Toy Review: 'Transformers: Dark of the Moon' Cyberverse Optimus Prime Armored Weapons Platform

It only took three Michael Bay "Transformers" films for Autobot leader Optimus Prime to get his iconic trailer from the original 1984 cartoon. Now toys are finally reflecting this acquisition by tacking on trailers on Optimus Prime toys, which will culminate with the ultimate film Optimus Prime toy with a trailer that forms butterfly wings. But for now, we have available a small Commander Class Optimus Prime with his trailer.

Optimus Prime Robot Mode

The Commander Class Optimus Prime included in the Armored Weapons Platform package ($14.99) is similar to the default Commander Class Optimus Prime, the preview Commander Class Optimus Prime with 3D glasses, and the Battle Steel Optimus Prime. But instead of the Commadner Class interchangeable weapons of blasters & a jet pack (default and preview) or the cannons & swords (Battle Steel), Optimus now has his trailer.

Like almost every incarnation, Optimus Prime converts from robot to red big rig truck. The Optimus Prime in this package is more colored after the original cartoon and lacks the flames of the movie version. As a robot, Prime can bend his knees, shoulders, and elbows. His waist and neck are in a fixed position. His hands can hold most Commander Class weapons but kibble in his wrists make it difficult to do so.

Optimus Prime Vehicle Mode + Trailer

Conversion from robot to truck is simple and the truck is quite impressive for a little toy. It actually has smoke stacks now. As a truck, his trailer clips onto the back via a C-Clip to form a decent sized combined vehicle. The silver/gray trailer complements the truck and resembles the cartoon well while featuring the style of the realistic movie designs. A MechTech peg can house any accessory with a corresponding MechTech hole. The trailer is by no means perfect. One main complaint is that the trailer is fixed onto the truck and cannot turn, which reduces maneuverability. There are also some noticeable holes on each side of the trailer that kill the illusion of it being a sold trailer. And in the end, the trailer is just a big box behind the truck.

But the trailer is more than a trailer.

Battle Base

The trailer opens and unfolds into a little battle base for Optimus Prime or other Commander Class figures as robots. The base consists of a tiny ramp that small Legends/Legion Class vehicles to roll off, a pair of panels for figures to hide behind, and a turret for a robot to man that shoots a gray projectile. It's a display piece mainly, but it gives interaction between the toys.

Assault Vehicle

The final conversion the trailer is capable of is titled the Assualt Vehicle. This Assault Vehicle looks and feels more like a powered suit for Optimus Prime to wear in robot mode. Clipped onto the C-Clip on his back, it's a sturdy suit that resembles the power loader from the "Aliens" film. It provides a wider base for Prime to stand on, a pair of bigger arms for Prime to control with his own, and a trio of non-firing mortar cannons above his head. He sacrifices articulation for weaponry and now only his arms can move within the limited range of the Assault Vehicle's arms. One arm easily grips a gun (formerly the base's turret) while another arm has dual non-firing guns molded onto its hand. Alternatively, the arms can clip together to form wings for an unofficial Flight Mode for Optimus Prime.

Another fringe benefit that the Assault Vehicle has is a variety of MechTech holes and C-Clips for other weapons and accessories to attach themselves to. The result is a heavily armed Optimus Prime that can coincide with its larger brethren.

The package also includes a cardboard diorama displaying the NEST interior holding the All-Spark shard from "Revenge of the Fallen."

So despite its size, Commander Class Optimus Prime with his trailer is definitely a good toy to add to the collection with lots of playability.