Optimus Primal - Universe - Figure


This is a review written for the Transformers Universe version of Optimus Primal. I do not own the original Beast Wars version but I did get this one. Mostly for the free CD-Rom that came with the 1st wave of these but this version of Optimus Primal is very cool. I will review it here.

BEAST MODE

The beast mode of Optimus is a gorilla. Generally Gorilla's are not brown, at least I have never seem a brown one but since the original version of Optimus was black they had to make him look different so brown was probably the best alternative. Ok, there have been albino gorilla's but a white Optimus Primal is not a good idea in opinion.

However, Optimus Primal is not completely brown though. His upper legs are really dark green and also show a bit of yellow, on the knees for ecample. His chest and fists black. The lower arms are dark red (almost brown) and the snout is brown. This looks a bit better compared to the original Optimus Primal because his whole face was gray which looked a bit silly.

A grey "lightning effect" cornered by red runds from the face over the head into the neck. This is meant to similate Engery which is drained from the Transformers and being absorbed by Unicron. I think it looks pretty cool.

Optimus Primal is roughly 20 cm in beast mode which is pretty good for an utra-sized toy. He does not show any robot parts in beast mode and his gorilla mode is pretty accurate if you do not count the colors and the blocky under arms. But there is a reason for that which will be revealed later.

Naturally Optimus Primal also has an action feature. It is a very cool feature with 2 drawbacks. One: the feature hinders posability a bit. Two: it can be a bit tricky to activate. At least, it took me a few tries to get it right.

Postion the arms with the firsts forward. Then rotate the lower arms 90 degrees (towards eachother). The holes in the fists should now face eachother and you should be able to look trough them. (Note: when you move the arms it is normal to hear a ratcheting sound.)

With that done you move the fists towards the chest. One must touch it and one must remain 1 cm away from the chest. If all has been done right, moving the switch on Optimus Primal's back will cause him to pound his chest. Do not worry if you did not get it right the first time. Just try again. ;-)

Optimus Primal has 9 points of articulation in this mode, including being able to turn at the hip. A drawback is that the hip articulation tends to pop the hidden weapons loose and the arms can be hard to pose due to the mechanics which are used for the action feature. If you pose one arm, the other tends to move as well. But it is a really cool beast mode. One of my favorites!

TRANSFORMATION TO ROBOT MODE

Take the legs and spin them around. (If you have the swords hidden they will probably pop out but this will not be a problem now.) Flip the beast mode feet (which are not at the back) around and the robot feet down. Straighten the legs if nessecary to make Optimus Primal stand upright.

Move the shoulder parts from the arms up, exposing the green upper arms of the robot mode. You should also see 2 black buttons, one on each arm. Push those up (you will hear a "click".)

Carefully grab the gorrila head by the ears and pull it loose. Push on the chin to rotate the gorilla head inwards and then move the piece over the gorilla chest. (One can also leave the gorilla head exposed and put the chest piece in place which looks nice as well.)

Flip up the head which is still showing the "mutant head" first series Beast Wars Transformers had and turn it around. That will expose the familiar Optimus Primal head. Move the "face-part" of the mutant head to the back to give Optimus Primal's head its familiar shape.

Finally Optimus Primal is in robot mode!

ROBOT MODE

In this mode Optimus Primal is still 20 cm tall and the colors remain the same. His upper arms are now the same dark green as the legs and have brown "shoulder pads".

In this mode one can also see the Autobot symbol heat-stamped on his left upper arm which was covered up in beast mode. It looks really cool except for the line (where the 2 parts that form the arm connect) that runs though the middle. But that is hardly a big deal.

It is a really tribute to Optimus Prime because the original Optimus Prime also had an Autobot symbol on his left shoulder.

Another tribute is the head. The mutant face is rather "creepy" looking but the robot face screams "Optimus Prime". It has the familiar crest and mouthplate. Like all G1 Autobots, the eyes are blue. (Another cool tribute.) The "helmet" part of Optimus Primal's head is dark red and the antenna's on the side are black.

It really reminds me of Optimus Prime and I just love it!

Optimus Primal how has 9 points of articulation. The added point is the head which can turn. 9 points is not really high for Beast Wars standards but it is much better than G1 and more than enough for this toy.

But besides looking cool and having good articulation, Optimus also has lots of weapons and features. Let us start with the button on the back. Press it and 2 shoulder launchers pop out!

Optimus Primal comes with 4 missiles, each bright yellow. If you flip up the head you will see a space behind it. There you can store 2 of the missiles. The other two can be stored in the missile lanchers.

Do not worry, activating the launchers does not auctomatically launch them. They need to be fired maunally by pressing the black button on top of the launcher. The missiles fire pretty far. 60 cm at least.

Optimus has another missile launcher though and this is one of the reasons for the blocky underarms. Extend the right arm a bit and press the button on the wrist of Optimus Primal. A 2-barreled missile launcher will pop out!

The same missiles as for the shoulder launchers will fit in here an can be launched seperately or together. These launchers are just as powerful as the first one so the missiles fire nicely.

Close the arm and storing the missile launcher for the next step. Also fold back the shoulder launchers but before you do that store the missiles so they will not get lost and note the holes in the back of Optimus where you can store the swords. (Do not store them yet though.)

If you had the swords hidden there, they will have fallen out now. It can be annoying as you can only really store these swords if you do not transform Optimus Primal but it is no big issue to me.

Anyway, these swords are bright yellow just like the missiles and really look like "energon powered" weapons to me. I really like them and they make Optimus one dangerously powered Autobot.

Optimus can carry both swords in his fists. One can also put 2 swords in one fist and free up the other hand for the 2nd weapon that Optimus has.

This weapon is hidden in his left arm. Opent it and you will see a creepy face looking at you. Take it out and you will see that it is actually a "skull" shaped mace! The mace is connected to a handle by a 7 cm tall nylon string.

It is perfect for Optimus Primal's main action feature in his robot mode. Close the left arm and place the mace in his hand. Extend the arm forward and move the switch on his back.

Then Optimus Primal's arm will spin around. With either the mace or the swords this looks really cool indeed.

Note: make sure both buttons are pressed "up" and that both arms are streched completed. Best is to have the other arm pointing down.

OVERALL

This version of Optimus Primal is a must have for any Transformers fan. Unless you have the original version of this toy of course. It looks cool, has good posability and loads of action featured and 2 very nice references to the legendary Optimus Prime. The toy also has a few drawbacks, I will admit that. But who can complain about those when it is that good.

This is truly Transformers at its best!

ReviewerFerry Rudolph  
DateJanuary 4th 2004  
Score 10 stars (10 out of 10)  
Reads9743


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