Transformers Energon Rodimus review

In Transformers Energon, Rodimus was a new incarnation of the "Hot Rod" character. Instead of being a futuristic sports car with an engine, he's a red truck with a transformation mimicking that of Combat Hero Optimus. Also, he has a long nose with flames, quite a bit before Movie Optimus Prime made his debut in 2007! I'm sure most will scoff at the Energon cartoon for its animation quality and the plot overall, but there was a bit to love about that series. Rodimus is one of the stronger characters, even if he was later put under Optimus's command. While Hot Rods were normally seen as young and reckless, seeing this more serious take on the Rodimus Prime character was neat, and kind of better than the lackluster version of the character from the cartoon. Now, given how Energon was known for having Autobots lack articulation (at least for the Deluxes), does Rodimus hold up along with recent offerings?

Here we have Rodimus in his vehicle mode, and what a vehicle mode we have here! It's almost as if Laser Prime and Rodimus Prime had a love child of their own, but it looks very nice! I love the deco, what with the gold flames, the silver stacks, the metallic light blue windows contrasting from the darker reds, and even the bronze grill and rims look decent! While the truck mode does have a more toyetic look compared to other trucks we got before an after, it does benefit this figure altogether, and hey, it makes a better truck mode than Energon Prime. I do wish there was some gold paint on the details that resemble the stripes on G1 Prime's trailer, but I guess that would get scraped off from having it move around the floor.

It's overall a nice take on the altmode, though I can't help but think of Mike's New Car when I see the tires. While trucks have six tires, this one gives me a vibe of how the car was designed, especially with the...spoiler? Yeah, between the spoiler of the truck, the front tires being larger than the rear tires, and the fact that it's a Cybertronic vehicle from the Unicron trilogy, it does look "Playskool" compared to other trucks, but at least it fits this take of Rodimus.

There are two interesting symbols found on this toy. One is transparent and is the Energon Star port, which can use the stars that came with Scout figures to recreate a larger Transformer getting an energy boost, while the other is a less detailed and somewhat negligible Powerlinx symbol in silver, which is colored as such for Deluxe Autobots.

Rodimus's transformation feels similar to Combat Hero Optimus Prime's, mainly with how it's not a traditional truck transformation and involves making the cab the chest while attempting to make some form of chest unrelated to the alt mode. What I do like is that the fists are on somewhat of a rotating joint to have them in either as boosters or as fists. That's something you don't see very often. As for the head, it's on plenty of hinges that bring it onto the torso. The legs are generally basic in comparison because of their steps, what with the sides of the cab becoming soles for the feet and big heels swiveling out.

The robot mode itself is pretty nice-looking for the most part. Maybe not as nice to some, but I appreciate it not being too slavish to the G1 Rodimus Prime design. I dig the torso as well as the big tires somewhat resembling cannons, but I kind of wish his head wasn't too small. Thankfully, this figure's head looks nice, as it has an "older" look compared to G1 Rodimus Prime. I even like the yellow highlights near the head, which is what Classics Rodimus pays tribute to.

The side profile may give the impression that he has big feet and the back is oddly hollow, but it does have a bit of that Energon charm of the hips going up real high. Weird how even if this Deluxe has more mass compared to modern Deluxes and even Voyagers yet has somewhat hollow shoulders.

Articulation's alright, though somewhat limited. Head is on a ball joint yet doesn't have real movement because it's on a stem rather than having a real neck. Shoulders are on ball joints while the arms somewhat hinge in and out. The elbows bend on ball joints and serve as the swivels at the elbows. Hips move front and back as well as in and out on ratchets, and the skirt piece moves up for the added range. The knees bend at 90 degrees, also on ratchets. They're the joints close to the fists, btw.

Here is Rodimus in the pants mode. Basically, you reconfigure the upper part of the robot and make some junk in the trunk. Beyond that, the legs look like they had the torso sliced off.

Here he is in his torso mode. This mode's more involved than the pants mode, and it kind of has the spoiler from G1 in a way. Head looks just as small, and the hands should use some paint, but without another Energon partner, Rodimus lacks the context of Powerlinx thanks to fellow Transformers fan Carnivius saying that Rodimus is ready for some Energon love. Yeah, I wish I had at least one more Autobot fpr Rodimus.

Sadly, my Rodimus is missing the gun and missile, but here is what they look like. They're cast in transparent plastic and are one of my favorite things about the Energon weapons. Sometimes, it's neat to have a weapon that's not siover or black at times! These plug onto the spoiler and serve as a rocket booster.

There have been a few repaints of this toy. This is a magazine giveaway from Takara back in 2004, where Superlink Rodimus Convoy: Black Version was a prize for Transformers fans. Superlink is he Japanese name for Energon (and Powerlinx too). Looks like it was burnt badly; maybe some purple would make it look cooler and reminiscent of Shattered Glass Rodimus, right?

The next two are gold and silver prizes from Takara Tomy. These lucky draw blingers are nothing but rare gems that Takara does with dipping toys in chrome every year. Fans could have either silver or gold.

These Hasbro repaints are a bit more interesting due to them representing other characters. This is Checkpoint, who came in a two-pack with a G1-colored Prowl while also resembling Prowl himself. That head even has the red crescent, too. While it may be seen as yet another Unicron Trilogy repaint, the fact that it resembles Prowl is amusing to me.

This is Thunderclash, who does wear the Energon Rodimus mold decently. While it does look more like a prototype in comparison, that's how Thunderclash's colors are. And hey, they still look nicer than Machine Wars Prime.

At the same convention, Thunderclash had a Shattered Glass variant. This one looks a lot more like a prototype in comparison, what with the use of white and teal in a not-so-sleek palette.

This figure probably won't be on everyone's wishlist, but it is one of the more unique looking Rodimus figures out there. Truck mode may be the best part, but the robot mode is fine save for the big feet, limited articulation, and the small head. I feel you're good enough with regular Rodimus than getting any of the repaints. Don't forget a Powerlinx partner, though.

Final ranking: ⭐⭐⭐ out of ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐