In 1986, audiences were introduced to a new member of the Autobots – a happy-go-lucky, “all-American” Autobot, Hot Rod. When Optimus Prime passed early in Transformers the Movie, he predicted that an Autobot would rise from the ranks, and light their darkest hour – a prophecy fulfilled in the conclusion of the movie where Hot Rod seized the Matrix of Leadership from Galvatron and became Rodimus Prime!
We’ve had a good few years for Hot Rod toys, with a new Masterpiece Hot Rod and Titans Return Hot Rod filling the roles of cartoon homaging high-end release and reimagined Generations figure respectively, and before both we had other updates to Hot Rod. But Rodimus Prime has until now had a much more limited outing, with only a Titanium figure that is really showing its age and a Masterpiece figure that is infamous for its quality control issues. We’ve never had a Classics or Generations style Rodimus Prime – until now! Power of the Primes gives us a welcome Generations update of Rodimus Prime, with the added bonus of including a smaller Hot Rod figure who can “arise” into Rodimus Prime by combining with his space winnebago trailer.
It’s an extremely cool idea, in concept. Unfortunately there are some sacrifices made to accommodate both the smaller Hot Rod and the larger Rodimus Prime form, with the shoulders being a major weakness in Rodimus Prime mode. If Rodimus Prime were an all-in-one figure, he may have been an absolutely awesome release on a par with the best of Generations. As-is, he’s fun, and a very welcome update to the successor to Optimus Prime, but he is by no means perfect. Check out his gallery below:
Power of the Primes Rodimus Prime Robot Mode
Power of the Primes Rodimus Prime Truck Mode
Power of the Primes Hot Rod Robot Mode
Power of the Primes Hot Rod Car Mode
Arise, Rodimus Prime!
Wild Eevee
Rodimus looks kind of grumpy,but cool.
Deadend
I love how you integrated in the TR mold's guns for that. Almost like it was intended for that from the start to reward fans that bought both.
Sol Fury
Thanks, I remember seeing one on here that worked a similar way, couldn't find the pictures for reference at the time though, so went from memory and improvised. It's a random thing but gives the trailer something to do in Hot Rod mode at least.
Shin Densetsu
For those of you getting stress marks on the forearms…. in vehicle mode, to detach they have to "unlock" by pushing them forward. At that point you can use some sideways motion to get them out.
They also lock in by pushing them backwards into the guidance slots. You'll hear a click when you unlock/lock them. AFAIK this is NOT in the instructions and I was surprised to see this in action as there's no indication that you're supposed to unlock the forearms in vehicle mode before removing(as in transforming from Winnebago to robot mode).
Mormolyce
I feel like an improved KO from the likes of Wei Jiang could fix a lot of these issues… *cough cough*
Deadend
That battle station mode is inspired.
ShadowOfSilver
Just released an upgrade set which addresses some of the issues you pointed out in this set:
Heavy/Scratch: – POTP Rodimus Prime/Unicronus Upgrades
Monari
Absolutely this, the toy is literally 95% there, and suffers from cost-cutting. The hands are a prime example, as well as the wheels.
Also, the plastic is terrible. Stress marks are inevitable regardless of how careful you are transforming it. I love the toy, but don't think it would hold up to actual play for very long. When comparing the two, it seems like more of the love and care went into Optimus than Rodimus sadly.
rendsora
Kinda reminds me of a simpler version FP Protector kit.
Shepard Prime
Dude! Spoilers!!!!!
(just kidding)
I love this figure. One of my absolute favorite recent buys. Most, if not all, the various Rodimus/Hot Rods released over the years, have met my satisfaction as there was always something wrong with them. Shoulders aside, PotP Rodimus just completely nails being a great representation of both Hot Rod and Rodimus.
Alpha-trion
This figure is great if looking at the gimmick being applied to the leader class figures in this line. Orion Pax to Optimus Prime, Hot Rod to Rodimus Prime, and Optimus Primal to Optimal Optimus.
From a gimmick perspective, this is a great toy. Bigger crime is Optimus Primal turining into a skateboard. Lol
YoungPrime
He's one of my fav's which is why I'm so picky of him.
That and we all know that Hasbro can do so much better with Leader class figures. I bought 4 of them from the TR line and ZERO from this one.
[Wing_Saber-X]
your opinion. not ours.
he's pretty neat, IMO.
primalxconvoy
The two gun parts on mine are very loose. If only they flipped the shoulders and attached the arms to the black bits, then the shoulders can actually pose very well.
Mojom
Blech, let me tell you guys. This figure is incredibly fun but the flame decal stickers on the sides of his cab! Because of the way they extend over the swivel hinge that needs to be opened up mid-transformation they will get crumpled up. I had to trim those bits off to save the rest of the decal.
Colossus Prime
Sorry, kibble was the wrong word. That's on me. I meant how bad Optimus's cab looks with so much of it just being exposed bot mode parts.
Jerrimus
You mean the kibble on Rodimus, right? Optimus has none, pretty much.
Colossus Prime
I feel like the PotP Optimus got almost too much articulation while this one didn't get enough. Like if they had more evenly distributed funding for articulation as well as better molding (to take care of all the really bad looking kibble and what not on Optimus, where as Rodimus has none) both figures could be perfect.
CleverNamePendingatron
Missed opportunity from Hasbro in not including a little sound box in Hot Rod that plays The Touch every time you "arise" him into Rodimus Prime.
Next toyline: Power of the '80s Rock Titans Return Wars! Every figure comes with its own over-the-top '80s rock ballad that plays every time you transform it. Come on Hasbro, you know you want to.