Tag Archives: hasbro

Toyguide Update: SL11 Stormtrooper

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.

Toyguide Update: SL10 Captain Rex

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.

Toyguide Update: SL09 Boba Fett

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.

Five Below Continues to Stock Vintage

malgus

Last night, I came across another Vintage dump at Five Below of the Darth Malgus wave.  So if you’ve got one of these stores in your area, it may be worth your time to swing by and see if you can pick up any more goodies like the fantastic Imperial Navy Commander figure.

Personal Note:  It’s fun finding great figures for cheap, but this also adds more Phantom Menace carry forwards for Five Below to try and move, and quite honestly, this keeps me from buying Black Series figures at other stores for $10.00 a pop when great figures can be had for this price at discount stores… and I’m sure I’m not alone.  I also can’t help but wonder how the poor 2012 showing for Hasbro continues to impact the current state of the hobby.

Action Figures in Demand Vs. Hasbro’s Lines

turtles4

Last week, I began to feel some of my worst fears for the Black Series were coming to fruition as I see so few retailers ordering new product for the Christmas shopping season.

By contrast, there are action figure lines that are thriving; so don’t let Hasbro fool you into thinking that kids don’t like action figures anymore, or they don’t like articulation… as those of us know who check more than the Star Wars section, other toy lines like Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are constantly selling out and being restocked these past several months.

What do you think?  Is Hasbro going to finally right this ship in 2014?  Share your thoughts in the forums!