Optimus Prime (Primax)/toys

Since 1984, Generation 1 Optimus Prime has received the largest number of toys for any single Transformers character, a testament to the character's enduring popularity and status as a hero to many fans.

Metalforce

 * Convoy (2000)
 * Japanese ID number: MFC-01
 * Accessories: Ion Blaster, Autobot Matrix of Leadership, alternate hand, unpainted rifle, Matrix, helmet and hand


 * Metalforce Convoy is a large vinyl figurine sculpted to very closely resemble Optimus Prime as he appeared in the original television series, and at the time was the most accurate product depiction of Optimus Prime's cartoon appearance.


 * The figure has useful swivel joints at the shoulders and neck, and not-so-useful ones at the wrists and knees. It comes fully painted and pre-assembled, but true to his garage figure origins his Ion blaster must be cut free using a hobby knife, then assembled. His clear blue chest window piece is removable to allow the installation of his Matrix of Leadership, as is a Movie-style Matrix cover (not pictured). He also comes with an alternate hand that allow him to hold his accessories, as well as unpainted and uncut duplicates of his Matrix, hands and helmet, for some reason...


 * Metalforce Prime was available in both a matte-paint "anime" version that more precisely echoed the colours of the actual series, and a metallic-paint version (pictured), which is less show-accurate but more shiny. The plain-colours version was the first release and has an Autobot symbol tampograph on his shoulder as per the cartoon, while the later metallic-finish version instead came with a decal sheet.

Heroes of Cybertron
The Heroes of Cybertron PVC figurine line is an adaptation by Hasbro of Takara's own Super Figure Collection line. The main differences between the two lines is that Hasbro cast Autobot and Decepticon figures in clear blue or clear red PVC respectively, then completely painted the figurines. This allowed the eyes to 'glow' when placed in front of the light source.


 * Optimus Prime (2002)
 * This figurine of Optimus Prime is sculpted based upon his television appearances. He is armed with his black Ion blaster and his articulation is limited to his shoulders and neck.


 * Optimus Prime with Plasma Weapon (2002)
 * The second third HOC Optimus Prime figure is a modification of the first - replacing his right hand/rifle with his energon axe, and replacing his left pointing hand with a closed fist.


 * Powermaster Optimus Prime Apex Armor (2002)
 * Actually a repaint of SFC God Ginrai, this figurine's sculpt is based upon Ginrai's television appearances in the series Masterforce. The figure is depicted as fully combined with both his trailer and Apex Bomber.


 * Powermaster Optimus Prime Spark Attack (2002)
 * This figure was based upon the "God Ginrai Fire Guts repaint".

KT Figure Collection - The Transformers

 * Convoy (KT Figure Collection, 2004)
 * This figure was designed by Yūki Ōshima and produced by KT Figure Collection. The figure is actually a mini bust of Optimus Prime, which includes the head and the upper body without arms. The chest design comes with translucent blue windows and a grill on the midsection. There is also a button in the back. Pushing the button will open the chest and cause the Matrix to emerge, similar to the scene in The Transformers: The Movie.


 * Convoy "Revival version" (Figure-Oh exclusive, 2004)
 * The 82nd issue of the hobby magazine Figure-Oh (meaning Figure King in Japanese) came with a redeco version of Optimus Prime's mini bust. It is painted completely silver, making him appear to be coated with the special alloy from The Return of Optimus Prime, Part 2.

Transformers - Mini Bust

 * Optimus Prime (Diamond Select, 2007)
 * A mini-bust of Optimus Prime based on his appearance in the comic was released by Diamond Select in 2007. The figure includes the upper body of Optimus Prime, carrying his laser rifle and posed as if preparing to charge. The Matrix of Leadership is sculpted into the base of the statue.

Transformers (2007)

 * Optimash Prime (2007)

Robot Heroes

 * Optimus Prime Vs Ravage (2007)


 * Packed with Ravage, Optimus Prime is one of the first figures in the Transformers segment of the Heroes franchise. As with all Heroes figures, Optimus Prime is a simple, yet well-detailed two-inch tall figurine with exaggerated, cartoony proportions. He is sculpted holding his Ion Blaster rifle in his right fist and his left arm in a pointing pose. He is also love, and demands that you pull his Finger of Doom.


 * Decepticon Sneak Attack (2007)


 * "Supermetal Finish" Optimus Prime came in a set also including "Hologram" Mirage, Cliffjumper, "Supermetal Finish" Megatron and Skywarp.


 * Optimus Prime Vs Unicron (2007)


 * Packed with Unicron, a second SD Optimus Prime for the Transformers segment of the Heroes franchise. This version of the Chibimus Prime has him opening the Matrix of Leadership to shine the Autobots' darkest hour. Better him than Rodimus.

Gold Convoy Trophy

 * A gold chrome trophy in the likeness of Optimus Prime was given as an award to an unknown number of distinguished Takara employees and as a Lucky Draw item way back in the 1980s. If you're an Optimus Prime merchandise completist, good bloody luck finding this one.

Trivia



 * The first prototype for Battle Convoy, the Diaclone originator of Optimus Prime, was vastly different from the final version, complete with an entirely different transformation and a car carrying trailer. The head lacked the faceplate.


 * At BotCon 2005, Hideaki Yoke revealed that Optimus Prime (or more accurately, Diaclone Battle Convoy) was not designed by a single person, but rather a team of Takara designers as the one who was originally assigned the job had fallen behind. It is said that a young Shoji Kawamori was also a member of this team at some point, who would design THS-02 Convoy over 20 years later. The patent for the toy, however, lists Hiroyuki Obara as the designer.


 * The toy that would ultimately end up as the original Optimus Prime toy was originally released in August 1983 as No.17 Battle Convoy from Takara's Diaclone Car Robo toyline in Japan. In 1984, Joustra released their own version (still with Diaclone sticker on the trailer) as part of their Diaclone line in Europe, either simply called Truck (according to the pack-in catalog) or Diaclone (in the pack-in comic). It's possible that GiG also released a version called Camion Convoy as part of their Trasformer line in Italy, but to this day no packaged sample has surfaced.

The many releases of Optimus Prime
Over the years, the original Optimus Prime has been repackaged and reissued multiple times:


 * In the USA and Canada, limited edition promotional versions were available sporting Pepsi stickers;


 * In addition to the standard Japanese 01 Convoy release, Takara also released the toy as part of the VSX Convoy vs. Megatron two-pack in 1985;


 * Takara released a variant sporting clear blue windows and as part of the "Good Bye Convoy" set (packaged with Alert/Red Alert and Ligier/Mirage) in 1986;


 * French company Ceji Revell released a version with red feet in the UK in 1984;


 * Milton Bradley (MB) released the toy in Europe in late 1985, following trademark issues;


 * Hasbro re-released the toy in Europe in 1986, including another red feeted variant;


 * GiG released the toy as Commander as part of their Transformers line in Italy in 1985, including an all-plastic variant in 1986;


 * Hasbro reissued the original toy as part of their European Classic line of reissues in 1991;


 * Hasbro released a redecoed version with additional accessories as part of their Generation 2 line in 1993;


 * Takara reissued the original toy in its original 1985 Japanese packaging in 2000, with an all-black recolor being available from assorted Japanese conventions and another variant with gold instead of silver parts, stickers, and paint as a lucky draw prize;


 * Takara reissued the toy again as New Year Special version in January 2002, sporting clear blue windows (similar to Good Bye Convoy) and featuring additional accessories such as a Matrix necklage and a show accurate recolor of the Action Master Optimus Prime figure;


 * Hasbro reissued the toy in the USA and the UK as part of their Commemorative Series line of reissues in 2002, sporting shortened down smokestacks for safety reasons;


 * Takara reissued the toy once again in 2003, as part of their Transformers Collection line of reissues, numbered 00 and featuring additional accessories such as an energon axe;


 * Takara released a recolored version featuring a new trailer in December 2005, called Pepsi Convoy.


 * Hasbro released their own version of Pepsi Convoy, named "Pepsi Optimus Prime", as a Hasbro Toy Shop exclusive in 2007, featuring the familiar safety-shortened smokestacks of the Commemorative Series reissue.


 * In August 2007 TakaraTomy yet again did a rerelease similar to the 2000 Convoy rerelease, this time as part of the "Transformers Encore" line.


 * TakaraTomy released "Convoy iPod Docking Bay with Speakers" in September 2007. It is an iPod speaker/dock in the shape of a truck, featuring an all-white version of Convoy with a new head sculpt reminiscent of Masterpiece Convoy as the cab, and a trailer housing a pair of speakers and a docking point for an iPod.
 * In March 2008, TakaraTomy released a G1-colored version of the iPod Convoy set.

Powermaster Optimus Prime
Powermaster Optimus Prime, being the grand toy rebirth of Optimus Prime post-movie, apparently received a lot of thought during the design process. Prime went through an inordinate number of design changes from concept to final with at least three very major revisions:




 * The earliest version, as shown in the first patent application for the toy, was to have the Prime cab be a triplechanger, turning from truck cab to jet or robot . The nosecone of the jet and robot legs were released by the Powermaster lock in the same fashion as the legs in the final version.  Optimus would have had winged arms in non-super robot mode.  The super robot mode's head was also integrated into the trailer's hitch...  and lacked a faceplate.


 * The second known version ditched the triplechanging gimmick on the cab and simplified things a good bit. This Powermaster Prime has several distinct characteristics only seen in the second design, such as the wider "block head" and two faux smokestacks on top of either shoulder as opposed to one.  Also, in a rather odd twist, this design features a black head and fists for both super and regular modes rather than the traditional blue.  It also had yellow eyes in either mode a la the original Optimus Prime.


 * The third version would quite possibly have been the most gimmick loaded Transformer in the history of the line, simultaneously being a Powermaster, Headmaster, and triple changer. The Headmaster also would have been a triplechanger, turning into a sort of armored four-wheeled rover (Roller II?) and robot as well as a rather silly looking Optimus Prime head with four vertically aligned wheels jutting off the sides.  It seems that when the extra Headmaster gimmick was scrapped, the super mode head remained separate rather than being reintegrated into the trailer hitch such as on the earliest design.  Notably, the body of this design is extremely close to the final design.


 * A fourth version is shown in the 1987-88 Transformers product catalog that has several minor differences from both Powermaster Prime and God Ginrai, such as having God Ginrai's sliding fists but in red, a completely different trailer hitch assembly partially based on the third design, an offset Autobot symbol in base mode, extended feet also based on third design, far more detailed super mode outer leg panels, completely different front bumper, and the first instance of single faux shoulder smokestacks rather than two. It is still unknown as to why Powermaster Prime has completely different arms from God Ginrai or all earlier concept versions.

Minor note: Powermaster Prime's animation model as used in the commercials and as a character guide for the Marvel comics is a composite of the second and third designs. The body of the model is actually a straight tracing of the concept lineart for the third version (including its different rifles and twin faux shoulder stacks), with a slightly simplified drawing of the second version's head drawn on top.

Alternators Optimus Prime
Originally, the Alternators Dodge Ram mold was intended by Hasbro to be a completely different character altogether than Optimus Prime (which character is unknown), but Takara reportedly demanded the Ram be made into Optimus out of fear that the toy (whose vehicle mode is scarce in Japan as a real vehicle) wouldn't sell as well in their market if it wasn't a popular and easily recognized figure; as the figure reportedly cost twice as much to build as the others, Hasbro had to agree in order for Takara to continue fronting part of the production cost. In an ironic turn of events, the Dodge Ram was prematurely solicited by Takara not as "Convoy" (Optimus Prime), but as his Masterforce look-alike Ginrai. As a matter of fact, the head sculpt for the Alternators Oprimus Prime toy is based on the Super Ginrai (Powermaster Optimus Prime's "super mode") toy's head sculpt. Ultimately, however, Ginrai was cancelled, with only Hasbro releasing Optimus Prime as originally planned. Eventually, Takara released the Dodge Ram as as part of the new Kiss Players line, now named "Convoy" (Optimus Prime), and he will be released in Binaltech this year.

Masterpiece Optimus Prime
The Masterpiece Optimus Prime toy was featured in a print ad for Nokia 6820 phones. He is posed bent over to look at the phone and scratching his head. Pleasantly, most of the pose pictured is perfectly possible with an un-kitbashed, un-Photoshopped version of the toy.