The Energon Pub

According to the box pics for Skywarp, it seems that he is just a simple RECOLOR for MP Starscream (Obviously).But, well the head swap feature shows the Starscream smirk while MP Takara Skywarp has the nasty grin. If that's the case and not a simple box pic error, then are we better off with the takara version? Where I come from, the pricing is just the same between the two.

Go with Takara. Hasbro version is missing a butt load of paint apps.

A good question, but since the Takara version is $12 or so LESS than the Hasbro one in my neck of the woods... Kind of a no-brainer for us. :S

The Hasbro version does look really nice, I've seen it over the weekend at my local Walmart.

But considering its going to cost about $70 after taxes you might as well splurge the extra $40ish and get the Takara version. The gloss paint on it looks so good. But if your just looking at the Import version for the extra face, trust me your really not missing much...

In a rare twist of fate we got the Habro version here in the UK, costing me a bout £30-35 LESS than a Takara one would have been, making it pretty much a no-brainer.

User "Kirbenvost" posted a pretty good review and some great photso's, which can be found in the news section, I don't think anyone has done a direct comparsion between the two yet.

Without going to the never ending debate of which version is better but..............Hasbro why o why? Is simply re-using the Takara Skywarp head too expensive for the bottom line? I hope MP-Grimlock won't get shortchanged too (I already know the answer to that...........betcha no chrome then.

fenrir72 wrote:Without going to the never ending debate of which version is better but..............Hasbro why o why? Is simply re-using the Takara Skywarp head too expensive for the bottom line? I hope MP-Grimlock won't get shortchanged too (I already know the answer to that...........betcha no chrome then.

Considering The $150 price tag for MP Grimlock, I kinda hope there actually is a difference of some sort keeping the Takara version the superior of the two.

As for the Skywarp question, I like the Takara one better. The all black jet looks badass while his robot mode still remains pretty G1 accurate. But what makes this an easy decision...if you intend to apply the stickers, you can apply the insignia stickers properly on the Takara one. The Hasbro ones are painted on upside-down! Other than that it seems the biggest difference is the tail fins. The Hasbro is purple with a black stripe, the Takara is black with the option of a purple stripe by applying the stickers. In either case, I think the Takara looks better. I haven't applied the stickers on mine because, again, I think the all black jet looks so badass. Hope that is of help...

Figure 65$ out the door for the Hasbro and 105$ + - depending on shipping for the Takara version and I think the Hasbro one wins..

I got two Skywarp's from WalMart Sun morning and I like it enough to open one up and goof with it, but I'm not sure I would like it nearly as much at nearly twice the price.

Check one out out of the box first and then make your own call.

3.8TransAM wrote:Figure 65$ out the door for the Hasbro and 105$ + - depending on shipping for the Takara version and I think the Hasbro one wins..

I got two Skywarp's from WalMart Sun morning and I like it enough to open one up and goof with it, but I'm not sure I would like it nearly as much at nearly twice the price.

Check one out out of the box first and then make your own call.

I was lucky enought to get my Tak. version for $85 shipped. I think it was probably worth the extra $20.

The OP would have to import the Hasbro version, though, so as he said, it'll cost him about the same for either version...

I decided to order a Takara Skywarp. I like it better in many ways. Even the packaging is a thousand times better, IMO.

Prime Riblet wrote:I decided to order a Takara Skywarp. I like it better in many ways. Even the packaging is a thousand times better, IMO.

That was an area I really couldn't decide on. I've got both the "GreenScreamer" and the Hasbro one, I love the Takara MP boxes, they are sleek and smart and look like a prestige collectable.

On the flip side, especially with the two seekers, the Hasbro one just seems more displayable, especially if you intend to keep it MISB. I really can't make my mind up.

Good point. I really like how the Takara packaging seems less "toy". However, the one I am getting has never been opened and the plastic is still on it.......so, it would be nice to find the Hasbro for display purposes. I am finding that it is just as hard for me to find the Hasbro version, and it is every bit as expensive (since I would have to order/buy it and then have it shipped. Like you say, it could really go both ways. There are advantages with both.

If you plan to use the wing stripes get the Hasbro version since they are tampographed on, while the Takara uses stickers.

If you want to keep it in jet mode, and sans stickers, the Takara version looks absolutely badass with just the jet graphics.

I really don't think the extra face makes a big difference. At least not to me.

If you have the means, get both. One for jet mode, one for bot mode.

Why are the Hasbro masterpiece releases $60 USD? Are they made of plastic and no die-cast?

the black convoy wrote:Why are the Hasbro masterpiece releases $60 USD? Are they made of plastic and no die-cast?

I don't know why they are cheaper, but my Hasbro Starscream has the same diecast parts that my Takara Skywarp has. So no Diecast was cut out of the American release.

That kind of makes me regret never picking up Hasbro's DVD edition of MP-01 3 years ago. I saw it sitting in a Toys R Us but at the time I was not all that into transformers yet and thought a big ass Optimus for $60 USD was stupid. The damn thing was orange! I didn't want some big ass cartoony Optimus. I had no idea what I missed out on.

But that ends this year, when I pick up MP-01B. I was going to order MP-04, but when I learned about MP-01B I had to have that instead.

^ I wouldn't regret not picking up DVD Prime...those colors were hideous! A dark era for Transformers, it was...

On topic, if they're the same price in your area, get the Takara one. Better packaging, way more paint apps, and (if you care) another face.

The Hasbro one is mighty nice though, and for most collectors it's a lot cheaper. I'm almost completely satisfied with mine, and I'm really glad I could get it for $60 instead of $120.

kirbenvost wrote:^ I wouldn't regret not picking up DVD Prime...those colors were hideous! A dark era for Transformers, it was...

Hehe, I'm probably the only one around here who likes the DVD Edition OP. In person, the colours don't look bad to me and seem to be inspired by the G1 cartoon character model. The red used for the plastic and paint is a flat red that resembles the red used in the animation model. For some reason, the red looks orange-red in all the photography I've seen.

I have the MP Skywarp. I went to Wal-Mart with the intention to buy the Hasbro one. Once I had it in my hand I passed on it. I didn't think it looked quite as nice as the MP. I can't really describe why, but it just didn't have that "expensive" look to it.

Convotron wrote:

kirbenvost wrote:^ I wouldn't regret not picking up DVD Prime...those colors were hideous! A dark era for Transformers, it was...

Hehe, I'm probably the only one around here who likes the DVD Edition OP. In person, the colours don't look bad to me and seem to be inspired by the G1 cartoon character model. The red used for the plastic and paint is a flat red that resembles the red used in the animation model. For some reason, the red looks orange-red in all the photography I've seen.

lol, I suppose if you look at it that way, maybe. I still prefer my original release 20th Prime.

rpetras wrote:If you plan to use the wing stripes get the Hasbro version since they are tampographed on, while the Takara uses stickers.

If you want to keep it in jet mode, and sans stickers, the Takara version looks absolutely badass with just the jet graphics.

I really don't think the extra face makes a big difference. At least not to me.

If you have the means, get both. One for jet mode, one for bot mode.

That is good information. I have been looking for MP Skywarp at WM and plan to grab him if I see him. I Really started thinking about what Kirbenvost said earlier, and I really would like to have my MISB MP SW in his package and have another MPSW for display. We'll see what happens......

And I honestly think the Jet mode without the stickers just looks badass.

For appearance, finish, and higher resale price I'd say Takara. If you're gonna bash it around or use it often and if you're on a budget, go for Hasbro! Both are made in China, anyway!