2025 saw the release of Leader-class Studio Series Optimus Prime from Transformers: Age of Extinction. It was a release many looked forward to due to the curious case of how such a “toy-unfriendly” design would be translated with modern engineering, a decade after the original film was released. While I really liked the figure when I got my copy, the folks over at DNA Design found a way for me, among others, to consider getting their upcoming upgrade kit.
The upgrade kit includes the parts seen above. And besides the better painted colors, the most notable are the completely new arm parts to represent the minor change Optimus Prime undergoes during the climax of The Last Knight. Hasbro did announce a Studio Series Nemesis Prime from the same film, and will prominently feature the new arms, along the repainted head. But with this kit, I can just swap the arms thanks to their mushroom peg connection to the shoulders.
As seen above, this is a good representation of The Last Knight version without the need to spend $55 Leader-class figures command nowadays. The image above is also a good segue to check the upgraded weapons.
Both the sword and shield can still be stored at the back when not in use. But the original figure does introduce additional elements to the silhouette as part of this storage feature. The upgrade kit includes a new top piece for the cab that should allow for the same functionality, but with a cleaner silhouette. The shield also splits apart when in storage.
But that’s not just a storage necessity as the shield opens to reveal the hidden gatling cannon. And obviously it has a better paint job with the use of silver and added flame details. And it can also be pegged to the new forearms just like how Optimus Prime did in the film.
The same is true with the sword though the overall colors remain the same. There is an option for an even better painted sword and shield, but we’ll check that later.
I don’t remember if Optimus Prime had a blaster in Age of Extinction and I wanted to say that he didn’t since Hasbro didn’t include this accessory with the figure. Either that or this is just Hasbro being cheap. But given that this upgrade kit allows you to recreate The Last Knight version, it also comes with this multi-barreled blaster adorned in silver and the same flame patterns.
With these weapons, you can now fully recreate Optimus Prime’s weapons loadout from both films.
The added weight of utilizing the back for storage was also considered in this upgrade kit via the heel extensions as seen here. They might look odd for some, but I’d personally take these over a figure who can’t stand. In addition, the hands also have pin joints for opening digits in contrast to the original. This allows more options especially when displaying along with the sword.
As with other DNA Design kits, the upgrade parts don’t hinder the vehicle mode transformation and they’re integrated quite well. The weapons can also be stored in the trailer hitch as seen here though stacking them on top of one another does look ridiculous. But at least the option is there.
Speaking of transformations, something that the DNA Design team, I guess, intentionally included is this race car-looking mode. This is an homage to Bingo Sports Optimus Prime, not exactly a true recreation of how the race car looks but it is there. I’m not sure if this mode will be explicitly included in the instructions or if it’s something you need to figure out yourself.
In this configuration, you can even front-load Optimus Prime with his blaster.
As alluded earlier, there is an option if you want to get even better painted versions of the sword and shield via a separate set that just includes these two. Honestly, I’m good with just the upgrade kit but the option is there.
Bottomline is, I will get this and it should save me the cost of otherwise getting Nemesis Prime.
As a bonus, DNA Design also teased releasing what seems to be a trailer for Transformers Timelines Optimus Prime based on the Hearts of Steel design. If you’ve seen reviews of the figure, then you should know how Optimus Prime does look quite small in train mode, especially when compared to Mastermind Creations’ version. So, this is also another upgrade kit I’m getting once solicitations are up.
