Man when I saw this review was over an hour long I thought there's no way a review of 1984 Optimus could justify being longer than maybe 20 minutes tops, BOY WAS I WRONG. That was in depth, informative, and entertaining, I especially love the personal memory section, brought back a lot of feelings from me being a kid and brought a little light to my morning on a grey Monday in England. Thanks man, appreciate all the work you put in.
Thank you so much for your comments. I'm almost about to cry. It means so much if just one person gets it! I try to take us all back to our childhood and share the memories. Because "Every Toy Has A Story "
When you said, "I laid on the floor..." looking through the catalogue, that struck just the right chord with me and EVERY kid of our 80's generation. Because, I think we ALL did that. Looking through that catalogue for hours on the floor and dreaming about owning all of them is something we can all relate to. :) Great information!!
I remember the day I found him. Gibsons department store in Woodward Oklahoma. They had a stack of them and my dad let me get one. The 1985 dark blue version. I loved it then and probably more now. Great review. The very best transformer ever. Nothing beats a g1 Optimus
Dude, the segment before the review started was damn near perfect!!! You nailed the transformations, right down to Jazz coming down on his hands as he finishes transforming. Bravo!!!!!
I recently did a video about the 2009 25th anniversary release and talked about how to save those leg gears. Gotta say it was refreshing hearing you talk about the history of Optimus (Battle Convoy) like I do. Seems like many of the (experts) are not knowledgeable at all .. and are reading from a post or book. Not sure if you recall it...but in 80s when the toy market was a little more free, toys from Japan would be sold from Takara here. Certain vendors would have family connections and import the toys and sell em in indoor and outdoor markets. I wound up before it was branded as Transformers getting a few of the microchange tapes and Cassette Man ( Soundwave). It was amazing how inexpensive they were back than.
This video came in clutch. Used this to cross reference a box g1 prime on ebay. What keep throwing me off was the trailer hitch was stamped takara 1980, 1982 and hasbro 1980 1982 with a "t" in circle. But like you said set a budget and if you get it, you get it. Can't wait to get it this week!! Thanks again!!
Your mom got you real good with Optimus prime under the Christmas tree. But I do remember getting Optimus prime from Lionel playworld and I remember being on cloud nine for at least two or more months. Prime (along with gijoes, hot wheels, visionaries, to name a few) was one of the many reasons why Lionel playworld was my absolute favorite toystore to go to. Oh the memories
This was well worth the wait... especially for the stop-motion introduction! Congratulation on your efforts! In my world, *this* is the Masterpiece Version! 😊
Same here! I discovered these things as an adult collector. Their is a super rare G1 Optimus Prime variation that I left out of the video on purpose. It's the GIG plastic wheels version of Optimus Prime from Italy. I was bidding on it at the time I posted this video and didn't want to create my own competition. I lost it to the winning bid of $1,560! I stopped bidding at $1,000. I've only seen 8-10 on eBay in 20 years!
Holy epic review! Super informative. I love your description of number 3: the smell of the oil, the white a fluffy stryofoam. Brilliant. If it were mine, I'd probably be wearing white gloves, LOL, b/c I'd be so worried about harming it! Also: Bathing Ape???
Oh my lord!! I had no idea about all the different versions!! I still have mine from 84 on display and thanks to you I now know that it's a "metal trailer" with no number! The tiny circle in the bumper of Prime, shallow screw etc!! I had no idea about all of this stuff thank you so much for the level of detail that you put into this (and all of these) review(s). It was great hearing your Optimus Christmas story! Time for the Decepticons!! Really looking forward to it, thank you again!!
Wow, this is a great in depth review, I'm a long time collector and was aware of many variations, and still got surprised on many details you mentioned, topshelf work.
Awesome video, man. Learned a ton! My favorite Transformer of all time, still own my original from 84. I, too, remember NEVER seeing him on the shelves back in the day (never saw He-Man either). I think we found him at Peoples Drug of all places. GOAT.
Loved the review, I remember when I was in first grade in 84, down in Costa Rica, one kid brought his G1 Prime and all the kids from my class gathered around him to look at it. To us, it was like the greatest toy ever. I never had a G1 Prime oddly enough, never crossed my mind to tell my Grandma to bring me one, since she was living in New Jersey at the time. She did bring me a G1 Grimlock in 85, it was without its box and I had no idea it was a transformer, I fiddled around with it it, until I realized it transformed, I loved that toy. We had a special antenna where we would get a couple of channels from the States. I saw the episode "War of the Dinotbots" with my old man, in its original english language audio back in 85, without understanding a word, but I did see Grimlock for the first time on the TV screen, and I was static that he was a Transformer, I said to my dad, "look that is the toy I have"!
@@rick-ry3kj I have the clear knock off. But I played around with a friend of mine standard version. And I can tell you the rubber tires are awful and the stickers are shit! But other than that it's solid. It's 70% the quality of the official.
Amazing!!! That is such a beautiful Optimus Prime And I loved the stop motion intro ❤ The Diaclone version has better play features like launching the missiles and roller, has more strength 😅
It's been a long time since I remember having my Optimus Prime. Being born in 1984, I don't remember how I got mine, only that I did have one, alongside a Scorponok as well as a Windsweeper (which, funnily enough I used to think was an Autobot). Just before finishing up elementary, my mom sent out my Transformers to my younger nephew, and I'm sure he enjoyed them plenty but those figures were lost to time. I'm currently trying to collect the Toys R Us Commemorative line, see if I can get them all. Really enjoyed this video for the nostalgia and the other ones you do as well. Keep up the fantastic work, and I wish you and your family Happy Holidays!
Awesome George! Thank you!! I only ever saw optimus once in 1984. I remember going with my dad to toys r us and the store had this long hallway you had to come through at after you entered divided by a railing with the exit. The shopping carts were stored in the middle. After this you hung a right into this weird intro area where on sale toys or popular ones the store wanted to highlight were. There were always more in the main toy isle for action figures and the end caps so you had to check all 3 areas. Anyway one of the islands in the up front area had optimus on the shelf near the bottom on the back side. Never got him that day and never saw him again. Man that store had figures from floor to ceiling hanging on the shelves. You couldnt even reach the ones up top. I remember walls of he-man, thundercats, super powers, transformers. I used to come tearing thru the sliding glass doors where u had to step on the floor pad to activate them and that entrance hallway felt a mile long then runnning to the back of the store where transformers and figures were. Anyway never got optimus but tons of other 80s stuff there. Thanks for bringing back the memories!
Thank you! And thanks for sharing that great story! Until I was about 12 I only got to go to Toy R Us about 2 or 3 times a year. BTW everything looked huge when we were kids .
Welding nozzle....EXACTLY! I've been saying it for years. I have two bloated figures one with the error box! This video is amazing!! Nicely done and great intro....SO. GOOD!
Hasbro probably figure kids knew more about gas than they knew about welding. And thanks I'm not a stop-motion guy I just played around with and liked it and added it in to my G1 videos.
@@80sTransfromersFan Have you ever seen a number stamped on the head plate? I found one with either a 6 or a 9 on it when he's in robot mode. It's with the light blue variant, everything else looks legit, but I've never seen that.
@@KPrime31 I have never seen it personally but I have heard of it. I've only seen the number inside of the legs. But I don't doubt the legitimacy of it. Optimus Prime was made by Takara , GIG, IGA, Joustra, Hasbro and Milton Bradley so I'm sure there are a lot more variants out there. I'm looking for the all plastic wheels version myself most collectors have never even heard of it.
According to this video, I got the V3 Prime. Bought it in 1988 for 115 CHF. It had been sitting there on the shelf of a toystore for a while. But I had to have it. I still got it, complete with box and almost all the parts. I think a missile might be missing. Maybe also a decal or two might be missing as well. And the most interesting thing: my Prime is a Decepticon! Yes! The rub sign reveals the Decepticon logo. The whole thing is def not mint. But in a pretty good condition all things considered. Some wear and tear here or there. But I'm surprised how well plastic and rubber have held up in 35 years (oh my gosh!) I keep Prime in his box on a shelf. Aside from a G1 Megs reissue, it's the only Transformers toy I still own. And I wouldn't trade him for the world :)
Thanks for the sub! It's greatly appreciated. If you don't my mind telling me how you discovered my channel? Was it a specific search? Thanks in advance.
I absolutely didnt know that there were a variety of gen 1 Primes. Thanks for doing this video it gave me a lot of information on transformers and I'm sure it did the same for many others. I appreciate the fact that you know your transformers toys, I find myself watching your vides a lot often because im starting to enjoy the stories and information on transformers toys. Got to give it to you you have a lot of them in your collection compared to my smaller collection, im way behind when it comes to collecting so it'll be a long while before I get anywhere close to what you have. I'm originally from Detroit and use to go to wonderland mall, Fairlane, and Northland mall back in the day and use to buy them as a kid. I'm now in Macomb Michigan and plan on purchasing transformers as soon as I move into ny house. So keep up with the fantastic videos you do a phenomenal job.
You did a great job on the review. It was very entertaining. It took me forever throughout 1984 to find Optimus Prime. My parents were able to buy him for me in 1985 for my 10th birthday. Keep up the good work on your reviews!
Great as always! Mine is the grey roller with stickers inside the trailer (although i would have sworn they were metal, until i checked). I'll always remember the birthday i got Optimus Prime and Storm Shadow. Mark Bellomo's guides are usually excellent but i guess we all make mistakes. 🤷♂️
I wish I was a kid in the 80s. I don’t have any good stories really of G1 toys. My first G1 Optimus is the Reissue from 2019 that I bought a few months ago and then I bought an original trailer from 1984. The door ramp is broken off, but it still looks good from the side, and now I know my trailer is the third version trailer with the dark blue. I just need missiles, roller, and the welding torch with the wire and all that. He’s one of my favorite G1 toys. Even if mine is just a reissue.
George I just found out about two variants the first one is the red foot variant which was probably made by mistake mostly sold in French and English markets. The second the plastic tire version, yes I know the toy was discontinued in 1986 but there was a Italian gig variant of Optimus prime which replaced the rubber wheels and diecast with plastic ones similar to the later releases of ultra magnus
Yes! I accidentally cut out the plastic wheels version during editing! There are two Italian versions both come with rubber safety missiles. I did realize it was cut until my friend brought it up a month after the video posted.
@@80sTransfromersFan well that sucks it would have been interesting to see you talking about it. The first time I saw a picture of it i thought it was a custom but it was actually a variant
This is the definitive OP review. No matter how much I think I know, I always learn something new with your reviews. Thanks for sharing your knowledge.
Thank you for watching and commenting! I truly truly appreciate it. I purposely left out one rare Optimus Prime. It's the GIG plastic wheels version! No rubber at all. I left it out because I was bidding on one at the time and didn't want to create my own competition.
All those versions are included in this video with the exception of Ceji because I was bidding on the plastic wheels version on Ebay at the time and didn't want to create my own competition lol!
Bro this review was epic. Easily the most informative indepth G1 Optimus Prime review ever. Your Prime collection is unreal!! Whats your favourite Optimus Prime figure??
Man, your videos are always filled with tons of great info. Even if I didn’t have these transformers as a kid it’s cool to hear all about them. I use to play with my cousins, but never owned any. I wish they would have included the trailer with the Walmart reissue.
I just saw your comment today for some reason. The mold for the trailer was damaged at the time and Wal-Mart didn't want to wait for a new one and push back the release date. So we have a Optimus Prime without the trailer.
@@80sTransfromersFan thanks for letting me know! I hope they rerelease the Dino bots at some point, but I heard maybe Grimlock’s molds were messed up so that’s a bummer. I bought a few new headmasters thinking they were G1 figures because of the box. I just kind of glanced at them thinking it was cool having a bat and alligator transformer. Turns they’re new toys.
@@razrentals8897 yes apparently all the Dinobots molds are damaged or destroyed as are Sunstreaker and Mirage. But from what I understand Optimus Prime mold has been rebuilt at least twice. Funny thing is the knockoff companies have reverse engineered the KO's from official G1 toys so why can't Hasbro/Takara do the same?
You never cease to amaze me with your transformer knowledge and collection. Would love to see all your transformers one day! Thanks for posting this video it was a true gem!
Awesome review and very informative!! Just recently scored a metal plate Optimus Prime with the error box(Super happy I finally got one). I have that G1 guide too and noticed the same thing you did. Hell, I didn't know about the different Optimus Prime variants until I was an adult G1 collector as well. Anyways, keep up the great work dude. All of your videos are awesome!! I love the intro to this video lol
Dam bro ..that is one of the deepest dives into G1 OP ever !! Legend status George great work on this vid. Loved your Christmas tale of your first. Question the all gold chrome G1 OP I spotted is that a lunchtime special?
It's is the top part of a award giving to Takara employees for their work on the TRANSFORMERS toy line in Japan and was never able for sale making it on of the most rare TRANSFORMERS of all! The bottom or base was missing when I purchased it. The top IDK is a plated g1 Optimus the bottom was a wooden base with a plaque on it. It was going to get collectors releases/reissue this year but the crowd funding $399.00 fell through. No surprise !
3rd release Roller is actually indigo (quite an odd color if you ask me) You do know your Primes and that just makes this review all the more awesome for that
I remember the first time I got an Optimus Prime toy. It was the Armada Super Base Prime. Either my mom or then step-dad ordered it on eBay. The first G1 Optimus I got was the 25th Anniversary Prime.
Epic review The 80's Transformers Fan!!!!!! :D G1 Optimus Prime is my white elephant of Transformers. :D I hope I will be able to one day own G1 Optimus Prime. :D I have not gotten the Walmart reissue, since it does not come with the trailer. :P :D Keep on being amazing, Double Thumbs Up. ;D
I got the black ko a few weeks ago, it was very nice! However it did have some qc issues, one of the fists wouldn’t fit and the tires gets stuck sometimes when I am trying to roll him.
Thanks for the in depth review George. It was very enjoyable and informative. I didn't get Optimus until I was a bit older, and he was second hand. I remember first getting Ultra Magnus and how excited I was to at least have a white optimus mold. The one I did get had loose hip ratchets and barely could stand, but I played with him till he completely wore out. I now have the newest re-release from last year to go with my original trailer. It is not built as well but looks good.
Any G1 Optimus is a great Optimus second hand or otherwise! I love to share memories of joy that we all have in common. I got Ultra Magnus after I broke my Optimus and used his cab as Prime.
Optimus Prime is also apparently a difficult name for the Japanese to pronounce. I think it was Transformers: Animated when, at the beginning of the show, the narrator would get the viewer to say Optimus Prime along with him. Also, Convoy was the name of the Head Legislator Tyrest appointed Lead Justice Ultra Magnus and successor to Minimus Ambus. He died in Rom vs. The Transformers issue number five
Fact: The yellow square stickers were originally meant to be applied to the front bumper of the semi truck. And don't forget these three modes from the Diaclone version -- the Mobile Base mode (open the trailer and put three Diaclone-based Transformers), the Service Dock mode (open the trailer, set it upright, put Prime in his robot mode underneath the drone), and the attack mode (open the trailer, extend the drone, and close the trailer back).
Do not transform! I love this I traded a friend in school for this and I had to have it and it was incomplete. I gave away all of my g1s to my nephew and he thrashed them in 1993 immediate regret. Appreciate yah
People always tell me I'm crazy but my Optimus was diecast and you could launch his fist and or missiles out of the armhole and the anti-aircraft gun we shoot the missiles as well plus I had the flat launcher for roller I think I had a mismatched set because it was two Christmas that year and I mean they were flying off the shelf
A authentic generation one Hasbro or Takara Optimus Prime fists did not launch. The anti-aircraft gun does fire missiles. Most people remember the transformers having more diecast than they actually did. They were only diecast in a few areas.
YES! I forgot to talk about the gun fitting properly in Optimus Prime hands! It looks as if they changed the trigger grip into the same peg as the gun clip. Which means Optimus can get both hands on the gun at the same time.
@fritztopher Yes, the door is compatible with all G1 trailers. The plates only work with Diaclone and the first US production run. These particular trailers have slots that hold the metal plates in place.
I just got my blaster reissue and am now trying to get a optimus when you do blaster I would be willing to do the stopmotion opening. Either way, great video loved it.
@@80sTransfromersFan oh dang you do them early.... loved the stopmotion opening BTW , looks better than mine Are you doing Decepticons next or the 85 line?
Im looking to buy my first Optimus Prime. I always wanted one as a 80’s kid but never got one. Thinking about getting either a ko or reissue due to the high price of a complete original. Would you recommend a ko or one of the reissues as far as getting something as close to the 1984 as possible. Thank you sir - have really been enjoying your Chanel.
The KO Optimus Prime is pretty good. I'd say 70% the quality of the vintage originals. The tires are terrible, and it rolls like crap. But for the price it's not bad. I did a review where I customize the white ko Optimus Prime into a Pepsi Prime. If you watch the video you can see the imperfections.
This is strange, the one that you say is the second release version has a #3 on the trailer door, and #3 is associated with the third release. The Second release, the Takara "T" variant, would have a #2 on the trailer door and other parts, as well as a 1 and 2 on the inner legs. The Takara T variant, or "Pre Rub" would have a mix of #2 stamps or no stamps. I have three of these #2 variants. Two "T" #2 Takara branded pre rubs, and one #2 Takara/Hasbro stamp "T" variant. I believe the #2 is the second release, and #3 is the third release. #3 is also associated with having a "T2" trailer. The third one in your video is one with a "6" and is the 6th release. It goes like this: #1 Bloated, comes with a trailer with no T on trailer hitch, with just a Takara stamp. #2 Non bloated, Non-metal trailer. Trailer has a "T" on the hitch. Pre Rub. Takara branded. Trailer will have #2 stamped items in it, some may not. #2 Hasbro/Takara variant, "T" on the trailer hitch. Comes with a rub sign. Stamped as Takara w/Hasbro. Both the Takara and Takara Hasbro #2 variants will have Optimus Prime with a 1 on one leg and a 2 on the other, with a mix of accessories stamped with a #2 or nothing at all. The #3 G1 Prime comes with a "T2" stamped Takara/Hasbro trailer, with a #3 on the inside parts and accessories, and Optimus will have a #3 on the inside of his left and right legs. The #4 variant is Hasbro once again, with a "T4" stamped on the trailer hitch, and the inside of the trailer #4. Fists and Roller should have a #4 stamp, ect. #5 version is a #5 on the trailer hitch, and a 5 on Optimus Prime's legs, and a 5 on all the trailer parts/accessories. #6 is the final release for the 80's era. Optimus will have a L6 and R6 on the inside of each leg respectively, and a #6 on the trailer hitch and on the trailer/accessories. After all that, it wasn't until 1992 Optimus was re released as G2 stamped with #3 on everything, with a light blue and purple/blue variant.
You are lucky to have the bloated Takara variant and the Diaclone variant. Those are, indeed, prized items to have. There is also a version of Optimus Prime that lacks nubs on the front bumper. That one is extremely rare.@@80sTransfromersFan
So rad Great vid . Awesome ver of them and always a great review. Your one of my top 5 on you tube . I never owned a g1 till about 20 years ago . When they redid the g2 I got that with a bunch of g2s cause that's the only time I saw him for sale . You make the vids awesome going with how you describe what you review . Keep up the rad work . One thing I have to say is the prime was not my favorite growing up but he's still awesome . The blue one I love the most lol. 😜💥
My favorite transformer is diaclone snarl . The colors black chest and better gold is awesome along with the box art . As far as a favorite prime I'd say diaclone prime with metal plates and I have one . It's like real when they stand and work on him when he's standing and the drivers I have lots are awesome and more real for my time . G2 is cool as a second cause the sounds and black trailer . 😜👊 just got a boxed one
Ebay has a loose on for sale now. Needs a repair. I have two . One gig in box complete in great shape and a complete loose one . I have two diaclone swoops not not complete and teo Canadien slags complete one with box and one loose . The slags I have in blue both in box also gig and takara ome in great shape . Have to keep an eye out cause some nice stuff sells fast before you even search. I'm a big dino fan and I had the voice of devastator sign my car . If you have a Instagram you can check alot of my stuff out . 👊
@@80sTransfromersFan my optimus prime is the first release but with second release fists and gun, and the anti aircraft gun looks to be from the second release with third release missiles, roller is grey from the first release with I think second release “gas pump”
@@80sTransfromersFan i just think its fake it feels brand new it has takara copyright and T in hitch, no numbers on parts , only thing is tires feel dried out, owner said they had it since a kid but the roller tires seemed like it came of tree yesterday
in general, it's kind of embarrassing how much better the JP originals are. But at least Convoy and some others made it over without too many changes. They really butchered Soundwave and Blaster compared to JP versions.
@@80sTransfromersFan i've been researching micro man, micro change, etc. and i love the original concept of how they were 1:1 and hiding in plain sight
