Part 1: Transformers Collector's Edition robosen flagship Optimus Prime Yes, "TRANSFORM" command works. The robosen "auto-converting" Optimus Prime is one of the most expensive transforming bots ever made, although I would hesitate calling this an action figure. This was purchased off Hasbro Pulse for $699.99, which is even more expensive than Haslab Unicron. Deco: The paint job is the best I've ever seen for a TF figure. Pretty much all the non-clear plastic is painted over. There is no chrome (which is actually a good thing) and instead goes for well done silver paint apps. I'm now spoiled when looking at other figures. I don't see any warping issues with the plastic either. The look is very well done. Both bot and alt modes are unmistakably Optimus Prime in-hand. Posability / Usability: This one is hard to test. When powered off, the servo motors are off. The figure is then one heavy floppy mess. OP cannot stand upright powered down and will just flop over. This is a problem when he gets stuck (oh, he will get stuck a lot) in various actions. The bot will then give off repeated and very annoying "REBOOT" messages. Powering on requires holding down the power button for 5 seconds. To reboot, you hold down the power button for 5 seconds to turn off and then turn back on with the same process. So, when he powers down for the reboot, be prepared to catch OP because he will go flaccid and fall over. Even his "Shutdown" pose isn't stable and can still topple over. When powered on, the servo motors result in rigid joints. Do NOT attempt to pose the figure by overpowering the servos. This will damage the motors and the figure. Voice commands and the app are used to move the figure. Even with programmed action sets on a level surface, be prepared for a lot of falls and various reboot warnings. His idle movements may also cause the bot to lock and give off reboot warnings if he's simply holding the axe. The bot is primarily controlled with voice commands for set programmed actions as well as the app. Although the preview videos annoyingly used the word "CONVERT" for transformations, be reassured that "TRANSFORM" does work. The app also has a remote control feature to directly control the bot. Again, be prepared for falls. In alt mode, the truck moves at a pretty decent speed, so be careful to avoid crashing into walls or furniture. The app has the ability to set up customized actions (still working on that at this time) as well as to download new action sets. However, it's completely stupid that a lot of these actions, including the guitar action set, is time locked (why?). Some of the actions look and sound great in person, while some are just downright strange. "Megatron" in particular makes it look like OP is having a child's temper tantrum. Because of the motors, it's hard to test various posing limits. However, there's an obvious limitation with the hands. Despite how the molding looks, the hands can't open or rotate, which is disappointing. The face shield also doesn't move. The head does not rotate side to side; only up and down. Edit: I did forget about the gas tanks on the sides of the legs. They have to be manually adjusted. They can also peg into place in alt mode. When transforming, they do not freely come down due to the tires. Sounds: Peter Cullen is definitely the voice of this bot. There's plenty of different soundbites. However, there's various sounds that sound like they come from the live action movies rather than "G1". The worst sound is when using the blaster. Sounds like a machine gun instead of a G1 laser blaster. Hearing the old G1 music but with modern effects sounds jarring. The sound quality is better than expected; not tinny sounding but not a bass machine either. At this time, still looking into how to add your own custom sound files. Box Contents: The package was shipped in its own SOC box (not shown). Inside was a well-protected collector's edition box. Yep, we're #1871. Inside is the fanciest styrofoam container I've ever seen. Opening the case: There are two main accessories: Energon Axe and Ion Blaster. The axe disappointingly only fits the left hand (why?). The Ion Blaster has no electrical connection with the main bot, so has its own battery. Pulling back on the barrel will activate the LED (appears amber instead of orange despite the orange lens due to a strong white LED behind it). There's also a small box with the smokestacks, which is the only assembly required (not shown). The other accessories are a pair of chrome stickers, USB 2 micro-B cable (why?), and a power adapter with a barrel plug (why?). This is 2021, and robosen OP is an expensive figure. There was no reason not to use USB C, seriously. Applying pressure over the bottom cover will open and reveal the power and usb ports. Again, a single USB C port would've have been much nicer at this price point. On a side note, I have not been able to access any files so far with the usb connection. Bot Mode: Boy is big. He is just under Titan Class size. When OP is on, all his LEDs turn on. Not just the eyes but the truck mode lights are also on. He has a subtle "breathing" pattern when idle. Bot mode looks great except for the obvious and annoying panel behind his head. When idle for a while, he then goes into dab mode automatically. This is the rear view. Again, the head panel is quite annoying to look at. Wished there was a better way to handle the head panel. A dual hinge setup could've worked. The panel is removable for posing purposes. There's no screw; just attached primarily by a peg. Aside voice commands, the app also controls OP with various set actions, including customizations, and a remote control feature. This is "Grand Upper". This is super hero pose: This is holding the Ion Blaster. Again, the hands do not open, and the Ion Blaster has its own battery for the LED. I do not like the stock blaster sound effect, which sounds more like a machine gun. The blaster LED looks amber instead of orange due to how strong the white LED is behind the thin orange lens. The axe in motion. The molding only allows for left handed usage, which was a bizarre choice. "Shutdown" pose. This is how he looks powered down in bot mode. This is still not exactly stable either. Comparison of Bot Mode Sizes: Yes, he even dwarfs MP-1 in size. Left to right: robosen, MP-1, MP-10, Earthrise Optimus Prime, Core Optimus Prime. He is bigger than the POTP Combiner Titans. But shorter than the regular WFC Titans. Alt Mode: Truck mode looks pretty good. I would argue this is the only true "safe" mode when powered down. Another view of alt mode. There is no plug-in storage of his accessories. There is also no aftermarket trailer that would work due to the feet. One could use his form-fitting styrofoam accessories case as a "trailer", though: Conclusion: The figure that our inner child has always wanted is here. This is a ridiculously expensive behemoth of a figure. However, this is not a true action figure. When powered on, the servo motors are rigid. When powered off, the motors are off resulting in one floppy mess that cannot support its own weight when standing upright. Be prepared to have this figure fall A LOT and have various scuffs. We already have one on the windshield annoyingly enough. Also be prepared for constant "REBOOT" warnings as the figure will automatically lock up in various scenarios, including just transforming and doing basic poses on rugs. The app itself seems straightforward in getting started. Need to play around with it more to realize the full capabilities of the figure. However, locking out downloadable actions is just stupid (timed releases). Is this worth $700? To us, there's a reserved YES. If you want a large bot that can transform and move on its own, then yeah, robosen OP is your bot. If you want an actual action figure, this is not the bot you're looking for. Edit: Made various fixes and some additions. Edit #2: I did forget about the gas tanks in most of the bot mode pics. They do not freely come down, primarily due to the tires, and they also peg into place in alt mode. Edit #3: Some additional thoughts. Still think it was a worthwhile purchases, but there's some definite annoyances. He is going to fall frequently, even on flat surfaces. Our windshield ding is from having him on a flat surface. Our display base surface is probably too smooth, so his feet couldn't grip and toppled right over. Even powering up from sitting, he ended up toppling over maybe a 1/3 or 1/4 of the times so far. If he's gonna fall, I would rather having him on some sort of cushioned surface. We have very short rugs here. Even then, the motor strength isn't strong enough to go into a basic A-stance or turn around proper. The wheels seem fine in alt mode, though. If he's on hard "flat" surfaces, his feet paint will wear out relatively quickly and get numerous scuffs. We already have some. The contact surfaces should've been left bare. Even Hasbro knows when not to paint certain surfaces. In general, not being able to use him on a variety of "reasonable" surfaces is disappointing. Melamine board might be the safest in terms of being able to use him fully and have some mild impact resistance. Melamine board is lightweight and has that smooth white coating on it. The instruction manual is bizarre. It says you shouldn't be closer than 1m (~3 ft) from the figure when using, but in that case, you won't be able to catch him when he invariably tumbles over. Again, while powering down to "reboot", the other hand needs to support the body to prevent him from falling over. I'm still waiting to hear back from customer support about using custom sound files. One can replace the existing ones if they want, but since each action is set to an audio track rather than multiplexing different sound files, one would have to replace multiple sound files if they really don't like certain sound effects. Otherwise, the existing audio tracks sound like a weird G1-Bayverse mashup. There really needs to be a way to permanently disable auto pose. The app settings don't save on the bot itself. If he's holding his axe, and he decides to auto-Dab, then his arm will jam and get the annoying "reboot" message...over and over and over and over and over again.
Part 2: Robosen Optimus Prime App and Internal Storage The main use is through a mobile app via the Google or Apple app stores. There appears to be a PC app for the other bots but did not try that yet. In terms of posing and action set customizations, the app is able to do that for you. In terms of adding custom sounds, well, not so much. The internal flash storage is I believe 512MB with about 400MB free space left after formatting and the system files. Accessing the file system is clunky, but one is able to browse and hear all the available sound files...including extra files not heard at all with the bot or app. There is a readme.txt file warning people not to delete files. This of course seems obvious as missing files may break the bot's functions. I can't seem to find a way to use custom files yet. It is possible to replace sound files with custom ones, but I wouldn't advise that unless one makes a backup copy of the internal flash first. I did e-mail customer support about custom sound files, and I'll see if they say anything. Sounds are in MP3 format. Many sound clips have the various fx baked in. So, if one wanted to replace a very specific effect, well, that would require replacing multiple mp3's. An important side note: voice command is disabled when the bot is connected to app or in USB mode. The app has a 3d rendering of Optimus Prime. This can be rotated around. Tap the bluetooth connect button to connect to the bot. The connection was pretty quick. However, be prepared to do this a lot if Optimus Prime gets jammed and needs to "REBOOT". This is the main menu. There's a battery indicator for the bot in the upper right. The settings icon brings up other options, including USB mode. Yes, the art doesn't match the bot. "Actions" button brings up various pre-programmed action sets to choose from. They do bring up warnings not to have the accessories equipped...even for those who actually need them. There is an icon to download more actions, but.... Seriously, why are most of them time locked. This is unacceptable for the price paid. Completely stupid. The "Remote Control" button acts like a virtual gamepad and has different options depending if OP is in bot versus alt mode. Again, be careful to avoid driving Prime straight into a wall, falling down numerous times, or getting jammed. "Create" button is where new action sets are created. So far, I've been able to setup basic action sets with various poses. There's a Customize option where you basically move the bot's joints into different positions and have it save each one. This is the easiest to learn. However, more customization options, including exact angles and time, are available in Block Based mode. I would show off my action set more in Customize mode, but I can't even load it to simply view. It's locked to the Play button after saving and exiting. Just stupid. Before coming up with an action, the app gives you an option screen of which joints to keep locked. The legs are locked by default. If you decide to move leg joints and unlock them all (as shown here), be prepared to catch a flaccid Optimus. Block Based has more customization options. The "Missions" mode is where I have some issues with. Yes, it's good for tutorial learning. However, again, locking sound files behind this is unacceptable and completely stupid. There's 30 total missions. Yay...now 29 more times. There's an extra settings menu. However, the options chosen here do not save, which is very annoying. This is also how to access USB mode. It's clunky having to use a mobile device and PC just to get into that mode. Options don't save, which is annoying. Automatic Pose should be off by default. It's irritating trying to set up something and then have OP go into dab mode. Convert mode tries to have OP turn around and then transform. On my rug, he doesn't even get past 90 degrees. The computer will not recognize internal storage unless the app places the bot into USB mode. Overall: For basic usage, the app is fine. However, there are various nuisances as noted above and being locked out of full functionality for no legitimate reason. I'll see if customer support gets back to me about custom sounds, since the readme file hints this should be possible. I did try adding extra mp3 files to the 02 folder but nothing happened.
I imagine the axe only works with one hand due to how it fits over the hand?? Similar to MP-10 (I think?)
Modding this guy with a head panel that folds open and shut automatically is going to be my first priority when he arrives. A new printed panel with a hinged bar that plugs into the back of his head should do it, it will just flop open and closed as the head goes up and down. Not exactly hard to do, I'm guessing they didn't do it because it will cover the power button when lying open. Getting those gas tanks to fall down automatically for robot mode is second priority. Might be as easy as loosening the joints on them.
I've taken apart the Ion Blaster. To make the light orange from outside view, one stopgap reversible solution is to place a piece of red vinyl / electrical tape over the LED. Red cellophane would be another option but would need multiple layers to tint the color. It's hard finding clean sound clips of G1 sounds, especially OP's blaster (triplet sound). Yeah, the cutout on the bottom is only for the left hand. The power button definitely needs to be accessed frequently for "REBOOTS", so covering it up would not be a good idea. Yeah, I didn't even notice the gas tanks till after posting a bunch of pics. It doesn't like to flop all the way down because of the tires getting in the way. Those are real rubber tires, which like to grip the tanks.
I think I can handle flipping a small panel out of the way to hit the power button. Hell, I could just put a bump on the panel that presses the button when you press the panel itself, depending on how deep the button press goes.
Hasbro took something that was going to retail for $200 in China and decided that collectors would pay a $500 premium, just because. I look at the drones you can buy for $700 and laugh at this.
Ok, that was a useless post in a review thread, not to mention baseless price BS comparison. Even if you compared to their earlier bots, they're dwarfed by this bot....by a lot. Edit: Added comparison pics with Titan Class figures.
BS. Show me one $200 robot with this level of sophistication. Yes, this is marked up, but nowhere near $500 worth of "just because".
Added on some additional thoughts to the original post. There's some definite nuisances to be aware of. Paint scuffing on the feet in particular is going to be inevitable. Even very short length rugs and play mats may add enough friction to prevent bot mode from fully working, although that would be a much safer surface to operate from than the floor. Checked the app today. Annoyed that someone was able to download the locked out action sets. Tried to do more complicated poses. Even if one doesn't want to do "action" sets, one would still have to make an action set to get to their desired stationary poses. This one took 3 steps. Obviously don't recommend that most try this, but it's doable. Just one step to keep the joints locked and flipped him upside down.
We need videos. pictures just don't do this guy any justice. its all about the interaction plus if any body has cats, small dogs, ferrets or kids to interact with him im sure plenty of us would be entertained. Especially ferrets!
I love mine. It gets weird sometimes and he’s definitely collapsed a few times but overall it’s great. Can’t wait to see what people come up with programming their own actions! Also, change your date/time on your phone to get those time locked actions. I downloaded all of them this morning!
Got mine today. First thing I did was fix the head panel thing. Heavy/Scratch: - Robosen Prime automatic head flap I've been messing with him all day, no issues, no falling over, no failures. I've only been doing voice commands so we'll see how the app goes when I get around to it. He is definitely impressive, even my kid who hates transformers loves it - he wanted to know if all my figures do all that, I guess they might be interesting after all if they do. Sorry kid, no they do not.
Okay, I am not sure if this is the correct spot but I was wondering if anyone has completed all the "missions" that the app has and has the layout saved for each one. I haven't had a chance to play with my Optimus for a few months now and I was stuck on one of the missions. I want to unlock them all but its been a bit of a pain. Checking on the internet, there were a few that were posted but when I tried to use those settings, Optimus came back and said they were not correct. Not sure if the elite version or the OG have different missions or not. On a side note, I am trying to update the weapons audio files to match what was on the tv show. Not sure why they didn't use them when they were making the audio files.
They had stock effects that they were too lazy to swap out. For the trailer, they did use the correct ones. It's annoying how they didn't update the audio files for Optimus. I didn't even bother with the missions.
