Big hello to all - also some help would be great!

[Deleted]

Firstly, want to say ‘hi’ to everyone and looking forward to chatting!

I am a life long Transformers fan but have not bought any of the figures for a long time. My 6 year old son is now into it (thanks to the Prime series – am not sure if it is a little old for him but we do enjoy watching it).

Actually am also hoping someone can help me (apologies if this should be on its own thread). My son has written to Santa asking for an Optimus Prime in his stocking.

I have spent hours looking at the options – I want something a reasonable size (8-12”), fun and, crucially, easy enough to transform (with a little help initially) for a 6 year old. Most of the bigger Voyage type ones seem far to complicated.

Anyhow, after a lot of research, I’ve narrowed it down to either the Weaponizer Optimus Prime (I realise this isn’t as detailed as some but it looks easy for him to transform) and the Galaxy Force Optimus (again, looks easy to transform into a number of configs).

My personal fave is the Galaxy Force one and have managed to find it on ebay (can’t find it anywhere else) – am in the UK – but it is missing its planet key, matrix, missile and gun.

Does anyone know whether these spare parts can be purchased in the UK?

Also – if anyone has any ideas for good transformers figures for a 6 year old it would be really appreciated as I don’t seem to be getting anywhere.

Thanks so much!

[Stomski]

6 years old is a difficult age - just past the top end of the Rescue Bots age range, but just too young for the main line (IMO).

What's he like with Lego? Perhaps a Kreo set would hit the mark and there are some good offers on the sets around at the moment.

Spare parts for the Cybertron line would be tricky. Your best bet is to keep checking eBay for spares (check listings of transformer lots - often contain random accessories with others at a good price as parents just job lot their kids old toys). 2nd hand dealers may also be able to help.

[Bogatan]

Hi, personally I think Weaponizer Prime is great and should be great for a 6 year old. Obviously its the Prime he knows from the show which will help. Its a very simple toy so wont be too frustrating to Transform* but is still fun to do. It's also quite solid so I dont think there are a lot of parts to come off and get lost. And theres the electronics to add to the fun.

Galaxy force Prime is fun but is far removed from the Prime toyline look and has lots of separate pieces that will go missing over time. Also the missing parts you mentioned are probably going to cost a fair bit to replace, though I might be wrong about that or you might get lost.


*which is actually a problem with the Kreo, even the small sets can take ages to rebuild from one form to another. If you look at it as a lego type set its fine, but my friends kids want to use them as Transformers and the build time and the amount of time they run to me or their parents to help them change it can be excessive.

[Marc Graham]

Another vote for Weaponizer here.

Big chunky toy - easy to transform and fun easy gimmick for kids.

Kreo at that age might take forever to build, look aint that great and Galaxy force Prime needs cyber key and it a bit more difficult to Transform.

[Shockprowl]

Hi Loxeley! I know nothing of the Prime line, but I would just echo what Andy above has said in that the Cybertron/Galaxy Force Optimus is alot of fun, fairly easy to transform and he's HUGE. But perhaps an Optimus from the Prime line would be better as that's what he's used to. My 6 year old little girl loves looking at my Transformers (they have tea parties and such- what fun), but there's no way she can transform any of them other than the very basic G1 figures.

[Marc Graham]

Also - how rude of me - Welcome to the hub! I hope whatever toy your son gets he loves!

Marc. (recently bought a friends young son the Rescue Heroes Optimus Prime, still a fun wee toy, alongside the book I am Optimus Prime)

[Deleted]

Hi

Thanks for the welcome and all the info – great to be able to ‘chat’ about these things.

I’ve only just discovered Rescue Bots, which is a shame as that would have been great. I think he’s a little old for it now. Particularly now he’s seen the Prime series.

He does love Lego so think he would enjoy the Kreo kits but I think it might be better to get him a durable toy he can play with.

Nice to hear some positive views of the Weaponizer – I thought it looked really good although was worried it might be a bit heavy and bulky to play with? Have found it for £27.99 online.

Having said that, the GF Optimus looks great fun but can’t find it anywhere online. Aside from ebay, does anyone know where I’d be able to get a Cybertron/Galaxy Force Optimus?

Am now thinking of getting a Megatron at some point – so need to find one that transforms as easily as these two…

Thanks again!

[Bogatan]

Weaponizer Prime is actually really light compared to other transformers of its size.

Leader class Animated Megatron would probably a good choice. Certainly the simplest Megatron for a long while.

[Deleted]

Thanks for the info.

Just need to decide between the Weaponizer and Galaxy Force one now

[blueshift]

I can't say much about the Weaponiser one, but the Galaxy Force/Cybertron version is very sturdy and will survive a few bashes, and is pretty simple to transform, though there are some parts you need to clip on which need a bit of pressure. It might be worth checking some video reviews of the figures to see how complex/sturdy they are. I know a lot of the more modern Movie figures were ridiculously complex and fragile, but I have no idea what Prime is like.

[Deleted]

I can't find anywhere selling a complete Galaxy one unfortunately so might just have to go for the weaponizer...

[Toph]

Galaxy Force/Cybertron Optimus Prime is one of the best Optimus toys in the entire franchise. It's clunky, large, and simple enough for a small child, but still maintains plenty of details enjoyable to older kids. If you can find it for a reasonable price, recommended.

I also can't comment on Prime Optimus, as I don't have it (not a fan of the show or toys).

However, an alternate idea:
Energon Optimus Prime: www.tfu.info/2004/Autobot/OptimusPrime/optimusprime.htm

Most older/adult fans really trash this toy because they don't like the way it looks. So I think it's probably kept it's secondhand market value decently low (As opposed to Cyb/Galaxy Force Op).
However, they all forget that this is indeed a toy, and not designed with the mindset of being put on a shelf and never ever touched or played with.
It comes with a largish, but not-to-big Optimus, a trailer, and four vehicles that can attach to Optimus in power ranger fashion. And it has a very simple transformation, as well as electronic lights and sounds.
I personally find this to be one of the more fun Optimus toys in the franchise. It's not extremely pretty, but it's one of the hidden gems, and IMO, great for younger kids.
Energon Optimus is my main suggestion.

[blueshift]

Energon Prime was barely available in the UK though for some reason (I never saw one at retail!) so he might command higher prices. Also not sure if he might look TOO different from the normal Prime aesthetic.

[Deleted]

Hi

The Energon one looks fun - don't think he'll
be too worried about it not matching up
with the Prime one.

What animated series is the Energon
one from?

Also, whilst looking I noticed the Armada one - has anyone got any experience with
that one?

Thanks again for all the help!

[blueshift]

Nov 17, 2012 9:31:43 GMT @loxley108 said:

Hi

The Energon one looks fun - don't think he'll
be too worried about it not matching up
with the Prime one.

What animated series is the Energon
one from?

Also, whilst looking I noticed the Armada one - has anyone got any experience with
that one?

Thanks again for all the help!

The Energon Prime has a cartoon called Energon, it is not good though! Not at all!

The Armada Prime is half-good, half bad. The large Prime figure is nice and chunky and fun. He's got a simple Transformation that is intuitive. However the trailer 'auto-transforms' whenever you transform the cab, which is half cool, half annoying because it never quite works properly. (It's supposed to stand up on its own, instead it flails about on the floor)

There's a deluxe version which has been released several times over that is just a scaled down cab which is pretty fun, albeit a bit prone to parts popping off.

[Philip Ayres]

The Cybertron/Galaxy Force one can also combine with Wing Sabre & Leo Breaker

review: philstfreviews.site11.com/cybOptimus.html
pictures www.tfu.info/2005/Autobot/OptimusPrime/optimusprime.htm

[Marc Graham]

But the Weaponiser lights up! Press a button and the guns deploy and spin - how awesome is that?

voop voop voop!

[KnightBeat]

How about a Deluxe sized Optimus Prime? Kapow Toys are selling the Armada version for £24.99 or a re-released Cybertron version for £19.99. They're essentially the same toy, but the Cybertron version has a 'cyber planet key' rather than the small transforming figure of the original Armada version.

The Deluxe version is much smaller than the Cybertron figures mentioned earlier, measuring around 14cm in height. However, it's a fun figure to play with.

My only reservation would be that it's massively overpriced on the Kapow website. It was only £9.99 when it was released back in 2003/2004.

Edit: Take a look at the TFUInfo website for better pictures of Armada Prime and Cybertron Prime.

[Philip Ayres]

You can get the Armada Supercon Op miles cheaper than that off eBay

[KnightBeat]

Nov 17, 2012 18:48:54 GMT Philip Ayres said:

You can get the Armada Supercon Op miles cheaper than that off eBay

Phil is right. For older TFs, ebay is your best bet.

[Deleted]

Still looking. And enjoying the search!

I do think the Weaponizer is cool but as far as play value goes the Energon one seems to beat the others. It's just a shame the 'chest window' section looks so tacky compared to the others.

will keep looking...

[Toph]

Nov 17, 2012 9:31:43 GMT @loxley108 said:

What animated series is the Energon one from?

While Blueshift answered the quuestion directly, here's a bit more detailed one. The history of western (non-japanese) transformers cartoons goes like this:

The Transformers- Sometimes referred to as Generation One, or G1, the original cartoon, the one you probably grew up with. It has three and a half seasons, and one movie. It ended in.... '87, I think...?
Available on DVD, complete.

Beast Wars Transformers- IMO, the best series to date. Set in G1 continuity (More off the comic than the cartoon, though), new factions called Maximals and Predacons have replaced Autobots and Decepticons. Instead of cars and jets, they take the form of organic animals. It had three seasons, and lasted from '95- '98.
A rogue Predacon daring to call himself Megatron, and his band of thugs steals a mysterious disk giving him the location of vast energon deposits to fund his terrorist cell. Optimus Primal and his science vessel and crew are the only ones in the area capable of stopping him. A transwarp accident ensues sending them to a mysterious, uninhabited planet full of secrets.
Available on DVD, complete.

Transformers: Beast Machines- The direct sequel to Beast Wars, this sereies is the only one where Megatron ever achieved his goal and took over Cybertron. Features the return of vehicular TFs, in the form of Megatron's Vehicons.
The Beast Wars are over, Primal and crew return to Cybertron and find Megatron has completely dominated the planet.
Two seasons, lasted from '99-'00.
Available on DVD, complete.

Transformers: Robots in Disguise- Don't let the bi-line on the prime toys fool you, they have nothing to do with this (much better) series. This is the original RiD cartoon/toyline.
Not attached to any previous series, this is the first TF reboot. Also, reintroduces Autobots and Decepticons back into the franchise.
A comedy series (And dub of a japanese series), it features Optimus Prime (Now a fire truck for the first time) and his crew of autobots acting more as superheroes, defending earth against Megatron and his Predacons.
Two seasons, and lasted from '01-'02.
Available on DVD, complete (UK and Austrailia only, so you're good, I'm not)

Transformers: Armada- Another Japanese redub, and another reboot.
Introduces Minicons, a third faction/race of transformers with exceptional powers, and forced into slavery by both autobots and decepticons. They supercharge a "normal" TF it attached to them. They eventually managed to escape, and fled from Cybertron, vanishing for millions of years, only to be discovered having crashlanded on earth, and the race is on to catch the minicons.
Available on DVD, complete.

Transformers: Energon- Continuing from Armada, this is probably the unanumously agreed low point, featuring cars driving in space, terrible animation, and other such nonsence.
Basic story is Unicron sends his Terrorcons out to raid planets and claim energon, to restore himself.
Available on DVD, unsure if they ever finished it.
(This is where the Energon Optimus I showed you comes from, and Blue pointed out)

Transformers: Cybertron- Following from Energon, and the final part of the "Unicron Trilogy." Another japanese dub, was always intended to be a part of the trilogy, but the animation company decided to make it a reboot. So it feels a bit disjointed. But it's the strongest of the three in terms of animation (And toys).
Unicron's destruction in Energon caused a black hole that threatens to swallow Cybertron. The race is on to locate the lost cybertronian colonies and find the Cyberkeys and Omega Lock, which potentially can save Cybertron.
Not sure if it's on DVD or not.
(This is where your Galaxy Force Optimus comes from)

Transformers Animated- An action comedy, and a reboot, and the first western animated series since Beast Machines.
Features new takes on many old concepts, such as Optimus Prime now being a young and inexperienced leader, and many homages to many previous series, reinventing characters from G1, BW/BM, the UT, and the movies, as well as bringing many new things to the table.
Set in the future, Optimus and his misfit autobots inadvertantly find the Allspark, drawing the monsterous Megatron out of hiding, forcing them to hide on earth.
Lasted three seasons, from '07-'08.
Available on DVD, incomplete (Hasbro refuses to release the third season)

Transformers Prime-
Don't really need to explain this one, since it's the series that brought you here.

Transformers Rescuebots- Don't really know much about this series, except it's aimed at really young kids, and features the worst animation in the franchise.

[Deleted]

Wow - thanks so much for all the info - that's great! I was getting very confused with the different series and continuity - do vey much appreciated.

On the Optimus toy hunt front - I've narrowed it down to the Energon or Weaponizer. Looking at reviews of the Weaponizer they mention the mech tech ports - can you get additional guns efc to go on it? Had a look online but couldn't find anything.

[Philip Ayres]

A mech tech port is a 5mm peg hole. The name comes from the gimmick used for the Dark of the Moon toys. Since he has 5mm ports he can use most weapons found with other modern transformers. In particular see The Arms Micron thread about a range of small Japanese Transformers *kits* that form mini robots/animals that turn into weapons. You'll have to build them and they are a tad fragile but.....

[Marc Graham]

Regarding Energon Prime, I've always found him a little stumpy for a prime. The Trailer really only launches the 4 week figures, which have - in my view - mediocre vehicle forms and form limbs that just barely make something bulkier out of the core Prime figure.

So its definitely got more things to do than Weaponiser, but if you kid is going to be watching the show, the likeness is so much better with the weaponiser (yea - commander obvious is here!)

[jasonw]

Having kid (about to be kids) myself, I'd say go for the Weaponizer one.

Purely for the simple reason that is the Optimus he watches on the show, and that goes a long way when it comes to Christmas presents.

Plus for a six year old, the weaponiser toy is easily the most fun.

Also, if it takes Arms Microns, (little transforming weapons) you can buy those from Toys R Us for £2.50 each at the checkout, which kinda adds to the fun.

[Toph]

E-Optimus came from the era that pioneered the 5mm peg system. He's full of them and fully compatable with minicons and arms microns.

Still say that E-Optimus has more play value as a toy, than anything from TF: Prime. Better looking than Prime Optimus, too. But that's my opinion.

Of all optimus toys, I think E-Optimus has the most play value. Even over optimus toys I like better for various reasons (Animated, Cybertron, Revenge of the Fallen, Classics, Masterpiece)
Like I said, it's a nice size (Not too big, not too small), simple but still satisfying, combines with his accessories in multiple configurations, combines with the oh so rare it's not even worth mentioning e-wingsaber, and cross compatable with any toy/weapon that used mechtech/5mm ports and pegs from Armada all the way through to now.

[Philip Ayres]

Oh if *ANY* modern toy needs a reissue it's Energon Wing Sabre. We get new versions of Op & Omega Supreme but Wing Sabre? No.

[The Doctor]

Here is a guide to Optimus Prime toys:

tfwiki.net/wiki/Optimus_Prime_%28G1%29/toys

In other news, as I looked it up I came across this, which was new to me!

PrototypeTHB

-Ralph

[Andy Turnbull]

Welcome to the forum!!

Andy