Name
 Power Up Mecha Godzilla
Version Source
 N/A
Company: Trendmasters
Extras: Trading Card
   
Classification: Figure Reissue: No
Release: 1995 Height: 15 centimeters
Comments
Joshua Reynolds (submission)

When Trendmasters began the Godzilla Wars line of toys, they quickly began to grow braver with their releases. Adding to the smaller figures and the larger ones came a new form of figure for the line. Dubbed Power Ups, these figures saw new molds of the classic kaiju they had previously released. The monsters not only got new molds, but also new, cybernetic weapon parts. These new parts gave the kaiju new powers and additional value amongst some for their unrivaled take on the franchise. I can easily say these Power Ups could be the most unique form of kaiju toy ever put out in market, Japan or American.

Side View

Like all figures in this line, Mechagodzilla was given a new mold for this release. Strangely enough, Trendmasters seemingly decided to use the art from the Japanese Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II (1993) poster rather than the actual movie version. This is clearly visible in the head of the machine. It sports the same sharp teeth as the art's Mechagodzilla, as is the machine's head and spines. Like all bigger figures released by Trendmasters, Power Up Mechagodzilla's legs, arms, tails, and head all can move, allowing it to pose in several different fashions.

Armor Less

The added weapons that come with Mechagodzilla are made of a rather cheap plastic and can easily break. Sadly, for the figure I'm reviewing, a piece of the gunship's cannon had snapped off, forcing me to super glue the cannon on. That major flaw aside, the weapons are rather nicely designed for this release. The Gunship, Toryu (Dragonslayer) bares an uncanny resemblance to the Garuda. This isn't that surprising, however, considering it is stated on the toy's trading card that it was designed to replace the Garuda. The mech's arm-mounted Plasma Cannons look decent and are a nice addition also. Besides the added cannons and gunship, MechaGodzilla has also been added with a large Hammerhead Missile that seemingly replaces the famous machine's Plasma Grenade. As expected, the Hammerhead Missile and Toryu missiles all need to be pressed from behind for them to fire. As an added bonus to the Toryu, a secondary flying vehicle can be removed from its top.

Back View

This specific release of Mechagodzilla looks absolutely awesome when placed with the rest of Trendmaster's line of figures. Its size allows it to face off against some Bandais, but this figure should be avoided if one is looking for a gift for a small child. The added weapons are easily breakable and easily lost, not to mention the smaller craft could be a choking hazard.

One thing worth mentioning about the Power Up line, though, is the general lack of support it had amongst some fans. While Mechagodzilla was given, seemingly, the highest amount of praise of these figures, the others in the line were not so well received. Giving the mighty robot even more weapons only seemed logical, but giving the likes of Godzilla and Rodan metallic weapons just seems odd. Besides those three, Mecha-King Ghidorah was also given the Power Up treatment. When the third line of Godzilla toys, dubbed Doom Island, was planned, yet two others would have been planned to be outfitted with super weapons. Those two were, strangely enough, going to be Anguirus and Kumonga. For some fans the never-released-in-America Power Ups of the proud kaiju was a blessing, while others curse the unreleased line for not having the chance to let the two characters join the lofty ranks with the other four.

As a side note, Mechagodzilla is referred to on this release as two separate words, specifically as "Mecha Godzilla". What's interesting to note is that it's spelled this way even on the trademark symbol for the character, which is different also in image from the one Toho usually uses that correctly spells the name as one word.

Rating: Star Rating