10 of the Best Optimus Prime Toys

It's Easter Sunday as of this posting, so it's only natural to have resurrection on the brain. When I think resurrection, I think Optimus Prime: the beloved Autobot hero (or murder machine, if we're counting the live action movie iteration) who has died and come back to life more times than I'm comfortable counting.

The number of toy releases the character has had is far more shocking however. The Transformers franchise has several iconic characters and designs, but it would be difficult to argue that any of them trump Optimus as the most recognizable. As such, the development team at Hasbro has made sure sure there's an Optimus Prime available in the action figure aisle at pretty much all times.

Fortunately, the character's role as a leader and a major selling point for the brand means that there's usually considerable effort put into his toys. I've kept it awfully wordy thus far, but this is indeed a list post. Let's get to it: in chronological order, here are 10 of the best Optimus Prime toys released thus far!

Optimus Prime Beast Hunters Official Toy Images

Thanks to BBTS we now have a clear look at what Transformers Prime: Beast Hunters Optimus might look like. Check out images of the obligatory toy releases below, starting with Cyberverse Commander Optimus and ending with the voyager class:

Interesting stuff! Much like the other Beast Hunter toys of existing Prime characters (i.e. Wheeljack and Soundwave), Optimus is now decked out with a more battle-ready appearance. The big difference - this time the toys are entirely new. It isn't clear yet how closely these new digs will tie into the next season of Transfomers Prime - a mystery sure to keep many Transformers fans speculating in the coming weeks.

From a purely aesthetic standpoint - it looks to mash up the existing TF: Prime Optimus with some older design elements like a flat-nose cab and Star Convoy/Animated Optimus-esque windows. Nothing terribly ground-breaking, but neat all the same. Our only real issue so far - the voyager version looks a little under detailed for the price point. The super bright colors and clean surfaces seem to work against the whole "extreme" thing going on with the armored/rough and tumble re-design. Perhaps it'll look better in-hand!

The initial wave of Beast Hunters toys is set for release in early 2013. Thanks again to BBTS for the images!

Early Look at Fall of Cybertron Optimus Prime Design

Game Informer has posted a video from High Moon Studios showing off the early stages of Optimus Prime's new design for Transformers: Fall of Cybertron. The "game footage" shown is pre-alpha, so if you're unhappy with the look thus far, don't fret! You can check out the video HERE, or simply take a gander at the screen grab below:

New Transformers MP-10 Masterpiece Convoy Images

TFW2005 (by way of The Allspark) has posted some gorgeous images of the upcoming MP-10 Masterpiece Convoy from the Transformers Generations 2011 Volume 2 book. Included are comparisons to the original MP-01 (or MP-04) Convoy and MP-09 Rodimus Convoy, as well as tons of robot mode images, some design sketches, and even a random appearance by Huffer! Check 'em out:

Custom Transformers Dark of the Moon Supreme Jetwing Optimus Prime

Master custom toy maker xaviercal of TFW2005 has created this truly amazing Transformers Dark of the Moon Supreme Jetwing Optimus Prime, a combination of Hasbro's Ultimate Optimus Prime and Takara Tomy's Jetwing Optimus Prime. Wonderful idea, and very executed! If you'd like to check out even more pictures, check out the TFW2005 Radicon's thread for this bad boy HERE!

Transformers Dark of the Moon DVD and Blu-ray Cover Art

Thanks to Play.com, we have our first look at the cover art for the Transformers: Dark of the Moon DVD and Blu-ray releases. The standard versions of each are tentatively scehduled for a September 30, 2011 release. If you liked the film, you'll be able to enjoy it from home fairly soon.

If you'd like, you can pre-order the film from Amazon and receive release date delivery. It is also eligible for free super saver shipping. Huzzah:

Transformers: Dark of the Moon DVD
Transformers: Dark of the Moon (Two-Disc Blu-ray/DVD Combo + Digital Copy)

Transformers Dark of the Moon Lucky Draw Dual Model Optimus Prime

The red and white Dual Model Kit Optimus Prime initially thought to be a one-off store display for Uniqlo is now confirmed for a Lucky Draw release in the latest issue of Dengeki Hobby. Apparently, only ONE will be given away. If you're a collector of movie Optimus toys and absolutely have to have 'em all, prepare to have your wallet completely battered in the fight for this guy.

Thanks to TFW2005 for the news.

Transformers Rescue Bots Fire Station Prime & Optimus Prime Review

Protoman of Proto Retro has uploaded a video review of Transformers Rescue Bots Fire Station Prime, Rescue Bot Optimus Prime, and the Chief Charlie Burns & Rescue Cutter set. Charming stuff all around. If you're interested, you can check out the review HERE.

Transformers Classics Powermaster Optimus Prime Custom

From TFW2005's spoonman, this is a custom Transformers Classics Powermaster Optimus Prime. The original PM Prime was a childhood favorite of mine, so seeing this done so well hits home. If you'd like to see the rest of the pictures, including the various other modes, check out the original thread in TFW2005's Radicons section HERE. Don't forget to tell spoonman what you think of his work!
 

Optimus Prime Carved in Watermelon!

From 9GAG's timtamcookiejar (we think), it's the Optimus Prime Watermelon carving! Transform and...food up? Get fruity? Make everything else in the fridge taste like watermelon? Insert your own unfunny nonsense here!

While you're here, consider throwing money at some of these fine Transformers products on Amazon:
 

Transformers Kre-O Optimus Prime Mini-Review

I'll keep this short and sweet. Perusing Wal-Mart, I finally stumbled across some of the new Transformers Kre-O toys. You know, they're pretty much Transformer legos. They're like the old Built-To-Rule line...without the suck. I picked up the cheap $7 Kre-O Optimus Prime out of pure boredom. It's something to do, right? So, how did it turn out?

Construction was fun and the finished modes look ok. The robot has fairly derp legs and hands, but for the price, I don't feel I can complain. The size was more impressive than I assumed it would be, not too dissimilar from a regular Transformer in large deluxe or small voyager size. I'd say Kre-O Optimus is pretty fun overall. The only bummer is that the cheapest assortment does not include Kreons, the cool ass little Lego minifigures of G1 characters. Shame, but fair enough.

I doubt I'll be diving into the more expensive sets with any haste, but I'm sure the praise they're getting is warranted. The other cheaper sets like Mirage might sway me, but I feel I have to pass on anything higher than 20 or 25 bucks. As usual - whether or not you'll be interested probably just depends on whether or not you're into this sort of thing. If you dig Legos and are a Transformers fan or collector open to things that deviate from the norm...you'll probably enjoy Kre-O Transformers a good bit.

If you haven't seen them in stores yet, Amazon has some of the sets for their appropriate retail prices, and eligible for free shipping:
 

Transformers Dark of the Moon Jetwing Optimus Prime Glider Custom

UPDATE: Check out a new Jetwing Optimus based custom from xaviercal!

From SIN of HKTF.com, here's a custom Transformers: Dark of the Moon Jetwing Optimus Prime in the "glider action version" configuration:

It's pretty much a flying chair of death! This is of course based on the following unused concept art of Optimus Prime's trailer from the Dark of the Moon film:

For more images, check out the original thread at HKTF.com HERE.
 

Transformers Prime Voyager Optimus Prime Reveal from IGN

Click the image above to view in full size!
IGN received the first scoop on some of the new TRANSFORMERS PRIME figures debuting at San Diego Comic-Con 2011. At the forefront is the Voyager Class Optimus Prime seen above. Regardless of how you feel about the character on the show, it would appear that Hasbro and Takara Tomy have captured that particular design quite successfully. Compared to the deluxe version...wait, what am I saying? There's no comparison. The voyager class really blows that toy out of the water. Good stuff.

I'm a man that enjoys a good Optimus Prime toy, and I'm quite glad to see that Transformers Prime Voyager Class Optimus (damn, say that three times fast) is going to be an immediate must-have!
 

Official Images of Transformers Chronicle Optimus Prime & Megatron

From E-Hobby:

As seen on TFW2005, these official images for Transformers Chronicle Optimus Prime and Megatron come to us from E-Hobby. These sets, released by Takara Tomy, pair reissues of the G1 Optimus and Megatron toys with their respective Transformers: Dark of the Moon counterparts.

The included trailer for Optimus is based on the one seen in the Dark of the Moon film, and can be shared between both the G1 and deluxe DOTM toys. As of now, the deluxe-sized movie Prime mold can only be found as a Wal-Mart exclusive from Hasbro. This upcoming version has an updated deco with fuller paint on the arms and a unique mech-tech weapon.

The DOTM voyager Megatron from the Decepticon set appears to have a darker, more contrasting set of colors than the regular Hasbro release, but that may be the simple result of a doctored up prototype photo. The G1 Megatron reissue appears to be made entirely of plastic, and seems to only include the scope add-on, but will still be a nice addition to anyone's collection.

The Transformers Chronicles sets are to be released in August of 2011 for 9,240 Yen, or 117 US Dollars, each. You can pre-order them HERE from Big Bad Toy Store.

Further resources:

Full listing for Optimus, alt mode images included.
Full listing for Megatron, alt mode images included.
 

Extensive Transformers Dark of the Moon Jetwing Optimus Prime Gallery

Over at The Higekuma Toy Blog, two large galleries featuring many new images of Jetwing Optimus Prime has been posted. As of now, it remains a TakaraTomy exclusive from the Transformers 3 Dark Of The Moon line. Check out the rest of the gallery HERE and HERE.

UPDATE: A crazy custom of the chair-of-doom glider version has been made! Check it out!