AT-RT Driver - TVC - Basic (VC46)

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When we look back on previous Star Wars toy lines from Hasbro, we often make notes about which figures need to be updated. When it comes to the Revenge Of The Sith line, often there are many figures that absolutely surprise us that Hasbro hasn’t update yet, like Commander Bly, Anakin Skywalker (Battle-Damage!), and the Wookiees for example. But one figure we didn’t expect them to revisit was one that looked pretty fantastic in 2005's Revenge Of The Sith line and still looks great today, the AT-RT Driver (III 54). But when you compare 2011’s TVC AT-RT Driver to the 2005 ROTS figure, you quickly realize that while it was good, a revisit was definitely warranted. Hasbro has reached an unprecedented level of attention to detail in their amazing basic figure line and AT-R Driver is one in their long list of figures that significantly improved previous attempts by leaps and bounds. The 2005 ROTS AT-RT Driver (III 54) was certainly super-articulated, but the 2011 version includes some incredible enhancements which do wonders to the character. The inclusion of a realistically sized removable helmet and ball-jointed hips are just the beginning. Hasbro has also included a removable backpack and included two guns that are free from action features and in perfect scale to the character. (Oh, and Hasbro opted to do away with the removable battle-damaged armor pieces. While it was pretty awesome, it made the figure look way too chunky.

On top of the enhancements already mentioned, Hasbro has also update the paint job and included many details that haven’t bee included with previous versions. The stylistic lines on the thighs and cod piece are cleaner and balanced and the detail on the belt couldn’t be more accurate. The ammo garter on his left thigh is less bulky and clings tighter around the leg in addition to the details being finer. The new AT-RT Driver may not be completely free from all issues, but the significant strides taken to make him spectacular are evident. One small issue that immediately bothers us is the shoulder armor. Just like his wave mate Clone Trooper (VC45), Hasbro has sculpted armor over the shoulder joints in an effort to hide the hinging of the ball-joint. What this does is limit the mobility of the arms significantly. In fact, it’s a large step back when compared to the 2005 figure that could place his arms in any plane. We applaud the efforts to make the joints less noticeable, and perhaps this is what many of you have been wishing for, but we think it really kills the mobility of the figure. For the first time, we get an AT-RT Driver with a removable helmet. The head is smaller in size, just like the Clone Trooper (VC45) and this allows for a normal sized helmet to be placed over it without skewing scale. (It works like a charm for the AT-RT Driver.)

Perhaps the biggest benefit for collectors is the addition of the ball-jointed hips. As you are all well aware, this character is intended to straddle the AT-RT walkers and now it is much easier to do so thanks to Hasbro’s update here. Aesthetically, the 2011 AT-RT Driver is worlds better than the original 2005 ROTS figure. Updates to body sculpt and paint jobs are inevitable, but even finer details like the shoulders (despite their limitations) are so much better now. (If you check out the 2005 ROTS figure, look at the shoulder sockets. It looks more like balls sitting in grooves than shoulder sockets. Hasbro has really mastered the art of realism now.) The AT-RT Driver’s boots are a striking light gray. Interestingly, the 2005 ROTS figure had some dirt on his boots and you already know that we prefer that look to anything else. It is quite amazing when Hasbro chooses to redo a figure that many of us think doesn’t need an update. But the AT-RT Driver kind of proves that even the more recent figures from the Revenge Of The Sith line, though super-articulated, are in need of some upgrading. From the new ball-jointed waist to the removable helmet, AT-RT Driver will absolutely be a sleeper hit for many collectors. Be sure to not let this one escape you because it is an absolute must-have update to replace your 2005 Revenge Of The Sith version. And it has become one of our favorite figures already in The Vintage Collection.