This is a fantastic toy. There are no overbearing quality issues, the chrome is quite nice and he is a great figure to play with.

I don't own the Takara version but noticeable differences are:
-most of the mechanical problems seem to be fixed. The leg panels all line up and can lock into place in all modes, the hands are correctly assembled and can hold the guns, the chest panel locks in (could be tighter i suppose) and I have no trouble with 4 wheel locomotion. None of the joints are floppy so he is highly poseable.
-A much more Hot Rod accurate chest flame decal, as opposed to Takara's Rodimus Prime decal.
-they use a darker metallic grey for the hands and face etc which I prefer
-dark blue clear plastic for ALL clear plastic involving parts. Its great for the windshield and visor but not so much for the headlights and saw. Also there is a strip of blue plastic on the roof which looks sucky. Could have been painted over in red like in the Takara version.
-The engine block is painted silver instead of being chromed. This looks somewhat cheaper but I suppose is more practical as the silver paint is less likely to scratch during transformation. The rims are also not chromed and are just grey plastic.
-Hasbro version scrimps on a few paint apps/details here and there. What I noticed was the rear thrusters/lights and the forearms do not have painted details like the takara version. Also the chest flames are not outlined in black like the Takara version, but I prefer this design. Overall paint quality is good. I did notice that one side of the yellow spoiler is painted slightly more thoroughly than the other. Also the joint between the windshield and bonnet had a little bit of orange paint flaking off from mechanical wear.
-the leg panels are red and resemble the G1 toy which I prefer
-the dark grey/pewter colour for the rifle is very pretty and much better than the bland takara black. The red and blue highlights ruin it though.
-comes with Offshoot, who is the best and most articulate minicon/targetmaster class toy to date
-I think the Takara version uses much glossier plastic which gives that luxury vehicle look.
-Hasbro version comes with a welding tool attachment for his arm. Not sure if the Takara one had this?

Overall if you do not have the Takara version of this toy I recommend getting him now. He is a relative bargain at $80. Unless of course you are waiting for the redux of MP-09 from Takara and are a fan of Rodimus Prime.

If you do have the Takara version this toy doesn't add much value apart from Offshoot. However I reckon he is a much better Hot Rod and can be justified as a purchase for only this reason.


Quote Originally Posted by VERT View Post
But whats the deal with the extra sticker sheet with Arm stickers and an Autobot and Con Symbol?
The arm stickers are sposed to give even more toy accuracy. The bot and con stickers I have no idea about. If anything they shoulda given us hipster/belt stickers.

Quote Originally Posted by Paulbot View Post
Is Sparks Firebolt Offshoot a brand new figure? Or is it an upscale/redeco of an existing Targetmaster/Minicon toy?
Yes he is a brand new figure which far more articulation (head, arm, shoulder, elbow, knee, hips) than i've ever seen on a targetmaster/minicon toy. However there seems to be not that many ways to make a targetmaster