Post by zephon on Jan 30, 2008 19:57:16 GMT 8
The alternative title of this thread is "What I got myself for Christmas 2007" or "Where most of my 13th month pay went".
Omega Prime is a combination of Robots in Disguise Optimus Prime and Ultra Magnus. Being relatively "late" in TF collecting, the most I got off the RiD line when they came out in the malls was one of the car brothers.
Omega Prime was the last of the "Super Primes" I wanted to collect. Since he was the last one I needed, I decided to splurge a bit and get myself something different.....
What I got myself here is the RiD Optimus Prime and RiD Ultra Magnus released under the Universe line as a Sam's Club Exclusive. Wow, that's a mouth full!
The two of them come in identical window packaging perfect for those who just want to keep them MISB -- Off course, that's not going to happen with me! As one can see from the box print, these two are not under the RiD or Car Robots line but under the Universe line.
The back of the box shows the combining concept of Prime and Magnus and pushes it as the main selling point of these two. The text contains the usual back story of the Universe line for both. For their individual write-ups, it's basically similar to what's written for them in their RiD packaging. (one can go to www.tfu.info for the exact text).
Before I start with the feature on RiD Optimus, I'd like to first give credit to where it's due. Rohml has previously made a review of RiD Optimus. This review has some great action shots of Optimus plus Rohml's Kick-Test! Oh, and I'm also not going to review the light and sounds that come with these two.
cybertronphils.proboards18.com/index.cgi?board=toyreview&action=display&thread=1115563129
Anyway, it's time to set these two exclusives free!
RiD Optimus Prime comes in a HUGE box that's 13inches tall by about 10inches wide. Yes, he's yellow. Hey, if Shining Ultra Magnus can get away with being yellow then why not Prime?
The box cleanly opens from the top and the entire toy in its plastic molding and cardboard slides out smoothly. The only item not twist-tied to the cardboard is the instruction sheet. The cardboard housing holds together quite well allowing one to return the entire toy into an MIB condition.
Though Prime is packaged in ultra robot mode, I'd like to start off with the alternate mode. RiD Prime is the first Optimus to take a firetruck mode. Here we have a yellow firetruck. Yes, it's possible to have a yellow firetruck since this color is very much visible on the road. There are autobot markings on both sides of the firetruck and all the tires are made of rubber. And Yes, as with all RiD Optimus toys, the Ultra mode's head can easily be made out in front of the ladder's base.
Being a firetruck, the ladder can extend to twice its length and a couple of nozzles flip open in front of the ladder's end. The ladder isn't of much use though since it hides the 3 missile launchers in its middle.
Time for robot mode! Just like some of the molds which came out in the RiD series, Prime's transformation requires some disassembly.
The front portion of the firetruck essentially becomes the "basic" Prime robot. It's not a stand-alone cab so it's really just the front of the truck. Also, cleverly hidden under the front bumper is Prime's handgun. It acts as some sort of "extra wheel" for the front part.
After a transformation that can best be described as Prime un-curling himself up, one now has the "basic" robot mode of Optimus. Articulation is good and the limbs are nice and tight (with good reason!). For some unknown reason, the designers decided to place red chrome on Prime's torso instead of something that might blend in more (like gold maybe).
The basic mode's head is very much a homage to the Optimus template. In this case, his head looks sleeker and looks pretty much like he's wearing a helmet. There is no light-piping. Instead, we have gold stickers for eyes. All in all, this face is a definite homage/nod to the G1 Prime.
As with all other vehicle Primes that came before him, the extra parts unused in the basic robot mode are put together into some sort of battle station or gunnery tower.
Yes, it does feel like it's an afterthought with the Ultra mode's head and hands very much visible. The ladder makes up most of the battle platform making this base mode very tall. Here's Prime beside the battle station.
Assembly is peg-based so it's not that hard to suddenly mix and match some parts and make something out of extra bits and pieces. The instruction sheet calls this "Mega robot" mode. Prime mounts these 2 huge missile launchers over his shoulders and wears one of the ultra mode's hands like a glove. The result is something that seems to have come out of a Gundam show with Optimus packing half a dozen rockets on each shoulder.
To transform to Ultra mode, the missile launchers become the feet, the extra panels from the fire truck becomes forearms and hands and the entire ladder assembly with the platform become the upper torso.
It's a good thing that the basic robot mode's limbs are very tight -- notice that they also form the limbs of the Ultra mode!
Weapons on this mode include 2 double-barreled guns on each forearm. The small gun can also be mounted on a hole by the shoulder.
The rounded fingers are allegedly cannons plus there's also a "matrix" thing on the chest area.
Here is Optimus in a very familiar pose in the RiD series. The ladder can be thrown over the shoulder and the nozzles deployed. Pressing a button at the base of the ladder also deploys the 4 missile launchers in the ladder into firing position.
Whether you get him in red, clear red, yellow or black (wow!) and not really looking like any of the previous Primes that came before him, RiD Optimus Prime earns his right in the long list of Primes as one of the most unique Primes out there. My initial take to Prime in yellow can be compared to how one would feel with a yellow Ferrari. All in all, this is one Prime that's a must have for any TF collector!
Whew! And we're just 1/3 of the way through!
RiD Ultra Magnus also comes in this huge 13inch by 10inch box. He's also twist-tied to plastic molding and cardboard plus he's got plenty of those transparent rubber bands to hold him together. Just like Prime, Magnus can also be returned to MIB status even after opening him.
Just like Prime, I'd like to start off with Ultra Magnus' alternate mode. As a definite homage to the G1 Ultra Magnus, RiD Ultra Magnus is also a car carrier!
But as opposed to the G1 Magnus, the RiD version has the cab connected to the trailer. The car carrier is one long truck!
RiD Ultra Magnus comes with this HUGE weapon named Blue Bolts. The mere fact that the weapon has a name gives it an awe of "Huge-ness". Blue Bolts can be bolted, este I mean pegged on Magnus in truck mode:
Pegs at the back can also accommodate Blue Bolts:
But the fun part in Ultra Magnus' truck mode isn't with the Blue Bolts but with being able to have the car carrier mode actually carry cars!
2007 TFTM Cliffjumper and Landmine fit well in the car carrier. Landmine's gun prevents him from being stowed in the lower level though.
Blue Bolts can be removed so that 2 deluxe-class vehicles can be carried on Magnus' upper level. Note that the ramp can even be lowered so that toy cars can roll from the ground up to the 2nd level.
A maximum of 3 cars (or deluxe-class ground vehicles) can fit in Ultra Magnus' car carrier mode. Those with high ceiling clearances can just ride on the 2nd level while the compact ones like cars can be stowed away under.
But enough of the truck mode! Let's begin transformation to robot mode!
RiD Ultra Magnus is basically made up of 2 sections. The truck's cab section forms the upper torso down to about his mid-thighs while the "trailer" section forms the lower extremities.
Ultra Magnus' robot mode is basically a very very hollow robot. The car carrier cage forms the legs and the legs comprise about 3/4 of the whole robot. Since the legs are hollow, there is a serious lack of ankles which hinder Ultra Magnus from striking a good pose on uneven surfaces (such as the couch he's currently on).
Ultra Magnus' weapon Blue Bolts is not without his gimmicks. In fact he even has his own share in the instruction sheets! He is a very heavy weapon. To be able to wield it, it has to be pegged on Magnus' wrist and shoulders. The first time I tried it, I couldn't get him to aim his weapon forward:
The lack of any ratcheting mechanism on the shoulders and the ball-jointed elbows make aiming his weapon forward a logic puzzle.
Each side of Blue Bolts has a different nozzle which indicate what weapon Ultra Magnus has. After getting the hang of his arms and getting used to the pegs, I managed to pose Magnus aiming Blue Bolts. Here he is with the big-bore gun end pointing forward.
The other end has a Gatling gun nozzle:
The stock of each nozzle has a unique peg that's either round or a square. Blue Bolts pegs itself on the shoulder where the corresponding shape is. Hence, the Gatling gun can't be mounted properly on the other shoulder and vice-versa.
For additional firepower, the 2 white missiles, the Gatling gun nozzle and the big-bore nozzle can all be pointed in one direction! Blue Bolts just pegs himself to Magnus' shoulders and wrists and he now has 4 weapons aimed and armed.
Here it is at another angle. I would say that this is how Ultra Magnus looks like in the box art of the original releases. Now that is firepower!
RiD Ultra Magnus isn't really a TF that one would recommend to get as a stand-alone as compared to RiD Optimus. He's basically a "support piece" to RiD Optimus. He's got very high play value though, simply because of his car carrier mode. If only he wasn't that hollow in robot mode.
2/3 of the feature done! It's time to combine and form Omega Prime!
To form Omega Prime, Ultra Magnus is basically disassembled-- his lower legs form the feet of Omega Prime, the forearms get turned inside out to show the bigger hands and the torso gets turned around.
On the other hand, Optimus Prime gets reduced to the "basic" robot mode and all his other parts are set aside as well:
Form feet and legs!
Form arms and torso!
ehem....anyway....
As can be seen in the previous 2 pictures, Ultra Magnus simply replaces the Ultra mode parts of Optimus Prime. It's also quite disappointing that the designers didn't bother take into consideration that the Sam's Exclusive Magnus will be combining with a yellow Prime -- the Omega Prime parts on Magnus are still in the original red.
This is Omega Prime -- standing a little beyond 12inches, his core is still made up of the basic robot of RiD Optimus. Thanks to flexible ankle joints, he can stand by himself over an uneven surface (like the couch). The lack of ratcheting mechanism on Optimus' forward/backward thigh swivel cause Omega Prime to tip over at that point though. This is Omega Prime without any weapons on him.
At first I thought that the yellow would violently clash with the red but somehow, the yellow and red doesn't really detract from the overall picture.
Here's a close-up of Omega Prime's face. Yes, the chest does seem very long over at the front side. His features are also very un-Prime-like.
Blue Bolts, being the massive weapon he is, can also be mounted on Omega Prime in his different modes -- ala-G1 shoulder mounted weapons.
Here is the Gatling gun mode:
Here is the large-caliber gun mode:
And, here is Blue Bolts with all weapons facing forward!
Since Blue Bolts also mounts on the shoulder pegs from Ultra Magnus, the Gatling gun's position can't be swapped with the large-caliber gun's shoulder. It's also an effective guide to know which way to make Blue Bolts face when having all 4 weapons point in one direction.
But the fun doesn't stop with Blue Bolts! Albeit a very popular fan-mode, the 2 large missile launchers from Optimus can be mounted on the pegs of Omega Prime's lower legs:
The effect is simply beautiful with Omega Prime having the missile launchers on this legs and Blue Bolts over his shoulders. Now that is ranged firepower!
Since we are at fan modes, I personally like to fold back the front chest panels to give him a sleeker look.
In conclusion, Omega Prime has very good proportions for a combined robot. In fact, he even looks bigger than God Ginrai even though they're basically about the same height. He's a very imposing presence on the shelf. He's a definite must have for any serious Prime collector out there.
Heck, I'm not into Prime collecting but Omega Prime is definitely a toy that's worth your money!
I've finally completed all the currently released Super Primes. Believe me, these guys demand serious shelf space! Until such time that another Super Prime comes, I'm very much happy and content with what I have.
Omega Prime is a combination of Robots in Disguise Optimus Prime and Ultra Magnus. Being relatively "late" in TF collecting, the most I got off the RiD line when they came out in the malls was one of the car brothers.
Omega Prime was the last of the "Super Primes" I wanted to collect. Since he was the last one I needed, I decided to splurge a bit and get myself something different.....
What I got myself here is the RiD Optimus Prime and RiD Ultra Magnus released under the Universe line as a Sam's Club Exclusive. Wow, that's a mouth full!
The two of them come in identical window packaging perfect for those who just want to keep them MISB -- Off course, that's not going to happen with me! As one can see from the box print, these two are not under the RiD or Car Robots line but under the Universe line.
The back of the box shows the combining concept of Prime and Magnus and pushes it as the main selling point of these two. The text contains the usual back story of the Universe line for both. For their individual write-ups, it's basically similar to what's written for them in their RiD packaging. (one can go to www.tfu.info for the exact text).
Before I start with the feature on RiD Optimus, I'd like to first give credit to where it's due. Rohml has previously made a review of RiD Optimus. This review has some great action shots of Optimus plus Rohml's Kick-Test! Oh, and I'm also not going to review the light and sounds that come with these two.
cybertronphils.proboards18.com/index.cgi?board=toyreview&action=display&thread=1115563129
Anyway, it's time to set these two exclusives free!
RiD Optimus Prime comes in a HUGE box that's 13inches tall by about 10inches wide. Yes, he's yellow. Hey, if Shining Ultra Magnus can get away with being yellow then why not Prime?
The box cleanly opens from the top and the entire toy in its plastic molding and cardboard slides out smoothly. The only item not twist-tied to the cardboard is the instruction sheet. The cardboard housing holds together quite well allowing one to return the entire toy into an MIB condition.
Though Prime is packaged in ultra robot mode, I'd like to start off with the alternate mode. RiD Prime is the first Optimus to take a firetruck mode. Here we have a yellow firetruck. Yes, it's possible to have a yellow firetruck since this color is very much visible on the road. There are autobot markings on both sides of the firetruck and all the tires are made of rubber. And Yes, as with all RiD Optimus toys, the Ultra mode's head can easily be made out in front of the ladder's base.
Being a firetruck, the ladder can extend to twice its length and a couple of nozzles flip open in front of the ladder's end. The ladder isn't of much use though since it hides the 3 missile launchers in its middle.
Time for robot mode! Just like some of the molds which came out in the RiD series, Prime's transformation requires some disassembly.
The front portion of the firetruck essentially becomes the "basic" Prime robot. It's not a stand-alone cab so it's really just the front of the truck. Also, cleverly hidden under the front bumper is Prime's handgun. It acts as some sort of "extra wheel" for the front part.
After a transformation that can best be described as Prime un-curling himself up, one now has the "basic" robot mode of Optimus. Articulation is good and the limbs are nice and tight (with good reason!). For some unknown reason, the designers decided to place red chrome on Prime's torso instead of something that might blend in more (like gold maybe).
The basic mode's head is very much a homage to the Optimus template. In this case, his head looks sleeker and looks pretty much like he's wearing a helmet. There is no light-piping. Instead, we have gold stickers for eyes. All in all, this face is a definite homage/nod to the G1 Prime.
As with all other vehicle Primes that came before him, the extra parts unused in the basic robot mode are put together into some sort of battle station or gunnery tower.
Yes, it does feel like it's an afterthought with the Ultra mode's head and hands very much visible. The ladder makes up most of the battle platform making this base mode very tall. Here's Prime beside the battle station.
Assembly is peg-based so it's not that hard to suddenly mix and match some parts and make something out of extra bits and pieces. The instruction sheet calls this "Mega robot" mode. Prime mounts these 2 huge missile launchers over his shoulders and wears one of the ultra mode's hands like a glove. The result is something that seems to have come out of a Gundam show with Optimus packing half a dozen rockets on each shoulder.
To transform to Ultra mode, the missile launchers become the feet, the extra panels from the fire truck becomes forearms and hands and the entire ladder assembly with the platform become the upper torso.
It's a good thing that the basic robot mode's limbs are very tight -- notice that they also form the limbs of the Ultra mode!
Weapons on this mode include 2 double-barreled guns on each forearm. The small gun can also be mounted on a hole by the shoulder.
The rounded fingers are allegedly cannons plus there's also a "matrix" thing on the chest area.
Here is Optimus in a very familiar pose in the RiD series. The ladder can be thrown over the shoulder and the nozzles deployed. Pressing a button at the base of the ladder also deploys the 4 missile launchers in the ladder into firing position.
Whether you get him in red, clear red, yellow or black (wow!) and not really looking like any of the previous Primes that came before him, RiD Optimus Prime earns his right in the long list of Primes as one of the most unique Primes out there. My initial take to Prime in yellow can be compared to how one would feel with a yellow Ferrari. All in all, this is one Prime that's a must have for any TF collector!
Whew! And we're just 1/3 of the way through!
RiD Ultra Magnus also comes in this huge 13inch by 10inch box. He's also twist-tied to plastic molding and cardboard plus he's got plenty of those transparent rubber bands to hold him together. Just like Prime, Magnus can also be returned to MIB status even after opening him.
Just like Prime, I'd like to start off with Ultra Magnus' alternate mode. As a definite homage to the G1 Ultra Magnus, RiD Ultra Magnus is also a car carrier!
But as opposed to the G1 Magnus, the RiD version has the cab connected to the trailer. The car carrier is one long truck!
RiD Ultra Magnus comes with this HUGE weapon named Blue Bolts. The mere fact that the weapon has a name gives it an awe of "Huge-ness". Blue Bolts can be bolted, este I mean pegged on Magnus in truck mode:
Pegs at the back can also accommodate Blue Bolts:
But the fun part in Ultra Magnus' truck mode isn't with the Blue Bolts but with being able to have the car carrier mode actually carry cars!
2007 TFTM Cliffjumper and Landmine fit well in the car carrier. Landmine's gun prevents him from being stowed in the lower level though.
Blue Bolts can be removed so that 2 deluxe-class vehicles can be carried on Magnus' upper level. Note that the ramp can even be lowered so that toy cars can roll from the ground up to the 2nd level.
A maximum of 3 cars (or deluxe-class ground vehicles) can fit in Ultra Magnus' car carrier mode. Those with high ceiling clearances can just ride on the 2nd level while the compact ones like cars can be stowed away under.
But enough of the truck mode! Let's begin transformation to robot mode!
RiD Ultra Magnus is basically made up of 2 sections. The truck's cab section forms the upper torso down to about his mid-thighs while the "trailer" section forms the lower extremities.
Ultra Magnus' robot mode is basically a very very hollow robot. The car carrier cage forms the legs and the legs comprise about 3/4 of the whole robot. Since the legs are hollow, there is a serious lack of ankles which hinder Ultra Magnus from striking a good pose on uneven surfaces (such as the couch he's currently on).
Ultra Magnus' weapon Blue Bolts is not without his gimmicks. In fact he even has his own share in the instruction sheets! He is a very heavy weapon. To be able to wield it, it has to be pegged on Magnus' wrist and shoulders. The first time I tried it, I couldn't get him to aim his weapon forward:
The lack of any ratcheting mechanism on the shoulders and the ball-jointed elbows make aiming his weapon forward a logic puzzle.
Each side of Blue Bolts has a different nozzle which indicate what weapon Ultra Magnus has. After getting the hang of his arms and getting used to the pegs, I managed to pose Magnus aiming Blue Bolts. Here he is with the big-bore gun end pointing forward.
The other end has a Gatling gun nozzle:
The stock of each nozzle has a unique peg that's either round or a square. Blue Bolts pegs itself on the shoulder where the corresponding shape is. Hence, the Gatling gun can't be mounted properly on the other shoulder and vice-versa.
For additional firepower, the 2 white missiles, the Gatling gun nozzle and the big-bore nozzle can all be pointed in one direction! Blue Bolts just pegs himself to Magnus' shoulders and wrists and he now has 4 weapons aimed and armed.
Here it is at another angle. I would say that this is how Ultra Magnus looks like in the box art of the original releases. Now that is firepower!
RiD Ultra Magnus isn't really a TF that one would recommend to get as a stand-alone as compared to RiD Optimus. He's basically a "support piece" to RiD Optimus. He's got very high play value though, simply because of his car carrier mode. If only he wasn't that hollow in robot mode.
2/3 of the feature done! It's time to combine and form Omega Prime!
To form Omega Prime, Ultra Magnus is basically disassembled-- his lower legs form the feet of Omega Prime, the forearms get turned inside out to show the bigger hands and the torso gets turned around.
On the other hand, Optimus Prime gets reduced to the "basic" robot mode and all his other parts are set aside as well:
Form feet and legs!
Form arms and torso!
ehem....anyway....
As can be seen in the previous 2 pictures, Ultra Magnus simply replaces the Ultra mode parts of Optimus Prime. It's also quite disappointing that the designers didn't bother take into consideration that the Sam's Exclusive Magnus will be combining with a yellow Prime -- the Omega Prime parts on Magnus are still in the original red.
This is Omega Prime -- standing a little beyond 12inches, his core is still made up of the basic robot of RiD Optimus. Thanks to flexible ankle joints, he can stand by himself over an uneven surface (like the couch). The lack of ratcheting mechanism on Optimus' forward/backward thigh swivel cause Omega Prime to tip over at that point though. This is Omega Prime without any weapons on him.
At first I thought that the yellow would violently clash with the red but somehow, the yellow and red doesn't really detract from the overall picture.
Here's a close-up of Omega Prime's face. Yes, the chest does seem very long over at the front side. His features are also very un-Prime-like.
Blue Bolts, being the massive weapon he is, can also be mounted on Omega Prime in his different modes -- ala-G1 shoulder mounted weapons.
Here is the Gatling gun mode:
Here is the large-caliber gun mode:
And, here is Blue Bolts with all weapons facing forward!
Since Blue Bolts also mounts on the shoulder pegs from Ultra Magnus, the Gatling gun's position can't be swapped with the large-caliber gun's shoulder. It's also an effective guide to know which way to make Blue Bolts face when having all 4 weapons point in one direction.
But the fun doesn't stop with Blue Bolts! Albeit a very popular fan-mode, the 2 large missile launchers from Optimus can be mounted on the pegs of Omega Prime's lower legs:
The effect is simply beautiful with Omega Prime having the missile launchers on this legs and Blue Bolts over his shoulders. Now that is ranged firepower!
Since we are at fan modes, I personally like to fold back the front chest panels to give him a sleeker look.
In conclusion, Omega Prime has very good proportions for a combined robot. In fact, he even looks bigger than God Ginrai even though they're basically about the same height. He's a very imposing presence on the shelf. He's a definite must have for any serious Prime collector out there.
Heck, I'm not into Prime collecting but Omega Prime is definitely a toy that's worth your money!
I've finally completed all the currently released Super Primes. Believe me, these guys demand serious shelf space! Until such time that another Super Prime comes, I'm very much happy and content with what I have.
I kinda prefer this to the Strike Gundam sword.
