General Information:
Release Date: February 2019
Price Point: $9.99 (Varies by retailer)
Retailer: General Release (Target, Walmart, Amazon etc.)
Accessories: None
*Images and text below from Amazon.com:
- 4.25-INCH OPTIMUS PRIME FIGURE: 4.25-inch 1-Step Changer Optimus Prime Action Attackers figure inspired by the Cyberverse animated series. Makes a great gift. REPEATABLE ATTACK MOVE: Simply convert the heroic Autobot Optimus Prime to activate signature Energon Axe Attack move.
- 2-IN-1 TOY: Easy conversion kids ages 6 and up can do! Quickly convert Optimus Prime figure from truck to robot mode in 1 easy step. Please note that since Transformers toys are made for children, some parts are designed to detach if too much force is applied. That way, the pieces can be reattached should separation occur.
- G1-INSPIRED CLASSIC CYBERVERSE CHARACTER: Classic red and blue Optimus Prime robot toy inspired by the noble Autobot leader from the Transformers Cyberverse cartoon, as seen on Cartoon Network and YouTube.
- TV-SHOW-INSPIRED: Transformers robots are giant battling bots from the planet Cybertron. The Autobots and Decepticons traveled from Cybertron on their spaceships, the Ark and the Nemesis, in pursuit of the powerful Allspark. Each Transformers robot has 2 modes. They convert from robots to vehicles such as cars, trucks, jets, and tanks!
"Picture this: me, on Earth, still cooler than everyone this side of Optimus Prime, but I’ve got zero memories. Now I’m on a mission to recover my memories and discover all of my awesome powers. I’ll have to battle Decepticons, outrun an explosion or two, and be heroic- basically, I’m in for one epic ride across the Cyberverse." --Bumblebee Experience the excitement of quick conversion with figures that change between modes in 1 easy step! (Each figure sold separately).
Convert Optimus Prime from truck to robot mode with 1 quick step that activates Optimus Prime figure’s Energon Axe Attack move! Kids can collect other Action Attackers figures, each sold separately, to discover the signature attack moves of favorite characters from the Cyberverse series -- one of the best ways to introduce young kids and new fans to the exciting world of Transformers! Transformers and all related characters are trademarks of Hasbro.
Originally started in mid-2018, the "Cyberverse" toy line continued into 2019 with more entries into established price points such as the One Step Changers. In a bit of a surprise, hot on the heels of the late 2018 release of a One-Step Changer Optimus Prime, early 2019 brought about another One-Step Optimus Prime with a completely different sculpt!
Packaging:
The "Cyberverse" 1-Step Changer packaging is very similar to the 1-Step Changer packaging from the tail end of "Robots in Disguise". Instead of sitting in a bubble on a card, the figure is attached to a plastic tray in vehicle mode. This is then glued to a card that folds around the figure. This packaging uses a striking blue and yellow combination of colors. A vertical "Transformers" logo sits on the right side with an Autobot symbol above it. The front section has a photo of the toy in robot mode and the name of the character. The background features character artwork and the "Cyberverse" logo. The back of the box features Optimus Prime in both modes, featuring his transformation. It also shows his cosells from the same case: Bumblebee and Megatron.
Vehicle Mode:
For this version of Optimus Prime, the designers did not exactly go back to the drawing board. Instead, they took the base engineering behind "Age of Extinction" One-Step Optimus Prime and used it as a foundation for this figure. As far as I can tell, the two figures do not share any parts, but they share the same basic design structure with the robot arms tucked behind the cab section on top of the robot legs. I found this interesting as it continues the trend of borrowing previous engineering from previous figures. The previous "Cyberverse" One-Step Changer Optimus Prime also borrowed engineering from an "Age of Extinction" figure. In that case it used the same transformation scheme as One-Step Changer Galvatron.
That said, the structure of this figure is very different than the previous one. It is not as wide and bulky looking. The truck mode also gives away a lot more of the robot mode since the arms stick out in the back (complete with the axe weapon). From a visual standpoint, the best part of this figure is the front cab section featuring a window/grille/lights structure based off the "Cyberverse" Optimus Prime animation model.
This figure is made up of metallic red, blue and black plastic. Red is mostly focused on the front and top while blue is used for the rear of the vehicle. The wheels are cast in black. All the paint is focused on the front end where black, silver and light blue are used to fill in details. On the left side there is a small Autobot symbol. There is actually quite a bit of detailing on the front, but I wish there was a bit more on the sides. The vehicle looks rather plain from the sides (though that is not too unusual for One-Step Changers).
Optimus rolls on six wheels. Since a fist is exposed in this mode, you can use the 5mm port in it to attach an extra weapon.
Transformation to Robot Mode:
Hold the back of the vehicle. Press the back of the truck's front section and push. This will cause the figure to unfold into robot mode.
Robot Mode:
One-Step Changer Optimus Prime's robot mode is rather bulky on top since much of the truck mode's front end folds into it. This differs from the animation model which is bulky on top, but not this bulky. That said, the designers did work in a lot of the details from the animation model. This includes his iconic head sculpt, chest windows and grille in the mid-body area. He also has smokestacks on his shoulders, circles on the waist section and overlapping panels on the front of the lower legs. From a sculpting standpoint the figure looks good.
This mode mostly shows off metallic red plastic on the top half and blue on the lower half. Black, light blue and silver paint are used for detailing on the torso and legs. The shoulders each have an Autobot symbol outlined in white. The deco is good, but it would have been better if the designers had kept one of the deco points shown on the packaging. On the package, the axe was painted orange, but here it was left unpainted - which is unfortunate.
Optimus Prime has two points of articulation: the arms. They can move up and down. The axe weapon can swing up and then you push a handle to swing it down. I guess it is kind of an action feature but it does not do a whole lot for me, personally. I would have preferred another hand with a 5mm port to hold a weapon instead. Fortunately, the right fist does have a 5mm port so you can give Optimus an extra weapon.
Final Thoughts:
This version of Optimus Prime is okay. Personally I think the previous One-Step figure was a better example of the "magic" of the one step transformation gimmick. This is a good toy, I just like the previous one better.
Pros:
- Good sculpt in robot mode.
- Good deco in robot mode.
Cons:
- Needs more deco in vehicle mode.
- Missing a deco point shown on the packaging.
- Vehicle mode sculpt is okay, but not particularly good.
