Category Archives: Toyguide Updates

Collecting News, Toyguide Updates

Toyguide Update: First Order Stormtrooper (2)

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The Yakface Toyguide updates continue our series of additions for The Force Awakens 3-3/4″ line. Next, we take a look at the First Order Stormtrooper from wave 2 of the Build-A-Weapon “Snow” assortment.

PROS: Hasbro was wise to issue another First Order Stormtrooper in the follow up wave to the Force Friday launch. I would assume that the First Order Stormtroopers will be ubiquitous in the film so getting them out there en masse is probably a safe bet. Like the first release, the sculpt is solid, albeit limited in articulation. Regardless, a hand full of these standing behind Kylo Ren or Captain Phasma in a display will look decent in most cases. The First Order Stormtrooper only includes the standard F-11D blaster, but it can attach to the right leg (like the 6″ version) which looks far better (aesthetically) than the old holsters of previous troopers. Also for this release, Hasbro elected to change up the character art and offer a new build-a-weapon part so variation devotees, take note.

CONS: Articulation is sorely missed on troopers of this sort as it appears in the trailer they’ll be seeing a lot of action. The consolation is that we’ll be getting a 3.75″ Black Series version so there’s that.

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

Collecting News, Toyguide Updates

Toyguide Update: X-Wing Pilot Asty

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TG_asty_preview

The Yakface Toyguide updates continue our series of additions for The Force Awakens 3-3/4″ line. Next, we take a look at X-wing Pilot Asty from wave 2 of the Build-A-Weapon “Snow” assortment.

PROS: Hasbro LOVES X-wing pilots so it’s not surprising that we get a couple right out of the TFA gate with X-wing Pilot Asty. Obviously, not much is known about the character yet, but what we do know is that Hasbro didn’t simply repurpose an existing Poe Dameron sculpt, they went all out and tooled another design from the ground up with not a part shared. The alien design is new for Star Wars, but familiar at the same time, if that makes sense. Like the other figures in this line,  the sculpt is solid and the articulation is adequate enough for standing around in a Resistance mission briefing or piloting the latest T-70 X-wing. Asty includes a simple blaster pistol which can be stored in a small holster on his right hip. Surprisingly, there are a few easter eggs with this figure as well but I’ll let you read about those on the toyguide page itself.

CONS: As discussed previously on the First Order Snowtrooper, the pack-in “Build-A-Weapon” accessory is kind of silly, as it  is a set of skis that serves dual purpose as wings(?) that can be attached to Asty courtesy of a hole in his back. Like I said, the BAW concept extends the play of the figures but is really superfluous overall. Don’t get me wrong, the concept is sound, but maybe not necessary.

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

Collecting News, Toyguide Updates

Toyguide Update: First Order Snowtrooper

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TFA_FO_snowtrooper_preview

The Yakface Toyguide updates resume to kick off a series of additions for The Force Awakens 3-3/4″ line. Today, we take a look at the First Order Snowtrooper from wave 2 of the Build-A-Weapon “Snow” assortment.

PROS: Hasbro/Kenner has come a long way since the first 5 POA figures they released in the 90’s. Gone are the muscle bound proportions, instead we have a near-screen accurate representation of the latest snowtrooper from The Force Awakens in a more kid-centric line of products. The emphasis on “kid centric” is important as this line isn’t intended to subvert the diehard collector, but to give options in the toy aisle. Some may hate them, but again if you do, you’re probably not the audience anyway and that can’t be helped. As for the First Order Snowtrooper figure itself, the design is solid with a lot of detail in the stark white armor. Articulation is basic but the figure stands well and the ball-jointed head lends a little “attitude” when posing the head. He includes the standard issue F-11D blaster rifle (with extended stock), removable cold weather survival pack and two pieces for the “Icebreaker*” Build-A-Weapon.

CONS: For me, the jury is still out on the build-a-weapon concept. Sure, it adds to the playability of the figure (depending on the part), and there’s a nostalgic Vintage Kenner Droid Factory vibe I get from the constructs you assemble, but as a collector, they don’t really scratch that itch fully and leave me cold. In short,  I wouldn’t miss them if they were abruptly dropped from the line in favor of a waist joint or a $1 decrease in price.

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

*unofficial name

Collecting News, Toyguide Updates

Toyguide Update: SDCC Exclusive 6″ TBS First Order Stormtrooper

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SDCC_TFA_FO_ST_preview

The Yakface Toyguide updates resume today with a special look at the SDCC exclusive 6″ First Order Stormtrooper from the Black Series line of figures.

PROS: Here, we get our first real exposure to a toy from The Force Awakens and if other product in this line is as good (or better), I suspect there will be many happy collectors. Paint apps are pretty spot with little to no egregious slop (at least on this sample) and the articulation is pretty standard at this point, allowing for a lot of realistic and dynamic posing options. Overall proportions of the figure are good and the sculpt is highly detailed. I would expect to see a least a few trooper variants out of this mold so it is a great base for those future releases. The weapons are handled nicely with white and silver accents laid over familiar, yet all-new, blaster design(s) for the new films. They are able to be clipped into the right thigh via a dedicated tab – both of which are held securely when stowed.

CONS: Surprisingly, Hasbro elected to revert to insert-molded joints for the elbows whereas most prior 6″ Black Series figures were double-jointed. This limits their range of motion somewhat and prevents them from being bent less than 110º. Still no display stand for a line of figures that really could benefit from them. This will surely be a popular item to track down before and after SDCC, but thankfully, it will be released at retail, making the packaging/presentation the real collectible here.

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

Thanks to Hasbro for providing us this early sample.

Collecting News, Podcasts/Streaming, Toyguide Updates

Episode #64: Retail, Retcon & Red Arm

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On this week’s show Flyguy and I discuss the latest collecting news including not one but two waves of TBS 6” figures hitting retail, new details on the TRU/SDCC exclusive Jabba’s Rancor set and a new source in the US for those “cancelled” Legacy Collection figures. New LEGO news leaked this week regarding several sets tied to The Force Awakens and it looks like we’ll be getting gray bricks as far as the eye can see. Disney announced additional info for the next Disney Infinity expansion which focuses heavily on the Original Trilogy and its characters. All of this plus comic news, Star Wars Weekends merchandise, a “leaked” product hitting Mexico from The Force Awakens and more on Episode #64 of The Realm Recap.

Click on through to check out the latest episode and feel free to subscribe to our channel and leave suggestions on what you’d like to see covered on the show.

Also, if you prefer an audio-only version, a downloadable MP3 is available as well.

Continue reading Episode #64: Retail, Retcon & Red Arm →

Collecting News, Customizing, Games & Tech, Podcasts/Streaming, Sponsor/Affiliate News, Toyguide Updates, TV / Movie / Book / Audio News

Episode #63: A Collector and His Money Are Soon Parted

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The Realm Recap is back after the Memorial Day Weekend bring and in our absence, there were plenty of developments in collecting. Collectors success at retail has started to improve as more folks are finding Black Series figures (in both scales) at their local stores. eBay caused a bit of a frenzy this week as a notorious seller posted the first auction for a collectible from The Force Awakens — a 6″ First Order Stormtrooper which closed at a ridiculous price. Is it legit??? Also this week, new store finds from LEGO, product news for Disney Infinity 3.0, custom 6″ figures and vehicles as well as a new character name revealed fro The Force Awakens! It’s all on Episode 63 of The Realm Recap!

Click on through to check out the latest episode and feel free to subscribe to our channel and leave suggestions on what you’d like to see covered on the show.

Also, if you prefer an audio-only version, a downloadable MP3 is available as well.

Continue reading Episode #63: A Collector and His Money Are Soon Parted →

Collecting News, Toyguide Updates

Toyguide Update: 2013 Legacy Collection Droid Factory Assortment

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TG_LC_DF_2013_preview

The Yakface Toyguide updates resume today with a special update detailing the recently surfaced 2013 Legacy Collection Droid Factory Assortment.

PROS: Previously thought to be cancelled, this line look was eventually reconfigured to form many of the figures in the first waves of The Black Series as well as the 2013 Amazon Exclusive set. Many collectors preferred this line look so it is nice to get closure on that line that was very short lived. There is absolutely nothing new here so it is very skippable for the general opener/collector.

CONS: At this time, it is unknown how plentiful these cases of figures are so the price for each figure is pretty ridiculous. If you are a packaging/carded completist, this run of figures may ultimately be a hole in your collection.

Head to the toyguide for the full image gallery and to judge for yourself whether these figures are worth adding to your collection.

Collecting News, Podcasts/Streaming, Toyguide Updates, TV / Movie / Book / Audio News

Episode #62: Revenge of the Legacy Collection

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A lot has happened in collecting news since our last show. With long-thought cancelled product hitting stores again as well as new preorders going live, there hasn’t been a shortage of things to purchase this week so you definitely need a deep wallet. Star Wars Weekends is officially underway and there is A LOT of merchandise available from there as well, from clothes to Build-A-Droid parts and more. We cover all of this plus Disney Infinity 3.0 news, new images from The Force Awakens and, as always, our newest reviews and acquisitions — all on Episode 62 of The Realm Recap!

Click on through to check out the latest episode and feel free to subscribe to our channel and leave suggestions on what you’d like to see covered on the show.

Also, if you prefer an audio-only version, a downloadable MP3 is available as well.’

Continue reading Episode #62: Revenge of the Legacy Collection →