Review: Hasbro Transformers Age of the Primes Titan Class Star Optimus Prime

“Activate your Alt Mode”

Transformers: Age of the Primes is a current sub-line of the Transformers: Generations series from Hasbro, replacing the Legacy line and launching in 2025. The series focuses on the original, mythical 13 Primes, and their artefacts, as well as their descendants, following the established sizing principles with the releases falling into Deluxe, Voyager, Leader, Commander or Titan class. 

As a Titan release, the Star Optimus Prime is packed in a landscape closed box with extensive artwork in place of the usual portrait window packaging we see on smaller releases. The front artwork is a montage of images, headed by Optimus in robot mode, looking out upon the converted vehicle and fortress mode. Around and behind Prime are arranged shadowy figures of The Thirteen, with the conversion steps sitting to the right hand side and the Transformers: Age of the Primes logo taking centre stage across the bottom.

As established on the other releases, the left-hand side is inclusive of an image of Optimus, a variation of the front artwork with Optimus reaching out with an outstretched hand. The right-hand spine is turned over to a segment of a larger image of the Thirteen Primes as golden statutes. This segment shows Optimus alongside two other Primes. The full image can be found on the top of the box. The back of the box contains a full breakdown of the way Star Optimus Prime transforms, showing him in Robot mode, Vehicle mode, and Fortress mode with further inserts highlighting key features. We also get a look at Hot-Rod and his MT-13 transport, which are also included in the set.

Inside the box we have a simple brown cardboard tray into which Optimus is packed more or less in completed robot mode. There is a level of assembly required, detailed on the included instructions. This construction includes connecting two track sections to the back of the figures legs, inserting gun turrets to each of his shoulders, and attaching the antennae on Optimus’ head, the latter being a little tricky as the fit is tight. The inner box also includes the MT-13 transport, Hot-Rod, and a selection of accessory pieces we will explore later - these include guns, and effect parts. 

Star Optimus Prime is based on the original Takara 1991 Star Convoy Transformer from 1991 and the subsequent 2005 re-release. This 2025 version pays homage to the original Takara releases with a design that is extremely close to the original for both the vehicle and robot modes. The decor too is very close to the original, with red, silver, and blue colours used predominantly as is traditional for Optimus Prime. This release in the Age of the Primes series is intended to represent the 13th Prime. 

In full robot mode, Star Optimus Prime stands an impressive 15 inches tall, which is a considerable height for any action figure, but is technically small compared to previous Titan Class releases. The parts are cast in their base colour, and consistent with the original release with a bright red torso and arms, silver waist and thighs, and blue lower legs. This is all accented with gold trim, a theme across many of the Primes released, with gold trim on the knees, around the star motif on the chest, and on a twin set of Autobot decals on the shoulders. The head is blue with silver front face plate.

Comparisons to Deluxe, Voyager, and Commander Class releases

Optimus’ robot mode includes some features that are not immediately obvious, but that are detailed on the instruction sheet. Up first is an opening chest cavity which is achieved by folding down the main chest panel then folding out the pair of doors underneath. Within the large cavity is a socket, and in the instructions, this is shown as the holding place for Star Optimus Prime’s Artefact, the Zodiac Arm. 

There are also opening panels on each of the legs; these are accessed by lifting up the side silver panel and then opening the hinged legs. Each leg cavity includes clip in sockets which line up to the MT-13 Transport, which can be stowed in the legs. The instructions also show this as a storage location for some of the accessories, including the ‘hilt’ which we will see shortly used on Optimus’ sword. 

The main accessory is a black gloss cast rifle that resembles the original Galaxy Bomber weapon. This can fit into either of Optimus Prime’s hands which are articulated to open and close the grip, and when the grip is closed they form a perfect socket for the gun. Said gun aslo comes with an ammo component, a blue translucent bullet that slots into the ammo socket on the side of the weapon. There is also a smaller rifle with a hinged centre, which will also come into play for Fortress mode where it converts into a weapons platform. This and the large gun can also be combined using the hilt piece we mentioned earlier to represent an enormous “Big Bang Cannon”. 

All of these weaponry parts are supported with blast effects with three specific types included. The first is a large translucent blue energy blast that is shaped to fit the main cannon. You then have pairs of orange fire effects and yellow fire effects, each of which can be stacked or broken down to bigger or smaller firing pieces. These can fit onto the smaller rifle, onto the shoulder cannons, or in the case of the orange parts can be combined with the silver hilt to create an energy sword for Optimus.

Articulation is standard across the arms, legs, neck, and torso. With the sheer size of the figure and the associated limbs, each joint is ratcheted and moves with an audible click as its positioned holding itself fully under its own weight, with or without the weaponry. Despite his size and bulk, there are some pretty impressive poses available including having Optimus wielding his weaponry.

The smaller Transformer of Hot-Rod is a Micromaster scale and arrives in car form and with the MT-13 transport. The transport is a solid chunk of black plastic in two parts which connect together in vehicle mode to form a cab and a rear trailer. The side of the trailer is emblazoned with the Autobot symbol in gold and red and silver trim. The cab includes a blue windscreen. The rear of the trailer has a hinged grey door, opening downwards to create an access ramp to allow Hot-Rod access in and out in vehicle mode.

Hot-Rod converts in a simple four steps, creating his Micromaster Robot mode in glossy red with golden yellow trim. While Hot-Rod has no accessories as such outside of his transport pod, he will interact with the Fortress mode in particular. 

Conversion of Star Optimus Prime takes us from Robot to Vehicle mode in 30 steps. The size of the parts and the added strength of the more robust ratcheted joints makes transformation simple enough. In vehicle mode, Star Optimus Prime is presented as a large truck with red cab, blue windscreen and silver front grills. It is pulling a large sled like trailer sitting on tracked rear wheels and with th esilver finish and blue stripe that is very familiar as an Optimus Prime trailer. 

The various weaponry we saw earlier on the robot connect to the vehicle, adding both small and large cannons to the front of the vehicle. Effect parts can then be employed to show Star Optimus Prime in battle mode as a vehicle, firing his various weapons at his enemies as he speeds across Cybertron. 

The third mode is Fortress Mode which is 36 steps from vehicle to achieve the Fortress configuration. This base platform is inclusive of a compound at one side, a pair of ramps and parking positions at the other, and being watched over by the torso of Optimus Prime with the arms in place to wield the same guns as previously. 

The MT-13 can be converted to add an additional platform, connecting to the front of the base on the left hand side. The cab pulls off, is reversed, and a pair of cannons fold out before it is added to the top of the trailer to create a gun platform. The smaller effect pieces can be used here for a firing effect. 

Hot-Rod’s main interaction with the Star Optimus Prime is in base mode where he can man the front MT-13 gun platform or sit on another platform of his own, which is created by folding the smaller rifle into a piece that sits in Prime’s hand and allows Hot-Rod to sit at the back in a gunner's position. Hot-Rod can also take up a position in the chest cavity we saw earlier in a command position or communicating directly with Star Optimus Prime. 

As the Thirteenth Prime, Star Optimus Prime interacts with the other Age of the Primes releases, either posed alongside them in Robot Mode - albeit dwarfing them - and interacting with them in Vehicle mode or Fortress Mode. In the latter, the parking bays can be used to house the likes of Alchemist Prime, Solus Prime, and Prima Prime.

Star Optimus Prime is available at Hasbro Pulse for £159.99 plus shipping. Thank you to Hasbro Pulse UK, who provided this figure to us free of charge for review purposes.

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About Me : As a child of the 70's and 80's I grew up in a golden age for action figures and in my youth bought and sold myself through collections of Star Wars, G.I. Joe (Action Force) and M.A.S.K. while also dabbling in He-Man, Transformers and Ghostbusters. Roll forward and I am now reliving that Youth with the action figures of today and am a collector and fan of the larger 6-8 inch figures from my favourite movie and TV licences - including the ones mentioned above, but also the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Doctor Who and the Aliens. I launched The Mephitsu Archives in 2015 with a view of creating a UK focused site or these figures where fans can pick up the latest action figure news, read reviews and get information on where to buy their figures and what is currently on store shelves. I hope I am delivering that to you guys...

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