Via Transformers Universe Thailand and Autobase Aichi we have some new Transformers Studio Series SS-44 Leader Class Dark Of The Moon Optimus Prime New Packaging & Stock Images to share with you.
We have a look at the packaging of this slight retool of the SS-32 Voyager Optimus Prime but with a heavy load of extra parts that now make the figure a Leader class toy.
This release includes a trailer that can transform into his battle station and includes his wing pack as seen in the movie. The accessories included are 2 big arm cannons, a blaster, a sword, a shield and a battle axe, all of them can be attached to the battle station.
Click on the bar to see the mirrored images after the jump and then join to the ongoing discussion on the 2005 Boards!
Paco Grande
Yup I said that in my original post but thank you for confirming. And after seeing those clips I can confirm that I really hate that design choice. Swords popping out of his wrist area are much better in my opinion.
FYI for anyone that cares: I just picked up SS-32 Prime which is the same mould the leader will use and it’s REALLY bad. I thought I could get over the lack of paint and lack of overall bot accuracy. But the floppy joints, fiddly transformation due to parts popping off and the ridiculously small alt mode just ruin the figure in my opinion. I already had the SS-38 version of Prime and the alt modes aren’t even remotely in scale with each other. I get that they turn into different sizes of trucks and sacrifices had to be made but just look at the difference in tire sizes. It’s crazy.
SS-38 is a really great design but it also suffers from ridiculously floppy joints and tabs that don’t work. These figures desperately needed some tolerance tweaking before full production. I think it’s a side effect of way too many figures per year coming out. I believe there are only around 12 designers at Takara and I have no idea how they are pumping out so many figures per year. I wish they would slow down and focus on quality. But that ain’t going to happen.
I decided to collect the SS Devastator bots because I like combiners and I respect HasTak for taking on that project. I have Rampage and Scrapmetal and I was very impressed with both so I decided to get a few more SS figures. Starscream is good but the two voyager Prime figures are pretty terrible.
Sorry for the epic rant! That kind of got out of hand! I’m just frustrated because I think the SS line is great in concept with good designs overall but the quality is ruining it for me and it could have been avoided.
John TheDestroyer
This is how he wielded his blade in Dotm. He held it like an actual sword.
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Paco Grande
I know the silver windows are a very odd choice. If that’s actually how it turns out. I’m not convinced that’s the final deco. I’m sure the window parts are still clear so if they did that deco they would be painting over the clear parts. The other weird thing is that the renders show the full row of the running lights over the windshield but in the pics of the actual figure the running lights are still missing from the middle section like SS-32.
CobraKai
I’m trying to like this figure too, but it looks like they are going cheaper closer to its release. The clear windows are now a bland silver and the bot mode looks more like it’s in the prototype stage.
Paco Grande
Thank you for the response. I think you’re correct in your assumption. That’s too bad because I really liked the idea of the trailer but the lack of paint and the really cheap looking jet pack and weapons is making me want the SS-32 release instead because it’s less expensive and I mostly want the figure to combine with Jetfire anyway.
Nevermore
The first image is a photo that depicts a sample, i.e. an actual, physical item. The second image is a CG render. Chances are the photo depicts the final product.
Paco Grande
Does anyone know for sure if the weapons are painted or not? I say this because in one pic they’re painted and in another they aren’t. Not sure which is final for production.
Also the one sword he comes with does not look like the swords that came with SS-05. It isn’t translucent and even worse it looks like it pegs into his fist like a gun with a 5mm pin instead of plugging into the wrists like SS-05. So he would hold it more like a human would hold a sword and that’s not good in my opinion. I think he did that in Dark of the Moon but I never liked it.
I don’t own any of the SS Primes yet. I was hoping this one would do everything (combine with Jetfire etc.) but I really like the two sword option and it looks like you must buy SS-05 if you can still find it just to get the proper swords. Also two of the guns from the SS-32 release would have been perfect. Deep Sigh!
Edit: pics attached for reference. Also I’m not sure where the trailer roof goes but I don’t think it’s the jet pack. Maybe it folds into the top of the ring under the blue part?
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KrytenKoro
Okay, so in that case, I need to replace one of the jetwing wings (it broke again) and I never found the trailer in time. I have all the other bits that would be in the asia premium series. I also have the original leader jetfire, with the janky combination.
Should I try to track down a trailer and a replacement jetwing, or should I go for the studio series?
pokemonsdoom
also an allspark cube. atleast you wont deal with mold decay on the new one. damn front end wont stay together, oh and Gatling guns on the big guy
009*
Electronic voice gimmick, articulated hands, jetpack that doesn't look like a shell, paint apps…
That said, the bug guy's a few hundred bucks, so depending on your budget, SS Jetwing may be the way to go.
pokemonsdoom
knuckle duster, and battle hooks and a mech tech vehicle mode
KrytenKoro
So, does this make the original Asia Premium Series Ultimate Edition Optimus Prime (w/ the fanmade trailer) redundant? Or are there still features that one had that this one doesn't?
John TheDestroyer
I mean would there really need to be anything to cover the bottom? Like the bottom of vehicle modes aren't usually concealed, this is the same
G1Optimal
Oh i see
Edit: it would not suprise me if there is nothing to encase the bottom of the trailer
CrossHero
I think the jetpack is a part of the roof. The roof panels probably fold into a stack that will sit on the back of Prime while the wings are attached to some hinges and are stored inside the trailer.
Otherwhise I see no option how it might work, considering that the weapon ring dosn´t show any signs of roof parts. All I can see on him are the side panels, the wheelbase and the doors.
Also on the subject of paint on the figure. I am kinda disappointed to see that most of the additional weapons won´t be painted. The last time I saw such a thing, outside of Gunplas, was with the Lost Age Battlecommand Optimus Prime.
And that thing was for kids and had the trailer painted silver with some striping details. I can get that painting the trailer silver might have been a bit overkill for Hasbros budget but painting at least the axe and the two new blasters would have been in it.
As it stands I am still going to get the figure but might leave the unpainted weapons in the box.
G1Optimal
It looks like the roof panels folds into a stack?
T-Hybrid
I'm pretty sure the jetpack is the roof.
John TheDestroyer
The trailer turns into the weapons ring, and it looks like the jetpack might just store inside the trailer since there doesn't seem to be any trailer kibble on it
W-P38
Am I missing something? Doesn't the ugly thing turn into all three? Not that it does so in the movie. And "Triple-changer" designation being used loosely here.