Which Maximal transforms into a gorilla in Beast Wars?

Optimus Primal is the Maximal who transforms into a gorilla in Beast Wars.

He is the commander of the Maximal exploration vessel Axalon and the central leader of the Beast Wars animated series. When the Axalon crash-lands on a prehistoric planet, its Transformers scan local animals for protective alternate modes. Optimus Primal chooses a gorilla form, while Cheetor becomes a cheetah, Rhinox becomes a rhinoceros, and Rattrap becomes a rat.

Optimus Primal is not the same character as Optimus Prime, although he is a later-generation Maximal and takes his name from the original Autobot leader. Their connection becomes especially important when the Predacon Megatron attacks the original Optimus Prime’s spark. Primal carries that spark within himself temporarily, producing the powerful Optimal Optimus form before returning it.

The word “Maximal” identifies the Beast Wars descendants of the Autobots, while “Predacon” identifies the descendants of the Decepticons. That distinction helps separate Primal from Beast Wars’ other leaders and combatants. Silverbolt is a Maximal associated with a bird-based Fuzor form, and Rhinox’s beast mode is a rhinoceros—not a gorilla.