Biker Scout - TSC - Vintage

Added: May 31st 2010
Category: Saga Collection, The
Reviewer: Paul Harrison
Score:

Name: Biker Scout
Collection: The Saga Collection
Number: N/A
Source: Return Of The Jedi
Availability: April 2006
License: Hasbro

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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!

Although Kenner/Hasbro introduced the first modern Star Wars Biker Scout as a pack-in figure to 1996’s POTF2 [R/G] Imperial Speeder Bike set, the first singly-packaged action figure was part of the 2001 Power Of The Jedi line. Hasbro released 2001’s POTJ Scout Trooper (Imperial Patrol) figure in two styles, one with and then without, battle-damage. A nice-looking figure, it lacked the necessary articulation to do anything else with it other than have it stand around and do nothing. The POTJ figure became Hasbro’s “go-to” figure for much too long. But all of that changed with the “Vintage” The Saga Collection sub-line of premium super-articulated action figure placed on vintage-styled Kenner packaging. The “Vintage” Original Trilogy Collection line was the jumping-off point, but the 2006 line brought the action figures an incredible distance forward and are some of Hasbro’s most celebrated action figure efforts. The Biker Scout is super-articulated. It has a beautiful sculpt and can articulate in almost every position required to be a valuable addition to any Star Wars action figure collection. When the standards for articulation changed around 2003 with the release of the Clone Wars Clone Trooper (’03 #50), fans began to demand from Hasbro the same treatment for all of the action figures they produced. With the new approach, collectors knew that a definitive Biker Scout action figure was possible. The Biker Scout comes with an impressive twenty-three points of articulation, but the scale and sculpt were so far ahead from where previous versions stopped. Designed to be the template for all future Biker Scout action figures, this release is one figure that thousands of collectors will buy multiples to have the appropriate amount for displays and dioramas. Also, expect Hasbro to re-release this Biker Scout figure time after time. It’s the new “go-to” figure for this character.

As quickly explained above, the Biker Scout has a respectable 23 points of articulation that worked into its tooling. These points include a ball-socket head, ball-jointed shoulder, elbows, torso, knees, ankles, swivel wrists, and hips. The functionality of this figure’s articulation system is excellent. The poses you can achieve will make you a happy collector. Because the Biker Scout is essentially just two colors (black and white), Hasbro could easily hide the joints. They’re well-hidden. More importantly, the joints provide the figure with excellent mobility, and you can impressively pose the Biker Scout in many static and action stances. Hasbro faithfully replicated the armor, and the helmet is screen-accurate to the costume we saw the actors wear during the Battle of Endor. From helmet to boot, the Biker Scout will meet your every need as an action figure and stay a high-ranking figure for years to come. The best news about the Biker Scout is that the figure doesn’t come with a removable helmet. The lack of this feature is a massive bonus for Original Trilogy purists. For years, Hasbro likes to add a “clone” portrait with removable helmets on Original Trilogy characters, but it frustrates collectors. Thankfully, this is not the case for the Biker Scout. For accessories, the figure only comes with the signature blaster pistol, exclusive to the Biker Scouts. Hasbro also tooled a holster into the figure’s right boot, and you can stow it away there when not in use. What’s more, the blaster pistol fits perfectly into the right hand. The figure naturally straddles all the speeder bikes released to date. While it’s not a match made in heaven, a little trial and error will enable you to fit the Biker Scout in a realistic pose on the bike (eventually). Aside from ball-jointed hips, we don’t see a need for Hasbro to revisit this figure. Oh, and this is the perfect modern update to 1983' ROTJ Biker Scout figure.

The Biker Scout will probably take first place as one of the finest of all the “Vintage” The Saga Collection figures because it is one of the most screen-accurate figures of this wave. We don’t take for granted a second of the time Hasbro put into this action figure. And as far as availability, it has many things working against it. It’s one per case. And it’s one of the most accurate action figures ever produced. For these obvious reasons, the Biker Scout figure didn’t last long on store shelves and outsold the others in the wave by a landslide. The four other figures in the wave felt like peg-warmers by comparison. Eventually, the line as a whole did very well for Hasbro. And we know we’ll see more action figures like this one in the future. We are confident that the Biker Scout is a figure that will need a release after re-release to meet retail demand. The figure will perform as well as figures like Darth Vader and Boba Fett. And any trooper-builder figure requires multiple purchases. As one of the most popular Imperial soldiers in the Original Trilogy, there may not be an end in sight when the figure finally meets collector demand. The details on the Biker Scout are quite astounding. From the accuracy of the visor to the discolored midsection showing that it’s a different material (canvas) compared to the armor, the Biker Scout will bring your collection to a whole new standard of expectations. This figure will change your taste for action figures. The Biker Scout is outstanding in the world of action figures. It’s time to move on from the easily obtainable “fast food” action figure. Lastly, the Biker Scout was part of the 2006 Ultimate Galactic Hunt promotion. If you collected all five foil stickers from each figure in the 2006 VTSC line, you could mail-away for a vintage-styled George Lucas (In Stormtrooper Disguise) action figure. That figure was a big hit!

Collector Notes

Biker Scout

Status: Biker Scout is an all-new figure.

Articulation Count: 23 points (14 areas of articulation)

Articulation Details: ball-socket head (1), ball-jointed left shoulder (2), ball-jointed right shoulder (2), ball-jointed left elbow (2), ball-jointed right elbow (2), swivel left forearm (1), swivel right forearm (1), ball-jointed torso (2), swivel left hip (1), swivel right hip (1), ball-jointed left knee (2), ball-jointed right knee (2), ball-jointed left ankle (2), ball-jointed right ankle (2)

Accessory Count: 1

Accessory Details: blaster pistol

Date Stamp: 2005

Assortment Number: 87066/87129

UPC: 653569136903

Retail: $9.99 USD

Market Value: Click here to check the latest prices based on Click here to check the market value on eBay! listings.

Biker Scout

"Vintage" The Saga Collection Wave 1 (2006)

Biker Scout

Greedo

Han Solo (In Trench Coat)

Luke Skywalker: X-Wing Pilot

Sand People

"Vintage" The Saga Collection Mail-Away Exclusive (2006)

George Lucas (In Stormtrooper Disguise)

"Vintage" The Saga Collection Wave 2 (2007)

Bossk (Bounty Hunter)

Han Solo (Hoth Outfit)

IG-88 (Bounty Hunter)

Imperial Stormtrooper (Hoth Battle Gear)

Luke Skywalker (Bespin Fatigues)

Princess Leia Organa (In Combat Poncho)



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