Best/best value G1 Optimus Prime reissue?

So, I've managed to get most of the G1 Transformers I'm after (for the moment) as Encore or TFC. The plan is to set up a four level display cabinet with;
1) Galvatron/Galvatron II (Galvatron II in cannon mode)
2) Soundwave Encore/Soundblaster Encore (Soundwave in robot mode)
3) Blaster TFC/Twincast Encore (Twincast in robot mode)
4) Megatron TFC/a version of Optimus Prime (both in robot mode for size concerns)

Now, I can easily source a Twincast, and the rest (besides prime) are already purchased. However G1 Prime has had that many reissues, and will be displayed loose, so I'm looking for advice on the best/best value options to get...

I've figured that the TFC Prime with the energon mace would be the best to go for, but I'd rather spend significantly less.

What thoughts do you guys have on the 2012 Hasbro G1 OP? It has tampographs on the shoulders, doesn't it (a plus in my eyes)? It's also significantly cheaper than some other options.

Obviously, the smokestacks are a bit of a concern, but I can deal with that. However, is there a 3rd party replacement part available?

Is there something I'm not aware of or thinking of that might offer a better solution?

Thanks in advance!

IMO the best prime is the New Years prime with the blue windows and your choice of guns. Can get a bit pricey though due to limited numbers.

Cool shelving idea! The best (not cheapest) reissues I've heard of are..
- TFC01
- New Years version

I'm probably leaning towards the 2012 Hasbro release at this point, purely for price. Money saved on this is money spent on Masterpiece releases...

Which one is 2012 Hasbro? MP-10?

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Originally Posted by jazzcomp

Which one is 2012 Hasbro? MP-10?

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Nah, a G1 reissue, shortened stacks. AFAIK, its the Universe (+DVD) release without the extra stuff. Just the equivalent of what was in the original 80s toy, modified for safety reasons.

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Originally Posted by millhouse

Nah, a G1 reissue, shortened stacks. AFAIK, its the Universe (+DVD) release without the extra stuff. Just the equivalent of what was in the original 80s toy, modified for safety reasons.

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So it is not Pinkimus Prime where the front of the cab is a distinctly lighter red/pink? Good. Unless you could swap the pink out i would avoid it.

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Originally Posted by Deonasis

So it is not Pinkimus Prime where the front of the cab is a distinctly lighter red/pink? Good. Unless you could swap the pink out i would avoid it.

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Which release was Pinktimus Prime? I can't find a whole lot of info about the 2012 reissue, and a couple of the YouTube reviews have awful lighting.

http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/transf...s-reissue.html is the thread on the actual version I'm looking at buying.

Cannot for the life of my figure out which version of the ion cannon he comes with... Not that it's a deal breaker, but does anyone know?

The only two Hasbro reissues i'd recommend would be:

1990 Reissue- the closest to the orignal release
2002 Commemorative reissue. Although this has the short smoke stacks and safety requirement elongated missiles, it's colours for the cab & trailer arebetter than the 25th Anniversary version and the 2012 rererelease of the 2002 commemorative.

For the ion axe there's the 00 TFC Version or aftermarket accessories.

If you're not too fussed about the ion axe and/or trailer you could consider
Encore release
Music label G1 coloured convoy. This features blue windows, a new head sculpt on a ball joint and the trailer converts to an ipod dock
DOTM Chronicle series release which features the G1 & movie deluxe versions together with a DOTM trailer that fits both.

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Originally Posted by Sinnertwin

The only two Hasbro reissues i'd recommend would be:
1990 Reissue- the closest to the orignal release
2002 Commemorative reissue. Although this has the short smoke stacks and safety requirement elongated missiles, it's colours for the cab & trailer arebetter than the 25th Anniversary version and the 2012 rererelease of the 2002 commemorative.

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I've been reading that the 2012 release is similar/the same as the 2-pack with movie Prime, in which case, colour-wise, I'm happy. I'm not terribly worried as to how accurate the colours are (particularly since one of my favourites is the cartoon movie-coloured Galvatron) as long as they're correct in a broad sense.

And the cab isn't pink.

Ideally, I'd rather have tampos than stickers for Prime's shoulders too.

If you just want Optimus himself, and not the trailer stuff, you should be able to pick up the DOTM Chronicles set pretty cheap.

It gives you a G1 Optimus with the essential accessories, and a nicely painted DOTM Optimus with trailer for you to throw in the trash.

It's also the right colour, and not pink.

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Originally Posted by Cat

If you just want Optimus himself, and not the trailer stuff, you should be able to pick up the DOTM Chronicles set pretty cheap.

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Unfortunately, I'm definitely after the full trailer, but I think the 2012 version is a nice compromise for what I'm wanting, and what I'm willing to spend.

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It gives you a G1 Optimus with the essential accessories, and a nicely painted DOTM Optimus with trailer for you to throw in the trash.

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How on earth did you know that's exactly what I would do?!?!?

Call it intuition. ;)

I should mention that the trailer can actually be used with either Optimus figure, although it's not the original G1 trailer.

He is the same colour as the Encore version, which is a slightly lighter red, IIRC, but only slightly. Nothing like Pinkimus.

I've seen the 2012 reissue IRL and it's basically Pinkimus repackaged. I wouldn't recommend it. I reckon go for Encore Convoy. As the most recent TakaraTOMY reissue (AFAIK) it ought to be the easiest and cheapest to find.

Just got a MISB Encore Convoy off ebay for $100 last week. That will be the easiest long stack version to get.

As someone who is very concerned about KO's I'll point out that any "reissue" thats in what looks exactly the same as G1 packaging (Styrofoam insert, box with the old Hasbro logo it) is a KO. Actual reissues have some minor variation in packaging.

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Originally Posted by GoktimusPrime

I've seen the 2012 reissue IRL and it's basically Pinkimus repackaged. I wouldn't recommend it. I reckon go for Encore Convoy. As the most recent TakaraTOMY reissue (AFAIK) it ought to be the easiest and cheapest to find.

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Chronicles is more recent.

Debatable what it counts as though, with no G1 trailer and a slightly different tow-hitch thingie.

I'm not too worried about the stacks, but the colour of the cab... "Pinkimus" sounds rather ominous.

Anyone know a good resource online to compare... say, original vs encore vs the most recent Hasbro releases?

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Originally Posted by millhouse

I'm not too worried about the stacks, but the colour of the cab... "Pinkimus" sounds rather ominous.

Anyone know a good resource online to compare... say, original vs encore vs the most recent Hasbro releases?

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There might be a better comparison site but tfu.info is alright.

Here is Pinkimus (25th Annversary version): http://www.tfu.info/2008/Autobot/25t...timusprime.htm
This is why you should not get him: http://www.seibertron.com/transforme...ry/1598/1/169/

Here is New Year's Convoy: http://www.tfu.info/2002/Cybertron/N...y/nyconvoy.htm

Seibertron galleries also have a few if you weed out the G1 versions: http://www.seibertron.com/toys/index...&Submit=Search

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Originally Posted by millhouse

I'm not too worried about the stacks, but the colour of the cab... "Pinkimus" sounds rather ominous.

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As Sam Witwicky once said, "It's custom faded?!" ;)

Thanks for all the info!

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Originally Posted by Deonasis

There might be a better comparison site but tfu.info is alright.

Here is Pinkimus (25th Annversary version): http://www.tfu.info/2008/Autobot/25t...timusprime.htm
This is why you should not get him: http://www.seibertron.com/transforme...ry/1598/1/169/

Here is New Year's Convoy: http://www.tfu.info/2002/Cybertron/N...y/nyconvoy.htm

Seibertron galleries also have a few if you weed out the G1 versions: http://www.seibertron.com/toys/index...&Submit=Search

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For the price you would pay for a reissue have you considered getting an original?

dont listen to them the pinkamus prime ain that bad. i have two and am quite happy with them

i can post a comparison pic of a g1 and pinky if you would like?

Theres a Encore Prime just listed on Ebay in the last day, I wouldn't go for it. It looks nice and minty at first glance but he is asking way to much for it at $140 (opened) when this release is only worth ~$100 sealed (frequent reissues have dropped the price) and Roller is missing from the pictures.

I'm looking to get an Op myself and I have to say I'm attracted to the 2012 reissue. Honestly, by looking at the picture Gok has kindly provided, I don't see much difference. Close enough for me.

Any QC issues with any releases?

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Originally Posted by The_Damned

i can post a comparison pic of a g1 and pinky if you would like?

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That would be great!

Apologies for the camera phone photos :o
Here are some comparison images of some other Primes, in addition to The Damned's . While not the best, you can get a rough idea of the colours used on Prime and his trailer

2002 reissue top
2012 reissue bottom

http://i1335.photobucket.com/albums/...psdbe8ecf0.jpg

Encore top
New Year bottom

http://i1335.photobucket.com/albums/...ps73a8dfab.jpg

Music Label top
15th Ann. bottom

http://i1335.photobucket.com/albums/...ps34eb962f.jpg

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Originally Posted by Sinnertwin

Here are some comparison images of some other Primes, in addition to The Damned's . While not the best, you can get a rough idea of the colours used on Prime and his trailer

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Hmm... I'm thinking Encore atm because of a) the lack of US safety measures, and b) tampos for the faction logos. They are tampos, correct?

Otherwise, I'm thinking of the 2012 version for pure price.

Didn't know about the 2012 reissue. How much was that?

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Originally Posted by millhouse

Hmm... I'm thinking Encore atm because of a) the lack of US safety measures, and b) tampos for the faction logos. They are tampos, correct?

Otherwise, I'm thinking of the 2012 version for pure price.

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Yes, they are tampos

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Originally Posted by jazzcomp

Didn't know about the 2012 reissue. How much was that?

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About $55 from RK before shipping.

No local release?

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Originally Posted by jazzcomp

No local release?

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Only the 2002 version which we saw here at TRU.

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Originally Posted by Sinnertwin

Encore top
New Year bottom

http://i1335.photobucket.com/albums/...ps73a8dfab.jpg

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I've got to look more often on ebay for a New Years Convoy just for that Action Master.

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Originally Posted by DELTAprime

I've got to look more often on ebay for a New Years Convoy just for that Action Master.

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"Giddy up!" http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y22...ps6ad604e0.jpg ;) :p :D

NOt sure about my memory, but I believe Skyshadow had a New year's convoy for sale in the Parra fair... unless Im mistaken. If he hasn't been able to sell it there, mebbe he might sell it to you direct DELTAPrime. PM him if it is .

By sheer happenstance, I came across both a Hasbro Commemorative Edition (for $150) MISB or a Universe 25th Anniversary MIB (for $65).

Needless to say, I went for the Universe 25th release, and will eventually grab a Takara Encore for a more permanent display piece. Still, for the money and convenience, I'm pretty happy with the purchase, even if it is very much "Pinktimus Prime".