General Information:
Release Date: July 2018
Price Point: $29.99 (Varies by retailer)
Retailer: General Release (Target, Walmart, Amazon etc.)
Accessories: None
*Images and text below from Amazon.com:
Convert to Activate Signature Action Attack
Convert and attack with Transformers Cyberverse Action Attackers! Change figure from vehicle to robot mode in 11 steps. The last step of conversion automatically activates Optimus Prime figure’s signature Matrix Mega Shot Action Attack move! Attack move activates and can be repeated in both vehicle and robot mode.
Heroic Autobot Optimus Prime
Function: Noble Leader “Optimus Prime? Of course, I know Optimus Prime, he’s legendary! He and I are actually close personal friends. I’m practically his right-hand bot- which proves he’s got really good taste. Optimus is the best leader an Autobot can ask for, and the worst nightmare a Decepticon can imagine. If you’re looking for a hero, this is your bot. Autobots, roll out!... is it not as cool when I say it?” - Bumblebee
“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 Noble leader of the heroic Autobots, Optimus Prime defeats Decepticons with the power of the legendary Matrix of Leadership! Convert and attack with Transformers Cyberverse Action Attackers! Change figure from vehicle to robot mode in 11 steps. The last step of conversion automatically activates Optimus Prime figure’s signature Matrix Mega Shot Action Attack move! Repeatable attack move activates in both vehicle and robot mode! Look for other Action Attackers figures, each sold separately, to discover the signature attack moves of favorite Cyberverse characters! Transformers and all related characters are trademarks of Hasbro. Includes Optimus Prime figure and instructions. Figure scale: 11.5 inches
In late 2017 it was revealed that a new Transformers cartoon would be replacing "Robots in Disguise". The series focuses on Bumblebee with partial amnesia attempting to regain his memories. A blend of G1 and modern characters combined with a more kid-friendly animation style results in a show that leans more towards a younger audience than even "Robots in Disguise", something which is reflected in the toy line. The toy line was released in countries outside the United States such as Australia around late June 2018. A few weeks later it would be released in North America.
Among the first wave of toys released for "Cyberverse" were the "Ultimate Class" figures. These were the largest figures released in the first wave (measuring about 11.5 inches tall each). The first two "Ultimate" figures released were Megatron and Optimus Prime.
Packaging:
The "Ultimate Class" of "Cyberverse" figures are packaged in large window boxes. The size alone makes them pretty impressive looking on shelf, but the color scheme of the packaging (featuring yellow, black and blue colors) is really striking. The window is wide, allowing you to see almost the entire figure. To one corner is a callout of "2 Attack Modes". The bottom shows artwork of Optimus Prime blasting energy form his chest, referred to as the "Matrix Mega Shot". Next to that is the "Cyberverse" logo and the name "Optimus Prime". To the right is an Autobot symbol on top and a vertical Transformers logo.
The back of the box features Optimus Prime in both modes, calling out an 11 step conversion. It also calls out the "Matrix Mega Shot" in both the robot and vehicle modes. The cosell is of course his casemate, Megatron. There is no tech spec, only a two word description of Optimus Prime as "Noble Leader".
Robot Mode:
Optimus Prime's "Cyberverse" design is a modernized version of his Generation One counterpart with many of the same design elements, but parts that are more curved and sleek looking. Like the classic Optimus design he features a head featuring a crest, antennae and mouthplate. His chest has the vehicle windshields on it and the arms each have smokestacks on the shoulders. The middle of the torso features the vehicle mode grille and some angled designs. His legs feature vent like details in the front, wheels on the sides and a circle and rectangular design in the front of the feet. From an sculpt point of view I really like the look of this design except for one thing: the forearms and fists. Much like the "Authentics" Optimus Prime, the fists have part of the vehicle mode wrapped around the front and frankly, that part looks terrible. It looks like a step of the transformation was forgotten. What bugs me about this is we have had years of Optimus Prime figures in various scales who did not have this particular design element. I would have preferred fists that slid forward or something instead. It does not totally ruin the look of the figure, but it is an unfortunate detail on an otherwise awesome sculpt.
Optimus Prime features red, blue, silver and translucent blue plastic. The arrangement is very "classic Optimus Prime" mostly featuring red on the upper half of the body, silver in the middle and blue on the legs. His paint colors include blue, red, black, yellow and silver - all classic Optimus Prime colors. There is not a ton of paint on this figure, but it is all applied just right. The eyes and "lights" on the top of the chest are painted blue. The panels that form the front of the torso have red and silver paint on them. The arms and waist area have yellow on them. The waist and legs have black paint on them as well. The finishing touch are large Autobot symbols on the shoulders. I really love the bright colors on this figure and the deco looks fantastic.
There are fifteen points of articulation on this figure. This includes four on each arm and three on each leg. While Optimus does not include any accessories, his fists do have 5mm ports, allowing him to hold weapons from other figures. The main action feature is the "Matrix Mega Shot". On the left side of the head, press the panel that looks like it has vents on them. This causes the panels on the torso and the head to open up, then a barrel inside the chest rotates, revealing his "Matrix Shot". This also reveals the insides have blue details painted in that look like they have energy coursing through them. Now, on the right side is a gear you can turn. Do so and the Matrix spins around. As it spins, the translucent blue panels slide out to the sides and you can see a traditional looking Matrix "ball" in the center. This is actually a pretty fun feature and I can see kids loving it.
For those curious, this figure stands at about 11.5 inches (about 29.2 centimeters) tall. That puts him about a head taller than "Titans Return" Overlord. The figure weighs in at 10.8 ounces (in contrast, Overlord weighs in a little over 11). Some fans will also be displeased to hear the back of the lower legs is open and hollow (this factors into the transformation). I'm somewhat bothered by this but I do still like the look of the figure, regardless.
Transformation to Vehicle Mode:
- Swing the panel on the back out.
- Swing the panel with the robot head back.
- Swing the top half of the body back, then pull it up so the panel against the waist lifts up. Swing the torso so it faces up, and snap it into place.
- Swing the forearms up.
- Swing the shoulders back, then swing the forearms forward, tabbing them into the sides.
- Swing the outer panels on the shoulders forward, tabbing them into the sides.
- Swing the back panel over the section with the robot head.
- Swing the red panels on the bottom of the feet out.
- Swing the lower legs up over the thighs.
- Swing the red heel panels forward.
Vehicle Mode:
Like the robot mode, this form takes some very G1 elements and modernizes it. It features smokestacks in the back, wide windows in the front, a grille in the front and thre wheels on either side. This mode also features some details unique to this sculpt, including an air intake/wind vane type attachment on top, angled headlights and angled windows on the sides. Some of the armor detailing on this figure looks extra bulky, giving the appearance of heavy armor layers. This is a really tough looking truck that definitely looks like it could roll into battle. The only oddity with this design is a piece of the fender looks missing under the grille. It is an odd design flaw in an otherwise interesting looking vehicle mode.
This mode is mostly red plastic in the front and blue in the back. The wheels are black. Most of the paint details carry over from the robot mode including the blue on the lights above the windshield. The shame is, there are windows sculpted into the sides, but without paint on them they sort of become lost. I always find it unfortunate when sculpted detail is not backed up by deco so it can shine.
The "Matrix Mega Shot" can be used in this form. Press the top of the cab section and the Matrix "cannon" flips out as the front panels open up. Now roll the vehicle forward and the front wheels will spin, causing the Matrix to spin! Again, there is some fun play value with this feature and I am glad the designers found a way to incorporate it into the vehicle form.
Final Thoughts:
While "Ultimate" may not be the term I would have used for this class of figure, it is a fun toy to play with with some really nice design details. Aside from some reservations I have with the design (the fists being the worst offenders) I think this is one of the best offerings "Cyberverse" has from the first wave of toys. $29.99 USD may be a bit much for some fans price-wise, but if you can get it on sale (mostly for younger fans) it is worth it.
Pros:
- I really like this Optimus Prime design and the way it takes classic elements and modernizes them.
- Bright colors and really nice deco.
- Good articulation.
- Fun action feature.
Cons:
- The "fender over fists" design element bothers me (perhaps more than it would bother others).
- The hollow lower legs may bother some fans.
- No accessories.
