SDCC-exclusive TF:Prime Deluxe Optimus

[JediTricks]

This show's name makes writing reviews so difficult. I usually just refer to Optimus Prime as "Prime", but that's impossible now.

Thanks to Figrin Bran for getting me TF Prime Dlx Optimus from the HasbroToyShop disaster line. I messed with the figure yesterday. Here's a review, I guess...

The packaging is exceptionally nice, there's an outer box with 2 panels at the front, OP's chest windows, held together by a large "First Issue" fridge magnet. Inside the chest is the Matrix of Leadership bubble pack with the figure in the middle, the handles of the Matrix have a spongy lanyard through them to make it wearable, the lanyard is velcroed together for easy removal and sports Autobot logos inside tech detailing printed on one side. Beneath the Matrix is the instructions which are pretty important. The bubble Matrix package is merely taped closed for easy removal and replacement of the figure, inside are cardboard inserts which give it the golden Matrix look and spark burst behind the figure. It really is a top-drawer presentation, worth the extra $10 for a transfan.

OP is not properly transformed in package at his hands, which are halfway out of position. Popping them down reduces the kibble effect of the panels around them, but doesn't help with the overly-long arms. The robot mode looks good, but the dlx pricepoint doesn't really flatter the character so well. There are flaws beyond the long forearms, but it gets away with them pretty easily, except for the large box feet and maybe the thick facade chest "windows". Instead of having a gigantic chest and shoulders with spindly legs, the figure is more balanced making for a more satisfying appearance to me, someone who doesn't really like the TF Prime aesthetic all that much. The head sculpt, while a touch small for the overall body (it's scaled to the chest, but the chest isn't as overwhelmingly large as on the show), looks better than the show art thanks to sharp lines on the mouthplate (yay, no awkward mouth and missing nose!) and more traditionally-TF-shaped eyes. Except for a lack of silver paint on the top crest vents, it's pretty much everything one could want.

OP's gun is trying to straddle the line between looking like an extension of his forearm and a traditional hand-held TF weapon, and it does so pretty well. It has a recessed grip which fits most of the way over the hand. The barrel has a blue stripe down either side, but no detail on the business end.

Range of motion is mostly pretty good, some parts are restricted, but overall it's good work. Lots of joints, Optimus isn't just a statue.

Transformation is very interesting, impressive for a deluxe. There's plenty going on without feeling like a rehash of anything which came before it and without forcing a massive amount of kibble cheating anywhere. There's even a fold-out trailer hitch which the gun can plug into, Hasbro seems to feel the barrel should only point out, but it actually fits nicely pointing into the vehicle's back.

Vehicle mode is pretty decent, more satisfying than I expected. It's a bit chibi compared to the show art (the show is more realistic while this is reimagined into more stylized angles), but in a beefy way that looks good. I didn't think I'd like the stylized look of TF:Animated figures, but I did; and now owning this Optimus, I fear I may be falling into that same trap again. There's no big problems, no massive gaps or ugly robot parts showing, nothing loose or problematic, and it has a 5mm trailer hitch that LOOKS LIKE A TRAILER HITCH - I suspect a trailer is coming inside of a year, probably for the Voyager but usable here too.

All in all, I think for TF Prime's first figure, this was a good choice - it's not crazy expensive, it's the main character, it's in terrific packaging with a wearable Matrix and a nice fridge magnet, and the figure has plenty going for it. The figure itself isn't great, but it's ok - in the pantheon of deluxe Optimus Prime figures, it's definitely not the worst, closer to the higher end of the middle.

[Onslaught Six]

This show's name makes writing reviews so difficult. I usually just refer to Optimus Prime as "Prime", but that's impossible now.

Nah, he's Prime Prime!

[primus.allspark]

Thanks for the review. This is one of the toys I really wish I could have picked up. Alas, it was not meant to be. The Prime toyline is the first in a very long time that I've been excited to buy. I can't wait to get my hands on the first wave of toys.

[JediTricks]

Nah, he's Prime Prime!

Ugh, the very notion of saying that makes me gag.

Thanks for the review. This is one of the toys I really wish I could have picked up. Alas, it was not meant to be. The Prime toyline is the first in a very long time that I've been excited to buy. I can't wait to get my hands on the first wave of toys.

Glad you liked the review, and welcome aboard! You can actually get this figure still, HasbroToyShop has it available for $20 plus their high priced shipping:
http://www.hasbrotoyshop.com/transforme ... 6&ID=29057
Unfortunately all the discount codes I have are no longer valid, so full price. But still, it's a nice presentation, and it's 4 months ahead of the regular release.