Yes folks, this is a review of G1 Optimus Prime. But this is the 25th Anniversary Reissue of the mold. (sarcasm) Yes, I'm just as shocked as you are that Hasbro would reissue another figure from the same mold. (/sarcasm)
Anyways, this character is one of those that your collection cannot exist without; it isn't a true Transformers collection without at least ONE Optimus Prime.
This figure is definitely a good version to add as your first Prime or another of many you already possess. But why exactly?
Well first off, it's a remold of the G1 Optimus......nuff said there. I mean, this toy is as iconic and recognizable as the Transformers come, and the figure is not that half bad for Generation One. I mean this with the utmost respect of course, as this was the 1980s and toys weren't as articulate and show accurate as they are now. (G1 Ironhide -_-)
But I digress, let us get on with the actual review of the figure. First, to the vehicle mode.
VEHICLE:
As mentioned earlier, the red, white and blue semi cab truck is bar-none one of the more well known in all the Transformers universe, followed closely by Megatron, Soundwave, Bumblebee and Starscream. Hasbro has tried their very best to recreate the exact Prime they sold in the 80s. The reason "exact" is in italics is because a) they used different metals due to the new "lead poisoning" issues (lead was used in G1 toys) and b) Prime's famous smokestacks have been shortened to deter and idiot child who gets their hands on this figure from poking out their eyes.
Firstly, Prime has both metal and plastic aspects to him, such as the upper legs, feet, front windshield and smokestacks being made of die cast metal. This makes this toy a lot heavier than most figures his size (aka deluxe class). The figure also rolls exceptionally well for a design that is - essentially - 25 to 30 years old, and is on rubber tires which was common for Transformers at that time period. When attached to his just-as-famous trailer, Optimus is able to turn just like a real convoy.
This is, however, as much as the cab has to offer. I don't count the trailer as part of the vehicle mode as all it is....is a trailer. Its mobile base mode does technically count as a "transformation". But I guess since it does allow you to deploy Roller, this counts as Prime's one and only gimmick in vehicle mode.
Vehicle Mode: 16/25
ROBOT:
Now, don't get me wrong, I bought this 25th anniversary figure just so I could have this Prime, and I was perfectly aware of the blockiness of it. I just am pointing out the facts.
OK...on we go then.
The Pros;
1) This figure is quite stable. His legs are steady and support his heavy upper chest well, and the feet add a bit of weight at the bottom too.
2) He actually has a tad more articulation and defined features than many of the original 84 line of Transformers. For example, Starscream's original arms were just side panels from the "jet", and Ironhide was basically a windshield with arms and legs....if you can even call them legs.
3) Prime has the combat base. This base not only opened up to reveal an Autobot command center (complete with control tower and a place to put Prime's blaster, but the Roller eject system was actually quite strong. (I managed to send Ironhide rolling just as far as Roller would normally)
Cons;
1) This 25th anniversary reissue of the mold has a tendency to have its arms snap off at the joint. Not the arm; the JOINT. This basically mean that your Prime, if heavy transformation is what you do, will eventually be an amputee. To combat this, either rarely transform him, leave him mint in box, or rotate out the arm with your fingers as close to the joint as possible to relieve some stress.
2) Prime's blaster never wants to sit properly in his hand; it is either pointed at an angle to the left or right, but never ahead. This is both a useless error that could have been fixed by removing the blaster's trigger and handgrip and a sign of laziness. There is no-one in the world that can tell me it would be too much money to remold the blaster without a trigger and handgrip. I study Mechanical Engineering; I know how this shit works.
3) Articulation is a major issue. I won't go into much detail here as I discuss that in the next section.
ARTICULATION:
Prime is, as mentioned earlier, a tad more articulate than other figures of this time period. Both arms can rotate 360 degrees, which is normal....but that is about as normal as it gets. The arm does straighten out (rotates 90 degrees down) and his legs do fold back, but that is about all you can expect.
Articulation: 19/25
GIMMICK:
Prime's robot mode gimmick is his trailer control center. This is, however, a lot cooler than one can expect. I mean firstly, it's a trailer that folds out into a base.
How the hell can you not say this is not cool? The base does not offer very much in terms of features, but that is what imagination is for. This base can also fit up to three - count em': THREE - G1 delxue class figures inside as well. This makes up for the lack-luster robot mode.
Edit (May 3rd): I forgot to mention one extra gimmick of Prime's trailer. When tipped onto its end, it acts as a repair bay for Optimus. Sorry bout that folks.
Gimmick: 23/25
FUN FACTOR:
Fun wise, this mold is not really intended for what the new Universe and Transformers Animated figures are; this is purely made for collectors and those who will display it as a display piece. Optimus' arms can not - and will not - survive heavy play as his original self did, and for this reason he is not very fun to play with. However, in vehicle mode he can be played with, so I'd say it is half and half in this department. But paying 80 bucks for a Transformer that won't be played with seems a bit too much to ask for the average consumer.
Course how else did Hasbro survive this long without whoring out to the fans once in a while right?
Fun factor: 17/25
Overview:
All in all, it is a toss up as to whether this figure is truly worth the high price tag it is sold for. But I guess Hasbro can sell it at that price as it comes with a comic book and belt clip that plays sounds. But still, this figure was designed with collectors in mind as the average mother or father will not purchase an $80 dollar toy for their kid if it looks as small as Optimus. A bike maybe, but not a Transformer.
My score for 25th Anniversary Optimus Prime; 75/100
Optimus Prime's trailer base made up for this figure's lack of articulation and playability, but considering it's god damned Optimus Prime, I'd say he did rather well despite everything.
