So I walk into a toy store in the mall which has a nice collection of action figures of all types. I walked by their glass case and I see what look like three original Optimus Prime. Let me just tell you for what I paid I really didn't think that it was a real G1. It looked so good and I have never seen a replica look this good, I decided to buy it. I picked out the best of the three. When I got home I looked all over the web and could not find how to tell if he is real or a replica. I did look on ebay and the ones that are going for the high dollar match mine. I have added some pictures. He looks almost brand new.

Anyways please let me know what you think.

Thank you

How much did you pay? I'm torn because I see the Hasbro logo in the front but then I see made by Takara on the back which would make me think it's a re-release but even those tend to increase in value simply because it's a replica Prime figure. You also have to look at the actual figure because many people would buy a box from the original toy on Ebay and then put a replica figure in it and pass it as an original from 1984. Either way the figure looks good as long as you didn't pay 1984 prices for it which would be well over $400 for a box in that condition if it was an original figure.

I paid $199 plus tax. It it is sealed. Unless somebody knows how to reseal it and make it look like it has never been opened but from the looks of it I doubt it.

Honestly for that price I would hope it was a real figure from 1984 because the reissues are priced a little cheaper than that and have extras that were not included with the original. For example, one version from a few years back has Prime's energy axe and a Matrix of Leadership as extras and that version would have been the same price if not cheaper than the one you have. I really don't know how you could tell without looking at the information on the figure itself which means you would have to open it. Hopefully someone else could tell just by looking at the box.

Did you open it and apply those Autobot faction symbols on the cab?
The reason I ask is because you say it was sealed. I know for sure when I got mine back in 1984, those stickers were not applied at the factory, they were on a seperate sticker sheet. I remember it vividly because they were a pain to apply because of the "rivets" molded into the red plastic.

Hey, I just found this:



Its from this thread, I really think you should read it:

How to tell if you have a KO or Original TF thread

From that pic I posted, it looks you might have a KO but I am no expert so you may want to ask someone in that thread.

Hope this helps.

No. I never opened it and applied the Autobot faction symbols. It is sealed.




Thanks for the link. I will read up on it.

You've got a knockoff, my friend. Those faction symbols on prime's arms were not applied at the factory. Also, the box is inaccurate as in the photo. I say open it and display it. Some Chinese KO's are pretty high quality. I have a KO Mirage and love him. Only way to buy a supposed vintage TF these days is if it's been AFA graded, and even that doesn't guarantee %100.

I thought the originals didn't have the cardboard cutout on top of the styraphome? (sp?)

Like I said, I'm no expert on KO's but yeah lots of red flags here. I didn't want to say it was a KO until some other knowledgeable people like yourself checked it out first. I absolutely hate it when fellow collectors get taken like this.

MegaPrime80, if the store you bought it from sold that Prime as an original G1, try to get your money back if you can.

I agree that that looks like a Chinese KO. Another way to check is to run your hand over the cardboard. Vintage boxes are glossy and smooth to the touch; the KO boxes are rougher, a little grittier. Also, I'm going to hazard a guess that there is a thin indentation along the back where a flap crease is normally found. That's another clue.

I bought one of these off Ebay last year for $70-80, I think. I can't remember if the Autobot stickers were on his arms or not. I opened mine, just cuz I was curious to see how accurate he was. I was really impressed. I thought it was a nice piece for a KO.

But not for $199 and tax.

When I was at the toy store I was so excited about seeing the figure I don't remember if it said KO or Replica or something of that nature. I did find more info on KO's and sure enough it is. I do want to thank all of you for the help.

I am sure I paid too much for him but it looks so much like the original, but I am more than happy with him. Looks really good for a KO. I had flash backs of my childhood when I saw him behind the glass and I had to have him.

Thanks again!

Well, the people at the toy store may not know that he's a KO. Be sure to tell them, so that way they can put up a sign or something.

yes sorry to say u got a KO man that sucks.

Yeah. Some KO's really aren't all that bad, and if you find a decent one at an okay price, that's actually a boon rather than a bust. As long as you KNOW it's a KO is the important thing. But for my money, most KO's arent worth the plastic used to make them; the KO Devastator I have is so flimsy that if you sneeze, it falls apart! Ya gotta know what you're buying...

The box is in great condition and I really don't want to take him out. I like to keep most of my figures in the boxes. I have a son and I usually buy him a set of his own so I get to see most of them out of the box. But he does not get figures over retail prices. I would like to see how well he is made and it wears on me every day. So I am sure I will open him up one day, now knowing he is a KO.

I think the toy store knows and I just over looked the sign. I just had a feeling he was not an original at the store because of the price was to low, the box did feel rough and I knew that was not normal, and they had three of them. Like I said I was so excited (and praise the Lord that I have the funds) I wanted him.

Not that it matters, but I think we should be calling this either a "counterfeit" or "bootleg" toy, not a "knock off" - as "knock offs" are generally obvious, cheap imitations that aren't trying to exactly replicate an original item.


Sorry, pet peeve. Carry on.

Oh, I'm pretty sure they do.