Transformers Missing Link Optimus Prime, Anime Optimus Prime, and Sentinel Prime
The Transformers Missing Link series takes original G1 toys and reengineers them with modern joints and possibility. Before we get to Optimus Prime himself, we need to look at Roller.
Roller
This is the Roller that came with Sentinel Prime. Optimus Prime came with a silver one. I didn’t notice that it was not the same Roller that’s come with every Optimus Prime trailer. He’s been remolded so the back portion can rotate to reveal a red dome light (nonfunctional).
Optimus Prime Toy Version
The toy version Optimus Prime has articulation in just about every place you could want it. I’m not big on articulation, one of the reason I love G1 toys, but to me the real improvement it to his fists. They are no longer separate accessories that you need to store, they are now built in and fold in when he’s in vehicle mode so you no longer have the holes for his fists on the front of the truck, and you have actual headlights. The only other obvious change in vehicle mode is his bumper which has been altered and no longer has holes in it. In robot mode he has finally had the pips on his shoulders removed to make room for his Autobot logo without having the raised pips inside it. That change is longer overdue. His arms have been remolded to add molding of the details on his forearms, and the art is painted on. Most of his stickers are actually replaced by paint. His new hands are hinged so they can open so they can hold the matrix that now fist in his chest. This matrix is done in gold chrome. As to the articulation, I’ll go into that later.
Optimus Prime Animation Version
The animation version plastic colors altered to look more like the animation. He has blue eyes, blue windows, gray striping around the cab, and omits a lot of the paint apps of the toy version. His Autobot symbols are different and he comes with a Matrix that is properly color to its look in animation.
Sentinel Prime
Sentinel Prime is meant to be the truck that Teletran 1 scanned for Optimus Prime’s vehicle modem though I guess he also has something to do with IDW, but I don’t care about that. He’s yellow instead of red and looks okay. I do really like the orange paint on his face. He comes with a green matrix.
Comparison & Articulation
In the above photo from left to right, Sentinel Prime, toy Optimus prime, animation Optimus Prime, and the Walmart reissue Optimus Prime. As to the articulation, Optimus Prime can now hold the matrix properly. Well, sort of. He has so damn many joints that it’s hard to get everything lines up. It took me a while to get him posed for the picture and then I realize his matrix was backwards and I decided I didn’t want to take the time to flip it around. As you can see he can now stand with his feet apart. He’s got all kinds of joints, many of which I don’t find necessary myself, but I like my G1 bricks. He does have ratcheting joints in his elbows and knees which I really like.
Overall: Missing Link Optimus Prime is a great toy, and I think every G1 fan is going to have to own at least one of them. Roller’s remolding is the only change to the trailer, so if you don’t need to own that you can go with the animation version. As much as I like this toy, I’m more interested in waves 3 and 4. Wave 2 is Bumblebee and Cliffjumper, but Wave 3 is Sunstreaker and Cordon. Sunstreaker has never been reissued, and Wave 4 is a G1 Arcee based on the original unproduced G1 prototype. Those are the ones I’m really looking forward to.
Thanks for reading!