Nexus Prime

Insert batteries where?!

One of the thirteen original Transformers, Nexus Prime was created by Primus shortly after he assumed his planet form for the first time to guard Rarified Energon. At an unknown point in time, this Transformer was broken into five other robots: Skyfall, Landquake, Breakaway, Topspin, and Heatwave.

He is sometimes, unfortunately, known as Nexus Maximus.

Fiction

Classics

They drew his limbs arranged incorrectly!

The Caretaker told its components that Nexus Prime was "designated a Prime", like the other original thirteen. Crossing Over: Part 6

Toys

Cybertron, Classics, and Timelines

Remember to use the instructions! You don't want to put something in the wrong hole.

• Nexus Maximus (2009)

Nexus Maximus is composed of his five team members, with Heatwave forming his central body component. His limbs' energon weapons form his hands and feet. Similarly to Generation 1's "Scramble City" combiner teams, Nexus Maximus (as well as Superion Maximus, Bruticus Maximus and Constructicon Maximus) features universal connection points for the limbs, allowing many different combinations and even swapping of limbs from different teams. His combined form's head was retooled to give him a unique one, which is an amalgamation of visual elements of its components' own heads: Skyfall's eyes, Landquake's chin, Breakaway's forehead, Topspin's "hair", and Heatwave's "ears".

Nexus Maximus is the combined form of the first five Transformers Collectors' Club freebie toys: Skyfall, Landquake, Breakaway, Topspin, and Heatwave.

• More information on Nexus Maximus at TFU.info

Notes

• Fun Publication originally submitted the possible names "Prime Nexus" and "Maximus Prime" to Hasbro for the character (reflecting the fact that the character is a Prime in-fiction), Hasbro rejected these, apparently because they are feeling protective towards the use of the name Prime (despite previously having approved the fiction that already named him a Prime, written by their own Forest Lee). Hasbro suggested merging the non-Prime segments of the two names instead... ooops.
• Apparently neither Hasbro nor Fun Publications did their research when naming Nexus Maximus, because there is another product which shares that name and was, as of May 24, 2009, the top Google result (this wiki page has since surpassed it). While it is definitely a "toy", it is most assuredly not intended for ages 5 and up. It's also probably not safe for work, so click here at your own risk. According to the Fun Publications Club panel at BotCon 2009, Hasbro did a search for the name with "safe search" on, causing them to not see... well, that.
• When he finally appeared in person in fiction, his name was given as indeed being Nexus Prime. Which makes much better sense story-wise but deprives us of many cheap and easy joke opportunities.
• The debate is still on whether Nexus Maximus constitutes a choking hazard.
• It's hard to say what toyline Nexus Prime is from, as his components are from multiple franchises. How often does that happen?
• Nexus Prime's backstory bears a noticeable similarity to that of Voltron.
• Fun Publication stated at Botcon 2009 the official limb arrangment for Nexus Maximus is that of the configuration in his instructions. With Landquake as the right arm, Topspin as the left arm, Breakaway as the right leg, and Skyfall as the left leg.