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Transformers Toy Review Archive (older series, 1984 to date)
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Brave Maximus' review of: Transmetal Optimus Primal

Name: Optimus Primal
Allegiance: Maximal
Function: Maximal Commander
Sub-Group: Transmetals
"Freedom is the right of all sentient beings."

Changed into a mighty, metal gorilla by the planetary destruction device, Optimus Primal has a built-in, rocket-powered hoverboard that lets him hang ten on the air-waves of the Beast Wars world! Stronger and faster than ever, he converts to become the huge, organically enhanced Maximal General loaded with weaponry. Predacons who value their health best avoid any monkey business with metal Optimus Primal!

Alright, for those of you who came in late: at the end of the first season of Beast Wars, the Vok aliens attempted to terminate all life on Earth. Optimus Primal piloted a Stasis pod (which had been modified by Trantulus) into the alien device. Megatron prevented Optimus from ejecting and he exploded with the device. The device sent an energy wave across the planet turning some of the Transformers there into Transmetals. Rhinox built a device to retrieve Optimus Primal's Spark from the other side of the matrix, and was successful. Primal's spark entered into a blank Protoform that had been transmetalized and now we have the Transmetal Optimus Primal. Right, are we all up to speed now? What this means for the toys is that they have vacuum metalized parts, less organic looking beast mode and a third "Vehicle" mode. On a side note - The TM Optimus Primal I am reviewing apparently is the purple variant - which I didn't even know there was one until I looked up his tech specs online.

Alternate Mode:
The TM II Optimus Primal is, of course, an ape. Nothing new there. But in beast mode, all similarities end there. This is one meched out monkey. His primary colours are Purple (or blue as the case may be) and grey. A dark metallic purpley brown make up his shoulders and fists. The plastic used here has sparkle flecks in it which add to the effect nicely. The detail in the mold is great, with pistons on the arms and smooth molding on the chest even though it looks completely artificial. The face looks great, with a nice blend of organic looks and robotic helmet. On his back Optimus carries two beat down clubs and a blaster on his hip. An interesting note is that Optimus has his name written across his chest. I guess that's for if his troops ever forget who he is or can't keep up with his form shifting.

The transmetals also had a Vehicular third mode. For Optimus Primal is's a hoverboard mode. Now who ever thought up the idea of an ape on a hover board is either a genius or certifiable. My bet is for both. Though it is nice that Primal retained his ability to fly even in a new body. The sculpt of the board is nice, with thrusters on the bottom. And Primal's blaster flips up to give him some momentum.

Robot Mode:
One of the things I thought was funny between the toys and Cartoon is that while the toy got smaller (Ultra to mega sized) his CGI model got bigger. Just an interesting side note. While the Beast mode of the Transmetals becomes more robotic, the innards show the beast. With fur moldings on his face chest and hands, this Primal looks well... primal. More brown appears here, with the chest area being almost yellow. There isn't too much more extra detail added here, but with the great mold, it works fine. The face is still a tribute to Prime, but with more organics. It still has the crest and antenna are still there, but the face is a full face, nose and all. As for weapons, Primal's primary weapon is that small little gun at his hips and the two maces. You can place the maces in to the gun and try to fire them off, but the spring isn't powerful enough to send it far, nor is there enough resistance to have it work like pressure missile. But you can flip the back pack over and turn it into the cannons he uses in the Fuzors part II episode for the extra fire power.. What I love is that Hasbro gave Mainframe the toys ahead of time so they could do CGI models off of them. That's why they're so accurate.

Transformation: 7 - a bit more than basic, but still not to difficult.
Durability: 8 - A little more fragile, you have to be really careful with the Metalized pieces.
Fun: 9 - The hoverboard Monkey alone diserves this score.
Price: 6.5 - Can still find them for a great price, though I couldn't tell you what the purple variant goes for as I just found out about it's existance.
Summary: 8 - a good little toy, but not my all time favourite prime.

 
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