Well, this was an interesting surprise weekend release.


Walmart's website began selling this figure on 9-27-2024 with the placeholder tags still in place: TRANFORMERS GEN RETRO 3. Fans started receiving the figure as early as the next day.

The bot figure is a redeco of the previous Walmart exclusive G1 Optimus Prime re-issue / partial remold, which had the longer smokestacks. Surprisingly, this release now includes the trailer, in which the original mold was thought to be lost.

The recent Missing Link releases are completely different molds. No shared parts for the bot figure. It is questionable if a few trailer related parts are shared or just look identical, but the Missing Link trailer is also a different mold, as well as Roller.

The main deco difference is to match the G1 cartoon colors, most notably, the "white pants" replacing the chrome. In fact, there's no chrome on this figure at all. There's also no labels. Prime has blue eyes. Has both gray and silver paint. The waist has yellow highlights. Under the belt area, there's white and blue paint to try to match the cartoon model...sort of. The trailer is very much plain to match the cartoon model. There's a surprising amount of parts painted blue on the trailer itself. The metal parts are all painted over: windshield, thighs, and feet. Notably, the the painted metal cab has a pink hue to it and is a bit more off compared to the earlier Walmart release. The windows are tinted blue this time, as opposed to amber in the earlier Walmart release.

The Walmart release featured the dreaded stair step design for the leg transformation. Eventually, this will wear out with routine use, and then poor Optimus is stuck leaning backwards. The stair step design is still here, although the springs appear to be weaker. Hopefully, that means this figure will tolerate it better. Overall, the figure just feels a bit looser all around compared to the earlier Walmart figure. The 40th anniversary figure is not floppy, though. Notably, many of the joints feel 'stuck' due to all the extra paint until moved for the first time.

The articulation is very much limited and typical of the times. Head doesn't rotate. Shoulders rotate forwards/backwards 360 degrees. Elbows 90 degrees and able to swivel. Hands are able to rotate but partsform. There is no forward or side hip movements. Knees bend 90 degrees. There's no ankle tilt. After one has handled the Missing Link figures, this feels very much backwards.

Regarding accessories, this version is missing one of the Ion Blasters from the earlier Walmart release, so has just one Ion Blaster (which has the longer handle of the last re-issue). Has 2 partsforming hands (one can just store in the cab in alt mode). Comes with Roller, gas hose assembly, and 4 missiles on a sprue. Unlike the ML version, the wheels already come assembled on Roller as opposed to a sprue.

Don't have the original G1 trailer for comparison. The deco is of course wildly different and maybe too plain for some. There's no labels at all: internally and externally. This version of the trailer does have the Roller launcher missing from the Missing Link trailer. This is also able to hold Roller still in the trailer. The tab towards the rear of the repair drone will launch Roller forwards. However, the missile launchers no longer have a launching mechanism; this is a new repair drone mold with no switch or spring holders. It's not like one can just add in springs...there's nothing there to add to. The trailer sides notably have screw holes, which are an eyesore. This is presumably due to not having labels covering them up. The box renders notably don't show the screw holes. The Ion Blaster can't store in the trailer; the longer handle of the Walmart re-issue blaster means it will hit the repair drone...unless the repair drone is lurched over Roller before closing the trailer.

Roller is different than Missing Link Roller although the wheels look identical. The repair drone is completely different than Missing Link although the canopy and main black support arm look just about identical. The missiles are different too. The rear door of the trailer and trailer wheels are the only parts that look the same on Missing Link trailer. Roller doesn't have the hollow plastic in the rear pegs like ML Roller. The gray arms of the repair drone also don't have the hollow plastic like the ML version.

Other notes: The matrix holder from Missing Link does not work in G1 OP molds.

Accessories:
4 missiles, 2 hands, one Ion Blater, Roller, gas hose


Bot Mode:
White pants fans rejoice.


Rear view.


Bot Mode Comparisons:
I really hope the hips don't end up like the earlier Walmart release. At least the springs don't feel as tight with the new figure. The earlier version had 2 Ion Blasters.


Comparison with Missing Link C-02 Convoy (anime deco).


Alt Mode:
The cab paint over the metal part has a subtle pinkish hue to it, which doesn't quite match the red plastic.


Another view.


Alt Mode Comparisons:
Comparison with earlier Walmart release.


Comparison with Missing Link C-02 Convoy (anime deco).


Trailer:
The new deco is fairly plain to match the cartoon. Also, the screw holes are visible without labels to cover them...and are a total eyesore.


Another view.


Battle deck mode:


Roller with the gas hose attached. The Roller launcher mechanism is present here.


Repair drone. The missile launchers do not have any launching capability.


The Roller launcher, uh, launches Roller forward.


Trailer Comparison:
Comparison with Missing Link C-01 Roller on the right. ML version added the MP like rotating rear section, which Walmart Roller does not have.


Comparison with Missing Link C-01 trailer on the right. The Walmart trailer deco is very plain in comparison. Has a blue canopy window for the Repair Drone as opposed to yellow for Missing Link version. The Walmart Repair Drone stays put like the original and does not detach like the Missing Link version. The Roller launcher mechanism is present on the Walmart version while the Missing Link Repair Drone is able to launch missiles. Both have compatibility with Dia-Nauts (Reboot) figures. Label #14 from the Missing Link label sheet was supposed to be for the Roller launcher.


Alt mode with trailer. Has a little more than 90 degree rotation to either side. My camera is making it not look level, although it is.


C-02 Convoy pulling the trailer. The Walmart trailer goes well with C-02 for the relatively matching decos.


Overall: This is an interesting release. This figure will go along with other Walmart G1 releases with the cartoon decos. So for those collectors, this figure is an obvious no brainer to get.

For those who have Missing Link, well, depends. Missing Link figure is far, far, far superior. Those who have C-01 Convoy, will likely have no real reason to get this version. However, for those who have C-02 Convoy, as that figure does not have a trailer, and the Walmart trailer matches the more plain look, well, this may be possibly worth it.

The trailer does have the missing Roller launcher when compared to the ML trailer, but the Repair Drone launching mechanism is sadly gone.

I really hope this figure doesn't get the backwards leaning issue the last Walmart re-issue suffered from. Still has the same dreaded stair step pattern but the springs at least feel weaker compared to the older figure.

The windshield/cab paint has a pinkish hue to it that doesn't match well. The Ion Blaster can't store in trailer mode properly as the lengthened handle hits the repair drone...unless the repair drone is lurched over Roller.

 

Various other pictures.

More Comparisons:
Legacy United G1 Universe Optimus Prime, who is not quite toy only deco.



Legacy Core Optimus Prime, who has white pants.



Cloud Optimus Prime, who also has white pants.



Studio Series 86 Optimus Prime, donning the white pants.




The SS86 trailer is about a hair wider and taller than the Walmart trailer but is a bit longer.


The SS86 trailer is also quite bare inside but at least has molding detail, whereas the G1 trailer is relatively flat and plain inside. The SS86 Repair Drone is smaller in comparison, and the SS86 trailer lacks the 2 side pods.


For the Ion Blaster to store in the Walmart trailer, one has to lurch the repair drone over Roller for clearance. For the SS86 trailer, Roller stores backwards as his front tabs into the repair drone.


More pics of C-02 Convoy:
For those who have C-02 Convoy and thinking about getting the 40th Anniversary Walmart set for the trailer:

 

Great review ziltama!

Are the smokestacks covered in metallic paint?

 

Yes, silver paint.

 

Mine is supposed to arrive on Tuesday and it'll be my first experience with a G1 Optimus Prime trailer. Evan stated they did lose the molds to the trailer and had to remake it for this release.

I feel like unless you're really nostalgic for the G1 toy, you might as well just get the SS86 commander Optimus prime for $15 more to get a better bang for your buck. That goes the same for the missing link variants. As we've seen with most if not all of the past retro figures, this has a good chance of going on sale. If/when that happens, it won't compete with the SS86 version as much, and I could recommend it to more people.

Still is a good release for the 40th anniversary especially for those that didn't/couldn't get the missing link considering that import premium. Great pics showcasing the toy and comparing to other Optimus Primes. I'm sure someone will show comparison pics with SS86 Optimus Prime soon enough

 

Added SS86 comparison pics after taking a dinner break.

The various trailer sets at least offer very different experiences. $75 for this Walmart set (old experience), $90 for SS86 Optimus Prime (modern experience), and $120 for Missing Link C-01 (old but modernized for a different unique experience).

 

Anyone in Canada have any luck finding Prime? He's not on the walmart.ca website and checked the shelves in store but nothing. Living in Canada can be a real struggle for getting these exclusives.
I'm hoping 40th anniversary Prime ends up on Pulse like the other cartoon retro reissues. Probably my only shot at getting him.

 

Slow down, it hasn't been announced yet!

 

Has popped up on US Walmart site multiple times, only to sell out quickly each time. Here we go again with Walmart mess ups. I'm hoping they a get a huge stock in for good so everyone can purchase him if they desire to.

 

Hope you're right and that it becomes available on the cansdian website, but walmart.ca is well known for not carrying certain exclusives. The Turtles of Grayskull and 80s remastered TMNT never made it to Canada.

 

Mine shipped today from my LCS.

Should have him maybe Thursday. Can't wait.

 

I didn’t remember it either, but it was officially revealed at SDCC



I do agree to be patient. Retro the movie toys don’t instantly sell out and a lot went on sale too.

 

It did catch some by surprise but yes sdcc had it. The ss86 was with it too if I remember.

For me it's the nostalgia of the box that gets me. Although it's updated to reflect the cartoon deco it brings back memories of 1986 when I finally saw the toy in a store. I was looking for g1 prime for so long and this then 10 year old was almost reduced to tears. The image of prime on the right hand side of the box is so iconic..

Excuse me I have something in my eye...

 

Great review. one last request. Could you please take a picture of the copyright stamp on the ML trailer vs the Retro trailer? This would help once and for all confirm that, yes, these are in fact two separate molds commissioned around the same time rather than a "retooled Missing Link" trailer like one or two were trying to convince others as being.

 

They're basically completely different trailer, repair drone, and roller molds. The only parts that look about the same are the rear trailer door and wheels.

 

Indeed. Just want to put the nail in the proverbial coffin.

 

Actually, now I see a different mold line on the back door, so also different. Some other parts may look similar but the sprue posts and mold exhausts are in different positions. I may have to bust out the magnifying glass to see differences in the tires or take the rubber wheels off and see.

There's no number to compare with due to all the paint, but the differences are too obvious. Walmart on left.

 

Yeah from videos I've seen it's a different trailer to the ML one. Think they had to create it because the original trailer mold was unusable. Or something like that.

 

Am I bad in saying the lack of chrome makes it look like a KO? Just looks off.

Great review and pics.

 

Thanks! I'd say that seals the argument.

Hasbro transferred their operations to Vietnam. When they did that, they lost access to the original molds for G1 Optimus Prime. So, when Walmart released Vintage G1 Optimus w/o the trailer, it was a wholesale new mold that had to be produced in the new factory.

Unfortunately, that meant the trailer shared the same fate. Walmart must have wanted a G1 Optimus that they could sell for sub $50, though, so Hasbro must have offered to reproduce only the cab from their CAD files. Fast forward to a year or so ago, Walmart now is releasing the "retro G1" line with animation decoes and wants to do Optimus WITH the trailer. That means a brand new mold for a trailer as well.

SO, why would they do this if Takara had Missing Link doing something similar at the same time? A brand new Missing Link Optimus was being produced along with a new trailer...so why produce a whole OTHER trailer? And why not just release Missing Link instead of the Walmart figure?

Two factors inform my theory:

1. COST - Any Takara product released for their market exclusively is paid for by Takara exclusively. As soon as Hasbro wants to release that toy in their market, Hasbro is on the tab to share in the production costs. Domestic Takara product releases often show up as store exclusives rather than regular retail because Hasbro would rather pass those expenses on to the retailer in question.

So, Walmart would have a choice. Pony up money to pay mold commission costs for a Missing Link cab AND a Missing Link trailer. OR, only pay for the cost of a new trailer (since their vintage Optimus cab already exists). I'd say the choice would be clear for Walmart which they'd prefer.

2. TIMING - Chances are, both Retro G1 Optimus and Missing Link were planned and commissioned at the same time. Essentially, the Vietnam factory got the orders roughly around the same time and Hasbro might not have been privy to the plans for Missing Link when they were offering the Retro Optimus we got to Walmart.

Either way, it's clear to me that one is not a retool of the other when it comes to the trailers. I'm 99.9% convinced that these were two trailers commissioned at nearly the same time and were produced at the same time in the same factory.   Amusing, really, that the factory was making two trailers that were so similar and yet completely different.