Yes j/k....I have the original, then premium came out and I got jealous of the new headsculpt, but I prefer the paint scheme on the original, plus I added the reprolabels set and added some more of my own paint apps for more movie accuracy.
ROTF!!!1.....but out of the first movie's Leader Primes, I'd have to say Nightwatch. I really like the deco on him, though I never did get him. I'm actually kinda hoping that the new Leader Prime gets a similar repaint, or I'm somehow able to get ahold of a Movie 1 Nightwatch Prime for cheap
The original has slightly more flame applications than the premium. I have the original, nightwatch and two of premium thanks to some recent wal-mart clearance. The sword can be pretty fun though; satisfying gimmick.
Very close call between Original and Nightwatch, so I went with Nightwatch, as I prefer the colour scheme a bit more. I wasn't fond of the head sculpt on the Premium version and passed on it. For less than the cost of the Premium release, I was able to get the TFClub swords for both Nightwatch and Original Leader Prime, making up for the only 'edge' the Premium release had over those two.
I haven't seen any for at least a couple months now, and they were still regular price then. Only Leaders Target still had when they did the big clearance this year were two Premium Megatrons, and I have no interest in that figure. It also only took them a couple of weeks to get rid of all their clearance stuff. They don't have any Movie figures left. As for TRU, it's just too far away, and too unreliable, to justify a trip over there.
Original. I didn't like the looks of the head on the premium and the Japanese one has godawful chrome. I do really like the Nightwatch one though, it's a cool new idea for a Prime repaint besides Ultra Magnus and Nemesis Prime. The metallic paint is awesome in person.
Battle Mode Optimus Prime (Takara's version of Premium Optimus Prime with chrome). Not on that one. The only toys I've had with flaking chrome were Transmetals. Completely different type of chrome.
Its really hard to top this guy, the Takara MA-21 Premium. The chrome on body & feet does need some extra care if you don't want to scratch them up or oxidized, but it makes a huge difference on the figure in both the bot mode and especially truck mode. If you don't like the bunny ears, just paint the back ears silver, following the movie reference. Its just the all blue plastic made the ears too wide, when part of it should be silver. The ROTF Prime has a good sculpt no doubt. But the color choices and finish is nowhere near this guy on the regular version. Though if Takara releases a Premium version on the ROTF Prime with nicer paint job and good chrome usage, that can change.
I perfer my version. Took the legs and arms off the original, and slapped them on the Permium version.
I would say the original although now that I see the jap version, Ill have to say that one. The paint apps are awesome, and the chrome is in the right place for once. I can't wait for rotf leader Prime but Im really not liking his paint apps. Hopefully the pictures have been of him not fully painted. If not I'll try and wait for the Takara version, but damnit waiting is always so hard.
Not if you have more than four hands to hold all the parts together while you reassemble him. No really, it's not difficult, just tedious having to reassemble all those spring-loaded gear parts inside once you get them all back together. Megatron was even worse.
