Category Archives: Collecting News

Sponsor News: Big Bad Toy Store

Here is a quick update from Big Bad Toy Store about a variety of new pre-orders as well as some cool new arrivals.

PRE-ORDER: 12″ STAP & BATTLE DROID
Sideshow is releasing another 12″ army-builder set with the STAP with Battle Droid.  The STAP comes on an articulated base and includes a 1/6 scale Battle Droid pilot.  We have this set listed at $169.99, $5 off the MSRP.

NEW ARRIVAL: STAR WARS 2012 CLASS I FLEET VEHICLES WAVE 01 – CASE 
This new vehicle and figure set includes the Sith Speeder, the Naboo Royal Fighter, the Attack Recon Fighter and the Republic Assault Submarine, each with a driver, rider or pilot.  We have them listed as a case of 4 at $69.99; we also have them listed individually (except the submarine, which is sold out), priced at $19.99 each.

Continue reading Sponsor News: Big Bad Toy Store

Toyguide Update: CW4 Cad Bane

The Yakface Toyguide updates resume today with the next addition for the 2012 “Darth Maul” product line. We continue with the repacked Cad Bane (CW4) from The Clone Wars.

PROS: Despite this figure being a repack of the first sculpt from 2009, there is something new brought to the table here by way of extra weapons borrowed from previously released figures.

CONS: Since this is a repack of the first Cad Bane figure released, chances are you already have it and the extra weapons assortment isn’t enough to warrant a repeat purchase. Articulation is limited in the legs and frustrating in the arms due to the hoses on the gauntlets. There are better sculpts available for Bane, namely the CW42 version which included TODO-360.

Head to the toyguide for the full image gallery and to judge for yourself whether this figure is worth adding to your collection.

You can also weigh in with your impressions on the figures we add to our toyguide on facebook and in our forums.

Toyguide Update: CW3 Savage Opress

The Yakface Toyguide updates resume today with the next addition for the 2012 “Darth Maul” product line. We continue with the repacked Savage Opress (CW3) from The Clone Wars.

PROS: Fans of Savage get another crack at adding him to their collections. Nothing appears “different” about this release sculpt or accessory wise as compared to the previous version so he is totally skippable (unless you need the new-fangled Galactic Battle Game card).

CONS: It’s a repack of the shirtless version which seemed to have reached a wider distribution than the armored version that remains elusive for some collectors.

Head to the toyguide for the full image gallery and to judge for yourself whether this figure is worth adding to your collection.

You can also weigh in with your impressions on the figures we add to our toyguide on facebook and in our forums.

NEW TVC DPCI at Target

One of my local Target store did their reset overnight which yielded new shelf tags for the Movie Heroes and Clone Wars basic figures and most notably the Vintage Collection. The previous DPCI for the TVC line was 087-06-1351 and this particular store charges $10.99 for them (yuck) the new 2012 Vintage DPCI is 087-06-2413 and is priced at $8.99. Save these numbers to do some checking on your own if your store hasn’t reset their aisle or endcaps yet.

Episode 331: Party Like It’s 1999

The Phantom Menace is returning to theaters and the Star Wars marketing machine is partying like it’s 1999! Puzzles, 3-D glasses, notebooks, coloring books, and more is hitting shelves to tie into the theatrical release hype. And with Valentine’s Day coming a few short days after The Phantom Menace’s release, the Valentine’s Day Star Wars items have exploded all over the Target holiday aisle. Classroom Valentine sets, boxes of chocolates, candies in steins, plushies, teddy bears, and so much more, we run it all down on this week’s Star Wars Action News!

Download the Regular Version or Enhanced Version

2012 Product Officially Available Today

Today is the official release/on-shelf date for all of the 2012 Hasbro product that has been hitting stores now for several weeks. Chances are you will have no trouble finding figures from the Movie Heroes wave or remnants from the Clone Wars line. Alas, be prepared to miss out on some of the exclusive products and possible Vintage offerings due to stores not stocking fully or not receiving certain items altogether.

Toyguide Update: CW2 Clone Trooper (Phase II Armor)

The Yakface Toyguide updates resume today with the next addition for the 2012 “Darth Maul” product line. We continue with the new Clone Trooper in Phase II Armor (CW2) from The Clone Wars.

PROS: The Phase II clone finally started seeing some action in The Clone Wars fourth season and Hasbro has done a great job of bringing into the 3-3/4″ line. While paint apps are minimal the new sculpt showcases the sleek look that the clones have in the show and the interpretation of the helmet looks really nice – the perfect bridge between the animated and realistic style of figures.

CONS: Same issues may hold true for some collectors: no ball-jointed ankles, too skinny/cartoony, too clean, etc.

Head to the toyguide for the full image gallery and to judge for yourself whether this figure is worth adding to your collection.

You can also weigh in with your impressions on the figures we add to our toyguide on facebook and in our forums.