Transformers Battle Tanker Upgrade (Knock-Off version)

SAY HELLO TO MY LITTLE FRIEND!!!!

Presenting the Transformers Battle Tanker for the G2 Laser Optimus Prime that is NOT from maketoys.jp as this is the knock-off version of a non-canonical reportedly unauthorized accessory pack for the G2 Laser Optimus Prime.

If you read my review about the G2 Laser Optimus Prime, then you'll know that I considered it one of the most horrible Primes ever made: He's short, stocky, tackily colored and is supremely uninspiring. Hell I even said that I preferred the Beast Wars Surfing Gorilla Prime over the G2 Laser Optimus Prime.

But I did buy him because I knew that the Battle Tanker was just around the corner.
And it finally did arrive.

But shortly after the Maketoys Battle Tanker arrived, I found out that there was a Chinese Knock-Off version circulating which was... well cheaper (Literally half the price).

So I said what the hell, let's check it out.

And here he is.

The box - which is an exact duplicate of the original - which makes it kinda hard to tell the two apart  and chances are you could be sold a knock-off version instead of the original - doesn't say anything or much. It's very visual and what I do see, I do like.



The Optimus Prime Battle Tanker transforms into a liquid storage container with coolant fans on top, trailer for the G2 Laser Optimus Prime. Again if you read the G2 Laser Optimus Prime review you'll note that we were very interested in the fact that it had the facility to accept a trailer.

What's to like about the Transformers Battle Tanker (Knock-Off Version)?

The Transformers Battle Tanker does away with the G2 Laser Optimus Prime's very angular and empty eyed head with a much more Optimus Prime looking head and replaces his "White tighty-whiteys" with a light gray cod-piece.

In the words of Will Smith:

......Old and Busted....................... New Hotness

......Old and Busted....................... New Hotness

WAIT!!!! He's still un-"Prime" like thanks to the dorky feet and small hands?  Well the Optimus Prime Upgrade Battle Tanker has a solution for those as well: The Battle Tanker provides new forearms, new hands and new clip-on feet with missile-launcher extensions, none of which hampers his articulation:

Isn't that much better? But wait! What about that dweeby short laser sword that the G2 Laser Optimus Prime had? Well you can still use it - in fact you need it to attach the Battle Tanker trailer to Optimus Prime in his truck mode, but the Battle Tanker Upgrade provides prime with not one, but two dual barreled ion cannons and two light-up swords - one brutal laser-blade reminiscent of the TAW Sword, and another, finer blade for precision slashing and cutting.

......Old and Busted....................... New Hotness

Here's the new dual twin-barreled ion cannon wielding G2 Laser Optimus Prime in action:

Now let's move on to the kick-ass sword. The Transformers Battle Tanker's hilt is connected via a wire to a small battery pack that can slip into the rear of the G2 Laser Optimus Prime's rather open back-pack. Either blade - broadsword or the slim one - can also be sheathed back there:

A small button powers up the "Laser Sword"'s hilt - lighting up a small gem there:

The G2 Laser Optimus Prime retains most of its articulation and can grasp his laser sword with both hands. Here he is with the "TAW Sword" in use:

Now if you're not a fan of the "TAW Sword" and prefer something with a little more finesse, simply swap out the blade for the thinner one:

Now for the really fun part about the Optimus Prime Battle Tanker: Arm him - literally:



Now we're not quite sure what Optimus Prime is now armed with - could be a multiple beam weapon or a series missile launcher. He has the power pack for this to be an energy weapon though. Whatever it is, it packs quite a kick which as is manifested by the Battle Tanker's need to have a rear support stand.

Unfortunately articulation in this mode is rather limited. Optimus Prime can't really elevate or track that much and tracking is more a result of his torso's limited movement. In this form the Battle Tanker makes Prime a more "stand and take it while dishing out massive amounts of damage" kinda guy.

Is that cool or what? Nuff said.

What's NOT to like about the Transformers Battle Tanker (Knock-Off Version)?

Well we have to note that this is a knock-off version of the Battle Tanker and because of that there are a few things that we have a problem with.

First off is the minor stuff such as the severe lack of a neck thanks to the replacement head which is higher than the regular head. But I'm pretty sure that we can ignore that little problem. Though a well placed thrust - not slice thanks to his huge shoulder blades - should ensure that Prime loses his head.

Then of course there's the limited mobility of the Battle Tanker's "Heavy Arms" mode.

But the greatest problem facing anyone who wishes to purchase the Knock-Off version of the Transformers Battle Tanker is that it's made out of really cheap plastic. The Battle Tanker' rear support will not lock into place, neither will the sword blades, hilt nor the sword mounting sheath. Everything shown above took a while to properly position and photograph.

But the biggest problem is this:

And this is only after the second transformation. Both support arms eventually fell off. That's PhP 2,500 (Roughly US$ 60 down the drain - the original version cost around PhP 5800 - twice the cost - US$ 138). Not a total waste. I'm going to mount the supports permanently which will prevent me from ever transforming the Battle Tanker again, but at least I'll have a cool figure and the upgrades to the G2 Laser Optimus Prime is something that I still have and will keep.

I had this look before you did Prime.