Mattel Legacy Brachiosaurus vs Horizon 1/19 Brachiosaurus

[andrewsaurus rex]

I  just learned that this exists.  It's coming out as a TRU exclusive here in Canada and came as a BIG surprise.  Literally. I understand that it was released in the US in 2019?

I have the Horizon 1/19 Brachiosaurus, which is unbuilt (a bit intimidated by a vinyl model).  Both models seem to be about the same size?  I think the Horizon kit is 27.5 inches tall and around 33 inches long when built.  I can't find dimensions for it anywhere so I am just setting the pieces together on the floor and measuring them to get those numbers.

The Mattel one is 28 high by 34 long (incredible)....so maybe an eensy bit bigger.  I don't like he hump over the shoulder on it and the torso seems a bit leaner than on the Horizon kit.  It's more toy like but built (no guarantees I won't botch the Hozizon kit when I build it, though I do have a fair bit of experience with aircraft models to draw on).

Accuracy-wise there's not a lot to choose between them....neither have scaly skin and both look pretty much the same, except for the hump over the shoulders on the Mattel.

So the question is:  Get the Mattel and sell the Horizon, or suck it up and build the Horizon?

[CityRaptor]

Found some pics that may belp you decide:
https://www.deviantart.com/krulos/art/Brachiosaurus-854846798
https://www.deviantart.com/krulos/art/Knowing-each-other-819507689
https://www.deviantart.com/krulos/art/Brachiosaurus-Matteliensis-811856537
https://www.deviantart.com/krulos/art/They-move-in-heards-861946496

Personally I would go for the Mattel one. Indeed I still need to buy it. Of course I also don't buy model kits since I'm not good at painting them, so I might be biased.

[Thialfi]

Kind of depends on your wishes. The Horizon one, if put together well and painted, will look a lot cleaner. No joints/hinges, no hump, and perhaps a little more detailed. I can imagine that a daunting task though - I don't have the skill and patience to pull such a feat off, as such I would always have to go for Mattel. If articulation is a thing for you, Mattel is the way to go as well.

[andrewsaurus rex]

thanks for the responses, both.

well, I decided to get it.  It is a bit bigger than the Horizon model, mostly in the tail and neck/head....about 5% bigger.  Torsos are about the same size, with the Mattel having the bigger shoulder hump and shoulder muscles....they're not as distracting in real life as they look in pictures.

With the head at maximum height of 28 inches it is 34 inches long....I figured you'd have to put the head forward a bit to get the 34 inch number but nope.  An incredible sized toy that fits into a surprisingly small box and with only 3 pieces to snap together.

Congratulations to Mattel for such a splendid product.

Now maybe they could follow it up with a Diplodocus or a Mamenchisaurus or a....

[Thialfi]

A @andrewsaurus have you heard they will be releasing an equally large apatosaurus?

And congratulations on your brachio! It's quite amazing indeed!

[andrewsaurus rex]

No I hadn't heard about the Apatosaurus.  WoW!  Bring on the sauropods Mattel!

Any other big dinos Mattel has planned?  A Kronosaurus perhaps?

[RobinGoodfellow]

Mattel Brachio is really, really massive ....

[Thialfi]

No I hadn't heard about the Apatosaurus.  WoW!  Bring on the sauropods Mattel!

Any other big dinos Mattel has planned?  A Kronosaurus perhaps?

Nothing else large planned so far unfortunately!

[andrewsaurus rex]

it's very encouraging that they are following up Brachio with Apato.  It must mean sales were good on Brachio and that they feel there is a demand for more.

I found pics on the internet yesterday of the upcoming Apato....it looks  good but not as good as Brachio imo.  I wasn't crazy about the paint scheme they selected and the face looked like it had a goofy smile.  However, i'll wait to see the final product before passing judgement.

However this 41 inch long follow up to Brachio is great....maybe one day we will see a Diplodocus and Mamenchisaurus....I was joking when I said it but who knows. They are both all neck and tail, with a relatively smallish torso so they would both easily fit in the exiting box that was used for Brachio..