As evidenced by our recent post on Facebook, the Vintage Collection’s Wave 9 still seems to prove difficult to find for some collectors. Although I’ve been fortunate to see decent quantities of this wave, many collectors have all but given up hope for seeing this new assortment at retail. As a result, we’ve posted a new poll on our Facebook page asking how often do you actively “hunt” for new product at retail? Head on over to our facebook page to participate and join in on the chatter.
The Yakface Toyguide updates resume today with the addition of Ponda Baba “Walrus Man” (VC70) from The Vintage Collection.
PROS: Hasbro has again rendered all previous versions useless, not to mention laughable, with this ground up rework of fan favorite Ponda Baba. Great sculpting details in the jacket. The inclusion of both style of hands and the switch out severed arms is what playing with toys is all about! Paint operations are minimal, but well done (kudos to Hasbro for painting that little snap on the jacket pocket).
CONS: Nothing major, his head seems a tad under scaled, jacket could use a dirty paint wash and Hasbro gave him the wrong blaster and he’s missing the yellow stripes down each of his pant legs. Also, too bad his partner in crime, Dr. Evazan, isn’t on the pegs at the same time.
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.
The Yakface Toyguide updates resume today with the addition of Bastila Shan (VC69) from The Vintage Collection.
PROS: As winner of the 2009 Fans’ Choice Poll, Hasbro delivers pretty much the ultimate Bastila. Faithful to the KOTOR source material though the figure’s portrait on the card has had a likeness makeover. Great articulation and paint as well.
CONS: Due to the figure’s popularity, she might be a little difficult to find in the wild at retail. Could benefit from ball jointed hips for addition display options but not a deal breaker.
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.
In case you missed the fun over the weekend, our Facebook page was extremely busy as we gave away figures from the latest Vintage Collection wave. Four lucky winners (one of which is in Scotland) will be receiving their new figures soon.
Winners:
Ronan Munro & Raven Hughes – VC68 Rebel Soldier
Joe Timpona – VC69 Bastila Shan
Chris Sjarif – VC70 Ponda Baba
We wanted to send out a heartfelt thanks to all that participated as well as a thank you for helping us cross over the 2000 “likes” threshold!
If you aren’t a Facebook follower now is the time as we are going to be giving away 3 of the latest figures from The Vintage Collection! Read on for more!
The Yakface Toyguide updates resume today with the addition of the Rebel Soldier in Echo Base Battle Gear (VC68) from The Vintage Collection.
PROS: Hasbro gives us a nice tribute to the original Kenner Rebel Soldier figure. Great sculpt over all, you want a few for your Hoth dioramas.
CONS: Removable goggles don’t serve much purpose for this figure as he can really wear them over his eyes, at least not very well. Some might not like that Hasbro changed the figure’s portrait from the original movie still used on the 1980’s card.
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.
This morning I found the mother lode of Vintage Wave 9 (6 cases worth) at my local Walmart. This store typically is very slow for new merchandise so it just emphasizes the point that you need to check your stores consistently, even the bad ones, it will eventually pay off.
If that is little comfort, fear not, we are going to be giving away a Vintage Collection Bastila Shan, Walrus Man and Rebel Soldier on facebook. Watch for details this Friday!
The Yakface Toyguide updates resume today with the addition of the ARC Trooper Commander (VC54) from The Vintage Collection.
PROS: Hasbro delivers an amazing rendition of fan favorite “Captain Fordo” here in the ARC Trooper Commander. Great options for display and/or customizing with the switch out clone trooper gear. Awesome head sculpt and loads of articulation with the use of the new (VC45) clone trooper body.
CONS: Might still be tough to find in any quantity (luckily Hasbro intends to reship him later). Probably could have included the standard issue DC-15A blaster rifle for more weapon options.
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.
The Yakface Toyguide updates resume today with the addition of the exclusive Luke Skywalker’s Tauntaun from Target from The Vintage Collection.
PROS: While the new Tauntaun here is of superb quality and design, the Vintage packaging is the real draw to this exclusive.
CONS: The price. The price. The price. Wow, $24.99 for a single “beast” while a battle pack with tauntaun and 2 figures retails for the same thing just inches down the shelf???? For shame Target. Although there is no corresponding “Hoth Luke” on the shelves right now, nor has there been since 2007, Hasbro has promised a new Luke for 2012.
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.
With the new exclusives hitting the aisles at Target, one thing is for certain, Vintage packaging sells. I took it upon myself to create my own “exclusive” that could have/should have been released by Hasbro – and with no new tooling costs or over-inflated pricing.
In essence, it is the new “Search for Luke Skywalker” set but reworked to take advantage of the popular Vintage packaging design. This version switches out the new, super-articulated, Hoth Han for a more screen (and scene) accurate sculpt and it also drops the superfluous Hoth Rebel Trooper, remedying the fact that there isn’t a Hoth Luke in stores to tie into Target’s exclusive “Luke’s Tauntaun”. How’s that for poor retail planning?
By now you’ve heard or seen that both new beasts have the non-functional open belly plug, but with a little prying and some extra guts from the 2003 Toys”R”Us exclusive “Battle of Hoth” multi-pack, you can take Han’s cool new tauntaun and make it even better.
Hopefully Hasbro sees that with a little more planning and minimal development costs, it is possible to get more play value than you can swing a lightsaber at for kids and adult collectors alike.