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40 of 44 found the following review helpful:
 Talk about a bull in a china shop! Aug 07, 2004
By Optimus Prime
"CGT4"
First, let me just say that this is by far the coolest transformer ever made.
It's a little difficult to transform at first (because you're afraid of breaking something). It doesn't break easily, however. Most parts are designed to come off and then snap right back on. While this is a good idea, the only draw back to this is that some things come off too easily. Such as, for instance, the feet.
Here's a tip I got from someone else that works well if the joints (in this or any transformer) get too loose. Use clear nail polish on the inside of the joint, wait for it to dry and then put the leg/arm/foot etc. back on. It works really well. For the first time in years, my Grimlock stands properly. Woo-hoo.
A few comments about the two versions of this:
The one shown here is the Hasbro version. The other is the Japanese Takara version. The differences are that the Hasbro one has shorter smoke stacks, battle damage, and a black gun. The takara version has longer smoke stacks, no battle damage, and a grey gun. It also costs about $25 more than the U.S. Hasbro version.
Sounds like the Takara version should be better, right? Actually it isn't. I have them both, of course. When I first got the Hasbro version I didn't like the battle damage and wanted one without it. Now that I have one without battle damage, I have to say it looks more like plastic in certain areas, namely the shoulders, rists and knee joints in particular. The battle damage actually makes the Hasbro version look less like plastic.
The longer smoke stacks are definitely better, but the grey gun is a bummer. Don't these people know that Optimus has a BLACK gun, LONG smoke stacks, and is played by PETER CULLEN? Without those things, it's just not Optimus. (Do you know why he didn't do the voice of Optimus in Armada? Because they didn't ask him. Can you believe that?? i figured he just didn't want to do it, but nope. He said it was because they didn't ask him. I hope the people making the live action movie are listening... GET PETER CULLEN OR WE'RE GONNA RIOT! Get it?)
If you're looking for the Takara version, the U.S. amazon site doesn't have it. It's pretty easy to find with a simple web search, however.
Oh yes, I almost forgot. The Takara version comes with a trailer... sort of. The package folds into a surprisingly real looking trailer. With the exception of the wheels, that is. It's pretty cool, though.
To make a long story short, I think I like the Hasbro version better, despite the dinky smoke stacks.
And also, this is the Optimus that I waited 20 years for. Don't waste any money on the armada or energon toys if you don't have this one yet. If you end up like me, you'll be looking at passing trucks on the highway looking for the old style flat fronted Optimus trucks. Heh heh. Roll out.
14 of 14 found the following review helpful:
Greatest Transformer, Period Aug 28, 2004
By TAT
"CHEESE"
This transformer is amazing, I personally dont have have the Hasbro version, I got the Takara version because of much better packaging, longer smoke stacks, trailer, and most importantly no battle damage. I personally like my transformers looking squeaky clean.
This toy, if you can call it that, has it all. Die-cast metal(though some would prefere plastic for more durability and play value, but its not exactly for playing with), size(12" high in robot mode), accesories, show accuracy, and features.
There are many clever features in it. Its face plate can move to look like it is talking, first tried, though not as succesful, on the Armada Prime. The main feature would be the matrix. The chest windows fold out, and then the reflecter shield, revealing the matrix, seen in Transformers The Movie, and then several episodes in future transformers shows.
The accecories are his signature Jet black gun( ironicly grey on Takara's version, when Hasbo is natorius for screwing with the transformer's color and repainting it with no obvious reason), a removable matrix chamber, energon axe, and Megatron if Pistol mode, which comes with several accecories of his own.
As for show accuracy, this toy is nearly flawless. Short smoke stacks are only a disapointment to Old collectors who know how long they should be lilke my self. To others, I dont see how they could care. The matrix chamber is slightly different then the more T-shaped one in the movie.
Its nice to see a real transformer, IMO the first real one in years. The past transformers have been plauged with dozens of gimmicks that may add play value, but greatly reduce the look of the transformer. It seems they are more like robotic vehicles turning into robots. This is the first transformer that is mroe focused on looks than play value in a very long time for hasbro. That is why it is made of Die-cast, and not plastic.
The only bad things about this toy is the durabity. Because its die-cast, the paint will chip if you arent extremly careful when transforming it. Of course, this is more of a desk-top toy or display item then something that youd give to your son whod throw it in his toy box with 20 armada/energon transformers all with missing missles, limbs, ect.
I highly reccomend this toy. If you have the money, Id get the takara version instead, the battle damage was just a stupid decision by Hasbro, but thats just opinion. This Transformer is how they should be made. To reduce price. mabe reduce the size and lights.
13 of 13 found the following review helpful:
 Something everyone who is nostalgice about Transformers needs to own! Nov 05, 2006
By J. Decelles
I recently bought this item at a local brick and mortar store, and I am over-all very happy with it. This is the Optimus Prime you wish you had back when the Original cartoon was still on everyday.
The Robot mode of this Optimus is supurb, the articulation is very good. The hinges in his ankles and elbows are hidden with fake "hyrdraulics" which move as you move the joints. His front wheels are hidden when in Robot mode (unlike the original toy) to make him look even more like the G1 Cartoon Prime. The detailing and construction of this toy are nearly top-notch. A lot of diecast parts and the more moveable parts are from plastic.
Others complain about the coloring, but it looks correct to me, in the toy I got.
Now for some small problems. And when I say this, I want to make sure I am clear that these are mostly minor problems.
The sound chip in the base is not perfect. But since I didn't buy the toy because of the soundbase (and I feel that if thats all people wanted they wasted $65), so I don't really care. Its a nice accessory for displaying your Transformer.
My most major gripe is Optimus's gun, and the robots hands cannot grip it properly. 20th Anniversary Prime comes with 2 guns, his own, and a very clever sculpt of Megatron in gun mode. Megatron is made in such a way as to fit perfectly in Prime's hand no matter what pose you put him in. Hos own gun, however seems to have a handle that is just too small for the moveable fingers and thumb of the robot to get a hold of in any stable fashion. From a playability point of view this is my biggest gripe.
The Robot mode and the Truck mode both have problems around the trucks front grill. Like other recent Optimus Prime toys, there are actually 2 grills. One for the robots chest, and one for the truck (they look slightly different). In robot mode there is about a half-centimeter gap between the top of the grill, and the lower edge of the cab-windows. You can only really notice this gap if you are looking up at the robot from beneath it, so this is not a serious design issue.
In truck most, however the windows overhang the front of the grill and headlights area, and the who construction of the front of the truck doesn't feel very stable. It is easy to knock the headlight units (panels the flip up) down by holding or moving the sides of the truck (which are mainly formed by the arms and shoulders).
This toy also suffers from some of the problems the recent "Titanium" transformers have, in that the die-cast parts are sometimes too heavy for the plastic parts and joints to properly support. This makes for an Optimus Prime that is not very stable, in comparison to the Voyager Classics Prime of the Cybertron/Galaxy Force Prime, which though not as authentic to the original (cybertron/galaxy especially) feel like much more solid toys.
Over-all I am extrememly happy with this toy, and my only wish is that he had come out in a size that would put him on par with more of the other Transformers.
7 of 7 found the following review helpful:
No shoot guys, it IS that freakin cool! Mar 07, 2005
By Dwight S. Higgins
"31yearoldboy"
This is, by far, the coolest toy i've ever owned. i owned the original Optimus Prime action figure back when i was a kid, and i always loved that toy. it was sad when he started to wear out... his legs wouldn't stay down, and he'd fold on himself and fall over backward... it was a very undignified end to my Optimus Prime action figure. i grew up, and now have kids of my own, and i've kept an eye through beast wars and machine wars... they amused me. but now, to see the old toys back, and bigger and better! when i first saw the alternator's version of Hound i almost cried... he was the first transformer i ever owned. and what an improvement that was. wouldn't i love to see them come out with a volkswagon beetle bumblebee! anyway, then i heard about the new OP. i, of course, coveted, but given it's price tag, it was a low priority on my "this is real life and i need the cash" list. i happened to come into some cash, and bought it on a childish whim.
GET IT.
i feel like i am twelve again, and have been given the coolest toy in town. not only that, but i'm the first kid on the block to have one. envy me, and covet that which i own, you inferior other children who aren't as fortunate as me to have a toy this cool. okay, i digress...
you can put him into the coolest poses... he is fully ball and socket jointed, so even each individual finger moves! his toes bend! his faceplate moves when you want him to talk, for god's sake! and the matrix of leadership in his chest cavity that lights up and glows blue??? HELLO!!! that's what i always wanted it to do in the first place! dudes, if any of you are like me, and absolutely loved this show as a kid, and are still a bit of a kid at heart, get this freakin toy. do it. it's worth it. screw the rent. get the toy.
7 of 7 found the following review helpful:
Excellent Feb 29, 2004
By Kanishka Ray
My wife wasn't happy to find out that I spent [$$$] on this, but I guess she just wouldn't understand. Optimus Prime is a mythical hero of my generation, and demi-god of sorts who stands for this John Wayne style, stoic pursuit of the just and the fair. In other words, mythical and totally idealized. Wouldn't it be cool if Optimus Prime could be our President. Anyways, I'm an old kid now, so I don't really play with Transformers anymore, but my three year old daughter does, and this Prime is so heavy, that she can't even pick him up. She can't transform either....LOL!! Judging from the complexity of transformation, if this toy was made for kids aged 5 and up like it says, it must have been made for some extremely strong mutant genius prodigies. On my first try, it took me a good hour of puzzle solving and arm wrestling to correctly transform.....can't say it wasn't fun though. If you want to look at this from an educational standpoint, they should hand out a Bachelors Degree in Mechanical Engineering to any kid which successfully tranforms this toy on the first try. Easily the most difficult to transform Transformer I have ever seen (that is a good thing!) It was amazing marveling at the almost OCD-like attention to detail that this toy has. Everything from the piston modulated elbow and knee joints, to the electrical matrix (a wonderful touch btw) There has quite simply, never been a Transformer made this version of Prime.....Jetfire.....Smetfire, I say. I remember there have been other Transformers as expensive. (Metroplex, Trypticon, Fortress Maximus), but this is just flat out better. The robot mode is simply beautiful, an almost complete and statuesque reproduction of the G1 cartoon Optimus Prime. A big quibble for me as a child watching the show was how the toys always seemed to differ from their cartoon variations. Well this Prime is the Prime from the show, down to the last retrocharger.
A 10/10. The cab mode is not as good looking, there are some small gaps which stick out, but still looks very good overall.
A 8/10 Overall I would give this a 9/10
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