Let’s take a look at the only deluxe this wave that’s worth any modicum of respect.

Articulation is pretty standard. However, as the wheel hinge is on a completely different assembly above the waist as opposed to being part of the waist like Missing Link, it’s got a full 360 rotation bend. Note how the ML has around 30 degrees, and the deluxe has the legs facing the back. The smaller size of the deluxe means that there is a trade off in the hip assembly: There is no flight stand port at his bum.

Thanks to the feet being on a swivel on top of having tilt too, it’s able to rotate inwards. Here’s Prime knocking on an existent toilet door that’s locked as he needs to take a leak to demonstrate this.


The trade off is that the wheel is attached to the ankle assembly, as opposed to ML where they are seperate.

Due to the leg joint placement, it is required to have a bumper flap that’s articulated up to 90 degrees to kick upwards. ML does not have this issue and this joint is nonexistent. You can see the silver paint on the articulated flap.
The neck joint is on a ball joint as opposed to as swivel like ML., so he can look slightly upwards, but it’s pretty much negligible. No wrist articulation or opening fingers like ML.

Accessories wise you have two ion blasters based on the variants on the original toy. They are terrible as they are molded in a different color and have extremely thick black paint correcting it. Using the gun thru play will scrape the paint on the handle.
the axe is on half an orb (so akin to Book collection Convoy), and the sculpt overall feels neutered compared to Book Collection (running off memory), but is an objectively neutered compared to ML. this was sculpted possibly so stupid kids don’t stab themselves with it.

undocumented in the instructions, the smokestacks are on 5mm holes.

He also has the matrix of leadership. Completely new sculpt so it’s not a C+V of ER, as the sculpt as the center is much more hexagonal and not veiny. Lack of opening hands means that Prime cannot hold it. The matrix connects to the chest by a 5mm port and is unpainted. Unlike Legacy Core Soundblaster's Buzzsaw or Laser Prime, the matrix is stored in the baggy, preventing theft.
Comparison.
Transformation is (no shit), basic bitch. Truck mode is similar to G1, but with a lot more nonsense chug greeble.


Towing the Missing Link trailer (the white stuff on the corner isn’t my seed, it’s Blu Tack) and 86 trailer. Photo with ER is down in the comments. All 3 trailers look great.

Comparisons with ML
Overall, I think the deluxe Prime is fine. I’m not a fan of the deco, the grey parts really need a silver finish (technically chrome but Hasbro is too cheap to do it and Takara evidently isn’t fucked enough to pull a Henkei anyway). The clear window is cheap and should’ve been darker (which is funny as the renders at the back of the box depict the windows in a darker shade).
Rifles should not be painted. However, it’s still a nice transformation that gets the job done. Overall recommended if you want a nice desk bot at work that you won’t get upset over if a coworker accidentally knocks it, and is not an substitute to the Missing Link toy by any stretch of the imagination. It looks like a chug toy, feels like a chug toy and the price reflects that, not a modern toy slavishly replicating the feel, look, and energy of a 42 year old toy.

Major edit: I forgot to cover the light piping. It works by having a slit of the clear plastic on the top of his head. Light does go in and illuminate pretty easily, but the effect isn't very good and I'd rather have the painted yellow eyes instead.

 

Well. I had absolutely no reason to think that it was… until now.

 

I honestly prefer how this looks to the ML, it’s more of a reinterpretation rather than a direct remake. Plus, with this we could get a whole new line of 80s characters in toy-inspired designs for deluxe prices.
Edit: how does it look with the ER trailer?

 

It's so runty compared to Missing Link. This guy looks so G1 toy but he's going to look like a wimp next to real G1 toys - maybe this will help Rodimus with his perpetual confidence problem

 

Pixelmaster said: ↑
the white stuff on the corner isn’t my seed

Thanks for the clarification. I first thought you had nutted on the trailer.

 

That’s actually amazing proportionally.

 

The combat deck looks great too!

 

Very much seems like "budget Missing Link," and I'm not saying that's a bad thing. I think he looks pretty cool. A novelty figure, and nothing more.
Already got him on preorder. Looking forward to having a nice Deluxe Prime to fiddle around with.

 

The gun thing is kind of a bummer since that's part of main feature with the toy.

 

I’m really hoping this is a test figure for the successor to SS86. We’ve got modern toys that go full Sunbow, the next logical thing would be modern toys that go full Diaclone/Microchange. With a few changes like a cool green & purple Voyager G2 Megatron for this guy to fight …

 

Crap. The guns being painted is HUUUUGELY disappointing. I was already annoyed that the fists are painted, but both? Yikes. That’s not only going to scrape on both, but it might paint lock at certain temperatures. That, plus the plastic-eating tires are giving me serious pause on a figure I was SUPER excited for originally. Like, this was the figure I was the most excited for of everything coming out, and now I’m seriously considering cancelling my pre-order. That might seem harsh, but this takes it from “fun to fiddle with” to “handle gently,” which is the exact opposite of what this mold should be. And if the previous Earthrise Prime is any indicator, all recolors of this mold will have the same issues. Damn. This is a massive bummer for me.

 

Sounds like Missing Link will be the more durable one to handle after all

 

I mean good lord. A G1 toy-based Prime doesn’t need a Matrix. It doesn’t need an ax. Rubber tires are neat but not vital. Use that budget to afford some damn black plastic guns.

 

Yep. Just canceled my shit. I got missing link prime anyways. Might get on deep discount.

 

Whether or not it's intentional, it looks like he's around the size of the Transform Jr Optimus.

 

I didn't preorder this one when he first went up and this review only solidifies that decision in my mind. May be a good sale purchase at $15-20'ish if I need a fiddle bot, but no way am I paying $25 for it.

 

To be fair, that's like, every modern deluxe today...

 

I mean, you're not wrong...  

This one just looks like he's LESS worth that asking price than others.

 

I wish he had been a tall deluxe like Needlenose.