Luke Skywalker: X-Wing Pilot - TSC - Vintage

Celebrate the legendary Star Wars films that changed the universe forever, with The Saga Collection. This collection brings to life the incredible story of good versus evil that captured our imagination and took us to a galaxy far, far away. The finest re-creations of the iconic Star Wars heroes and villains are back with incredible detail and premium features to commemorate each epic tale in the Star Wars saga. And, as a tribute to the dedication of Star Wars fans everywhere, we are re-releasing elements of the original packaging that harken back to the creation of Star Wars action figures, which began over 25 years ago with the Original Trilogy. May the Force be with you!

Luke Skywalker is the most popular main character in the Original Trilogy. And while he maintains this status through the saga, Hasbro sometimes ignores some of the character’s most fashionable outfits for too long between action figure releases. But usually, the wait is very worthwhile because when that update finally gets revisited, it is often something significant done to the character in action figure form, and that makes collectors very happy. Luke Skywalker: X-Wing Pilot from 2006’s The Saga Collection “vintage-styled” line is a figure that was a fantastic choice for the royal treatment. Unfortunately, it still isn’t perfect and could use another few tweaks. Despite a few issues, Luke Skywalker: X-Wing Pilot is a phenomenally constructed and designed action figure. However, it needs a few more things done to it before we’ll classify it as definitive. It offers a lot and is fantastic as far as its articulation is concerned, but the portrait design, the color of the skin, and the lack of movement in the head prevents this release from attaining perfection. This “vintage-styled” figure was part of the Hasbro 2006 Ultimate Galactic Hunt promotion. These figures came with a foil sticker (and the mail-away certificate) to send away for a George Lucas (In Stormtrooper Disguise) action figure (also in “vintage-styled” packaging).

Luke Skywalker: X-Wing Pilot is mostly an all-new figure (save for the head sculpt which Hasbro reused from 2004’s VOTC Luke Skywalker “vintage-styled” action figure). Interestingly, Hasbro gave Luke Skywalker: X-Wing Pilot an extremely bizarre skin color. Luke is too dark and appears to have a tan from soaking in the sun (or something). We did a double-take, and believe that Hasbro has added some eyeshadow as well. We wish Hasbro hadn’t reused the 2004 VOTC Luke Skywalker head. Let’s be honest. It doesn’t look like Luke at all, and the crazy zigzag bangs are just a bit too much to accept. There are a plethora of excellent Luke heads that Hasbro could have utilized instead. And we’re not even sure why this head has made it so far with Lucasfilm, Ltd. approval. It is just so way off in our opinions. What’s worse for most collectors is that the figure comes with the incorrect lightsaber hilt: Darth Vader’s, to be exact. We’re not sure what went wrong here, but it’s not the right lightsaber. At least there is a hole drilled on the figure’s torso to hang it. Interestingly, the air hose pulls out of the body, too (next to the spot where you place the lightsaber). The figure is scaled perfectly well, and despite the wrong lightsaber hilt, the figure does still comes with the correct blaster pistol and lit lightsaber, and both fit very well in the figure’s hands.

Luke Skywalker: X-Wing Pilot has a brilliant orange flight suit that is well fitted (which means well sculpted) on the figure’s small-sized body. Even better is the unique helmet, complete with screen-accurate Rebel emblems and other symbols as well as a wash to show various battle-damaged markings. The whole figure, complete with packaging, is terrific, and it is the best version of this character to date. And that’s what you’ll need to focus on to consider if for your collection. Loaded with 23 points of articulation, Hasbro gave this figure ultimate mobility. It’s not required since you’ll have it serve most of its time in your collection, piloting an X-Wing fighter. We should point out one more thing. The color of the straps doesn’t look right. Hasbro colored them in a gray that is too flat and too dark. (Editor’s Note: Hasbro fixed this issue in the 2008 TAC Luke Skywalker/R2-D2 (6 of 6) Droid Factory Walmart exclusive set. They changed the color of the straps to silver. And a bonus, they also lightened his skin color, but with the same old portrait.) Let us reiterate. While this is the best Luke, for now, it isn’t definitive. Until that happens, this figure certainly warrants your time, consideration, and purchase. Even if they update the skin color, the figure’s head sculpt still needs revision. Until better arrives, this is a figure to consider for your collection.