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Name: Mos Espa Arena
Collection: Star Wars [The Phantom Menace 3D]
Number: N/A (Battle Packs) (Discover The Force)
Source: The Phantom Menace
Availability: January 2012
License: Hasbro
Podracers line up at Mos Espa Arena's starting grid to compete in the Boonta Eve Classic Podrace. The mechanically gifted Anakin has built his own Podracer and is assembling the protocol droid C-3PO. The ruthless Sebulba is determined to win the race at any cost. Pit droids are part of the racing teams and eagerly assist with repairs.
2012 is obviously about the celebration of The Phantom Menace 3D film, but it is also turning out to be a celebration of podracing as well. Hasbro is focusing on this sequence of the film for so many of their general and exclusive release items. It’s expected. Many fans love the various podracing scenes and many more like the characters. Thankfully in 2012, Hasbro is releasing them in a better way and are offering collectors more than they did in the past. The paint jobs are revised and there are new accessories this round. At least the more than a decade old film is still inspiring Hasbro to make things new again…. even with old sculpting. Both Toys R Us and Walmart have picked up multipacks that showcase various podracers and their all-new corresponding flags. These flags put a completely unique spin on the way we have received podracing pilots in the past and we have to say they’re worth it. The new plastic flags are the primary reason collectors are throwing down the cash to get these figures again. Yes, the figures have been repainted and yes, the packaging of them together looks really cool, but we’d venture a guess that there might be some latent resentment at them being thrown at us again, especially since they are from what is often considered the least favorite Star Wars film (that doesn’t mean everyone feels that way). Mos Espa Arena is another Battle Packs set that is part of Walmart’s exclusive Discover The Force promotion. As a whole we have to say we’re almost fond of it. But after an analysis of the figure separately, you’re going to find that we’ve been had here.
Repacks and repaints are inevitable, but in 2012, the inclusion of at least one all-new figure needs to make the repurchase of them worthwhile. Flags are cool, but not “all-new figure” cool. Mos Espa Arena Battle Packs set brings you five “old” Star Wars action figures. To be fair, Hasbro did use the best ( and sometimes read “only”) versions of the characters they had, spruced them up and threw them into this Battle Packs set. Five figures seem generous. After all, the last time we received a multipack that had the words “Battle Packs” on it with five figures inside was released in 2008. Obviously there is nothing more than repacks and repaints here and most of the figures are small in stature. So it probably is the equivalent of three full-sized figures instead. The point is that this set isn’t a bargain. Collectors receive Anakin Skywalker, C-3PO, Sebulba and two Pit Droids. Oh, and let’s not forget about Anakin’s and Sebulba’s podracing flags. These two flags nicely complement the five we received in the Toys R Us exclusive Podracer Pilots set. The figures in the Mos Espa Arena Battle Packs set have sculpts that range from 1999 to 2001, so if you’re expecting something new here besides repaints and repacks, you’re going to be a very disappointed collector. The new paint jobs are vast improvements over the old versions of the figures. We should note that Anakin’s podracing helmet is an all-new sculpt and is used on the 2012 Movie Heroes Anakin Skywalker figure. But the helmet makes its debut here in this Battle Packs set.
The updated paint jobs are particularly noticeable on Anakin Skywalker and C-3PO. Anakin comes with a dirty face from the flying dust from his participation in Boonta Eve Classic Podrace. Anakin Skywalker is a repaint of 2000’s POTJ Anakin Skywalker (Mechanic) figure. This figure was slightly advanced for its time in 2000, but by today’s standards it lacks any useful articulation and is more burdensome than it is fun. He comes with the same wrench accessory as the 2000 POTJ figure and the aforementioned all-new podracing helmet. The most unfortunate figure (in our opinion) is C-3PO. It has been a longstanding urban legend that Hasbro at one point said the most expensive figure to paint of all time was C-3PO from the Episode I line. If that’s the case, they’ve wasted their money (sort of) on him again. The figure receives a stunning new paint job but the lack of articulation and awkward angle of the arms and legs leaves a very dissatisfying feeling inside. We give credit for an excellent paint job, but it should have been saved for an all-new sculpt. Sebulba also receives a new paint job, although it’s less noticeable than the other figures. Sebulba has stood up well over the years, but it’s definitely time for an all-new sculpt of him as well. He is a repaint of 2000’s POTJ Sebulba (Boonta Eve Challenge) figure. He even comes with the same accessory he did in 2000. (Some say it’s part of Anakin's Podracer he ripped off of it, but the Power Of The Jedi Force File calls it a multiphase wrench). The two obligatory Pit Droids that come in the set are great diorama fodder and are the same as the one that came with 2011's TVC Ratts Tyerell & Pit Droid (VC77) two-pack. But just like the rest of the figures in this set, they need all-new tooling. Each figure in the set comes with its own black stand, newly revised Galactic Battle Game card and the Battle Packs set comes with one die (now painted in black and gold). It’s all about Episode I in 3D now. This Battle Packs set reinforces that.
Assortment Number: 38607/38606
UPC: 653569707745
Retail: $24.99 USD
Market Value: Click here to check the latest prices based on listings.
Status: Anakin Skywalker is a repaint of 2000's POTJ Anakin Skywalker (Mechanic) figure. Anakin Skywalker also comes with an all-new podracing helmet.
Articulation Count: 8 points
Articulation Details: swivel neck, 2 swivel shoulders, swivel waist, 2 swivel hips, 2 hinge-jointed knees
Accessory Count: 3
Accessory Details: removable podracing helmet/goggles combination, wrench, flag
Date Stamp: 1999
Status: C-3PO is a repaint of 1999's EI C-3PO figure.
Articulation Count: 6 points
Articulation Details: swivel neck, 2 swivel shoulders, swivel waist, 2 swivel hips
Accessory Count: None
Accessory Details: None
Date Stamp: 1998
Status: Sebulba is a repaint of 2000's POTJ Sebulba (Boonta Eve Challenge) figure.
Articulation Count: 5 points
Articulation Details: ball-jointed neck, 2 swivel shoulders, 2 swivel hips
Accessory Count: 3
Accessory Details: removable helmet/goggles combination, multiphase wrench, flag
Date Stamp: 2000
Status: Pit Droid [A] is a straight repack of the Pit Droid from 2011's TVC Ratts Tyerell & Pit Droid (VC77) figure two-pack.
Articulation Count: 5 points
Articulation Details: ball-socket head, 2 swivel shoulders, 2 swivel hips
Accessory Count: None
Accessory Details: None
Date Stamp: 2000
Status: Pit Droid [B] is a straight repack of the Pit Droid from 2011's TVC Ratts Tyerell & Pit Droid (VC77) figure two-pack.
Articulation Count: 5 points
Articulation Details: ball-socket head, 2 swivel shoulders, 2 swivel hips
Accessory Count: None
Accessory Details: None
Date Stamp: 2000
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