Toy Review - Siege Galaxy Upgrade Optimus Prime

[doublespy]

Series - Generations
Sub-line - Siege
Hypo-line - War for Cybertron
Size/class - Leader
New/remould/redeco - Remold of Ultra Magnus
Wave - 3
Released here - yes
Approximate Retail Price - $90

When I first came back into collecting about 20 years ago, it was the time of Car Robot/RID 2000. I loved the G1 like vehicle-focused theme, the Japanese mecha-esque aesthetics and the articulation on those new figures (so of course I was extra happy with my Siege Ultra Magnus' lovely vehicle mode homage). But the Unicron Trilogy that came after that didn't do much for me personally; neither the overall aesthetics nor the chunky figures looked interesting to me. However, the Galaxy Upgrade OP from Siege caught my eyes immediately after it was revealed. Looks an interesting and clever remold from UM to recreate the old Cybertron Op look; I'm a big Optimus fan boy and could use a heavily armored murderous Prime that I can just load up with 5mm weapons in my CHUG collection; and I wouldn't say to no to getting the UM mold again as a different character.

TRUCK MODE:

I quite like the truck mode. It looks more cohesive and feels more solid in hand than expected. I wish they could've found a way to incorporate another set of front wheels to complete the Cybertron Op look, and maybe cover the gap a bit..

I looked up pics of the original Cybertron Op and a lot of details are faithfully recreated. People that grew up with that toy would no doubt have a nostalgia blast. I actually quite like what they've done with the back of the fake wheels on the wings here. They're clearly not supposed to look like wheels here.

https://i.imgur.com/2weFIBKh.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/G1vtwFqh.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/hZOlPRqh.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/2weFIBKh.jpg

I love what they've done to make Galaxy Upgrade Op look completely different to UM.

https://i.imgur.com/3tHoedmh.jpg

CAB AND BASE ROBOT MODE

The cab shares the same visible hand syndrome with UM, but I quite like the remolded front of the cab the aggressive-looking bumpers.
https://i.imgur.com/IdgrjQxh.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/aGljBpAh.jpg


I don't read TF comics but it's lovely that they're using this design as the new civil war Optimus Prime. Because of the shape of the cab it needs to homage the torso here looks like it has no waist. On the other hand it works out to be a nice (probably unintentional)double homage to Energon's Fatimus Prime. I forgot to flip the waist piece around from the super bot here but it's not as big as difference as it makes on Ultra Magnus.
https://i.imgur.com/oLngcSgh.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/kk807OJh.jpg

Side by side with Ultra Magnus' inner 'bot. I have no problem with the parts forming here, as it's one of the compromises for a remold.

https://i.imgur.com/st3JX9mh.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/AZg4VNkh.jpg

TRANSFORMATION:
What they achieved with the UM mold here is quite clever and interesting. For something that requires this much parts-forming, everything pegs in nicely which is a plus.

Apparently a lot of people don't like how the feet on this mold are permanently on an A stance. I actually thought it's a clever way to give the robot wheels on the side of the feet without adding parts to lower/retract the wheels. The feet are angled in a way that in bot mode the wheels just clear the ground so the robot isn't rolling on wheels.
https://i.imgur.com/lCUZWaJl.jpg

SUPER 'BOT MODE
I used to not like the Cybertron designs as the robots all looked too bulky with big chunky limbs as if Pat Lee designed them. Holding this figure in hand, with its much better proportioned limbs, I can say I'm starting to like this design. Again it looks it's overall quite faithful to the original design. I especial love his head, chest and forearm design.
https://i.imgur.com/1E4WWhch.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/gcEpTmEh.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/j6Kxmznh.jpg

Articulation is same as UM. If they were able to incorporate front to back rotation on the feet that'd be even more perfect.

They've added a pair of flip out heel spurs to support the heavier backpack which is really nice.

I love adding weapons on this guy, and might even consider picking up one weaponzier and couple of battle masters to give him more fire power.

https://i.imgur.com/hIeaamuh.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/RxzngfHh.jpg

OVERALL:
I love this figure for a different reason than most but he's a fun one all the same just like Magnus.

[GoktimusPrime]

Could you please post side-by-side comparison pics with the original Cybertron Optimus Prime? (as well as your direct thoughts about the differences between the original and Siege figure)

I own Siege Ultra Magnus and I'm not entirely convinced that this retool supersedes Cybertron Optimus Prime (which, IMO, is already an excellent figure in its own right). Seems like a wasted opportunity not to have the smaller robot head showing the mouth (since CYB OP only has his faceplate up when in Super Mode). The inverted centre wheels look a bit sad in vehicle mode -- would've been nicer to smooth out that reverse side because it kinda looks like he has unpainted wheels there (I know that they're not). I'm not saying that I think this looks like a bad toy but I personally remain unconvinced. And I guess that's one of the perils of Hasbro just making new toys of already existing characters. I kinda wish they'd start making entirely new characters. <shrugs> But I digress... ;)

[doublespy]

Don't have the og Cybertron Op. Differences to me are simple: og was too big and chunky, engineering too simple, articulation was non existent. This is modern, looks awesome, has modern articulation and fits in my chug stuff. Not even worth the comparison to me personally.

They managed to get me buy a character that I had no interest in, so props to HasTak.

[Dimi194]

I also don't own the OG Cybertron fig but WOW-I loved the UM version of this but personally I think the OP version is all that and more! Side by side they're totally different, you wouldn't know they were remolds unless you looked closely!

Great looking big robot mode (don't really care for the inner robot because the voyager Siege figure is soooooo good already), with nice weapons, good shelf presence and useful articulation; wish there was a little more in the big silver guns but still works.

Vehicle mode is a bit meh but I wasn't a fan of the UM truck either so it's not any worse IMHO.

Definitely would recommend!
8.5/10

[GoktimusPrime]

Was muckin' around with my Cybertron OP today and overall I'm still unpersuaded to get this toy over my existing CYB OP, but in an attempt to create a balanced/fair view I'm going to discuss:
1. things that the Siege toy seems to do better than the Cybertron toy.
2. things that the Cybertron toy seems to do better than the Siege toy.
3. things that neither toy do better or worse than each other.

1. Things that Siege Galaxy Optimus Prime seems to do better than Cybertron Optimus Prime
+ greater range of articulation, especially with the inclusion of waist and wrist articulation (although no finger articulation).
+ tighter truck mode. If the wing-a-lings clip in as tightly as Siege UM's trailer panels do then this would make it a tighter fit than what CYB OP has.
+ superior balance. CYB OP isn't the best balanced toy in Super Robot Mode - he's fine when just standing still but getting dynamic poses out of him can be challenging.
+ shoulder panels lock in. CYB OP's shoulder panels' inability to lock into place is my main criticism of that toy.

2. Things that Cybertron Optimus Prime seems to do better than Siege Galaxy Optimus Prime
- the Matrix. CYB OP was the first non-MP Optimus Prime toy to have a removable Matrix, and the way that the Matrix chamber opens up in his chest is pretty sweet. Not to mention that CYB OP can hold the Matrix with his articulated fingers and, unlike Big Convoy, the Matrix doesn't require bicycle handles. And CYB OP's hands still provides a pretty solid grip despite having articulated fingers.
- a bigger, chunkier toy - feels more worthy of being a Leader Class figure, whereas Siege UM (and I suspect Siege Gal. OP too) feel more like a Voyager (with the armour chalking up the rest of the price point). Still better value that Siege Shockwave, but just sayin'. ;)
- more fun play gimmicks. One of the great things about the Cybertron line was that HasTak finally figured out how to embed fun gimmicks into Transformers toys with minimal intrusion and compromises to the figures (unlike much of what we saw in Armada and Energon #wHymYsH0uLd3rShURt #jAaM). The two shoulder cannons on CYB OP are just awesome fun and they don't get in the way of the toy. CYB OP can also combine with toys like Leobreaker. And as non-intrusive gimmicks you can just ignore them if they don't appeal to you.

3. Things that neither figure do gooder or badder than the other
* Both figures look goofy as stand-alone truck cabs. CYB OP has his robot chest and feet totally exposed and Siege has the arms and hands. So neither toy wins in this department.
* CYB OP's fire engine mode has a flight configuration (which looks silly but no better/worse than G1 Tracks), but the trade-off is a less solid standard fire engine mode. I'm assuming that Siege has sacrificed this mode but gained a more solid truck mode. Equal pros and cons on both sides, choose your poison.

On the whole I'd say that both are nice toys. If you don't already own CYB OP then the choice is simple. But for those of us who already do then I don't think it's that clear cut as the original toy is still a really nice figure in its own right. And for those who already own Siege Ultra Magnus it's still something else entirely as many of the good features of the Siege figure has been inherited from Siege UM. Yes, I can see clear differences but when you own both CYB OP and Siege UM I'm not sure if Siege Galaxy Optimus Prime is really the toy for me. Nothing against it, it just feels superfluous to my needs.

[Ravagecat]

I have put up a few comparison pics on my Instagram...check em out here (https://www.instagram.com/p/Bzj_fYDg9XI/) :cool:

[doublespy]

I have put up a few comparison pics on my Instagram...check em out here (https://www.instagram.com/p/Bzj_fYDg9XI/) :cool:

Love the comparison shots. Your photos actually make me want to check the og C Op out.

[GoktimusPrime]

I've made a retro review of the original Cybertron Optimus Prime toy here (http://www.otca.com.au/boards/showthread.php/26575-Retrospective-Toy-Reviews). Feel free to further discuss this toy there. :)

[tron07]

Love the comparison shots. Your photos actually make me want to check the og C Op out.

And it can combine with wing sabre and the leo

[shockNwave]

For those who baulk at the price of the Cybertron OP then I highly recommend the Siege version because it's better to get as close as possible to the mind blowing power of the original than nowhere near it.

PS. The Cybertron version's truck has a flatbed trailer mode (not an everyday feature for an OP and for that matter I don't know of any other OP that has that) which the Siege version sadly doesn't have.

[GoktimusPrime]

For those who baulk at the price of the Cybertron OP then I highly recommend the Siege version because it's better to get as close as possible to the mind blowing power of the original than nowhere near it.
:confused: Both the original Cybertron OP and Siege GF OP are Leaders so they're the same price point. :confused:

[shockNwave]

:confused: Both the original Cybertron OP and Siege GF OP are Leaders so they're the same price point. :confused:

The original Cybertron OP in MISB condition or simply intact in an opened box would cost more than the leader price point today.

[griffin]

Having a chance today to transform from truck to robot mode, I found a couple of odd things, that maybe indicate some changes between prototype stage and final product.
- The legs (rear section of trailer) have red panels on the outside that are held in place with a pin, but don't move. The red part, which is different to the outer panel on Ultra Magnus in the same spot, is sculpted at the hindge to not move, so why have a pin there? Maybe it was originally meant to move to make the legs more slender.
- On the box, the roof of the cab (both with or without the trailer), has the robot shoulder panels still plugged in, to stick out more and cover the fake (?) smokestacks that are in the wrong spot, but are on the arms for the benefit of the small robot having them on the outside of the arms of this toy and of Ultra Magnus. The images on the box are likely an earlier prototype, as those shoulder pads in the big robot mode that have the fake truck front on them, may have been meant to stay on there in both truck modes, but are now too wide to have both fit back there when the arms are folded back... which is a shame, as the truck cabs look a bit better on the box pics, and makes it a little less parts-formery by not needing to have them plug into the back of the truck just to use them up in truck mode.


:confused: Both the original Cybertron OP and Siege GF OP are Leaders so they're the same price point. :confused:

Just repeating what has been said often before... Retail prices in 2005 do not compare to retail prices in 2019, particularly after an item is no longer in-stock at retail. Once that happens, the secondary market's supply-demand ratio dictates the "price point". A popular toy will usually cost more than its original retail, a less popular or obscure toy will usually cost less than its original retail.