Electronic Elite Praetorian Guard - SW [TLJ] - 12-Inch Figures

As the Supreme Leader of the First Order, Snoke stood atop an evil regime that mirrored many of the dark traditions of the Galactic Empire. As a striking example, Snoke was flanked by crimson-clad guardians, loyal protectors encased in ornate armor ready to defend the Supreme Leader from any threat.

For certain characters in the 12-Inch Figure line, Hasbro decides to elevate the figures in ways that made them more interesting and interactive. This applies to the Electronic Elite Praetorian Guard. The figure would have been a fantastic release for the regular mainstream 12-Inch Figures line, but they thought the character could be bettered with some enhanced electronics, lights and sound effects to make it more appealing to the kids. Sadly, kids aren’t collecting figures like this anymore. And when it comes to electronics, these same kids are more into devices and the apps and games they can play on them. Hasbro’s only chance to sell these figures is if they gear them to the adult collector market, and that’s not what they did here at all. With battle sounds and a light-up staff, the Electronic Elite Praetorian Guard is visually an intriguing large-sized action figure, but it will end up as clearance fodder because of the format and the price. It doesn’t have a chance to make an impact on the Star Wars [The Last Jedi] line.

The Electronic Elite Praetorian Guard has great proportions, but severely limited articulation. The figure is about 12 inches tall and has a great head sculpt in addition to wonderfully tooled arms and legs. Hasbro worked in a pliable plastic to make the figures lower robes, and it does allow the figure to be positioned in some interesting ways. Still, it’s not ideal movement, and most people will likely be somewhat disappointed in the little amount of movement the figure offers. The head swivel left and right. And the two shoulders and hips swivel as well. Extra articulation points including a swivel forearm and wrist add the extra movement needed to pose the figure’s blade. Speaking of the blade, one half of it is a separate accessory and this allows more versatility when displaying too. With battery power, the blade lights up and adds an extra level of excitement to the figure’s play value. But again, we’re not sure who Hasbro designed this figure for because there is such little interest in figures of this scale by any Star Wars collector.

Because of all of the extra bells and whistles with the Electronic Elite Praetorian Guard, the MSRP has shot up dramatically, especially when compared to the less-than-ten-dollars basic assortment. Sadly, the Electronic Elite Praetorian Guard retails for $19.99 – double the price of most 12-Inch Figures and in the same price range of the super-articulated The Black Series [Phase III] 6” line. Does Hasbro truly believe that light-up features and sound-effects warrant charging the same price for collectors’ figures as kids’ figures? It’s a strange decision for Hasbro to make to set an MSRP this high for a simply constructed action figure. Either way, the Electronic Elite Praetorian Guard isn’t a success. It hasn’t sold well and for months and months after its original release is found online for pennies on the dollar. It may have been best if this figure was released without any extra bells and whistles and added to the basic 12-Inch Figures assortment instead. It may have had a fighting chance.