The current Yakfinities Customizing Challenge is still going strong, but entries are due September 30th! So if you’re interested in making a custom Imperial Trooper, join in the fun – who knows, you might even be selected as a random winner for some free Hasbro figures!
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.
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.
The Yakface Toyguide updates resume today with the addition of the Target Exclusive Darth Maul Returns Battle Pack from 2012 “Darth Maul” Collection and The Clone Wars.
PROS: This set is a bit of an anomaly but a welcome change from Hasbro as this set not only includes 2 all-new figures but a repack of a hard-to-find figure as well in the armored Savage Opress. Couple that with the fact that this set is (currently) only $19.99 make for a lot of happy collectors. The designs of the new “cyborg” Darth Maul and Nightsister are excellent in both articulation and deco – areas that have been points of consternation with fans of Clone Wars line. On an accessory note, the lightsabers can be removed from the red “spinning force attack” accessory and assembled into Maul’s double-bladed lightsaber. If you’d like to see how the spinning accessory works, check out our YouTube page.
CONS: There are very few issues will this set but there are 2 that are pretty obvious and consistently noted among collectors of this line. The first is the fact that we aren’t given a proper Mother Talzin, which is surprising considering her importance to this story arc. Hasbro explained this as not having enough lead time to develop a proper figure given the fluidity of the design changes for the show. The second is that collectors have wanted another chance at the armored Savage and thankfully we got it, but sadly without his signature lightsaber from his earlier basic card release.
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.
Toys”R”Us is having a special sale this week on LEGO and Hasbro action figures, vehicles and rollplaying items. All LEGO construction sets are 30% off and the Hasbro Star Wars items are Buy one get one 50% off – perfect for those looking for the new Speeder Bike and Battle Packs!
Here is a quick look at a bunch of new pre-orders – Transformers, Django Unchained & Hot Toys – and some new arrivals from Big Bad Toy Store.
We’ve have received reports that the Target Exclusive Darth Maul Returns Battle Pack has started hitting retail on the west coast (California) the east coast (Florida) and in the southwest (Arizona and Texas). Happy hunting (087-06-1175)!
The Yakface Toyguide updates resume today with the addition of the Toys”R”Us Exclusive Speeder Bike with Scout Trooper from 2012 “Darth Maul” Collection.
PROS: After years of promises, Hasbro finally made good and have given collectors the ultimate Speeder Bike. And while some may miss the nostalgic exploding feature, the detail, design and play value will surely make up for it. The scale of this new speeder is near perfect and the display base fulfills a long time wish for most. We also finally have a biker scout that can pilot it properly as the 2006 VTSC Biker Scout gets a nice overhaul with the inclusion of ball-jointed hips and a unique neck joint allowing for some dynamic, and more importantly, realistic posing options. As a bonus, Hasbro’s design team included a separate tripod cannon that can be reconfigured to attach to the speeder’s under carrriage. It looks fine, but most of us will use it simply as a ground based weapon to lay waste to Rebels and furballs alike.
CONS: While the design of the speeder is flawless (in my opinion) the package does have an unexpected effect on the right handlebar as mine was very warped from the rubberband holding it in the tray. Then there is the scout trooper. The aesthetic of the 2006 version was great but this new version takes a step backward as the 2012 rendition features a sloppier paint job and mismatch black joints in the shoulders and ankles which is simply lame in my book. Also, one of my new scouts is already showing signs of yellowing on one of the shoulders. Lastly, due to the nature of the hip joints, the scout tends to be a bit bow-legged right out of the box but I have noticed that he is returning to shape the longer he is left off the bike.
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.
As we prep our full-blown toyguide update, check out our Facebook page for an early preview of the Toys”R”Us exclusive Speeder Bike with Scout Trooper. This is one item not to be missed!
It’s that time again – time to make your voice heard and vote for the next Yakfinities Customizing theme! Will Jabba’s Goons dominate the voting? Will Clone Wars make a comeback and win out? Or will the Undead claw their way to the top?
These votes are usually very close, so your selection could be the deciding factor! If you’re registered in our forums, your vote is just a click away.