Mace Windu, of course, was released ahead of the Episode I line launch as a Sneak Preview figure.  That figure was very well sculpted as far as quality, although it couldn’t do much other than stand there and straight-arm a lightsaber.  Included in the launch selection, but specifically a part of wave 3, Mace Windu was updated (the first figure in the line as such) and made available in the main line.  It was a pretty popular figure at the time, if I remember correctly (and I probably don’t).

It was a similar sculpt to the sneak preview figure, but offered a few changes.  Most noticeably, this main line release included a removable hood-up Jedi robe.  it kind of looked more like someone had poured magic shell chocolate over the figure.  It was designed as a rubbery plastic, and had the hood sculpted in the up position, and had no way to display the figure’s arms.  The original figure’s robe was not removable, but it had no hood.  This one seemed specifically designed to replicate the look from the funeral scene in which Mace and Yoda discuss the emergence of the Sith. 

As for the sculpt, it differs in two major ways.  First, the right arm has added articulation with a swivel elbow and wrist.  This does give a few more battle poses, but not much.  Mace also never battled in TPM, so it’s not really a big deal.  The other big change was that the stance is slightly non-neutral.  That’s not necessarily an improvement.

It’s really a coin flip on which of these Episode I Mace Windus you prefer.  It was a pretty quick “re-do” by Hasbro, releasing him at launch so soon after the preview figure.  They probably did so thinking it would be a good seller, though they likely made the right move there.  I’ll give it a 4, but both of these figures have been crushed into obsolescence by more modern versions.  Nothing to see here.  Move along.  Move along.