ARTOO-DETOO (R2-D2) - TVC - Basic (VC234)

It often appears that Hasbro tries very hard to make all the different facets of Star Wars fans happy. But when it comes to “old school” collectors, it feels more hit-and-miss. 1982’s ESB ARTOO-DETOO (R2-D2) was a figure Hasbro first attempted in 2004’s “Vintage” Original Trilogy Collection lineup. But it was more of a hodgepodge of different R2-D2 characters throughout the Original Trilogy instead of a version focused on the “sensorscope” or “periscope” utility for which the vintage Kenner figure was known. Also, they packaged that figure on a Return Of The Jedi card. Four decades have passed since the original 1982 release, and Hasbro brings forth the ARTOO-DETOO (R2-D2) figure for The Vintage Collection, complete with The Empire Strikes Back entertainment logo and feature focused on the dome attachment. Hasbro chose to use the tooling of 2010’s TVC R2-D2 (VC25) figure, repaint it here and there, and only include the periscope accessory. Unfortunately, the tooling of this figure is breaking down. The third foot doesn’t stay up when you need it to, and the figure is too small in scale to the other action figures in the line. Still, Hasbro is hellbent on continuing to use it for the line over a decade later. It’s not that ARTOO-DETOO (R2-D2) is a terrible figure. No, in many ways, the action figure holds up and looks good in photographs, but it’s time for Hasbro to develop an all-new R2 unit for The Vintage Collection that’s on a better scale and comes with more “things” not burdened by the figure’s other features.

Hasbro’s inspiration for R2-D2 (VC25) came from the “BAR2-D2” version of the character from Star Wars Episode VI: Return Of The Jedi. But once you remove the bar and glasses, a reasonably standard R2-series astromech droid is underneath. So, turning this action figure into a character from another Star Wars source is of no consequence. Hasbro cleverly based this R2-D2 figure on two consecutive scenes in Return Of The Jedi: the first scene when the droid is serving drinks on Jabba’s sail barge and the second scene when the droid is on the deck ready to launch Luke’s lightsaber hilt to him on the desert skiff. But all of those original accessories are missing for this release. However, the accessory ARTOO-DETOO (R2-D2) does come with isn’t that impressive. For example, initially, you needed to use the periscope attachment as a “tool” to push down his third leg. However, the third leg is so loose that it barely stays up by itself, regardless. Also, in case you’ve forgotten, once the piece is in place, it serves as a lock to prevent the droid’s dome from rotating. The third leg either doesn’t come down low enough or is at an awkward angle because ARTOO-DETOO (R2-D2) can’t attain the best poses when using all three feet. In 2010, R2-D2 (VC25) was a treat as it was something new. But a decade out, the figure is more of a nuisance than anything else. We would have much preferred to see Hasbro tweak a Build A Droid version of an R2 unit to develop this new ARTOO-DETOO (R2-D2) character. Instead, we’re stuck with an obsolete figure that no longer functions as intended.

We have other complaints about ARTOO-DETOO (R2-D2) ’s features. We dislike the front panel that opens up. It’s no longer challenging to open, but what’s inside is just as disappointing as it was a decade ago. Hasbro included a silver arm attachment that is essentially useless. But the panel doesn’t look right because the blue arm is centered in a white panel, and that’s screen-inaccurate. There are also some aesthetics of the figure that has issues. For example, Hasbro has yet to perfect how the two halves come together. This brand new R2-D2 has the same seam as many other astromech droids, and some samples’ pieces don’t line up nicely. Also, Hasbro has added wheels (two wheels on each foot like The Clone Wars R2-D2 figure) but no wheels on the third leg. This design, of course, creates an imbalance. However, if you’re a collector that displays figures, this figure should serve your needs perfectly well. The Ninety Six is a bitter pill to swallow for many longtime collectors. We’re exhausted by Hasbro’s focus elsewhere, and many of us only want to see Hasbro complete modern counterparts for the original vintage Kenner Star Wars line yesterday. As of late, most are coming in the form of Walmart exclusives. And while that’s a good thing, Walmart ships them with little care for carded collectors. Many arrive damaged, and the entire process is a nightmare for carded collectors. Still, we will take what we can get, and a big part of The Vintage Collection experience is the packaging. It’s lovely to get another O96 in the line.