Toy Review - Sentinel Prime

Series - Dark of the Moon
Sub-line - N/A
Size/class - Leader
New/remould/redeco - New
Wave - 1
Released here - May 16 2011
Approximate Retail Price - $88-99
Approximate Size - 23cm
Allegiance - Autobot
Alt-mode - Rosenbauer 6x6 Panther fire engine
Main Features/Gimmicks - Electronic lights and sounds, Mech Tech
Main Colours - Red, black, grey
Main Accessories - Primax blade, shield

Standard vehicle mode:


Vehicle mode with mech tech weapon deployed:


This site has photos

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Comments:

* The basic transformation of this toy itself isn't all that fiddly or complex; it's not overtly complex like ROTF Leader Prime, but still complex enough to be fun for a toy this size. However the panels need to be aligned quite precisely in order to make them sit flush - and aligning the panels properly can be even trickier (and more time consuming) than the actual transformation itself!

* The sound gimmick is LOUD (not quite as loud as Super Fire Convoy, but it comes close!). Sentinel Prime's voice sounds nothing like Leonard Nimoy. Overall a rather forgettable electronic gimmick. (-_-) And of course, it's easy to trigger the siren during transformation... yay... :/

* Hands can open and close to grasp the blade and shield; unfortunately the grip isn't very tight and the accessories are held somewhat loosely (especially the shield).

* A very nice design; rather "organic" looking robot mode transforming into a rather boxy fire engine. It's a bit of a shellformer, but done reasonably well considering. Sentinel Prime looks more like Alpha Trion than G1 Sentinel Prime (who really looked Rodimus Prime-esque anyway). And yet there are still "Optimusish" features like windows on the chest and the helmet design.

* Fire engine mode is just beautiful (once you get it right ). Primax blade can be stored inside the vehicle and the shield can be clipped underneath.

* Electronic block makes robot mode back-heavy.

Overall a nice toy, although try to get it for $88 at Big W atm if you can.