Here is another interesting figure for Hasbro to tackle. This version of Optimus Prime pays homage to the 1988 gimmick of Powermasters. This is very similar to the Headmasters, where a smaller bot powers up the bigger bot. Originally it was an engine that plugged into Prime’s chest to give him more power. Of course we are in the midst of the Titans Return line, so Hasbro went with a Titan Master and made the big chest engine a part of the transformation. This is a pretty good execution of bringing forth a new version of the one-off figure from 1988. It also allows Hasbro to come out with two different Optimus Primes in this Series.
He comes with a card that shows Optimus’ power, and then the addition of Apex to the team.
Apex looks a lot like Orion Pax when Optimus’ helmet is pulled back. It is a good face when you think of it being similar to what we have seen given to Pax figures. The helmet can be stored in the back of the body.
Apex is a cute little guy. He looks like a very close approximation of Hi-Q, who was Prime’s original Powermaster partner.
Transforming Optimus into the truck seems very familiar. So familiar. Like Ultra familiar. Oh yeah, this is a heavy retool of Ultra Magnus from the Combiner War line. The cab looks similar, and the basic design of the overall cab/trailer combo looks familiar, but there are so many differences. The base body is the same, with many parts being reused. But there are also so many new parts.
Hasbro had to figure out how to close in the trailer, since Prime is technically a cargo hauler, not a car hauler like Magnus… though you know he mostly takes cars around. The back end opens with a ramp to allow smaller cars to fit inside, like Bumblebee, who we will be looking at in the near future.
When Optimus got a new model in 1988, they went over the top. Giant cannons mounted at the front of the trailer, check. Guns mounted on the roof, check. The telltale blue and white stripe down the side of the trailer, check. It is all here.
Comparing Prime to Magnus, it is clear to see the similarities and differences.
In truck mode, they look so close in the cab. You know the cabs have to be different, because Magnus has a driver’s seat in his cab for robot mode, and then it is taken up with a head in vehicle mode. Prime has a way to hold Apex in the cab as well as the helmet. The backs are clearly different, though they use the same basic body.
In robot mode, you can see where they used Magnus’ chest plate with a new plate to give Prime his Powermaster capabilities. They look a lot more similar in their robot modes.
One of the gimmicks of the original Powermaster Optimus, was the ability for the trailer to turn into a battle station. Since the cab and trailer are attached as one in this set, all of Prime turns into a battle station. Really the trailer turns into the station, and the cab just hangs out back there facing the wrong way.
It is a funny thing to see Ultra Magnus come first and then be remodeled into Optimus. But it has been done with some other figures more recently. They bring out the remodel figure first, and then the original. Can’t complain with that, since I will probably end up getting both version anyway. This is a good version of Optimus Prime. The Powermaster parts give him a nice unique look, and he is a welcome part of my ever growing Optimus Prime army.
My Life in Scale 
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