Post by Jo'Roq on Dec 13, 2004 0:39:34 GMT -5
20th Anniversary Optimus Prime
![](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v107/joroq/20thOptimusAllPieces.jpg)
Pieces:
1. Optimus Prime Body
2. Laser Cannon
3. Energon Axe
4. Megatron Pistol
5. Megatron Pistol Stock
6. Megatron Pistol Scope
7. Megatron Pistol Silencer
8. Autobot Matrix of Leadership
![](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v107/joroq/20thOptimusTruckFront.jpg)
Since 1984, there have been many forms for the leader of the Autobots, as well as other figures named for him. Yet none of those forms have quite the same presence or attachment as the simple red truck pulling the plain gray trailer. This is truly the figure meant to be the Optimus Prime the first generation of fans grew up with 20 years ago. It is a mix of plastic and metal, which make for a rather heavy toy, but the figure is sturdy and well-balanced in robot mode.
![](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v107/joroq/20thOptimusTruckRear.jpg)
With the exception of a trailer (though there is a spot for a “hitch”) and Roller, this figure comes with just about every accessory a Generation 1 fan would want, and the articulation is well done. There are 27 points of articulation just for posing the robot mode alone – I won’t even try to count all the little hinges and joints used for transformation and moving the decorative pieces to allow for movement. Add in the wrist comms on each arm (with pictures of Bumblebee on the left and Starscream on the right), and this truly becomes a dream figure, whether you like to play or just pose for display. And on top of all that, there is a button on the back of his head to move Optimus’ faceplate as it moved in the TV show when he talked!
The addition of “battle damage”, which is simply some black paint applied to simulate burns from laser blasts received in battle, was an early criticism of this figure. I tend to like the extra little flavor it provides, which gives a posed Prime a more active presence over one that looks fresh from the car wash. The universal complaint is the shortened smoke stacks on the Hasbro version, but I’ve found that in most cases I tend to overlook this fact unless something specifically draws my attention to them. And the bonus is that it is less likely the stacks will break off for an active owner.
The single coolest feature of this figure is the Matrix. It resides within his chest, which opens just like in the movie. It is removable, and can be “opened” by pulling one the sides – the only problem with this is that it is very difficult to pose Prime opening the Matrix. The really cool part comes when you press a little blue button on Prime’s left shoulder. The Matrix will glow in order to light the darkest hours of your room!
![](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v107/joroq/20thOptimuswithAxeandMegatron.jpg)
The Energon axe is one of my personal favorite accessories. It is attached simply by pushing the base into Prime’s wrist when the hand is still retracted. The axe itself is a simple plastic mold, subject to heat-warp, but can be rotated in its base to find a favorable angle to be displayed.
The Megatron pistol is molded perfectly on the animated appearance, including the Decepticon symbols on the side. The stock, scope, and silencer can all be removed. The only drawback to the pistol is that it is not quite to the right scale for Prime. In order to hold the pistol, the grip has to be extended so that the stock is positioned below the hand, and the brace at the end of the stock forces the stock to be pushed at a slight downward angle from straight out to fit under the arm. Also, Prime’s fingers are too large to fit into the trigger guard. Overall, though, the visual effect is still awesome.
![](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v107/joroq/20thOptimuswithCannon.jpg)
Prime’s laser cannon is perfectly to scale. The original wave of figures had a grey gun, but the most common ones now all come with the black version. It is not entirely show accurate, but I like the blue and silver accents on the gun. They give it a more functional appearance, rather than just looking like a molded piece of plastic. Adding to the effect is a little clear bit of green plastic inside the barrel of the cannon – under the right lighting, it can look like Prime is frozen halfway through shooting at you.
This is one of the best Transformer figures ever released. It has a level of detail and show accuracy sorely lacking from many of the Generation 1 figures, and the 1/20 scale used to mold the truck mode gives the figure a physical aspect that matches the character’s emotional and nostalgic impact. The 20th Anniversary Prime figure will permanently rank among my top favorite figures of all time.
Variants:
Takara’s Masterpiece Optimus Prime, with no “battle damage” and tall smoke stacks.
![](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v107/joroq/20thOptimusAllPieces.jpg)
Pieces:
1. Optimus Prime Body
2. Laser Cannon
3. Energon Axe
4. Megatron Pistol
5. Megatron Pistol Stock
6. Megatron Pistol Scope
7. Megatron Pistol Silencer
8. Autobot Matrix of Leadership
![](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v107/joroq/20thOptimusTruckFront.jpg)
Since 1984, there have been many forms for the leader of the Autobots, as well as other figures named for him. Yet none of those forms have quite the same presence or attachment as the simple red truck pulling the plain gray trailer. This is truly the figure meant to be the Optimus Prime the first generation of fans grew up with 20 years ago. It is a mix of plastic and metal, which make for a rather heavy toy, but the figure is sturdy and well-balanced in robot mode.
![](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v107/joroq/20thOptimusTruckRear.jpg)
With the exception of a trailer (though there is a spot for a “hitch”) and Roller, this figure comes with just about every accessory a Generation 1 fan would want, and the articulation is well done. There are 27 points of articulation just for posing the robot mode alone – I won’t even try to count all the little hinges and joints used for transformation and moving the decorative pieces to allow for movement. Add in the wrist comms on each arm (with pictures of Bumblebee on the left and Starscream on the right), and this truly becomes a dream figure, whether you like to play or just pose for display. And on top of all that, there is a button on the back of his head to move Optimus’ faceplate as it moved in the TV show when he talked!
The addition of “battle damage”, which is simply some black paint applied to simulate burns from laser blasts received in battle, was an early criticism of this figure. I tend to like the extra little flavor it provides, which gives a posed Prime a more active presence over one that looks fresh from the car wash. The universal complaint is the shortened smoke stacks on the Hasbro version, but I’ve found that in most cases I tend to overlook this fact unless something specifically draws my attention to them. And the bonus is that it is less likely the stacks will break off for an active owner.
![](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v107/joroq/20thOptimusLightUpMatrix.jpg)
The single coolest feature of this figure is the Matrix. It resides within his chest, which opens just like in the movie. It is removable, and can be “opened” by pulling one the sides – the only problem with this is that it is very difficult to pose Prime opening the Matrix. The really cool part comes when you press a little blue button on Prime’s left shoulder. The Matrix will glow in order to light the darkest hours of your room!
![](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v107/joroq/20thOptimuswithAxeandMegatron.jpg)
The Energon axe is one of my personal favorite accessories. It is attached simply by pushing the base into Prime’s wrist when the hand is still retracted. The axe itself is a simple plastic mold, subject to heat-warp, but can be rotated in its base to find a favorable angle to be displayed.
The Megatron pistol is molded perfectly on the animated appearance, including the Decepticon symbols on the side. The stock, scope, and silencer can all be removed. The only drawback to the pistol is that it is not quite to the right scale for Prime. In order to hold the pistol, the grip has to be extended so that the stock is positioned below the hand, and the brace at the end of the stock forces the stock to be pushed at a slight downward angle from straight out to fit under the arm. Also, Prime’s fingers are too large to fit into the trigger guard. Overall, though, the visual effect is still awesome.
![](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v107/joroq/20thOptimuswithCannon.jpg)
Prime’s laser cannon is perfectly to scale. The original wave of figures had a grey gun, but the most common ones now all come with the black version. It is not entirely show accurate, but I like the blue and silver accents on the gun. They give it a more functional appearance, rather than just looking like a molded piece of plastic. Adding to the effect is a little clear bit of green plastic inside the barrel of the cannon – under the right lighting, it can look like Prime is frozen halfway through shooting at you.
This is one of the best Transformer figures ever released. It has a level of detail and show accuracy sorely lacking from many of the Generation 1 figures, and the 1/20 scale used to mold the truck mode gives the figure a physical aspect that matches the character’s emotional and nostalgic impact. The 20th Anniversary Prime figure will permanently rank among my top favorite figures of all time.
Variants:
Takara’s Masterpiece Optimus Prime, with no “battle damage” and tall smoke stacks.