Titans Return Orion Pax Toy Review

Class - Deluxe. Part of a 2 pack of Transformers Evolution Tribute pack

Commentary-

I gotta do this to start. Spoiler alert for a 33 year old story element, before Optimus Prime was Optimus Prime, he was known as Orion Pax. In G1, Orion was a warehouse owner who was almost killed by Megatron and rebuilt as Optimus Prime. In TF Prime, Orion Pax was Optimus before he got the Matrix and he was an archivist. In IDW, he was a soldier before getting the Matrix and becoming Optimus Prime. There was a 2 pack that came out towards the end of Titans Return that had a reissue of the Deluxe WFC Optimus and a retool of TR Kup who was Orion Pax. It was a little pricey if you didn't get it when it first came out, but I found it for a steal and I picked it up.

Bot Mode-

This specific Orion Pax doesn't look like any previous version. From the neck down, he is exactly the same as Titans Return Kup (see review here for a more in depth review of the articulation) but his Titan Master Head is a new head that I really like. Again, it doesn't really look like anything we've gotten in G1 or Prime or IDW, but it hits the right notes to me. He is primarily red and blue with a clear blue canopy for his chest. He has the elite guard Autobot Logo on him and that was first created during Animated I think.

Transformation-

I like Orion Pax's transformation, it is a bit unique and challenging enough where it is fun. His transformation kind of reminds me of a Transformers Prime transformation because a lot of things fold up like the back half of the truck folds and compresses to form his lower legs. For complexity, I rate it a 6.25 out of 10. For fun a 7 out of 10.

Vehicle Mode-

Orion's vehicle mode is identical to Kup's. I really like Kup's vehicle mode, so by proxy I like Orion's. He is a Futuristic/Cybertronian pick up truck that keeps the same colors as the robot mode. The Titan Master can sit in the cockpit.

Accessories-

Like Kup (and most other Titans Return figures) I am really unhappy with the accessories that Orion Pax comes with. Most TR figures come with this weirdly engineered gun that can turn into a chair for the Titan Master. I hate it and I gave it away to a friend. But Orion comes in a 2 pack with an Optimus Prime that has a really good gun, so I give Orion that weapon. Also, in the Thrillin 30's era of Generations figures, there was an Orion Pax which looked more IDW and he came with an axe. I picked up that axe on ebay on it's own and I like it a lot.

3rd Party Add Ons-

There are no specific add on kits for Orion Pax, but Matrix Workshop made the G1 Ion Cannon that Optimus Prime had in 3 different sizes, for a deluxe figure, a voyager figure and a leader sized figure. I got the one for a deluxe figure for Orion.

Pros-

If you like Kup, you will like Orion Pax. He is a really fun figure that has two very solid modes and good articulation.

Cons-

Not the best accessories, but that can be remedied easily (And cheaply).

Grade-

Orion Pax is a really fun figure that I enjoy tremendously. Although I can understand if people wanted to skip him because he isn't the most well known version of Optimus Prime. I rate him 7.5 out of 10

Retools and Repaints-

Titans Return Kup

Takara Legends Kup