Via the Star Wars Galactic Hunter Figure of the Day Blog: The Mandalorian (Prototype, The Retro Collection). It looks neat - and he came and went somewhat quickly. I'd say get him for the blasters, if they weren't pre-stressed in the package (at least in my case.) Read on!
While no pre-order dates were listed, Gizmodo gave us some good news for old Kenner fans. In the article Ahsoka Goes Retro in These Vintage-Inspired Star Wars Toys, we got a slideshow of 7 unpackaged mostly-new figures which you can go see. But do you want rambling commentary? You do? Gosh I love you people. Of course I'll ramble for you!
Figures were shown without packaging. I assume this means there may be a secondary reveal or possibly even unseen accessories to follow, but at least what we saw is generally exciting thus far. Read on!
Via the Star Wars Galactic Hunter Figure of the Day Blog: Grand Inquisitor (The Retro Collection). This is not a figure I initially liked, but it kind of grew on me. The head looks sort of like a baby, with understated ridges. The cape drags and comes pre-wrinkled. But the lightsaber is good, and the body armor is sculpted nicely despite being in the same generic pose as most of the Hasbro Retro Collection figures. But the character was something of a dork too, so at least you won't be too upset you can't play with it very well and you can't take off the cape to get him in a ship, either. Read on!
Via the Star Wars Galactic Hunter Figure of the Day Blog: Tusken Raider (The Retro Collection). He's a little different - the silver coloring and head sculpt deviate a little from the original, likely giving you another reason to pick up what is effectively another variant in your old figure collection. Read on!
Crossposted from 16bit.com! I loves me some Star Wars. 3 3/4-inch figures are best, especially the retro ones. Hasbro had The Book of Boba Fett wave of The Retro Collection online with Boba Fett, a Tusken Raider, Cad Bane, Luke Skywalker (black robe and no blaster), Grogu, Mando, Fennec Shand, and Tusken Boba. It's a nice selection.
Images - More SDCC 2023 Coverage and Pictures Below | |
The Boba/Jabba/Bib throne room was on display, as were tons of lightsabers and other recent reveals. Even some Ahsoka toys were there, including a swell hat, a lightsaber, and a Chopper droid toy. You may have seen a few of these before, or not - the Mission Fleet sets were, I think, at least partially new.
Well, that's a surprise. Making the rounds on social media is this Return of the Jedi The Retro Collection Kenner-style 6-pack form, allegedly, Hasbro and Kenner. You get the Emperor's Royal Guard, Gamorrean Guard, Wicket the Ewok, and Admiral Ackbar - all good figures. But what's super exciting is you also allegedly get Yak Face and a brand-new old-style Mon Mothma. This was supposedly posted by In Demand Toys, and has not been revealed in an official capacity as of yet. I hope it's real and real nearby.
Via the Star Wars Galactic Hunter Figure of the Day Blog: (The Retro Collection). Slightly more compelling than the title character of Andor, A Kenner R2-D2-esque droid made a cameo in a trailer yesterday, but I plan these things weeks in advance - what a coincidence! The 1978 droid always looked a little weird, but now you can get a nearly-perfect one at a decent price. It's just as good as I remember, and in better shape, so I'd recommend it to Kenner fanatics. Read on!
Via the Star Wars Galactic Hunter Figure of the Day Blog: Death Squad Commander (The Retro Collection). Known as the Star Destroyer Commander after the first couple of years, this bowl-headed fellow has a straighter rank pin but his skin color is a little weirder than the original. He's part of a Shop Disney/Hasbro Pulse shared exclusive boxed set - and I recommend checking both stores to compare pricing. Last time I checked, the set was significantly cheaper on Hasbro Pulse. Read on!
Via the Star Wars Galactic Hunter Figure of the Day Blog: See-Threepio (C-3PO, The Retro Collection). While some of the retro figures - while good - lack some details or seem a little soft in spots, C-3PO seems to be extremely close to the original, even more so than some of the third-party remakes. The details around his bolts and belly are all there, and while it's not 100% identical to the 1978 figure it's certainly close enough. He even has the metal bolt in his back - go ask your magnets to prove it for you. You should get this one. Read on!
Via the Star Wars Galactic Hunter Figure of the Day Blog: Han Solo (Endor, The Retro Collection). The skin color of modern retro guys aren't as good as the originals, but the sculpt is excellent and so is the coat. Given the coat covers most of this somewhat hard-to-find 1984 figure, I'd say it's worth getting aboard the "good enough" train. Toot toot.
Also happy 40th birthday to Return of the Jedi, the milestone that reminds the VHS generation of fans that they are now old.
Via the Star Wars Galactic Hunter Figure of the Day Blog: 4-LOM (The Retro Collection). The original isn't too expensive, and it isn't changed too much either. But if you don't have the original, this is a pretty good substitute with the requisite slightly washed-out sculpted detail. But hey, what matters is the robes cover most of it and they did a good job replicating the old fabric, so you'll probably love it. Read on!
Numerous reports from around social media state that former Kenner and Hasbro designer Mark Boudreaux, known for engineering so many vehicles, Titanium Series Transformers, the vehicles and playsets in Care Bears, and even a lot of work on the HasLab Sail Barge, has died. I have not found a primary source or mainstream news outlet to report this at this time, but he has been reported hospitalized for quite some time and has been suffering lung damage from COVID-19 and a ventilator.
In an exciting bit of price disparity, the same toy is $20 cheaper at Hasbro Pulse. Click here to pre-order the Star Wars Retro Collection Star Wars: A New Hope Collectible Figures Multipack at Hasbro Pulse for $69.99. Or, you can click here to get it for $89.99 at Shop Disney. Why the difference? I have no idea - Hasbro's price is more in line with the current $11.99-ish retail price per figure elsewhere.
While Shop Disney has no date, Hasbro Pulse says to expect it around June 5. Supposedly these have hit US warehouses, so it should be a fun time soon to see how the clicking mechanism in R2-D2's head translated to new production... or how it compares to the Stan Solo droid remakes.
Via the Star Wars Galactic Hunter Figure of the Day Blog: Zuckuss (The Retro Collection). They fixed the hand to better hold the blaster and changed the color a bit - that's good! But the sculpted details are still pretty soft - that's not ideal. But at least it's interesting and different than the 1982 original. Read on!
Via the Star Wars Galactic Hunter Figure of the Day Blog: Biker Scout (The Retro Collection). If you have the 1983 original and his variants, this will look familiar - and weird. The helmet is a little distorted, and Hasbro made some curious deco decisions at the factory level, but it's not awful. It could be better - but the pistol is good and it looks like a Scout Trooper. Read on!