Lego added to its burgeoning series of Transformers 2-in-1 convertible models this month with a 1,505-piece Soundwave build. Unsurprisingly, the arrival of the first Decepticon Lego set created a surge of interest for Lego Icons: Optimus Prime and Bumblebee. The 1,508-piece Optimus Prime Lego figure sold out everywhere at the end of July, which has substantially inflated reseller prices. But Transformers fans don’t need to overpay for Lego Optimus Prime, as Amazon just restocked its inventory and is offering a $10 discount. The $170 deal price isn’t nearly as good as the $144 offer you could find before Soundwave joined the series, but it’s a lot better than recent prices.
Amazon is likely to sell out of the Optimus Prime deal. When that happens, check Target to see if the $173 offer is still in stock. The Autobot leader is out of stock at Walmart and on backorder from the Lego Store.
Lego Icons: Bumblebee is still out of stock at Amazon, but you can grab the 950-piece Autobot build for $86 (was $90) at Walmart. The new Transformers 2-in-1 Soundwave Lego set is exclusive to the Lego Store and in stock for $190.
$170 (was $180) | Restocked on August 20
Optimus Prime is a highly detailed model of the Autobot leader’s G1-era design. With 19 points of articulation, you can create an wide range of poses by adjusting his limbs in robot mode. Lego’s detailed scale-model of the G1-era Optimus Prime is essentially a 13.5-inch action figure. You certainly don’t want to be rough with it, but it has more movable components than you’d normally expect with Lego thanks to its 2-in-1 design.
Switching from robot to truck mode and back again is a relatively straightforward process. At first, the switch might take you a couple minutes, but once you have the steps memorized, it’s possible to convert the build in less than a minute.
Beyond its ability to completely transform, Optimus has a suite of interactive features and accessories that make it one of the most dynamic builds in Lego’s lineup of collectible sets for adults. Brick-built replicas of the ion blaster and Energon axe can be attached to his hands. You can easily fasten or remove his jetpack and swap between two different waist panels. The dual windows covering his chest can be swung open to access the Matrix of Leadership artifact. It also comes with an Energon cube and an information plaque to display alongside the model.
Lego makes a ton of vehicle display models, so it’s pretty remarkable that Optimus Prime’s “secondary” truck mode looks good enough that you could mistake it as a vehicle that doesn’t transform into a robot. When displayed as a truck, Optimus is 10.5 x 4.5 x 5.5 inches.
Like many other Lego sets geared toward adults and collectors, Optimus Prime has a more complex build process than the average set. An ample variety of conventional bricks and unique piece types makes it a thoroughly rewarding set to construct. Depending on your experience with Lego sets of this size, it could take you anywhere from three to six hours to complete.
$86 (was $90)
After two years of talking to himself and converting into a truck to take long, aimless drives, one of Optimus Prime’s pals finally joined him in the brick-built world of Lego last summer.
Lego’s 950-piece Bumblebee kit has yet to receive a big discount, but this comparatively smaller buildable figure is one of the coolest Lego sets under $100. It has numerous points of articulation, and you can quickly transform the Autobot from robot to car.
Bumblebee is 9.5 inches tall in robot mode and 8.5 inches long in vehicle mode. Lego based the design on the character’s look in the 1980s. Bumblebee comes with a detachable ion blaster, jetpack, and information plaque.
$190 | Released on August 4
The latest Transformers Lego set marks the arrival of the Decepticons. Soundwave is a 1,505-piece, 13-inch display model, so it’s roughly the same size as Optimus Prime in height and piece count.
Like the other two Transformers builds, Soundwave is based on his appearance during the G1 era. Instead of transforming into a vehicle, this 2-in-1 build can be converted into a boombox. Fittingly, it has sound effects and lines of dialogue that can be heard by pressing Soundwave’s play button.
Another unique aspect here is that there are buildable figures of Ravage and Laserbeak. And just like Soundwave, these smaller figures can transform. After converting Ravage and Laserbeak into cassettes, they can be stored inside Soundwave’s cassette deck.
A brick-built information plaque details Soundwave’s technical specifications (power statistics). A miniature cassette tape sits next to the reference card.
Soundwave launched August 4 as a Lego Store-exclusive, but just like Optimus, it should be available at major retailers in the coming months.