Newage Toys H27 David (Legends Scale G1 Optimus Prime) Color Prototype

godotbot

Damn, they look wonderful but the individual bots are important for me. Think I'll go for magic square–really appreciate all the information though guys, can't believe I missed some super obvious stuff

I honestly prefer the NA over the MS, the slight difference in articulation is worth the proportions and playability imo.

Mechman42

‘built like a brick shithouse’ is just a saying where i come from that means buff, they’re definitely not bricks.

when I first started collecting legends, my first figure was the magic square prime. My copy was a floppy mess and a piece snapped off on the second transformation.
More like Broke Shithouse.

Magic Square's Constructicons are certainly bulkier with more heroic proportions but I would hardly say they are build like bricks.

View attachment 30161637 View attachment 30161638

Mechman42

NA also has more animation-accurate lankier proportions, while MS are built like brick shithouses.

They’re both very toon overall. MS has the faux wheel bumps on individual bots that NA doesn’t have as a point for MS. They also don’t have any wrist gaps. But I would say NA combined is more toon accurate.
It doesn’t really enter into consideration for me though, and toon accuracy wasn’t something the OP was asking about.

godotbot

…I’ll just ask one question before I derail everything—how does the articulation compare in your eyes for the individual bots? That was a big thing holding me back, along with them all being a bit lanky, especially long haul. To stay somewhat on topic, a shot of the individual bots with optimus would be sick if you can swing it

The articulation on the individual MS bots is much better imo, NA hook in particular suffers quite a bit with no neck articulation.
IMO the individual MS bots are much better, but I prefer NA for combined because it’s rock solid and more like an action figure. NA is also a lot more fun to flip back and forth imo.
I have both and keep MS as individual bots with NA combined.

godotbot

…I’ll just ask one question before I derail everything—how does the articulation compare in your eyes for the individual bots? That was a big thing holding me back, along with them all being a bit lanky, especially long haul. To stay somewhat on topic, a shot of the individual bots with optimus would be sick if you can swing it

The articulation is very nice on all of them but Hook – he can’t move his head.

View attachment 30161366 View attachment 30161367 View attachment 30161368

daimchoc

Nice pics! Though, would have been nice to insert David into those pics to conform to the thread title.  

updated

godotbot

Truly want to thank everyone in this thread for getting back to me, and this really thorough reply in particular. I did like the look of the newage prime most in terms of the paint being so crisp on all of his variations, though I love the MS articulation. Legends scale collecting is all very new to me, since I got sort of frustrated with mainline G1 figures in particular, and the idea of getting a sort of definitive version with a small footprint so that I can actually enjoy the big guys seems super sppealing. I haven't gotten any yet, and I feel like Prime may set the standard. I was hoping to mix lines, especially since I love the look of the individual constructicons (though that's still something I'm debating, jeez), but was thinking about leaning newage just cause I heard they have excellent QC and are more fun to actually play with (am VERY worried about paint chipping though, but I'll probably keep most of my guys in robot mode so hopefully won't be a huge issue).

Honestly, maybe I'll give MS Optimus another look over, he does look very nice, and I don't think I see myself getting newage megs–deffo love the idea of a shattered glass display though, so I'll need to figure it out. Thank you all of you once again for the information guys!

no need to worry about paint chipping in NA Devastator, the NA Devy is unpainted!!

Comparatively, he’s the more stable of the combiners between the two, and their individual robot modes are excellent and easy to switch between all their modes:

View attachment 30160576

View attachment 30160528 View attachment 30160529 View attachment 30160530 View attachment 30160531 View attachment 30160532 View attachment 30160533 View attachment 30160534 View attachment 30160535 View attachment 30160536 View attachment 30160537 View attachment 30160538 View attachment 30160539

godotbot

Truly want to thank everyone in this thread for getting back to me, and this really thorough reply in particular. I did like the look of the newage prime most in terms of the paint being so crisp on all of his variations, though I love the MS articulation. Legends scale collecting is all very new to me, since I got sort of frustrated with mainline G1 figures in particular, and the idea of getting a sort of definitive version with a small footprint so that I can actually enjoy the big guys seems super sppealing. I haven't gotten any yet, and I feel like Prime may set the standard. I was hoping to mix lines, especially since I love the look of the individual constructicons (though that's still something I'm debating, jeez), but was thinking about leaning newage just cause I heard they have excellent QC and are more fun to actually play with (am VERY worried about paint chipping though, but I'll probably keep most of my guys in robot mode so hopefully won't be a huge issue).

Honestly, maybe I'll give MS Optimus another look over, he does look very nice, and I don't think I see myself getting newage megs–deffo love the idea of a shattered glass display though, so I'll need to figure it out. Thank you all of you once again for the information guys!

If you are new to Legends it may be worth simply buying one figure from each NA and MS and judging them for yourself in hand (whether the same character or not). There are somethings you simply can't judge until you do that, such has how you feel about the tactile feeling of MS' nylon plastic. No one can tell you how you will feel about that unfortunately, and the very start of collecting is the best time to test the options to make a more informed decision going forward. Some people love the durability of the nylon and the feel doesn't bother them (I don't think I've seen anyone compliment the feel), some people just loathe the physical feeling of the nylon.

My personal recommendation for doing that is to pick a favorite character you wouldn't mind having a spare of (if both companies have done one of them for you), but selling the one that lost out is also an option.

EDIT: Also worth noting that the Autobot cars are scaled differently between the companies. NA scaled them more in line with the scale chart and what Takara did at MP. MS scaled the carbots larger compared to other characters which many people (myself included) feel they were more often portrayed as in the cartoon.

RameezTheElite

If you have an active legend collection, then go with the Prime that will fit the Aesthetic e.g. if you collect NA, go newage.

If you are set on Newage Prime, then I recommend the toon deco V2 for the best play value, comes with all the accessories you'd want and need plus the trailer. Cool thing about the NA primes is that they all come with the swappable hands, energon axe, and gun. If you are looking for a Prime, and not just the mold, then you have 5 options: Toon, Comic, G1 Toy, Youth and Metallic.

Toon: Double jointed elbow bend, gets you better articulation. Trailer, two different head sculpts, fully painted except the thighs. It's only 10-15 dollars more so it's well worth the price IMO.
Comic: Totally different Aesthetic, has shiny paint, and more of it compared to toon. Only get this one if you dig the Comic book look.
Toy: fully painted, has the most details of them all, AND includes a G1 deco trailer. Best bang for your buck other than the toon, but it depends on your choice of aesthetics. If you live the original G1 toys vs the G1 cartoon, then this is the one for you. It’s an excellent homage
Youth: Unpainted version except for minor paint applications where needed, best for if you don't want to worry about scuffing or being rough with your toys. this one LACKS the double elbow bend FYI
Metallic: Fully chrome painted, similar to the comic venison, it has a totally different aesthetic, but it does give it a premium look to it. Paint is more detailed as well on the accents.

My personal opinion: Get the toon, it's the quintessential version of Optimus Prime.

If you are looking for a standalone Prime for your collection, then it's either NA or MS. MS prime is a good bang for your buck as well.

MS:
+Slightly Better articulation, particularly in the forward butterfly joint
+More hands and accessories
-/+Better proportions from a certain point of view, depends on which Aesthetic of prime you like. MS looks more like some scenes from the 1986 Movie prime. Newage looks more like the 84-85 G1 cartoon in come aspects.
-/+ more transformation steps. If you like simple and effective transformations, NA is the way to go. If you enjoy MP level engineering at legends scale, MS is the way to go. (I will comment that MS does have some clearance issues when transforming.)
-Lack of paint, Details are less sharp

NA:
+Paint is superb, brings out the details and really gives the impression that he was ripped right off the screen (The paint somewhat mirrors a similar effect to the G1 cartoon style)
+Joint tolerances are peak. MS has the issue with the Nylon affecting joints not moving as smoothly as NA's plastics
+Premium quality feel
+10/10 head sculpt, really looks like Prime is alive right in front of you
-Controversial chest design, I do not mind it at all but people have complained about the noticeable gap in the chest.
-Arm articulation is not limited by any means, but MS prime's butterfly joint really allows him to pull off certain poses like holding his gun with two hands very naturally. NA Prime has some difficulty in pulling off some of those poses but he can still do 95% of what you want him to do with the articulation present.

Hope this helps! (Just one man's opinion)

I will note that only some releases of MS prime include more alternate hands. Some include none at all, for some reason.