Category Archives: Toyguide Updates

Collecting News, Toyguide Updates

Toyguide Update: 15-pc. Blind Box Trading Figure Assortment

19 Comments

blind_box_preview

The Yakface Toyguide updates resume today with a unique entry into 2013 “Darth Vader” Collection line of products. Collectors in Japan, courtesy of the Hot Toys/Hasbro partnership, are able to purchase an assortment of blind box “mystery” figures which pull characters from the first waves of Saga Legends and Mission Series sets.

At first look, you may think there is nothing really “new” here but, unlike their carded counterparts in most areas of the world, each of these figures also include a display base/stand similar to what came with the figures in the Saga Collection. The case itself is able to be converted into a shelf display and includes one of each figure.

Head to the toyguide for the full image gallery and to judge for yourself if these are something 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.

Collecting News, Toyguide Updates

Toyguide Update: Mission Series – Mandalore

11 Comments

MS06_preview

The Yakface Toyguide updates resume with our next entry in the Mission Series line as we take a look at the Mandalore set featuring Obi-Wan Kenobi and Darth Maul.

PROS:  If you like toys, retro-styled toys specifically, that may be all the justification you need purchase this set. Both Obi-Wan and Maul are designed with 5 POA, which for some warrants an obligatory “junk” or “these are crap” comment. But for me, they serve their purpose well as being a kid targeted, budget conscientious alternative to higher priced figures that require a lot of “futzing”. The sculpts for each figure are decent with Maul taking the spotlight being another all new figure and for representing his “final” look in the Clone Wars series. Obi-Wan is pretty much a retread of the Saga Legends figure but with new arms and a totally different deco overall. Each figure includes only a lightsaber – perfect for dueling one another –  just like we did with our figures as kids back in the day, remember?

CONS: Fans of the Clone Wars figures were disappointed that they didn’t receive a super-articulated Maul in the line and have to settle (at least for now) in having this be the representation for that particular character design.  The paint apps for Maul’s face is shoddy at best with not a lot of care being given to keeping lines tight and the “horns” on his head resemble a crown of misshapen marshmallows. Yeah, yeah. 5 POA sucks. Hasbro’s ruining Star Wars toys.

Head to the toyguide for the full image gallery and to judge for yourself whether this set 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.

Collecting News, Toyguide Updates

Toyguide Update: Mission Series – Tantive IV

14 Comments

MS_tantiveIV_preview

The Yakface Toyguide updates resume with our next entry in the Mission Series line as we take a look at the Tantive IV set featuring R2-D2 and C-3PO.

PROS: Getting both R2 and 3PO in one package, surprisingly, doesn’t come around all that often so it’s good to get them in one shot in this set. The proportions and sculpts for each figure are great and have a wonderful sense of nostalgia (while having a modern aesthetic) which allows them to look great displayed with any era of figures. No accessories = no parts to loose = great gift for kids!

CONS: Again, these figure aren’t for everyone due to their limited articulation and less than optimal paint apps. Depending on your figure, C-3PO may suffer from a poor paint job for the eyes – more than likely the black centers will be offset invoking a strange “Gumby” look. R2’s deco is pretty sparse, omitting several blue and silver colored panels on the dome, body and legs. That being said, the figure might lend itself well to customizing (which is good).

Head to the toyguide for the full image gallery and to judge for yourself whether this set 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.

Collecting News, Toyguide Updates

Toyguide Update: Mission Series – Death Star

16 Comments

MS07_preview

The Yakface Toyguide updates resume with our first entry in the Mission Series line as we take a look at the Death Star set featuring Han and Chewie.

PROS: If you’ve followed my previous entries for the 2013-2014 Saga Legends line, you’ll know I’m totally in the bag for these figures. They scream nostalgia with their rigid stances and 5 points of articulation and if Hasbro’s factories could tighten the paint operations a little more, these figures would really be the true continuation of the original “Vintage” line.

CONS: Again, these figure aren’t for everyone due to their limited articulation and less than optimal paint apps. Chewie’s neck joint isn’t much of a joint at all as the hair prohibits any real movement – a waist joint could have been better served in this instance. Han is pretty great, though I’d have liked his shirt to be a little more yellow and the eyes to be brown rather than blue but overall it’s a solid figure – FOR KIDS.

Head to the toyguide for the full image gallery and to judge for yourself whether this set 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.

Collecting News, Toyguide Updates

Toyguide Update: SL12 Clone Commander Cody

1 Comment

SL12_cody_preview

The Yakface Toyguide updates resume with our next entry in the 3-3/4″ Saga Legends line. Today we take a look at Clone Commander Cody (SL12).

PROS: Despite this being a kid-targeted figure, with its limited POA and accessories, Hasbro managed to release a perfectly adequate iteration of Cody – complete with all-new parts (save for the legs) and a relatively tight deco application. I find it surprising, and welcome, that they decided to tool up a new torso and include a removable jetpack. He looks great displayed with the 2013 Saga Legends Obi-Wan Kenobi counterpart.

CONS: Again, this figure isn’t for everyone due to its limited five points of articulation and the fact that the orange used for the unit designation doesn’t match the orange colored 212th Battalion Clone Trooper from the Mission Series: Utapau set. There is a slight bit of deflection in regards to the shoulder antenna but it’s nothing a brief soak in hot water won’t remedy.

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.

Collecting News, Toyguide Updates

Toyguide Update: SL11 Stormtrooper

8 Comments

SL11_stormtrooper_preview

The Yakface Toyguide updates resume with our next entry in the 3-3/4″ Saga Legends line. Today we take a look at the Stormtrooper (SL11).

PROS: I know everyone likes/loves super articulated figures, some even demand it or they won’t even consider a purchase. I say those folks are really missing out on what may be the best stormtrooper representation in a long time and it is certainly a figure that carries on the spirit of the original Vintage figure. This version looks just as good on display in a modern figure diorama or manning the controls of the cannon from the original Death Star Space Station playset. For 6 bucks and some change, I recommend buying every one you see in the wild.

CONS: Again, this figure isn’t for everyone due to its limited five points of articulation and it is packed only one per case.

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.

Collecting News, Toyguide Updates

Toyguide Update: SL10 Captain Rex

6 Comments

SL10_rex_preview

The Yakface Toyguide updates resume with our next entry in the 3-3/4″ Saga Legends line. Today we take a look at Captain Rex (SL10).

PROS: It’s nice to see characters from the Clone Wars not being completely abandoned. Captain Rex is almost entirely new and features a simplistic and yet detailed sculpt. The paint details are pretty good and surprisingly, Hasbro included many of the kill marks on the head, arms and legs – details that easily could have been omitted from these budget figures. The functional holsters are a nice touch as are the inclusion of the removable pauldron and dual blaster pistols since accessory count for the Saga Legends line has been limited to one or two pieces. Aimed at the younger collector, this figure just works as it does everything required of it – it fits in most vehicles, stands with little effort, holds his weapons firmly and looks great doing so.

CONS: Again, this figure isn’t for everyone due to its limited five points of articulation.

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.

Collecting News, Toyguide Updates

Toyguide Update: SL09 Boba Fett

1 Comment

SL09_Fett_preview

The Yakface Toyguide updates resume with our next entry in the 3-3/4″ Saga Legends line. Today we take a look at the first figure from Wave 2: Boba Fett (SL09).

PROS: Despite its lack of collector-grade articulation, the overall sculpt and deco for Fett is exemplary. The style is very much in keeping with the Vintage era while being more screen accurate. This series of figures is targeted toward the younger (or less demanding) collector and it fulfills the role nicely as he’s easy to stand for display, fits in most vehicles and the jetpack stays in place without any fiddling. Relatively cheap considering the cost of more premium action figures.

CONS: Surprisingly, Hasbro didn’t reuse the 5 POA mold from the Bespin Battle battle pack from 2012 which would have been a way to save some ever-increasing tooling costs. Some collectors will undoubtedly hate it, while others will embrace its simplicity and low price point. I, myself, am one of the latter.

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.

Collecting News, Toyguide Updates

Toyguide Update: Ewok Assault Catapult

1 Comment

ewokcatapult_preview

The Yakface Toyguide updates resume with our next entry for the ever continuing Vintage Collection. Today, we take a look at the Kmart Exclusive Ewok Assault Catapult.

PROS: Again, Kmart proves to be the retailer of choice when it comes to Original Trilogy merchandise. Not only do we get 2 “new” and unique Ewoks, but an all new catapult as well.

CONS: It really would have been nice to get the dalmatian Ewok (Brethupp) that was originally solicited with this set. Hopefully that version will see the light of day.

Head to the toyguide for the full image gallery and to judge for yourself whether this set 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.

Collecting News, Sponsor/Affiliate News, Toyguide Updates

Toyguide Update: Evolution of Darth Vader

3 Comments

evovader_preview

The Yakface Toyguide updates resume with our next entry for the 2013 Vader Collection. Today, we take a look at the Evolution of Darth Vader Gift Set*.

PROS: The pros are few but this set does bring together nearly the best sculpts of each figure Hasbro has to offer and makes for a nice gift pack for $30-40. Surprisingly, the main reason to buy this set is for the Vader. Sure, it’s just the Evolution/TVC08 sculpt but the deco on the underlying head sculpt is a marked improvement over the TVC figure as it corrects that weird white stripe on the chin.

CONS: As if the world needed more opportunities to buy an Anakin or Vader figure. Pick this set up if you are one of the few completists out there that absolutely need every repaint or if you are an incurable Anakin devotee.

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

*This set was provided to us courtesy of site sponsor Entertainment Earth.

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