Every two weeks, Seibertron.com brings you a Top 5 list related to all things Transformers written by me, your fellow editor. These are my opinions (just like movie or game reviews hosted by sites are still just the opinion of one person) so what matters most is what you guys think of the topic or list, and I hope to see your own lists or comments on omissions and ranking. Let's have fun! All previous lists can be found
here.
Top 5 Best Optimus Prime Super Mode ToysNo adversary is too great for Optimus Prime / Convoy. When everything seems bleak or when the challenge seems to tough, you can always count on him rising up to the occasion, often times in a super mode. These temporary evolved forms have been part of the franchise since the very beginning and are a mainstay of Japanese pop culture. It is always fun to see just how glorious that super mode will look like and the best part of this fiction being used to sell toys is that we do get the toys of these super modes. We even have super modes that don't even have fiction attributed to them like our first pick...
5. Transformers Dark of the Moon Ultimate Optimus PrimeThis is overkill in the best way possible. I love how the trailer adds those wings flaring all about. This really looks like the very last thing you will see before being blown to bits. My only problem with this toy is how the combined form is rather immobile and how the armor is very tricky to bring back to trailer mode. Still, its super cool to see Optimus integrate with his trailer in such a symbiotic way.
4. Transformers Robots In Disguise Omega Prime (God Fire Convoy)This is a combination of Robots in Disguise (2001) Ultra Magnus and Optimus Prime (known as God Magnus and Fire Convoy in Japan). The only issue with this toy is stability. Aside from that, awesome! The chrome just shines and that unique head sculpt is killer. I will admit that he is not simple to combine but the result is well worth it and it definitely makes up for how lackluster the Ultra Magnus component is in robot mode.
Transformers Robots In Disguise Ultra Magnus (God Magnus) Gallery3. Transformers Cybertron Optimus Prime (Galaxy Convoy) Super ModeI love how solid the connection of the added pieces are. The rearranging of the legs is very clever and the literal backpack is just so much fun. I love how you can have two ways to arrange the weapons as either shoulder cannons or underarm mini-guns. And he just looks so good. Of course, if you wish, this can extend to the other configurations using this mold though I much prefer the Sonic Wing mode (with Wing Saber) over the Savage Claw mode (with Leobreaker).
2. Transformers Super God Masterforce Powermaster Optimus Prime w/ Apex Armor (God Ginrai)Thanks to reissues, both the Japan and US versions are as affordable and attainable so I am making this a general entry for this true staple of later G1 toys. For many, this was even their first Optimus and what a great way to go about it. What is truly fun about this set is the added level of just how much you want to add to Prime in both his modes. For vehicle mode, when linking his trailer you can mount his guns like you want, arming him to the teeth. You could the add and his canon. In robot mode, you do get a very small transforming Prime and his small stature just adds to the impact of how big you can make him. Not only can he become Power Master Optimus but you can also bring in his friend Godbomber for the power up to end all power ups. He just looks magnificent. While the articulation isn't there, going from a small cab into his Power Master form is a feat the newer Generations Powermaster Optimus does not do, technically removing the notion of being a super mode for Optimus. But that doesn't matter, we have the original (which stands better). And lest we forget the Fire Guts Ginrai re deco which references his ultimate super mode in the show.
Transformers Super God Masterforce Powermaster Optimus Prime w/ Apex Armor (God Ginrai) GalleryTransformers G1 1988 Hi-Q (Ginrai) GalleryTransformers G1 1988 Hi-Q (Ginrai) GalleryTransformers Super God Masterforce Powermaster Optimus Prime w/ Apex Armor (God Ginrai) GalleryTransformers Super God Masterforce Fire Guts God Ginrai Gallery1. Transformers Energon Wing Saber Optimus Prime Super ModeYup an Energon Autobot toy gets to be number 1 on a list, doesn't happen every day. But this is because this combination is the only thing that makes up for how lackluster both of these toys are on their own. Wingsaber (an awesome looking Star Saber homage!) doesnt even have any head articulation since it splits in half for the combined form! But what a combined for it is. It has solid latching on points and greatly improves on both articulation, which lacked for Wingsaber, and proportions, which lacked greatly for Optimus. Plus, you can actually switch the boots for the gauntlets to have two totally different looking super modes and both are as fun and bring out a different deco element while always remaining very red and blue which is so fitting to this awesome Optimus Prime Super mode. This brings back the idea of the deluxe and mega Autobots who can act as both pants and shirts for a super robot, but with better results than anything else in this line. Wingsaber was so expensive that it was actually cheaper to hunt down the Takara version but I found it well worth it in the end simply because the combination was so much better than a sum of its parts.
Honourable mentions: I wouldn't have picked any of these in a top 5 but in case you were wondering what else was out there, well you had the Arms Micron Unicron super mode toy that worked with First Edition Optimus Prime from the Prime toy line. You also had the Powerlinx Prime which used the drones that came with Energon Prime in a Voltron fashion, and you also had the multiple Armada Prime configurations, along with the Movie Jetfire combination, just to name a few. Oh and of course, Ultra Prime from Combiner Wars.