My LG-EX Beast Wars figures arrived this morning!
As promised, I've got some comparison pics with the previous Takara Tomy releases of these molds. Unfortunately, I sold off my Hasbro versions a while back, so I don't have any in-hand comparison pictures with those versions. Note that for all comparison pictures below, the figure on the left is the original Takara Tomy release, while the figure on the right is the LG-EX release. Without further ado, though, here they are, starting with...
Rattrap (Beast Mode)
Rattrap (Robot Mode)
Rattrap is definitely the least changed of the three. The most obvious difference is that the rat's eyes are now black, to better match Rattrap's on-screen beast mode. There are a few other subtle differences, though. The plastic color for the "fleshy" parts of rattrap, like his paws, is slightly more saturated with pink in the LG-EX version. Likewise, the tan painted parts are every so slightly more saturated with orange. This is easiest to see on Rattrap's robot face and thighs. Finally, the red paint used for Rattrap's robot mouth and eyes is exactly the same shade on the LG-EX version, whereas the previous Transformers Legends release used a darker red for the eyes than the mouth. The matching reds, unsurprisingly, are more screen accurate. There doesn't seem to be much of a difference with the gray plastic used for the rat body of each figure, nor the brown fur highlights on their rumps. For me, the LG-EX version's colors just pop that much better. I switched the rat heads on my two figures to give the LG-EX version screen accurate red rat eyes for robot mode, which is the more important mode to me in terms of accuracy.
Waspinator (Beast Mode)
Waspinator (Robot Mode)
Waspinator has really stepped it up quite a bit with the LG-EX release. The "paint mask" (e.g., the paint operations layout) between both versions is basically identical. The only difference are with the plastic and paint colors, each being lighter, more saturated, and more accurate to Waspinator's screen appearance. The LG-EX release is missing most of the shiny metallic plastic and paint apps, going for a more glossy look instead. The light green, yellow, and medium browns match up extremely well with the original cartoon. The wings are exactly the same, giving a wonderful iridescent effect, like actual insect wings. There is ONE change to the paint mask between the two. The LG-EX version, like the show counterpart, has yellow and black striping on his robot mode head antennae. They are simply left plain gold on the earlier release.
Rhinox (Beast Mode)
Rhinox (Robot Mode)
Last, but certainly not least, we have Rhinox! I think Waspinator gets the "most improved" award, but Rhinox is certainly a contender for that accolade. The LG-EX beast skin is no longer metallic and shiny, going instead for a glossy look that's a bit more natural for an organic rhinoceros. The beast mode eyes are white with black pupils now, instead of just black, again matching the show character model that much better. The rubbery "rump" part on the back matches the harder plastic parts of the body much better now with the LG-EX release. The rhino horn and toe nails are also a slightly lighter shade or bronze now. For the robot mode, there are a few subtle differences that look fantastic, like painting the rhino gums pink. It really is a spectacular little detail to include this time around. Gone are the dark green paint apps on the robot mode forearms. Those were, I believe, a detail of the original toy, but doing without them is more show accurate. The coloring on the robot mode chest bits that flank the lower rhino jaw are also different. The original release paints those robot bits in gold with black trim, while the LG-EX version paints them the same green to match his other robot mode parts. Since these parts are an embellishment on the original show character model, the green technically is more "accurate" simply because it better blends in with the rest of the robot bits and can be overlooked.
Here's a look at the boxes these guys came in:
These boxes are no-frills. Obviously, they are in black in white, which is a common trope for Takara Tomy exclusive figures. Inside, each figure is wrapped in a plastic baggy and secured in the box with a simple cardboard framework. It's basically a folded sheet or cardboard with holes in a few places where each figure is just kinda "crammed" in. Waspinator and Rhinox are boxed in robot mode, for the most part, while Rattrap is boxed in beast mode. Also, of note, apparently Rattrap, according to the box, is an Autobot! Rhinox is properly identified as a Maximal and Waspinator as a Predacon, however. Check the second pic with the "LG-EX" labels. Rattrap is also the victim of some bad Romanization, being named "Rattorp" on the front of his box. Oops! He's correctly named "Rattrap" in the instructions, however.
Thanks for taking a look. If anyone interested in these LG-EX Beast Wars figures has any questions for me, I'll be happy to answer them!
... Looks like Takara is going to be the cheapest option. 
