Toy Review - First Edition TF4 Optimus Prime

[griffin]

(Please post photos, comments or even a fully comprehensive review - these are just brief details to get you started)

Series - none (TF4 movie)
Sub-line - First Edition
Size/class - ??? Ultimate
Wave - n/a
New/remould/redeco - New
Released here - March 2014 (globally February 2014)
Approximate Retail Price - $130? (US$60 in America = AU$68)
Approximate Size - 27cm (robot), 28cm (truck without shield)
Allegiance - Autobot
Alt-mode - Western Star Truck
Main Features/Gimmicks - Sword of Judgement, Sentinel Shield, changes in 15 steps.
Main Colours - blue, red, silver, grey
Main Accessories - Sword, Shield.

(official images to come)

In box (it came in a tight fitting shipping box that had to be from Hasbro, but had no product name or company printed on it)
http://www.toycollectors.com.au/collection/1402a.jpg

Robot mode (with some recent exclusives)
http://www.toycollectors.com.au/blog/b741.jpg

Instructions
http://www.toycollectors.com.au/blog/b742.jpg

Colour instructions are nice, a bit like early Gen1 instructions. Don't be fooled by the labelling of it as a shell-former, as the transformation isn't a
complete walk in the park. It is NOT a "challenge" type Transformer, but there is still a little bit of creative engineering involved in the design. A
commendable effort when you consider that the back when the designers started on this figure, they would only have had photos of the truck mode
and some early concept CGI for the robot mode (as such, most of the truck shell folds up onto the back and only a little is incorporated into the robot body - the legs).
The shiny parts and rubber wheels, plus the big bulky toy in both modes and decent articulation, makes for something I consider is above average
for the fairly high price point... but is likely to be below average for those who don't collect Transformers toys to play with (who value more the
engineering and displayability of the figures).
http://www.toycollectors.com.au/blog/b743.jpg

The mid-section, showing how the backpack is part of the robot waist, so isn't removable. You can also see from this photo, that only the lower legs
of the robot mode forms any part of the truck (shell).
http://www.toycollectors.com.au/blog/b744.jpg

In vehicle mode, with Ultimate BH Optimus, DLX FOC Optimus, Green BAPE Optimus, MP YOTH Optimus, Rescue Bots Trailer Optimus.
http://www.toycollectors.com.au/blog/b745.jpg

Instead of rub-signs to prove authenticity, or a holographic sticker... we get a logo on the packaging, which anyone could put on KOs quite easily.
Also, this notes a Transformers App - is that something that's been out already, or something new?
http://www.toycollectors.com.au/blog/b746.jpg

[BigTransformerTrev]

To be honest I've been in two minds about this figure. On the one hand I've gotten the leader-class Prime from the last 3 movies so would be good to continue the trend. And a lot of people have been talking about how cheap he is to get online at the moment. On the other hand I really don't like his look in either mode, so I think I'm going to break precedent and wait and see if a better looking Voyager version of TF4 Prime gets released.

[Mythirax]

so I think I'm going to break precedent and wait and see if a better looking Voyager version of TF4 Prime gets released.

Exactly my thoughts.

[UltraMarginal]

The best version of the Prime from the first 3 movies came out in the second one, so I won't be russing out for this. it's certainly interesting to see the different approach and wow, Rubber Tyres!

[griffin]

It's hard rubber though... almost as hard as plastic. I wouldn't have even realised it if I hadn't have read about it on one of the fansites.

[Sinnertwin]

Pfft. Increasing the transformation steps from 13 to 15 with the addition of the weapons.

While i find the robot mode quite sad, that alt mode is great :D

[Bidoofdude]

Alt mode looks pretty good. Robot is a bit mishy mashy with all the blank areas and chrome bits. A bit hard to make out.

[griffin]

Did anyone else order one? At US$60 plus shipping, it's cheaper than it will be here (apparently $130), and cheaper than BBTS (US$80) even with shipping.

At least there looks to be plenty of stock... or the fandom is avoiding it.

It might not be the best toy, but is the price (about AU$80) of what the BH Ultimates were here, and with similar complexity. (it is certainly not worth $130 - if you think you might buy it when it gets here, save a lot of dollars and import it)

[KaRNiV8L PRiME]

Did anyone else order one? At US$60 plus shipping, it's cheaper than it will be here (apparently $130), and cheaper than BBTS (US$80) even with shipping.

At least there looks to be plenty of stock... or the fandom is avoiding it.

It might not be the best toy, but is the price (about AU$80) of what the BH Ultimates were here, and with similar complexity. (it is certainly not worth $130 - if you think you might buy it when it gets here, save a lot of dollars and import it)

Got mine today

[Ravagecat]

Not a fan of the making them more simplistic approach that Hasbro is taking this year to the Transformers line (although their reasoning/explantion is reasonable/understandable). I really don't like the molded chest on this figure and if the majority of the TF4 toys are going to be like this then I guess I'll be saving a bucket load of cash this year cause I wont be buying them :D...well definitely not at full retail atleast :p

[5FDP]

Every time I think to myself 'why would anyone want another movie Prime toy', I consider that it's been 2 years in between each movie and 7 years since the first. Great for a new generation of fans, not interesting enough for older fans so I'll probably give this a miss (I'm happy with my crappy ROTF Voyager Prime :p).

[griffin]

Rushing this toy out early is a double-edged sword - it gets the focus started on the Movie and its toys, but the first impressions of this fast-tracked simple (shellformer) toy could make people more dismissive of the main line before they even see it, which may not be as simplistic as this one.

[crankcase76]

Ordered mine yesterday from Chimungmung, US $69.00 + shipping. Totalled to $100 AU, cant wait to see it in hand too. :D

[GoktimusPrime]

I ordered mine from Amazon for the same reason that griffin cited; it seems to be the cheapest option around, so if this toy turns out to be a dud, at least I paid below AU RRP. :o ;)

Mine's been "initiating customs clearance" since Monday. :( (freakin' wait...)
It's expected to arrive this Friday, but I got a feeling that it won't arrive by then. Although one good thing about Amazon is that if the product doesn't arrive on time, they refund the cost of shipping. But I'd much rather just have the toy arrive on time.

IMHO DotM Leader Class Optimus Prime was the best of the Movie Leaders. It retained the same awesome mods from Buster Optimus Prime (i.e. removable tanks that combine to form the gun), and the absence of the flip out swords free up arm movement. But I really like the reduced "ribs" which makes that part of the transformation a lot easier than it was on ROTF Leader OP (which I found was the most frustrating/challenging part of the transformation). But yeah, the movie Leader OPs have always been excellent and each release has been better than the last. I hope that AOE Leader OP will continue the same trend, but judging from pics (and especially griffin's pics), I'm not hopeful. :o

P.S.: For those of you who already received this toy, did you use a faster form of shipping? I just used the regular cheaper no-frills option. Ordered on Feb 5.
<impatiently.drums.fingers.on.desk> :rolleyes:

[Tetsuwan Convoy]

Wow, $130 for this thing locally? Good luck with that Hasbro AU...

[GoktimusPrime]

My thoughts...

PROS
+ Silver and coloured chrome looks nice
+ Head is beautifully sculpted; a lot better than Buster Optimus Prime's IMHO. Eyes are also light-piped.
+ Reasonably decent (though not spectacular) robot and truck modes
+ Sword stowage on the undercarriage is a nice nod to G2 Laser Optimus Prime (who was also a Western Star truck like AoE OP).
+ Rubber tyres are a nice touch

CONS
- Very much a panelformer, carrying a rather ungainly backpack
- Backpack blocks the arms from moving backwards.
- I would've preferred to see more chrome on the vehicle mode, even if it meant reducing the chrome on the robot mode (which IMO isn't as essential). Things like the smoke stacks and tanks would've looked a lot nicer in chrome.
- Side windows are just unpainted blue plastic.
- Rear of the truck mode looks incredibly cheap. The rear wheel section is a single hollow piece with wheels tacked on the sides... kinda like G1 Roller. There's also an unsightly gap in the rear of the cab itself.
- No wrist articulation! :eek:
- The shield doesn't fold up or anything in truck mode (like say DotM Leader Class Sentinel Prime's shield). It's just a single piece that sits on the back because it has nowhere else to go. It doesn't seem to really add anything to the truck mode, and it's certainly not attempting to hide itself in stowage.

OVERALL
It's not a terrible toy and is nicer IRL than in pics. But it's by no means a great toy either. Recommended only if you want a Leader Class AoE Optimus Prime toy and you can get this toy at below RRP. It is NOT worth paying full price for.

-------------------------------------

Pictures
Truck mode (front)
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y227/goktimusprime/Transformers/Age%20of%20Extinction/aoe_optimusprime_truck1_zps55cb9d75.jpg

Truck mode (rear)
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y227/goktimusprime/Transformers/Age%20of%20Extinction/aoe_optimusprime_truck2_zps2ae9465b.jpg

Truck mode (side w/ weapons attached)
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y227/goktimusprime/Transformers/Age%20of%20Extinction/aoe_optimusprime_truck3_zpsd9fb9c0b.jpg

Robot mode
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y227/goktimusprime/Transformers/Age%20of%20Extinction/aoe_optimusprime_robot1_zps0e55b53a.jpghttp://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y227/goktimusprime/Transformers/Age%20of%20Extinction/aoe_optimusprime_robot2_zps120fb44f.jpg

Robot mode (armed)
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y227/goktimusprime/Transformers/Age%20of%20Extinction/aoe_optimusprime_robot3_zps463ef631.jpghttp://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y227/goktimusprime/Transformers/Age%20of%20Extinction/aoe_optimusprime_robot4_zps95005513.jpg

Close up of head demonstrating light piping in eyes
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y227/goktimusprime/Transformers/Age%20of%20Extinction/aoe_optimusprime_robot5_zpsec6207a3.jpg

Comparison with previous movie Leader Optimus Primes
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y227/goktimusprime/Transformers/comparisons/aoe_leaderops_zpsee0ebe99.jpg

[Penetrator]

Comparison with previous movie Leader Optimus Primes
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y227/goktimusprime/Transformers/comparisons/aoe_leaderops_zpsee0ebe99.jpg[/QUOTE]



For me, ROTF wins! :D

[Mythirax]

I do love my ROTF in his alt mode and DOTM in all his glory ready to fly away and cause havoc.

[GoktimusPrime]

DOTM Leader Optimus Prime is my favourite -- he retains some of the nice changes from Buster Optimus Prime (i.e. tanks detach and combine to form the gun) and does away with the cumbersome flip out blades, but for me I really like how they reduced the size of the "ribs" (the two red bits under the windscreen pecs) which was always a more fiddly part of transforming ROTF OP back to truck mode (I often spent more time working on those panels than on transforming the rest of the toy!) :o But either way, between TF1, ROTF and DOTM we've seen each Leader Optimus Prime toy becoming better than its predecessor. This clearly hasn't been the case w/ AoE.

Looking at images of Generations Leader AOE Optimus Prime and comparing it with First Edition AOE Optimus Prime... I don't know if either one offers a substantial advantage over the other. For each plus that one has over the other, I can see a minus.
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y227/goktimusprime/Transformers/comparisons/aoe_leaderops_fe_gen_zps75a2ad50.jpg
I can't tell which toy is inherently better or worse than the other... just take your pick (and maybe go for the cheapest option? :p)

[Mythirax]

(i.e. tanks detach and combine to form the gun)

Wait what, care to show me what you mean? :D:D

[griffin]

The fuel-tanks and smokestacks would come off as two parts, that are then folded up and joined to form his gun.

http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/attach/7/1/5/9/0/3691231256_ae864b9b11_o_1246845464.jpg

[Mythirax]

The fuel-tanks and smokestacks would come off as two parts, that are then folded up and joined to form his gun.

http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/attach/7/1/5/9/0/3691231256_ae864b9b11_o_1246845464.jpg

I feel so stupid, when I first got it I was like. Wow, mine are cracked, great, least I only paid $40-50 for it or w/e it was. Then I saw on the box it looked cracked too. I could never figure out why. Amazing, time to go have a play with him.

Thanks so much, even though I absolutely love this figure. I now have a new found love towards him.

[GoktimusPrime]

Like griffin said. ;)
Here's DotM Leader Optimus Prime w/ his gun:
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y227/goktimusprime/Transformers/Transfan%20Meets/Dark%20of%20the%20Moon%20Meet%20July%202%202011/bday2011_jul2_h.jpghttp://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y227/goktimusprime/Transformers/Transfan%20Meets/Dark%20of%20the%20Moon%20Meet%20July%202%202011/bday2011_jul2_g.jpg
It was originally a feature of ROTF Buster Optimus Prime (http://static.seibertron.com/images/toys/files/65/r_buster-optimus-prime-128.jpg) (which was sold here in a 2-pack w/ Jetfire in Kmart ;))

[Mythirax]

Took me a moment to figure out how it worked. But it's a pretty cool little feature. One heck of a weird transformation though :D

[griffin]

I feel so stupid, when I first got it I was like. Wow, mine are cracked, great, least I only paid $40-50 for it or w/e it was. Then I saw on the box it looked cracked too. I could never figure out why. Amazing, time to go have a play with him.

Thanks so much, even though I absolutely love this figure. I now have a new found love towards him.

Don't feel stupid, we got a whole topic (http://www.otca.com.au/boards/showthread.php?t=12428) about things people found out about their toys years later. :)

[Mythirax]

Don't feel stupid, we got a whole topic (http://www.otca.com.au/boards/showthread.php?t=12428) about things people found out about their toys years later. :)

Just started reading that thread the other day. Has some awesome things I never knew in it.

[Bidoofdude]

DOTM Leader Optimus Prime is my favourite -- he retains some of the nice changes from Buster Optimus Prime (i.e. tanks detach and combine to form the gun) and does away with the cumbersome flip out blades, but for me I really like how they reduced the size of the "ribs" (the two red bits under the windscreen pecs) which was always a more fiddly part of transforming ROTF OP back to truck mode (I often spent more time working on those panels than on transforming the rest of the toy!) :o But either way, between TF1, ROTF and DOTM we've seen each Leader Optimus Prime toy becoming better than its predecessor. This clearly hasn't been the case w/ AoE.

Looking at images of Generations Leader AOE Optimus Prime and comparing it with First Edition AOE Optimus Prime... I don't know if either one offers a substantial advantage over the other. For each plus that one has over the other, I can see a minus.
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y227/goktimusprime/Transformers/comparisons/aoe_leaderops_fe_gen_zps75a2ad50.jpg
I can't tell which toy is inherently better or worse than the other... just take your pick (and maybe go for the cheapest option? :p)

FE looks more proportionate to me, the Generation toy's head is a bit big.

[UltraMarginal]

I voted only if...
you are a movie toy or optimus prime completionist.

I personally have no need for it.

[Omega Metro]

I don't have it and don't want it. All that chrome is just awful. Looks cheap and hollow if a video review is anything to go by. Truck mode looks good though.

[MayzaPrime]

I don't have it and don't want it. All that chrome is just awful. Looks cheap and hollow if a video review is anything to go by. Truck mode looks good though.

The Truck mode does look good... But that backpack & chrome, I am not a fan

[GoktimusPrime]

Truck mode looks good though.

The Truck mode does look good...
Not from behind it doesn't. :( The hear 'towage' section looks like a cheap Happy Meal toy. There's also an unsightly gap in the back of the cab itself.
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y227/goktimusprime/Transformers/Age%20of%20Extinction/aoe_optimusprime_truck2_zps2ae9465b.jpg

[MayzaPrime]

Thanks for showing me that, now I really don't want it at all

[Mythirax]

Thanks for showing me that, now I really don't want it at all

Myself included.

[b1b2]

Picked up the new prime from tf4 today at target. Not as well built as the older movie series and the plastic quality is not as good.

Still looks pretty cool though

[liegeprime]

Th e quality of the new movie line is shall we say "all flash, no substance". Prime for instance reminds me of a flashy Pretender shell from G1. :p

[VERT]

I picked one up today. Opened him had a look. Showed it to my wife. She said it looks like one of those chrome KO from Go Lo or the local junk shop. Then I showed him to my 6 year old son. He gave Prime two thumbs down and said it looks bad. So I boxed him up again and he will be going back tomorrow. I knew he was crap when I got him. I was just hoping he would look better in hand. Nope still not my thing.

[Omega Metro]

I like the movie toys (most) but this thing IS bad. Just awful.

[ChlorHex]

A little late to the game but I just had a good look at this Prime at my local Big W.
I note that every single piece had fading paint apps on the chromed bits.
Looks really bad and cheap.
Is this normal or have we got a batch with serious QC issues here :confused:

[Defcon]

worrying times... good to save money. At least we have the masterpiece line to fall back on.

[Oztron]

Did anyone else order one? At US$60 plus shipping, it's cheaper than it will be here (apparently $130), and cheaper than BBTS (US$80) even with shipping.

At least there looks to be plenty of stock... or the fandom is avoiding it.

It might not be the best toy, but is the price (about AU$80) of what the BH Ultimates were here, and with similar complexity. (it is certainly not worth $130 - if you think you might buy it when it gets here, save a lot of dollars and import it)

I walked into Canberra tru last week and saw it for $129. I turned around and walked out. It was $79 at my local target but is now up to &99

[Omega Metro]

I walked into Canberra tru last week and saw it for $129. I turned around and walked out. It was $79 at my local target but is now up to &99

It's $68 or $69 (can't remember) at BigW from tomorrow.

[philby]

Doesn't really seem that enticing to me, but then I don't really like the look of the live-action characters that much :/

[Zommael]

I picked this up from Big W today, and I would say it is definitely worth the $68 but not the higher prices being charged elsewhere.

It is a very solid, nice looking, decently articulated toy, not the horrible mess some people are saying it is. To whoever said it looks like a McDonald's toy, I want to go to McDonald's in your town because they're giving away some cool shit.

The simplified transformation is not a bad thing, and in fact it feels quite intuitive and is much more fun to transform than puzzleformers. I really like the accessories. Unfortunately the lack of wrist articulation means some of the cooler sword poses are out, but other than that the articulation is good.

There are a few points that could have been improved. Some silver paint on the side windows could (and will, mwahahahahah!) have made it look a lot better - but the windscreen itself is blue so this isn't completely detrimental to the look of the toy. The two struts that extend down below the waist could have been made to fold up into the backpack somehow. The back end of the vehicle mode could have been made more solid, perhaps through more creative storage/transformation of the accessories.

The chrome looks great, especially in lower light situations - the paint on the chromed sections does look washed out and faded in a more brightly lit environment but it is vibrant and attractive with lower light. There's a good bit of paint detail elsewhere on the figure too. It's nice to see Hasbro avoided the use of Hasbro-grey for this product, going for a much darker shade for the unchromed grey areas such as the arms and smokestack. I'm not sure, but I think the logic here might have been to keep the chrome away from the areas that transform or rub against each other, and if so I appreciate the thought. The darker shade of grey isn't brilliant but at least it's better than that horrible shade they usually use.

Truck mode looks good, feels solid, rolls nicely. From the back it's a bit weak but the underside of the model of truck used looks from the pictures as if it is similiarly surprisingly thin, so in that respect the toy is accurate. The accessories all stow with the vehicle in ways that make sense; the sword goes underneath in what might be a nod to Laser Optimus Prime, and the shield attaches to the trailer post, giving a bit of extra bulk to that part. More perhaps could have been done with the shield such as having it fold up and store underneath, but that would have added unnecessary points of articulation and steps to the transformation which it's clear the designers were trying to avoid.

Overall this is a very solid feeling, nice looking toy, which is fun to transform. It's not ROTF Optimus Prime or any of its descendants but nothing ever will be - that toy could have been sold in the Masterpiece line without seeming out of place. But compared to some other recent releases, this is a very good toy which does not deserve the slagging off it's getting.

Animated Leader Bulkhead grade: Time for the big guns!

[Bidoofdude]

I saw this guy the other day and I have to say, the chrome looks a bit better in person. There's actually a lot of good detail that you can't see. Unfortunately, the backpack looks bigger in person.

[Polursine]

Best mod you can do to this is have that horrid trailer hitch section removable. By taking out the pin, its partsforming but helps clear up the backpack a bit.
I've spent the past few days chopping and changing a bit. Spent today doing a majority of the painting. Now waiting til that blue dries overnight.


http://i60.tinypic.com/2jey455.jpg

http://i61.tinypic.com/eu214x.jpg

http://i57.tinypic.com/jruzdd.jpg

Plus, can act as a soft of gun-shield if you can find the right pipe/pen size/plug to fit in between as a port.

http://i58.tinypic.com/21j0p4l.jpg

http://i57.tinypic.com/2aets47.jpg

[MayzaPrime]

Polursine it looks better... Even so I am still not going to get this figure, unless its $20

[BigTransformerTrev]

It's $68 or $69 (can't remember) at BigW from tomorrow.

Yep - saw them for $69 at BigW in Bathurst last night.



Polursine it looks better... Even so I am still not going to get this figure, unless its $20


Yeah, considering that a million of these things are showing up in all manner of stores I think this figure will be easy to find really cheap down the line. $20 would be my limit as well