So this is a site about Tech lists. That covers Tech toys, Tech speculation, and Sci-Fi Tech too. There’s this little movie coming out next summer that’s been raising a big stink all over the Interweb. It’s called TRANSFORMERS, and some designs for the characters have come online and really ruffled some feathers of long-time Transformers fans.
Well…I’m one of those fans, and initially, my feathers were a bit ruffled. In particular, I was miffed about Optimus Prime. In the film version (spoiler ahead if you haven’t seen the design)…he has FLAMES!!!! Freakin’ FLAMES!!! Optimus Prime is the John Wayne of alien robots who can turn into things and they have PIMPED HIM OUT!!! It’s enough to make a Transfan burst into flames (the irony is not lost on me)…
Then I took a visit to Seibertron.com and looked through the image galleries they have there, featuring EVERY version of Optimus Prime that’s ever been…and suddenly, I don’t feel quite as bad about the flames. Optimus has gone through some serious changes over the decades…and wow…some of these designs are so much worse than the movie version…SO MUCH worse…
So, for you Transfans, and others who may be curious as to what all the fuss is about, I present to you, a complete list of every version of Optimus Prime ever committed to plastic (if I’ve missed anything, please email me, and I will add it to the list). Most of the galleries (unless otherwise noted) are from Seibertron.com - possibly the greatest Transformers website on the ‘net.
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Optimus Prime G1 - The original, and in most fan’s minds…the best.
Optimus Prime , Powermaster Optimus , and Powermaster Optimus w/Apex Armor - One of my favorites as a kid, this is G1 Optimus on steroids.
Star Convoy - In Japan Optimus Prime is known as Convoy, and this figure (which I don’t think was ever released in the US) is a kind of “ultimate” Prime that looks like a Power Rangers Megazord.
Optimus Prime (G2) Version 1 - Slightly updated from the original. A very cool version of Optimus Prime.
Optimus Prime (G2) Version 2 - Possibly the WORST DESIGN EVER for Optimus Prime. He looks like a 70s disco dancing robot.
Optimus Prime (G2) Version 3 - I don’t care much for the robot mode, but the vehicle mode is just plain awesome.
Optimus Primal - After the failure of “Generation 2″, the Transformers were re-invented, and Optimus Prime because King Kong. (also see the Optimus Primal reissue )
Lio Convoy (Beast Wars 2) - another version I don’t think we ever saw here in the US. This version of “animal” Optimus is a pretty bad ass Lion.
Big Convoy (Beast Wars Neo) - one more version of Beast Wars that we never saw here. This is, by far, the most bad-ass version of Optimus as an animal. This time he transforms into a Wooley Mammoth.
Beast Wars Metals Optimus Primal - This metal monkey version of Optimus Primal is my favorite monkey Prime.
Optimal Optimus (Beast Wars) - A friggin’ huge ape of a Transformer.
Air Attack Optimus Primal - Beast Machines had A LOT of variations on Prime.
Blast Punch Optimus Primal - here’s another Beast Machines variation.
Optimus Primal (Beast Machines) - YET another version of Beat Machines Optimus. (also known as crazy hippie Optimus)
Primal Prime - Just a repaint of Optimal Optimus from the Beast Wars line as best I can tell.
Optimus Prime (Robots In Disguise) - After Beast Machines ran it’s course, Prime and company went back to being vehicles…this time, he was a pretty cool looking fire truck.
Omega Prime (Robots In Disguise) - You could build this bad boy by combining Optimus and Ultra Magnus…but it was a pain in the ass.
Optimus Prime (Armada) - After RiD ran for a season, the Transformers started the trend of starting over every year with a new subtitle, and new designs. This was the first time Optimus had been a red “big rig” in a very, very long time.
Optimus Prime Deluxe (Armada) - A deluxe version of the Armada Prime.
Optimus Primal (TF: Universe) - A repainted Optimus Primal from the original Beast Wars.
Optimus Prime (Energon) V1 , and Version 2 - This clunky version of old “big bot” makes the leader of the Autobots looks obese, or pregnant.
Optimus Prime (Alternators) - A insanely cool version of Optimus Prime as Dodge Ram.
Nemesis Prime (Alternators) - a black version of the Dodge Ram. Evidently this is Mirror Universe Prime. (where’s the goatee?)
Optimus Prime 20th Anniversary - This is THE DEFINITIVE VERSION of Optimus Prime in most people’s opinion. This is an amazing version of the G1 Prime.
Optimus Prime (Cybertron) - The current Optimus on the shelves, this is a big, bad robot.
Optimus (Cyberton) - the little version of the current Optimus design.
Optimus Prime (TF: Classics) - This link is to the official Transformers site. This fall, these new interpretations of the “classic” G1 characters will be on the shelves, adn this Optimus looks to be one of the best.
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So there it is…every Optimus toy they’ve ever made (as far as I know). There are even more variations on Optimus and the Transformers if you count the countless re-imaginings in comic books as well. The more I look over these things, the less I hate the design of Optimus Prime in the upcoming Transformers movie.
I’m willing to go into the movie with an open mind. I’m pleased the Peter Cullen will be returning to voice Optimus Prime - and based on what I’ve seen in some of the above designs…we could be dealing with a lot worse.
BTW - if you haven’t seen the latest picture of Optimus Prime from the Transformers live action feature, take a look here . It’s a much better look at him than we’ve previously seen online.
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