General Information
Release Date: March 2026
Price Point: $12.99 (depending on retailer)
Retailer: General Release (Amazon, Entertainment Earth, Target, Walmart etc.)
Accessories: None
Official images and text in italics are from Amazon.com
- 2-IN-1 CYBER CHANGERS OPTIMUS PRIMAL FIGURE: This articulated Transformers action figure changes from robot toy to truck toy in 4 simple steps
- QUICK CHANGE FROM ROBOT TO TRUCK: The 4-step conversion is simple enough for kids to do by themselves. Great for kids who love fidget toys
- 4-INCH ROBOT ACTION FIGURE: In robot mode, poseable Optimus Primal figure is 4 inches (10 cm) tall
- GORILLA TRUCK MODE: Imagine exciting adventures with the Transformers figure in gorilla-inspired toy truck mode
- EXPAND YOUR CYBERWORLD: All CYBERWORLD Transformers toys work together (each sold separately, subject to availability) so kids ages 6 and up can forge new alliances, stage epic battles, and play out any story they can imagine
- TRANSFORMERS GIFTS FOR BOYS AND GIRLS 6 AND UP: Transformers action figures like CYBERWORLD Cyber Changers make awesome gifts for Christmas, holidays, non-candy Easter basket stuffers, or birthday gifts
- WHAT POWERS YOUR TRANSFORMERS WORLD?: With Transformers CYBERWORLD toys, kids have the power to change everything. Here, imagination rules and play unlocks new adventures
In Transformers CYBERWORLD, kids decide what happens — and it starts with awesome toys like the Optimus Primal Cyber Changers figure. This 4-inch (10 cm) Optimus Primal toy changes from robot to gorilla-inspired truck mode in just 4 steps that are simple enough for kids ages 6 and up. Open up a world of unique alt modes, environments, and stories with additional CYBERWORLD toys (each sold separately, subject to availability) featuring favorite characters like Optimus Prime, Bumblebee, Megatron and more. Great stocking stuffers, Easter basket stuffers, or small gifts for boys and girls. TRANSFORMERS and HASBRO and all related trademarks and logos are trademarks of Hasbro, Inc.
Background:
In 1996, Transformers fans were introduced to a new generations of characters: the Maximals and the Predacons. The leader of the Maximals was Optimus Primal. While originally intended as a new incarnation of the Autobot leader, the writers of the Beast Wars cartoon would instead make him a brand new character inspired by G1 Optimus Prime. Since that time, Primal has gone on to carve out a distinctive role all his own in Transformers history. Over the years there have been a ton of Optimus Primal toys including the "Vintage" Beast Wars release, a version from the Rise of the Beasts theatrical film and the Generations Voyager Class figure from Kingdom. Now a new version of the character joins Cyberworld as a Cyber Changer!
Packaging:
Optimus Primal is packaged in an open box, similar in style to what past toy lines like Cyberverse have used. The box is mostly white with red and white text. The figure is in robot mode and attached to the cardboard by rubber ties. The section in front of the figure features a horizontal "Transformers" logo (a big change from the past decade or so) along with the "Cyberworld" logo. Behind the figure to the right is artwork of Optimus in robot mode. To the left are a series of symbols showing Optimus having 4 transformation steps and the "6+" age recommendation under it. The back features Optimus in both modes with a symbol showing some palm trees (representing the jungle setting in the show). It calls out his 4 step transformation. Below that is a cross sell for bumblebee and Optimus Prime from the same assortment. Below that is a ton of legal information in multiple languages.
Robot Mode:
This new version of Optimus Primal is not a techno-organic robot who transforms into a beast. Instead, this Primal has a vehicle mode and looks entirely mechanical in robot mode. That said, a lot of his details are directly inspired by Beast Wars Optimus Primal. These design elements include:
- Head: The head sculpt is inspired by the 1996 design. This includes an Optimus Prime-like "helmet" section but instead of "antennae" sticking straight up, Primal's are curved and look almost like blades on a weapon. His mouth plate has a break in the middle where the 1996 version of the character had a mouth in the cartoon. This was one of the biggest breaks from the traditional Optimus Prime design and it's great to see it on this figure.
- Torso: Primal's torso features a section that sticks out a bit with a circle in the middle and layered line designs flanking it. This unique design comes right from the 1996 Ultra Class Beast Wars toy which carried over to the cartoon model.
- Thighs: The thighs feature a ball like design at the top where they connect to the hips leading to a curved, layered design before it meets the knees. This design is inspired by the 1996 design for Primal.
- Lower Legs: Each lower leg features a roughly oval shaped piece at the knees. Then going down the leg there are piston like shapes in the middle that lead into the feet, which are curved and feature a raised section in the middle. All these details carry over from the 1996 version of Primal.
The beautiful thing about this sculpt is that it does not just take bits of the 1996 Optimus Primal design and transplant them to a new figure. It uses them as a foundation and then builds on top of them. For instance, the mouth plate section on the head has some extra greebles on it that aren't present on the 1996 toy. The thighs have vertical tubes lining the sides and the feet have "toes" that evoke the beast mode of Beast Wars Optimus Primal. On top of that there are some gorgeous sculpted details on the arms, showing off machinery underneath his armor plating. This sculpt is beautiful and has a lot of visual appeal.
Optimus Primal is made of silver and brown plastic with metallic flakes (which unfortunately wind up looking almost like dust in my photos). The silver definitely works with previous versions of the character but the brown may surprise some as black is the color most often associated with him. However, there have been versions of Primal with brown on them before such as his Universe incarnation. Paint colors include metallic blue, light metallic blue, red and silver. The metallic blue is mostly focused on the helmet section of his head and mouth area. The light metallic blue is mostly found on his torso in the middle. Red is used for the eyes, the circle on his chest and the knee armor. Silver is used on the face, shoulders, fists and feet. I am actually quite impressed by how much deco there is on this toy given that it is intended for a lower price point (well, what passes for a lower price point in today's economy). From a sculpt and color standpoint, Optimus Primal looks great!
There are six points of articulation on this figure: the shoulders, hips and knees. The "Cyber Changers" are not exactly known for having a ton of articulation so this was no surprise. I do wish these figures at least had elbow articulation so their poses could look more natural. This figure features seven 5mm ports. These include the fists, the forearms, lower legs and back. Primal himself does not include any accessories but these are meant to be used with weapons included with the larger Cyberworld figures.
Transformation to Vehicle Mode:
- Straighten out the arms and legs.
- Push the lower legs together.
- Push the lower legs up so the thighs slide up into the torso. This will activate the "auto transform" feature where the head and arms will swing in.
- Push the arms into the sides.
Vehicle Mode:
Back in 1996, there was a segment of fans who were not happy about the new "hero" of the series transforming into a gorilla. Never mind that Optimus Prime and Optimus Primal were two separate characters. From these debates, the phrase "Trukk not Munky" would eventually become an online shortcut phrase to make fun of those who got too hung up on continuity issues.
Now, here we are decades later and this Optimus Primal transforms into a truck! Now, this version of Primal does not transform into a traditional "Optimus Prime"-esque tractor trailer. Instead, Primal transforms into a haul truck like those you'd see at a construction site. Most Transformers fans likely associate this vehicle mode with the Constructicon Long Haul. I confess when I first saw the stock photos of the vehicle mode I didn't pick up on this, but when you see it up close it has some of the common features of a haul truck including:
- The front of the truck features a small section that extends forward. This is where the engine is likely located though a row of lights appears to be sculpted on this area as well. Under that is a non-functional winch sculpted into the vehicle.
- The wheels on this truck are huge in proportion to the rest of the vehicle, a feature often seen on haul trucks.
- The sides of the truck formed by the robot arms and legs appear to form, in part, the "dump body" portion of the truck that starts in the middle and ends in the back. This is the section materials would be loaded into to be transported elsewhere. It even has some angled indentations on the sides that are similar to those seen on real life haul trucks.
I love the concept of Optimus Primal transforming into a powerful vehicle like this that can be used to build rather than destroy. That is very much in character for him. However, this is a rather simple figure so some sacrifices were made in the design. If you look at the figure from the top, robot mode bits like his feet, fists and chest are clearly visible. This isn't great, obviously, but given the class of figure and price point, I'm willing to look past it but I confess I'm being rather generous by doing so.
Color-wise there are no real surprises here. The front end is silver with the windows of the vehicle painted blue. Due to the way his various robot parts form up into vehicle mode, you can see a lot of the robot mode parts and thus their colors. In a weird way it's a nice way to add a splash of color to the vehicle but that's about it. Most of the "newly revealed" colors are in the front. I would have liked to see a bit more paint for the wheels, but given how much deco there is on the robot mode I can understand why it wasn't caught.
Optimus Primal can roll on all four wheels. The top of the vehicle has two exposed 5mm ports from the robot mode arms and the sides (near the rear wheel wells) each have a 5mm port on them. This allows you to attach weapons from other figures to this mode for those times when Primal isn't feeling particularly peaceful!
Final Thoughts:
Optimus Primal is an unexpected and fun little figure. He looks great in robot mode and his vehicle mode is neat, but suffers from over-exposed robot bits on the top of the vehicle. His articulation is limited, so if you're looking for a Generations style 'bot, this is not the figure for you. For a Cyberworld Cyber Changer this guy is pretty great and I dig it. Recommended for younger fans or those interested in a fun interpretation of Optimus Primal.
Pros:
- Excellent sculpt.
- Good deco (especially for a Cyberworld figure).
- Fun "auto transform" feature.
- A unique take on a classic character.
Cons:
- Limited articulation.
- No accessories.
