Hasbro Transformers designer Mark Maher is back at it again tonight on his Instagram, this time giving us the rundown on the highly-anticipated Legacy Evolution Commander Armada Optimus Prime! He even addresses the famous Takara Armada Optimus seen years ago. Check out his comments below and then see the attached pics after the jump!
“Here he is, Commander Armada Prime is ready to grace your shelf with nothing but pure power!
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When I kicked this character off to TT, I actually sent over the Wondercon Takara Tomy prototype image that was shown at that event. They explained to me that the grey model their domestic team showed off did not have the super mode combining ability. The amazing Hasui san took the bull by the horns and just went wild!
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The Armada style was always super interesting to me, I didn’t view the series until after I played with some of the toys. I actually never got my hands on this og toy, but watching the show, the ting in Primes voice really struck a cord with me. I feel like the series didn’t really hit me hard until I got to work with @archermonster_creative inside the halls of Hasbro.
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The bulky tires, the powerlifter build, the design and great heroic features he displays makes me want to play with this toy for hours. This figure demands a respect whether you dig Armada or not, he is just such a perfect addition to the Legacy multiverse.
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Highlight reel: dark blue op on the faces to differentiate from the helmet adds extra depth and details, silver 5 mm smokestack blasters, sculpted decoed autobot badge, clear matrix, supermode transformation feels so good, ratcheted leg and shoulder joints, articulated ab crunch…I’ll stop there 😎
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Feels good to be apart of Transformers right now and just you wait, more insanity on the way!”
Operative294
My fanmode base configuration
View attachment 30111155 View attachment 30111156 View attachment 30111157
mx-01 archon
I've transformed mine a ton, with zero stressing, by applying the aforementioned method.
If it's concerning to you, the legs are easy enough to disassemble, and loosen up the hinge by lightly sanding it, or maybe with lubes.
Shadow25
Ugh, sorry that happened to you also, but at least reassuring to know that it wasn't just a bizarre one off. Really hope it can be a straight exchange, I don't like the whole "product of equal value" thing. If I can't get Optimus I'd just want my money back.
Same here, and the worst part is that the shin panel is something you would often need to move to transform between the various modes. It's not something that should be that tight or easy to break.
octobotimus
Well, that's concerning. Was hoping it'd be a good figure for back-and-forth transformations.
Heavy Iron
The exact same thing happened with my copy, and although I mailed mine to Hasbro a few days ago, I’m worried it’s going to take a long while to get one back, if it’s even the right figure I receive.
mx-01 archon
His shin panels being over-tight is a well documented issue. The right-side panel on mine is actually good, but the left is tight. But I haven't had any stress issues, because I'm well-practiced at handling tight joints (manipulate slowly, hold nearest the fulcrum as possible).
Sorry to hear about your breakage, hope that gets sorted for you cleanly.
Shadow25
Got mine in from Pulse today, noticed some parts on his legs were extremely tight and had stress marks, and then on the first transformation the shin panel snapped off on the rod that runs through the leg. Has this happened to anyone else?
I reached out for an exchange.
God Orion
I like that add-on kit, apart from the chest. The rest is interesting
SonicConvoy05
I like the doors and the skirt part, everything else looks worse. Even the hands look kinda uncanny and lack the charm the stock ones do.
mx-01 archon
Not only do they not provide Mini-con ports, they actively remove the 5mm ports that are meant to stand-in for them, so you can't even employ the intended Micromaster stand-ins.
Zawicki
It was pointed out by someone in the 3rd party boards that the hands for the add-on aren't even that articulated. They just have a pin at the base knuckle and can be splayed.
Jmaster99
Nevermind. I'm not talking about it though
Jmaster99
Anyone know how to remove a stripped screw?
Gzstg
they couldn't even give the super mode shoulders mini-con ports. that's arguably the most important thing along with sparkplug. most of this is useless. even the articulated hands are useless. I never got the appeal of wanting to disassemble a perfectly good toy like Armada Prime and give him things he doesn't really need. some toys I can see needing it but I dont understand the want to "upgrade" every toy they release.
TheRealMM2
Anyone know how to fix the loose chest/back piece for the figure? It's the chest for combiner and the back for normal mode.
Prime135
WTF is the deal with the grey gun tip??? It looks rediculous
Michchall
Would be great if DNA did kit for Megatron, replace rubber parts, add arm covers, fix loose hips and stupid shoulders.
SMARTAN 427
The only thing I absolutely wanted from DNA would be the split articulated crotch panel. I guess I could go with the articulated super hands but other than that I certainly don't need the rest of that stuff. I don't really see myself spending money on that.
NexMix
The Metroplex one was pretty good, just the stuff you need and no bloat.
They really should've done the same here, make Sparkplug with new hands and skirts with maybe a gap filler or two and call it a day
lord ginrai
The Studio Series Ironhide kit was pretty good value IMO.