Universe Nemesis Prime

Discussion in 'Transformers Feedback & Reviews' started by Philister, Jan 12, 2008.

  1. Philister

    Philister Teutonicons Rising!

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    Not a lot of Universe toys here, either, so here goes:

    Universe Nemesis Prime

    Source & Pictures: Transformers-Universe.com

    Robot Mode: The classic Optimus Prime head (only in a darker tone of blue) is the only thing about this robot that invokes resemblance to the Autobot leader. The rest is an original body (or as original as a repaint can be) and immediately shows that Nemesis is a shell former. The outer hull parts of his Mammoth mode adorn his legs, hips, arms and shoulders. The tusks give him an enormous width in the shoulders, making him look bigger and broader than he actually is. Posability is very good and while the color scheme is a bit lighter than I would have preferred for what is essentially a dark clone of a good character, it still manages to look very decent. What's the deal with the peace symbols on his thighs, though? Well, better than the Maximal symbol on his chest. He's a Decepticon, isn't he?

    Anyway, Nemesis sports an array of weaponry. Gun barrels unfold from his forearms, missiles can be launched from the shell plating on his shins, and the trunk/back part of his Mammoth mode becomes a humongous missile launcher. He also has a Matrix stored inside his chest. Obviously not the Matrix of Leadership, it is colored dark and called "Dead Matrix" according to the box. He can take it out and hold it with both hands.

    All in all Nemesis is a very good robot toy, posable and with quite a few fun features. The shell parts of his Mammoth mode all fold away nicely and out of the way, so no complaints here, either.

    Beast Mode: Nemesis Prime transforms into big wooly mammoth. Now, a mammoth isn't exactly the first animal I think of when wondering what a big, scary robot should transform into, but they did a decent job making it look scary. The dark fur, the deep red eyes, the blood-stained tips of his tusks, all combine to make one scary-looking mammoth. The entire thing is a shell, really, and looks very patchwork, but it all comes together quite nicely. The mammoth is pretty much a brick, but it does hold some features. The ears flap, the tail rises, the trunk can be moved using a lever on top of the head, and when pulling back the ears the tusks move. Bottom line, a very good beast mode.

    Remarks: Nemesis Prime is a repaint of the Japanese Exclusive Big Convoy, the Maximal leader from the Beast Wars Neo series. I never saw that series, but whatever. There have been some Nemesis Primes, evil clones of Optimus Prime, but seldom have they looked more sinister than this one. I don't know how he fits into the Universe story (what there is of it), but Nemesis Prime is one evil-looking toy, so I wanted him. Now if only they had taken the time to replace the Maximal symbol with a Decepticon crest ... well, can't have everything.

    Rating: B+
     
  2. Mixmaster

    Mixmaster 4F 68 A0 54 69 74 73 21

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    Great review.

    I would say my biggest criticism of Universe Nemesis Prime is that he's difficult to pose whilst holding the BFG, he does like to topple forward.
     
  3. Optimus

    Optimus Well-Known Member

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    My least favorite thing about this guy is that he has so many parts that have to be put together for beast mode. Other than though he is pretty sweet.
     
  4. EvaUnit13

    EvaUnit13 REBUILD

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    From what I hear, his TF level should be 6/4

    Is there still a place to get his guy for a decent price? I wanna own the mold
     
  5. Soundblaster1

    Soundblaster1 The Heisenberg of Toys

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    A Sonokong Big Convoy (Korean release, identical to Japanese) is probably the cheapest way to get the mold, and even that runs about $35-40 now.
     
  6. Philister

    Philister Teutonicons Rising!

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    I occassionally see Nemesis Prime on ebay, but you can expect at least 40 dollars there, too (excluding shipping). He's a great figure, though, I'd say he's worth that price.
     
  7. Knightdramon

    Knightdramon Hasbro LIES to the US

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    I'd like to say that he has some "lights" moulded onto his upper chest, much like G1 Optimus Prime in the homage department.

    Definitely one of my favourite figures, deco surpasses big black convoy and regular big convoy. Got mine for around 50 USD without shipping about two years back, never regretted it.

    He's supposed to be Big Convoy from some alternate timeline, only instead of defeating Unicron, he was tortured, killed and converted to a Decepticon, giving them the power of his matrix as well.
     
  8. Philister

    Philister Teutonicons Rising!

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    Yeah, the Dead Matrix is supposed to kill Primus just as the regular Matrix does Unicron. I think we saw that in the "Balancing Act" comic that came out to the members of the Official Transformers Collectors' Club.
     
  9. Valkysas

    Valkysas Attack Buffalo

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    I remember finding this guy at Target. I was ecstatic, since they usually sucked when it came to exclusives.

    I love the figure, a lot more than I do Big Convoy too.
     
  10. MilkManX

    MilkManX TF Comicbook Fan

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    Definatley one of my favorite Figures. Awesome in bot mode and fun to pose. Tricky to get him to hold the BFG well though. Beast Mode looks okay but its hard to get him back into it and its not posable at all(like alot of BW figs actually lol)
     
  11. Sycia

    Sycia Draconian Faction

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    Been trying to find this guy for a while.

    Personally, I like the Black Big Convoy (see avatar)'s paint apps a LOT better since more black makes him look a lot more slick and villain-y (though Black Big Convoy is still a Maximal), but heck the mold is effing badass either way!

    I thought this mold would be a pain to transform back into Beast mode, especially for someone who only got back into Transformers since the movie, but he was okay. Or it could be the loads of Takara molds we get here I've been trained up on.

    If anyone's got tips on how to make him hold that gun without him falling flat on his faceplate 2 seconds later, please share it!
     
  12. Satomiblood

    Satomiblood City Hunter

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    I own this figure. Very nice indeed. And the price of about $40 is consistent with what I paid on eBay.
     
  13. Philister

    Philister Teutonicons Rising!

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    It's not that hard. Just make sure the tusk is pointing in the opposite direction and position his feet far enough apart. See below:

    [​IMG]
     
  14. Roanstalker

    Roanstalker Great Baan Gaan fan

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    He looks great. But he's selling for 60-90 on ebay and the low one doesn't ship outside of the US :( .
     
  15. Optimus Scourge

    Optimus Scourge Arcee's boy toy Veteran

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    Glad I was able to nag one at Target, myself.
     
  16. Altercron

    Altercron Well-Known Member

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    Makes me love that I got mine for an Armada Tidalwave back in TW was hitting the shelves. My first actual trade on these boards as I recall.

    Oh yeah and Nemesis Prim(al) is badass too.
     
  17. Grimlock_13

    Grimlock_13 Currently facepalming at your post

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    Love this toy. Totally solid with an amazing color scheme. Biggest downside is of course the ridiculous transformation, but when you do it a few times it gets a bit easier. I still want to get me a Big Convoy one of these days.
     
  18. Snake_eyes1975

    Snake_eyes1975 Well-Known Member

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    The mammoth mode is really neat, and I really..REALLY dig the weaponized mode. Where alot of these modes seem like afterthought, this truly turns into a "Tank" with what he has available. I just love it. Its SO ubsurd, it just reeks incredibly awesomeness.

    Robot mode? SHELF PRESENCE. PERIOD. Its SO damn gorgeous..so well proportioned, and SO DAMN intimidating looking you could easily mistake this for some offworld hoard leader or someshit..Let alone..Its freakin PRIME.

    Now..I LOVE fiddly transformations that challenge me to get everything lines up..This IS a shelfformer extraordinaire, So if you know that going in, and you like detailed, fiddly TFmations that have SERIOUS rewards for each mode...then dont hesitate to find of of these molds. BW gave us some seriously incredible figures. Ive had most of them all..This is the one Ill never get rid of.

    This is one frustrating Transformer, Just because its PACKED with gimmicks and articulation, and weapons pods..ETC..You WILL launch the missiles 7-10 times during TFmation..you WILL scratch your head once or twice and wonder why "its not lining up" but it DOES..and when you get it..its one of the most satisfying TFs I own.

    To add..Even in these days of MP and 3rd party (most of my collection is 3rd party, MP studio now) This one still holds its own. I feel that If i put say, MP G1 Ironhide, and THIS in to a newbies hands, they would tell you that This mammoth toy is the newest one...just my feeling..but sometimes these toys age well..Example, RID Omega Prime. Its TIMELESS to me. This falls in that class of all time great TFs if you ask me.