General Information
Release Date: August 2024
Price Point: $9.99 (depending on retailer)
Retailer: General Release (Amazon, Entertainment Earth, Target, Walmart etc.)
Accessories: None
Official images and text in italics are from Walmart.com:
- MOVIE-INSPIRED 2-IN-1 CONVERTING TRANSFORMERS TOY: Inspired by the Transformers: One movie, this Sentinel Prime Transformers action figure converts from robot to Cybertronian jet mode for awesome 2-in-1 play
- COG CHANGER AUTOMATIC CONVERSION: Slide down the panel on the Transformers figure’s chest, press the cog, and the figure automatically converts in 1 step from a robot to a Cybertronian jet
- 4-INCH ROBOT ACTION FIGURE: In robot mode, Sentinel Prime action figure is 4 inches (10 cm) tall. Stage battles from the movie with other Transformers toys like this one! (Each sold separately, subject to availability)
- CYBERTRONIAN JET MODE: Imagine epic battle scenes with this Transformers figure in Cybertronian jet mode! Great for kids who love toy cars, toy trucks, and other vehicle toys
- COG LOCKOUT: The figure has a cog lockout feature to limit its ability to convert.
- TRANSFORMERS ACTION FIGURES: Transformers movie figures are great gifts for boys and girls age 6 and up who love robot toys. Look for more Transformers toys (each sold separately, subject to availability) to build your collection
- ICONIC TRANSFORMERS MOVIE CHARACTERS: Transformers One is the untold origin story of Optimus Prime and Megatron, once friends bonded like brothers, who changed the fate of Cybertron forever
Experience the epic origins of legendary Transformers robots with this Transformers: One Cog Changer Sentinel Prime action figure! This 4-inch (10 cm) figure converts from robot to Cybertronian jet mode in 1 step. It has a cog lockout feature to limits its ability to convert until you unlock it. Slide down the panel on the Transformers figure’s chest, press the cog, and the figure automatically converts from a robot to alt mode. The simple conversion perfect for Transformers fans age 6 and up. The figure is inspired by the iconic character from the Transformers movie, Transformers: One. Movie-inspired Interactive toys like this Sentinel Prime toy make cool gifts for boys and girls ages 6 and up. Transformers One is the untold origin story of Optimus Prime and Megatron, once friends bonded like brothers, who changed the fate of Cybertron forever. TRANSFORMERS and HASBRO and all related trademarks and logos are trademarks of Hasbro, Inc. © 2024 Hasbro. © 2024 Paramount Pictures Corporation. All Rights Reserved.
Background:
Transformers One is an animated theatrical film due to be released on September 18, 2024. The film features a core group of characters having an adventure before the beginning of the Great War during Cybertron's Golden Age. In the trailer, we see Sentinel Prime confronting a Quintesson, and early wave of Transformers One toys include this character in multiple forms. One of these is a Cog Changer aka a 1-Step Changer.
Packaging:
The Transformers One Cog Changers are packaged in similar cards/boxes (whatever you want to call them) as 1-Step Changers from lines like Cyberverse and EarthSpark. The packaging is made of cardboard with the figure attached to a cardboard backing in vehicle form. The cardboard then wraps around the vehicle in front. The graphics largely consist of the blue city background seen on other Transformers One boxes. Behind the figure is a close up of Sentinel Prime's head and part of his chest. To the right is the red, vertical Transformers logo. The panel in front shows the toy in robot mode and calls out the 1-Step transformation. Next to that is the Transformers One logo and his name.
The back of the packaging shows the figure in both modes and calls out its 1-Step transformation. It also shows off the Transformation Cog panel feature in robot mode.
Vehicle Mode:
As I write this the Transformers One film is not yet out, so most folks have not yet gotten to see Sentinel's alt-mode on the big screen. However, on the Prime Changers Sentinel Prime box we see a render of a Seeker-like alt-mode for the character. Presumably this CG model came straight from the film. If so, this vehicle mode is an approximation, but not exact render of the CG model. Like the CG model it has a rectangular cockpit section and the wings sweep forward with weapons mounted on them. The rear section has angled vertical fins. Where this figure differs from the CG model is that it looks a lot chunkier, especially in the front. There is a sleekness that is lost in the name of the 1-step transformation gimmick since the "nosecone" area is one of the main hinges that the figure depends on for the transformation. If it was too thin or narrow it could possibly be too fragile to be transformed back and forth repeatedly. Sentinel also lacks the V shaped sections on the top and bottom of the vehicle mode (something his Prime Changer figure also lacked). All that said, you generally don't pick up a 1-Step Changer for super screen accuracy. For the intended market of younger fans, I don't think they will care too much about these differences.
This mode mostly shows off blue and orange plastic with orange paint on the cockpit window and that's it for the deco. Sadly this leaves the deco looking rather plain. I wish there was a bit more detail painted on the figure to break up the blue and orange a bit.
Transformation to Robot Mode: Holding the wings, push the underside of the vehicle through the rear section. It will split open on top and then push through the robot mode's torso and head. Once you lock it into place the arms will also lock on the sides. Push up the small tab under the chest to slide the Transformation Cog detail into place in the chest.
Robot Mode:
Sentinel Prime's robot mode is impressive in that it manages to convey the grandeur of the character's design in compact, 1-Step form. Like his on-screen CG model he has a distinct head design with a high crest and panels that come up on the sides (echoing Optimus Prime's future head design). His arms also come out wide with horizontal shoulder armor on top. His hcest is kind of blocky while his legs have curved armor pieces that give him a somewhat "ancient" look that calls back to some G1 animation models of early Cybertronians. On his back the wings stick out a bit, forming something like a cape. Overall the character has a very regal appearance, especially given the size class.
This mode shows the same plastic colors as the vehicle mode, but we get a lot more deco here. Silver is used on the face, arms, mid-body and thighs - which looks great. The Transformation Cog in the chest is painted gunmetal grey and light blue. His eyes are also painted light blue.
There is no articulation on this figure in this mode, which is unfortunate. Past 1-Step changers at least let the arms move up and down but these are just one molded piece with the hinge that is used in transformation. It probably would have cost more to have the arms be a separate piece that could go up and down. One of the interesting features added to the 1-Step Changers in this line (and thus, making them 'Cog Changers') is a Transformation Cog panel that you can slide up using a tab on the middle of the figure. When you slide this panel up, it locks in place. Press the panel and the figure should begin changing into the alt-mode. On my copy of Sentinel this worked three out of five tries but your mileage may vary. This is a neat little feature that brings a plot point from the movie into the play pattern and I appreciate the effort and intent.
Final Thoughts:
Cog Changers/1-Step Changers are gimmicky figures intended for a younger audience, and to that end this figure succeeds. For older fans, at best this may be a fun Deskbot for you to have around to fiddle with. Either way, it's a fun little figure that suffers a bit in the aesthetics department. Recommended for a very limited audience.
Pros:
- A nice sculpt in robot mode.
- Good deco in robot mode.
- The Cog feature in robot mode is fun.
- A somehwat unusual 1-Step Changer design that isn't a simple "fold in half" or "switchblade" design.
Cons:
- The vehicle mode doesn't look that great partly due to its bulk and partly due to lack of paint details.
- Zero articulation in robot mode (which is to be expected of this size class nowadays).
