Category Archives: Toyguide Updates

Toyguide Update: VC105 Emperor’s Royal Guard

The Yakface Toyguide updates resume today with the addition of the Emperor’s Royal Guard (VC105) from the Vintage Collection.

PROS: The Emperor’s Royal Guard gets a full retool for 2012 and the figure is, for the most part, perfect – aside from a few nitpicks of course. The all-new body is fully articulated with 14 POA and well-tailored soft goods robes. He is loaded with accessories as well, allowing it to be displayed as a Royal Guard or as a member of the Royal Guard Academy from the Crimson Empire comic series.

CONS: While the new “ERG” succeeds on most levels, for me, it falls a bit short in a couple of areas. First, I think the color of underlying body is too red and would have looked better in a more maroon color, as used on prior versions, bringing it closer in appearance to the 1983 coloration. Second, despite the fact the figure is trying to pull a two-in-one here, I don’t necessarily like all of the Imperial logos plastered all over it. Finally, it’s a shame that Hasbro didn’t go the full nine yards and give this figure a Kir Kanos-specific likeness -complete with lightsaber scar – but again opted for another generic bearded sculpt.

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: VC106 Nien Nunb

The Yakface Toyguide updates resume today with the addition of Nien Nunb (VC106) from the Vintage Collection.

PROS: This figure serves the dual purpose of being a fantastic update to the vintage figure as well as a replacement for an obsolete POTF2 release. Although a bit short, Hasbro has captured the detail, likeness (at least in sculpt) and aesthetic of Nien Nunb character.  The color of the jumpsuit is just right and the inclusion of the holster is a nice bonus. As for accessories, he includes a homage to the 80s Vintage blaster pistol and a rifle that is a direct translation of his POTF weapon – minus the sling.

CONS: To me, the new Nien Nunb seems a bit on the diminutive side coming in as the shortest version of him yet. The face paint treatment could have used one more application as the lower “lip” flap and mouth should be a darker color compared to the rest of the face. Luckily, this is easily corrected with some basic painting skills. You can see my enhanced version in the toyguide gallery.

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: VC107 Weequay

The Yakface Toyguide updates resume today with the addition of Weequay (VC107) from the Vintage Collection.

PROS: What a difference 16 years can make. That’s how long it’s been since we’ve received a new Weequay out of Hasbro and thankfully, this new iteration doesn’t disappoint (much). The figure hits all the right marks in terms of deco, articulation and detail especially that iconic craggy face. The overall stance of the figure is pretty much in keeping for what this figure needs to be… a guard and goon for Jabba. The accessories are sparse but we do get his signature vibro-ax and a blaster. The new Weequay looks amazing with the other skiff and palace guards we’ve received in recent years and I can only imagine how good he might look on the deck of a huge sail barge (wink, wink).

CONS: Despite this being the definitive version we’ve all waited for, it does have a few minor faults. First, the mismatched joint pins in the knees are a complete eyesore but thankfully, they are only visible when its knees are bent or when looking at the figure from behind. Second, it would have put this figure over the top if he would have included a holster to stow his included blaster. Third, since this figure is available only as an online exclusive, collectors won’t get the chance at “guard building” this guy for dioramas as they might have otherwise.

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: VC113 Republic Trooper

The Yakface Toyguide updates resume today with the addition of the Republic Trooper (VC113) from the Vintage Collection.

PROS: With the Republic Trooper, Hasbro has created a fantastic figure in virtually all aspects. This figure is loaded with articulation, accessories and paint apps and for the most part, is very faithful to the Old Republic source material. One cool feature is that you can swap around the ammo and knife/sheath accessories for custom configurations or to recreate Commander Jace Malcom, a main character in the SWTOR MMO.

CONS: A few minor quibbles. First, this figure is part of the online exclusive wave, so you won’t find him in stores. Second, the deco is a bit clean for a battle hardened Republic Trooper . Finally, the “Havoc Squad” unit logos are missing from the shoulder armor.

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: VC114 Orrimaarko

The Yakface Toyguide updates resume today with the addition of Orrimaarko (Prune Face) (VC114) from the Vintage Collection.

PROS: Hasbro has done the inevitable and repurposed the 2009 Major Panno in to one of my personal favorites from the Kenner line. The deco and new head sculpt are very well done and the new soft goods cloak really gives it that nostalgic “Kenner” feel. Like Panno, he is loaded with articulation and includes his own signature rifle, blaster and tiny commlink.

CONS: The only drawback with this figure, and its casemates, it that it is an online exclusive – i.e. not sold in stores. : (

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: 104th Battalion “Wolf Pack” Ultimate Gift Set

The Yakface Toyguide updates resume today with the addition of the online exclusive 104th Battalion “Wolf Pack” Clone Troopers Ultimate Gift Set from The Clone Wars.

PROS: For fans of the series, this is a nice expansion pack in order to get some of the additional troopers for the “Wolf Pack” squad. The deco for Clone Commander Wolffe (and his troopers) is much closer to the actual color as portrayed in the series.

CONS: Since this set is now an online exclusive (previously set to be a Walmart item), collectors may have to pay a little bit extra than if they were to pick this up at retail. Plo Koon only includes his double bladed lightsaber gauntlet whereas it would have been nice to get his standard issue Jedi weapon.

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

Toyguide Update: 1:6 Scale STAP and Battle Droid

The Yakface Toyguide updates resume today with the addition of the 1:6 Scale STAP and Battle Droid from Sideshow Collectibles.

PROS: Sideshow’s designers have captured one most iconic vehicles in the prequels to an exacting detail. The STAP itself features adjustable turret/yoke, handlebars and foot pegs to allow the included Battle Droid to achieve various in-flight poses. The sturdy display base also features an adjustable center section to allow you to tilt the STAP and Battle Droid for additional dynamic poses. The included battle droid is a redeco of their first release and molded in a slightly different color. He features plethora of articulation and is, in essence, a mini-maquette of the Battle Droid CGI model. On my particular sample, the included backpack attaches the to the droid much better as the first Infantry Battle Droids’ packs tended to fall off rather easily. The droid affixes to the STAP by way of magnets built into the feet and foot controls – an ingenious idea – and the multi-joint hands allow him to grasp the controls firmly.

CONS: Cost and displaying a piece of this size may be an issue for some and sadly the included blaster rifle still does not attach to the droids backpack.

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

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

Toyguide Update: Ewok Scouts (Kmart)

The Yakface Toyguide updates resume today with the addition of the Kmart Exclusive Ewok Scouts from The Vintage Collection.

PROS: For lovers of Ewoks (or Imperial cannon fodder), 2012 has been awesome for collectors as we’ve received nearly a dozen (counting accessory variants) of these little furballs this year. Also, Vintage packaging fans get an introduction to a new way to deliver figures in a nostalglic way. Hasbro is really excited about this packaging form factor and promises that it will lend itself to offering more that just figures in the future. Shipping along side it, this set is complemented by the Endor AT-ST Crew and both sets together, combined with the Kmart Exclusive AT-ST Walker, offer an instant battle scenario that we all recreated as kids.

CONS: Again, like much of 2012 it comes down to availability as there are not a lot of Kmart stores around anymore, hopefully these will turn up on their website soon.

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

Toyguide Update: Clone Trooper Lieutenant (Lost Line)

The Yakface Toyguide updates resume today with the addition of the Clone Trooper Lieutenant (EP2-02) released as part of the Kenner Lost Line variant packaging for The Vintage Collection.

PROS: It’s surprising that it took Hasbro this long to start repainting the ultra-articulated VC45 Clone Trooper into some of peripheral clone officers from Attack of the Clones. There is not a whole heck of a lot new here but the execution here is good with an accurate color selection for the armor flashes and a fairly decent application of them. Again like the VC45 version, articulation is abundant making with widest range of posing options possible. Accessories are basic with the standard trooper kit of a blaster, rifle and removable helmet.

CONS: A solid figure all around but maybe the only issue with it is that the paint treatment looks odd around the ankles as I don’t recall the black body suit being visible on the Phase I clones. Again with most figures, finding one at retail may be a bit of a chore, but they are turning up in decent numbers at Walmart and Toys”R”Us on both card back variants.

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 2: Speeder Bike with Scout Trooper

After my suggestion via twitter that Hasbro should have included an alternate display arm for the Speeder Bike to pose them at varying heights, I realized they inadvertently did! If you assemble the cannon base in its tripod configuration, you can mount the speeders right on top. I’ve added 3 more images to the toyguide entry to showcase this discovery.