General Information:
Release Date: May 2023
Price Point: $6.29 (depending on retailer)
Retailer: General Release (Amazon, Entertainment Earth, Target, Walmart etc.)
Accessories: None
Packaging:
Optimus Primal is packaged on a card that is partly folded over the figure (alternatively you could call this a box-ish thing). Following Hasbro's desire to use as little plastic as possible in packaging the only non-cardboard packaging here are the flexible ties used to hold the figure down.
The graphics on the packaging are gorgeous, featuring stonework that looks like it's from an ancient building. Towards the upper right is the Rise of the Beasts logo and under it is the vertical Transformers logo. Optimus Primal's package art shows him in beast mode on the upper left hand corner. The figure is packaged in beast mode and the cardboard flap over the figure shows off the "Beast Alliance" logo and the figure in weapon mode. Under that is Optimus' name with the Maximal logo on it.
The back of the packaging shows the figure in both modes calling out a 6 step transformation. The rest however is all legal information in multiple languages.
Background:
Back when the War for Cybertron: Siege line debuted, a new class of figure was added into the mix: Battle Masters. Basically these were a new version of Targetmasters that could not be priced into the cost of other classes of figures, so they were sold on their own. For the most part, Battle Masters eventually fell by the wayside but now they have returned as part of the Rise of the Beasts toy line.
After the first wave of Rise of the Beasts Battle Masters (including the awesome Rhinox) the assortment was refreshed in May 2023 with one addition: Optimus Primal! This was a pretty low key release. At the time I am writing this there are very few listings for this figure online but perhaps in time there will be more. The first listing was on Kidtoy's site where interestingly the figure is referred to as "Transformers -MV7 Transformation 6 Cyclops" indicating Primal's "code name" for the film was "Cyclops".
Beast Mode:
This interpretation of Optimus Primal takes design cues from the movie CG model, but the designers decided to lean more into the mechanical aspect of the character. I do not see any organic bits sculpted into the figure, but a lot of the sculpt is certainly meant to evoke organic parts. This includes the torso which has clearly defined muscle shapes that have mechanical looking angles. Bits of the weapon mode also carry over into this form and they actually make the figure look fantastic. In particular I love the sides of the cannon barrels on his arms. They give them a powerful appearance that looks very cool. Overall I really dig this sculpt.
Optimus is made up of dark grey plastic. Paint applications are done in blue and silver. The eyes are painted blue while the cannon sections on the arms and the feet are painted silver. This isn't a lot of deco, but it looks good. Granted, a few more paint applications would have accentuated the sculpted details better, but given the price point the figure looks really good.
There are five points of articulation on this figure. Each arm and leg is a ball joint and the head can turn. The figure can be set in the "hunched over" position typically seen with Optimus Primal toys or he can stand up straight (like the character was seen doing many times in the Beast Wars cartoon).
Transformation to Weapon Mode:
- Rotate the head around.
- Swing the legs up.
- Swing the lower body section back.
- Swing the torso panel up.
- In each forearm, swing out the halves of the cannon barrel.
- Swing the arms together. Be sure the tabs on the hips connect to the slots inside the arms.
Weapon Mode:
Optimus Primal's weapon mode is a powerful looking blaster. Since his body makes up so much of the weapon that it has a nice, bulky appearance. The sides feature cool mechanical details and the weapon barrel itself adds to those details. The beast mode legs that wind up under the weapon look like they could be storage for ammunition and the torso panel that flips up could be interpreted as a targeting scope (I'm using my imagination here). There is a 5mm peg at the bottom for other figures to use as a hand hold. Unfortunately, the barrel was not designed to fit Blast Effects, which is definitely a lost opportunity.
This mode shows off more silver paint thanks to the weapon barrel, but that's it in terms of newly revealed colors.
Final Thoughts:
Battle Master Optimus Primal is a really fun little toy. I love the idea of (as a fan online called him) "Pocket Primal" and the weapon he transforms into looks awesome. Highly recommended!
Pros:
- Excellent sculpt in both modes.
- Nice deco (given the price point).
- Fun play factor.
Cons:
- I do wish the barrel could fit a Blast Effect.
