Prime directive

More than 20 years after their launch, Transformers are still going strong and Hasbro has launched a new Classics range to prove it. The jewel in the crown of the new lineup is the 20th Movie Anniversary Classic Optimus Prime, priced at around £69.99.

The hero of the 1986 film Transformers: The Movie, Optimus Prime is presented here in all his glory, as a diecast figure in the same colour scheme as he wore in the animated film. Phrases and sound effects are built into the display stand, but Optimus Prime isn’t one to stand around all day reflecting on past glories – he can also transform into a truck and is fully poseable.

Other features include spring-loaded suspension, an ion blaster (you never know when a Decepticon might turn up), a light-up Matrix chamber and a flip-out datacomm interface.

The Classics Voyager line (around £19.99) includes Optimus and his arch enemy, Megatron, while the Classics Deluxe figures (around £9.99) include Cliffjumper (pictured). Armed with a gas-pistol that fires nano-robots and renders Decepticon armour useless, he’s one of the toughest Autobots around.

Optimus and Megatron also get in on the Deluxe line, with an Ultimate Battle Pack (around £19.99) that comes with an exclusive DVD.

Stepping down a size, the Classics Legends (around £2.99) are still fully transformable from robot to vehicle, while the Classics Minicons (around £6.99) are mini figures that come in packs of three. Pictured is the Clear Skies Team, featuring Thunderwing, Steel Wind and Nightscream.

The Transformers Classics range is suitable for children from five years and older and it’s in the shops now…