Review – Master Shooter Mega-Gun

I wasn’t completely happy with the Targetroids Megashoton vs Optiaim set last year (review here), but now that I’ve opened the Master Shooter Mega-Gun I am changing my mind about the earlier unofficial Megatron and Optimus Prime Targetmaster toys. It’s not that those two are suddenly incredible works of art that you need; no, it’s more that comparing those to the Master Shooter Mega-Gun makes me appreciate the earlier toys a lot more than I used to.

Packaging

A simple clamshell, but I have to admit that it works. The graphics are minimal and uninspired . . . which is a sign of things to come once you have popped the clamshell open and removed the toy. It’s not that I am upset with the packaging. No, it’s really just that I am sad that I have no good news to share when it comes to this toy.

Robot Mode

First up is the blocky robot mode that’s a lot more like an eighties Targetmaster Transformer than it is a modern Transformers toy. I know that I shouldn’t be opposed to the toy because it feels like an eighties design, but after the Targetroids Megashoton toy the bar was actually raised much higher than I had realized when it comes to Targetmaster-like toys. If you look at the photo, above, I think you’ll see why I’m not exactly jumping up and down and suggesting that you run out today and order one of these.

In terms of articulation, Mega-Gun has ball-jointed elbows and shoulders (but the transformation restricts the shoulder movement), and a hinge at the waist; the two legs act as one. I had thought there might be a swivel joint at the neck . . . but I thought wrong. This really isn’t one of the brightest hours for the third party industry.

Gun Mode

Transformation is easy and can be handled quickly, but once you get Mega-Gun into his gun mode you immediately start thinking about changing him back to his robot mode. I’m starting to look at the Targetroids in a new light and am now happy that I have the second set sitting in a closet here at home; the Mega-Gun really is a disappointing toy.

Closing Thoughts

I’m suggesting that everyone avoid this toy and, instead, try to track down the Targetroids Megashoton vs Optiaim set (review here) if you want a Targetmaster Megatron toy. The $13 I paid for Mega-Gun was relatively inexpensive for an unofficial Transformers toy, but the final toy is so disappointing that it could have cost $9 and I’d still be unhappy.

Now I will say that anyone with a strictly G1 collection might like this guy since he is slightly nicer than eighties Targetmasters, but even then look for a sale before spending any money on Mega-Gun.

Philip Reed needs to play with a cool third party Transformers toy so that he can have some fun.