It's pretty well understood that Armada figures were underarticulated. It was a common complaint from kids even back when Armada was still on the toy shelves. It's why Energon and Cybertron took such pains to be better articulated and even then, they still weren't up to Beast Wars/Beast Machines standards.
I hope he sells well enough for them to realize we want more unicron trilogy toys. I adore the design aesthetic. Especially cybertron (I adore the cybertron look alright)
There is ONE character from Energon I wouldn't mind seeing get a new toy. Omega Supreme. That version took the original multi component idea. And added something new by also being a Headmaster.
Sharkticon I'd oddly be fine if they skipped. The original toy is already fantastic. Wouldn't be fussed if they never updated him. Though I wouldn't say no to an update either.
@@DrLockdown Yeah Id much rather a dreadwing update, hes already such a great underrated toy, that just has a few problems that could be solved with modern engineering, that I think if he got an update, he could be one of the best like the man has both a waist swivel AND a side to side swivel in 2004. along with having a STUNNING paintjob
going with the whole "Kids don't want articulation" BULLSHIT, as a kid, I WANTED articulation. it's the main reason why I hated the Power Rangers Zords, and why I disliked quite a few transformers (and ended up breaking a few because I thought it would articulate there). I also HATED lose ball joints, where there is a white dust all over said joint
DrLockdown is probably the only reviewer I could actually watch a whole hour of straight. I don't know how... but sir, you keep me captivated for a whole hour in a toy review... I can't even watch PvP for 20 minutes. Epic review, I know I was late, but I was glad to be able to watch it anyways.
Coming from someone who didn’t grow up with Armada, I briefly considered buying this and the Megatron, they look absolutely outstanding. I ultimately didn’t cause space and what not but maybe one day. I really hope this level of care is put into future commanders, (after the likely to be made Tidalwave) I’d love an Animated Lugnut or a RID 2001 Megatron.
@@DrLockdown Eh... I understand. A bit skinny in my eyes, but an Accurate, Animated, Chunky, Commander class Lugnut would be AWESOME. The original was just too small and didn't feel right.
people who say "Kids don't want articulation" are flat out wrong I had Armada Wheeljack as a kid and him having bricks for knees and _one_ wrist swivel bothered me to no end
I remember the disappointment getting Armada Prime and discovering his super mode legs were just a brick. I wanted to move him like I could a regular figure, and this gives that to me. Do I loose some of the base? Yeah, but that’s minor in comparison to what I get. Fantastic review Dr, you should be proud.
44:10 THERE HE IS!! MAH BOY!! For a brief disclaimer, when it comes to the tolerance issues my Naval Commander (seen taking a flogging in this video lol) is actually one of the first batches of Naval Commander that FansHobby released, and my god his plastic was awful at first. Thankfully FansHobby immediately put out a warning back then saying that a dud wave was sent out with bad plastic, and that they’d make an abundant amount of extra components and figures using their usual better plastic, and send them to anyone that had issues, at Fanshobby’s expense. Which is how it should be! Take note Haslab, Toyworld, and MakeToys: this is how you treat your customers. I basically rebuilt my Naval Commander’s main bot/combined mode torso using a combination of new parts and the original figure, and haven’t had any issues since. And their Power Commander (AKA Armada Season 2) Optimus has none of the issues described here. So yea! That’s my 2-cents about him, and I honestly agree with Doc about his back flaps being a bit much, especially when compared to the official.
Sometimes I wonder why I watch these videos, but when I reach the end, I feel like I’ve experienced something. You may not be for everyone, but for your subscribers, we’re getting something good.
Really nice review as always DrLockdown! I’ve never watched Armada before but something about the art style and the old toys are really nostalgic for some reason, so it’s nice to see it done justice in this figure. Speaking of nostalgic; 46:59 I totally remember hating ratchet joints, even the soft ones, because they’d make so much noise at night and I didn’t want to wake my family up lol
Man i’m glad i gave your channel another chance. I don’t know which of your other videos i watched before but I guess i just couldn’t really understand your review style. But this past week, I’ve found that I really enjoy how in detail these videos are.
I'm a teen, and I love it when my new transformer has amazing articulation. I agree that the gimmick should be transforming, and the figure should be a great action figure, not a brick that looks cool.
As someone who also owns this figure, I agree wholeheartedly with the Good Doctor. I got this on my birthday, and it has to rank up there as being one of the best action figures - not just Transformers, but action figures period - I have ever played with. Everything about the Legacy Armada Optimus screams that the designers poured their hearts and souls into making every detail flow naturally. And out of all the Transformers I've fiddled around with, including the awesome Cyberverse Slag, I cannot think of a single figure that made me audibly giddy. It's a joy to handle, a joy to play with and a joy to have in my collection.
The most interesting part is I watched your hour long video without getting in the least bored. I actually found myself puking out my Armada Prime. I'm in the middle of a huge move, and every figure unboxed is one to be repacked. I'm pushing 59 and have been collecting since pre G1 Diaclone days. You have a talent, and now a new subscriber. I'm looking forward to watching your past and future videos.
I'm on the fence on if I wanna invest in the Armada figures or not, but if they do a Legacy Armada Jetfire that can combine with Optimus, I just might have to get this guy too.
Bendy Prime was my very first Optimus toy, and while I thought the Super Mode toy was cool I could tell in the catalogs that he was a brick from the waist down, among other problems. Suffice to say that this is the Armada Prime I always wanted 20 years ago and it’s a dream come true to have it now. Holding him in my hands brought back memories of first holding Cybertron Prime at Christmas, and I haven’t truly felt that way about a Transformers toy in years.
perspective fan here to say Light Piping is based indeed and Chromed Eyes are overrated, chrome is terrifying to scratch and it shines too much, it looks less like glowing and more like aluminum foil But both suck in comparison to the glory of luminous paint, just make sure its safe to inhale
@@DrLockdown The Truth you speak in, is said in Tongues, spoken in a foul elder language the even the old ones who gaze upon infinity, sneer at in disgust.
As someone who didn't get REAL hard into Transformers until Armada (thanks to the mini-cons in particular), the lack of articulation was always something that bugged me. Spent years dreaming of a Prime, Megatron, or Starscream who could actually move. T30 and CW gave me brief tastes of that, but Legacy delivered in spades!
i think it helps if you choose not to think of the base mode as a base mode, think of it instead as an anti air/artillery emplacement, something Optimus would put down in a strategic position to gun at cons trying to strafe Autobots
I just got this guy as a late Christmas gift. Is he perfect? No. Is he now my favorite figure in my entire collection? ABSOLUTELY. Previously, I’ve only gotten the Voyager class figures, with the occasional Leader or Deluxes. This guy just showed me how much I’m missing out when I stuck to a singular price point.
really want to say that you do amazing work with your reviews, they're really complete, entertaining, informative, and you know how to talk about your own experience while taking into account the context behind everything, something a lot of reviewers lack in favor or jokes about stuff they criticize without understanding it. Keep going!
I got him at TFNation this year, and he's amazing. My second go-around with the Commander class and he blows Rodimus out of the water, and I _loved_ Rodders.
Something I like about these legacy armada figures is that they all maintain their original gimmicks. Hot Shot still has the axelzooka Starscream still has his null laser cannons Megatron still has his turret gimmick and is planned to combine with the upcoming united Tidal Wave and this Armada Prime can combine with his trailer and is also clearly planned to combine with an upcoming Jetfire and Overload.
The unicron showing in the benhining actually does have head movement. It feels like you’re going to break it but it’s there once you get past the first click
Hearing Dr. Lockdown be extremely positive about a figure will never get old. I loved hearing people talk about why a figure is worth the price more than the usual angry review though I do like both types.
NGL out of the several Optimus primes released over the past few generations lines Armada Optimus genuinely feels like he'll scratch the itch of being my definitive Optimus, definitely gonna pick him up when I'm able to
Im so glad we're getting new Unicron Trilogy toys. I had Override, Armada Optimus(the bendy one) and Armada Megatron and Galvatron as a kid. Being able to get new toys to replace them as theyve long since suffered the wear and tear of childhood play is... fulfilling.
The main reason I want this figure largely has to due with its significants to my introduction and love of Transformers. Back in the long distance past of 2002 I turned 4 and one of the gifts I got for this birthday was a brand new toy Transformers Armada: Deluxe class Optimus Prime. While it wasn’t like the figure you show off here and the one the commander class was based off of it was a figure that could be posed and was designed with the ability to be a fun figure first and foremost. Sadly that figures was given away long ago in the far off year of 2010, and once I started to get into truly collecting in 2011 was when I found out which figure that was and made a goal to find it my holy grail. Cut to January of 2023 and Shop Goodwill had it complete in box and it cost me around $52 (that’s including shipping.) I worked the day it arrived and upon opening the postal box I looked at it and smiled and like a kid seeing it in a ToysRUs I hugged it, and that first time receiving this toy and the memory of the last birthday I spent with my late Grandfather came to me and I felt pure joy. It’s the reason I have been looking forward to this finally releasing in the U.S. and why I want it so bad, for it to stand beside my Holy Grail my hunt figure the figure that brings back some many wonderful memories.
I grew up with the original Armada Prime and this gave me so much nostalgia. It’s nice to get a refresher on some childhood items since most what was shown here I lost overtime or completely forgot about
I distinctly remember that I had an Armada Optimus plopped into my lap when I was little in a shop, and my Gran said I could have it. It became my first memorable favourite toy. No idea what became of it. So I'm glad I get to own one, again.
I made my own Sparkplug by taking a Siege Micromaster Motor head and swapping his head and torso with that of Ground Hog from the same line. Sadly I'm still waiting for my Prime (Amazon pre-order) but the flip out post under his hood should plug perfectly into the combined form's shoulder.
I like that the new Armada Megatron and this Optimus Prime are practically made to go with each other. Hope the Armada Jetfire, Overload and Tidal Wave will be as good as these two.
Dr. Lockdown is back? AND WITH AN HOUR LONG VIDEO?? this is the best (also I got TR Triggerhappy on your and Perspective End's recommendation, and I love it to death)
I saw an "early review" of Armada Prime in March and ever since then I've been obsessed with Armada and this figure. I got Hotshot and Starscream as soon as I could and pre-ordered Optimus and Megs and soon as they were available. Can't wait to get back from vacation since they'll both be there by then.
This maybe one of the best transformers made, pre-ordered it. I think this toy single-handedly gave me more interest in armada stuff and showed that the designs back than were really damn cool. I'm going to wait with armada Megs since I perfer Armada Galvatron's colors (or even better, MegaZarak) but that toy looks fantastic as well.
One of my favorite parts about the trailer redesign is that the added detail on top isn't just added greeble. It's a pair of twin runways for jet mini-cons/micromasters. They ADDED potential playability in the trailer's vehicle mode configuration. And as for the eyes... I do prefer the red because it feels like a nice send-up to Power Master Optimus Prime, but my solution takes like two minutes with a screwdriver and five minutes of paint drying.
Naval Commander is a different beast and these two are not intended to serve the same purpose. Naval Commander equal to using the Threezero MDLX Optimus as your G1 Prime. It is stylized, it is impressive, but NOT intended to be accurate. It is it's own center piece that serves a very specific WOW factor. Legacy is all about accuracy, chonk, and playability. I am keeping both, to serve two different purposes.
50:25 What? As a HUGE Armada fan, they're wrong. The main point of Armada Prime is _Armada Prime._ Gimmicks be damned, I'm just so god damn happy to have an updated modern version of these designs, especially unimpeded with gimmicks. (Just look at the original Armada Scavenger figure) Them including the gimmicks on Starscream and Hot Shot without making them have springs and other internals that would have probably impeded them is great, and that's all Optimus needed, and that's exactly what he got. The only slight issue I have (besides no combine mode red eyes) is the lack of any minicon ports. Starscream was too small for a minicon port on the flip out back piece where it was in the original show because there isn't enough room for his minicon to fit between the cannons, but they saw their opportunity with Hot Shot's vehicle mode and took it, and all Optimus needed was a port on his combine mode shoulder for Sparkplug.
I don't know why this video graced my feed. I don't know anyone here, and I certainly have no idea about the inter-social dynamics of the Transformers toy community... But I will say this, as someone who literally grew up with Armada: God *Damn* is that a beautiful remake. The fact that the minicons are absent is unfortunate, but they managed to recreate the majesty that Armada Optimus had with his design. It still remains one of the best designs he has had in the entire series, and they managed to do a wonderful job on fixing the vast majority of issues the old one had.
23:42 With light piping my opinion has changed since I'm an animator. With light piping there are very few ways to get the lighting to work in the figure's favor on camera. They mostly look dead when there's no light on them and there aren't many angles where they light up. Then when they do light up they don't light up that much if the head is moving it can cause seeming flicker which doesn't look good. Painted eyes show up better from more angles and tend to give more light than light piped eyes. If it was something like Bionicle where the light piping was able to easily capture light well and consistently from many angles that would be cool. When that is possible light piping all the way but if it can't then it's better to go with something reliable. Unfortunately for transformers it seems that the light piping is more likely to fail than succeed in that department.
I think what also makes him great is that regardless of how Armada Jetfire and Overload may turn out, he still stands on his own, those two could be crap in all modes, have 2 good modes, only 1 good mode, they could improve the combined mode or where it down, but regardless, Legacy Commander Armada Optimus Prime will still be good
Does anyone know how to fix the Leader Armada circuit? Or does anyone have the schematics of the circuit to try and fix it? Anyways, great review, 100% agree. The young guy who was amazed with Armada and had Armada Optimus Prime drawn in his wall for at least 15 years is enamoured with this new version of Optimus Prime.
37:36 Just got this figure in hand and the instructions literally have you combine the backpack first and doesn’t “insist you just plonk it on the top here and then combine the backpack”
I once had a dream where I was at a super mall where I got this figure. Except it wasn't the full figure. it was just the core robot mode, around the size of Legacy Tarantulas, and completely Transparent yellow, save for the head, which was almost entirely black, with blue eyes. it was also in a weird packaging, not like the normal legacy packaging, what with it's weird plastic-less window and relatively cool-colored box art, but rather it was packaged like one of the older toys, a cardboard cutout in a really pale orange, with clear packaging plastic covering the whole figure. I bought it, and went home. When I woke up I looked around my room for it for like 5 seconds, then realized "oh yeah, it was a dream" then i went back to bed.
Hey man great video, I have the original coloured armada Unicron and it does have head articulation idk if they removed it on future versions or not but I just wanted to let you know
I’m excited to get it. When Armada came out long ago, as a kid, I want to get the motorized Optimus Prime with the trailer but I did got instead the articulated version instead. Fast forward, I’m making my childhood desire coming true of getting the one with the trailer/ Super Mode.
Mine has some worrying stress marks around the two slots where the red gun turret plugs into the inner sides of the shins for trailer mode (13:47, 19:33). I took the trailer and the turret out of the box, tried pushing the tabs of the turret into the slots on the trailer, and it instantly stressed. I love this figure enough that it has the potential to be my absolute favorite in my collection, but I'm not pleased with that QC issue and I hope the stressed slots hold up over time, because if they collapse, the trailer mode will be compromised.
I never grew up with Armada, but I grew up with the Armada PS2 game, and I have a huge soft spot for this design. I recently bought the Armada Deluxe class and absolutely love that figure, but I'll still buy this, either pre-order or when it comes out. (He retails for £10 less than Motormaster)
as a younger fan of the franchise, the whole reason i loved the toys so much were the transformations themselves, they didn't need gimmicks to be good. posing action figures is half of the fun with transformers in my opinion.
Wasn't expecting a crossover at the end. Great review, and if I wasn't trying to save money and not buy robots cuz I'm going off to college next month, I'd definitely buy him
@@DrLockdown I also don't have a job cuz places down here in yee haw land just won't hire me for whatever reason. So basically just waiting until I get on campus and get a job there through the university
Yea, from what you showed, this looks like a passion projeckt from top to bottom. Heck, even tho I can't find the moment, one of the scenes where it shows the underside of Prime back skirts, I found molded Minicon insighnias in places where the pegholes are on the outside. Now THAT, are details from someone from cares what there doing.
As someone who got into transformers during Cybertron and didn't collect much after that, it's so weird seeing how much people complain about stuff that was common then being missing. Size, plastic, light piping, molded symbols, they were all there and it's so bizarre seeing them being gone.
As a kid I would cut parts of my transformers so I could pose them better lol... so yeah,. big disagree with people who say kids don't want articulation.
I seriously hope that the rumours for armada jetfire and overload come to be. Armada prime was already a holy grail and I’m happy with this to say I’ve got my second grail (first being titans return fort max) but if we got a jet Optimus super weapon mode on top of it, oh my god it would make my god damn decade
I didn’t grow up when armada was on air. But I did grow up with Armada dvds and rewatched them as a kid back in 2010. I grew up watching prime but didn’t collect figures until TLK came out which is a huge distance. I want this armada prime and all the armada figures because they were the first transformers I saw (Besides the Bay movies because those I cherish)
I ended up getting this guy after and every day I fall more in love with him. I put him into his combined form today only to discover that that makes him my tallest Transformer. Didn't think he'd be taller than my Beast Wars Optimal Optimus but he's at least 3 or 4 heads taller. Magnificent.
From someone who owns the original Armada Optimus Prime, the figure does suffer from the gimmicks. The trailer/base/ legs were an absolute nightmare. When they announced the Legacy version, I was ecstatic for the added articulation. Definitely worth sacrificing the gimmicks. As for Mini-con compatibility, it's nothing a Lego Technic peg can't fix.
I can absolutely deny the idea that “kids don’t want articulation.” I am a younger collector and articulation is usually what determines if I like a figure or not. Hell, I buy the Flame Toys model kits because they’re so articulated.
As a matter of fact Doc, the instructions do tell you to combine the the torso by plugging it into the back first and then folding into the waist, as you described.
Man I wish they would bring back the minicons and mini bots anything small since that’s the only thing mainline I collect. I was in heaven during the war for cybertron trilogy.
not really related to the video but i started persona 5 recently and i’m loving it so far, it’s so weird actually playing the game after being aware of it from smash bros for so long
@@DrLockdownRoyal, because it came out on Switch recently. It’s significantly easier/more balanced than when I played Persona 4 on the PS2 years ago, which I appreciate because grinding is booorrrrrinnngggg
Haha, I turned EXP and money gain on 4 golden to double, but kept the enemy difficulty the same. That way it cut out the grinding, but kept the challenge. JRPG challenge works best when it's not just a level gate. Persona tends to do this well, but it still has bullshit grinding, which I can't say I like.
very nice review, i got mine in and i didnt notice on mine that his right arm didn't get his gold on his arm, but i would probable keep him in his super mode, also very hoping for Jetfire
I remember that people really complained that gimmicks limited articulation. From quite poseable BW line to pretty but limited. I feel like Archer managed to balance it out in Energon and Cybertron.
I like both versions of Armada Optimus Prime, even though the FH version had some major QC issues, although they did send out free replacement parts. At least FH did make Overload and Jetfire, meaning that a triple combination can be achieved, which is still a huge improvement over the original toy. Legacy Armada Optimus Prime absolutely needs Overload and Jetfire in order to elevate it to legendary status, otherwise it'll remain unfinished and be a huge shame for those of us who wanted that final form.
I really do want to thank you for this review, i preordered this figure when it became available, but I've been sitting on the fence about it, considering cancelling the order and just waiting for christmas to get this, but this review has me sold on it, the order stays, and I am eagerly counting down the days till release/praying for it to ship early
I just ordered him, originally I wasn't gonna jump on the Unicron Trilogy bandwagon fully until I watched Armada. Which made me want to get Optimus but I ended up being too late. It looks like the figure you wanted in your dreams made it into a reality and I think the only Prime to match it or surpass it will have to SS86 Optimus
The base Optimus figure is SOLID and feels like a plastic brick which I love for a robot (huge fan of the WFC optimus design of Optimus and this feels similar with his proportions). Combining and transforming are the top two gimmicks I love in transformers and this figure is a great mix of the two, I feel like it showcases some of the best features of both, not perfect, but its a bot I would point to as a goal I would like future figures to aim for. You can really tell a lot of passion went into designing this.
So excited for this guy. He looks so freaking good. After I watched armada and fell in love with it, I’ve been craving good figures of many of the characters in the show. The recent armada figures make me very happy.
Motormaster is on deep clearance here. Some places are selling him for half price. Not shelfwarming. He just sold like hotcakes until the last shipment, where people lost interest
Absolutely loved this review! Normally not one to watch an hour long review, but this was a fantastic way of blending in narrative and backstory on the history of the transformers line over the last 20 years. Especially loved the Bionicles reference haha! I miss do much how Transformers were the right middle ground of bulk with some complexity. I stopped collecting them as much partially because I grew out of the TV shows, but It got to the point where you really couldn't transform them without instructions. The WFC line was fantastic though. I also had my gripes about Rodimus Prime with the trailer that just didn't clip together right and the back fin backpack that didn't seem to want to snap into place. I'm rambling, but this was incredibly enjoyable to watch. The transformation and familiar sounds of s bulky Armada figure were ASMR to my inner child 😄
Haha, ratchet joints can by quite therapeutic :P And thank you. I don't aim to make specific lengths of video. They're just sort of as long as they need to be, so I kinda surprised myself with this one.
I grew up with Armada and this is a huge W in my book. Granted I didn't have this specific figure, but I always hated his stationary pants in super mode for the original.
I grew up when the ut was still going, couldn’t watch all of armada but i got abit of energon and cybertron, but everything was crazy back then, i was in love with the whole modernization of g1, also playing the ps2 armada game was neat, couldn’t get this toy back then but i had side armada merch like school stuff which was always cool to look at, so im really happy with what legacy did since even back then i always complained when toys didn’t have much articulation. Probably the only time im gonna preorder a toy, a commander class of all things. Because this is my childhood back and done right, im extremely confident this will sell like hotcakes which will spark more armada toys down the line, i know theres leaks about a galvatron and tidal wave, theres no way they gonna skip jetfire or overload either, im hoping to eventually own every new armada toy they release.
Wasn't expecting the SheepWielder cameo at the end. A crossover I never knew I needed.
The world's gone crazy tbh
@@TheSheepWielderRequest ,pls can you do earthspark bumblebee review
Another top notch vid as always, Doc
And thanks for having me!
Sheepo, you've made it 😭😭😭
@@sophieprime4669 he looks kinda cute in a suit
@@Spootprime what
I would love to see Dr Lockdown sheep weilder and prime vs prime review the 3 pack with megs shockwave and soundwave I forget what's it's called lol
It's pretty well understood that Armada figures were underarticulated. It was a common complaint from kids even back when Armada was still on the toy shelves. It's why Energon and Cybertron took such pains to be better articulated and even then, they still weren't up to Beast Wars/Beast Machines standards.
I would love to see Energon toys be remade with the same gimmick but have way more articulation than the original combined toys
I hope he sells well enough for them to realize we want more unicron trilogy toys. I adore the design aesthetic. Especially cybertron (I adore the cybertron look alright)
There is ONE character from Energon I wouldn't mind seeing get a new toy. Omega Supreme. That version took the original multi component idea. And added something new by also being a Headmaster.
@@Rabbitlord108 Energon Mirage/Dreadwing are also great, as is Sharkticon
Sharkticon I'd oddly be fine if they skipped. The original toy is already fantastic. Wouldn't be fussed if they never updated him.
Though I wouldn't say no to an update either.
@@DrLockdown Yeah Id much rather a dreadwing update, hes already such a great underrated toy, that just has a few problems that could be solved with modern engineering, that I think if he got an update, he could be one of the best
like the man has both a waist swivel AND a side to side swivel in 2004. along with having a STUNNING paintjob
Sadly I think POTP covered hasbro's attempt at dreadwing, so I'm not sure they'll bother doing them again.
Fans hobby's looks fantastic though
going with the whole "Kids don't want articulation" BULLSHIT, as a kid, I WANTED articulation. it's the main reason why I hated the Power Rangers Zords, and why I disliked quite a few transformers (and ended up breaking a few because I thought it would articulate there). I also HATED lose ball joints, where there is a white dust all over said joint
Those kinds of people are the ones who only played with concrete bricks.
DrLockdown is probably the only reviewer I could actually watch a whole hour of straight. I don't know how... but sir, you keep me captivated for a whole hour in a toy review... I can't even watch PvP for 20 minutes. Epic review, I know I was late, but I was glad to be able to watch it anyways.
Surprisingly still earlier than most due to Australia getting the figure early :P.
But thank you :D
Well, I would say him, Emgo, and possibly That Toy Guy
Coming from someone who didn’t grow up with Armada, I briefly considered buying this and the Megatron, they look absolutely outstanding. I ultimately didn’t cause space and what not but maybe one day. I really hope this level of care is put into future commanders, (after the likely to be made Tidalwave) I’d love an Animated Lugnut or a RID 2001 Megatron.
Animated Lugnut PLEASE
I'm quite happy with RTS lugnut, though a new one could be neat
@@DrLockdown Eh... I understand. A bit skinny in my eyes, but an Accurate, Animated, Chunky, Commander class Lugnut would be AWESOME. The original was just too small and didn't feel right.
@@DrLockdownThe RTS one is nice, but very hard to find for a good price on the aftermarket.
@@DrLockdowntoo hard to acquire for those of us who don’t already have it imo
people who say "Kids don't want articulation" are flat out wrong
I had Armada Wheeljack as a kid and him having bricks for knees and _one_ wrist swivel bothered me to no end
People seam to forget that articulation isn't just for posing its also essential for just you know playing with the toy.
I remember the disappointment getting Armada Prime and discovering his super mode legs were just a brick. I wanted to move him like I could a regular figure, and this gives that to me.
Do I loose some of the base? Yeah, but that’s minor in comparison to what I get.
Fantastic review Dr, you should be proud.
44:10 THERE HE IS!! MAH BOY!!
For a brief disclaimer, when it comes to the tolerance issues my Naval Commander (seen taking a flogging in this video lol) is actually one of the first batches of Naval Commander that FansHobby released, and my god his plastic was awful at first. Thankfully FansHobby immediately put out a warning back then saying that a dud wave was sent out with bad plastic, and that they’d make an abundant amount of extra components and figures using their usual better plastic, and send them to anyone that had issues, at Fanshobby’s expense. Which is how it should be! Take note Haslab, Toyworld, and MakeToys: this is how you treat your customers. I basically rebuilt my Naval Commander’s main bot/combined mode torso using a combination of new parts and the original figure, and haven’t had any issues since. And their Power Commander (AKA Armada Season 2) Optimus has none of the issues described here. So yea! That’s my 2-cents about him, and I honestly agree with Doc about his back flaps being a bit much, especially when compared to the official.
Armada Prime was the first TF I ever owned, so to say this new figure is a dream come true is an understatement.
This Optimus is so freaking pretty. I really hope we get his combiner partners updated.
We REALLY need them now
@@DrLockdown ultraprimal needs to play transformers earthwars it's so good plus hasbro needs to give us tigerhawk a fusion of airazor and tigertron
@@jjohnson2445isn’t there a leader tiger hawk figure? I need to get it still for my beastwars collection
Sometimes I wonder why I watch these videos, but when I reach the end, I feel like I’ve experienced something. You may not be for everyone, but for your subscribers, we’re getting something good.
Really nice review as always DrLockdown! I’ve never watched Armada before but something about the art style and the old toys are really nostalgic for some reason, so it’s nice to see it done justice in this figure. Speaking of nostalgic; 46:59 I totally remember hating ratchet joints, even the soft ones, because they’d make so much noise at night and I didn’t want to wake my family up lol
Now that I don't have to sorry about that, I can click away
Man i’m glad i gave your channel another chance. I don’t know which of your other videos i watched before but I guess i just couldn’t really understand your review style. But this past week, I’ve found that I really enjoy how in detail these videos are.
I'm a teen, and I love it when my new transformer has amazing articulation. I agree that the gimmick should be transforming, and the figure should be a great action figure, not a brick that looks cool.
As someone who also owns this figure, I agree wholeheartedly with the Good Doctor.
I got this on my birthday, and it has to rank up there as being one of the best action figures - not just Transformers, but action figures period - I have ever played with. Everything about the Legacy Armada Optimus screams that the designers poured their hearts and souls into making every detail flow naturally. And out of all the Transformers I've fiddled around with, including the awesome Cyberverse Slag, I cannot think of a single figure that made me audibly giddy.
It's a joy to handle, a joy to play with and a joy to have in my collection.
No way! Mine actually came on my birthday, too!
I seriously have been checking my local online toy store for him every single day since the reveal.
The most interesting part is I watched your hour long video without getting in the least bored. I actually found myself puking out my Armada Prime. I'm in the middle of a huge move, and every figure unboxed is one to be repacked. I'm pushing 59 and have been collecting since pre G1 Diaclone days. You have a talent, and now a new subscriber. I'm looking forward to watching your past and future videos.
I'm on the fence on if I wanna invest in the Armada figures or not, but if they do a Legacy Armada Jetfire that can combine with Optimus, I just might have to get this guy too.
Even if they don't, he's still well worth the price of admission
As someone who owns and likes the Fanshobby figure, this guy looks goddamn amazing and I cannot wait to swap Naval for Legacy.
Bendy Prime was my very first Optimus toy, and while I thought the Super Mode toy was cool I could tell in the catalogs that he was a brick from the waist down, among other problems. Suffice to say that this is the Armada Prime I always wanted 20 years ago and it’s a dream come true to have it now. Holding him in my hands brought back memories of first holding Cybertron Prime at Christmas, and I haven’t truly felt that way about a Transformers toy in years.
I've been hovering over your page for week just to see this video happy to see you upload again
23:48 that must be a Fan of mine, that HAS to be. And I'm so proud.
Nah dog. Light piping is based.
@@DrLockdown You speak filthy words at my ear holes.
I speak the truth
perspective fan here to say Light Piping is based indeed and Chromed Eyes are overrated, chrome is terrifying to scratch and it shines too much, it looks less like glowing and more like aluminum foil
But both suck in comparison to the glory of luminous paint, just make sure its safe to inhale
@@DrLockdown The Truth you speak in, is said in Tongues, spoken in a foul elder language the even the old ones who gaze upon infinity, sneer at in disgust.
As someone who didn't get REAL hard into Transformers until Armada (thanks to the mini-cons in particular), the lack of articulation was always something that bugged me. Spent years dreaming of a Prime, Megatron, or Starscream who could actually move. T30 and CW gave me brief tastes of that, but Legacy delivered in spades!
i think it helps if you choose not to think of the base mode as a base mode, think of it instead as an anti air/artillery emplacement, something Optimus would put down in a strategic position to gun at cons trying to strafe Autobots
Pre-Ordered this off Amazon and god I can't wait to get my hands on em
Same my dude. I'm hyped.
I just got this guy as a late Christmas gift. Is he perfect? No. Is he now my favorite figure in my entire collection? ABSOLUTELY. Previously, I’ve only gotten the Voyager class figures, with the occasional Leader or Deluxes. This guy just showed me how much I’m missing out when I stuck to a singular price point.
really want to say that you do amazing work with your reviews, they're really complete, entertaining, informative, and you know how to talk about your own experience while taking into account the context behind everything, something a lot of reviewers lack in favor or jokes about stuff they criticize without understanding it.
Keep going!
Thanks mate. I always try to pick topics where I have a lot to say. Doesn't seem interesting otherwise
@@DrLockdown just know that your efforts are noticed and appreciated!
Thanks a bunch :D
I got him at TFNation this year, and he's amazing. My second go-around with the Commander class and he blows Rodimus out of the water, and I _loved_ Rodders.
Something I like about these legacy armada figures is that they all maintain their original gimmicks. Hot Shot still has the axelzooka Starscream still has his null laser cannons Megatron still has his turret gimmick and is planned to combine with the upcoming united Tidal Wave and this Armada Prime can combine with his trailer and is also clearly planned to combine with an upcoming Jetfire and Overload.
The unicron showing in the benhining actually does have head movement. It feels like you’re going to break it but it’s there once you get past the first click
The Metroid and Xenoblade 1 OSTs are top notch. You've got great taste, Doc. Keep up the great work!
Hearing Dr. Lockdown be extremely positive about a figure will never get old. I loved hearing people talk about why a figure is worth the price more than the usual angry review though I do like both types.
NGL out of the several Optimus primes released over the past few generations lines Armada Optimus genuinely feels like he'll scratch the itch of being my definitive Optimus, definitely gonna pick him up when I'm able to
Hello there Dr. Lockdown!
Great review and mine should be shipped any day now, looking forward to this figure for sure!
Im so glad we're getting new Unicron Trilogy toys. I had Override, Armada Optimus(the bendy one) and Armada Megatron and Galvatron as a kid. Being able to get new toys to replace them as theyve long since suffered the wear and tear of childhood play is... fulfilling.
The main reason I want this figure largely has to due with its significants to my introduction and love of Transformers. Back in the long distance past of 2002 I turned 4 and one of the gifts I got for this birthday was a brand new toy Transformers Armada: Deluxe class Optimus Prime. While it wasn’t like the figure you show off here and the one the commander class was based off of it was a figure that could be posed and was designed with the ability to be a fun figure first and foremost. Sadly that figures was given away long ago in the far off year of 2010, and once I started to get into truly collecting in 2011 was when I found out which figure that was and made a goal to find it my holy grail. Cut to January of 2023 and Shop Goodwill had it complete in box and it cost me around $52 (that’s including shipping.) I worked the day it arrived and upon opening the postal box I looked at it and smiled and like a kid seeing it in a ToysRUs I hugged it, and that first time receiving this toy and the memory of the last birthday I spent with my late Grandfather came to me and I felt pure joy. It’s the reason I have been looking forward to this finally releasing in the U.S. and why I want it so bad, for it to stand beside my Holy Grail my hunt figure the figure that brings back some many wonderful memories.
I grew up with the original Armada Prime and this gave me so much nostalgia. It’s nice to get a refresher on some childhood items since most what was shown here I lost overtime or completely forgot about
I distinctly remember that I had an Armada Optimus plopped into my lap when I was little in a shop, and my Gran said I could have it. It became my first memorable favourite toy.
No idea what became of it.
So I'm glad I get to own one, again.
I made my own Sparkplug by taking a Siege Micromaster Motor head and swapping his head and torso with that of Ground Hog from the same line. Sadly I'm still waiting for my Prime (Amazon pre-order) but the flip out post under his hood should plug perfectly into the combined form's shoulder.
I like that the new Armada Megatron and this Optimus Prime are practically made to go with each other. Hope the Armada Jetfire, Overload and Tidal Wave will be as good as these two.
Dr. Lockdown is back?
AND WITH AN HOUR LONG VIDEO??
this is the best
(also I got TR Triggerhappy on your and Perspective End's recommendation, and I love it to death)
He is very good
I saw an "early review" of Armada Prime in March and ever since then I've been obsessed with Armada and this figure. I got Hotshot and Starscream as soon as I could and pre-ordered Optimus and Megs and soon as they were available. Can't wait to get back from vacation since they'll both be there by then.
I never expected you to make a persona reference and more to persona 2.
Haven't played it, but I know the basic premise
This maybe one of the best transformers made, pre-ordered it. I think this toy single-handedly gave me more interest in armada stuff and showed that the designs back than were really damn cool. I'm going to wait with armada Megs since I perfer Armada Galvatron's colors (or even better, MegaZarak) but that toy looks fantastic as well.
you forgot to extend/slide down Overload's arms in cannon mode at 49:22, hence why it doesn't reach past Prime's shoulders
I didn't transform them: Michael did so that it wouldn't get damaged. He said that's the way it's supposed to work.
One of my favorite parts about the trailer redesign is that the added detail on top isn't just added greeble.
It's a pair of twin runways for jet mini-cons/micromasters.
They ADDED potential playability in the trailer's vehicle mode configuration.
And as for the eyes... I do prefer the red because it feels like a nice send-up to Power Master Optimus Prime, but my solution takes like two minutes with a screwdriver and five minutes of paint drying.
Naval Commander is a different beast and these two are not intended to serve the same purpose. Naval Commander equal to using the Threezero MDLX Optimus as your G1 Prime. It is stylized, it is impressive, but NOT intended to be accurate. It is it's own center piece that serves a very specific WOW factor. Legacy is all about accuracy, chonk, and playability.
I am keeping both, to serve two different purposes.
The correct take.
As someone who loved the original Armada Prime toy I can 100% say I want this figure, he is giving me all the right vibes... I need it!
50:25 What? As a HUGE Armada fan, they're wrong. The main point of Armada Prime is _Armada Prime._ Gimmicks be damned, I'm just so god damn happy to have an updated modern version of these designs, especially unimpeded with gimmicks. (Just look at the original Armada Scavenger figure) Them including the gimmicks on Starscream and Hot Shot without making them have springs and other internals that would have probably impeded them is great, and that's all Optimus needed, and that's exactly what he got.
The only slight issue I have (besides no combine mode red eyes) is the lack of any minicon ports. Starscream was too small for a minicon port on the flip out back piece where it was in the original show because there isn't enough room for his minicon to fit between the cannons, but they saw their opportunity with Hot Shot's vehicle mode and took it, and all Optimus needed was a port on his combine mode shoulder for Sparkplug.
This is his most popular review now, congrats DrLockdown!
I don't know why this video graced my feed. I don't know anyone here, and I certainly have no idea about the inter-social dynamics of the Transformers toy community...
But I will say this, as someone who literally grew up with Armada: God *Damn* is that a beautiful remake. The fact that the minicons are absent is unfortunate, but they managed to recreate the majesty that Armada Optimus had with his design. It still remains one of the best designs he has had in the entire series, and they managed to do a wonderful job on fixing the vast majority of issues the old one had.
23:42 With light piping my opinion has changed since I'm an animator. With light piping there are very few ways to get the lighting to work in the figure's favor on camera. They mostly look dead when there's no light on them and there aren't many angles where they light up. Then when they do light up they don't light up that much if the head is moving it can cause seeming flicker which doesn't look good. Painted eyes show up better from more angles and tend to give more light than light piped eyes.
If it was something like Bionicle where the light piping was able to easily capture light well and consistently from many angles that would be cool. When that is possible light piping all the way but if it can't then it's better to go with something reliable. Unfortunately for transformers it seems that the light piping is more likely to fail than succeed in that department.
I found him at Big W in my local plaza and bought it for 139 and it has fulfilled a hole in my heart forever.
I think what also makes him great is that regardless of how Armada Jetfire and Overload may turn out, he still stands on his own, those two could be crap in all modes, have 2 good modes, only 1 good mode, they could improve the combined mode or where it down, but regardless, Legacy Commander Armada Optimus Prime will still be good
Does anyone know how to fix the Leader Armada circuit? Or does anyone have the schematics of the circuit to try and fix it?
Anyways, great review, 100% agree. The young guy who was amazed with Armada and had Armada Optimus Prime drawn in his wall for at least 15 years is enamoured with this new version of Optimus Prime.
37:36 Just got this figure in hand and the instructions literally have you combine the backpack first and doesn’t “insist you just plonk it on the top here and then combine the backpack”
I once had a dream where I was at a super mall where I got this figure. Except it wasn't the full figure. it was just the core robot mode, around the size of Legacy Tarantulas, and completely Transparent yellow, save for the head, which was almost entirely black, with blue eyes. it was also in a weird packaging, not like the normal legacy packaging, what with it's weird plastic-less window and relatively cool-colored box art, but rather it was packaged like one of the older toys, a cardboard cutout in a really pale orange, with clear packaging plastic covering the whole figure. I bought it, and went home. When I woke up I looked around my room for it for like 5 seconds, then realized "oh yeah, it was a dream" then i went back to bed.
Hey man great video, I have the original coloured armada Unicron and it does have head articulation idk if they removed it on future versions or not but I just wanted to let you know
I’m excited to get it. When Armada came out long ago, as a kid, I want to get the motorized Optimus Prime with the trailer but I did got instead the articulated version instead. Fast forward, I’m making my childhood desire coming true of getting the one with the trailer/ Super Mode.
6:41 was watching this at 2AM and the ‘crash into you’ jumpscared me so hard
Mine has some worrying stress marks around the two slots where the red gun turret plugs into the inner sides of the shins for trailer mode (13:47, 19:33). I took the trailer and the turret out of the box, tried pushing the tabs of the turret into the slots on the trailer, and it instantly stressed. I love this figure enough that it has the potential to be my absolute favorite in my collection, but I'm not pleased with that QC issue and I hope the stressed slots hold up over time, because if they collapse, the trailer mode will be compromised.
I never grew up with Armada, but I grew up with the Armada PS2 game, and I have a huge soft spot for this design. I recently bought the Armada Deluxe class and absolutely love that figure, but I'll still buy this, either pre-order or when it comes out. (He retails for £10 less than Motormaster)
Oh nice. Prices went up in Australia.
Great video. Loved the format and layout of it.
as a younger fan of the franchise, the whole reason i loved the toys so much were the transformations themselves, they didn't need gimmicks to be good. posing action figures is half of the fun with transformers in my opinion.
Wasn't expecting a crossover at the end. Great review, and if I wasn't trying to save money and not buy robots cuz I'm going off to college next month, I'd definitely buy him
Yeah know the feeling. Saving for TFNation.
@@DrLockdown I also don't have a job cuz places down here in yee haw land just won't hire me for whatever reason. So basically just waiting until I get on campus and get a job there through the university
Good luck. In the process of changing jobs also. Can be stressful
Yea, from what you showed, this looks like a passion projeckt from top to bottom.
Heck, even tho I can't find the moment, one of the scenes where it shows the underside of Prime back skirts, I found molded Minicon insighnias in places where the pegholes are on the outside. Now THAT, are details from someone from cares what there doing.
Yeah someone mentioned that on discord.
Gotta take a look later.
As someone who got into transformers during Cybertron and didn't collect much after that, it's so weird seeing how much people complain about stuff that was common then being missing. Size, plastic, light piping, molded symbols, they were all there and it's so bizarre seeing them being gone.
I just got him and I’ve spent the last two hours playing with him
Outside of like 1 or 2 things he’s absolutely perfect
I just watched through an hour long toy review without noticing definitely gonna subscribe
As a kid I would cut parts of my transformers so I could pose them better lol... so yeah,. big disagree with people who say kids don't want articulation.
I seriously hope that the rumours for armada jetfire and overload come to be. Armada prime was already a holy grail and I’m happy with this to say I’ve got my second grail (first being titans return fort max) but if we got a jet Optimus super weapon mode on top of it, oh my god it would make my god damn decade
I've not heard of any rumours yet. I'm just guessing they'll do them eventually, because they'd sell reasonably well I think.
I didn’t grow up when armada was on air. But I did grow up with Armada dvds and rewatched them as a kid back in 2010. I grew up watching prime but didn’t collect figures until TLK came out which is a huge distance. I want this armada prime and all the armada figures because they were the first transformers I saw (Besides the Bay movies because those I cherish)
6:37 Bionicle Appreciation is on point👌 now on with your review (and also, so I can say something actually relevant to this release)
I ended up getting this guy after and every day I fall more in love with him. I put him into his combined form today only to discover that that makes him my tallest Transformer. Didn't think he'd be taller than my Beast Wars Optimal Optimus but he's at least 3 or 4 heads taller. Magnificent.
From someone who owns the original Armada Optimus Prime, the figure does suffer from the gimmicks. The trailer/base/ legs were an absolute nightmare.
When they announced the Legacy version, I was ecstatic for the added articulation. Definitely worth sacrificing the gimmicks. As for Mini-con compatibility, it's nothing a Lego Technic peg can't fix.
Yeah my brief stint with messing with the original was a NIGHTMARE.
Thing would barely stay together
I can absolutely deny the idea that “kids don’t want articulation.” I am a younger collector and articulation is usually what determines if I like a figure or not. Hell, I buy the Flame Toys model kits because they’re so articulated.
You can't be that young if you can afford those model kits.
@@_V.Va_Probaly around 18 or 17
As a matter of fact Doc, the instructions do tell you to combine the the torso by plugging it into the back first and then folding into the waist, as you described.
Then why does every reviewer do it the other way?
@@DrLockdown I can only assume it is to invoke the original.
I assume it's because the screenwriter was projecting.
Or the producer.
Man I wish they would bring back the minicons and mini bots anything small since that’s the only thing mainline I collect. I was in heaven during the war for cybertron trilogy.
Unfortunately after the abysmal sales of the micromasters, might be difficult
@@DrLockdown yeah really sucks I love em.
I just ordered the reissue and cant wait to get it and display him next to my other Optimus primes as the giant guard next to his throne
not really related to the video but i started persona 5 recently and i’m loving it so far, it’s so weird actually playing the game after being aware of it from smash bros for so long
Nice. Finished it on PS4 ages ago, but my main copy now is on switch. Standard or royal?
@@DrLockdownRoyal, because it came out on Switch recently. It’s significantly easier/more balanced than when I played Persona 4 on the PS2 years ago, which I appreciate because grinding is booorrrrrinnngggg
Haha, I turned EXP and money gain on 4 golden to double, but kept the enemy difficulty the same. That way it cut out the grinding, but kept the challenge.
JRPG challenge works best when it's not just a level gate. Persona tends to do this well, but it still has bullshit grinding, which I can't say I like.
very nice review, i got mine in and i didnt notice on mine that his right arm didn't get his gold on his arm, but i would probable keep him in his super mode, also very hoping for Jetfire
The Armada Unicron (or the original mainline release anyways) actually does have neck movement, though it may feel a bit stiff at first.
Thank you I was about to say the same thing
I remember that people really complained that gimmicks limited articulation. From quite poseable BW line to pretty but limited. I feel like Archer managed to balance it out in Energon and Cybertron.
And yet for some reason people insist it's the other way these days.
Well, some people do
0:30 Hang on, I swear that the Armada Unicron could turn his head left to right, vaguely recall that from when I owned the Energon repaint
Red Cog works wonders as an Overload cannon pack. Just the cannon part though. 49:34
Im so excited to get this guy, as long as he doesnt sell out from pulse, i should have him in the next few weeks
He's mostly sold out at big W, but other stores have him slated for August
I like both versions of Armada Optimus Prime, even though the FH version had some major QC issues, although they did send out free replacement parts.
At least FH did make Overload and Jetfire, meaning that a triple combination can be achieved, which is still a huge improvement over the original toy.
Legacy Armada Optimus Prime absolutely needs Overload and Jetfire in order to elevate it to legendary status, otherwise it'll remain unfinished and be a huge shame for those of us who wanted that final form.
I really do want to thank you for this review, i preordered this figure when it became available, but I've been sitting on the fence about it, considering cancelling the order and just waiting for christmas to get this, but this review has me sold on it, the order stays, and I am eagerly counting down the days till release/praying for it to ship early
I just ordered him, originally I wasn't gonna jump on the Unicron Trilogy bandwagon fully until I watched Armada. Which made me want to get Optimus but I ended up being too late. It looks like the figure you wanted in your dreams made it into a reality and I think the only Prime to match it or surpass it will have to SS86 Optimus
The base Optimus figure is SOLID and feels like a plastic brick which I love for a robot (huge fan of the WFC optimus design of Optimus and this feels similar with his proportions). Combining and transforming are the top two gimmicks I love in transformers and this figure is a great mix of the two, I feel like it showcases some of the best features of both, not perfect, but its a bot I would point to as a goal I would like future figures to aim for. You can really tell a lot of passion went into designing this.
So excited for this guy. He looks so freaking good. After I watched armada and fell in love with it, I’ve been craving good figures of many of the characters in the show. The recent armada figures make me very happy.
Hopefully I can get it and not miss out on another commander class like motormaster
Motormaster is on deep clearance here. Some places are selling him for half price.
Not shelfwarming. He just sold like hotcakes until the last shipment, where people lost interest
Absolutely loved this review! Normally not one to watch an hour long review, but this was a fantastic way of blending in narrative and backstory on the history of the transformers line over the last 20 years. Especially loved the Bionicles reference haha! I miss do much how Transformers were the right middle ground of bulk with some complexity. I stopped collecting them as much partially because I grew out of the TV shows, but It got to the point where you really couldn't transform them without instructions. The WFC line was fantastic though. I also had my gripes about Rodimus Prime with the trailer that just didn't clip together right and the back fin backpack that didn't seem to want to snap into place. I'm rambling, but this was incredibly enjoyable to watch. The transformation and familiar sounds of s bulky Armada figure were ASMR to my inner child 😄
Haha, ratchet joints can by quite therapeutic :P
And thank you. I don't aim to make specific lengths of video. They're just sort of as long as they need to be, so I kinda surprised myself with this one.
I'm getting mine tomorrow from habro pulse, has to cancel my Amazon pre order because fuck waiting till September.
I grew up with Armada and this is a huge W in my book. Granted I didn't have this specific figure, but I always hated his stationary pants in super mode for the original.
Armada was my first exposure to the Transformers series from the Toonami days. I have the original figure and I honestly can't wait to get this guys!
I grew up when the ut was still going, couldn’t watch all of armada but i got abit of energon and cybertron, but everything was crazy back then, i was in love with the whole modernization of g1, also playing the ps2 armada game was neat, couldn’t get this toy back then but i had side armada merch like school stuff which was always cool to look at, so im really happy with what legacy did since even back then i always complained when toys didn’t have much articulation.
Probably the only time im gonna preorder a toy, a commander class of all things. Because this is my childhood back and done right, im extremely confident this will sell like hotcakes which will spark more armada toys down the line, i know theres leaks about a galvatron and tidal wave, theres no way they gonna skip jetfire or overload either, im hoping to eventually own every new armada toy they release.