Generations Megatron
Class: Deluxe
Price: $15 USD/$16 CDN
Available:  Now

I was surprised how easy this toy was to transform between modes (a refreshing difference after all the recent Deluxes that require a degree in rocket science). Basically, Megatron scrunches up and locks together then you add the wing tips. Done! I like the look of this previously comic-exclusive design and am glad to see it get a toy. Like with many of these, a Voyager version would've been that much cooler but I can understand Hasbro's decision to go Deluxe instead--most people equate Megatron with being a gun or tank at this point and the toy might not sell as well at a higher price point (I've seen a few complaints online about this toy already. That it's better to skip it and buy the Dreadwing version. I disagree. I feel like the original Dreadwing is a fantastic  toy, much like Laser Optimus was, and to see a cheaper Deluxe version will only be a letdown. At least as Megatron, I can accept this better as an all-new toy and not a B-grade homage to a toy I loved back in the day).

On a toy design level, the toy is sturdy in both modes (no loose parts that won't lock). It has proper hands and a decent weapon and looks cool (check out that bad-ass face sculpt!) The comic comes with the U.S. version (but is absent from the Canadian version, since it's English-only and we can't make French people angry. Or something.) I do have all U.S. versions of these Generations toys to-date (coincidence. Actually, since I have the comics in their original forms already, I could just as easily have went for the domestic Canadian version of the toy for all the difference it makes).
 
Verdict:  Very Good! A must-buy for Megatron fans and/or IDW fans.

		Macross, anyone? :)

***

Generations Trailbreaker
Class: Deluxe
Price: $15 USD/$16 CDN
Available:  Now

The toy may say "Trailcutter". The comics may have adapted the new name but I don't care--he'll still always be "Trailbreaker" to me! Like other recent Generations toys, this toy is fairly sturdy in both robot and vehicle modes, so I presume Hasbro saw the fan comments about the "loose" joints some toys previously had and addressed them. I like this toy in general (although his "gun" isn't much of one really). It's cool seeing a slightly obscure G1 character get a new homage in this line so that we can all complete our assortment of the 84 bots. I did have a bit of an issue getting his (and Hoist's) legs to fit together properly for the vehicle mode (it's a bit tricky but do-able).
 
Verdict:  Good.

***

Generations Hoist
Class: Deluxe
Price: $15 USD/$16 CDN
Available:  Now

I have a confession to make: I prefer Hoist slightly more then Trailbreaker. I think it's because I had an original G1 Hoist as a kid (TB was long gone from the stores at that point but I lucked out and found a Hoist at the local Woolworth's back then). This toy is a mold-mate to Trailbreaker (obviously) and a must-have if you love these classic G1 guys. The same criticisms apply to Hoist--his legs are a little tricky to form in to vehicle mode and his weapon is, well, a tow crane that can be made into a sort-of gun (how about a real gun, guys?) Otherwise, I love 'em! :)
 
Verdict:  Good.

***


Fall of Cybertron Air Raid
Class: Deluxe
Price: $15 USD/$16 CDN
Available:  Now

FOC Air Raid is a remold of the previous FOC Shockwave toy. In this instance, I actually think that the toy is an improvement as Air Raid. Like with FOC Optimus/Ultra Magnus, this toy feels more natural as Air Raid then as Shockwave (Shockwave needed to be a Voyager toy--and the Beast Hunters mold fills that void quite nicely). I like the effort that went into this guy--the new head mold, the new chest plate and weapons help distinguish him from his first release (the first pics I saw of Air Raid I would've had no idea he had previously been done as Shockwave. That's how good the effort looks). 

I still feel like the vehicle mode is this toy's weak spot. In robot mode, he's a beauty but the vehicle mode is so much random quibble. The fact it's both a tank mode for one guy and a space fighter for another is a testament to the vagueness of its design. At least a F-15 or an Abrams tank can't be mistaken for something else (of course, that was likely intentional on the designers part so they could re-use it more easily). I love this guy's sword but find it ironic he has bladed weapons and then is listed as "gunner".
 

Verdict:  Very Good. Worth picking up.

***

Predacons Rising Sky Lynx
Class: Deluxe
Price: $15 USD/$16 CDN
Available:  Now (Target exclusive)

I picked up Sky Lynx for a couple of reasons. One, he was one of the earliest Target exclusive toys I saw around here and two, because he's one of the featured Predacons in the Predacons Rising film. Looking at the packaging, I didn't know how good of a toy he would make. After having opened him up, I can say he really isn't one of the better Predacon toys around. The robot mode is one of those TFs where it seems like we take the transformed mode and stand it upright (not quite, but close). He's a bit top-heavy in robot mode although his tail helps stabilize him if positioned right. He has two missile "launchers" but neither are capable of firing their discs (as far as I could tell anyway). Also, his robot-head-inside-beast-mode-mouth design is not the best design anyone ever came up with either.

One saving grace is that this toy looks reasonably good in dragon mode. Yes, there have been better TF dragons out there but for a $15 toy, this is a reasonably good one in that aspect.
 
Verdict:  Pass. If you must get one, I would go for the "Skystalker" original instead. He looks nicer in blue and he's currently on sale at Wal-mart for $10.