Review : Animated Voyager Prime

[Pascal]

TRUCK MODE

YAY

-overall look (a cross between G1 Prime and Cybertron Prime)
-rotatable water canon (can do a full 360)
-big plastic wheels
-bumper design (looks like he's built to ram into things)
-circuitry-like detailing behind the windshield
-Animated look
-you almost get 2 toys for the price of 1 if you remove rear section (axe)... this way, Prime looks more like his G1 self

NAY

-not much to complain about, except maybe that it's not the full fire truck sometimes featured on the show?
-side windows, mirrors and tail lights could have been painted
-water canon is really hard on the fingers to activate and doesn't really work... forget about the gimmick, just use it as a gun

TRANSFORMATION

YAY

-the classic G1 transformation finally done right on a non-masterpiece Prime with a seamless cab and no visible hands or cheats

NAY

-"gravity spin" gimmick (you push a button and the waist/legs assembly spins into place for robot mode) is not always working as it should... actually, it's ok 8 times out of 10, but sometimes the legs stop spinning facing the opposite direction...
-legs sometimes want to pop off when you extend them

ROBOT MODE

YAY

-good size
-pretty faithful (minus the weapons) to the show
-excellent overall articulation : knee, knee swivel, upper leg (2), waist, shoulder (3), bicep swivel, elbow (2), neck
-stable and easy to pose thanks to the large angled feet
-faceplate gimmick (somehow, I like it better on this one than on Cybertron Prime)
-2 weapons (giant axe + water gun)
-you can "store" the weapons on the back

NAY

-axe is only painted on one side
-can't look up or down
-again, the water gun has the same problems... forget about the gimmick, just use it as a gun
-empty forearms... would have been cleaner with a system similar to what we see on Cybertron Thundercracker for example

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How does it rank with my other Animated toys?

1. Voyager Bulkhead : flawless, extremely solid in both modes
2. DLX Bumblebee : still a favorite because of the look and the wicked transformation (I don't mind the feet)
3. Voyager Optimus Prime : my favorite Prime despite the leg problem
4. DLX Optimus Prime : looks like he just jumped out of my tv, plus I like the 3 weapon options
5. DLX Prowl : boring deco, but excellent transformation and wicked poseability
6. Voyager Starscream : good seeker, excellent poseability, great look (especially the face), but a bit boring and tricky to transform though... I would have also preferred to have the null-rays attached to the upper arms instead of the forearms
7. Voyager Megatron : questionable alternate mode and canon attachment on the arm... very good robot mode though

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[Team Jetfire]

Nice review, Thanks!

[Optimus_Prime]

I'm really excited about Prime, it might be my favourite of the series.

[BadJeff]

Good review, Thanks! They should have painted the axe on both sides..

[Pascal]

I'm really excited about Prime, it might be my favourite of the series. Also, is there a DLX Bulkhead that I don't know about, that is better than Optimus?

I meant Voyager Bulkhead. Fixed!

[jjwankenobi]

Pretty sweet how the axe and "gun" are integrated into his vehicle mode. I was going to hold out for the DVD 2 pack with Deluxe class Earth Mode Optimus and Cybertron Mode Megatron but your Voyager Class Earth Prime might have changed my mind.

What to do??? Two Deluxe Class figures (with a likely forgettable DVD) for the price of one Voyager, or just get Voyager Prime?

Any insights?

[Pascal]

Deluxe Prime is more poseable than Voyager Prime, that's for sure. I really like both, almost equally. Voyager Prime is the best in truck mode.

And the Earth Mode deluxe version, although similar in design to the Cybertron Mode deluxe, has a few new tricks and the clean look of the Voyager version in truck mode, so to me, that's enough to get all 3. And all 4, if you count the Roll out and command version. :)

[jjwankenobi]

And the Earth Mode deluxe version, although similar in design to the Cybertron Mode deluxe, has a few new tricks and the clean look of the Voyager version in truck mode, so to me, that's enough to get all 3. And all 4, if you count the Roll out and command version. :)

Ooh...I was hoping you wouldn't say that :p . Now to figure out how to bring home 4 TF's after promising my wife I'd only buy 2...

You've just made the decision-making process even more complex!!!

Tricks on the Deluxe Earth Mode Prime you say? Can you elaborate?

I might still go for the 2-pack since I like the Deluxe version of Cybertron Megatron better than the Voyager class one.

[Pascal]

The transformation on DLX Earth Mode is a bit different and it looks cleaner in truck mode (no gaps when viewed from the side).

If you want only 2... get the 2-pack for Cybertron Mode Prime and DLX Meg and get Roll and Command Prime since he's pretty much a bigger version of the Voyager version but with autotransform and phrases from the show.

[jjwankenobi]

Thanks for the insight!

I must admit the Roll Out Prime does look awesome, as does your Voyager Prime

Cheers!

[pud333]

I can't tell the difference between the various animated primes. I mean, I know there are differences, but they still all just look the same to me, which is good I guess.

I do like how the weapons are all integrated into the figure in alt mode. I'm a firm believer that a transformer should be able to carry all its accessories even in alt mode. That being said, I think I've seen enough of the animated line to just pass on the whole thing. I realize I just can't appreciate the aesthetic.

As always, thanks for the review Pascal!

[brr-icy]

thanks for the review pascal, i think i'm going to get all the animated toys thanks to your revews so far, i like the look of the show and the toys