Armada Universe Optimus Prime
Series - Generations
Sub-line - Legacy Evolution
Size/class - Commander
New/remould/redeco - New
Wave - 2
Released here - June 2023
Approximate Retail Price - $179 ($139 during the Toy Sale)
Approximate Size - 28cm (Super Mode)
Allegiance - Autobot
Alt-mode - Truck Cab
Main Features/Gimmicks - Trailer that can convert to either a base, or his legs for Super Mode
Main Colours - yellow, red, black
Main Accessories - Ion blaster, Matrix, insignia plate, left and right smokestack guns

Robot Mode



For the first time since Armada ended, we have received a new toy based off Armada Optimus Prime! Compared to the original figure, he is better articualted, with his wrists, feet, and even his neck! Under his grill is hit Matrix of Leadership, which is removeable this time as well. The transformation isn't as simple this time around, as you have to move the sides of the front of his truck before you can move everything around. Also you don't need to slide his arms to reveal the hands, as they turn around instead. There are some other differences as well, but it's mostly the same. The smokestacks can't combine to form a small weapon anymore, but they can combine with the Ion Blaster.





What makes Optimus a Commander Class toy is his super mode and my primus what a super mode he is. If you remember the original, it was pretty much a brick with his legs not being able to move at all, and his arms having limited articulation (I think later versions of the mold fixed that issue), but this figure honestly makes the original look like a babys toy. Combine everything I mentioned the smaller robot has, PLUS finger articulation similar to Jetfire. Honestly I can't praise how well done this super mode is. While he might not feature any of the electronics the original figure has, to be honest I don't mind.

Transformation is a little bit more complex this time around, and I don't know where his grill is meant to go, as I'm unable to make it look like the product image, but for the most part I got him right.


While the figure doesn't have any mini-con ports sadly, he does have plenty of 5mm ports, so if you want go put your micromasters from Siege and Earthrise onto him. They don't activate any features though (but to be honest all armada figures in the Legacy toyline have their features manually activated instead)


His base mode is a bit eh. I guess with making the super mode as superior as it is there has to be a few drawbacks. I miss his left leg's turrent. Still better than G2 Laser Optimus' Base mode though.

Vehicle Mode


Not a lot I can really say. It's faithful to the original, that's all I got.

Final thoughts
Commander Class Armada Optimus Prime is an incrediable update of the character. Even if sadly doesn't come with sparkplug, he is still a fantastic figure to play with. He's also the first* Optimus Prime toy to have a CHUG toy that isn't from G1 or War for Cybertron. Defintely recommend picking him up.




*You can make the arguement that Animated Optimus Prime was the first due to his legends toy being released in the Universe (2008) toyline, but seeing as the Animated toyline didn't have that class, and some of the legends toys were also released in multipacks in the Animated toyline, I'm making the arguement he doesn't count. Also Galaxy Upgrade Optimus Prime was based off Cybertron Optimus Prime, but since he wasn't advertised as being from the Cybertron universe, he techincally is still a G1 character. And there were some non-g1 Optimus Prime toys released in the Universe (2008) toyline, but they were either repacks, or that one redeco that was included with a bunch of cybertron repacks. Look he's defintely the first toy DESIGNED for the CHUG toyline, and not just a redeco that's a form of reissuing the figure.