Toy Review - OPTIMUS PRIME (Studio Series 86)
OPTIMUS PRIME
Series - Generations
Sub-line - Studio Series 86
Hypo-line - The Transformers The Movie
Size/class - Commander
New/remould/redeco - new
Wave - 2
Released here - August 2024
Approximate Retail Price - $180
Approximate Size - 18.5cm
Allegiance - Autobot
Alt-mode - Freightliner FL86 truck
Main Features/Gimmicks - it's Optimus Prime
Main Colours - bleu, blanc, rouge
Main Accessories - Matrix of Leadership, Trailer/Combat Deck, blast effects parts, Energon Axe, Ion Blaster, rifle Roller
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A truly magnificent toy that's a much cheaper and more fun-to-play with version of MP Convoy 3.0. This toy even has articulated fingers and knuckles, which is something rarely seen outside of Masterpiece. The smoke stacks rotate for no apparent reason; possibly for safety reasons and to make it naturally move out of the way during transformation to reduce chances of breakage. Mine are a bit loose bit a few squirts of Fix-Loose-Joints-Action-Figure (or clear polish) should fix that. It's an interesting alternative to having rubbery plastic which some collectors don't like.
Similar to MP Convoy III, SS86 Optimus Prime's robot mode parts are mostly concealed in truck mode. Only the arms, roof, feet and some parts of the legs are visible in truck mode. Obviously at a Commander Class price point it's not going to be as insane as its MP counterpart; but the upside is a relatively easier and faster transformation. This is a CHUG figure, after all.
Now having said all that, $180 is $30 above the RRP for a Commander Class figure, but also consider that Leader Class Earthrise/Kingdom Optimus Prime was $100 with a smaller and far simpler robot and trailer, no Roller. Other Commanders like Rodimus Prime and Motormaster don't have anywhere near this level of design sophistication. This toy is effectively a simplified form of MP Convoy III at nearly a quarter of the price. Is this toy worth getting at $180 or should you wait until it's discounted to $150? I pre-ordered this toy from The Gamesmen, and it's already sold out on-line. Later restocks may make this toy easier to find, I don't know. I do think this toy is worth paying for, especially if you don't want to miss out. But if you're perfectly happy with your Earthdom Optimus Prime, then you're already good. :)
P.S.: The biggest flaw on this toy is the gap on the back of the truck roof.
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It's not a huge deal for me. EarthDom Optimus Prime has an even bigger gap (but is less noticeable when you put the gun there). For a non-MP toy I think that this is fine, but it is a technical flaw that's worth noting. The wipers are also unpainted, but that's a deliberate design choice as they're unpainted on the cartoon model. Even MP Convoy III has unpainted wipers. So this isn't a flaw (any more than deliberately not having painted stripes on the truck cab). Here's Optimus Prime's animation model for reference.
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