We're back with another gallery from the Titans Return line, and this time, we're putting the focus on the big red truck himself, Optimus Prime! He's been reincarnated in his Powermaster form for the Titans Return line, as a very thorough reworking of the Ultra Magnus released in the Combiner Wars line - with the majority of his parts completely remolded, and even some new steps in the transformation. It's a pity, though, with so much work done on making Powermaster Optimus his own toy, that he then recycles the rifles from Ultra Magnus - of course, Renderform has you covered with their Power Rifles if you feel the need for some Generation 1 styled guns.

Poseability is carried over from the previous Leader class Ultra Magnus - so in other words, it is excellent, with good all-round mobility in the joints. One thing to note - because of the new transformation on the leg panels, it is harder to stand Powermaster Optimus Prime with his legs together. There's some rather glaring hollow spaces on the forearms too, and a lack of paint on the Titan Master, Apex. Shout out to a very cool touch which makes the face beneath the Optimus Prime helmet that of the E-Hobby style Orion Pax.

However, you may have noticed that most of these points are mostly minor complaints. Powermaster Optimus Prime is a fine flagship release for Titans Return along with Blaster who gives us fans a long-awaited update of the 1988 rendition of Optimus Prime. He's got a solid, strong look distinct from Ultra Magnus, with many of the design touches which defines the Powermaster design, with the head in particular looking a lot like the Marvel Comics artwork. All in all, a solid release and worth the price of admission - check out this 177 image gallery, and see for yourself:

Titans Return Powermaster Optimus Prime


Titans Return Powermaster Optimus Prime Robot


Titans Return Powermaster Optimus Prime Truck


Titans Return Powermaster Optimus Prime base


Titans Return Powermaster Optimus Prime action pose


Titans Return Powermaster Optimus Prime with the Renderform Power Rifles. What you're seeing here are the prototypes.


Titans Return Powermaster Optimus Prime with the Matrix (Matrix from Beast Wars Neo Big Convoy)


Powermaster Optimus Prime with Combiner Wars Leader Ultra Magnus


Titans Return Powermaster Optimus Prime with my original Generation 1 Powermaster Optimus Prime

 

I don\'t even notice the \"hollowness.\" Great figure, other than the mentioned hit where the way the panels fold around his legs bump up in normal standing mode and recycled guns. He holds them better though. 

What\'s interesting about both blaster and prime is that they clearly don\'t need to be Titan masters. They way both helmets flip up would work just as well if the entire head was in the helmet no gimmick. that makes them better figures imo. I like the headmaster gimmick a lot. Galvatron is the only toy that really seems to be lesser because of the gimmick --- clearly there is room in his chest cavity for a standard head flip up mechanism...

 

Makes you wonder if those guys were in progress before the line-wide headmaster gimmick was instituted ~ especially since none of the other Voyagers have a similar helmet/mask gimmick.

 

Realistically they would need to start designs on toys long before reveals and production. So wouldn't surprise me if some toys like prime and Galvatron were in the works and adapted to Titans return.

 

Cool pictures. They have me quite temped to grab him. 

 

Well I finally figured out what happened to the orange on Takara\'s Afterburner.

 

I preordered the Takara version but this is tempting also...

Many thanks for the extensive gallery.

 

"It's great to be Back."

 

Great Gallery! My first Optimus was PowerMaster Optimus Prime, so this guy is special, even as a modern version of a classic TF. It needed a darker red plastic, some silver paint for the wheels and more G1-like rifles, but he's my favorite Titan Wars figure. I have the re-issue Ginrai, but these pics make me really miss my old PM Prime with the broken trailer hitch, snapped smoke stacks, yellowing plastic, loose joints, and worn stickers.  

...But as an homage, this figure is very good, and I enjoy having him in my Collection! You go TR PM Prime, Transform & Roll Out!  

 

Even though the grey is a bit unfortunate, I still think he came out amazingly.

 

The proportions are a little stubby, but that's authentic to the original figure. I don't love it, but it's at least a defensible rationalization.

The Takara version looks better proportioned with the extra height, but the trade-off is those feet that no one, including myself, likes.

I like the Takara cab better, but I do have to admit I think I like the updated look of Hasbro's chest better than the slavish G1 recreated chest of Takara's.

Really, it's still the hollow Hasbro forearms that put me off more than anything. It's nice to see some people have gotten used to them or have made peace with them, but they still look distractingly horrible to me in many otherwise cool poses. Even without wrist swivels and ankle tilts, I might have chosen Hasbro over Takara if not for those forearms.

 

Im so torn, do I wait for the Takara one or do I wait and hope they do a MP version some day. I really cant believe its not been done yet to be quite honest

 

As neat as this offering from Hasbro is, I am going to wait it out and get the Takara retool/ repaint Super Ginrai come December..

 

And in the north of Europe this can be yours for the low price of €79 incl taxes!!!!!
In store soon!

(Grmbl, $88 in stores)

 

I wonder if TT will do a God Bomber add on to their Super Ginrai. That'll make the win complete.

 

Don't forget that Perfect Effect is doing a complete God Bomber to go with Hasbro's version.

 

Basically my thoughts on it, but I'll add that as someone who's not normally bothered by hollowness (the thighs for example don't bug me) even I can't stand those arms. They're entirely hollow with no attempts to hide it with detailed support parts. It looks like there's a piece missing. And I do want this figure as the Takara version's feet and chest as you mentioned don't appeal to me, but I'll have to find something to put in there.

I also wish the head was a little more angular and dynamic looking. It's very plain in it's overall shapes and proportions. The detail's there, it's just not protruding enough.

 

If I ever get this, I will definitely make of the base modes he is capable of.

 

Thanks for the gallery - very important for decision-making. Those forearms are just messed up, and the eyes are too small/sunken thanks to the Titan Master gimmick. If I can get the Takara version and a proper 3rd party head… maybe. 

 

The OP forgot to mention the glaring elephant in the room, which is that it's not a "Powermaster" in any shape or form. No Powermaster/engine figure and no regular Optimus Prime figure that transforms into the cab, either.

Those two missing features are pretty big ones, and it's puzzling why they were omitted from the review.