UPDATE: Photos and release information added from the official solicitation.
Following the leaks from several months ago, and the official pipeline reveal during the last Transformers live stream, Transformers designer Mark Maher (IG/@marclonus) posted what I assume to be test shots of the upcoming G1 Universe Optimus Prime figure. This follows a single image leak a couple of days ago of what many assumed to be this figure. At least now, we have official information ahead of the pre-order solicitations.
This is pretty much how a G1 Optimus Prime would be made with modern engineering and is very accurate to the original 1984 toy. Now I know what you’re thinking, didn’t we just get that with the Missing Link Convoy/Optimus Prime figures released earlier this year? You would be right to ask that question but here’s how I’ll look at these two. ‘Missing Link’ Optimus Prime is the original 1984 figure made with modern articulation; while G1 Universe Optimus Prime is a modern figure made in the style of the original 1984 figure.
To better illustrate, here are comparison shots that Mark included with his Instagram post.
G1 Universe Optimus Prime is in the modern Deluxe class price point, which is apparently now smaller than the original G1 figure or the Missing Link version. This is apparent in both robot and vehicle modes. The forearms and knee sections where you’d normally put stickers in the G1 original has been sculpted with the exact same details although left unpainted, unlike in the Missing Link version where they are painted with the same details as the stickers. I’m not sure if they’d provide stickers for the “Legacy: United” version.
All chrome parts in the original are painted silver in the new figure, right down to the forearms. The thin silver stripe in the forearms will look a little inaccurate in robot mode if you’re a purist, but it does complete the stripe in vehicle mode, so it’s totally fine to me. Speaking of the vehicle mode, it will have rubber tires, something you seldom see in mainline figures so it’s really appreciated that they did this for this one.
According to Mark, the figure will also have an opening chest cavity, in the same vein as the Missing Link version, to reveal a blue metallic tinted Matrix of Leadership. The head sculpt will also have light piping for the yellow optics. It will also come with two blasters, one accurate to the animation and another accurate to the toy. You can even remove the smoke stacks, which they thankfully didn’t cut short, and use them as additional blasters, they’re even blast effect compatible.
It will of course come with the Energon Axe seen from that one single episode, and you can store all those weapons on the rear truck bed. They even mention compatibility with multiple trailers so if you have the Earthrise version or one of its reuses, then you should be able to complete the look.
People have already started calling this figure as “Missing Link from home” due to their similarity, as well as the much palatable Deluxe class price point. But if you skipped Missing Link Optimus Prime due to the higher price tag, then this guy is a completely viable alternative. Not to mention if you don’t have intentions of getting all those G1 figures with modern articulation and just wanted a G1 toy-looking Prime you can display along with your Generations collection.
Transformers Generations – Legacy: United G1 Universe Optimus Prime
January 2025 / $24.99
