Here we have G1 Optimus Prime in his vehicle mode. As expected, it's faithful to the original toy, though with some sculpted details deviating slightly here and there. No die-cast is used, but we do have some rubber tires similar to what Beachcomber and Sandstorm have. The chrome grille and bumper are replaced with silver paint but it generally looks comparable enough to the vac-metal; I kind of wish the smokestacks were painted silver, though. The most notable differences would be the windows sticking out slightly while the headlights lack holes. All of the wheels are pinned on, and they compliment the rubber tires. The Autobot insignia surprisingly has a white outline, though it is lower than normal given where the shoulder joint's pin is.
There is weapon storage in the back for both guns and the axe, making it reminiscent of the Chronicle version of Prime who had a retooled trailer hitch to store his gun while also being able to haul the trailer associated with DOTM Deluxe Prime (the same one that was a Walmart exclusive and later a Movie Trilogy repaint).
Optimus can haul the Earthrise trailer, which looks surprisingly decent and in scale with him despite its cheap feel. He even has the ability to haul the G1 trailer despite being undersized while in front of it!
For an OG toy comparison, here he is with the Walmart reissue, where even with some slight sculpt work, scale, and cosmetic differences, we have quite the resemblance between the two of them. I bet we can go further with that Hot Wheels Prime that transforms or a proper-color KO version of G2 Prime whose off-colored variant was covered by TheCollector75.
For a comparison with the Earthrise version, the latter version manages to look more like a realistic truck in spite of some sculpted details that make it more futuristic with the bumper and side windows. A comparison with the SS86 version will be interesting for Earthrise.
Transformation is almost the same as the G1 toy, with some differences being how the hands transform, the bumper and hip wheels being on hinges, the hands being integrated via an assembly that is part of the forearms, and a backpack that fills in the gap normally seen on the G1 toy. The resulting robot mode is basically a somewhat altered version of the original toy when it comes to the proportions, mostly with the thighs being thicker and the forearms being chunkier. The rest of the toy manages to resemble the vintage action figure decently well, even if it doesn't have die-cast or chrome. There are no stickers nor paint apps to carry out the toy-accurate details seen normally on the forearms, knees, and toes, but they are sculpted if you prefer a decent medium. The only issue I have would be how you can see some of the red inside Prime's hands since they're painted blue, but this is still an amusing recreation.
Head sculpt matches the old toy's rounder shape and squinty yellow eyes, which now have light-piping that isn't associated with said toy. At least the mouthplate and forehead are silver. The articulation is said to be comparable to Missing Link's, with this figure having a ball-jointed neck, rotation for the shoulders moving front and back, biceps, waist, hips moving front and back, and feet for side-to-side motion, hinges for the shoulders moving out, elbows, outward leg movement, knees, and ankles for downward and pivot movement. It's ironic how the G1 toy has unintended wrist rotation while this doesn't, and it's because the removable fists were on little round pegs.
Going over the accessories once again, Optimus has two Ion Blasters: his right hand holds one based on the old toy, and his left hand better matches the proper character model's weapon. Thankfully there are no awkward faux handles nor are there any offset angles that kept the guns from being held straight. He also has an axe that simply goes over the hand, which looks pretty good on this figure. Interesting how this, Missing Link, and SS86 are adding the axe this year.
Opening the chest a la the Diaclone way reveals he also has a Matrix of Leadership, which on one hand, is a unique sculpt and isn't a reuse of the one first seen with Earthrise Optimus Prime...though it is inexplicably left unpainted. Also weird how it is the only part of the toy cast out of clear blue plastic since neither the windows nor eyes are the same color. His smokestacks are removable, but they lack 5mm ports and simply rest in the hands.
For a size comparison, here he is sandwiched and dwarfed by the original G1 toy and the Earthrise figures. Despite his smaller scale, I really like how this little Prime turned out. I assumed many would dismiss him as "Missing Link at Home", but he's a genuinely fun surprise if you want an articulated version of that old toy's design but without spending a lot more money for the Missing Link options. He may not have die-cast, but he still has the touch.
Final ranking: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ and a half out of ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
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