Optimus Prime Super Modes

Revisiting some of my Optimus Primes... Prime by itself may not be that spectacular but in a combined "Super Mode", they are awesome!

(Credit : TFwiki)

Over the years, it has become a recurring theme for the various incarnations of the Optimus Prime character across the numerous Transformers franchises or series not only to die, but also to assume some form of "Super Mode". This is typically, achieved either by Prime's robot mode combining with his trailer or with another Autobot(s).

Car Robots / Robots in Disguise

In 2000, Takara released a new character based on Generation 1 Optimus Prime as part of their "Car Robots" line. Named "Fire Convoy", his alternate mode was a fire engine. The engine's cab would transform into Fire Convoy's "standard" robot mode, which in turn could combine with the rear part of the fire engine into a "super" robot mode similar to Powermaster Optimus Prime.

Fire Convoy / Optimus Prime

"Banana" Convoy / Sam's Club Optimus Prime

Furthermore, Fire Convoy in his "Super Mode" could combine with his brother God Magnus to form God Fire Convoy. The characters in all their modes also appeared in the "Car Robots" cartoon. One year later, Hasbro imported the "Car Robots" line to the rest of the world and renamed it "Robots in Disguise". The characters were also renamed, with Fire Convoy becoming Optimus Prime, God Magnus becoming Ultra Magnus, and God Fire Convoy becoming Omega Prime.

God Fire Convoy / Omega Prime

Unicron Trilogy

Armada Optimus Prime had multiple recurring combinations. In toy form, Super-Base Optimus Prime was very similar to Powermaster Optimus Prime, namely a semi truck with the cab transforming into a "standard" robot mode, which could then combine with the trailer into a "super" robot mode. Furthermore, instead of the trailer, the "standard" robot could also combine with Jetfire into "Jet Prime" (also named "Jet Optimus"). Lastly, Optimus, in both combinations with either his trailer or Jetfire, could further combine with Overload into "Optimus Prime Megaweapon" or in the Japanese version, "Magna Jet Convoy".

Magna Jet Convoy / Optimus Prime Megaweapon

Armada Primes

The Cybertron version of Optimus Prime had some kind of futuristic fire truck as his alternate mode. The cab and truck bed would form the "standard" robot mode, with the rest of the truck mount serving as "super mode" add-ons (actually explicitly called "Galaxy Convoy Super Mode" in the Japanese Galaxy Force version of the cartoon, and "Optimus Prime Super Mode in early episodes of the English dub). Furthermore, Cybertron Prime could combine with Leobreaker into "Savage Claw Mode" (with Leobreaker serving as a claw arm), or with Wing Saber into "Sonic Wing Mode". (A combination with both Leobreaker and Wing Saber is possible with the toys, but somewhat unstable.) In the Japanese version, Galaxy Convoy is to combine with Sonic Bomber to form Sonic Convoy.

EX-02 Sonic Convoy

Micron Legend Clear Convoy, 5 years later...

Should I come out of my retirement or should I stay retired?

I have not bought any Transformers since 2015, yes, 5 years ago seems like only yesterday but in truth, it is a long time ago. Told myself to "rest" after years of shopping sprees that drained me financially... I was more interested in buying rather than selling; and as money doesn't grow on trees, it would reach a point where I had to take stock of my situation and make the tough decision. Besides, I was also running out of display space, can't be renting a warehouse right? haha...

No regrets, though. Happy with what I had collected all those years, completed certain series and molds, played and displayed some of them, while others stayed sealed in boxes.

I am compelled to post this (yes, my first post since 2015) as one of my favorite molds is set to be relaunched. Not by Hasbro or Takara Tomy but by Fans Hobby, 3rd party company I try to stay away, to me, they are not legit. I am sure many would disagree with my statement but to each his own.

Fans Hobby MB-15 Naval Commander

Armada Optimus Prime aka "Fish Head" Prime is getting a massive upgrade and boy, this relaunch is AWESOME!! I am still staying away, okay? (behind the scenes, take my money plea$$eeeeee....)

What better way to honor this than to revisit my collection... so I decided to pull this out and let it loose. It has been in solitude over a decade and it is time for him to join his Band of Brothers.

Remember this Micron Legend/Armada Crystal Clear Convoy?

It gives me great pleasure to unbox it...

Everything is in translucent plastic, even its Mini-con Surge (aka Over-Run) 

YESSSS.... I am free!

Now, I'm armed and ready to go...

Armada "Bendy" (deluxe-sized) Optimus Prime is finally, complete. This collection has always been complete but now, it is completely displayed :)

You complete us but it's getting really crowded... 

This mold was redecoed 8 times (I hope no more, otherwise my fingers are going to get itchy, need to complete this mold... the setback of being a completist!)

So, should I get the Fans Hobby Naval Commander to complete my Armada "Fish Head" collection?

Armada Optimus Prime collection

Likely NOT... to me, it is already completed and I am done.

BIG bots Revisited...

Created an album titled "My BIG Bots" on my Facebook earlier but in case, you're not into Facebook-ing or probably in a country where this social media is being banned, fret not...I'm going to mirror those pics here. Well, I might even add a few more, just for your viewing pleasure...

 Omega Supreme (left), Omega Sentinel (right)

Black Unicron

Cybertron Primus

Now for the rest...still MISB...

Cybertron Primus and its many packaging variants (source of pic : tfwiki)

(from left : Primus with Unicron head, 1st-release Primus, Walmart exclusive Primus with Mini-Cons)

Takara 00 Primus

Energon toyline of Unicrons was redecoed from the Armada toyline, one sporting black and transparent orange while maintaining the other orange/yellow Armada version in the Energon packing box.

Energon Unicrons

This TF2010 version of Unicron and Primus remain highly sought after as they are of a complete different mold than previously displayed.

2010 Primus (left), Unicron (right)

To highlight the difference : (source of pics : tfwiki)

Cybertron Primus vs 2010 Primus

Cybertron Primus

2010 Primus

Armada / Energon Unicron vs 2010 Unicron

Armada / Energon Unicron

2010 Unicron

If you're enjoying this and intend to own one (or more), just drop me a line...anything and everything is up for grabs (ie. for sale) for the right price...provided they are still available...cheers!

(UPDATED : 2010 Primus and Unicron set sold)

Armada Optimus Prime Revisited...

...while awaiting for my US hauls to arrive...

I've always been particularly fond of this line...most collectors would shun this as this version of Prime portrays him as a descendant of Neptune himself...aka "Fish head" Prime...lol


Just notice those 2 fishy-like ears (and head) and you'll know what I mean...

Deluxe version wise is fine, some people called it the 'bendy Prime' due to its better articulation as compared to its rather 'kaku' predecessors.

   

TRU collections...

Over the years, there has been collaborations between Hasbro or Takara with Toys R Us (TRU) whereby there would be exclusive TRU releases ie. only found/sold in Toys R Us stores.

I'm glad to have the luxury of owning a few of them, pretty cheap in their haydays during their initial release but as I only started this collection hobby few years back, just imagine the amount of dough I had to cough up as TRU releases are never reissued. Hence, if you miss it, the only way to purchase is via the secondary market.

Anyhow, a quick review of my TRU Japan collections :

Takara TRU Nucleon Quest Superconvoy

1. basically a redeco of the Godginrai / Powermaster Prime, this time in black

2. limited to only 1000 (or 3000) pieces worldwide

Takara TRU Sonic Convoy EX02

1. basically, consists of a clear redeco of Galaxy Force Optimus Prime, metallic red Sonic Bomber with an exclusive Coby

2. I got my set relatively cheap as it was missing Coby but it makes no difference to me. I'm not into Coby or Ramble whatsoever..

Takara TRU Magna Convoy DX

1. redecoed Powerlinx Optimus Prime with a clear Ultra Magnus/Overload and exclusive X-Dimension minicon

The one still on my wishlist (more like a wishing list ie. can only wish..haha) is the Takara TRU God Fire Convoy. It's a clear redecoed version of the Fire Convoy and God Magnus. Apparently, it is the most expensive of the TRU releases (not too sure about its original retail price though...). The only downside of this giftset is the quality of God Magnus, it tends to 'yellow' especially on the clear areas. Understandable if it's in a BIB condition but in most cases, it happens even in a MISB condition which makes it even hard to swallow as you have no way to ascertain the condition of Magnus and when you purchase, it's close to purchasing a lottery ticket ie. you are not certain of 'winning'...

During the hype of Transformers, this giftset could even fetch up to RM2000. Nowadays, it's hovering around RM1500 or so which is a substantial discount but not alot of takers though...

Then, lately, there has been new TRU releases such as TFA Arcee and Masterpiece Grimlock, just to name a few. As I'm not really a avid fan of the Animated series, I'm giving Arcee a pass. Similarly with Grimlock, not into Dinobots.. however, I'm getting quite good review for this Hasbro version as it includes Grimlock's crown (King Grimlock) and better representation of the colors. A fraction of the Takara's release which is a plus point to our wallets!

More Primes...Part 3

Another TV magazine exclusive...Micron Legend Clear Convoy.

In most cases, it is sold together with its 'black and shiny' counterpart, Micron Legend Scourge. Similarly, it's also limited to 5,000 pieces worldwide (4,999 to be exact as 1 piece is with me!)

Hmm...wonder should I get another so that I could display it together with his Armada brothers? Seems so lonely in its MISB condition but then again, seems like a 'waste' to open up this.

More Primes...Part 2

Takara Micron Legend Scourge with minicon Sweep...

It's a TV magazine exclusive mail-away and apparently, limited to only 5000 pieces worldwide (and I have 2..hehe...1 loose and another MISB). Reported to be vastly superior to the Hasbro Armada Nemesis Prime.

Armada Primes collection updated...

Check out the middle row on my display cabinet...for the combination of Armada Prime deluxes and super-convoys...

Fish heads COMPLETED!!!

No, it has nothing to do with fish head curry or assam fish head...wonder why the sudden hunger pangs? Hmm...

Armada Primes series aka Fish heads (check out the head and you'll understand what I meant) is finally completed with my last conquest of the TRU Magna Convoy set!

For the benefit of all, there are actually 6 redeco of the same mold : (lucky draw piece excluded)

1. Hasbro Armada Optimus Prime

2. Takara Armada Optimus Prime

3. Hasbro Armada Powerlinx Optimus Prime

4. Hasbro Kmart exclusive Optimus Prime

5. Hasbro Costco Optimus Prime

6. Takara TRU exclusive Optimus Prime / Magna Convoy

....and I HAVE THEM ALL!!! Hahahah...evil laugh...

Check out the TRU exclusive Magna Convoy set (ie. Powerlinx Optimus Prime + clear red Overload)...

Wishlist updated...part 2

Hasbro Armada Powerlinx Optimus Prime shipped out from US 21/1/10... received on 28/1/10 but wtf...seller sent me the normal Armada Optimus Prime instead!! Seller offered refund of USD10... bought another Powerlinx Prime loose, complete instead...local seller some more...
Hasbro Costco Exclusive Optimus Prime + Overload bought! Awaiting shipping from US... now to find Jetfire to complete the whole set... another headache, seller has yet to dispatch my item...now filing a complaint thru Ebay...just filed claim with Paypal 10/1/10... yeaa...good news!! Seller has shipped it via EMS...
Sonokong Armada Overload bought! Shipping from HK...cheap, after conversion >RM130...Takara version will cost slightly more than double. Cheapest found so far RM280 MIB... item received in good condition 9/1/10...yeaaa....my Powerlinx Magna Jet Convoy completed!!
Next on my lists :
1. TRU Magna Convoy...found the source but the problem is how to conclude the transaction via COD...hmmm.... gosh...item SOLD!

2. Lucky Draw Armada Optimus Prime...this would definitely be the ultimate collection but at RM5450.00, I would seriously need to think about owning it...not to mention, where the heck am I going to find that amount of money??? Just imagine the amount of chap fan I could be eating in months (maybe years...lol)...

Magna Jet Convoy collection...

Completing my 2010 wishlist collection...
(from left :
1. Takara (Armada Optimus Prime + Jetfire + Overload)
2. Hasbro (K-Mart Exclusive Optimus Prime + Jetfire) + Energon Ultra Magnus
3. Hasbro Powerlinx Optimus Prime + Hasbro Armada Jetfire + Takara Armada Overload
4. in front of no. 1 : K-Mart Exclusive Optimus Prime deluxe without the trailer)

(still MISB) :
5. Hasbro Costco Exclusive Optimus Prime + Overload (aka Optimus Prime Megaweapon)

Truck with wings...

Old joke...what has 4 wheels and flies? A garbage truck...hahaha...

Ok, nothing to do with the garbage truck. It's basically my complete truck (ie. Optimus Prime) with wings (ie. Jetfire, Wing Saber etc.) collection :

1. Superlink series : Grand Convoy + Wing Saber = Wing Convoy (pic)
2. Galaxy Force series : Galaxy Convoy + Sonic Bomber = Sonic Convoy (pic)
3. Armada series : Optimus Prime + Jetfire = Jet Convoy
4. Armada series : KMart Exclusive Optimus Prime + Jetfire = Jet Convoy (pic)
5. ROTF series : Optimus Prime + Jetfire = Jet Convoy
6. ROTF series : Buster Optimus Prime + Jetfire = Jet Convoy (pic)
7. Classic / Henkei series : Optimus Prime + Jetfire = Jet Convoy