Robots In Disguise: Omega Prime
Yeah, I know, I know, this is a Beast Wars page, but being a fan of the original series,
and naturally all my old toys are trashed (damn kids), I am such a sucker for the new RID
ones since they're all (for the most part) cars and trucks and stuff. Hell, some (Ruination
for example) are even re-releases of old G1 stuff. Of course you can tell a G1 release from
a new release in a second, mainly by poseability.
Anyway, the KB I work in got a single box of Ultra Magnus/Optimus Prime and I had
to spring for them. Regularly $37.99 each, plus my 25% off, they came to $61.12 total. Oh yes.
Yes indeed! Ahem. Sorry.
Okay, naturally the cool feature of these two is that they can combine into Omega Prime,
but there are many other modes. They all belong to Optimus of course (Ultra Magnus is more
like an armor upgrade than anything else), but I'll review 'em anyway.
Optimus Prime
He comes in vehicle mode, so that gets reviewed first. He's a fire truck. And a damn cool
one at that. His ladder moves up and down and extends and fires missiles and stuff (oh boy, oh
boy, oh boy!). He also have a few sounds. He says 'Optimus Prime, maximize!' (hrm, maybe this is
Beast Wars), makes siren sounds (1 - 3 times), says 'Fire!' which is followed by some generic
gun sounds, and says 'Autobots, transform!'. Not too shabby.
Now of course Optimus has a few robot modes. He's got a transformation similar to that of a
Power Ranger more than anything with one central figure taking up other parts to become bigger
(like Voltron). The entire front of the fire engine detaches and transforms into Optimus Prime,
regular sized. He's actually pretty big, even in his smallest mode, and very poseable. His head
has that good ol' Optimus look (like the original and Primal from Beast Wars) which he lost in
Beast Machines and the majority of his joints are ratcheted, though his hands and feet are on
ball and socket joints. His small front wheel detaches and is his gun. The only real problem
I have with this part of the toy is his shins are massive and his feet small. It looks kinda
like he stuffed his pockets with stuff or something. Still, very kickass anyway.
Also in this mode you can assemble a makeshift base of sorts with his leftover truck parts. It's
okay I suppose, and at least it explains where the rest of him goes when he's regular Optimus
(they even show the base in the show) as they tended to ignore where his trailer went in
the original show. Good to know the writers/designers are on top of this stuff, heh.
His second, slightly bigger mode (called a 'Mega Robot' in the instructions) is
basically sticking some spare parts on his shoulders and hands and getting an Optimus who looks
like he's about to fall over with his huge ass arms. That or he's about to fire a buttload of
missiles at you. Better run!
His next mode, and by far the coolest, is his ultra robot mode, or Super Fire Convoy as it
was known in Japan (this is, after all, a Japanese re-release). More parts are stuck to
him, all of them get used this time. The result is a big Optimus ready to kick some Decepticon/Predacon
butt (or skidplate, as it were). He's loaded with weapons, two on his wrists, his fingers are
cannons, the pistol on his shoulder, his ladder is a giant weapon itself and some sort of blaster
thing on his chest under the Autobot symbol. The only real problem I have with this mode is
that his ladder is very clunky and in the way a lot, but the overall cool look (plus the fact
that the ladder can be used as a bazooka of sorts) makes up for that. Definitely worth picking
this guy up for the $35 or so you'll have to pay at a non-KB store (KB overcharges for new stuff).
Ultra Magnus
Ultra Magnus retains his old form from G1 as that of a car carrier. His vehicle mode is
quite cool looking, and the perfect size for him to hold X-Brawn, Prowl and Sideburn (or whatever
the hell the Viper's name is). This mode is actually pretty stable, but if you manage to
unpeg a part of his trailer then the whole thing comes apart and you're screwed, unless you want
to transform him to robot mode.
Getting him to robot mode is somewhat tough, with less than satisfying results. Magnus is
tall and lanky with a massive backpack and flimsy, hollow legs. He has to be assembled just right
in order to stand without problems, and forgot about posing him, he'll fall. I'm amazed I got him to
actually hold up his gun. Kudos to me, hehe.
Of course the major problem with this form would be his legs. Not only are they barely able to
support him, but they are much too long. It looks kinda like he pulled his pants up too high,
except he's not wearing any pants. Poor Magnus must have one hell of a wedgie.
So, in conclusion, ech. Magnus has a good vehicle mode, but his horrible robot mode takes
all away from that, making this toy not recommended. In fact, the only reason I would buy him
is if you already own (or plan on owning one day) Optimus, because, face it, Magnus is just really
expensive Optimus Prime armor that happens to turn into a robot...sorta.
Omega Prime
Omega Prime consists of the smallest Optimus wearing Ultra Magnus like a fur coat. Ultra
Magnus comes apart like nobody's business in order to do this, so you may want to keep him in a
bag or box or something. I already managed to lose his missiles, which is very unlike me. I'm
beginning to think they weren't packaged with him.
Anyways, assembling Omega Prime can be a task, especially his torso, but once you're done
it's worth it. He is massive, a good foot tall or so, with lots of wheels everywhere. He's
quite poseable, mainly because Optimus is the core of Omegs, but of course there's a lot of
weight (once again, most due to the heavy backpack) so the legs sometimes go off in their own
direction. Also his shoulder pads are quite limiting as they don't allow his arms to move much
above the elbows.
This aisde though, Omegs is damn cool looking, and quite large. Hmmm, I wonder...*runs
upstairs*. Okay, for references sake, Optimal Optimus ' head comes up to just below Omegs'
Autobot symbol, and his shoulder wings come to the same height as his little brother. If
I attached his arm shields to his shoulders like you're supposed to (but I don't because it
looks bad), he'd be taller, though only ornamentally. For folks without OpOp, Quickstrike, an
average sized, if maybe a little bigger, basic toy doesn't even reach Omegs' knee wheels.
Yep, Omegs is gonna do some squashing.
So now, is all that cash and time (and massive amounts of twist ties) worth it all?
Well, that depends. Optimus Prime is a solid buy and a great toy on his own. Definitely
pick him up. Ultra Magnus, on the other hand, no so much. So, there you have it. Go out
and buy Optimus, but only grab Magnus if you really, really want to see Omega Prime or
if you have some sort of unstable robot fetish. Of course the final decision remains up to
you, but that's my take on it all.
