Review: The Ultimate G2 Villain - Powered-Up Umarak

This week on Mata Nui Monday, we’re taking a look at a build that never got its own set release but definitely deserves attention—Powered-Up Umarak. Created by combining Umarak the Destroyer with all three Elemental Beasts from Bionicle’s 2016 wave, this bonus model offers a massive upgrade for one of Generation 2’s main villains.

Lore and Packaging:

Unlike other major combination models in Bionicle history, Powered-Up Umarak doesn’t have any official storyline relevance. There was no exclusive packaging or bundled set release either—you’ll need to combine Umarak the Destroyer, the Lava Beast, the Storm Beast, and the Quake Beast yourself. Instructions for this model were only made available digitally, adding to its rarity as more of a hidden bonus for dedicated fans.

Build Experience:

At a first glance of the instructions, Powered-Up Umarak looks very similar to the standard Umarak the Destroyer. However, once assembled, the differences in scale and presence are undeniable. The build took around 30 minutes to complete, slowed mainly by sorting pieces from each set. Surprisingly, most of the components still come from Umarak himself, with only a few contributions—such as longer claws and minor color highlights—from the Elemental Beasts.

Model Overview:

Powered-Up Umarak absolutely dwarfs the original Destroyer model, finally giving Generation 2 a villain that feels like a true powerhouse. The color scheme remains mostly faithful to the original, sticking to fluorescent greens and blacks with slight hints of orange from the Lava Beast.

Notably, the transparent blue pieces from the Storm Beast were left out, likely to keep the design colors cohesive.

The core features, such as the twisting waist and gear-operated claws, are still present, though the increased weight of the larger claw weapons makes the gear function less reliable. Much like the classic 2003 Makuta set, the model’s top-heavy nature can make it feel a little unstable on display.

Current Pricing & Final Thoughts:

Since Powered-Up Umarak isn’t sold as a standalone set, you’ll need to gather all four contributing sets to recreate it. As of today, buying all of them used would cost around $235, while purchasing them brand new would push the total over $500. It’s definitely a fun project if you already own the sets, but not one I’d recommend piecing together brand new unless you’re a hardcore collector.

Powered-Up Umarak might not have had any real impact on Bionicle’s 2016 storyline, but it delivers exactly what fans had been waiting for: a villain who truly overpowers the Toa and demands attention on any display shelf. It’s a shame this model wasn’t better integrated into the lore, but it remains one of the best examples of how combination models can elevate a wave’s potential.

SCORE: 8.4/10

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