The Energon Pub

So I had a student bring in his TF Prime (RID) Optimus today, it was the first time I saw one of these series up close...I kinda liked it a bit.

Anyway, my question is, are these worth collecting? How do they compare to the Deluxe and the Universe, etc etc.

I should add, I'm def not a fan of the new show, so I don't know if I'm answering my own question here....lol

One of the benefits of being a 1st grade teacher is the kids go nuts for our "Transformer of the Day" I bring in.








(as do I)

You must have to like the designs in order to like the toys I guess. I guess some people dig the designs, but just can't stand to watch the show, and still enjoy collecting the Prime line just for the awesome designs.

If you mean "worth collecting" in terms of resale value, I doubt it. The 1st editions used to be rare, but it's being re-released currently.

Speaking of 1st editions, you might want to consider those. These are really much superior in terms of design and all compared to the Robots in Disguise line. An easy way to tell them apart, 1st edition are packed in blue boxes, main PRID line have red/white boxes.

If you like that PRID Optimus, you'll love the 1st edition one. They have just been re-released this week, check your toys R us or something.

i agree about the first editions being very worth it.

the rest of the line i have been really happy with, i also like the show, but i would recommend picking and choosing what you grab based solely on what intrigues you.

my only caveat would be Dead End is a pretty sick repaint.!

Actually, not all First Edition (FE) figures are better than the standard line.

Voyager Optimus Prime and Bulkhead, along with Deluxe Cliffjumper are superior to the RID releases, with the first two having more show-accurate aesthetically pleasing robot modes and Cliffjumper actually using his alt mode parts for his robot mode (instead of the faux kibble the RID release has)

Deluxe Arcee, Vehicon and Megatron got better figures in the RID line, with Megatron being upgraded to a bigger size class, the Vehicon getting a near-kibble free robot mode and Arcee being more show-accurate. Bumblebee is just about on par with his previous release, having different pros and cons. Starscream is up to debate. The first one is too small, but has better robot mode proportions and articulation, while the larger one has a better jet mode and more gimmicks.

Rushie wrote:Actually, not all First Edition (FE) figures are better than the standard line.

Voyager Optimus Prime and Bulkhead, along with Deluxe Cliffjumper are superior to the RID releases, with the first two having more show-accurate aesthetically pleasing robot modes and Cliffjumper actually using his alt mode parts for his robot mode (instead of the faux kibble the RID release has)

Deluxe Arcee, Vehicon and Megatron got better figures in the RID line, with Megatron being upgraded to a bigger size class, the Vehicon getting a near-kibble free robot mode and Arcee being more show-accurate. Bumblebee is just about on par with his previous release, having different pros and cons. Starscream is up to debate. The first one is too small, but has better robot mode proportions and articulation, while the larger one has a better jet mode and more gimmicks.

Personal preference, really. I own all the 1st eds with the exception of Cliffjumper and Zombie cliffjumper. I much prefer the PRID cliffjumper. The proportions work better for me, and I don't mind the faux windows to give him a squat look.

PRID Megatron wins just based on scale. The Deluxe is actually a better figure IMO.

As for the rest, the 1st ed are just much better IMO.

If you give RID Prime a paint job, he's superior to FE Prime in my book. No cheating parts.

Rushie wrote:Voyager Optimus Prime and Bulkhead, along with Deluxe Cliffjumper are superior to the RID releases, with the first two having more show-accurate aesthetically pleasing robot modes and Cliffjumper actually using his alt mode parts for his robot mode (instead of the faux kibble the RID release has)

Cliffjumper is the one up for debate. FE has better engineering, but that version is much too flat in the back. Cliff is supposed to be bulkier...and smaller.

Deluxe Arcee, Vehicon and Megatron got better figures in the RID line, with Megatron being upgraded to a bigger size class, the Vehicon getting a near-kibble free robot mode and Arcee being more show-accurate.

Arcee's paint scheme is too bright, but much less kibble

Bumblebee is just about on par with his previous release, having different pros and cons.

The PRiD Bee ate 10 boxes of Large McDonalds French Fries.

Starscream is up to debate. The first one is too small,

Wait, what?! It's a Deluxe, and is in better scale with pretty much everyone compared to the Giraffe that is Voyager Screamer. However, the Voyager had a better jet mode.

I love the show and collect the line so I am a bit biased. Airachnid and Bumblebee are the only deluxe figures that I can think of that aren't so good. The FE voyagers are great...while the main line voyagers are just average (minus dreadwing). The Prime Cyberverse figures are great!!

PrymeStriker wrote:Cliffjumper is the one up for debate. FE has better engineering, but that version is much too flat in the back. Cliff is supposed to be bulkier...and smaller.

Wait, what?! It's a Deluxe, and is in better scale with pretty much everyone compared to the Giraffe that is Voyager Screamer. However, the Voyager had a better jet mode.

FE Cliffjumper is indeed less like the show in terms of proportions and especially those lower legs. But he just wins as a transformer because his vehicle parts comprise so much of the robot as opposed to folding on the back like a typical shellformer.

Yeah, Screamer is supposed to be smaller than Megatron, but he's still a jet and should be taller than the car-based deluxes.

PrymeStriker wrote:

Bumblebee is just about on par with his previous release, having different pros and cons.

The PRiD Bee ate 10 boxes of Large McDonalds French Fries.

Um, what? PRID bee is SMALLER than FE Bee, and features a more streamlined transformation. It is arguably the better figure. The bit behind the head is a bit annoying, but not a deal-breaker.

It's a good time to grab them, Hasbrotoystore has a bunch of them (including the elusive Vehicon) back in stock: http://www.hasbrotoyshop.com/transformers

That Bot wrote:

PrymeStriker wrote:

Bumblebee is just about on par with his previous release, having different pros and cons.

The PRiD Bee ate 10 boxes of Large McDonalds French Fries.

Um, what? PRID bee is SMALLER than FE Bee, and features a more streamlined transformation. It is arguably the better figure. The bit behind the head is a bit annoying, but not a deal-breaker.

You didn't read that all too well, did you?

PrymeStriker wrote:The PRiD Bee ate 10 boxes of Large McDonalds French Fries.

In case you didn't get the reference, because you obviously didn't:

First Edition is thinner in the torso

The joke was that the PRiD Bumblebee is fat.

Thank you, Captain Obvious, I got the joke the first time. I still stand by PRID Bee being a perfectly acceptable toy.

That Bot wrote:Thank you, Captain Obvious, I got the joke the first time. I still stand by PRID Bee being a perfectly acceptable toy.

I didn't say it wasn't. You twisted the words. I referred to his visible body mass, while you brought up a different topic concerning his height compared to the First Edition. If you got the joke the first time, your post above wouldn't exist.

PRID Bee is a better toy for a 5 year old...but FE Bee is the superior figure

Smaller doesn't have to mean shorter. He is smaller in pretty much every way. He is still in no way fat, and I found that to be an all-around odd statement on your part, so I called you out on it. Can we get back to the topic at hand, now?

That Bot wrote:Smaller doesn't have to mean shorter. He is smaller in pretty much every way. He is still in no way fat, and I found that to be an all-around odd statement on your part, so I called you out on it. Can we get back to the topic at hand, now?

There was nothing to call out. But if you want to be picky:

He has breast implants. There you go.

I am still undecided about which generation I want to start collection, the FE or the PRID.

If I pick from the best of the liter, I just don't want to have unproportioned figures standing next to each other.

Are the firgures from the FE THAT much bigger/taller than the PRID?

gbm wrote:I am still undecided about which generation I want to start collection, the FE or the PRID.

If I pick from the best of the liter, I just don't want to have unproportioned figures standing next to each other.

Are the firgures from the FE THAT much bigger/taller than the PRID?

Here are comparisons. They're all the same size class except for Megatron and Starscream

(FE on right, PRiD on left)



(FEs on left, PRiDs on right)















For more information and comparisons, you can always check out our toy galleries.

I have got to get my hands on FE Vehicon

PrymeStriker wrote:

gbm wrote:I am still undecided about which generation I want to start collection, the FE or the PRID.

If I pick from the best of the liter, I just don't want to have unproportioned figures standing next to each other.

Are the firgures from the FE THAT much bigger/taller than the PRID?

Here are comparisons. They're all the same size class except for Megatron and Starscream

(FE on right, PRiD on left)



(FEs on left, PRiDs on right)















For more information and comparisons, you can always check out our toy galleries.

Wow, that was an enormous help, thank you!

I've watched a few reviews too, and I notice that some people speak highly of the transformations for the FE class over the PRID class.

Anyone want to weigh in on that?

gbm wrote:

PrymeStriker wrote:LOADS OF PICTURES MAN

Wow, that was an enormous help, thank you!

I've watched a few reviews too, and I notice that some people speak highly of the transformations for the FE class over the PRID class.

Anyone want to weigh in on that?

A little off topic but if you quote a post full of lots of photos please edit the quote so that the pictures don't repeat, otherwise it fills the thread with the same pictures over really fast.

And in my experience the FE usually have slightly more complex transformations than PRID.

gbm wrote:I've watched a few reviews too, and I notice that some people speak highly of the transformations for the FE class over the PRID class.

Anyone want to weigh in on that?

I have most of the FE's from the first release. I bought most of them on eBay and a few from BBTS. I really am happy that I have them, but a little miffed that I paid a lot more for them than I would for the re-release of them. Here's my opinion regarding the ones I actually own.

FE Optimus:

Far superior to the PRiD figure, he's larger, better colors, sturdier, more accurate transformation (smokestacks, wheels)

FE Bulkhead:

No question, hands down way better than the PRiD. Honestly, I wouldn't waste your time or money with that one, FE all the way!

FE Starscream:

Pretty good figure overall, awesome robot mode, ok jet; he is in great scale with the rest of the cast though...much better than the PRiD Voyager with all his purple transclearant plastic crap.

FE BB:

More of a toss up, I got the FE but the PRiD looks good too and has better weapons; I've read where people like both, so I'd go with whatever is cheaper!

FE Cliffjumper:

I LOVE the FE, the silver paint on the arms/tri-cannons is great and makes the robot mode really pop; this weapon is show accurate, the see through windshield looks great as his chest (real chest I might add); however I've read where others prefer the PRiD, but I disagree and would highly recommend the FE.

FE Arcee:

Again it's more of a toss up, FE is larger, weapons stink for both versions, I guess you could pick based off of which shade of blue you prefer or find more show accurate.

PRiD Vehicon:

Amazing figure, I personally think it blows the FE Vehicon out of the water.

As far as transformations go, most of the FE transformations are complex but enjoyable. I particularly like FE Bulkhead's transformation. They found a way to get a "bulky" figure from a small vehicle mode due to the sweet engineering of this figure. On that note, PRiD Vehicon's transformation is great engineering too! Very fun and cool.

Personally, I really enjoy all of the TFP transformations. I think the engineering is getting better and is helped that they are creating the models from the get go and not having to try to figure out another person's design (see Bayformers). That's my opinion. Hope this helps!

Rhinox23 wrote:FE Optimus:

Far superior to the PRiD figure, he's larger, better colors, sturdier, more accurate transformation (smokestacks, wheels)

I have to partially disagree here. RID Optimus accomplishes the robot mode with everything in its proper place: the chest is the real truck window, the shoulders are the real cab windvane. With some red paint, you can get yourself a more show-accurate Prime. That said, both molds ABSOLUTELY have their merits. But to me, this is kind of a case like FE Cliff vs. RID Cliff: I'm willing to accept a bit less proportional accuracy to the show if it means less cheating parts.