Tiny is the best word to describe this Optimus. The figure stands just over four inches tall, meaning it barely comes up to the original Optimus' waist, and is just a hair taller than the PVC figures. Of course, I had seen images of this on the web before I received it, but the box is almost a foot wide; I was amazed when I flipped up the front flap to see the contents, because the actual Optimus figure only took up a small section in the bottom right corner. Of course, it's impossible to be upset about this when you realize that the rest of the box is filled with accessories.

More accessories than an iPod

In addition to the main Optimus Prime figure, this set includes:

• Fully-transforming trailer
• Rifle
• Energon ax
• Roller
• Autobot Matrix of Leadership
• Sideswipe's jetpack
• 8 interchangeable hands
• Refueling hose
• Autobot insignia display stand

Optimus' trailer is a masterwork. One of the simplest, but greatest things about it is that it has a flip-down stand in front, making it fully supported along its entire length (no more tipping point for Prime). When you crack open the trailer down the middle to transform it, not only do the side supports flip out automatically, but the ramp pops out as well! All that's left to do is turn up the two panels on the sides and extend the maintenance bot to its full position. Interestingly, both the missiles and cockpit of the bot are part of the mold; they don't shoot and open (respectively) as the original Prime's did. Also missing is the launcher for Roller, which I do miss. It does, however, include two handles which Prime can use to target the bot's missiles.

This trailer works far better as a maintenance station than the original ever did. There is a clip that holds Prime in place while he's being worked on (perhaps having his prostate checked), and the added detail inside his chest cavity actually gives the maintenance bot something to fiddle with.

Roller is far more detailed in this release than the one that came with the original Prime. Not only does it include a wealth of painted details, but the front and rear wheels are all interconnected - when one turns, they all turn. It uses translucent red plastic to simulate the light over the back seat, and the maintenance hose or Prime's rifle can fit into the holes on either side. Strangely, despite the lack of a launcher in the trailer, Roller is built with the two pipes which on the original version fit into the holes on the launcher itself. I suppose they could be exhaust pipes, and they are there in the animation.

Prime's stand is made up of two pieces: the Autobot logo, and a vertical shaft which plugs into the hole at the top of the crest. I was impressed when I put this together - they've made this in a way which doesn't damage the insignia at all. The vertical shaft has an arm with a square peg which fits into a hole between Prime's legs, so it fully supports him in all possible poses, and there is no danger of him falling off. The arm swivels up and down, so an incredible range of poses is available.

So much bot in such a tiny package

The engineers at Takara have crammed a lot into this tiny, tiny toy. Prime is super-articulated; his joints are tight enough that he stays posed, without being so tight that it is difficult to move the joints. Virtually no pose is impossible. He is perfectly proportioned (for a giant robot). The sculpt includes countless tiny details, from panel detailing and textures to the painted arrows on his forearms. All of the pieces that should lock do, so the figure is extremely stable.

Prime's chest opens to reveal the Matrix of Leadership, which locks onto two tabs inside his chest. Two of his hands are fists with what look like spikes on the knuckles; however, the ridge fits the handles of the matrix perfectly, so Prime can hold it in one or both hands. Prime's hands also include gun holders for each hand, open hands, and a pointing right hand. They and the axe pop in and out of his forearms easily, but are tight enough to maintain any pose. Prime can slip Sideswipe's jetpack over his arms, where it locks into his back and around his torso, as if it was designed just for him (amazing, the coincidence).

I am absolutely thrilled to see that they have taken one of the play patterns from my childhood and legitimized it in this figure. The original Prime's smokestacks twisted on their mounts, and I would often turn them forward and pretend they were additional guns mounted on his shoulders. This Prime is designed to do that exact same thing - it says so in the instructions! Also, they've taken it a step further, turning his fuel tanks on his legs into gattling-type cannons that rotate up into position. Takara designers, you are awesome!

But with anything comes sacrifice

All of the awesomeness that is Prime's robot mode has a cost. His vehicle mode is really unappealing. This is one instance where a Transformer's alt mode is made up of robot kibble, instead of the usual reverse scenario. Where the cab should be a solid block, it is full of holes, panel lines, and uneven surfaces. The front windows don't line up with the grill, which doesn't line up with the headlights. This reminds me, more than anything, of pretending to be Prime when I was a kid - I'd tuck my arms in, hunch my shoulders and kneel down. It looks like Prime has done the same thing instead of actually transforming.

I've not yet mentioned that it is extremely difficult to even get Prime into his vehicle mode. Here's the step I have trouble with:

It is impossible. I'm sure that's what the kata say - something along the lines of 'You may have to melt this figure down and remold the plastic to make this fit as easily as it does in this picture.' The pegs simply don't fit unless I remove the arm covers, pull the wheel base out as far as it will go, snap the thing in place with brute force, and then maneuver the arm back into the cover. And those are the only things that lock in place - the wheel covers don't lock into the grill, in fact, the grill doesn't lock into anything, so it moves all over the place. Also, the trailer now attaches to the cab via a clip that locks in just behind Prime's knees; as a result, the cab doesn't turn independently of the trailer at all.

So the vehicle mode is a bit disappointing. Then again, the original Prime's vehicle mode was superb, and the robot mode suffered for it, so I'm not all that upset by the reversal here.

This is not my favorite Optimus Prime; that honor still rests with Masterpiece Prime. However, I need a small Optimus figure to adorn my desk at work, and this one most certainly is the one I'd pick to fill that need.

Tags: action figure optimus prime review takara transformers

Posted by Dan on May 14, 2006 9:32 PM | Permalink | Comments (3) | TrackBacks (0)