Transformers Masterpiece Optimus Prime (Toys R Us (TRU) Exclusive) Review

Tuesday, November 20, 2012


Autobots, transform and roll out!

The leader of the Autobot leader, Optimus Prime is featured in almost all incarnations of Transformers. But the one that will forever be the definitive Optimus Prime is from the 1984 and 1985 cartoon. Here Optimus Prime is car forward red truck with

Since the successful Masterpiece Convoy (MP-01), Takara-Tomy has released at least one new Masterpiece figure, remakes of the original Transformers line of toys (known as Generation 1 or G1) with an emphasis on accuracy to the TV show, each year. After release 10 different masterpieces, Takara-Tomy has re-engineered and released Masterpiece Optimus Prime (MP-10) to the Japanese market and like-wise Hasbro released Optimus Prime to the rest of the world, albeit with some minor color differences. Contrary to prior masterpiece releases, the Takara version is more toy accurate while the Hasbro version is more cartoon accurate.

Front of box:

This box is huge

Back of box:

"For millions of years, noble Optimus Prime has led the Autobots in their war against the tranny of Megatron and his evil Decepticons. His unwavering courage in the face of centuries of desperate battle is an inspiration to his comrades. He is an unstoppable warrior and a flawless leader, pushing ahead through the darkest times in the history of Cybertron and remaining unbowed, unbroken, and always committed to victory."

Box of Truck:

The top lights are painted yellow in this Hasbro version

Left of truck:

Hasbro uses a brighter red and blue plastic.  In cab mode, the smokestacks should be pushed down which I forget to do in my other photos.

Right of truck:

Having the trailer in a Hasbro Masterpiece release is awesome!

Back of truck:


Top of cab:


Right of cab:


Bottom of cab:


Trailer opened:

The trailer only fits 1 MP sideswipe, 1 small binaltech (like Jazz, Rumble, or Smokescreen but not Grimlock or Sideswipe), 1 Alternity, or Roller.  The gun unit consumes about a third of the space.  The ramp is manually pulled out.

Roller comes out of the trailer:


Autobot logo on the trailer:


Trailer hitch to cab:

The hitch pivots on the trailer this time.

Trailer opened up into the combat deck:

The trailer interior is not painted silver like the Takara version but still highly detailed.

Left command post:

It is really neat to have Takara mold these seats which was originally designed in the 1984 Optimus Prime toy for small figures when it was previously used in Takara's Microman line of toys.

The main gun unit:

Just like the old version, it opens and can fit the included Spike figure.

Right command post:


Roller inside the combat deck:

Spike fits all the seating area featured in Optimus Prime.

Roller with Spike:


The back of roller opens to spin the back to form a hitch:


The trailer can connect to roller's hitch:


Spike


Although Spike is small, his feet are surprisingly flat and can stand on his own.  His legs cannot rotate any further back from the straight position at the torso.

Targetmaster Offshoot (from Hasbro Masterpiece Rodimus), Spike, and Sam Witwicky (from ROTF Human Alliance Bumblebee)

Spike is smaller than other common human figures.  But he's small enough to fit in the Alternity cars.

Optimus Prime's spine:

This is the only die cast part of the toy and paint easily scratches off from transformation.

Transformation is very similar to the previous masterpiece Optimus Prime with some minor differences like the headlights folding up along his back and panels on his legs to cover the wheels in bot mode.

Plastic stress:

If you look right below the side window there is a lighter plastic which is the plastic stress mark from the pin.  Be careful when forcing the chest piece to close to not over stress the pin and break off the chest piece.

Front of Optimus Prime:

Hasbro's Optimus Prime's eyes are painted light blue and uses a lighter red and blue plastic than his  Takara counterpart. The chest piece is a frequent problem to close properly.

Right and left of Optimus Prime:


Back of Optimus Prime:


Revealing the matrix:

Optimus Prime features his matrix again.  It's removable like before.

Closer look at the matrix:

The black piece flipped up to reveal the matrix is very large and prevents his chest pieces from closing properly.

Optimus Prime articulation:

His legs rotate just below the knee to make some awkward poses.  There's a lot of ratchets and swivels to help Prime achieve some great poses - better than the one above

Optimus Prime fingers:

The thumb cannot move, the index finger has 2 points of articulation, and the bottom 3 figures are one piece and only 1 point of articulation.

Hasbro Masterpiece Optimus Prime MP-01 (2007) compared to Hasbro Masterpiece Optimus Prime MP-10 (2012)

The old masterpiece is much larger and heavier with the numerous diecast use than the newer masterpiece Optimus Prime.  Old Prime is more like a toy while new Prime feels more delicate in the chest area.

Hasbro Masterpiece Optimus Prime MP-01 (2007) compared to Hasbro Masterpiece Optimus Prime MP-10 (2012)

The new Optimus Prime features a much more square cab with a more accurate flat front than the older version.

Optimus Primes:


Revenge of the Fallen (ROTF) Takara Leader Buster Optimus Prime with Hasbro Masterpiece Optimus Prime (click for larger photo)


Hasbro Masterpiece Rodimus with hasbro Masterpiece Optimus Prime:


Hasbro Masterpiece Rodimus, Optimus, and Grimlock:


Hasbro Masterpiece Thundercracker, Starscream, and Skywarp (front) Hasbro Masterpiece Rodimus, Optimus Prime, and Grimlock (back)


Hasbro Masterpiece Starscream with Optimus Prime:


Masterpiece Optimus Prime is more accurate to the cartoon than the Takara version. Unlike previous Masterpiece Prime figures, Hasbro has thankfully included the trailer! The Hasbro version of Optimus Prime is cosmetically different enough from the Takara version that I would recommend the Hasbro version over the Takara version due to the painted eyes and lighter colors. There are minor quality control issues such as plastic stress marks around pins, loose index finger, and chest not closing properly but overall Optimus Prime is a great toy. I highly recommend picking one up!



Eric Toy Score: 4.5 out of 5

Publisher: Hasbro
Year: 2012
MSRP: $99.99 (now $129.99)


3 comments:


Excellent review! I'm so happy I was able to secure this piece as it's far better than MP-01.

Takara MP-10 is actually cartoon accurate. Hasbro version used some media reference like comics, artworks and/or fanarts to make this color scheme.
Anyway I preordered the upcoming Hasbro version 2nd release because it is more wallet-friendly than the Takara's.

Please compare masterpiece optimus and revenge of the fallen optimus in vehicle forms

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