[REVIEW] Richard's Reviews: Armada Optimus Prime Flashlight Keychain

"When freedom is threatened, Optimus Prime is prepared to defend it. Take
the Optimus Prime flashlight keychain with you on your next intergalactic
mission and its beam of light will guide you through battle."


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Many years ago, before Armada, RiD, or Beast Wars, Transformers has a ton of
peripheral merchandise outside of the main toy line. While Japan, Canada,
and a number of other countries continued this tradition after the first two
generations, the US was decidedly void of any sort of party favors,
slippers, or lunch boxes. Armada has changed all that which brings me to the
Optimus Prime flashlight keychain.

Packaged on traditional series one Armada style card, the Optimus Prime
flashlight keychain depicts the Autobot leader in his smaller, cab-only
robot mode. Thankfully, there are more paint applications on the actual
product than the back of the card shows. Gold paint has been applied to
areas of his chest and forearms where the card shows all silver. Overall,
the paint job is very nicely applied, at least on my version.

I was pleasantly surprised to find the Prime does have moving parts. His
arms rotate at the shoulders and his head can turn slightly in both
directions, giving him three points of articulation. Each wheel on his leg
can turn as well, which some might say gives him seven points of
articulation. I guess if the pivoting antenna on Armada Scavenger can be
counted, so can the turning wheels of this flashlight.

The raised portion atop his cab on his back activates the flashlight located
under his feet. Simply press it towards Prime's robot head and the light
turns on. It's a rather weak light however. That may be due to old
batteries. I don't have any spars at resent to test that out.

Overall
This is a neat little trinket at an affordable price, $2.97 at Wal*Mart. If
you like Prime, Armada, or in need of a low-powered flashlight, this is just
what you're looking for. Final Grade: B