Toy Review – Transformers – DotM Deluxe Optimus

The Geek Bits

Name: Optimus Prime
Toyline: Transformers
Subline: Dark of the Moon
Size Class: Deluxe
Released: June 2011
Availability: Walmart Exclusive
Price: $9.99
Includes: Optimus, Mechtech weapon, instructions
Worth the price? Worth it, especially if you don’t want a Voyager

Potential Transformers: Dark of the Moon spoilers in the bio!

OPTIMUS PRIME, the leader of the AUTOBOTS, earned the right to be called a Prime by virtue of his courage, intelligence and skill in battle. But the discovery of the long-missing SENTINEL PRIME means he may have to share his role as commander. The DECEPTICONS don’t stand a chance with these two mighty AUTOBOTS fighting side by side!

OPTIMUS PRIME is here as a Walmart Exclusive Deluxe size toy, complete with Mechtech weapon. He changes from his standard movie-style truck cab into the familiar robot we all know from the movies, but now he’s got a new battle axe!

Vehicle Mode
As you should know by now, movie Optimus Prime’s vehicle mode is a long-nose tractor cab, blue and red in color with flames on the nose. This deluxe toy recreates the cab that we’ve seen in larger Voyager and Leader versions (and in a smaller Cyberverse Commander version). It rolls on its six independent wheels nicely.

As with all Dark of the Moon Deluxe toys, Optimus comes with a Mechtech weapon. In normal mode, it’s a blaster, but if you pull back on the lever, it switches to an Energon Battle Axe. It would be nice if it could lock into place like Voyager Mechtech weapons, but sadly, it can’t. For his vehicle mode, however, the blaster looks great.

Robot Mode
Optimus’s robot mode is scaled-down from other versions of the toy, but that doesn’t mean he’s no good. He’s got great articulation, and he can easily be posed in various stances. If his Mechtech weapon could stay as an axe, it’d complete the look. Still, you’ll have fun slashing Decepticons with it… as long as you keep holding the switch open.

One thing about the Mechtech weapon — sometimes the axe gets stuck when it tries to go back to blaster mode. You might have to play with the switch a little bit to get it to convert fully.

The Good
This is a great Optimus toy if you’re on a budget and want something more substantial than the Cyberverse Commander. The Mechtech Axe is nice, and I love the transformation of the robot chest when going to vehicle mode. He looks like the Optimus you know, and if you love the movie look, this is a great toy.

The Bad
Like I mentioned earlier, the lack of a locking Mechtech weapon hampers some play value. It’s hard to chop Decepticons if you have to keep holding the weapon in axe mode.

While I’ve not experienced any issues, some people have complained about stress marks appearing, so be careful transforming him. You might have to do some finagling and massaging of parts to get him into vehicle mode, but after you transform him once or twice, you’ll get the hang of it.

The Final Rewind
Deluxe Optimus is a great addition to your movie toyline. He’d probably look great in scale with some of your Voyager toys, so he’d also be good for a diorama. You might want to see if you can jam the Mechtech weapon into axe mode. (And if you do, tell me how; I couldn’t figure it out save for gluing it open.)

The Gallery