Optimus Prime (1993, 1994)
Accessories: Laser Blaster, 2 fists (left & right), trailer/Combat Deck, Roller (light blue), 4 rockets, hose, nozzle, fuel pump, 2 missile launchers, 2 missiles, sound and lights module

The first Generation 2 Optimus Prime toy is a redeco of the original Generation 1 figure release with some notable new additions to catch him up to radical 1990s. While his cab robot retained his original red and blue color scheme, his trailer was recast in black, with the original blue and silver striped sticker replaced with a red and silver one displaying Optimus’s name. On the first release of the trailer, the internal components and Roller matched the blue of the cab robot. Later, the internal components and Roller were changed to a lighter blue. Another running change followed, making the dark blue of the cab robot match this lighter shade. A bright yellow "Autobot” tampograph was also added to the back of his right leg.
Generation 2 Optimus Prime comes with all his original accessories, as well as two major new play features. To increase his arsenal, Optimus is now armed with a pair of large, black handheld missile launchers that fire red missiles. These launchers were retooled from the G.I. Joe figure Barricade. Second, he comes with an electronic "sound and lights module” that can either plug into the front of the trailer (where it resembles a trailer refrigeration unit), or hook onto Optimus’s back in robot mode via a new slot retooled into the cab robot. Unfortunately, the soundbox is heavy enough that doing so can often overpower Prime’s hip joints, causing him to topple backward. The soundbox features a large, vacuum metalized Autobot symbol on its front, and three grey buttons which trigger two flashing red LEDs on either side of the module, and a trio of sound effects: a truck engine noise, a laser gun sound effect, and a very loud "I am Optimus Prime!”. The module also features ports on either side into which the missile launchers can peg.
How the sound module handles batteries is an oddity among Transformers before or since. As G2 Optimus came out during a transitional period where button cell batteries were still fairly expensive, the module uses AA batteries by default, but was originally packed with a small bracket for included LR44 batteries that overrides the AA compartment completely to support the "Try Me!” feature in the box. The original intent is to discard the bracket once the LR44s run out and switch to several AA batteries, but if one were to keep it, the electronics can work equally well solely off far fewer button cell batteries.

Generation 2

Hasbro

038976800348

1993

United States

Transformers G2

2018-06-08 15:34:21