RRP: $58.99/£52.99
The Generations Selects line has proved an excellent means of getting some of the more interesting repaints and characters in the Transformers universe out to collectors, and avenues like Hasbro Pulse and the fan channel (particularly in places Pulse isn't available) are the perfect means of distributing them. 2021 saw Transformers fans FINALLY get a classic-styled Galvatron they can be proud of with the leader class Kingdom Galvatron, and with that figure being as good as it is why only stop at one? It didn't take long for Hasbro to announce that a Generations Selects Galvatron would soon be going into production, this time based on the grey and purple colour scheme of the original Generation One toy from 1986. Now fans of both cartoon and toy accuracy colouring can bask in what's been the best Galvatron figure in quite some time.
Much like the other releases in the Generations Selects line Galvatron comes in some fairly non-descript packaging - so much so that it doesn't even have the correct faction symbol on it for the character. Instead this plain brown cardboard box simply has a big black graffiti-esque Autobot insignia with the Transformers: War for Cybertron trilogy logo alongside it. All the information relating to the figure itself is instead on a white sticker keeping the box sealed. As simple as the packaging is, the style definitely makes it feel like a special edition product and it's also a lot more environmentally friendly to boot. Lift the flap up and you'll find Galvatron (packaged in robot mode) stored alongside his accessories on a cardboard tray, with all the paperwork for the figure housed underneath.
Generations Selects Galvatron abandons the traditional purple colour scheme of the cartoon version and embraces the original grey colouring of the 1986 toy. Although it isn't a perfect replication of the colours (the red belt section is missing and Hasbro have coloured the crown points purple as opposed to keeping them grey) it's pretty unmistakable in its intentions - getting the overall layout of them pretty spot on. The figure has a grey body and lower legs, with the arms and upper legs in a dark purple colouring. Other highlights, such as the silver squares on the abdomen and the dark grey around the knees, have also been carried over. He even has bits of glitter injected into his translucent orange cannon! Now while this Galvatron can certainly work as a Marvel Comics Galvatron in a collection (he's certainly Galvatron II in mine), it's worth noting that the deco isn't quite the same - the comics version having a blueish silver colouring as opposed to grey as well as some slightly different colour placement in key areas. Still, if Hasbro were going to release one grey Galvatron then going for the toy colours makes a lot more sense. Not only does it likely have wider appeal, but it doubles well enough as comics Galvatron anyway. Overall its a fantastic looking repaint, arguably better looking than the Kingdom area in some aspects. But the best part is whether you agree or not with that last statement, having the choice between the two versions is sweet enough in itself.
It's also worth noting that ALL Generations Selects Galvatron are free from the assembly error that plagued the initial runs of the Kingdom version, meaning the shoulders sit at the correct height without having to disassemble them or flip them around.
For those who want the full G1 toy Galvatron experience, the Generations Selects figure also comes with a sticker sheet mirroring that of the original figure. Personally I'm not a fan of how these stickers look on the figure so I've decided not to apply them to mine, but Hasbro's stock images should give you a good idea of how they look. But even though I don't particularly like them, I love that Hasbro gave fans the option when they could have just applied them themselves or left them out entirely. This way Galvatron can look exactly how you want it too, and if you like the stickered look you get the joy of doing it all yourself as you would have with the original. You just can't beat little touches like that.
Being exactly the same figure other than paint job means the articulation is unchanged, with Galvatron once again showing off;
- A ball jointed head
- Swivel hinge shoulders and hips
- Double hinge elbows
- Single hinge knees and ankles
- Bicep, waist, wrist and thigh swivels
Additionally the hip guards can also raise and swivel so that they can be positioned more accordingly with the legs. The particle cannon can be attached to sockets both above or below the elbow, giving you the option of where it sits on the arm as well as ensuring it doesn't hinder their poseability too much. Some areas, such as the hinged ankles, are a little more subtle but make a big difference when it comes to posing the figure. Overall it's a valiant effort from Hasbro, and while there probably are little ways you could improve it it's not easy to think of them on the spot.
Galvatron's accessories are identical to that of the Kingdom version, but once again are moulded in all-new colours. The twin blasters (shaped like the Revenge - the spacecraft Unicron gifted Galvatron upon his reformatting) are now black as opposed to the original's grey, while the Matrix of Leadership is now a metallic green colour - directly referencing the Creation Matrix from the Marvel comics. So while this Galvatron's colour scheme may be based on the toy rather than his appearance in the comic, there's no doubt Hasbro still had it in mind when producing this figure. Functionally everything remains the same from the original release - the Matrix is affixed to a solid plastic chain that can be fitted around the figure's neck, and the blasters van both be combined into a larger weapon and clipped to the back of the figure for storage. The differences may be minor, but the Creation Matrix just goes to show that a new paint job can go a long way.
Following a 33-step transformation, Galvatron transforms into his traditional futuristic space cannon alt mode. Rather than be a perfect replica of either the G1 toy or animation model, instead this is a wonderful update that modernises the design in all the right places - that moulded detailing across the body giving it a far more detailed and sci-fi look. The colour placement of that toy-accurate deco also works wonders for the alt mode, with the cannon area primarily in grey surrounded by an archway of purple that extends downwards into the legs. Even if you decide not to apply the stickers to the figure there's a hidden surprise here for you, as the transformation to alt mode reveals a classic rub-sign sticker on the cannon's left side. Just apply a little heat to reveal Galvatron's Decepticon allegiance! The cannon mode also features suitable storage for all of Galvatron's accessories, with the Creation Matrix wrapping around the bottom of the barrel and clipping into the torso whilst the twin blasters attach to either side of the cannon to give him even more firepower.
With a toy accurate deco that over the top lights and sounds gimmick is missed more than ever, but even without it Galvatron still has some functionality/playability in cannon mode. Both the two front treads and the back section have free-rolling wheels fitted into them, turning Galvatron into a mobile cannon of destruction. And besides - while he might not be making loud noises he still has that vibrant, glittery orange plastic cannon to make him stand out.
The Kingdom version was already a fantastic figure, but somehow Transformers Generations Selects Galvatron somehow manages to make it even better. Even as someone who doesn't necessarily prefer the toy-accurate grey over the cartoon-accurate purple, this is a deco which couldnt look any more perfect on the figure. Between the guarantee of fixed shoulders, optional sticker sheet and cleverly thought out (repainted) accessories, this is the kind of thing Generations Select should be all about. Once upon a time Transformers fans would lament getting a repaint so quickly after the initial release, but these days they just can't come any quicker - especially when they're as good as this.
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