>>8512558Anon who posted those pics here, here’s my red hot take on this: neither is perfect. Magic Square does a better job of hiding the joints, Newage has better articulation in some areas (but worse in a couple of others like the feet and knees). I don’t like how Newage handled the weapons compared to Magic Square (the shoulder cannon especially sits too far forward on Newage’s), and I think Magic Square did a better job hiding the faux cassette buttons. Newage has a much, much more solid and less gappy cassette player mode, while Magic Square actually has more detail on the sides of its cassette player mode with the MP-style equaliser controls. Magic Square is cleaner in bot mode, but I prefer Newage’s more classic proportions and the materials feel much better. Paint is about equal on both (obviously that only applies to the metallic Newage version), and I wish there was less of it on both as it’s a liability if you actually like to transform your Transformers toys. Magic Square’s Laserbeak is better but Newage’s has a an articulated neck and head which allows it to be more expressive. Rumble/Frenzy I would say is about equal (Magic Square’s has better proportions, removable weapons, and a waist joint, Newage’s has better paint and sharper details). Newage’s Ravage is outright better, in my opinion.
All in all I would say neither quite manages to be a “definitive” G1 Soundwave. If you like the chunkier Studio Ox/Dreamwave look then you may be better off with Magic Square. If you prefer the more classic 80’s proportions with big sweeping legs and skinnier arms, then Newage is the way to go. Also Magic Square’s is too big for either line, so if you’re a scale autist again, Newage might be the way to go. I have the toy version incoming, I suspect I may enjoy that version more.
