are there any differences at all between the north american walmart release of masterpiece starscream verses the japanese version that was released later? i have been trying to look this up for ages with no conclusive results. can anyone help me out with this. thanks
I've got both and I haven't really noticed any difference actually. The box is the same almost exactly, excluding a single sticker difference on each box (ie the walmart exclusive one in the states and the blue sticker of a jet on the japanese one). Otherwise I think they are essentially identical.
From what I understand of the differences: The Wal Mart Starscream is the 'dirty' version of the mold, with a subtle black wash, and some paint apps to imply dirt or use to break up the whiteness of the mold. Unlike some other attempts by Hasbro to 'dirty up' a mold, this actually works quite well, and is fairly subtle. The Japanese version is the 'clean' version. The Wal Mart Screamer red chest pieces and intakes are red plastic that leans a bit towards the orange, while (I believe) the Japanese Starscream has his red parts painted. As far as I know, this is ALL the difference between the molds.
I haven't had an opportunity to fully examine the Japanese version, but I actually think that the Japanese version is based off of the Skywarp figure, which has a few subtle improvements. There are fold-out sections under the machine guns (those weird dangly pieces in 'bot mode attached to the intakes). On the original and Wal-Mart versions, those tabs don't really fold out at all. You just have to pull outwards on them so that they can barely slip past the parts they'd otherwise interfere with. On Skywarp, and the USA Edition Starscream that I handled very briefly, those tabs can fold out cleanly, with little resistance. And if that's any indication, then USA Edition Starscream's torso might lock down more solidly. On the original and Wal-Mart 'Screamer, the torso slides into place, held mostly with friction and gravity, such that holding the toy upside down can cause the cockpit/head piece to slide out of place. On Skywarp, something was modified with the mold, because the cockpit seems to nestle down more comfortably, not so much locking, but subtly clicking into place at least, so that it doesn't slide as freely. USA Edition might have this improvement, too. And yeah, finally the pointy versus rounded wing tips.
Actually, I have all the versions of the mold, from Greenscream to Thundercracker, and on every single version of mine they've folded out without difficulty. I'm not sure of that. My Greenscream DOES have that subtle 'click' to it that allows it to lock into place, and I THINK my Skywarp has it too, but my Starscream and Thundercracker do NOT. Not that it makes a huge difference.
thanks for the help. if anyone else notices more differences that would help. i think i may pass on it as there isnt enough differences to keep it.
There is no clean version they both have the same amount of weathering. There is no real decipherable difference between them. Its called the US Edition because it's the same thing we got.
This is untrue. While neither version is "pristine", the Japanese one is cleaner than the US version, including not having the weathering hide the fact that the nosecone is actually blue.
i gave in and opened my jap version and examined them side to side carefully. the only difference is the pointy wing tips and very minor differences in weathering. the jet nose is not blue like what others have said. with that said im selling my jap one off since the walmart one was a lot cheaper.
Yeah I had some other questions also about the plastic difference between the Hasbro USA and Takara USA edition of this figure (see this thread http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/trans...takara-masterpiece-stascream-usa-edition.html) but it seems that (thankfully) neither of the 2 suffers from that flimsy plastic problem that plagued the original MP-03, yeah it seems they are the same (thankfully again), except for the decepticon logo in the nose, the weathering and the pointy ends of the horizontal stabilator. Hey SOKAR, since i see you have both could you tell me if you see any difference between the plastic on both versions?, thanks. Sent you a PM, hope that's ok.
yeah man if i read the other thread. i wouldve never opened my jap one to inspect. ive sold it off already. the plastic quality looked the same to me as the north american version.
Hey Polenicus, since you have all the versions of the mould, could you let us know what's the feeling of the plastic of the Original MP-03 compared to the other versions of it (any other version), I'm thinking of trying to get one of the MP-03 edition and a Thundercracker (I like the colors). How much sturdier does the plastic from the later moulds (the USA editions) feel compared to the MP-03. Thanks.
Does anyone have a picture of both versions side by side (just aircraft mode is fine)? I thought that I would 'invest' my Christmas bonus on a MP Animated Starscream. Being in the UK, where we pay about 40% more for standard release figures - forget about Walmart exclusives, I am finding it difficult to get hold of one, or know which version is on sale (via eBay). Most sellers just respond that this is the 'US version' but that doesnt answer the question. Right now, I know that one has a heavier/darker dirt wash, pointy wings, etc... but I have no idea what this actually means or looks like. Thanks.
