Toy Review – Transformers – Reveal the Shield Optimus Prime

The Geek Bits

Name: Optimus Prime
Toyline: Transformers
Subline: Reveal the Shield
Size Class: Legends
Released: Early 2011
Availability: Online retailers, some major retailers, some closeout retailers
Price: $3.99 – $6.99 (Prices vary wildly)
Includes: Optimus Prime
Worth the price? Buy it if you can. He’s great.


It’s the one, the original OPTIMUS PRIME, now in new small version. We’re all familiar with the origina G1 toy, but how does this new tiny version stack up?

Robot Mode

Much like Starscream, there’s a lot of detail packed into this mold. Optimus a torso that mimics his cartoon appearance by being tapered and more slender than a normal truck cab, His molded hands aren’t blue in color, but at least he has hands. Elbow, shoulder and hip articulation allow for some posing, but for a toy this small, you won’t get a lot of different action shots.

Vehicle Mode
 Quite cleverly, Optimus can swivel at midchest to keep his chest windows as his truck windows while allowing the boxy lower cab and grill to appear. Molded lights and smokestacks add to the look. His cab mode greatly resembles his cartoon and G1 toy counterpart. Well done.

The Good
Pretty much everything about this toy is awesome. I’d go so far as to rank it just below Legends Starscream if only because Starscream had a slightly more clever transformation scheme. That’s not the fault of Optimus, though.

The Bad
Again like Starscream, he was dang hard to find. Right now, he’s showing up in closeout stores like Ross, T.J. Maxx and Marshalls, but it’s not guaranteed you’ll find him. Either order him online or hope you have good luck in stores!

The Final Rewind
If you can find him, buy him. It’s worth paying a few bucks for added shipping if you have to order online. Get Starscream as well, though; you’ll probably like them almost the same, but Starscream can’t be missed.

The Gallery