. Megatron is no different as he’s got a wide window and artwork of both modes on the front. The right side features his robot mode while the left side carries the front image further.

Over on the back is a still from the movie just as Optimus Prime arrives. His bio is a sentence that seems a bit after the fact, but whatever. There are a few images of Megatron in both modes and his accessories.

Likeness: Megatron looks like he stepped out of the cartoon and movie. this is an outstanding translation of the animation source material to figure.

The greatest compliment that can be said about the Studio Series is that these figures look like how 80s kids wanted their Transformers toys to look back in the day. That statement absolutely holds true for Studio Series 86 Megatron, who looks ready to start yelling at Starscream.

He looks phenomenal and beyond a bit more panels to allow for a smooth transformation, he matches up incredibly well with the movie/cartoon aesthetic. There’s not a dial or knob out of place right down to the grooves in the chest plate section.

I was also impressed that his helmet has a slight recessed area around the faceplate to create that shadow effect. Studio Series 86 Megatron’s expression is slightly perturbed making for a strong likeness as well.

Scale: Megatron was typically portrayed as the same height as Soundwave, Starscream and the rest of the Seekers. Studio Series 86 Megatron is taller than the Insecticons and most of the Stunticons besides Motormaster.

Unfortunately, he also towers over the Seekers, which now makes him look more like a bully when dealing with Starscream’s antics.

MORE:

• The Woman in Cabin 10 review (2025)
• Karate Kid Legends review (2025)
• Tron Ares review (2025)
• GI Joe Classified Series Monkeywrench review No. 167 (2025)

Alt Mode: To avoid the usual controversy that follows Megatron’s alt mode in the year 2025, Hasbro went with his other mode — a tank. That is a very fitting alt mode for Megatron as it keeps his arm cannon and scope for his original pistol mode intact.

The TF design team did a magnificent job of hiding the tank treads in his bot mode.

This is a really nice tank and turned out really nice. That said, there’s just not much use for me in my Transformers cartoon continuity display to bother having him transformed.

Transformation:  Studio Series 86 Megatron is a more complex Transformer as it takes 54 steps to transform him into tank mode. This is one that it absolutely won’t matter as this is a one-time transformation for the sake of this review. It’s a pretty fun transformation though and it’s really well executed.

Paint: The Studio Series 86 line hasn’t had many (any?) problems with paint apps, so I was definitely not anticipating any issues with one of the most important in the line with Studio Series 86 Megatron.

The shades of grey to the red lining on his arms and torso was super clean. His panel lights are mostly pristine save for a small portion of the top and blue circles not being filled in all the way. It’s too minor to quibble over.

Articulation: Megatron isn’t afraid of going into battle and leading the charge against the Autobots or going toe to toe with Optimus Prime.

Studio Series 86 Megatron has:

• neck
• bicep
• ball-jointed shoulders
• elbows
• wrists
• wrist hinge
• torso
• chest guns
• waist
• hips
• thighs
• knees (double-jointed)
• ankles

Accessories: Studio Series 86 Megatron comes with some smart accessories that add to his value.

First, is his mini-gun mode. This addresses the “elephant” in the room about why a Transformers figure in 2025 can’t transform into a gun.

Megatron shrunk down in gun mode and this basic accessory allows for a movie accurate portrayal of his alt mode. All of the necessary details are present, and it fits in any Seekers hand.

The gun can also be placed as part of the tank mode next to the main barrel.

Next up is Megatron’s not-a-lightsaber. It’s got a grey handle, purple hilt and a magenta laser beam. It plugs into his back alongside the cannon-extension piece. I wish the blade was removable so it wasn’t “active” when attached to him.

Worth It?  Studio Series 86 Megatron is a leader class figure so he’s more than a standard voyager figure. He goes for $55.99, which feels like a pretty decent value considering some leader class figures run for closer to $90.

Rating: 9.7 out of 10

Megatron is an excellent figure. The only, slight issue I have is his scale or maybe Hasbro just needs to make Starscream, Thundercracker and Skywarp taller?

Where to Get It?  Studio Series 86 Megatron hasn’t shown up at retail, but you can always get him via Amazon.

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.