Accessories:SparkplugMini-Con, trailer/armor, light-up rifle, missile, left & right smokestacks
The first Unicron Trilogy Optimus Prime toy transforms into a longnose truck cab of made-up model. His clear-plastic smokestacks can detach and form a double-barrelled pistol that he can hold in robot mode, and a button on top of his head causes his mouthplate to jiggle up and down as if he were talking (the irony being that while this was a familiar trait of G1 Optimus Prime, in the Armada animated series, this Prime's mouthplate remained static when he talked). He can also hold a large cannon that is stored within his trailer, and his chest flips down to reveal a (non-removable) Matrix of Leadership. He is packaged with his Mini-Con partner Sparkplug.
The toy's primary gimmick is its auto-transforming trailer, which assumes one of three configurations when triggered by an infra-red signal transmitted from the cab robot. Transforming the cab into robot mode will cause the trailer to automatically flip open into a battle station for Mini-Cons, which Prime can stand in the centre of. The base features a central tower with a pop-out artillery emplacement and a mount for Prime's large cannon; a rotating missile-firing turret; two Mini-Con storage bays, one of which featured a manually-activated tab to launch Mini-Cons out; and two live Mini-Con hardpoints, one of which pops up a non-firing turret, the other activating a laser noise.
Prime's cab and trailer can also combine to form a super robot mode. Transforming the cab into the torso portion sends the transformation command to the trailer, which raises itself up off the ground to become a pair of immobile, statuesque legs (as long as you're not playing with it on carpet), and when the pair are connected, the super-robot head pops up with a metallic shriek sound effect. Pressing the Autobot symbol on the figure's chest activates a pulsing laser sound effect, and the small grey button on his right shoulder illuminates his fist with a red LED, which can illuminate either of his guns, as well as the Star Saber sword (the Star Saber was specifically cast in clear plastic for this purpose, but in practice, the light failed to carry even halfway up the blade).Gunjob Spacepants! Prime's firing missile and Mini-Con activated gimmicks remain accessible in this mode, but look a bit doofy if you deploy them. The initial Hasbro release of Prime had tabs in its Super Mode shoulders that prevented them from rotating above the horizontal default position, so as not to break the wires that run through the toy's right arm. Coupled with the limited elbow joints, this left Optimus Prime able only to point his weapons towards the ground, and the tabs were removed on subsequent editions of the figure.
Instead of his trailer, Prime can alternately combine with ArmadaJetfire, who forms a pair of legs, as "Jet Prime" (Jet Optimus on the cartoon, or "Jet Convoy" if you own the Japanese version). In addition to this, ArmadaOverload can form a pair of massive cannons that attach to either Prime's base mode, or mount over the shoulders of his super robot torso (with either his trailer or Jetfire as legs), forming Optimus Prime Megaweapon (or Magna Convoy).
Takara's Japanese release of Optimus Prime the following year made a few changes, noticeably replacing the gold paint and plastic of the Hasbro toy with bright yellow. This version of the figure was never burdened with the mobility-inhibiting shoulder tabs, and it's Super Mode chest button featured an extra clip of Prime shouting "Convoy, ready for battle!" in Japanese. Late in the Japanese run, JUSCO stores offered this toy with blind-packed "Space Galaxy" versions of the individual Destruction Mini-Con Team members, one toy per box.
Accessories:Over-Run Mini-Con, left and right smokestacks
Mini-Con-activated shimmy-shimmy.
This deluxe-size, highly-poseable version of Armada Optimus Prime is an entirely new mold, retaining the ability to tow Super Base Prime's trailer, though he cannot combine with it. He comes with the Mini-Con Over-Run, who can transform into a gun for him, or can peg onto the Powerlinx plug on Optimus's back to activated a double-fisted "punching" action (that looks more like hyperactive shrugging). Like the Super Base figure, Prime has a flip down chestplate, but lacks a molded-in Matrix, and his smokestacks can be removed, but cannot peg together as a gun. Shipping in a great many waves throughout most of the later run of the line, Supercon Optimus became a notorious pegwarmer.
The initial release of the figure featured silver lights on his roof; later on, the lights were changed to yellow, and later still, an Autobot emblem was added to the hood of the vehicle. These changes were not made on the Japanese release of the figure, which bore the unfortunate appellation of "STD", meaning "standard".
This mold was redecoed for inclusion in the Cybertron and Universe lines (see below), as well as to create the new characters of ArmadaNemesis Prime and UniverseUltra Magnus.
Kinpika Convoy (Super Base Lucky Draw figure, August 2003)
Accessories: Prime Mini-Con, trailer/armor, light-up rifle, missile, left & right smokestacks
This Japanese-exclusive vacuum metalized golden redeco of Super Base Optimus Prime, whose name means "Shining Golden", was available as a prize in several draws, including a colouring contest held in the pages of TV Boy magazine, and in-store lottery draws at Tobu Department Stores. Between the draws, at least 58 "Kinpika" Prime toys are known to have been given away, making it one of the more widely available Lucky Draw figures, comparatively speaking. It came packaged in a plain white box, and including all the accessories and features of the standard release of the figure, including a gold-chromed Sparkplug (or "Prime", as he's confusingly known in Japan).
Accessories: Corona Sparkplug Mini-Con, trailer/armor, light-up rifle, missile, left & right smokestacks
An extensive late-run redeco of the Super Base Armada Optimus Prime toy, "Powerlinx" Optimus Prime sports the darker colour scheme the character takes on in the Armada cartoon episode "Origin" following a Mini-Con power-up, but he is not precisely show-accurate—the deco would later be fine-tuned with more accurate details for release in Japan as the Magna Convoy DX giftset (see below). In addition to now sporting fully-mobile Super Mode arms without the movement-impeding tabs, Prime still comes with all his features and accessories, though for this release, his Mini-Con partner Sparkplug got retooled with a new rear chassis and a blinged-out golden chrome body as "Corona Sparkplug".
Optimus Prime can't avoid his toy contracts even when he's dead!
Crystal Convoy (Super-Con, October 2003)
Accessories: Surge Mini-Con, left and right smokestacks
A Japanese TV Magazineexclusive, this release of the Super-Con class Prime toy has almost all of his parts cast in translucent coloured plastics—hence the 'crystal' moniker—representing the character's disembodied spark after his destruction in the Armada cartoon episode "Crisis" and resurrection in "Miracle". What that means for poor Over-Run (or "Surge" in Japan), also cast in translucent plastic, we couldn't say! Available via mail-order, only 5000 pieces were distributed in October of 2003.
Accessories: Sparkplug Mini-Con, trailer/armor, light-up rifle, missile, left & right smokestacks
A K-Mart exclusive set released on "Black Friday" (the day after Thanksgiving, the most hellishly busy shopping day of the year), this set consists of Super Base Optimus Prime, Jetfire, their respective partner Mini-Cons Sparkplug and Comettor, the Adventure Mini-Con Team, and oddly enough, Longarm. Optimus Prime's red plastics and paint were replaced with gold, the only changes made to anyone in the set. It is this set from which the name of Optimus Prime's combined mode with Jetfire, Jet Prime, comes.
Accessories: Prime Mini-Con, trailer/armor, light-up rifle, missile, left & right smokestacks
This set is a Toys"R"Us Japan exclusive, consisting of Powerlinx Optimus Prime (dubbed "Convoy Final Battle Coloration" and slightly redecoed with more show-accurate colours, principally a silver mouthplate instead of red), a "crystal" version of Overload ("Ultra Magnus Special Clear Version") made out of transluscent plastics, and an exclusive X-Dimension redeco of the Street Action Mini-Con Team. This set is entirely "new" content not available in the normal mass-retail Micron Legend line, and is also the last release of "X-Dimension" Mini-Cons. Rather than come with individual bio cards for the various characters, the set came with only a single card for Magna Convoy.
ArmadaBuilt to Rule Optimus Prime transforms into a fair approximation of his vehicle mode, but the robot mode is quite inaccurate, due to the very broad, flat Trans-Skeleton with thin, stick-like limbs attached to it. The set came with a very simplistic "Mini-Con" Sparkplug partner kit that did have a more dedicated "Powerlinx" connector than the standard construction pegs, though these are a bit too thin to be used as attachment points for regular Mini-Cons (they stay, sort of, but it's a very loose connection). The 101-piece set also features pressure-launch missile-firing "smokestack" cannons.
The Energon version of Built to Rule Optimus Prime was designed with a much more solid skeleton with larger, blockier limbs. He can be rebuilt from a Cybertronic truck cab with a trailer-mounted, pressure-launch dual-missile cannon (with electronic lights and sounds) to a robot, to basically whatever you feel like doing with the parts.
Unfortunately, due to the slow performance of the Built to Rule line overall, the Energon versions only had a limited, test-market release initially in and around Cincinnati, Ohio. The sets later filtered out into many Tuesday Morning and Ollie's chain stores at drastically dropped prices.
Energon
Form feet and legs! Form arms and body! And I'll form... the head!
Super class Energon Optimus Prime transforms into a Cybertronic short-nosed truck cab. A switch on his back offers four selectable sound effects, each one corresponding to one member of the Prime Force, the four drone vehicles contained within Prime's parallelogram-shaped trailer. When Prime transforms to robot mode, the trailer stands upright to become a launch base of sorts for the Prime Force, with three of the trailer's four storage compartments featuring launching mechanisms that propel the vehicles into action. The Prime Force consists of Fire-1, a fire truck with an extending ladder; Copter-2, a helicopter with spinning rotors; Digger-3, a drill tank with a gear-wheel-activated spinning drill; and Subarmine-4, a submarine with opening capture claws beneath its bow. The four interchangeable drones can combine with Prime to create his Super Mode; any drone is capable of forming any limb. When in Super Mode, Prime's chest panels are opened, in turn pressing a button on his side that creates more electronic sounds and lights up a red LED in his chest, representing the Spark of Combination.
Prime is armed with a spring-loaded missile launcher that stores on the rear of his truck mode (which becomes the backpack of his robot mode) when not in use. Like most of the weapons of the Energon line, it sports a 5mm post, allowing it to be held by most every Enegon figure, to combine with assorted other weapons and Energon weapons released in the series, and to peg into numerous compatible ports shared by many figures, like the hole in the radar of Prime's own trailer, or even conveniently placed 5mm screw holes like those of the Prime Force.
In lieu of combining with the Prime Force, Optimus Prime can also merge with EnergonWing Saber in a similar fashion, with Wing Saber splitting into four components that connect to Prime as limbs. Wing Saber's red and white torso components can become arms for Prime while his legs attach to Prime's own, creating Prime's "Flight Mode", but the parts can also be swapped around, with Wing Saber's legs deploying large missile launchers and becoming arms to make Prime's "Fight Mode". Alternately, Prime can combine with EnergonOmega Supreme to form what his packaging calls "Powerlinx Omega Supreme", but which the cartoon named "Optimus Supreme". The Prime Force drones can attach to four connectors on Optimus Supreme's body.
The earliest releases of Energon Optimus Prime have no ridges on the inside of the chest windows and a different head sculpt featuring an Optimus Primal-style mouth-slit in Prime's mouthplate. This was soon replaced with a full mouthplate, and it was this version of the toy which appeared in the Energon cartoon and was released by Takara. Other changes made to Takara's version of the toy involved a chromed front grill, more vibrant plastic colors on Digger-3 and Submarine-4, a darker blue plastic on Prime himself, and more intricate paint operations. Takara's release lacks the electronic sound effects seen in Hasbro's version, which were commonly gutted for the Japanese releases of any Autobot toys who had them, though Prime retains his light-up chest.
As had first been done in the Armada line, Takara elected to supplement their release of the Super class Optimus Prime figure with a new-mold Deluxe class toy. Coming without trailer, Prime Force or electronics, this Prime discarded the larger toy's ability to form Super Mode in favor of being able to Powerlinx with the other compatible toys of the Energon line, forming either a torso or a pair of legs that the other Autobots could connect to. Like the Deluxe Armada Prime, this one too was on the small side for its size class, but just as that figure could, this small Prime can still tow the Super class figure's trailer.
A slight redeco of Takara's Deluxe-size Optimus Prime was released as part of a special set commemorating both the 20th anniversary of Transformers and the 30th anniversary of its progenitor, Microman. Coming with an exclusive metallic redeco of Takara's Kicker, which was based on the Microman body, this Prime featured a chromed grill where the original had painted plastic, and supposedly slightly shinier plastics. Very slightly.
The SS-03 version of Takara's Deluxe-class Optimus figure, complete with chromed chest, was released in Hasbro markets in a two pack with the smaller Japanese Megatron figure. With no appreciable differences between the figures and their Japanese versions, this set was a Toys"R"US exclusive in the US, but sold at pretty much any retailer that wanted to carry it elsewhere in the world.
This golden chromed redeco of the Super class Optimus Prime figure was initially offered as a prize to five lucky winners of a colouring contest held in the pages of the TV Magazine. Additional units were later given away via in-store draws at Toys"R"Us Japan; precisely how many is unknown, but the regularity with which the toy appeared on auction sites throughout 2005 suggests it was quite a few.
Fire SL Grand Convoy (TV Magazine exclusive Deluxe, 2004)
Accessories: Rifle
This vibrant red and orange redeco of the Deluxe class Optimus Prime figure was a TV Magazine exclusive, limited to 3,000 pieces. It shipped in a unique monochrome red version of the traditional Super Link packaging, and did not include a character card.
SL Grand Convoy Mēki Version (Deluxe Lucky Draw Figure, 2004)
Accessories: Rifle
Released as part of the "W Convoy" campaign ("Double" Convoy, that is!) alongside a silver chrome version of Energon Rodimus, this gold chrome "Mēki" ("plating") version of the Deluxe size Optimus Prime toy was available only as a prize in a mail-in Robot Points contest. Initially limited to 20 units in the original draw, it appears that many more were made available through toy store drawings, given how many went on to appear on online auction sites through 2005 and 2006.
Accessories: Trailer/armor, light-up rifle, missile, left & right smokestacks
A Costco-exclusive redeco of the Armada Optimus Prime toy in black, yellow, and brick red, it also came with a redeco of ArmadaOverload. It is from this set that the name of Prime's combined form with Overload, Optimus Prime Megaweapon, comes.
The color scheme of this special redeco of Super class Optimus Prime was decided through a colouring contest held in the December 2004 issue of TV Magazine, in which entrants coloured in lineart of Prime in the scheme they wanted to see. The winning entry rendered Prime in a... distinct palette of grey, cream, dark red and purple chrome, with blue, white and yellow drones. It was limited to only ten pieces, making it one of the rarer Transformers toys in existence.
A redeco of the Super Optimus Prime mold with a primarily red cab, much deeper blue, and a Prime Force uniformly colored in black was planned to be released with Smallest Transforming TransformersGeneration 1 Optimus Prime as a Target exclusive. The toy got far enough along in developemnt to have package artwork created by Dan Khanna, which was later revealed online, but it was canceled shortly before making it to full production. It's red, white and black coloration earned it the festive nickname of "Santa Prime" among fans online.
Proceed on your way to oblivion. This item has been canceled, with no current plans for release.
Cybertron
"Well... a fire truck is bigger."
Optimus Prime (Leader, 2005)
Japanese ID number:GC-01
Accessories: Trailer/armor, rifle, three missiles, Matrix of Leadership, Cyber Key
The first Cybertron Optimus Prime toy transforms into a heavily-armed fire truck of made up origin, topped with two large cannons. The left fires a spring-loaded translucent blue missile, while the right features electronic sound effects and a flashing red LED. The cannons and the sides of the truck fold down to create an unlikely flight mode for the vehicle.
In true Prime style, forward portion of the vehicle mode detaches to become Prime himself, while the rear "trailer" transforms into a gun emplacement. In robot mode, the barrel of the truck's left cannon detaches to become a hand-held rifle for Prime, and the figure features an opening chest compartment concealing a removable Matrix of Leadership accessory. Prime's gigantic hands mean that he can't hold it especially neatly, but he can certainly grip hold of it. Atypical of both most Unicron Trilogy figures and indeed, Optimus Primes in general, Prime's hands are not designed to accommodate weapons with 5mm posts, instead featuring a small peg-hole in his palm that allows him to tightly grip objects designed to fit there, like his own rifle, Leobreaker's whip, Cybertron Wing Saber's swords, and CybertronMetroplex's axe.
As this is the Unicron Triogy we're talking about, it should come as no surprise that Prime can transform into a Super Mode by combining with his trailer, which becomes a massive winged backpack and a pair of large boots, generally evocative of God Ginrai. To complete his Super Mode look, a small lever of the back of Prime's head raises his traditional mouthplate into place, covering his Optimus Primal-style mouth slot, and two "crests" fold out from either side of his helmet. Hasbro's instructions and stock photography for the figure orient the wings so that the two cannons point over Prime's shoulders, but Takara's have wings arcing up past his shoulders, with the cannons slung under his arms. This was the way Prime appeared in the cartoon series, and was the way all subsequent Hasbro redecos of the toy were positioned.
Prime comes with a unique Cyber Key, designed after the twin-handled appearance of the Matrix of Leadership. When inserted into the cannon that the rifle is part of, a pair of additional spring-loaded missile launchers flip down from the its sides. Slotting the key into the electronic cannon opens up the panels covering the front of the barrel, unlocking a different sound with its button is pressed. The paint job of the key is the principal difference between the Hasbro and Takara versions of the figure; the Japanese release features a metallic gold paint border around the key, furthering its resemblance to the Matrix. Other differences include some more intricate paint applications, and the use of metal hinges to hold on Prime's wing tips, which were removable on Hasbro's version, and came disconnected in-package.
In Super Mode, Optimus Prime can combine with Leobreaker to form "Savage Claw Mode", which sees the feline Autobot become a gigantic clawed armed for his leader. Alternately, if Prime's backpack is removed, he cam merge with Wing Saber into "Sonic Wing Mode", with the aerial ace forming a new winged backpack and chestplate for Optimus, and providing him with new hand-held sword weapons and firing missile launchers that connect to his Super Mode boots. The nature of the combination means that the two partners cannot combine with Prime at once—at least, not without physically removing one of Prime's own arms.
Legends of Cybertron Optimus is a very simplified version of Cybertron Optimus Prime, with no weapons or trailer, just the front portion of the truck. It transforms into the standard robot mode, with a very similar transformation scheme to the full-sized toy, and has no useful articulation of the shoulders.
The figure was released in Japan along with Legends Megatron and Starscream, under the "EZ Collection" banner, in the same packaging as the Hasbro release but with a small card insert featuring the Japanese logo and nomenclature, similar to a USA Edition. As with all the EZ Collection figures, this release features a substantially greater number of paint operations that increase Optimus's resemblance to his larger figure.
Megalo Convoy & Galaxy Convoy Metallic Version (Legends of Cybertron, 2005)
Japanese ID number:GC-23
A special metallic-paint version of Legends of Cybertron Optimus Prime was included with the Japanese release of Cybertron Metroplex, as a demonstration of their actual size difference as depicted on the television series.
Galaxy Convoy Gold Version (Leader Lucky Draw figure, 2005)
Accessories: Trailer/armor, rifle, three missiles, Matrix of Leadership, Cyber Key
This gold-chrome and clear-plastic redeco of the Leader-class Optimus Prime figure was first offered as a prize in a mail-in contest held through TV Magazine alongside a silver chrome version of the same toy (see below). Both figures were later made available again as prizes in a second contest in the September 2005 issue of TV Magazine, together with "Galaxy Convoy Custom Color Version" (again, see below).
Galaxy Convoy Silver Version (Super Lucky Draw figure, 2005)
Accessories: Trailer/armor, rifle, three missiles, Matrix of Leadership, Cyber Key
This silver-chromed redeco of the Leader-class Optimus Prime figure first saw the light of day as a prize in a TV Magazine mail-in, offered alongside a gold chrome version of the same toy (see above). Both figures were later made available again as prizes in a second contest in the September 2005 issue of TV Magazine, together with "Galaxy Convoy Custom Color Version" (see below). Despite being offered in equal quantities in these contests, this silver version is apparently much harder to come by.
Galaxy Convoy Custom Colour Version (Leader Lucky Draw figure, 2005)
Accessories: Trailer/armor, rifle, three missiles, Matrix of Leadership, Cyber Key
One of the single rarest Lucky Draw Figures in existence, this "Custom Color" redeco of Super Optimus Prime was limited to only one in the world. It was the grand prize of a colouring contest held in Septemeber 2005's TV Magazine, in which entrants coloured in lineart of Prime in the color scheme they wanted to see. The winning entry was a green, blue and gold, while ten runners-up received one of five gold and silver Lucky Draw versions of Prime.
A Japanese exclusive multi-pack of "EZ Collection" Megatron, Optimus Prime and Starscream recast the figures using primarily clear plastics; in Prime's cast, both his blue and red plastics became translucent. A mail-away exclusive to TV Magazine in October 2005, the set was limited to 3000 pieces.
This Costco exclusive is a redecoed Super Robots in DisguiseOptimus Prime toy, sold in a two-pack with Ultra Magnus, itself a repackaged redeco of Robots in Disguise Ultra Magnus previously sold in the 2003 Universe toyline. He transforms into a Japanese Hino Brandlier fire truck with chromed wheels and rubber tires, the forward section of which detaches to become his standard robot mode. The rear portion becomes a battle station, and disassembles to form armor pieces for the robot that transform Prime into his "Battle Mode".
The bio that accompanied this set indicates that these toys are new versions of the Unicron Trilogy characters, but no fiction has featured them in these form. However, the dimension-jumping appearance of the Robots in Disguise Optimus Prime and Ultra Magnus in the Cybertron comic published in the Transformers Collectors' Club magazine appears to have been inspired by the release of this set.
In Australia, this set was released as a Myer exclusive.
Accessories: Trailer/armor, rifle, 3 missiles, Matrix of Leadership, Cyber Key
The Sonic Convoy set was a Toys R Us Japan exclusive redeco of Galaxy Convoy (Optimus Prime) and Sonic Bomber (Wing Saber). Most of Galaxy Convoy's truck cab parts were cast in translucent blue and red plastic, with the trailer being cast in much deeper reds, more metallic silver and chromed red opaque plastics.
The only appreciable difference between EX-02 Sonic Bomber and the regular release was that all of his previous vacuum-metallized chrome parts and red painted parts were now vacuum-metallized or chrome-painted red.
This set also came with Coby Sen'yō Rumble, a slight redeco and retool of Scrapmetal using the humanoid robot head that is usually discarded when Scrapmetal toys are assembled.
Megalo Convoy Gold Version (Leader Lucky Draw figure, 2005)
A golden-chrome redeco of Cybertron Metroplex was offered as a contest prize in the December 2005 issue of TV Magazine, and came with an equally blinged-out Legends/EZ Collection Optimus Prime figure. Fifteen of this set were available as prizes in the initial contest; a single Metroplex was later offered as one of many prizes in a Takara website contest, but this version came only with the standard metallic paint version of Prime.
A redeco of the Super-Con Armada Optimus Prime recolored to resemble the Leader class Galaxy Force Optimus Prime figure. Like the "Battle in a Box" Ultra Magnus version of this toy, the forearms of early releases of this toy were switched, making the elbow completely useless. However, this was corrected and later releases have his arms bend properly. At the tail end of the Cybertron line, the four planet symbols were added to the truck-mode's cab.
Optimus Prime includes a retooled Cybertron style Cyber Key, with a "blank" central area (so any faction symbol could be tampographed on) and a Mini-Con-style Powerlinx socket on the back to operate his nominally-Mini-Con-activated gimmick. The key had the code d56b on its back, but unfortunately, using this code on Hasbro's website actually yielded information intended for Demolishor and vice-versa.
He includes a Jungle Planet style Cyber Key with the code d7s9.
His deco seems to be based on Donkey Kong, or considering the scar over his beast mode eye, Peter Jackson's King Kong.
Cause we gotta little ol' convoy, rockin' through the night
Optimus Prime (Legends of Cybertron, 2006)
A redeco of Legends of Cybertron Optimus Prime to resemble the Leader class Galaxy Force Optimus Prime figure, essentially replacing the blue with black, the yellow with silver and adding the Cyber Key symbol tampographs onto his shoulders, like the leader class version of this deco.
Sowing confusion on message boards everywhere.
Galaxy Force Optimus Prime (Leader, 2006)
Accessories: Trailer/armor, rifle, three missiles, Matrix of Leadership, Cyber Key
Released at the tail-end of Cybertron, Galaxy Force Optimus Prime is a redeco of the Leader-class toy. The main differences are black replaces the blue plastic and blue paint, tinted translucent parts replace the translucent blue parts, and the toy's rifles, rail gun covers, missile launchers and leg guns being cast in red plastic. The joints that connect the waist to the thighs have become more resistant, making it less likely for the figure to fall. Also, the red paint used is much closer to fire-engine red than the original's. The unique Matrix-shaped Cyber Planet Key is finally painted gold.
The shoulders are adorned with the four planet symbols of the Cyber Planet Keys, supposedly to represent Optimus Prime as the leader of all remaining Transformers.
The 'Galaxy Force' addition to Optimus Prime's name is in reference to the journey the character takes at the end of the Cybertron cartoon series, as well as a reference to the Japanese version of the cartoon.
Accessories: Trailer/armor, rifle, three missiles, Matrix of Leadership, Cyber Key
Released in Fall of 2006, this Costco-exclusive two-pack bundled the original version of the Leader-class Optimus Prime figure with his combination partner Wing Saber and a DVD including the Cybertron cartoon episode "United".
A four pack, exclusive to Target, of Legends class Optimus Prime, Megatron, Jetfire, Soundwave. All of the toys were identical to their individual releases.
Hybrid Style
Galaxy Convoy (Hybrid Style, 2005)
Japanese ID number:THS-01
Accessories: Trailer/backpack, leg armor (x2), alternate pairs of hands (x3), Matrix, Matrix-style Force Chip (x2), alternate head
The first in TakaraTomy's Hybrid Style series, Galaxy Convoy was a partly die-cast figure with scaled-down equivalents of the accessories that came with the leader-class figure. It came with alternate sets of hands for use when posing (or holding the rifle, which can be detached from the end of one of the backpack-mounted cannons and used separately). It also came with a pair of switchable heads, one for standard mode and one for Super Mode, though only the former will fit when transformed into his alt mode.
Bizarrely enough, Optimus Prime was one of three Cybertron Legends toys straight-released in Classics packaging, though with the modifier "Cybertron Collection" printed on the cardfront. The toy itself is identical to the Cybertron release.
An extremely simplified version of Optimus Prime, turning into a truck, although without any trailer. He can combine with the other Happy Meal Armada toys (Hot Shot, Red Alert, and Smokescreen) into "Mighty Robot", a super robot. Well, kind of, anyway.
Jesus and Santa rolled into one.
Optimus Prime (McDonald's Happy Meal toy, 2004-2005)
Accessories: Energon Cube, "Mini-Con" remote
The Happy Meal version of Energon Optimus Prime is much simplified, yet features a very similar transformation sequence. Due to his limited articulation, his shoulder insignias are only visible in vehicle mode or with his arms splayed out horizontally.
His torso his hollow to store his electronic energon cube. He also comes with a "Mini-Con" jet (in the shape of Wreckage) that can mount on the top of his cab in truck form. The "Mini-Con" is actually a remote control which activates his energon cube's sound effects.
A three-inch tall non-transforming PVC figurine of Optimus Prime was released in the Armada-specific ninth wave of Takara's Super Collection Figure line. The figure came in both full colour and metallic silver "pewter" variants, available at an equal ratio one each in every case of twelve blindpacked figures.
Convoy (Cybertron Mode) (2002)
Accessories: Display base
A rare chase figure of Optimus in his Cybertronian body, as seen in the first twoepisodes of the Armada cartoon, was also available in the ninth Super Collection Figure wave. It could only be found in one out of every ten cases, taking the place of the full-color version of the regular Prime figure in that assortment.
Convoy Super Mode (2003)
Accessories: Display base
A PVC of Prime in his Super Mode was part of the tenth Super Collection Figure wave, continuing the Armada theme of the previous one. As with the first figure, he was available in both full colour and pewter variants, one of each of which could be found in every case of twelve blindpacked figures.
Convoy Super Mode w/ Star Saber (2003)
Accessories: Display base
Prime filled one of the chase figure slots for the tenth wave as well. This rare figure was the same as the regular Super Mode PVC, except instead of wielding his Convoy Gun, Prime was armed with the Star Saber sword. As with the previous chase figure, it could only be found in one out of every ten cases, and took the place of the full-colour Prime figure in that assortment.
Mega Super Collection Figure
Convoy Supermode (2002)
ID number:08
Accessories: Prime Mini-Con, Convoy Gun, two clenched fists, two open hands
A five-inch tall, non-transforming highly-articulated PVC figure of Optimus Prime in his Super Mode was the eighth entry in Takara's Mega Super Collection Figure series. In addition to a non-transforming figurine of Sparkplug, or "Prime", as he's known in Japan, Optimus comes with two sets of alternate hands—one set with spread palms, one curled into fists—and is armed with his Convoy Gun, which can either peg into his right fist (and only his right fist) or onto his back.
A Mega Super Collection Figure of Prime in his "normal mode" was released a few months after the first figure. He came with a translucent blue Star Saber, and a much larger version of the Convoy Gun accessory, creating a sense of comparative scale, even though he's the same height as the Super Mode figure. Like the Super Mode figure, only his right fist has a peg-hole in it, so he can't hold both weapons at once.
Optimus Prime was one of only two Armada-theme figures in the otherwise Generation 1-centric Q-Robo Collection line of super deformed PVC figurines, the other being Armada Megatron. Like all the figures in the series, Prime featured articulation in the neck and shoulders, and was also available in a translucent colored plastic: as an Autobot, Optimus came in translucent red, but was also uniquely available in a golden metallic "pewter" variant as the wave's solitary rare chase figure. All Q-Robo figures were sold in sets of two, one full-color figure and one translucent one, blindpacked in a plastic capsule.
A non-transforming PVC figurine of Optimus Prime was released by Japanese confectionery company Kabaya in the first wave of their Big Transformers line of candy toys. He comes armed with his "Convoy Gun", and was packaged with fizzy "Ramune" candy.
Convoy Super Mode (2003)
ID number:2
Accessories: Prime Mini-Con
The first wave of Big Transformers also included a figure of Prime in his Super Mode. In addition to being able to hold the standard figure's Convoy Gun, Super Mode Prime comes with an unpainted figurine of vehicle-mode Sparkplug (or "Prime", as he's known in Japan) that can attach to the hardpoints on his shoulders, or to any of the other figures in the wave.
A figure of Prime combined with Jetfire was release as part of the second Big Transformers wave, which came with no accessories of its own, but could hold any of the weapons released with the other second wave figures, including Jetfire's gun, the Star Saber, the Skyboom, and the Requiem Blaster. As with the first wave figures, he came packaged with Ramune candy.
French die-cast model producers Majorette teamed with Kabaya to produce the Transformers Mini Car Collection, a line of Armada-themed die-cast vehicles, all of which were redecos of pre-existing Majorette toys. Prime was a redeco of Majorette toy #256—a long-nosed tow truck—in his traditional red and blue, now bearing the Autobot insignia, the Micron Legend logo, and an image of the Autobot leader on its hood. The toy came with a pack of gum.
Convoy Super Mode (die-cast vehicle, 2003)
A second die-cast vehicle representing Prime was also part of the Mini Car Collection, this one a red redeco of Majorette toy #291, a Chevrolet K-10 pick-up. To distinguish it from the other Optimus vehicle, this one is randomly allocated the "Super Mode" label, and features a image of the leader in his powered-up form on is hood in addition to the Autobot symbol and series logo.
Transformers Figure
Convoy (2003)
A non-transforming 5" PVC figurine of Optimus Prime was released by Omron Entertainment as part of their simply-named Transformers Figure line of gaming arcades prizes. Despite there being a nationwide commercial for the figures, their distribution was poor, and not many arcades actually wound up carrying them.
In addition to their range of PVCs, Omron also released a small line of solid die-cast metal figures. A golden version of Optimus was part of this Die Cast Figure line, clocking in at about 3.5" tall.
Omron also released a series of 2.5" tall Armada-themed PVC figurines as the Mascot Keychain line, including Optimus Prime.
Transformers Strap
Megatron (2003)
Omron's keychains were not limited to soft plastic, with die-cast versions of the same characters from the Mascot Keychain line being made available in their Transformers Strap range. This Prime is pretty much identical to the Die Cast Figure version of the character, just a little smaller—about 2.5" in height—and with the addition of a keychain with a wrist-strap.
Flashlight Keychain
Transformers Armada Flashlight Keychain
Distributed by Basic Fun, this keychain is a likeness of Prime's Armada form. It has rotation joints at the neck and shoulders. Pressing a button on Prime's back activates a light located between his feet. He has a keychain protruding from between his shoulder blades. Handy!
Energon Figure Pen
"Standing up—my one weakness!"
Transformers Energon Figure pen (2004)
The Transformers Energon figure pen is based on Optimus Prime in his standard Energon body. About the size of a scout class toy, he transforms from truck mode to robot mode almost identically to his mainline toys, apart from the fact that his feet contain the pen and cannot bend. It's really hard to write with, and almost impossible to pose, even though it has full arm articulation. Amusingly, this figure can position itself to transform into his super robot mode (by flipping his helmet on, opening his chest and flipping his hands in), but because there are no versions of the Prime Force drones in this scale, it's impossible to complete him.
The pen was manufactured and distributed by Stylus.
Pla-Kit Collection
Grand Convoy Super Mode (Pla-Kit Collection, 2004)
ID number:PKS 01
Grand Convoy is a miniature rendition of the normal-sized Optimus toy that comes unpainted and unassembled, and stands about 4.5 inches tall in full Super Mode. He transforms into a Cybertronic truck cab, and also comes with four drone-vehicles that can attach to his limbs to form a variety of Super Modes: Fire-1 (fire truck), Gyro-2 (helicopter), Digger-3 (drill tank), and Submarine-4 (er, submarine). The kit does not come with any form of carrier-trailer for the drones, however. Grand Convoy's handgun can actually fire small plastic BBs via pressure-launch. He also has a teeny little gold-chromed energon chip that fits onto his left shoulder-armor.
This kit also comes with "Episode 1" of the "Convoy VS Scourge" mini-comic, printed on the back of the assembly/transformation instructions.
The kit was later redecoed into Grand Convoy Super Mode White Version and Grand Scourge, which came with episode 2 of the Convoy VS Scourge story.
Grand Convoy Super Mode White Version (Pla-Kit Collection, 2004)
A redeco (after a fashion) of the Grand Convoy Super Mode Pla-Kit, Grand Convoy Super Mode White Version was available exclusively on July 17th and 18th at the Kodansha Super Chara Festival 2004 ("K-Fest"). It is a solid white version of the normal model kit, possessing all the features of the normal figure. It was intended to be used in a customization/painting contest held at the convention, and lacks the comic of the normal release.
The Grand Convoy Pla-Kit was also used to make Grand Scourge.
Wing Convoy Super Real Figure (ウイングコンボイ 超リアルフィギュア, Wing Convoy chou Real Figure) is a PVC of Optimus Prime combined with Wing Saber in Flight Mode. It was sold exclusively with the August issue of TV-kun (てれびくん) magazine, first on sale July 1st, 2004.
A redeco of the Wing Convoy Super Real Figure, Wing Convoy Original Figure (ウイングコンボイ オリジナルフィギュア) was exclusively scotch taped inside Wing Saber figures sold at JUSCO department stores starting on July 30th, 2004. A sticker was placed on Wing Saber's packaging to note the promotion.
Despite being sold as Wing Convoy/Optimus Prime, the figure's color scheme bears a striking resemblance to that of Grand Scourge, whose model kit was on sale the same month.
Large gummy candies packaged in a blister bubble. Optimus Prime was available in his Cybertron form.
Attacktix
Super Optimus Prime (Intergalactic Showdown, 2006)
ID number:
SVT05
Rarity:
Faction:
Autobot
Class:
Leader
Special:
Recover - 8/26 (31%) success ratio
Point Cost:
40
Base Speed:
4
Attack Type:
Shooter (Heavy Energy Blast)
What can one say about a beast of a figure like Attacktix Super Optimus Prime? With the biggest missile, and probably the best defense in Attacktix, Super Optimus Prime is a devastating figure. This version of the figure is the Gold-based one available only in the Star Wars vs. Transformers pack.
The SVT05 version of Super Optimus Prime has a gold base and a different power to the Booster version. He's able to recover — standing up if you have another figure in play. In tournament play only one gold-based Attacktix figure may be used per team.
The mould has four points of articulation; head, shoulders and waist.
Super Optimus Prime (Booster, 2006)
ID number:
TF13
Rarity:
Faction:
Autobot
Class:
Leader
Special:
Transform - 8/26 (31%) success ratio
Point Cost:
40
Base Speed:
4
Attack Type:
Shooter (Heavy Energy Blast)
The booster version of Super Optimus Prime is nearly identical to the normal version except that it has a black base and a different power. Its power allows you to summon Super Optimus Prime's vehicle form from your backups — transforming the figure.
Super Optimus Prime (Vehicle) (Booster, 2006)
ID number:
TF14
Rarity:
Faction:
Autobot
Class:
Leader
Special:
Transform - 20/26 (77%) success ratio
Point Cost:
30
Base Speed:
8
Attack Type:
Shooter (Small Missile)
Based on Cybertron Optimus Prime's fire truck mode, this figure is basically a support figure for your Super Optimus Prime robot mode figures. The figure's very reliable Transform power allows a player to get the expensive 40 point Super Optimus Prime figure into play for only 30 points.
The vehicle mode figure sits on a raised platform that can rotate 360 degrees, and his ladder has limited articulation. His high speed makes him one of the fastest shooters in the game.
Super Optimus Prime (Booster, 2007)
ID number:
TF15
Rarity:
Faction:
Autobot
Class:
Warrior
Special:
Recruit -
Point Cost:
50
Base Speed:
6
Attack Type:
A redeco of Super Optimus Prime in a scheme evoking the Heroes of Cybertron "Spark Attack" Apex Armor Optimus Prime PVC was planned for the second wave of Attacktix boosters. Like the rest of the figures in that assortment, it never saw release.
The version of this piece seen at the Star Wars Celebration IV convention was translucent, not opaque, indicating that the stock photograph used an early painted mock-up.
Game over. This Attacktix item has been canceled, with no current plans for release.
Notes
The first test shots of Superbase Optimus Prime had a molded and recessed Autobot insignia on the chest button rather than a flat surface with a tampographed symbol. It is unknown why this change was made.
Arise, Bigfootimus Prime.
One of the earliest Armada Optimus Prime concepts depicts him as being an ENORMOUSLY HUGE MONSTER TRUCK. Makes one wonder about the origins of the "Monster Convoy" inscription on Super Base Optimus Prime's tires.
Cybertron Optimus Prime has some design similarities to GaoGaiGar from The King of Braves GaoGaiGar, such as the chin protrusion and cheekguards.
