Optimus Primal/toys

Lots of Munkies give Optimus a toy page! (Oy)

Toys

Beast Wars

• Optimus Primal vs Megatron (Basic versus two-pack, 1996)
  • Japanese ID number: C-6
  • Accessories: Two swords

The first Optimus Primal was a Basic size class blue bat which could autotransform into a robot by pulling the tail. Two swords were removable from under its wings for use as weaponry in robot mode. It was packaged along with an alligator version of Megatron and a Beast Wars mini-comic.

Whether this toy can be considered the Optimus Primal character is a matter of debate. Released before the animated series began, which established Optimus Primal as a separate entity from Optimus Prime, the accompanying profiles and mini-comic seem to assume that the Beast Wars are a progression of the same characters from the Autobot/Decepticon war. Whether the animated series's retcon affected this set of toys is probably a matter of personal preference. It can be interpreted as representing one of the more interesting micro-continuities.

The Beast Wars Sourcebook has asserted that, in IDW's version of the Beast Wars continuity, Primal's bat form was suggested by the Axalon's computer as a potential alt-mode, but he rejected it in favour of the more powerful gorilla without ever actually reformatting into it. Thus, this micro-continuity posits bat-mode Primal as an essentially theoretical alt-form that never actually came to be.

This mold was also used to make the Optimus Prime-recolored Convobat (who may or may not be a separate character to either Prime or Primal), and Onyx Primal.

• Optimus Primal (Ultra, 1996/1997/1998)
  • Japanese ID number: C-1
  • Accessories: Two swords, four missiles, flail

Yes, missiles come out of his butt.

The second Optimus Primal toy was an ape in the Ultra size class. Though the transformation from primate to humanoid was a relatively simplistic one, the toy compensated with more than a fair share of weaponry and action features. A compartment on his right forearm opened to reveal a skull-shaped mace he could hold in his fist. His left forearm could open into a double-barreled missile launcher. On his back were two spring-loaded missile launchers which auto-flipped over each shoulder. By pulling a lever in the center of his back, both arms would either spin at the bicep or bend in and out at the elbow, depending on the placement of notch-buttons located on either bicep. And finally, like many first-year Beast Wars toys, a battle mask/"mutant head" could be deployed over his robot head.

Brass monkeys.

Takara released the toy as part of their Beast Wars line in July of 1997, nearly identical to the Hasbro version. The missiles for the Takara version are thinner and simpler than the original Hasbro version, and would be used in all subsequent releases of the mold.

This mold was redecoed into Universe Optimus Primal, and retooled into Beast Wars Reborn/Beast Wars Tenth Anniversary versus pack Optimus Primal. Takara also created multiple special variants, including all-gold (from Tele-V Magazine, only ten awarded), red and gray (Tele-V again, but only one awarded), and blue-fur (a Comics Bom Bom design-contest prize, only five awarded).

• Special Convoy Real Gray Type (Ultra, 1998)
  • Japanese ID number: C-1
  • Accessories: Two swords, four missiles, flail

In January of 1998, Takara released a redeco of the Ultra Optimus Primal toy as Special Convoy Real Gray Type (スペシャルコンボイ - リアルグレータイプ), changing the black to dark gray and the blue to metallic blue, although the packaging was the same as the original release save for a sticker on the front of the box. According to the sticker, this limited figure was meant to celebrate the "20,000,000 Unit Breakthrough Commemoration" - apparently commemorating 20 million units of Beast Wars toys sold. Whether this was supposed to represent 20 million worldwide or just in Japan is unclear.

• Special Convoy Skeleton Type (Ultra, 1998?)
  • Japanese ID number: C-1
  • Accessories: Two swords, four missiles, flail

A Toys 'R' Us retail exclusive redeco of the Ultra figure, Special Convoy Skeleton Type (スペシャルコンボイ - スケルトンタイプ) was colorless-clear and black with silver paint detailing. The packaging was the same as the general release except for a sticker on the front of the box.

• Convobat vs Megaligator
  • Japanese ID number: S-1
  • Accessories: Two swords

This figure is a red redeco of Primal's first bat form, and was sold with a purple redeco of Gator Megatron.

• Orcanoch (Microverse, 1997)

Part of the Microverse toyline, this orca transforms into a Maximal base. It came with tiny, non-transforming versions of Optimus Primal and Tarantulas.

• Optimus Primal (Mega Transmetal, 1998)
  • Japanese ID number: C-40
  • Accessories: Gun, two clubs/missiles

Transmetal Optimus Primal is a mechanical gorilla that transforms into a partially organic robot. Like all Transmetals, it featured chromed plastic and a third vehicle-inspired mode. In Primal's case, his gorilla mode could transform into a gorilla on a hoverboard. Two maces were stored on his back and could double as missiles for his hip-holstered blaster.

Takara's version of the toy exchanged the brown plastic for translucent maroon, and was also available in a set with Transmetal Megatron.

This mold was used to make Apelinq.

• Optimal Optimus (Super Transmetal, 1998)
  • Japanese ID number: C-47
  • Accessories: Gun, four missiles

Transmetal Optimal Optimus was the first toy in the Super size class, featuring electronics and four transformations: robot, ape, jet, and armored transport. When a back section of the cannon module was pulled, the eyes and shoulder-mounted missile launchers lit up and the launchers fired. It came with four missiles, two of which stored on its legs. Its forearms featured blast-away armor plates that could also be pegged to its upper arms.

Optimal Optimus's on-package bio states that he has Cybertronian "air guardian" technology and twin scramjet modules. Jetfire's function was Air Guardian, and his Tech Specs said he had these same scramjet modules.

This mold was used to make Primal Prime.

Beast Wars II

• Burning Convoy
  • Accessories: Two swords, four missiles, flail

Clear-red redeco of Primal, with gold "flame" markings also included. Was released as a limited edition figure to promote the Beast Wars Special movie alongside the Flash LioConvoy toy.

Beast Machines

• Optimus Primal (Deluxe, 2000)
  • Accessories: Energy star

The first Beast Machines Optimus Primal was a dark bronze and translucent blue technorganic gorilla that transformed into a technorganic robot. Its arm was spring-loaded to throw the shuriken that stored in its shoulder. Like all Beast Machines toys, it had a hidden "spark crystal" that displayed his faction allegiance. Had a transformation reminiscent of Optimus Minor.

• Blast Punch Optimus Primal (Mega, 2001)
  • Japanese ID number: BR-01

His second toy incarnation, which unlike the previous toy (which had been designed prior to the series) actually looked mostly like the character.

Robots in Disguise

• Air Attack Optimus Primal (Supreme, 2002)

Optimus primal says F#$% you!!!

Intended for release in the Beast Machines toyline, this delayed figure is by far the most show-accurate version of BM Optimus. Unfortunately, being a supreme-class toy he is grossly, indeed uselessly, out of scale with his fellow Maximal figures. Or pretty much anyone for that matter. Still, he looks swank, and he talks! With Gary Chalk's voice!!! Can also stick up its index finger at people.

Universe

• Optimus Primal (Ultra, 2003)
  • Accessories: Two swords, four missiles, flail

Robot Masters

I am MUNKY-MUS PRIMAL.

• Beast Convoy
  • Japanese ID number: RM-11
  • Accessories: Two swords

A down-sized version of the original ultra-class toy with some alterations, such as more accurate wrist guns, non-firing weapons, remolded hands, and removal of the mutant head.

• Beast Convoy Limited Black Version
  • Accessories: Two swords

Available only via mail order through Hobby Japan magazine.

• Burning Beast Convoy
  • Japanese ID number: RM-21
  • Accessories: Two swords

This toy refers to the Beast Wars II movie form where he partnered with Lio Convoy, turning them into Burning Convoy and Flash Lio Convoy respectively.

Beast Wars 10th Anniversary

• Optimus Primal (2006)
  • Accessories: Surfboard, assault blade, missile, Jungle Planet Key

Surf that wave, funky munky

Beast Wars 10th Anniversary (BWX) Optimus Primal is a new toy design based loosely on his original ultra ape action figure and pulling some elements from other figures, including a transformation very similar to the Playskool Go-Bot Gorillabot, which itself was a nod to Optimus Primal's Beast Machines form. Similar to his Transmetal form, BWX Optimus Primal also comes with a hoverboard that fires a missile when a Cyber Planet Key is inserted. The board also features a spring-loaded extending "assault blade" (or "ass lt blade" as the directions call it). Though it is not intended to be removed, the blade can be popped off and held in Primal's hand thanks to his posable thumbs.

Opposable thumbs!

He is also packaged with a mini-comic-sized reprinting of IDW Publishing's The Gathering #1, a small Axalon ship figurine, and a Jungle Planet style Cyber Planet Key without a Cyber Key Code stamped on it.

This mold was redecoed and released as Cybertron Optimus Prime. It's worth noting that the sculpt for both BWX leader toys were intentionally designed to blend in with the Jungle Planet aesthetic, "in case" they didn't get a Beast Wars Anniversary release (according to Aaron Archer's statements at BotCon 2005).

• Optimus Primal vs Megatron (Toys "R" Us, 2006)
  • Accessories: Two swords, four missiles, flail

Identical to the Beast Wars Reborn set as detailed below, but in new packaging with a DVD of the Beast Wars episode "Possession".

Beast Wars Reborn

Staring contest -- go!

• Convoy vs Megatron (2006)
  • Japanese ID number: BWR-01
  • Accessories: Two swords, four missiles, flail

The eighth Optimus of the world... PRIMAL!

This release is a retool of the original 1996 Ultra toy, with new heads and robot chest sculpted to match the television series's portrayal. The color scheme was also altered to be show-accurate, changing the black to dark gray, much of the light gray to medium gray with hints of bronze, primary red to crimson, and blue to a more dull steel blue.

This figure came packaged with a similarly-remolded Megatron and a Golden Disk CD-ROM that contains control art for a number of Beast Wars toys.

Titanium Series

• Optimus Primal (3" Robot Master figurine)

Features Primal in his Beast Wars Season 1 appearance, with swords drawn in an action pose.

• Optimal Optimus (6" Transformable figure)

For undetermined reasons, this incarnation of Optimal Optimus does not include the beast mode. This does have precedent in the fiction: When Megatron built a copy of that body for himself at the end of Beast Machines, his version didn't have a beast mode either.

Timelines

• Dawn of Future's Past (Boxset, BotCon 2006)
  • Accessories: Two missiles

A redeco and retool of Cybertron Crumplezone. Available only in a multi pack with the Axalon versions of Cheetor, Rhinox, and Rattrap, as well as the Darksyde version of Dinobot.

Beast Wars Telemocha Series

What did I just say about saying "Trukk not Munky"? Now you're getting it, even worse this time.

• Convoy (2007)
  • Japanese ID number: TM-01
  • Accessories: Two swords

An extensive redeco of the Robot Masters Beast Convoy figure in a similar style to the Beast Wars Reborn retool of the Ultra-class figure.

• DX Convoy (2007)
  • Japanese ID number: TM-SP
  • Accessories: Two swords, four missiles, flail

An extensive show-accurate redeco of the original Ultra-class Optimus Primal mold without the recently remolded head and chestplate. Oh TakaraTomy, you so crazy.

Merchandise

Metal Monument

• Metal Monument Convoy (TAKARA, 1999)

As the name suggests, the product is a die-cast statue of Optimus Primal. The head is convertible/removable in order to change the normal one with the battle mask/mutant head. The box art and the design of the product are both done by Hirofumi Ichikawa.

3D Battle-Card Game

• Optimus Primal (2007)

A 52-point "rare" character in the 3D Battle-Card Game's "Energon Wars" expansion, Optimus Primal "transforms" into a black ape. He uses the same parts layout as Cheetor, Ravage and Rampage, although the figure's beast mode is assembled differently. Optimus Primal is nominally the leader of the Autobots in the set.

Robot Heroes

• Optimus Primal vs Predacon Tarantulas (2008)

Notes

• The design of Optimus Primal's bat form is an homage to Batman, an action figure license also held at the time by Kenner.

• Primal's gorilla mode, paired against Megatron's t-rex mode, was inspired by the showdown in King Kong.

• According to the control art of Optimus Primal's toy, his chest originally seemed to be a kind of launcher instead of being an homage to the Matrix.

External links

• Optimus Primal at TFU.info