Why LEGO® Optimus Prime is the set Transformers fans have all been waiting for

But there was one cartoon that hit differently for our generation. It was the story of the heroic Autobots from the planet Cybertron who made it their mission to protect Earth.

Of course, we’re talking about none other than Transformers.

The Transformers robots stood for bravery, courage, teamwork and strength (with a little humor thrown in), so they were real role models to us kids.

Now, fans can FINALLY build the most iconic Transformers leader, modeled off the original G1 toy design, LEGO® Optimus Prime.

And we couldn’t think of anyone wiser than Joseph to work on the new set, considering he once worked at Hasbro (the company that made the original Transformers toy line)!

“Optimus Prime and I go way back. I used to work on Transformers toys...and I have always been a huge Transformers fan,” he adds.

A real Transformer robot

As you know, there’s... More Than Meets The Eye with Transformers. The characters can convert into vehicles, objects and even into flying machines. Literal shape-shifters!

Just like the original toy (and cartoon character), our LEGO Optimus Prime set can reconfigure into his recognizable red semi-truck alt-mode.

Unlike some of our other 2-in-1 or 3-in-1 sets, this is the first LEGO set where rebuilding isn’t required to turn it into something entirely new.

“My major inspiration was going back to the very original toy. I got this toy for Christmas when I was four years old, so I know it like the back of my hand,” Joseph adds.

He based the conversion on how the original toy worked, but his biggest challenge was figuring out how to use LEGO bricks to achieve the goal.

“Since the nature of bricks is more of an assemble and disassemble setup, it took a lot of time to get the conversion right.”

After a lot of hard work, he pulled it off.

Converting LEGO Optimus Prime into its truck form only takes 1-2 minutes by maneuvering different blocks and folding sections in and out. Pretty cool. The set comes with a step-by-step guide to show you how to do it.

Nostalgic details will take you back

To remind Transformers fans of their childhood, we wanted to include authentic features and Easter eggs in this set.

“My favorite detail is Optimus Prime’s opening chest, because inside you’ll find the removable Matrix of Leadership, which is what makes him the leader of the Autobots,” explains Joseph.

“It was very important to me that this was included because it’s one of the most defining things about Optimus Prime.”

Another thing that Joseph wanted to carry over from the original toy was the chrome details that gave the toy a special shine.

The set also comes with a blaster accessory that Optimus Prime uses in battle against the Decepticons.