Orion Pax [Galaxy Version 05-One]

Talking about Transformers One toys over the past year has meant talking about Orion Pax a lot... and there's still several more toys I haven't even touched! That's to be expected when you've got the main character of a franchise. Of course Orion is the earlier form of Optimus Prime who gets talked about often too. Main characters, it's going to happen. Orion Pax was really likable in the movie and has had a good bit of good merchandise, but it's been mostly hybrids of him and Optimus Prime.

Model kits, like today's Blokees, have been the main source for direct representations of Orion. I really appreciate that. In this kit, Orion appears as he before receiving a Transformation Cog. The classic Optimus colors look good on just about anything. To be honest, Orion Pax from Transformers One kinda reminds me of Biotron/Robotman. That's probably just a coincidence, but also it's something I can't unsee.

Once again the Blokees style works excellently with the TF One designs and we've got a great little figure once the build is complete. The build is simple and satisfying. The newer style (no, I will not stop praising it) and Orion's design really form one solid toy. This is one of those times someone would think this was a normal action figure, not a model kit. With all the articulation and the standard set of hands, the kit is expressive enough to match several onscreen scenes. He's got the laser pistol and display stand. That's to be expected. This is a solid kit and a nice representation of Orion Pax as you see him in most of the movie. Series-05 really is great.

Optimus Prime/Orion Pax [Transformers One/Prime Changers]

Like Rise of the Beasts, the Transformers One toy line has a separate 'main line' series of toys obviously intended for younger audiences with the Studio Series aimed more at collectors. Also like Rise of the Beasts... the main line is really neat and many adult fans are enjoying them just as well. The new Prime Changers size class is similar to Warrior Class toys from Robots in Disguise 2015 as it's a simpler figure than a standard deluxe with maybe a slightly lower price depending on where it was purchased. I don't have a RID 2015 Warrior Class toy pictured for comparison, but they feel extremely similar in build and articulation. Sort of a hybrid of a Deluxe and a Core Class if you will and oddly extremely similar to a standard TF from around 20 or so years ago. So far I've loved my experience with this new size class and would like to see it continue for mainline toys going forward.

Optimus Prime/Orion Pax is going to get a lot of new toys for Transformers One. Obviously Optimus gets a lot of toys from each movie, but he's specifically one of the main focal characters in this one. This version is sort of a hybrid design of Orion Pax and Optimus's designs as it mostly resembles a Cogged Orion Pax, but has Prime's smokestacks and head. I'd be inclined to believe a straight up Orion Pax figure using this mold as a base is in the works. This is a neat toy and I like it quite a bit. There's a fair amount of articulation despite the class having less. His paint is pretty good and there's quite a bit of accessories. In the picture you can see the Energon Axe. That can be held and thanks to some cool sculpted details looks like it's being held and not replacing his hand. The axe can also be store on his back or in vehicle mode. Optimus's smoke pipes can detach and be held as dual pistols... that's a cool touch. Additionally, there's a Matrix of Autobot Leadership in his chest that can be held. Frankly there's quite a bit in this for a 'lesser' toy.

Really the only 'lesser' thing I noticed and the lack of over abundant articulation. He has a decent amount, but smaller joints like ankle tilts aren't there. Transformation is easy and everything goes where it should without much struggle. I did get a touch confused with his legs, but that was me mentally trying to transform him like another toy. After so many thousands of these things... it happens. In vehicle mode, Orion/Optimus is a Cybertronian version of the traditional truck we're all used to. It's not my favorite Cybertronian version of the Optimus truck... but it's neat and growing on me more everyday. I really see that classic flat nose truck in the design. The truck is pleasant enough and rolls around pretty smoothly. This is a well done figure, it's nice and neat without any kibble from either mode. There's a decent amount of usable articulation with a nice assortment of clever accessories. It's almost like the 'lesser' size class kept them in check long enough to make a good figure without going overboard. It's the right kind of simple. So far I really like Prime Changers as a Transfomers size class. I'd like to see them more in the future even replacing the current Warrior Class.

Optimus Prime/Orion Pax [Transformers One/Iacon Race 3-Pack]

The Iacon Race continues with our look at Optimus Prime/Orion Pax. This toy is a repaint and retool of a Cyberverse Optimus Prime Turbo Changer that I never got, so it's my first time experiencing the mold. It's mostly the same with a different robot mode chest and vehicle mode front end from what I can tell. This is of course to make him more accurate to his appearance in Transformers One which is a Cybertronian based design. Being that Optimus toys are pretty similar, it clearly didn't take too much to make it work neatly enough. Being a One Step Changer toy, he obviously has a simple spring loaded transformation and very basic articulation. Only his shoulders can move and that's ok. These are meant to be inexpensive toys based around a gimmick. Optimus has his energon axe in place of a left hand and that's neat. Not all of these get weapons.

I like the look of the truck quite a bit. It's big, bulky, and neat looking thanks to the Cybertronian design. It's not going to be everyone's cup of tea, but not everything has to be. Honestly, there's nothing really extra to say about it. This is an Optimus Prime toy and not much more. I do think in a more interesting set of colors it would look a lot better. Like the 2007 movie Optimus flame pattern would really pop. For some reason I can see Machine Wars Soundwave's colors on it, probably because of the blockiness of the truck. I'd like to think something like that would make for a cool promotional item. Ultimately it's the least interesting of the 3 pack, but I don't mean that in a negative way what so ever. It's a perfectly serviceable Optimus Prime and that's all it's trying to be.

That red does not like having it's picture took.

Optimus Prime/Orion Pax [Transformers One/Race Changers]

The Transformers One toy line has some interesting reprints of older toy molds as store exclusives. Fortunately these happen to be toys I've enjoyed with some remolding done to keep them fresh. One such exclusive is the Race Changers 2-Pack exclusive to Target stores here in the states. Race Changers are a rebranding of Bot Shots with a name that makes me wonder if Trademark offices should have a mandatory 10 minute clip of that guy from Ted asking if you're sure about that before finalizing a name.

For the record, I loved Bot Shots and am very happy to see them making a come back, even if it's with an awkward name. Shinkalion is also doing something with Bot Shots, which leads me to wonder if more similar toys are on the horizon. I seriously love these things. Optimus Prime is a retooling of the standard Optimus Prime Bot Shots figure with a new truck grill and spoiler. The former dice style gimmick from the Bot Shots game has been removed and replaced with a standard Autobot symbol. Optimus has a brand new launcher as opposed to the ones that came with older toys which is surprising. Part of me wonders if it was an unreleased launcher from the original line. The launcher mechanism doesn't lock into place very well either. Frankly, I wish they would have skipped the launchers in favor of another figure in the set. You can either launch the toy in vehicle mode or push it into something to trigger the spring loaded transformation. In robot mode, Optimus is cute and squat. Bot Shots were charming and similar to Choro-Q toys of the past... which is part of the reason I liked them to begin with. It'd be great to see more of these again, but I do hope they'd give the line a better name.

The camera refused to focus on his face.