Toy Review: Transformers United Optimus Prime

My first TF review. After I got my first War for Cybertron Soundwave in ToysRUs, I was eager to find other similar looking toys with this line - my primary target was Optimus Prime. It has been 17 years since I had my TF figure and the Cybertron concept was appealing to me. I saw a lot of reviews about Optimus dated a year ago and I knew I'll have that challenge of finding my own. Surprisingly, in a short scouring all over the Lion City, I accidentally saw a Japanese version. This was made by Takara Tomy and not Hasbro and it is called Transformers United (for noobs like me). 

I haven't played the WFC game but the concept of what Optimus looks like in Cybertron is handsome. Some might not dig it but hey this is a concept.

More than meets the eye. The vehicle mode is very simple and less complicated to look at. Thinking that he is (in this design) in Cybertron, his style has more aerodynamic feel to it. There are two huge wheels in the front and 4 more smaller tires at the back. Overall, the vehicle mode is more badass looking than the truck.

In robot mode, you can see the Autobot logos on both shoulders and the front fender becomes his abdominals. Optimus continues to have that signature double chest windows. Articulation has come along way from G1. Shoulders, legs are on ball joints which make Optimus Prime fantastically poseable. Placing him in different action poses is phenomenal.

The only accessory he's got is long shot gun or riffle that folds so you place is on top of Optimus' cab.Another interesting add on is Optimus Prime's bio card that looks like a Gambaride card for all Kamen Rider/Super Sentai fans.

The difference between Hasbro's version and Takara Tomy's is obviously the paint scheme as Tomy's version has die-cast metal on most red colored areas but the blue ones remained the same as Hasbro's. the only problem I had was the difficulty in transforming Optimus from robot to vehicle mode and back. rest assured that it wasn't a walk the in park. Because of this level of difficulty, you will scratch the metal parts and quiver with disappointment.

Getting the Takara Tomy version is worth it, but it comes on a hefty price than Hasbro's. If you like the Cybertronian look so much, I highly recommend getting the Hasbro's and keep Takara Tomy in a warm and secure place.