Tag Archives: toyguide

Toyguide Update: Yoda’s Jedi Attack Fighter

The Yakface Toyguide updates resume today with the addition of Yoda’s Jedi Attack Fighter from the 2013 Yoda line look.

PROS: Hasbro has revised the Class I assortment for 2013 – now including 2 figures as pack-ins. This is not only a great value in terms of price but offers great play value right out of the box. The vehicle itself is an all-new design and it’s fantastic as it’s very true to the mini rig concept from the vintage days. The fighter has a removable “booster seat” that allows for figures larger than Yoda fit in the cockpit and in an ingenious move, Hasbro’s design team built into the ship the ability to switchout the astromech domes with others from the build-a-droid/Droidfactory line. The feature affords collectors customizing opportunities as well as the possibility of redecos of this set in the future. Yoda is an all-new figure as well and it has a headsculpt with incorporated communication headset.

CONS: The deco for Yoda’s face is a little wonky, especially the eyes. Hopefully this will be cleaned up as more of these hit the market.

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.

Toyguide Update: VC102 Ahsoka

The Yakface Toyguide updates resume today with the addition of Ahsoka from the Vintage Collection.

PROS: Hasbro has worked up a nice, realistic interpretation of Ahsoka’s “maturing” sculpt that debuted in the middle of Season 3. The paint work is really well done as are the details of her outfit and head sculpt. Her accessories are standard fare – lightsabers and hilts – and are faithful to their signature designs.

CONS: With a character that is as dynamic as “Snips” (yes, I went there) in terms of fighting style, I feel that the addition of ball-jointed hips would have really served this figure better than the standard swivel hips. I also think that she is a bit too tall in respect to her Anakin and Obi-Wan figure counterparts. Finally, to pick the smallest of nits, I think that her shoto (the short bladed lightsaber) wasn’t sculpted in the right color and should be a bit more yellowish-green in hue. These oversights keep this figure from being a definitive version in my book, but don’t negate it from being good overall.

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: VC103 Obi-Wan Kenobi

The Yakface Toyguide updates resume today with the addition of Obi-Wan Kenobi from the Vintage Collection.

PROS: For fans of The Clone Wars series, but not particularly the action figures due to their design aesthetic, Hasbro retools Obi-Wan’s early look in the series in “realistic” style. The translation works very well here as the all-new figure is faithful to that earlier design while maintaining the real world appearance of the clone armor and features a great portrait of Ewan McGregor as Kenobi. The articulation is solid and the weathered deco is something we’ve missed on many later run Clone Wars figures.

CONS: Honestly, I thought I would like this figure more than I do, but it’s probably not too surprising considering the glut of releases this version had in the animated Clone Wars line. It also feels that we were shorted an accessory or something as he only includes his basic lightsaber and hilt. Like others from this last wave, limited availability coupled with an above MSRP price through online outlets may be the sticking point for some collectors.

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: VC104 Lumat

The Yakface Toyguide updates resume today with the addition of Lumat from the Vintage Collection.

PROS: And another one gets crossed of the “to-be-remade” list. As a big fan of Ewok figures, Hasbro’s latest is quite impressive as it mixes old and new parts to get us a “new” figure. Lumat is loaded with articulation (12 POA), recycling the body from last year’s Logray figure. The weapon accessories for Lumat are all-new designs, the best of which is the bow being able to hold an arrow and the bow string is flexible enough to give the appearance of the arrow being drawn back. It’s a great piece all around.

CONS: Like others from this last wave, limited availability coupled with an above MSRP price through online outlets may be the sticking point for some collectors.

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: Jocasta Nu

The Yakface Toyguide updates resume today with the addition of Jocasta Nu from the Vintage Collection.

PROS: As one of the perennial recipients of votes in fans’ choice polls for years, Hasbro has treated collectors to a very nice figure as the design is solid and the deco is equally well done. Jocasta is presented in an attractive display box and includes a ton of accessories, one of the coolest being the Dooku “Lost Twenty” bust with hidden holocron.

CONS: For me? None. Others on the other hand seem to have a gripe with the price and/or the way this figure is distributed, but in the end you must, as they say “vote with your dollar” and let those who’ve wanted this figure enjoy it.

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: 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.