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Post by shaxper on Feb 3, 2004 22:53:28 GMT -5
My wife surprised me with the U.S. 25th Anniversary Optimus Prime for my birthday yesterday. What an awesome surprise! I have no trouble with the US differences. The smokestacks don't really bug me, and I actually like the authentic wear and tear look. And the robot mode is simply awe inspiring.
Unfortunately, I'm really not impressed with his vehicle mode.
Okay, no doubt his robot mode is absolutely amazing, but I'd expected that the engineers who designed him would approach him as they did the alternaters, giving him a vehicle mode that's totally convincing. After all, this is supposed to be the ultimate Prime incarnation.
From the front, he looks fine, but I absolutely cannot get past the cab's sides. Prime's arms bend down slightly, making the whole side look like nothing more than a bunch of jammed in parts, his black arm joints stand out, and the pitiful outline of a door that the misalligned parts work to create isn't even slightly convincing. Add to all this the fact that there's no real room for a full scale driver, and vehicle mode proves to be quite a disappointment.
I'm still glad I have the toy, but I honestly expected better, especially with all the great transformations Alternaters has. I think they gave Prime an overly elaborate, unnecessary transformation that only complicates his transformed mode. An only slightly modified version of the G1 original at a larger scale with a better head, more joints, and pop out fists (maybe the headlights could be on a panel that swings out on to his wrist) would have been perfect. And really, NO transformer's feet should require that much effort to transform!
Agh! I don't suppose there's any chance we'll see an Alternater Prime with this one being at the same scale. It's a great robot and a (mostly) fun transformation, but I feel it could have been a much better Transformer.
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Post by GDomino on Feb 4, 2004 3:23:59 GMT -5
My wife surprised me with the U.S. 25th Anniversary Optimus Prime for my birthday yesterday. What an awesome surprise! I have no trouble with the US differences. The smokestacks don't really bug me, and I actually like the authentic wear and tear look. And the robot mode is simply awe inspiring. Unfortunately, I'm really not impressed with his vehicle mode. Okay, no doubt his robot mode is absolutely amazing, but I'd expected that the engineers who designed him would approach him as they did the alternaters, giving him a vehicle mode that's totally convincing. After all, this is supposed to be the ultimate Prime incarnation. From the front, he looks fine, but I absolutely cannot get past the cab's sides. Prime's arms bend down slightly, making the whole side look like nothing more than a bunch of jammed in parts, his black arm joints stand out, and the pitiful outline of a door that the misalligned parts work to create isn't even slightly convincing. Add to all this the fact that there's no real room for a full scale driver, and vehicle mode proves to be quite a disappointment. I'm still glad I have the toy, but I honestly expected better, especially with all the great transformations Alternaters has. I think they gave Prime an overly elaborate, unnecessary transformation that only complicates his transformed mode. An only slightly modified version of the G1 original at a larger scale with a better head, more joints, and pop out fists (maybe the headlights could be on a panel that swings out on to his wrist) would have been perfect. And really, NO transformer's feet should require that much effort to transform! Agh! I don't suppose there's any chance we'll see an Alternater Prime with this one being at the same scale. It's a great robot and a (mostly) fun transformation, but I feel it could have been a much better Transformer. Yeah, I had the same thoughts when I first got him and that was when I decided to keep him in his robot mode. I still think that he looks awesome but Smokescreen and all of his template incarnations are just better designed. The strange thing is, I think it was the same japanese engineer that designed the SS and the MPC, so I'm puzzled as to why OP doesn't have as much vehicle details i.e. interiors and opening-closing doors. edit: damned grammar. |
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Post by shaxper on Feb 4, 2004 11:56:38 GMT -5
The strange thing is, I think it was the same japanese engineer that designed the SS and the MPC, so I'm puzzled as to why OP doesn't have as much vehicle details i.e. interiors and opening-closing doors. Well the design is always tailored to the demands of the company. Hasbro/Takara obviously placed emphasis on robot mode with Prime. Vehicle mode was compromised in order to make robot mode as jaw dropping as possible. I've just always felt that a major emphasis of "Transformers" should be on the transformation.  |
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Post by Kidchuckle on Feb 7, 2004 19:46:02 GMT -5
Well you have to admit... they did a great job.
But you also have to realize the limitations.
All the Alternator transformers are influenced by the original designs. in robot mode.. but not exactly the same.
For masterpiece prime.. the goal was anime like Optimus. Alternators had a heavy influece on just the cars itself.. and not the robots.. and thats why they don't look exactly like the original designs. And Alternators had to please the liscenced used for the real cars (to be dead on... )
If you ask me.. I would rather have a better robot mode.. then totally real Cars.. Besides.. I don't think there would be any possible way.. you could Primes doors to open.. and still make Optimus strong enough to play with.. and still have all the options that he does now.. its a engineering nightmare!
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Post by shaxper on Feb 7, 2004 22:11:36 GMT -5
Well no, you can't make the doors open, but you can make them look real, and make the rest of the interior accurate. Like I said, the G1 mold was pretty sound. Some very minor alterations to make it more anime accurate and posable would have been enough.
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Lodan
Rusty Robot
Posts: 72
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Post by Lodan on Feb 24, 2004 0:03:40 GMT -5
I'm just waiting for a Show Accurate Ratchet or Ironhide...
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Post by shaxper on Feb 24, 2004 11:40:50 GMT -5
That would be something. Unfortunately, since Binaltech/Alternators is only doing new vehicles, it'd have to be made from an SUV or something.
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Lodan
Rusty Robot
Posts: 72
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Post by Lodan on Feb 24, 2004 20:42:19 GMT -5
Chevy and Ford still make Full Size Vans!
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Post by kumtoshi on Mar 7, 2004 14:18:02 GMT -5
Not so fast on the no-anime accurate Ratchet/Ironhide. You all seen those new Dodge Sprinter vans? They are DEAD on man!! I mean DEAD ON!!! Look it up on the web. This is the vehicle for an alternator/binaltech Ratchet/Ironhide.
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Post by REX-203 on Mar 7, 2004 14:56:40 GMT -5
Not so fast on the no-anime accurate Ratchet/Ironhide. You all seen those new Dodge Sprinter vans? They are DEAD on man!! I mean DEAD ON!!! Look it up on the web. This is the vehicle for an alternator/binaltech Ratchet/Ironhide. Wow! I've never heard of that thing before, so I looked it up and found some pics of it. While it's not the most attractive van on the market, it would make an appropriate Ratchet/Ironhide. Not to mention, Hasbro/Takara already has permission to use other Chrysler vehicles, so this could be a possibility. Who knows? Check it out!  |
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Post by kumtoshi on Mar 7, 2004 22:04:52 GMT -5
That's it! Thanks Rex-203! I've started seeing them around now. I've seen a couple as ambulances and a delivery truck of some sort.
I know it's not pretty, but then again neither were G1 Ironhide or Ratchet's alt modes!
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Lodan
Rusty Robot
Posts: 72
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Post by Lodan on Mar 7, 2004 23:14:16 GMT -5
Definitelty gonna have to tell Hasbro or Takara about that!
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