Hot Rod's gotten the usual amount of attention he's used to, but Rodimus Prime is a different story for a few good reasons: he's either hard to sell with his trailer at a reasonable price or they wanted to stick with his younger self while using the name "Rodimus" in older CHUG entries. Amusingly, this trend was seen after years of repaints of the Classics mold and the Hasbro version of MP-09, where we rebooted with a Legends Rodimus in Combiner Wars before getting the name "Hot Rod" back as a Titans Return Deluxe and having a Leader Class entry as Rodimus Prime in Power of the Primes. When the Generations line rebooted, Hot Rodimus Prime wasn't too far off as he received a Voyager in Studio Series 86 as his turbo-revvin' self before receiving a surprising Commander Class entry as Optimus Prime's successor! While a Broadside, Tidal Wave, or a Magnaboss would make more sense for Kingdom, especially given how massive those guys are, perhaps Rodimus can justify himself in the Commander Class price point?
Here we have the Rodimus unit on its own. It's a beefier take on Hot Rod's vehicle mode, turning it from a cool cruiser to a vicious vehicle. It's not as rounded as the younger form, nor does it betray the core concept of G1 Hot Rod. He lacks the engine block and looks taller, but it makes sense for a more serious take on the guy. The sculpted details especially sell the feel of this being a Heft Rod, which is always a treat when they make my toys look like they have effort put into them compared to the ReAction smoothness that bores me on some Transformers. The paint apps are greatly appreciative, and I like that they're both nicely applied like the spoiler or look crisp like the hood (the headlights could be better, though).
You can see how chunkier it looks from the side profile, as it doesn't look as rounded as Regular Rod is. Additionally, the pipes can use the flame pieces that give off bigger, deadlier flames that might do more damage than the normal ones. For some reason, they're cast in clear blue plastic yet are painted black. Maybe it's to make them more ephemeral, but I won't be happy with the lack of paint on the rims. I know this guy does so much, but for an $80+ toy, painted rims should not be excluded, especially when smaller toys would generally have their rims painted.
The weapons can be stored underneath the car in the case of the sword and on the sides in the case of the folded-up rifle. Do keep in mind these aren't the only methods of storing these weapons for this toy, which is pretty sweet since the gun does look stupid when folded up.
For a size comparison, here he is with his smaller Hot Rod self, who is definitely the more rounded and fun-focused of the two. It's a major contrast between the two figures, with one being small and sleek while the other means business. The colors are different between the two apart from the obvious design choices, with Hot Rod looking more magenta and somewhat less vibrant than the richer colors of Rodimus Prime. This is especially noticeable with the flames, with Hot Rod lacking the black outline and prominent Autobot insignia that Rodimus has. Oh, and Hot Rod lacks the orange that Rodimus Prime's spoiler has.
The flames can be juxtaposed by Hot Rod's smaller nitrous and Rodimus's toxic flame boosts, giving one a more speed-obsessed feel and the other a deadly attack. I also like how the back of the car mode doesn't look as rough for Rodimus Prime as it is on Hot Rod.
And with the base figure covered, let's take a look at the trailer. It's big, has nicely applied paint (especially for the flames), and the overall feel doesn't have that unsatisfying cheapness that plagued Earthrise Optimus Prime. I value everything that was added to make this figure feel more complete than it otherwise would be, especially since everyone wants to see how well it'd justify the Commander price tag that it is going for. If anything, this may be the best trailer in terms of form that we've gotten for a mainline release, beating both the Earthrise trailer and the Studio Series DOTM trailer. It's not 100% perfect, as we'll get to, mainly the way the sculpted details aren't as sharp as the sculpted details that Rodimus Prime has on his own as well as the pipes that have been broken up in order to allow the figure to slide into the trailer. It opens up as one would expect, but first, let's give it the ramps and the ability to store the cannon on the top! There is even a stand for the cannon when placed on the top. Also, the pipes look like it's trying to hold on something nonexistent.
Sliding Rodimus Prime into the trailer is pretty easy, with a tight connection between the toy and the trailer as well as a spring-loaded tab that further solidifies everything. When completed, Rodimus Prime definitely sticks out too much than it normally does, but that must be from how the figure is designed as well as the fact that this is an independent vehicle instead of a shite transitional mode that pre-dates the Cyberverse guys. The flame pieces on the back can be used in order to use the
If you slide this tray out, you can store the flame pieces and the Matrix effet piece underneath here, and yes, it is a different part from what Hot Rod came with. Other storage options include the 5mm ports on said tray, and you even have a small compartment on the front of the trailer. Definitely a lot of places to store any extra pieces if you ask me!
For a size comparison between some other leaders released in the WFC line, he fits in quite appropriately with them, I'd say that while he stands out amongst Optimus and Magnus for not being a truck, his trailer definitely feels closer to what it has been in G1 compared to Magnus's Earth take on the Siege trailer and Optimus's cheap and less exciting rendition of his famous trailer.
Transforming Rodimus Prime may seem like it's an upscale of the Studio Series 86 Voyager, but its new steps, such as the way the torso transforms without a faux chest, the wheels protruding slightly on the shoulders, the way the arms swivel around are relatively new for this guy. It's a great way to help Hasbro make the figure feel consistent with the previous guy in terms of transformation without making him feel too much like an upscale of the older toy. It's a different take on how the Studio Series Starscream was more than just an oversized version of the DOTM Deluxe; apart from its nicer plastic quality and sharper details (and the more robust joints as well as added chest covers), Studio Series Starscream's nowhere near as divergent from the mold it's inspired by compared to Rodimus Prime. And the resulting robot mode is amazing! It's able to give Rodimus an appropriate amount of mass without making him too lanky like Hot Rod or bulky like Optimus Prime. The figure also feels much more impressive than Hot Rod ever was, combining the lovely sculpted details with the new posture he has where he feels much more alive than the straight up and down look of Hot Rod. He does have a backpack but it is forgivable since it's fairly compact overall, and the spoiler sticking out from the back looks great whether it's shown from the back or from the front, and can I get a hell-yeah for the linework on it?!
Head sculpt is very stern and older than Hot Rod's face was, but I think it fits him very well. I also love the silver face he has to further make him look older and wiser than he was as Hot Rod. The subtle darker paint apps are kept intact for his head, too. His articulation is about the same as what we got with Hot Rod, but it's even slightly improved, shall we say. The head is on a ball joint while the neck is on a hinge, the shoulders move front and back, in and out, they're on butterfly joints (with added flexibility when the panel around the collar is untabbed), the elbows are on two points, the biceps swivel, and the wrists can swivel as well, but new to this are not just inward wrist curling but also added finger articulation reminiscent of some Masterpiece figures of the index finger and the conjoined middle, ring, and pinky fingers. The waist swivels, the hips move front and back as well as in and out with new skirt panels, the thighs swivel, knees bend at two points, and the ankles hinge as well as pivot.
The flames can be attached on the forearm pipes as expected, which give off a more noxious attack that may be even deadlier than the normal flames to the Decepticons. His rifle can also be held on two hands and be compatible with the various effect pieces, though 1 or 2 piece combos are recommended.
This is the total amount of pieces you can get up to with the different effect pieces available. IF you want, you can use this on Grimlock if it was orange or maybe T-Wrecks. Additionally, Rodimus Prime comes with the Matrix Sword, a surprising addition to the figure since it's based on the niche Regeneration One finale where he used it in the final battle. It has a 5mm peg that can be taken out and be used on his back or on any other part of the trailer for storage. Additionally, he is likely the only Transformer meant to hold it since his hands are able to clip it onto them no problem, which cannot be said for Optimus Prime nor Primal.
The Matrix Chamber opens up to reveal the artifact inside, and it looks pretty good inside the decently painted storage compartment. Not many paint apps in used but the sculpted details are sufficient enough to me.
It's great to have him not just come with a Matrix but also the effect pieces and articulation appropriate for him. You can also use plenty of display options with Studio Series 86 Hot Rod to display his transformation from turbo-revvin' punk to Autobot Leader. Hell, let's add Optimus Prime into the equation to give him the "Arise, Rodimus Prime" line!
Opening up the trailer grants you the ability to bring out the cannon of the Mobile Defense Bay, which is nicely done as far as functionality is concerned apart from the lack of wheels, and I like how the cannons have some black fade to make it look worn from constant use. There's a good amount of space for someone like Blurr to be on the platform with him while Springer has to reside with being on the ground. The battle platform can be detached and you can use the trailer for any kind of weapon storage, as seen here. LEt's take it a step further by hinging the back of the trailer down to reveal it has some A.I.R. Lock clips to allow you to connect the trailer with any other bases! You will need either a Battlemaster like Soundbarrier or use the ramps that come with the Modulators to better connect the Mobile Defense Bay with the Combat Deck of Optimus Prime. Oh, and as much as I'd never thought I'd say this, but Rodimus's trailer is way better than Optimus's. There, I said it.
For a size comparison, here is Rodimus Prime with his predecessor, his previous form, his predecessor's mortal enemy, and his own mortal enemy who is the reformatted version of his predecessor's mortal enemy, a.k.a. Optimus Prime, Hot Rod, Megatron, and Galvatron, respectively. He's definitely got some height over his younger, pluckier counterpart, and he maintains a respectable height next to Optimus and Megatron; it's Galvatron who's taller than all of them, though it makes sense given how he was released with his two-piece canon, the Matrix on a chain, and his guns in one set. I don't know if Galvatron was taller in the cartoon or in the comics, but if so, then the toy does an appropriate job of making Galvatron look like a threat as well as Kingdom Rodimus Prime does at making his appearance look accurate to how it should in the character model.
And for one more comparison, here he is with the 1986 Movie cast newcomers in the form of Springer from Siege, Arcee from Earthrise, Ultra Magnus from the same Kingdom line that he's from, and both Blurr and Kup from Studio Series 86! These figures do look great together, seeing how we have a much more consistent line-up of G1 characters in the CHUG line given how we previously had to contend with Fansproject-upgraded Rodimus and Magnus from Classics, Warbot Defender, whatever 3Ps had for Arcee, and Generations Blurr and Kup as far as 1986 Autobot display options were concerned one decade ago. Also amazing that we have beaten the Masterpiece line by having twice the characters represented in this line when they only did Rodimus, Magnus, and Arcee. All we need now is Wreck-Gar and the upgrade kit to make the Wheelie that came with Grimlock better. Overall, Kingdom Rodimus Prime does enough to justify putting him in the Commander Class price point. Between the amount of paint and engineering spent in making the figure feel robust and complete, on top of him being a meaner fighting machine take on Hot Rod, this guy feels like the best that we've gotten out of Rodimus Prime overall. He's not 100% perfect, though. I do wish his rims were painted, and the trailer not lining up even when closed all the way does get on my nerves. But that doesn't mean I hate him! He's an impressive toy that doesn't feel like I need any stinkin' upgrade kits nor does he fall apart out of the box like MP-09! Thank you, WFC line, for making me a happy G1 Transformer collector!
Final ranking: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ out of ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
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