Toy Review : Combat Hero Optimus Prime

Basically, a redeco from the earlier release Reveal The Shield (RTS) Optimus Prime which in turn was a remold of G2 Laser Optimus Prime...

Prime is part of the Transformers Generations Ultimate Gift Set which also includes Autobot Jazz, Motorbreath and Thundercracker. Jazz was missing when I purchased this set but my ultimate aim was Prime, hence other figures were irrelevant...

Before I proceed to the review proper, a glance at the Gift Set...

(Credit : Hasbro)

This is mine...can you spot the difference?

Yesss....I'm free!!

This Prime is a confused piece...he can't decide whether he is G1 or G2. G1 autobot insignia on the windscreen but G2 on the doors...so what the heck, be both...a hybrid, if I must say.

A rather red and blue figure, pretty similar with the standard Optimus Prime colors (though, more blue than red) as compared to the earlier RTS figure with some orange inside his red shoulders and silver on his head.

Prime's sword is now clear red. RTS version was orange, United was blue...

Now for some sword-wielding moments...haiyah...

Some kungfu-fighting styles...too much influence from Ip Man and Wong Fei Hung...

Side-by-side comparison with RTS Prime...

"Yo bro, whatsuppp..."

"Shake on it"

For the step-by-step transformation process, you may either refer to the manual...

OR...

my previous review of a similar mold, the RTS G2 Optimus Prime. Same sequence...klik klak kluk...and there you have it, in vehicle mode...

See the G2 insignia on door? Similar to G2 Optimus Prime box packing. Top right-hand corner of box...

red grill, red headlights, red windscreen...

  

"While we wait for the others, pose..."

For a new piece, the joints are relatively loose. Either the seller had played it extensively, then carefully placed it back in box as new or Hasbro's QC has really gone down the drain (yet again). Anyhow, this mold's a keeper for me...now on my quest to locate the rest for a complete set. Let's see...there's the TFCC Scourge / Nemesis Prime, Botcon Ultra Magnus, Shattered Glass Optimus Prime..err...I believe that's it right?

Till the next review...can you smell what The Rock...I mean, The Prime is cooking?
 

EX-02 Galaxy Convoy...

No new hauls yet...feeling bored...

Since there's nothing new to review, shall we stroll down memory lane and revisit this piece? Hmm...thought I reviewed a similar mold piece earlier, no?

Me : you look familiar...didn't I reviewed you earlier?
OP : yes, you did but that was of my brother...

This Convoy is part of the Toys R'Us Japan exclusive giftset (EX-02) which includes Sonic Bomber as well.

still look good...not bad for a piece released back in 2005

This is basically a redeco of Galaxy Convoy GC-01 with translucent red on its chest piece and shoulder pads. For a more in-depth review, please check out this site : EX-02 Sonic Convoy

For me, I would prefer to leave my talking to the pics. Behold...the various Galaxy Convoys in my collection...

EX-02 Convoy : I should lead...

...and their different matrix...

"Yeahhh....I have bling bling..."

"Why is my face so black?"

"I'm the normal one then"

In combined mode with Sonic Bomber to form...

...Sonic Convoy!

EX-02 Convoys

In full gear with his swords

EX-02 Galaxy Convoy posing for the camera...flanked by GC-01 Convoy and Galaxy Force Optimus Prime...

...and back into the cabinet...together with the ROTF Leader Class Optimus Primes, all in MISB condition...

ROTF OPs (at the back) screaming "let us outttt...!!!"

* Again, mind the pics...all taken with my Samsung Note 3...

Spanish Gold Box Optimus Prime

My first haul of the new year...

While everyone's going ga-ga over the Year of the Horse Optimus Prime (another MP10 repaint), I'm trying to complete my G1 Optimus Prime...maybe I'm just a sucker for this mold...haha.

As I've blogged earlier, there are many variants of the same mold with different box packing for example, but I have a particular liking for this box due to its 'gold-ish' color...

Different artwork at back of box as compared to the standard G1 OP box

Zooming closer...1990 Espana

This Spanish piece is perceived to be more easily found and cheaper than the so-called 'Original' or 'Classic' gold box Optimus Prime...

Original gold box Optimus Prime (this is NOT mine, credit tfw2005)

Let's remove Prime from his box...

same old Prime...

For a moment, after checking out the trailer, I thought I had been sold a KO...there was no stamping of Hasbro or Takara, all blocked out with only a T2 sign in the pinhole...

... as compared to the markings on the classic pre-rub Optimus' trailer...

Had a '3' stamped on the trailer door and both trailer halves though...comparing this with my classic pre-rub trailer, only a '3' on the door but nothing on the halves...

notice the '3' on both sides of trailer halves?

Anyway, given the many variants and possible KOs out there, what better way to verify this piece than to google...and presto...this site Classic Prime comparison confirms its authenticity...

the many faces of G1 OP

woahhh....but not many enough...

I wonder, what's next? Maybe the Canadian packing one?