That Epic Self-Transforming Optimus Prime Is Now Smaller, Lighter, and Cheaper—But Still Far From Cheap

In early 2021, Transformers followers all shared a collective gasp when Hasbro and Robosen debuted a 19-inch tall Optimus Prime toy that could transform from a truck, to a robotic, and again once more, all by itself. It was an engineering marvel, a fantasy come true for numerous ‘80s kids, and almost two years later, there’s now a brand new and improved model that knocks a couple of dollars off the steep price ticket.

The Robosen Elite Edition Auto-Converting Optimus Prime is nearly similar to its predecessor except you come at it with a tape measure. The authentic Collector’s Edition or Flagship model stood 19-inches tall, whereas the brand new Elite Edition advantages from a few years of continued electronics miniaturization and tops out at 16-inches tall as a substitute.

Almost every little thing else is similar, proper all the way down to the over 5,000 parts that go into the robotic together with 60 microchips, 27 servos, and equipment like Prime’s blaster and power axe that may be swapped in as wanted. It additionally nonetheless boasts 80 totally different phrases recorded by Peter Cullen who voiced the character within the authentic ‘80s animated series.

The Elite Edition Auto-Converting Optimus Prime is still most easily controlled using an accompanying smartphone app to trigger one of 43 different commands like “convert” and “roll out,” or by just guiding the robot’s actions manually whereas strolling in robotic mode or driving round in its Freightliner semi-truck mode. Voice instructions are additionally an choice, however the consensus of critiques of the unique auto-transforming Prime appear to point the robotic wasn’t nearly as good at following verbal instructions as fashionable sensible assistants are.

There are a number of causes to go for the brand new Elite Prime over the unique, with the obvious being that you just won’t even have a alternative as a result of the primary launch is now not in manufacturing, so when the inventory that Hasbro Pulse and Robosen are promoting runs out, that’s it. The different purpose to go for model two is that at $700, it’s $50 cheaper than what the unique Collector’s Edition Prime initially offered for at launch, and $500 cheaper than what the remaining Collector’s Edition Primes are actually promoting for, after a major worth bump to $1,200 at present. The new Elite model will even be out there for buy from a wider variety of retailers together with Entertainment Earth, the BigBadToyStore, Costco, and even Amazon, so the possibilities of reductions, or cheaper delivery, will likely be improved.

Unfortunately, the equally spectacular and costly $750 reworking trailer accent is just suitable with the unique and bigger Collector’s Edition model of the toy, so if you happen to have been hoping for that full set, and haven’t ordered one already, you’re now going to must cough up near $2,000 for the pair.