(NEW YORK, NY, FEBRUARY 19, 2005) While every Toy Fair is exciting for different reasons, this year was a huge surprise due to the fact this may very well be the last new "movie year" we ever have. While many of the items were not new to some eagle eyed fans, there was plenty to see and plenty more to get excited about, not the least of which was a special exclusive and a giant evil armored potato.

By far the biggest surprise was a specially packaged pair of figures that exist for two reasons. One, to infuriate collectors who couldn't go. Two, to get retailers excited about buying lots and lots of Revenge of the Sith toys to sell at their stores. It's hard not to get a little excited at this special piece, and fans everywhere are crossing their fingers that it will appear through some other avenues soon.

Hasbro Marketing's Randy Shoemaker and Eric Nyman win an award and a new friend.

   
A special edition Press Kit was handed out to guests featuring an Anakin figure rotating into Vader.

Basic figures were on display and, sadly, not many new ones were there. The bulk of the brand new offerings were updates to characters fans know and love, like Padmé (but pregnant) and Anakin (now evil), as well as a new Chewbacca (now badly painted). On the whole, there were fewer "new" characters on display than in most other movie years, but it isn't necessarily a bad thing-- seeing Hasbro go back and make truly spectacular versions of Luminara Unduli and C-3PO is a good thing.

They brought back the Emperor, and did him correctly. Mon Mothma's here in her younger, arguably hotter days. And who wouldn't be jazzed to see the return of Bail Organa to play the role of Jimmy Smits in your toy room? It's a good time to be a collector, and it will undoubtedly get better as future waves show more new and wonderful characters from the film.

Several new offerings of Darth Vader and Yoda will excite long-time fans, and prequel fanatics will surely enjoy new Senate guards, a new Palpatine, some new super-posable Jedi with soft goods, and so much more. While stands have apparently been dropped from Collection 1, Collection 2 makes up for it with super-detailed bases that will be a real hit with collectors come April. (Or given the recent rash of leaks, any day now.)

While the offerings for vehicles were much greater than previous years, there weren't a lot to see, but what was there really looked great! New Jedi Starfighters hung from the ceiling, and a revised Republic Gunship is on the way. New starfighters for your Clones are on tap too, plus a rare appearance in the Playset arena with a battlescape of Mustafar.

As always, numerous board games, puzzles, and other goodies were on display as well but nothing you'd probably be drooling over to quite the same extent as Hasbro's wonderous plastic offerings. 

BASIC ACTION FIGURES
($5.99)

As many of our readers already know, the basic assortment is divided into two collections once again. Collection 1 are the action featury figures chock full of Wookiee rage and swinging lightsaber attacks while Collection 2 figures offer more detail and authenticity and also come with their own display base. Several waves will be released this year making a grand total of 56 figures. The retail price for Revenge of the Sith basic figures have also increased to approximately $5.99.

DELUXE ACTION FIGURES
($9.99)

While basic action figures see an increase in price, Deluxe stays the same at $9.99 each. Anakin Skywalker transforms into Darth Vader as you pop down his head and snap on his helmet, tunic, and armor. The Obi-Wan Kenobi with Force Jump Attack lets you press down the figure to jump and attack on the included Super Battle Droid.

BATTLE ARENAS
($19.99)

Battle Arenas are a new assortment featuring lightsaber battle action when you slide and turn the levers. You can connect up to four arenas for some mega battle action as you try to knock down your opponent until the last figure standing wins. Two sets are slated for Battle Arenas which include Anakin Skywalker vs. Count Dooku battling each other on a Trade Federation Cruiser and Obi-Wan Kenobi vs. Grievous' Bodyguard.

12" FIGURES
($19.99 to $49.99)

Shown were the Clone Trooper and Darth Sidious (though General Grievous was MIA) as well as the Ultimate Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader.

VEHICLES
($14.99 TO $29.99)

The Revenge of the Sith Vehicles assortment are divided in three categories and pricepoints.

Battle Vehicles ($14.99) are smaller, single rider vehicles and include action features and an exclusive figure. The BARC Speeder with BARC Trooper (Biker Advanced Recon Commandoes) is launched into action by pulling a rip cord and the AT-RT with AT-RT Driver includes battery powered walking action. Obi-Wan Kenobi rides a reptilian creature called the Boga while searching for a dangerous Separatist general. The Boga includes a rearing battling attack activated by pulling the tail and making it twist from side to side.

Assault Vehicles are priced at $19.99 and include Obi-Wan Kenobi's Jedi Starfighter, the Droid Tri-Fighter, and General Grievous' Wheelbike with exclusive General Grievous action figure.

Finally, the large Gunship Vehicles ($29.99) include the repainted Republic Gunship and the all new ARC-170 Fighter (Agressive ReConnaissance). The ARC-170 can carry a crew of three and an astromech droid and comes with blaster cannons, swing-down handle, and proton torpedoes.

PLAYSETS
($29.99)

The Mustafar Final Duel Playset allows you to re-enact the most pivotal scene in the film if not the whole Saga. You can even attach other Battle Arenas (sold separately) to expand your play. The playset includes two projectile magma balls, a collapsing walkway, a deadly lava pit, and exclusive Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker action figures.

UNLEASHED
($14.99)

The dynamic Unleashed assortment continues for 2005 with three new characters based on Revenge of the Sith. Coming in April are Anakin Skywalker, Obi-Wan Kenobi, and General Grievous.

FORCE BATTLERS
($9.99)

The all new 7" scale action figures are geared towards younger kids, but should win over adult collectors as well. The figures feature a spiffy new design and comes with their own individuak action feature.

PLAYSKOOL

The Revenge of the Sith Galactic Hero 2-packs ($4.99) were displayed with Grievous and Obi-Wan Kenobi, Darth Sidious and Yoda, and Anakin Skywalker and Count Dooku.

We were also able to catch a glimpse of upcoming Jedi Force with a new Boga and Obi-Wan Kenobi, Luke Skywalker (in a retro-ish Luke Starkiller outfit), Mace Windu, Han Solo, and Anakin Skywalker.

DARTH TATER
($7.99)

Hasbro's official mascot turns to the Dark Side with lotsa parts that instantly transform him into a spud of evil.

ATTACTIX
($5.99 to $9.99)

Hasbro's new Attactix Battle Figure game took up a whole corner of the showroom with gameplay demos and a slew of Star Wars Attactix figures on display. The "tix" from Attactix comes from the sound the figure makes as you move it into battle. Each "tix" is counted based on your figure and launches its particular attack move.

A starter set can be purchased which includes 5 figures (one with a hidden surprise), a CD-ROM with game demo and strategies and a quick start guide. The starter set has a suggested retail price of $9.99. Booster packs of additional figures can be purchased separately for $5.99 each and contains three hidden battle figures (a common, a rare, and a super rare). Battle Master game pieces like the Boga and AT-RT can bring more power and bigger attacks making them harder to beat. Battle Master Attactix retail for $9.99 each.

ROLE PLAY AND ELECTRONICS

The hot selling Darth Vader Voice Changer ($29.99) returns in spiffy new Revenge of the Sith packaging. Also back and better than before is the a new Call Upon Yoda ($29.99) featuring over 500 phrases, and tells stories as well as asks trivia.

Electronic Lightsabers ($19.99) return including a new Anakin Skywalker with color change blade that allows you to choose which side of the Force you wish to be on (blue for "light" and red for "dark). If blasters are your weapon of choice, then Hasbro has three to choose from with General Grievous' Blaster, Clone Trooper Blaster, and Chewbacca's Bowcaster.

GAMES AND PUZZLES

Choose from a variety of Star Wars themed Hasbro games including the DVD Star Wars Saga Edition Trivial Pursuit ($49.99), Monopoly, Clone Wars Risk, and the Saga Edition Chess Set ($29.99). The Star Wars Lightsaber Battle Game ($49.99) allows you to test your lightsaber skills in your own living room as you battle your choice of Jedi or Sith by simply plugging it in to your TV.

500 piece Star Wars puzzles ($15.99) in collectible tins contain two sided puzzles shaped like Darth Vader's silhouette featuring a montage of scenes from Episode III. Star Wars 100 ($3.99) and 50 piece puzzles ($0.99) are also available.

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