Review #66: Powermaster Optimus Prime with Apex Bomber
(Reissue God Ginrai)
Hello! Sorry I didn't get more done in September. I really must get to the next part in Rated X's Hercules review. I guess I just got a bit distracted by other matters... But I must get back to things! So here's another Optimus Prime review!
Except... well, not quite. For you see, this is a toy known to most Transformers fans in America as Powermaster Optimus Prime. But technically, this is a Japanese version of the toy. And in Japan, this toy was not Optimus Prime. Nor was he Convoy, which was the Japanese name for the same character. This was a completely new character named Ginrai. So who is Ginrai?
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He sure does look like Optimus Prime, eh? And in 1988, that is who this toy was released as in the United States. This made him the first Transformers character to get a new toy released for the same character, under the same name! (Bumblebee did get his second toy the year before, but renamed as Goldbug.)
As far as the cab goes, he is a somewhat simplified Optimus Prime. He only has one pair of rear wheels, and no gas cans. The cab is also somewhat gappy on the top and in the back, although at least the back is a bit less conspicuous when one has the trailer attached. Looking at the back without the trailer, however, you can definitely see what looks suspiciously like another front of a cab peaking through. Strange, eh? We'll see more of that later....
Moving onto the trailer, now, it definitely has the aesthetics of a G1 Optimus Prime trailer, but there are still some differences. It is primarily grey, but a few other colors do poke out a bit. It does have striping along each side, but less complex then one normally expects -- primarily blue with a single, thin white accent through the middle The trailer is less smooth, with some obvious transformation joints across it. The front of the trailer is seriously gappy, making any gappiness on the cab pale in comparison. This gap isn't too obvious unless looking at the trailer from the front, however. Mind you, the front is not an uncommon angle from which to look at things! |
This is not to say that the trailer looks bad. Just... different. Even the aforementioned huge gap, while a bit conspicuous, doesn't completely ruin things. And there are some definite nice touches to the trailer as well! The back has two panels that fold down, acting as a ramp, and revealing a (somewhat shallow) cavity inside. As these panels have no purpose in moving for transformation or for use in any other modes, they are clearly here just for that feature. It is an appreciated touch that they did not have to include.
As mentioned, the toy being looked at here is the Japanese re-issue version. There were some rather big differences between the Japanese and American versions. Well, when it comes to the American re-issue version, they based it more off of the original Japanese version, so there are less differences there. (There is still one I am aware of, but we'll get to that much later in the review.) But as for the original American version... Well, the differences are actually quite big!
Some of the differences are just minor changes is the choice of color in the plastics used. One such example is that the original American version used a lighter, duller grey plastic where as here we have a darker and richer grey color. Other differences are more noticeable when looking at specific modes of this toy. I may not catch all of them here, but here are the ones I can note for vehicle mode:
The big one is the front of the cab. This version has a front that is die cast metal, and translucent blue windows. The original American one had an all plastic cab, and the windows were just blue stickers. The original American version also had no chrome. The bumper was just painted silver, and the smokestacks were unpainted grey plastic. Interestingly, the smokestacks on the original American version were longer! Yet the length of them on the toy being reviewed here is consistent with what was on the original Japanese release. So here we have something of an anomaly when it comes to Optimus Prime toys... they shortened the smoke stacks for the Japanese release! (Mind you, they look better in chrome even with the shorter length.)
Also, the grill of the cab was a bit of an eyesore on the original American version. The entire panel containing the grill was unpainted grey plastic. Here, it has a bit of chrome along the outside of the grill, plus the portions of the panel outside of the grill are red to match with the rest of the cab. This is a huge improvement, as that grey really stuck out as out of place against the red.
Moving to the trailer... again, there are additional differences that will be more obvious in other modes, but one difference is still rather important to this mode. Yet it is a difference that has to do with transformation, so forgive me if I am a bit vague... I don't wish to spoil the surprise for the one or two people who care enough to read this review, yet are not at all familiar with this toy! Anyway, looking at the trailer from the front, you may notice two little blue bits that look like switches to slide something out from inside the surrounding red bits. On the original American version of this toy, these sliding out blue bits were not present! Instead, whatever blue thing it is that slides out was just attached (in red) at the end of the red bit, molded as a solid piece.
Let us talk now about some of the accessories. First of all, let us address that this is Powermaster Optimus Prime. What is a Powermaster? Well, looking at the Transformers Wiki, it looks like there is some fiction for them, but boiling it down to what I knew as a kid (which would have mainly come from the toys themselves as Powermasters never appeared in the cartoon) Powermasters were Transformers who could not transform on their own. They had little partners (similar to Targetmasters and Headmasters) who in this case transformed into engines. When you plug this engine onto the larger Transformer, it unlocked the Transformer's ability to change into a robot. (Changing back into the alt mode did not require having the engine attached.)
Optimus Prime's Powermaster partner (also known as a Nebulon) was named Hi-Q. On the original release of this toy, Hi-Q would have also had no chrome, instead just having grey plastic where chrome is seen here. Also, he normally does not sport a faction symbol. This is the one of two additions I have made to this figure, giving him a tiny Reprolabels Autobot symbol.
As mentioned, the toy being looked at here is the Japanese re-issue version. There were some rather big differences between the Japanese and American versions. Well, when it comes to the American re-issue version, they based it more off of the original Japanese version, so there are less differences there. (There is still one I am aware of, but we'll get to that much later in the review.) But as for the original American version... Well, the differences are actually quite big!
Some of the differences are just minor changes is the choice of color in the plastics used. One such example is that the original American version used a lighter, duller grey plastic where as here we have a darker and richer grey color. Other differences are more noticeable when looking at specific modes of this toy. I may not catch all of them here, but here are the ones I can note for vehicle mode:
The big one is the front of the cab. This version has a front that is die cast metal, and translucent blue windows. The original American one had an all plastic cab, and the windows were just blue stickers. The original American version also had no chrome. The bumper was just painted silver, and the smokestacks were unpainted grey plastic. Interestingly, the smokestacks on the original American version were longer! Yet the length of them on the toy being reviewed here is consistent with what was on the original Japanese release. So here we have something of an anomaly when it comes to Optimus Prime toys... they shortened the smoke stacks for the Japanese release! (Mind you, they look better in chrome even with the shorter length.)
Also, the grill of the cab was a bit of an eyesore on the original American version. The entire panel containing the grill was unpainted grey plastic. Here, it has a bit of chrome along the outside of the grill, plus the portions of the panel outside of the grill are red to match with the rest of the cab. This is a huge improvement, as that grey really stuck out as out of place against the red.
Moving to the trailer... again, there are additional differences that will be more obvious in other modes, but one difference is still rather important to this mode. Yet it is a difference that has to do with transformation, so forgive me if I am a bit vague... I don't wish to spoil the surprise for the one or two people who care enough to read this review, yet are not at all familiar with this toy! Anyway, looking at the trailer from the front, you may notice two little blue bits that look like switches to slide something out from inside the surrounding red bits. On the original American version of this toy, these sliding out blue bits were not present! Instead, whatever blue thing it is that slides out was just attached (in red) at the end of the red bit, molded as a solid piece.
Let us talk now about some of the accessories. First of all, let us address that this is Powermaster Optimus Prime. What is a Powermaster? Well, looking at the Transformers Wiki, it looks like there is some fiction for them, but boiling it down to what I knew as a kid (which would have mainly come from the toys themselves as Powermasters never appeared in the cartoon) Powermasters were Transformers who could not transform on their own. They had little partners (similar to Targetmasters and Headmasters) who in this case transformed into engines. When you plug this engine onto the larger Transformer, it unlocked the Transformer's ability to change into a robot. (Changing back into the alt mode did not require having the engine attached.)
Optimus Prime's Powermaster partner (also known as a Nebulon) was named Hi-Q. On the original release of this toy, Hi-Q would have also had no chrome, instead just having grey plastic where chrome is seen here. Also, he normally does not sport a faction symbol. This is the one of two additions I have made to this figure, giving him a tiny Reprolabels Autobot symbol.
Hi-Q's articulation is mainly limited to his arms, that can swing forward. He also has some joints in his legs. The leg joints are mainly intended for transformation, but can be used to simulate a seated pose in a specialized seat. (We will see this later.)
Hi-Q wasn't Hi-Q for the Japanese release of this toy. And here we come to a big difference between the fictions for the American and Japanese versions of Powermasters. In Japan, they were actually called Godmasters, and they were humans wearing transforming suits of armor, who combined with non-sentient transforming robots called Transtectors. So that's right, folks! The transforming red truck cab is just a non-sentient shell... Ginrai is actually the little guy above! (And man, must he be flexible to be able to bend his legs like that!)
Hi-Q wasn't Hi-Q for the Japanese release of this toy. And here we come to a big difference between the fictions for the American and Japanese versions of Powermasters. In Japan, they were actually called Godmasters, and they were humans wearing transforming suits of armor, who combined with non-sentient transforming robots called Transtectors. So that's right, folks! The transforming red truck cab is just a non-sentient shell... Ginrai is actually the little guy above! (And man, must he be flexible to be able to bend his legs like that!)
As for why "Ginrai" (when considering how he looks when combined with his Transtector) looks so much like Optimus Prime? Apparently, it was originally constructed to be used as a new body for Optimus, before some plot device or another intervened and it became a Transtector used by Ginrai, instead. Got all that? 'Cause I'm not sure I do! (One of these days, I must watch Super God Masterforce for myself...)
Anyway, Ginrai or Hi-Q (depending on your choice of fiction) plugs onto... eh, we'll just call him Optimus... over the cab's grill. Once the engine block is attached (or, once you just push the grill in with your finger and hold it there while folding out Optimus's legs) you're good to go for transforming Optimus into robot mode! But before we do transform him, let us consider the weapons that come with this figure. |
You get a pair of large, black, single barrel guns and a pair of large, grey, double barrel guns. The trailer has ports that these can all plug into to form an "attack mode." The grey ones attach to the upper front corner of the sides of the trailer. The black ones attach to the top of the trailer. Technically, the black ones are not then left with clearance to fire... but it is an 80's kids toy. It didn't overly bother me when I was a child, so don't let it bother you!
Well, moving onto robot mode, we see why earlier there was something suspiciously like the front of a truck's cab poking through the gap in the back of the truck's cab... This is the first Optimus Prime toy to feature a false chest! The actual front of the cab ends up on the robot's back, making for rather a strange looking back indeed. (You have a strange feeling of, "Which side am I looking at?") The front, meanwhile, uses false windows (made of stickers on any version of this toy) and a false grill, with a more stylized shape allowing for Optimus to have a more dynamic and less blocky look.
Articulation is quite limited, even by G1 standards. One usually expects at least shoulder articulation, but here the shoulders are static. The only articulation is in the elbows, which can bend forward. Well, the legs have some movement as well, I suppose, but as the legs are joined it is useful only if you wish to make Optimus sit down. (In practice, the leg articulation is actually just joints needed for transformation.
Optimus can hold two of his four guns, either one of each or both of one kind. The black ones definitely look better being held by Optimus, but neither one is quite perfect. Neither type can be held pointing forward, as they are too long in the back to allow the elbow to bend enough. Here we come to the second of the two additions I have made to this figure. Remember that dollar store knock-off Prime I reviewed? You might recall my having mentioned then snagging a second copy of the gun that came with that figure for use with my Powermaster Optimus Prime. Indeed, it is a fine gun to use with this figure. (Alas, it might be tough to come by today.)
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There are a few more differences between the toy we're looking at today and the original American version that are now noticeable. First, here Optimus has nice, blue eyes that really match well Optimus's eyes in the cartoon. (And if you're wondering, Ginrai's equivalent of this mode also had blue eyes in the cartoon.) The original American toy had red eyes in this mode. (I am not completely sure, but what little research I have done has suggested that the original Japanese version also had red eyes, and that this was a change introduced with the re-issue.) Also, his silver painted upper legs were, on the original American version, left unpainted. They did have silver stickers over the front, and these stickers are still used on this version, but without the silver paint the sides of his upper legs were blue.
Moving on to the trailer... based on all of the visible transformation joints seen in vehicle mode, it should be a bit obvious that this one does a bit more then just opening up to form a combat deck. So what does it do? Well, it transforms into a nifty base mode with various ramps and platforms for different figures to inhabit!
Moving on to the trailer... based on all of the visible transformation joints seen in vehicle mode, it should be a bit obvious that this one does a bit more then just opening up to form a combat deck. So what does it do? Well, it transforms into a nifty base mode with various ramps and platforms for different figures to inhabit!
To the left is a picture of this base mode populated with other figures. I don't have a lot of appropriate G1 figures, so please forgive the use of more modern Legends class figures!
The grey double barreled guns can act as seats for Hi-Q/Ginrai or other similar Powermaster partner figures. I like to stick Optimus himself in the large open cavity visible looking at the base mode from behind. Here, he stands proudly overseeing his base. All in all, a nifty base mode! Looks good and offers some fun places to stick a few extra figures. If I was being objective and didn't have more nostalgia for the original G1 Prime's Combat Deck, I might like this one more! (It also helps the Combat Deck that this one is much less effective as a trailer...) |
But that's not all... This trailer has yet another mode! Transform it into this third mode and you get... You get a big headless robot with a huge cavity in its chest? That can't be right, can it?
Indeed there is more to it. Take Optimus, transform him back to a truck, fold up the back of the truck, and slide it into that cavity. Then add a head (which is, alas, a separate piece) and voila! You have Super Optimus Prime! |
It is a shame that the head is a separate piece, but in a G1 toy this is, while unfortunate, forgivable. Apparently early plans for the toy did have the head integrated, but somewhere in the design process this was abandoned. (Likely for cost reasons.)
He has four ports for his guns, located in his upper arms and his fists. Either style of gun will fit in either place, although the grey guns don't fit the fists quite as well. You can get them to stay there, but they'll be much less secure. |
Again he is a glorious example of a G1 brick, although at least here the limited articulation he has is in his shoulders. They can swivel 360 degrees. But other than that, nothing.
There are more notable differences between this version of the toy and the original American version. Most notably, I can finally elaborate upon those little blue sliders mentioned when talking about the trailer. They are used to slide out Super Ginrai's blue fists. Without these, Super Optimus Prime had fixed positioned, red fists. Now, when in trailer mode, what was to be the super mode's arms did not stick up significantly higher. So when you have fixed-positioned red fists rather then sliding blue fists, that means that the super mode ends up with shorter arms! Frankly, the super mode already has somewhat stubby arms. Making them even shorter does not help!
The white seen here around his hips and groin, and the chrome on the front half of his upper legs, were both grey plastic on the original American version.
Now, if we were reviewing the original American version of the toy, we would be just about done. It would be about here that I shared some kind of size reference photo and started wrapping things up with some final thoughts. But we're not quite done yet... for the biggest difference between the original American version of this figure and what we are reviewing here is the addition of another whole figure! Ladies and gentlemen, I give you the spectacularly chrome-fronted magnificence that is Godbomber!
There are more notable differences between this version of the toy and the original American version. Most notably, I can finally elaborate upon those little blue sliders mentioned when talking about the trailer. They are used to slide out Super Ginrai's blue fists. Without these, Super Optimus Prime had fixed positioned, red fists. Now, when in trailer mode, what was to be the super mode's arms did not stick up significantly higher. So when you have fixed-positioned red fists rather then sliding blue fists, that means that the super mode ends up with shorter arms! Frankly, the super mode already has somewhat stubby arms. Making them even shorter does not help!
The white seen here around his hips and groin, and the chrome on the front half of his upper legs, were both grey plastic on the original American version.
Now, if we were reviewing the original American version of the toy, we would be just about done. It would be about here that I shared some kind of size reference photo and started wrapping things up with some final thoughts. But we're not quite done yet... for the biggest difference between the original American version of this figure and what we are reviewing here is the addition of another whole figure! Ladies and gentlemen, I give you the spectacularly chrome-fronted magnificence that is Godbomber!
This figure was not ever released in America as part of the original G1 toy line. It was available in Japan, either as a separate figure or in a gift set with Ginrai. When Powermaster Optimus Prime was re-issued in the Commemorative Series in 2003, America finally got a version of this toy, although (likely to avoid using the word "god" at all) it was renamed Apex Bomber.
Here I must admit I mix my terminologies a bit... As an American fan, I do think of the main figure here as Optimus Prime. But for this figure, I do tend to still use the name Godbomber. Eh, whatever. My toys in my collection. I could call him Francine the Magical Shiny Robot, and you couldn't stop me. Frankly, mixing "Optimus Prime" and "Godbomber" pales in comparison to the horror that could be Francine the Magical Shiny Robot! |
As Apex Bomber, this character doesn't really have much in the way of fiction for itself. Not too surprising, as it is very much a toy-only character, and only ever released once as an accessory to another toy. Pretty much, it is just an autonomous drone that functions along side Optimus. It was described as a "roller drone," suggesting without outright stating that it may be an upgraded form of Roller.
When it comes to Godbomber, it was definitely stated to be a drone under the control of Ginrai. Man, for a little human character, Ginrai sure had a lot he had to control all at once, eh?
When it comes to Godbomber, it was definitely stated to be a drone under the control of Ginrai. Man, for a little human character, Ginrai sure had a lot he had to control all at once, eh?
Francine's, er... I mean... Godbomber's gun features a firing missile. The damn thing is tiny and on a hair trigger, so careful you don't loose it! This is the one difference there is between Godbomber and Apex Bomber, as Apex Bomber has a non-chromed silver missile that has been comically elongated likely to meet modern child safety regulations. Apex Bomber with his enlarged missile is seen here thanks to a photo swiped from TFU.info.
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In vehicle mode, Godbomber works with Optimus Prime in a few different ways. First, he can be a separate vehicle. Second, he can be towed by Optimus's cab... although frankly this method of interaction is so forgettable that I didn't even think to photograph it. (Sorry!) Thirdly, and most commonly, Godbomber can work as a second trailer that Optimus tows behind his first.
Although typically I display mine (when in vehicle mode) in the tandem configuration seen above, one thing that I do like is that if you would prefer a more clean look for Optimus Prime, you can store his weapons and his Powermaster partner all on Godbomber. Godbomber has three obvious ports. The black guns can tab onto the red fins on his sides, and one of the grey guns can tab into the hole on the top of the chromed front piece. The placement of the second grey gun is a bit less obvious... There are a few holes on Godbomber's rear. At first, these holes may seem a bit too large to use, but one of the guns will stay there fine if you are just using this as a display option, and not as a "zoom it around while playing with it" option.
Transformation for Godbomber is a bit... well... unorthodox. Basically, he is the ultimate Partsformer! You basically pull all of his pieces apart and reassemble them to form his robot mode. Normally this would be cause for complaint, but a screen shot I saw from Super God Masterforce seems to show that this was how he transformed in the cartoon! So... hooray for show accuracy, I suppose!
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You end up with a robot who isn't too bad looking. He certainly complements Optimus okay. Again, he is a brick as far as articulation goes. His only movement is in the shoulders. He can hold his gun in either hand, or it can plug over his left shoulder. (I forgot about the shoulder option when photographing him!)
But there is something else Godbomber can do! And this something else might better justify his Partsformer status. For you see, if you pull him apart again, you can take all of his parts and add them to Super Optimus Prime / Super Ginrai. The result... God Ginrai! (Or, the slightly less magnificently named, "Super Optimus Prime with Apex Armor.")
This mode (as Optimus rather then Ginrai) really needs a better name... "Super Optimus Prime with Apex Armor" is just too clunky. Hmm... Ultra Francine! No, no more of this "Francine" smeg... I guess I just say, "The heck with all of this avoiding the word 'god' nonsense!" And thus, I dub him to be... God Prime!
God Prime gets some boots that make him much taller! He's beefier, with a puffed out chest and thicker (if still a bit stumpy) arms! His chest is full of gloriously shiny chrome! (I'm not normally a fan of excessive chrome, but Optimus here makes it work for him!) He has cute, tiny little wings on his back! Overall, in this mode God Prime is quite the striking figure to have on your shelf. The official configuration of this figure is as seen above, with the black guns in his hands and the grey guns on the sides of his feet. I prefer the look seen to the right, with the grey guns in his hands (they stay in this mode's hands much better then in the hands of the smaller Super mode) and the black guns behind his shoulders looking all smoke-stackish. When it comes to articulation, he continues to be a G1 brick. The only articulation is the same shoulder joints he had in his smaller Super mode. In fact, that articulation is slightly more limited here, as if you spun his arms all the way backwards, you might bump into his wings. The Super mode head frankly looked a bit over-sized on the normal Super mode, but in this mode it actually seems much better in proportion to the rest of the figure. |
A few more quick photos to wrap things up.
First, to the left, do you want everything to have storage in vehicle mode? Well, while the inside of the trailer is shallow, it is deep enough to store the super mode head. The extra gun I have will fit in there, as well! Second, to the right, swiped from the Transformers Wiki, here's a quick look at the original American version of the toy. Quite a few differences, indeed! |
Well, I dare say that about covers everything, so are you ready for an epic size comparison photo? 'Cause here it comes... It's a biggie... A three-way split-screen comparison!
Presented with a few standard sized DVD cases for scale, from left to right:
Godbomber / Apex Bomber
Powermaster Optimus Prime / Ginrai's lifeless, non-scentient transtector that sure looks like Optimus Prime
Hi-Q / Ginrai
Original G1 Optimus Prime (re-issue), 'cause, why not?
Super Optimus Prime / Super Ginrai
God Prime (a.k.a. Super Optimus Prime with Apex Armor) / God Ginrai
As a child, I never had the original G1 Optimus Prime. I had a few friends who did, but never owned one myself until I was an adult. But I did have the Powermaster Optimus Prime when I was a kid. So (the American version of) this was the first Optimus Prime toy I personally owned as a child. Thus, I have a lot of nostalgia for this one! Yes, it is a G1 brick, especially compared to the original G1 Optimus Prime who (for the time) had some really good arm articulation if nothing else. Yes, his transformation (for the smaller core robot) relies upon a cheating fake chest and grill. But back then, I didn't care so much about that. This was just an awesome toy with a ton of different play options!
Add to that Godbomber, and for kids you just add to the play value! And for adults, you just add to the shelf presence.
Would today's kids still enjoy this toy? I dunnno. The cynic in me might worry that they might be used to more sophisticated toys. But who knows? I still think Powermaster Optimus Prime has a lot to offer, with many different play options in a single character. Now normally, for such an old toy (even the re-issue is over a decade old at this point!) I might not spend too much time saying, "Your kids will love this!" but frankly, this toy doesn't seem to be priced too far outside of the realm of possibility as far as getting one to give to a kid. A quick check of e-Bay shows aa wide range of prices, and indeed some are outrageous! But I also saw multiple examples of both the Japanese and American re-issues around the $100.00 range. And if you don't care about Godbomber/Apex Bomber, or about the inferior deco the original American version had, some decent copies of that can be had for even less.
Just remember, if you end up getting the Japanese version of this toy for a kid, that Godbomber has that rather short missile. Personally, I'd trust a kid not to shoot the thing down their own (or a friend's) throat, but I suppose modern child safety laws, if a bit excessive, have some reason for existing. So either take that missile out until they are older, or give it to 'em at your own risk!
Now, as for adult collectors... If you were a kid in the days of G1, if you are just a Transformers fan looking to get something with a lot of different display options and which can really stand out impressively on a shelf, if you are a fan specifically of Optimus Prime... or if you are some combination of some or all of these, you owe it to yourself to have this toy! Just the original American version for its inferior deco (unless you specifically have a strong nostalgic attachment to that version of the toy.) But for a vintage toy this big, that does this much, that looks this good, and that (with a bit of careful shopping) can be found for this good a price, this is a great addition to most any collection!
Highly recommended!
Review added 12 October 2014 by Yotsuya. Comments are welcomed.
Godbomber / Apex Bomber
Powermaster Optimus Prime / Ginrai's lifeless, non-scentient transtector that sure looks like Optimus Prime
Hi-Q / Ginrai
Original G1 Optimus Prime (re-issue), 'cause, why not?
Super Optimus Prime / Super Ginrai
God Prime (a.k.a. Super Optimus Prime with Apex Armor) / God Ginrai
As a child, I never had the original G1 Optimus Prime. I had a few friends who did, but never owned one myself until I was an adult. But I did have the Powermaster Optimus Prime when I was a kid. So (the American version of) this was the first Optimus Prime toy I personally owned as a child. Thus, I have a lot of nostalgia for this one! Yes, it is a G1 brick, especially compared to the original G1 Optimus Prime who (for the time) had some really good arm articulation if nothing else. Yes, his transformation (for the smaller core robot) relies upon a cheating fake chest and grill. But back then, I didn't care so much about that. This was just an awesome toy with a ton of different play options!
Add to that Godbomber, and for kids you just add to the play value! And for adults, you just add to the shelf presence.
Would today's kids still enjoy this toy? I dunnno. The cynic in me might worry that they might be used to more sophisticated toys. But who knows? I still think Powermaster Optimus Prime has a lot to offer, with many different play options in a single character. Now normally, for such an old toy (even the re-issue is over a decade old at this point!) I might not spend too much time saying, "Your kids will love this!" but frankly, this toy doesn't seem to be priced too far outside of the realm of possibility as far as getting one to give to a kid. A quick check of e-Bay shows aa wide range of prices, and indeed some are outrageous! But I also saw multiple examples of both the Japanese and American re-issues around the $100.00 range. And if you don't care about Godbomber/Apex Bomber, or about the inferior deco the original American version had, some decent copies of that can be had for even less.
Just remember, if you end up getting the Japanese version of this toy for a kid, that Godbomber has that rather short missile. Personally, I'd trust a kid not to shoot the thing down their own (or a friend's) throat, but I suppose modern child safety laws, if a bit excessive, have some reason for existing. So either take that missile out until they are older, or give it to 'em at your own risk!
Now, as for adult collectors... If you were a kid in the days of G1, if you are just a Transformers fan looking to get something with a lot of different display options and which can really stand out impressively on a shelf, if you are a fan specifically of Optimus Prime... or if you are some combination of some or all of these, you owe it to yourself to have this toy! Just the original American version for its inferior deco (unless you specifically have a strong nostalgic attachment to that version of the toy.) But for a vintage toy this big, that does this much, that looks this good, and that (with a bit of careful shopping) can be found for this good a price, this is a great addition to most any collection!
Highly recommended!
Review added 12 October 2014 by Yotsuya. Comments are welcomed.