The Transformers MPG-17 Optimus Prime Style Gen. would have become the best MP-10 replacement in the Masterpiece line if not for a design issue with the hip and shoulder ratchets. It cannot pose without either standing stiffly or splaying its legs widely. Thankfully, there’s a solution if you are not afraid to roll up your sleeves.
This solution is actually part of an upcoming aftermarket upgrade kit by third-party manufacturer DNA Design. For the uninitiated, DNA Design offers solutions to “flaws” in original Hasbro Transformers figures. It makes add-on parts to improve the look and playability of the official toys. It makes stuff like gap fillers to fill out ugly empty spaces in the figures’ limbs and torsos, adds components to make them look more screen-accurate, and also boosts playability with accessories like weapons and more.
Its latest and possibly most anticipated upgrade is the DNA Design DK-88 MPG-17 Upgrade Kit. However, solving the ratchet issue is one of the perks of the kit, not the main feature. For some reason, DNA Design found the MPG-17 overly vanilla and decided it deserved to be beefed up.
Taking inspiration from Optimus Prime combining with Jetfire—which is a recurring theme in many continuities, btw—to gain flight and, sometimes, more firepower, the kit provides the MPG-17 with additional armor that integrates seamlessly with the existing figure. Clearly, DNA Design has taken inspiration from Revenge of the Fallen’s Jetwing Optimus Prime because the kit looks like parts of the SR-71 Blackbird, which was Jetfire’s alt mode in the movie.
The kit beefs up Optimus’s shoulders, arms, legs, chest, and abs with armor. In the process, it boosts the figure’s height from 24.5 cm to 29.5 cm. It also includes the all-important jet engines with wings—albeit tiny ones, which really should be larger—and an all-new weapon.
DNA Design claims that the additional armor does not interfere with the figure’s original posability. Not only that, it is throwing in joint/ratchet replacement parts that will allow for a free range of sideways leg movement. So, dear old Prime will not have to choose between standing-stiff Prime and wide-splay Prime. It also has a solution for the shoulders, which suffer from the same problem.
In addition, DNA Design will also be releasing an optional weapon set (DK-88W) as a preorder exclusive for fans who want a dual-gun-wielding Optimus Prime. The MPG-17 figure is, of course, not included.
Anyhoo, obviously, the add-on parts cannot take part in the transformation process. They can, however, be stored in vehicle mode. The separately sold optional weapon cannot be stored with the standard upgrade kit set, though.
The DNA Design DK-88 MPG-17 Upgrade Kit is available to order from major toy retailers, including Big Bad Toy Store, for about US$68.99. The optional weapon is also available to order for US$9.90. The preorder campaign is set to close on September 30. Shipping is expected to happen sometime in December 2026.
Images: Facebook (@dnadesign.dna).
