List of things Optimus Prime transforms into

[Zommael]

Edited 23/5/14 8:20pm to add: Information about where each mode came from, a few other modes with acknowledgements to those members that pointed them out, a section on debatable alt modes, and a section on things that aren't Optimus Prime but have similar names and what they turn into.

My comment on the news about Bearbrick Optimus Prime (http://www.otca.com.au/boards/showthread.php?t=18576) got me thinking: it should be possible to compile a complete list of things Optimus Prime transforms into. Off the top of my head:

A short-nosed truck (http://www.tfu.info/1984/Autobot/OptimusPrime/optimusprime.htm) (G1 Optimus Prime)
A different, possibly futuristic short-nosed truck (http://www.tfu.info/1988/Autobot/OptimusPrime/optmiusprime.htm) (Powermaster Optimus Prime)
A definitely futuristic short-nosed truck (http://www.tfu.info/1991/Cybertron/StarConvoy/starconvoy.htm) (Star Convoy)
A long-nosed truck (http://www.tfu.info/1994/Autobot/OptimusPrime/optimusprime.htm) (Hero Optimus Prime)
A more differenter long-nosed truck (http://www.tfu.info/1995/Autobot/OptimusPrime/optimusprime.htm) (Laser Optimus Prime)
A gorilla (Beast Wars Optimus Primal and Cybertron Optimus Prime)
A different short-nosed truck (Machine Wars Optimus Prime)
A fire engine (Robots in Disguise Optimus Prime)
A (Cybertronian?) monster truck (Armada Optimus Prime)
A Cybertronian short-nosed truck (Energon Optimus Prime)
A Cybertronian/futuristic fire engine (Cybertron Optimus Prime)
Yet another short-nosed truck (http://www.tfu.info/2006/Autobot/ClassicsOptimusPrime/optimusprime.htm) (Classics Optimus Prime)
A Peterbilt long-nosed truck (Movie Optimus Prime)
Another random fire engine-based thing (Animated Optimus Prime)
Mickey Mouse (Optimouse Prime)
A shoe (http://www.tfu.info/2007/Cybertron/SLConvoy/convoy.htm) (Sports Label Convoy)
Another long-nosed truck (Prime Optimus Prime)
Some sort of beast truck (Prime Beast Hunters Optimus Prime)
A pen (unreleased)
A bearbrick (unreleased)
Various (http://www.tfu.info/2007/Autobot/TitOptimusPrime/optimusprime.htm) Cybertronian (http://www.tfu.info/2013/Autobot/GenOrionPax/orionpax.htm) somethings
A sports car (Alternity Optimus Prime)
ETA: A baseball cap (thanks liegeprime)
ETA: A DVD case (thanks BigTransformerTrev)
Absolutely nothing at all (various PVC and static action figures, Action Master Optimus Prime)

Debatable:

A bat - Technically, the first release of both Beast Wars Gorilla Optimus Primal and Bat Optimus Primal count as Optimus Prime, as they were released before the cartoon (which established Primal as a separate character), and the accompanying fiction indicates it is the same character as G1 Optimus Prime. It is notable that the TF Wiki uses this logic (but also lists both as Optimus Primal). It is also notable that our founder here at Ozformers disagrees :D .

Things that are definitely not Optimus Prime but have similar names, and what they turn into:

Optimus Minor (monkey)
Big Convoy (mammoth)
Lioconvoy (lion, note next entry)
Leo Prime (liger)
Vector Prime (space ship)
Sentinel Prime (truck)
Sentinel Prime (fire engine)
OP (laser gun, thanks to Ultra Mackness for bringing it up and Delta Prime for clarifying. No, I don't know what Delta turns into and he doesn't get to go on the list. :p )

Are there any I'm missing?

[liegeprime]

You can add Captimus - he transforms into a cap. :)

http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb313/liegeprime/2013%20Acquisitions/DSC03679_zps0e6b705d.jpg (http://s205.photobucket.com/user/liegeprime/media/2013%20Acquisitions/DSC03679_zps0e6b705d.jpg.html)

and in Japan there is that TF Go! Train/Dragon/ Robot Optimus - not sure what it's name is...

[BigTransformerTrev]

Was it Optimus Prime that turned into a Gorilla? I know Optimus Primal did, but did Optimus Prime ever have a Gorilla or bat mode? :confused: I've got a big poster at home showing tons of different Optimus forms, but the poster encompasses both the seperate characters of Prime and Primal


Oh, and you can add DVD case to the list, I got one of the first movie where the case unfolded into Optimus Prime :D

[Zommael]

Was it Optimus Prime that turned into a Gorilla? I know Optimus Primal did, but did Optimus Prime ever have a Gorilla or bat mode? :confused: I've got a big poster at home showing tons of different Optimus forms, but the poster encompasses both the seperate characters of Prime and Primal


Oh, and you can add DVD case to the list, I got one of the first movie where the case unfolded into Optimus Prime :D

Technically, yes. In the earliest days of the Beast Wars, before the TV show, the initial pack-in comics depicted Beast Wars as a continuation of G1. Optimus Primal and Megatron were therefore depicted as the same characters as Optimus Prime and G1 Megatron, and so we can add bat and gorilla to Prime's list of alts. For what it's worth, TFwiki.com follows this line of thinking.

[BigTransformerTrev]

Technically, yes. In the earliest days of the Beast Wars, before the TV show, the initial pack-in comics depicted Beast Wars as a continuation of G1. Optimus Primal and Megatron were therefore depicted as the same characters as Optimus Prime and G1 Megatron, and so we can add bat and gorilla to Prime's list of alts. For what it's worth, TFwiki.com follows this line of thinking.

Well there ya go - I learned something today :)

[Omega Metro]

How about a 'Piece Of Crap'?.........Silver Knight Optimus!..I'm looking at you.:D

[griffin]

In Cybertron, Optimus had a gorilla toy (redeco of the 10th anniversary toy), so that's counted... but the bat is conjectural if you take retconning into account or if you follow toy bios and ignore cartoon/comics.

However, if you go by just "Optimus" like you would "Megatron" as a name & homage, the Primal would count with Prime... as the point of the list would be the same as if you did up a Megatron list.

[Zommael]

In Cybertron, Optimus had a gorilla toy (redeco of the 10th anniversary toy), so that's counted... but the bat is conjectural if you take retconning into account or if you follow toy bios and ignore cartoon/comics.

However, if you go by just "Optimus" like you would "Megatron" as a name & homage, the Primal would count with Prime... as the point of the list would be the same as if you did up a Megatron list.

I *think* what I'm doing is specifically characters who are/were called Optimus Prime. However, I'm aware that some of the modes I have on that list probably belonged to characters called Convoy in Japan, which would open up a whole other can of worms.

Part of the point of the list was just for fun, given how ridiculously long the list is with him transforming into baseball caps, Mickey Mouse, pens, etc. It was for humour. But it was also to stimulate discussion, which I seem to have succeeded in doing. So go me!

I'll add some of the ones people have posted to the first post this evening, and maybe add some explanatory notes about where they came from and whether we all agree that they "count" or not.

[Ultra Mackness]

Was there not an arms micron Optimus that turned into a laser gun?

[DELTAprime]

I'm on the side of bat counts as Prime.

He also transformers into a Toyota FJ Cruiser. Takara has retired the name Convoy on non-G1 to Cybertron toys and now uses Optimus Prime so that one counts.

Incase anyone says he turns into a Popsicle, he doesn't. That's a character called Gari Gari Kun cosplaying as Optimus.

RID Prime Transforms into a Hino Brandlier fire truck. I love the real life alt modes in RID.


Was there not an arms micron Optimus that turned into a laser gun?

That was a character named O.P. not Optimus Prime

[GoktimusPrime]

Don't forget G2 Gobot Optimus Prime (see below in bold) ;)

In Japanese toy continuity Bat Primal (known as Convobat) is definitely G1 Optimus Prime -- the tech specs explicitly state this (and Megalligator is G1 Megatron). I personally view the CD ROM versions of these toys (http://static.shmax.com/photos/sku/2352/convobat_vs_megalligator/l/front) as being Optimus Prime and G1 Megs because there's no Hasbro versions of these toys to contradict it (unlike say the regular versions of these toys). Although one could argue that even in Hasbro's toy continuity, Bat Primal and Gator Megatron are also meant to be Optimus Prime & Megatron, since their canon (http://tfwiki.net/mediawiki/images2/a/a2/Optimusprimalvsmegatronsplash.jpg) takes place in the pre-cartoon story arc, and neither toy ever appeared in the cartoon which retconned Primal and BW Megs as different characters.

Meh... in the Gokiverse, regular Bat Primal and Gator Megs are precursory versions of Optimus Primal & BW Megatron, but CD Convobat & Megalligator are Optimus Prime & G1 Megatron reformatted as Maximal & Predacon respectively. ;)

I'd also like to point out the following...
+ Original G1 (& G2 ;)) Optimus Prime = Freightliner FL86 (http://www.cardatabase.net/search/fullscreen.main?id=00165513)
+ G2 Hero Optimus Prime = Kenworth (unknown model, possibly made-up)
+ G2 Laser Optimus Prime = Western Star 4964EX (http://www.bestusatrucks.com/timthumb.php?src=/usr/local/apache/htdocs/myadmin_trucks/truck_img/western-star/4964ex/36/p15tjaq92me1pveq1rk91fcn1if61.jpg&h=262&w=325)
+ G2 Gobot Optimus Prime (http://www.tfu.info/1995/Autobot/OptimusPrimeGobot/optimusprime.htm) = Lamborghini Diablo (http://www.moibibiki.com/images/lamborghini-diablo-red-2.jpg)
+ RiD Optimus Prime = Hino Branbilar (http://fire-engine-photos.com.s3.amazonaws.com/213.jpg)
+ Movie/ROTF/DOTM Optimus Prime = Peterbilt 379 (http://gomotors.net/photos/d0/b1/peterbilt-379_74f0d.jpg?i)
+ AoE Optimus Prime, Evasion Mode = Marmon 97 (http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/d9/89/b2/d989b23006f7b02c880a5de428d96cc9.jpg)
+ AoE Optimus Prime = Western Star 4900SB (http://www.daimler.com/Projects/c2c/channel/images/910763_1717508_799_529_6_western_star_4900sb.jpg)
+ Sports Label Convoy = Nike Free 7.0 (http://www.nikefreecheapoutlet.com/images/large/freecheapts/ree-7-0-V2-Men-s-Running-Shoes-White-Red-217_LRG.jpg)
+ Capbots Captimus Prime = Transformers New Era 59fifty fitted cap (http://images.freshnessmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/new-era-x-transformers-59fifty-hats-1-570x426.jpg)
+ Be@rbrick Optimus Prime = Be@rbrick (http://gtoystage.com/gtoystage-store/wp-content/uploads/TRANSFORMERS-OPTIMUS-PRIMEMEGATRON-100-02.jpg)

I think Ultra Optimus Primal is meant to be a silverback gorilla (although too young to actually have a silver back according to the paint job on the toy ;)), and AFAIK Bat Primal's beast mode is just a generic bat (no identifiable species). All other Optimus Primes are based on fictitious alt modes, AFAIK.

[BigTransformerTrev]

Was looking at some of my Optimus Prime toys and spotted two more:

Alternators Optimus Prime: Turns into a Dodge RAM SRT-10
Rescue Bots Optimus Prime: Turns into a Car Carrier

[Sky Shadow]

Debatable:

A bat - Technically, the first release of both Beast Wars Gorilla Optimus Primal and Bat Optimus Primal count as Optimus Prime, as they were released before the cartoon (which established Primal as a separate character), and the accompanying fiction indicates it is the same character as G1 Optimus Prime. It is notable that the TF Wiki uses this logic (but also lists both as Optimus Primal). It is also notable that our founder here at Ozformers disagrees :D

I can't see how this is debatable - if you count Star Convoy, Gorilla Primal and Optimouse Prime, then Convobat/Bat Primal is a no-brainer.

[Demonac]

Don't forget the transforming gift card from Target that was given out at Botcon.

[DELTAprime]

+ G2 Gobot Optimus Prime (http://www.tfu.info/1995/Autobot/OptimusPrimeGobot/optimusprime.htm) = Lamborghini Diablo (http://www.moibibiki.com/images/lamborghini-diablo-red-2.jpg)

OMG, Must have.:eek:

Theres one on ebay but it's from Wheeljackslab, bummer.:(

[GoktimusPrime]

I don't have Go-Bot Optimus Prime, but I do have Go-Bot Sideswipe and RiD REV who are the same mould. :) Likewise G2 Frenzy & RiD Hot Shot are the same mould as Go-Bot Megatron, which I also don't have. And the RiD Spychangers have like a gazillion variants. :p

[UltraMarginal]

Interesting compilation, on a side note, the proper name for a "short nosed" truck is a cabover. A long nosed truck is just considered "conventional":D

[Zommael]

Interesting compilation, on a side note, the proper name for a "short nosed" truck is a cabover. A long nosed truck is just considered "conventional":D

Interesting. I never knew that, as we don't really have long-nosed trucks in the UK (or, from what I've seen, elsewhere in Europe) where I'm from. My girlfriend keeps laughing at me every time I stop to stare at them driving up the Bruce Highway - I think they're great!

I haven't abandoned this, I promise, just had a busy few days. I'll do some updates maybe later today.

[BigTransformerTrev]

Apparently Optimus now turns into a gift card as well:

http://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/transformers-age-of-extinction-transforming-optimus-prime-target-gift-card/30438/

[GoktimusPrime]

That reminds me, he also transforms into a DVD case (http://otca.com.au/boards/showpost.php?p=13675&postcount=3). ;)

[BigTransformerTrev]

That reminds me, he also transforms into a DVD case (http://otca.com.au/boards/showpost.php?p=13675&postcount=3). ;)

Already on there mate:



A short-nosed truck (http://www.tfu.info/1984/Autobot/OptimusPrime/optimusprime.htm) (G1 Optimus Prime)
A different, possibly futuristic short-nosed truck (http://www.tfu.info/1988/Autobot/OptimusPrime/optmiusprime.htm) (Powermaster Optimus Prime)
A definitely futuristic short-nosed truck (http://www.tfu.info/1991/Cybertron/StarConvoy/starconvoy.htm) (Star Convoy)
A long-nosed truck (http://www.tfu.info/1994/Autobot/OptimusPrime/optimusprime.htm) (Hero Optimus Prime)
A more differenter long-nosed truck (http://www.tfu.info/1995/Autobot/OptimusPrime/optimusprime.htm) (Laser Optimus Prime)
A gorilla (Beast Wars Optimus Primal and Cybertron Optimus Prime)
A different short-nosed truck (Machine Wars Optimus Prime)
A fire engine (Robots in Disguise Optimus Prime)
A (Cybertronian?) monster truck (Armada Optimus Prime)
A Cybertronian short-nosed truck (Energon Optimus Prime)
A Cybertronian/futuristic fire engine (Cybertron Optimus Prime)
Yet another short-nosed truck (http://www.tfu.info/2006/Autobot/ClassicsOptimusPrime/optimusprime.htm) (Classics Optimus Prime)
A Peterbilt long-nosed truck (Movie Optimus Prime)
Another random fire engine-based thing (Animated Optimus Prime)
Mickey Mouse (Optimouse Prime)
A shoe (http://www.tfu.info/2007/Cybertron/SLConvoy/convoy.htm) (Sports Label Convoy)
Another long-nosed truck (Prime Optimus Prime)
Some sort of beast truck (Prime Beast Hunters Optimus Prime)
A pen (unreleased)
A bearbrick (unreleased)
Various (http://www.tfu.info/2007/Autobot/TitOptimusPrime/optimusprime.htm) Cybertronian (http://www.tfu.info/2013/Autobot/GenOrionPax/orionpax.htm) somethings
A sports car (Alternity Optimus Prime)
ETA: A baseball cap (thanks liegeprime)
ETA: A DVD case (thanks BigTransformerTrev)
Absolutely nothing at all (various PVC and static action figures, Action Master Optimus Prime)




I'd like to see this list updated with all the latest stuff people have put up - would be interesting to see how many we are up to

[Zommael]

Already on there mate:




I'd like to see this list updated with all the latest stuff people have put up - would be interesting to see how many we are up to

I will do my best to get to it ASAP!

[Zommael]

Resurrecting this thread from the dead to add:

A Playstation.

Maybe I'll get round to doing those edits I promised months ago too!

[MayzaPrime]

Is the Rescue Bots T-Rex Optimus on there? Or is that considered Optimus Primal?

[griffin]

The big electronic one is called Primal, but the small T-rex toy is called Prime... go figure.

[BigTransformerTrev]

In the latest set of Rescue Bots toys Optimus transforms into a Monster Truck (http://www.terapeak.com/worth/transformers-rescue-bots-optimus-prime-to-monster-truck-playskool-heroes-nip/141805537775/)

[BruiseLee]

Also a PlayStation. :)

[Verno]

http://tfwiki.net/mediawiki/images2/0/05/Alligatorprime.jpg

Alligaticon was made from pieces of Optimus Prime...

[GoktimusPrime]

The Alligatorcon isn't something that Optimus Prime transforms into but rather something that Optimus Prime('s body parts) was transformed into. ;)

Should we add "Mechanical Bat" to the list with the upcoming eHobby Convobat?

[Handsprime]

And now, a jet!

http://static.seibertron.com/images/toys/uploads/1469784803-tra-gen-voy-g2-optimus-jet-pose.png

[Verno]

The Alligatorcon isn't something that Optimus Prime transforms into but rather something that Optimus Prime('s body parts) was transformed into.
That's what I said. "Made from pieces"...

[Ode to a Grasshopper]

Transformers GO!: a bullet train and something that's supposed to be a dragon.

[GoktimusPrime]

liegeprime mentioned it in post #2. ;)

[Ode to a Grasshopper]

Bugger, I missed that.:o

Do we have Alternators/Binaltech Prime there?

We can include combiner torso as well now I guess.

[BigTransformerTrev]

In the new POTP toyline he transforms back into Orion Pax.

[Zommael]

In the new POTP toyline he transforms back into Orion Pax.

His own younger self. That's a great one!

[GoktimusPrime]

POTP Optimus Prime also transforms into a rubbish truck. I mean a truck that is rubbish, not a truck that carries rubbish. ;) :p

[BigTransformerTrev]

There is a Takara Optimus that turns into a mobile phone

[UltraMarginal]

a 'short nosed truck' is also known as a cabover, I'm guessing because the cab sits over the engine.

the TFPrime Beasthunters prime alt mode is described as a prototype military vehicle on the show.

[BruiseLee]

Rubik's cube Optimus turns into frustration.

[GoktimusPrime]

Shall we list all the real-life things that Optimus Prime has transformed into?

Off the top of my mind...
* Freightliner FL86 cab over semi trailer truck - Generation 1
* Kenworth missile truck - Generation 2, Combat Hero
* Western Star 4964EX long nose tanker truck - Generation 2, Laser
* Lamborghini Diablo sports car - Generation 2, Go-Bot
* bat - Beast Wars
* gorilla - Beast Wars
* Dodge Ram SRT-10 ute - Alternators
* Nike Free 7.0 jogger - Sports Label
* Peterbilt 379 long nose truck - Bayformers 1-3
* Nissan GT-R sports car - Alternity
* Toyota FJ Cruiser SUV - FJ Cruisers x Transformers
* Western Star 5700XE long nose truck - Bayformers 4-5
* au INFOBAR mobile phone - au x Transformers

[BigTransformerTrev]

Shall we list all the real-life things that Optimus Prime has transformed into?

* bat - Beast Wars
* gorilla - Beast Wars


That’s Optimus Primal - different character

[Autocon]

That’s Optimus Primal - different character

The bat is g1 optimus prime.

[BigTransformerTrev]

The bat is g1 optimus prime.

Eh? :confused: ok, I’m confused, can you or Gok provide links to when Prime was a bat and/or gorilla? because I thought that was Primal.

[GoktimusPrime]

Cast your minds back to 1996 before the Beast Wars cartoon came out. Back when Beast Wars was originally supposed to be a direct continuation of G1/G2 and not a sequel/prequel... thing. Optimus Primal was originally meant to be Optimus Prime, both the bat and the gorilla. It was only later that the cartoon introduced their own twist on the continuity and decided to make the BWTFs the descendants of the Autobots and Decepticons and not the Autobots and Decepticons themselves as originally intended.

This was also the year that OTCA started and was still called "AusTrans," and Outback was the club mascot. :)

[SharkyMcShark]

Eh? :confused: ok, I’m confused, can you or Gok provide links to when Prime was a bat and/or gorilla? because I thought that was Primal.

The bat released right at the start of Beast Wars has canonically ended up as G1 Prime. The monkey however is not

[GoktimusPrime]

The bat released right at the start of Beast Wars has canonically ended up as G1 Prime. The monkey however is not
Yeah, but when the toys first came out - before the cartoon existed - they were all G1 Transformers biogenetically re-engineered with beast modes. The toy canon explicitly stated this. How else did you play with your Ultra gorilla Optimus Primal before the cartoon came out? :confused: I don't know about you, but he was Optimus Prime to me.

I never once thought about the Maximals and Predacons being distant descendants of the Autobots and Decepticons who'd travelled back in time and were fighting on pre-historic Earth until the cartoon came out. Heck, even after the cartoon came out I never knew that they were on pre-historic Earth until Season 2! Even the idea of them being future descendants wasn't immediately explained in episode 1. I remember being simultaneously excited but also confused after watching that pilot ep. Things started making more sense when later episodes explained what was happening.

Yes, yes, yes, the cartoon portrayed gorilla Primal (but never bat Primal) as a different character from Optimus Prime, but this happened way later. TFwiki lists both Bat and Gorilla Primal on their G1 Optimus Prime toys page (https://tfwiki.net/wiki/Optimus_Prime_(G1)/toys), and explains:
Note: Very early in the life of the Beast Wars toyline (before the debut of the Beast Wars cartoon), Hasbro treated the series as an extension of the Autobot/Decepticon war, and so Optimus Primal was presented as being the same character as Optimus Prime.

I can't be the only one old enough to remember 1996-97 here!
https://image.ibb.co/kmyEdA/japan-ikebukuro97.jpg
↑Me in 1997 after doing some TF shopping. Inside that blue bag is my Rhinox vs Shadow Panther VS set.

[GoktimusPrime]

Back on topic, more real-thing alt modes:

Hino Branbilar fire engine (Fire Convoy/RID OP)
New Era baseball cap (Captimus Prime)

[BigTransformerTrev]

Yeah, well to be honest if the toy boxes always said ‘Optimus Primal’ and in two different cartoons and a bunch of comics they have been portrayed as completely different characters, then I reckon those original toys belong to the Primal character, not Prime.

However I ain’t the canon police so if my opinion goes against the general consensus then who am I to argue eh.


How else did you play with your Ultra gorilla Optimus Primal before the cartoon came out? :confused: I don't know about you, but he was Optimus Prime to me.

I can't be the only one to remember 1996-97 here!

Yeah, I was a teenager off at Uni in those years. Partying and girls were the order of the day, not monkey toys ;)

[Magnus]

There was an Optimus toy that transformed into a power bank external battery. It was a 2017 HasCon exclusive.

[GoktimusPrime]

There was an Optimus toy that transformed into a power bank external battery. It was a 2017 HasCon exclusive.
Was it a known brand or generic?

[BigTransformerTrev]

There is a new Optimus that turns into a wristwatch (https://www.seibertron.com/news/index.php?process=y&f_start=10):)

[UltraMarginal]

Was it a known brand or generic?

it's Hasbro (https://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/hascon-2017-optimus-prime-power-bank-45-off-on-hasbrotoyshop/40428/)branded, in association with another (https://geekculture.co/the-transformers-optimus-prime-power-bank-every-geek-needs/)brand, similar to the XAOMI MiPad soundwave that came out a few years ago.

[BigTransformerTrev]

There is a new Optimus that turns into a wristwatch (https://www.seibertron.com/news/index.php?process=y&f_start=10):)

And now at the extreme other end of the price spectrum there is going to be an Optimus that turns into a wristwatch stand. :p

[GoktimusPrime]

Does that make him Clocktimus Prime?

[SharkyMcShark]

Does that make him Clocktimus Prime?

Optimus Time?

[MayzaPrime]

Optimus Time?

Winner!

[Autocon]

What a prime time for that post!

[TaZZerath]

What a prime time for that post!

I second this.

[GoktimusPrime]

I'll tick that off too.

[M-bot]

MP-44 turns into a machine that empties your bank account. :p;)

[DELTAprime]

MP-44 turns into a machine that empties your bank account. :p;)

You sir win the thread.