The Energon Pub

Thu Dec 03, 2009 5:57 am

After 25 years there have been more than a few versions of Optimus Prime...But which one is the best and why?

G1 Prime
G2 Prime (Laser Rod version & the G1 repaint)
Powermaster Prime
RID Prime
Armada Prime
Energon Prime
Cybertron Prime
Movie Prime
Animated Prime

News Credits: 402 · Updated Oct 21, 2022

Moving to toys...

News Credits: 14 · Thu Dec 03, 2009 1:22 pm

In my opinion The best Prime is still MP Prime. followed closely by R.I.D. prime.

Here's my top ten List of the ones I own.

1. MP Prime
2. R.I.D. Prime
3. Classics Prime (don't really own him, but own Ultra Magnus so its enough to say the mold is quite good)
4. Armada SuperCon A.K.A "Bendy" Prime (I own 4 of these, Armada, Cybertron, Sam's Club, Universe Magnus)
5. Cybertron Prime (You can't beat a removable Matrix on a main line Prime)
6. G1 Prime (or Encore 01. Hasbro's 25th doesn't even make the list)
7. Armada Leader Prime
8. Movie 2007 Voyager Prime
9. Animated Voyager Prime
10. Energon Prime (would be higher if combined with Wing Saber)

News Credits: 12 · Thu Dec 03, 2009 1:25 pm

My favorites are Galaxy Force OP and ROTF Leader OP.

As for Voyager-class OPs, though, I'd go with Animated and Classics.

Thu Dec 03, 2009 1:26 pm

For me, I would have to say Cybertron Prime. I just love the bot mode with the trailer attached.

News Credits: 609 · Thu Dec 03, 2009 1:48 pm

Overcracker wrote:4. Armada SuperCon A.K.A "Bendy" Prime (I own 4 of these, Armada, Cybertron, Sam's Club, Universe Magnus)

You should really try to hunt down the Crystal version :grin:

News Credits: 11 · Thu Dec 03, 2009 2:51 pm

I like them all aside from Armada and the Beasts, but I guess this is my current ranking:

1) 20th/MP - Awesomeness + nostalgia = amazing. The toy I never new I always wanted. Or maybe, Prime as I always imagined him, finally realized.

2) Powermaster Prime/God Ginrai - PM Prime was my only Prime as a kid, thus it stands to reason that my God Ginrai reissue would be one of my most favorite. Plus, the base mode's not bad, has lots of play value, and God Ginrai has armor. Which is actually another TF of sorts. Which makes it a combination! Which makes it cool.

3) Henkei/Classics Prime - The Henkei version specifically, is definitely the best update of G1 Prime to date, while still being in scale and budget with a regular toy line. Love the weapon transformations too.

4) G2 Prime - I don't own the actual figure, only Scourge, but dang is it a cool mold. Really awesome looking, TONS of weapons, and cool gimmicks. The trailer base is one of the best.

5) Star Convoy Reissue - I don't know why I like him so much, being a total brick, but I just think he looks really cool, and has some interesting gimmicks.

6) Cybertron Prime/Galaxy Convoy - Love the super mode, the optional faceplace, overall anime badassness. It's just a great toy. Also the closest thing to a BFG thus far.

7) RiD Prime - he's unique, in a good way. Looks cool too, and I like firetrucks as well. Plus, COMBINATION. That's like, the coolest thing ever.

ROTF Prime - I don't own him yet, but based on pure badass appearance, he's pretty darn cool.

9) G1/Encore Prime - Sad to see him so low on the list, but I never had him as a kid, and he's really not as cool as the above figures. Still pretty awesome though.

10) Fatimus, er I mean Energon Prime - Heh, obvious flaws, but still a decent Prime, again with cool combination.

11) Animated Voyager Prime - Not bad, not awesome. Just Prime. And that's good enough for me.

Honorable mentions:

Hybrid Style Convoy - Don't own him yet, but I intend to. While the truck mode's a little lacking, he's a really cool, complex little figure with a lot of features, that would make an excellent display piece. If I owned him, he might rank higher.

Alternity Convoy - I only own the black version which I consider a Nemesis Prime, but it's a great toy. Nice complex transformation, great detail, awesome car mode. Don't really consider him much of a Prime though.

News Credits: 14 · Thu Dec 03, 2009 3:14 pm

Razorclaw0000 wrote:
Overcracker wrote:4. Armada SuperCon A.K.A "Bendy" Prime (I own 4 of these, Armada, Cybertron, Sam's Club, Universe Magnus)

You should really try to hunt down the Crystal version

I don't think there is a Crystal Version of the Super-Con mold. I think you got confused by the name. The label "Super-con" was used for the Deluxe sized vehicles which is why I specifically used his more popular name: "Bendy Prime".

Sadly of the Leader Class mold known as He Super-Base class in Armada I only own the original 1. I'm really not looking to spend 200+ dollars on transparent plastic. Though it does look cool.

I did however rank the Leader class mold as number 7.

Thu Dec 03, 2009 3:20 pm

I'm always going to have a soft spot for G1 Prime. That figure set a very high standard very early on.

As far as fun to play with, I really like the 07 Movie Prime. He doesn't look nearly as accurate as the RoTF version, but I think he still looks really tough and has a fun transformation........as well as rubber tires.

News Credits: 609 · Thu Dec 03, 2009 3:39 pm

Overcracker wrote:
Razorclaw0000 wrote:
Overcracker wrote:4. Armada SuperCon A.K.A "Bendy" Prime (I own 4 of these, Armada, Cybertron, Sam's Club, Universe Magnus)

You should really try to hunt down the Crystal version

I don't think there is a Crystal Version of the Super-Con mold. I think you got confused by the name. The label "Super-con" was used for the Deluxe sized vehicles which is why I specifically used his more popular name: "Bendy Prime".

Sadly of the Leader Class mold known as He Super-Base class in Armada I only own the original 1. I'm really not looking to spend 200+ dollars on transparent plastic. Though it does look cool.

I did however rank the Leader class mold as number 7.

Nope, sorry, I own it:

Hotlinked like a bastard from tfwiki.net, sorry.

News Credits: 2 · Thu Dec 03, 2009 3:50 pm

Hmm, I'd say the best prime is Masterpiece Optimus Prime. I have the 20th Anniversary version of the figure and I love it. It's definitely the best realization in toy form of the G1 incarnation. The articulation, transformation design, and mold in both modes...it's all just so spot on for me.

Honourable mention would have to be G1 OP simply for nostalgia. I owned a hand-me-down of the figure when I was a kid and I have fond memories of the figure.

Actually, another honourable mention would have to be Classics Voyager OP. I think it's a wonderful toy. It totally captures the essence of the G1 character and toy while bringing it into a contemporary design.

News Credits: 2 · Thu Dec 03, 2009 4:25 pm

(1) MP-04 Masterpiece Prime: He's everything I dreamed a perfect toy that walked out of the G1 cartoon would be, from scale & detail to fun accessories & trailer, and translating into great bot mode and alt mode. He's everything I've ever wanted in a Prime!

(2) RotF Leader Prime: Awesomely complex & accurate looking. Wish I had the buster version for the gun & chrome.

(3) Henkei/Classics Voyager Prime: Exactly what an updated version of G1 Prime should be. Great mold & slick-looking bot/alt modes. Even better with a G3 trailer & Powered/DIA Commander trailer.

(4) Galaxy Force Leader Prime: As mentioned, super-armored up version is excellent, and love that he has a removable matrix too.

(5) Music Label Prime in G1 colors: G1 body/toy with a retooled G1 cartoon-accurate head? Awesome sauce.

(6) TF:A Voyager Prime: My absolute favorite representation of TF:A Prime... just needs Deluxe's energy axe to complete him.

News Credits: 129 · Thu Dec 03, 2009 4:33 pm

Razorclaw0000 wrote:Nope, sorry, I own it:

The wife put all her Robot Hero figures on my shiney shelf...

News Credits: 609 · Thu Dec 03, 2009 5:57 pm

Counterpunch wrote:The wife put all her Robot Hero figures on my shiney shelf...

They're just basking in the radiance. :-P

News Credits: 1 · Thu Dec 03, 2009 8:19 pm

IMO, MP Prime and ROTF Prime are tied.

MP is definitely of a higher-end, and is the near-perfection of the G1 Optimus we all know and love. The only fault I can find on it is the somewhat unnatural-looking truck mode.

ROTF Prime, on the other hand, deserves a lot of points for the ability to replicate the near-impossible transformation depicted in the movie, and actually remain 90% true to its CG counterpart in both alt and bot mode.

I would have given the top prize to ROTF Prime by a one of two point margin, if not for the fact that MP Prime's G1 incarnation is such an icon of the Transformers franchise.

News Credits: 1 · Thu Dec 03, 2009 8:55 pm

My vote goes to the Prime toys that come with the Matrix. Like MP, New Year's Convoy, etc.

News Credits: 14 · Thu Dec 03, 2009 9:05 pm

Razorclaw0000 wrote:
Overcracker wrote:
Razorclaw0000 wrote:
Overcracker wrote:4. Armada SuperCon A.K.A "Bendy" Prime (I own 4 of these, Armada, Cybertron, Sam's Club, Universe Magnus)

You should really try to hunt down the Crystal version

I don't think there is a Crystal Version of the Super-Con mold. I think you got confused by the name. The label "Super-con" was used for the Deluxe sized vehicles which is why I specifically used his more popular name: "Bendy Prime".

Sadly of the Leader Class mold known as He Super-Base class in Armada I only own the original 1. I'm really not looking to spend 200+ dollars on transparent plastic. Though it does look cool.

I did however rank the Leader class mold as number 7.

Nope, sorry, I own it:

Hotlinked like a bastard from tfwiki.net, sorry.

Ohh wow!!! =P~

Excuse me while I whipe the keyboard off.

How did I ever miss that one. I guess I have a new figure to hunt for. How much would be a decent price for one? =p~

News Credits: 609 · Thu Dec 03, 2009 9:16 pm

Overcracker wrote:
Razorclaw0000 wrote:
Overcracker wrote:
Razorclaw0000 wrote:
Overcracker wrote:4. Armada SuperCon A.K.A "Bendy" Prime (I own 4 of these, Armada, Cybertron, Sam's Club, Universe Magnus)

You should really try to hunt down the Crystal version

I don't think there is a Crystal Version of the Super-Con mold. I think you got confused by the name. The label "Super-con" was used for the Deluxe sized vehicles which is why I specifically used his more popular name: "Bendy Prime".

Sadly of the Leader Class mold known as He Super-Base class in Armada I only own the original 1. I'm really not looking to spend 200+ dollars on transparent plastic. Though it does look cool.

I did however rank the Leader class mold as number 7.

Nope, sorry, I own it:

Hotlinked like a bastard from tfwiki.net, sorry.

Ohh wow!!! Excuse me while I whipe the keyboard off.

How did I ever miss that one. I guess I have a new figure to hunt for. How much would be a decent price for one? =p~

I lucked out and got mine for $80 shipped. They usually run around $110-$120, but I've seen one or two go for $150. Mine was MISB, but not anymore. It's too gorgeous to leave sealed in a package with no windows.

News Credits: 2 · Thu Dec 03, 2009 10:20 pm

SKYWARPED_128 wrote:IMO, MP Prime and ROTF Prime are tied.

MP is definitely of a higher-end, and is the near-perfection of the G1 Optimus we all know and love. The only fault I can find on it is the somewhat unnatural-looking truck mode.

ROTF Prime, on the other hand, deserves a lot of points for the ability to replicate the near-impossible transformation depicted in the movie, and actually remain 90% true to its CG counterpart in both alt and bot mode.

I would have given the top prize to ROTF Prime by a one of two point margin, if not for the fact that MP Prime's G1 incarnation is such an icon of the Transformers franchise.

I thought about RotF OP and I usually rave about the figure so it's almost unfair to include it here. In my opinion, the figure is so well designed, I would rank it as one of the best Transformers figures and not just as one of the best Primes. For the price, what you get in sculpt and toy design, it's an amazing figure. Buster OP shows how much better it can look with a really good paint job.

Thu Dec 03, 2009 11:29 pm

1 ) MP Convoy (with original 20th OP a teeny hair lower)

2 ) ROTF Buster Prime, with basic ROTF Leader Prime just a hair lower

3 ) Cybertron OP (GF and the black and orangey-red repaint are roughly equal IMHO)

4 ) Henkei Convoy

Of course, the LOWEST end includes the Deluxe class Classics 2-pack Prime, IMHO Fattimus Prime, etc.

News Credits: 1 · Fri Dec 04, 2009 4:28 am

Convotron wrote:
SKYWARPED_128 wrote:IMO, MP Prime and ROTF Prime are tied.

MP is definitely of a higher-end, and is the near-perfection of the G1 Optimus we all know and love. The only fault I can find on it is the somewhat unnatural-looking truck mode.

ROTF Prime, on the other hand, deserves a lot of points for the ability to replicate the near-impossible transformation depicted in the movie, and actually remain 90% true to its CG counterpart in both alt and bot mode.

I would have given the top prize to ROTF Prime by a one of two point margin, if not for the fact that MP Prime's G1 incarnation is such an icon of the Transformers franchise.

I thought about RotF OP and I usually rave about the figure so it's almost unfair to include it here. In my opinion, the figure is so well designed, I would rank it as one of the best Transformers figures and not just as one of the best Primes. For the price, what you get in sculpt and toy design, it's an amazing figure. Buster OP shows how much better it can look with a really good paint job.

True! All that silver on Buster OP makes it look more like a premium sculpture than a mere toy!

And considering the massive price difference between ROTF OP and MP Prime, ROTF is definitely a steal!

News Credits: 9 · Fri Dec 04, 2009 6:06 am

THS-02 is my favourite:

*Total G1 accuracy
*Interesting and unique transformation (the truck mode looks good with some careful adjustment, don't trust what you see in pics)
*more poseability than any other Prime, or any other figure except HABB for that matter
*loads of accessories (G1 trailer with Rollar, gun, axe, four pairs of hands, matrix, jet pack)
*pocket sized - take him anywhere!
*smokestacks and barrels on his legs can be rotated to form extra weapons

Actually, he'd be better if he was just a little bigger but he's so much fun!

News Credits: 11 · Fri Dec 04, 2009 2:53 pm

Convotron wrote:Actually, another honourable mention would have to be Classics Voyager OP. I think it's a wonderful toy. It totally captures the essence of the G1 character and toy while bringing it into a contemporary design.

DOH!! I knew I was going to forget something...now I have to go edit my post...

News Credits: 2 · Fri Dec 04, 2009 3:43 pm

Mykltron wrote:THS-02 is my favourite:

*Total G1 accuracy
*Interesting and unique transformation (the truck mode looks good with some careful adjustment, don't trust what you see in pics)
*more poseability than any other Prime, or any other figure except HABB for that matter
*loads of accessories (G1 trailer with Rollar, gun, axe, four pairs of hands, matrix, jet pack)
*pocket sized - take him anywhere!
*smokestacks and barrels on his legs can be rotated to form extra weapons

Actually, he'd be better if he was just a little bigger but he's so much fun!

Don't forget the Kawamori factor! He supervised its design. That's a bonus for Macross fans.

News Credits: 9 · Sat Dec 05, 2009 6:11 am

Convotron wrote:
Mykltron wrote:THS-02 is my favourite:

*Total G1 accuracy
*Interesting and unique transformation (the truck mode looks good with some careful adjustment, don't trust what you see in pics)
*more poseability than any other Prime, or any other figure except HABB for that matter
*loads of accessories (G1 trailer with Rollar, gun, axe, four pairs of hands, matrix, jet pack)
*pocket sized - take him anywhere!
*smokestacks and barrels on his legs can be rotated to form extra weapons

Actually, he'd be better if he was just a little bigger but he's so much fun!

Don't forget the Kawamori factor! He supervised its design. That's a bonus for Macross fans.

I wasn't forgetting it - I was utterly unaware of it!