Review: #121
Name: Optimus Prime
Brand: Transformers
Allegiance: Autobot
Line: Bot Shots
Year of Release: 2012
Size Class: N/A - Super Bot 004 (Series 1 - Wave 4)
Variations: repaint of Optimus Prime from Wave 1, there are also variations in the form of the launcher and Battle for the Matrix multipack.
VEHICLE MODE:
Optimus transforms into a super deformed long-nosed truck with a container on his back. This is the "Super Bot" or chase version, in which he is packed one per case, and hence the reason why he's in translucent blue.
The molding is all there, and there are some intricate details here, which is a nice surprise. Despite having six wheels, one pair is faux, he only has four rolling wheels.
Due to the springs for his automatic transformation, the mold can be unstable if you don't lock everything properly. Even accidentally touching his grill (the button to release the clamps) can cause him to transform.
These Bot Shots are small figures, shorter and stumpier than Legion toys, but they make it up in mass. A neat little truck mode.
TRANSFORMATION:
Very simple. ALL Bot Shots have the exact same transformation. Press the grill (or whatever the front of the vehicle is) and he automatically springs into robot mode (even bouncing onto his feet). The game involves you smashing two against each other and then comparing symbols or stats to see who wins. Anyway, the transformation is really fun and getting him back is simple, just squeeze everything back together.
ROBOT MODE:
Still primarily transparent blue, Optimus gains some paint in the form of silver for his face (and face plate) and yellow for his eyes. The sides form his arms.
Once again, there's some nice molded details here, but it's a bit hard to see without paint to highlight it. Optimus has the front of the truck as kibble.
A super deformed robot mode, he has a disproportionately big head. The head is fixed and molded.
You can't pose at all here, everything's fixed (well, you can fold the arms back in but they are spring loaded). The feet jut out quite far in front of the robot.
Optimus is generally shorter than most Legion classed toys.
His chest has the rotating symbol for the Bot Shots game (if you want to know how it works, check it out at this page), his stats are supposedly marginally higher than normal figures. The actual numbers are: Sword - 995; Gun - 315; Fist 330.
OVERALL:
You're either going to love or hate Bot Shots. I was initially skeptical, but Optimus won me over... just. While it hasn't compelled me to rush out and buy as many as I can, I appreciate the simplicity and fun factor of these little figures. To be honest, if you've got one, you've got them all, since all Bot Shots share the exact same transformation. Having one on your desk to fiddle around is quite fun, so I heartily recommend at least one of these cheap figures.
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