Toy Review - SS-38 Studio Series Optimus Prime (Bumblebee movie)

[GoktimusPrime]

Got this toy today but it came with two left door ladder panels, with one of them assembled on the right side of the truck and the right panel is missing. This makes it impossible for the panel to tab in. Otherwise the rest of this toy seems fine. Haven't had a decent play with either mode as I spent a lot of time trying to get the panel to tab in before realising that it's the wrong side panel that's been put into place.

Going to ask for a replacement part but until then I'm stuck with an SS38 that cannot fully transform into truck mode.
Update: the online dealer has offered to send me a replacement panel

Also, here are some pics:

In box


Robot mode, front


Robot mode, back


My two left side panels


My main criticism (albeit a small one) about this toy...

It bugs me whenever any toy doesn't have a faction logo, but with some other Studio Series figures I get that it's because the original screen model didn't have it and that they're trying to screen accurate. But in this case Optimus Prime does have Autobot logos on his shoulders, so I see no reason why they were omitted.

It's more complex than one might think, but the transformation is fairly intuitive and doable (it was just impossible for me until I realised that mine was misassembled ). A more major criticism are the gaps on the rear on the vehicle. I think that making the thigh panels able to swing in and cover that gap would've helped, but I suspect that it would've blown the budget as the rest of the toy has soooo many different moving parts and panels. It's something that they would be able to do on a Leader Class figure, but given that this is a Voyager it's something that I can overlook. And there is a trade off; while it does have that gap, it does bring some new features which are absent on previous COE Optimus Prime trucks, including:
* the sleeper cabin
* a slimmer rear section of the truck which attempts to better hide the robot legs rather than just having a pair of chunky robot legs tucked up
So I think this is where much of the budget was also absorbed into - having the legs transform to try to make it look as realistic as possible.

While this isn't a flawless toy I do think it is a very good one and I would absolutely recommend it.

[GoktimusPrime]

Took some pics in truck mode (left side only until I get that replacement panel )


You can see the unsightly gap beneath the sleeper cabin, but you can also see that this rear section is rather thin, trying to hide the fact that they're a pair of robot legs.

Dark of the Moon Deluxe OP's trailer fits in quite well with SS38






G2 Laser OP's trailer also fits this toy. I don't own Ultimate OP anymore and I've never owned Voyager DOTM OP so I can't try those trailers. If you're looking for a trailer to fit this toy what you're looking for are:
1. a trailer with a 5mm post hitch
2. the proportions of the trailer and length of hitch needs to be right to plug into SS38 and still have both the cab and trailer stand properly

[GoktimusPrime]

Made a thread comparing SS38 with G1 and other Movie Optimus Primes here

[Tetsuwan Convoy]

Got mine int he post the other day after giving up the hunt in shops for one since its release here in Japan. Serious, 4 shop hunts going to at least 3 shops each time and being unable to find one... He's a popular boy.

I like him a lot. Very good pose options and lots of moulded details have made him a nice "every-series" Prime. Great head sculpt and greeble details, but not too many IMO.

Transformation is pretty simple, but I find the panels a bit fiddly to deal with. I like the way the back panels fold up and cover the wheels and lock in, it's pretty nifty. I also like the G1-esque arm motion when going between forms, a nice little TFing touch. The the way the head locks in the vehicle mode is very tight and as a result I have a tendency to pull his head off first, over unlocking the panel.

Nice paint, but I dislike the lack of Auto insignias, like Gok. and I wonder how much different he'd look with blue hands.

A nice dynamic Optimus, and the first Optimus I've bought in at least 4 years.

[GoktimusPrime]

I wonder how much different he'd look with blue hands.

[Paulbot]

Quite a nice Optimus toy. He’s got a complicated transformation, and a bunch of tabs to line up, but it flows logically.

He doesn’t seem to want to stand well in a neutral pose and the feet transformation was a bit tight for me. That’s about my only issue.

Second voyager Prime for me this year (after Siege) and both are great.

[Deano85]

Second voyager Prime for me this year (after Siege) and both are great.

Same for me. Two great figures.

[BigTransformerTrev]

I would have got this figure if he came with a trailer. The fact he had a trailer in the movie but not with the toy just edges him out of my want list. If ever the toy is heavily discounted or re-released with a trailer I may pick it up.

[GoktimusPrime]

I would have got this figure if he came with a trailer. The fact he had a trailer in the movie but not with the toy just edges him out of my want list. If ever the toy is heavily discounted or re-released with a trailer I may pick it up.

DOTM OP's trailer works with this toy

[BigTransformerTrev]

DOTM OP's trailer works with this toy

Yeah so a few people have said, but then my DOTM Op will be the one lacking his trailer