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If you're a child of the 80s or 90s, the Transformers toys were the coolest thing out there. And at the time, it seemed like those small plastic figures that could morph from a semi truck to a robot could never get any better! So you happily shelled out your allowance to buy as many as you could.
Well fast forward to adulthood. You've got money in your bank account and discover there's an Optimus Prime that's an actual, real, robot.
This "toy" costs a $1,000, but can you really put a price on living your childhood dreams?
The Robosen Elite Optimus Prime is the piece of technology I, and probably you, have been waiting for since we were six years old. This 16-inch tall, fully interactive, auto-converting Autobot leader is the stuff dreams are made of and is exactly why you work so hard at your job - so you can afford to treat yourself to frivolous luxuries every once in a while.
What Is This Thing, Exactly?
I called this a "toy" earlier, but that's not quite right. This Elite version is a high-tech marvel, built in collaboration with Hasbro, that is painstakingly G1-accurate. We're talking 5,000 components, 60 microchips, and 27 high-performance servo motors. All controllable with your voice and/or your smartphone.
Why so much tech? Because all those parts work together to make Optimus Prime move. This thing has an advanced adaptive gait algorithm, which is a very nerdy way of saying it can actually walk in its robot form. It doesn't just shuffle; it takes steps. And when it's not walking, it's driving.
Roll Out!
The transformations, which you'd imagine is the coolest part of owning this Optimus Prime, is actually made cooler thanks to a very advanced feature.
You can make Optimus Prime transform from his robot form into his classic Freightliner truck form (and back again) in two ways.
First, there's a mobile app that connects via Bluetooth. You can use the app to control his every move, drive him around in truck mode, or trigger a whole library of pre-set actions and poses.
But there's a second way to control this Autobot legend.
Voice control.
The robot has 39 built-in voice commands. You just say, "Hey, Optimus," and he responds. You can tell him to "Convert," "Roll Out," or "Attack!" and he just... does it. Seamlessly.
And the voice? The voice is perfect. Robosen didn't mess around and hire a sound-alike. They got the one and only, the legendary Peter Cullen, to voice this robot. It comes loaded with 125 sound effects and original voice lines from the man himself. Hearing that iconic, reassuring voice come directly from a robot standing on your table is something no '80s kid is prepared for. It's pure, unfiltered nostalgia.
More Than Just a Transformation
Don't worry about the magic wearing off either. Once you've got your fill of "basic" transformations, there's still plenty of fun to be had. This comes through the companion app on your phone or tablet.
The app opens up a whole new world of geeky fun. For those of us who like to tinker, there are four different programming modes.
You can use a simple block-based programming interface (think of it like digital LEGOs) to design your own custom action sequences.
You can make him dance, do push-ups, or recreate your favourite scenes from the '86 movie.
Then you can save and share them with other Robosen owners.
It also comes ready for battle right out of the box, packaged with his iconic Ion Blaster and his shimmering Energon Axe.
The "Collector-Grade" Catch
So, what's the catch? Well, as you can probably guess, this kind of magic doesn't come cheap. This is a collector-grade, premium robot, and it has a price tag to match, sitting at around $1,000 Canadian (or $699 USD).
The battery specs are also something to keep in mind. You get about 55 minutes of playtime on a 55-minute charge. It's a perfect one-to-one ratio, but it means your world-saving-robot-adventures will have to be done in hour-long chunks.
Is the Robosen Optimus Prime Elite Robot Worth It?
For $1,000, a "toy" robot needs to be perfect. It needs to work exactly as it should, ever single time. It needs to be a delight to play with and have no hassles.
Toys & Collectibles
Elite Optimus Prime
Geeking Out Shop
This is a premium product but it delivers in the best possible way. The Elite Optimus Prime is what you pictured in your imagination as a child as you were posing your Hasbro toys making robot sounds as they headed to battle. This is a luxury purchase that's tough to justify. But if you do justify it, you will not be disappointed.
I can report that this is absolutely the case with this robot. It is perfection...for the right type of person. This is not a kid's toy you're going to throw in a toybox. This is a "put on the shelf, but take it down every single day to show your friends" kind of collectible.
Is it expensive? Absolutely. Is it for everyone? Definitely not. But is it worth it? HECK yeah!
But... is it the single coolest, most technologically advanced, and most nostalgically powerful Transformer ever made?
Yes. Without a doubt.
This is the Optimus Prime we all dreamed of. The one who wasn't just a piece of plastic, but a hero who could walk, talk, and roll out. If you're a die-hard fan with a collector's budget, this isn't just a "buy." It's the fulfillment of a 40-year-old promise.
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