Forget discussing favorite austere, collector-oriented CHUG Optimi. What is your favorite big, dumb Optimus? A concept nearly as ubiquitous with Transformers as transformation itself.

Tally the ones you have up above, then sound off below to further specify which you've wound up with and along with your favorite(s). I was originally going to provide more options, but there are so many of these that I couldn't even fit them all in grouping by individual series.

Also, let me know if I missed any, as I especially have blindspots around Prime/RiD 2015 and was just browsing their TFWiki pages.

I left Powermaster Optimus/Super Ginrai out as I don't think he's quite in the big, dumb gimmick slot Optimus would come to occupy in each later lines (not even a single eletronic feature? How modest), but feel free to make the argument for him. I suppose he is relativeley unhinged for 1988, but surely not so much as Scorponok and For Max coming before him, nor any subsequent JG1 Cybertron Commanders, including his own next iteration.

I also left out all Titan Changers and equivalents, as well as larger automorphers like the ROTB Smash-Changers (not quite in that big, dumb centerpiece gimmick toy category), but feel free to include those too.

Earthspark is...showing remarkable restraint on this front, as the Spin-Changer arguably shouldn't even make the list (Voyager Class-sized), and the centerpiece Optimus is possibly the trailered-up Deluxe. However, I think...it's probably safe to say it's the line's equivalent of his and Bumblebee's big dumb gimmick figures elsewhere.

 

Animated Roll Out Command Optimus Prime (Supreme Class)!

 

Chiming in myself:

Have: G1 Powermaster (if it counts; someone back at the 'rents; haven't seen it since I started collecting as an adult), Cyberverse Matrix Mega Shot, Cyberverse Ark Power, RotB Beast Mode, Cyber Commander, and One Power Flip on the way (Japanese release in October)

I honestly...like them all. They tend to be fun, solidly built, goofy toys. I'll have to wait to see how I feel about Power Flip, but I do love its arguably not-very-good predecessor in RotB Beast Mode, and it looks like a straight upgrade in terms of both features and visual goofiness. On ROTB Beast Mode: Hard to dislike that alt mode or a gimmick that makes you laugh out loud--plus, actual Peter Cullen voice clips. (Which I think may be unique? Not sure if there's a Bayverse figure with them.) On the other hand, it's a little too flimsy for its own good.

Cyber Commander is an actual all-timer, and the first Cyberverse Ultimate Class is genuinely a really good figure, with a unique Cybertronian alt mode, a great transformation scheme (simple but with a few fun surprises), and enjoyable gimmick (plus one of the rare recent Optimus with a grill abdomen to not use faux parts).

I think if I had to rank them though:
1) Cyber Commander
2) Beast Mode (worse toy than Cyberverse, but more fun)
3) Cyberverse Matrix Mega Shot (see above)

Ark Power is kind of more fun for its accessory (one of only two official Ark toys) than the main figure or gimmick itself, and tends to feel a little fragile for what it is. Its Optimus is also kind of unreasonably big, approaching Armada Unicron territory, with a transformation that feels half finished (to accommodate the Ark slotting on as a trailer) and uses the typical fake front panel. It is still a fun toy though, and giving the Ark armor a spring-triggered blaster gimmick is at least some goofy, playable flair beyond just attaching the armor bits.

Damn! I left a piece out. Forgot to check Animated.

Look at that beautiful goof.

 

I’ll be back here tomorrow with pics of two Optimi from my collection…

 

Fire convoy.

 

Cyberverse Battle Call Optimus Prime

 

RiD2001 Optimus and/or DOTM Ultimate Optimus and/or Takara DOTM Jetwing Optimus.

I couldn't make up mind  

 

I felt like there was another one! Feel free to treat that poll slot as an all-purpose Cyberverse one for the five or so figures it could apply to.

 

The only one I have that seems to fit the bill is the TFP weaponizer guy (the one with the spring-loaded gatling gun gimmick). I love that figure. After seeing TFP for the first time in 2018/2019, I wanted to get a few of the figures. The FE Optimus was already expensive at the time, so I picked up the weaponizer guy for cheap at a second hand toy shop. He's a little hollow in the legs, but he does satisfy my TFP Optimus needs nonetheless.

 

Star Convoy. It’s big, it’s dumb, it’s motorized, it comes with mini vehicles for storing mini transformers, and it turns into one of the least convincing battle stations ever.

It’s so stupid and I love it.

 

I wish I had any of those, most of my Optimus are voyager sizes.

But from pictures I've seen online I kinda want that big ROTB Optimus because its truck mode looks glorious and I think it goes rather well with the other mainline gimmick Autobots & Maximals from ROTB.

There's also that rather interesting green weaponizer Optimus from the Prime/Beast Hunter line. Something about a big green Optimus with a giant meat cleaver just speaks to me.

 

These two Rescue Bots figures, the only big Optimus Primes in my collection, and also my favorites

My mom get them for me when I was little, and I would play with them all the time (especially the one with the trailer)

 

Still definitely Cybertron.
Lots of fun to be had, more if you have LeoBreaker and / or Wing Saber.

 

I take issue with the RiD & UT Optimi being considered “big dumb Optimi”. They’re well designed and far superior to the “austere, collector-oriented” ones of late.

I’d be more likely to call SS86 Optimus a big dumb Optimus than anything from the 2000s.

 

SS86 Optimus? How so?

 

The first "big, dumb" Optimus I thought of was Optimus Maximus (Prime) - Transformers Wiki, from the early days of the Cyberverse line back when it was still a subline of Prime. I never did buy it, but it was weirdly appealing to me for transforming into a playset for the Cyberverse toys.


As for figures on the list, I believe the 2001 Fire Convoy is the only one I still own. I had that Ultimate Beast Hunters Optimus but finally sold it (or did I? Hmm...), and I still own ROTF Leader Optimus which, while big, I would never consider dumb. All the others up there I don't believe I've ever owned.

Oh wait, if "any Leader class UT" Optimus is allowed under the first option, I own the Armada Powerlinx Optimus too.

 

Doesn’t do much beyond transform and pose, and looks like the most basic interpretation of G1 Prime. Plus I like when figures have cool features. Lacking a cool feature like a supermode plus the lackluster deco plus the price tag equals big dumb Optimus in my book.

 

Yes, but this is a thread for big Optimus Prime gimmick toys, and that’s far from a gimmick toy

I agree that RID01 and UT OPs shouldn’t be here, but neither should anything from CHUG

 

I think they could have done something to liven it up a bit like add a wrist communicator, moving mouth plate or working pistons(similar to Kingdom Rodimus) like the extra features in MP01 Optimus/Convoy.

To stay on topic, I used to abhor the Ultimate Beast Hunters Optimus for how ridiculous it looks but now I think its so goofy that it circles back to being awesome. It also fits in a Monster Hunter collection so there's that novelty.