Tag Archives: Galactic Empire

You saw our The Pathway To The Vintage Collection Special Report published on August 6th. Now let’s revisit the figures that set The Vintage Collection in motion. Let’s continue moving ahead with 2004’s VOTC Darth Vader figure in our newly updated review, complete with new text and photos and Visual Guide.

In 1984, new packaging for Star Wars figures was introduced for the European market. A cost containment initiative, the new packaging sported three languages of the Return Of The Jedi logo for a “one size fits all” approach. Although a “three-logo” design was created for The Power Of The Force line (as evidenced on some ‘boxed’ toys), it wasn’t carried over to the basic figure line’s card design. They continued to use the three Return Of The Jedi logos instead. Although the word “Trilogo” is found nowhere on the packaging, the term is universally adopted by all Star Wars collectors to describe this line of figures.

Today we revisit Imperial Stormtrooper (Hoth Battle Gear). Imperial Stormtrooper (Hoth Battle Gear)’s Trilogo card art doesn’t vary all that much from the 1980 Kenner release. There are some pink elements on the Trilogo version that aren’t present on the American version, but nothing out of the ordinary. The review’s Collector Notes are updated with this information. See the full card art and additional notes by revisiting 1980’s STAR WARS Imperial Stormtrooper (Hoth Battle Gear) figure HERE.

Our next The Black Series Visual Guide update features the latest in carbonized technology. Click below to check out the Stormtrooper (Carbonized). Make sure to also check out our full review of this figure over in our review database.

So Hasbro can make a box “vac-metalized” but can’t do the same for the figure inside of it? The Black Series [Phase III] Stormtrooper (Carbonized) figure has a box that’s more silvery and shinier than itself. What’s up with that?! (more….)

Thank you for reading Research Droids Reviews: Season 12!

In 1984, the new packaging design for Star Wars figures was introduced for the European market. A cost containment initiative, the new packaging sported three languages of the Return Of The Jedi logo for a “one size fits all” approach. Although a “three-logo” design was created for The Power Of The Force line (as evidenced on some ‘boxed’ toys), it wasn’t carried over to the basic figure line’s card design. They continued to use the three Return Of The Jedi logos instead. Although the word “Trilogo” is found nowhere on the packaging, the term is universally adopted by all Star Wars collectors to describe this line of figures.

Today we revisit Death Star Droid. The Trilogo card art doesn’t vary much from the original Kenner card image. The review’s Collector Notes are updated with this information. See the full card art and additional notes by revisiting 1979’s STAR WARS Death Star Droid figure HERE.

Tonight’s Visual Guide update features the Amazon exclusive The Black Series 6″  Emperor Palpatine and Throne. Click below to check out our Visual Guide of this set. You can also check out our full review of this set right here.

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We have the latest Gaming Greats release from GameStop for tonight’s Visual Guide update. Click below to check out the Shadow Stormtrooper. We also have our full review of this figure right here. This is still available to order over at GameStop.com.

The GameStop exclusive The Black Series [Phase III] Shadow Stormtrooper Gaming Greats 6″ figure is awesome. But it’s not for everyone, especially newbie collectors. See why we love it! (more….)

Thank you for reading Research Droids Reviews: Season 12!

Let’s check out our Visual Guide for the Deluxe The Black Series [Phase III] Imperial Probe Droid. Click below to check out the full guide page. You can also read our full review of this figure right here.

In 1984, new packaging for Star Wars figures was introduced for the European market. A cost containment initiative, the new packaging sported three languages of the Return Of The Jedi logo for a “one size fits all” approach. Although a “three-logo” design was created for The Power Of The Force line (as evidenced on some ‘boxed’ toys), it wasn’t carried over to the basic figure line’s card design. They continued to use the three Return Of The Jedi logos instead. Although the word “Trilogo” is found nowhere on the packaging, the term is universally adopted by all Star Wars collectors to describe this line of figures.

Today we revisit the Death Squad Commander, which was known in the Trilogo collection as Star Destroyer Commander (Commandant de L’Etoile Noire). This figure, like the Jawa, is one of the rarest figures in the Trilogo line. A common misnomer, many believe that this figure wasn’t released in the Trilogo line, but this isn’t true. The figure only came mis-carded on the AT-ST Driver packaging. Interestingly, card art was designed for Star Destroyer Commander (Commandant de L’Etoile Noire) figure but was never released. We created a mock-up utilizing the original card art created, and then also added the AT-ST Driver packaging to show how the figure arrived at retail The review’s Collector Notes are updated with this information. See the full card art and additional notes by revisiting 1978’s STAR WARS Death Squad Commander figure HERE.

Let’s continue our Visual Guide updates from wave 2 of The Black Series The Empire Strikes Back 40th anniversary line. Next up is the Imperial Tie Fighter Pilot. Click below for our full Visual Guide page. Make sure you also stop by and read our full review of this figure right here.

They misspelled another name! The 6″ The Empire Strikes Back 40th Anniversary Imperial Tie Fighter Pilot is an expected release, although we wonder if it was needed. Do you need another one? (more….)

Thank you for reading Research Droids Reviews: Season 12!

In 1984, a new packaging design of Star Wars packaging was introduced for the European market. A cost containment initiative, the new packaging sported three languages of the Return Of The Jedi logo for a “one size fits all” approach. Although a “three-logo” design was created for The Power Of The Force line (as evidenced on some ‘boxed’ toys), it wasn’t carried over to the basic figure line’s card design. They continued to use the three Return Of The Jedi logos instead. Although the word “Trilogo” is found nowhere on the packaging, the term is universally adopted by all Star Wars collectors to describe this line of figures.

Today we revisit Stormtrooper. The Stormtrooper’s Trilogo card art varies quite a bit from the standard cart art image of the Kenner release. Plumes of bright orange and yellow smoke as well as blackened areas were airbrushed onto the image. The altered card art came from a 1978 Kenner Toy Fair catalog so that the figure could be seen against the background image. The new detail added to the card art provided the background for the figure in the catalog The packaging also comes with the name Stormtrooper (Garde Imperial) printed on the name “pill.” The review’s Collector Notes are updated with this information. See the full card art and additional notes by revisiting 1978’s STAR WARS Stormtrooper figure HERE.

In 1984, the new packaging design for Star Wars figures was introduced for the European market. A cost containment initiative, the new packaging sported three languages of the Return Of The Jedi logo for a “one size fits all” approach. Although a “three-logo” design was created for The Power Of The Force line (as evidenced on some ‘boxed’ toys), it wasn’t carried over to the basic figure line’s card design. They continued to use the three Return Of The Jedi logos instead. Although the word “Trilogo” is found nowhere on the packaging, the term is universally adopted by all Star Wars collectors to describe this line of figures.

Today we revisit Darth Vader. Darth Vader’s Trilogo card art doesn’t vary much from the original card image. It’s interesting, however, that they didn’t use the running change Death Star II Darth Vader image instead. The packaging also comes with the name Darth Vader (Dark Vador) printed on the name “pill.” The review’s Collector Notes are updated with this information. See the full card art and additional notes by revisiting 1978’s STAR WARS Darth Vader figure HERE.

The Star Wars “Saga” line gave us “Troop Builder” sets. Let’s check out the Stormtrooper Troop Builder Set which was a Fan Club exclusive in 2002. See more in our Research Droids Reviews today! Be sure to leave your thoughts in our comments section, vote in the poll or comment about it on our Facebook page. Click the banner below for the direct link to the review! As always, you can also send your review requests via email if you’d like to see something that we didn’t cover yet.

It’s the final week of Research Droids Reviews! Those 100 days went FAST! The Power Of The Force “2” Endor Attack playset is AWESOME! You can use it as an extrapolation to the 1983 vintage Kenner ROTJ Ewok Village playset! See and learn more in our Research Droids Reviews today! Be sure to leave your thoughts in our comments section, vote in the poll or comment about it on our Facebook page. Click the banner below for the direct link to the review! As always, you can also send your review requests via email if you’d like to see something that we didn’t cover yet.

The Power Of The Force “2” Death Star Escape playset is very disappointing. See it in detail in our Research Droids Reviews today! Be sure to leave your thoughts in our comments section, vote in the poll or comment about it on our Facebook page. Click the banner below for the direct link to the review! As always, you can also send your review requests via email if you’d like to see something that we didn’t cover yet.

Let’s finish up The Original Trilogy Collection! We’ll begin with the Walmart exclusive Darth Vader Carry Case (with two exclusive action figures). See more again in our Research Droids Reviews today! Be sure to leave your thoughts in our comments section, vote in the poll or comment about it on our Facebook page. Click the banner below for the direct link to the review! As always, you can also send your review requests via email if you’d like to see something that we didn’t cover yet.

We’re rapidly approaching the final month of RDRs! But before start off May, let’s end April with three of the BEST EXCLUSIVES Hasbro has ever produced. We’re starting with 2000’s The Power Of The Force “2” [FlashBack/CommTech] Speeder Bike (With Scout Trooper) Action Collection TARGET exclusive. It’s HUGE and entirely delightful! See more in our Research Droids Reviews today! Be sure to leave your thoughts in our comments section, vote in the poll or comment about it on our Facebook page. Click the banner below for the direct link to the review! As always, you can also send your review requests via email if you’d like to see something that we didn’t cover yet.

The Revenge Of The Sith Darth Sidious 12 Inch Figure is FAR from perfection. You may even think the head sculpt is atrocious. BUT! The figure is not without merit. TRIVIA FACT: It’s the only figure called “Darth Sidious” in the entire Revenge Of The Sith line. See why we still have affection for this figure in our Research Droids Reviews today! Be sure to leave your thoughts in our comments section, vote in the poll or comment about it on our Facebook page. Click the banner below for the direct link to the review! As always, you can also send your review requests via email if you’d like to see something that we didn’t cover yet.

The Toys R Us exclusive Dewback & Sandtrooper Action Collection set has an incredible Dewback and a not so incredible Sandtrooper. See it all in our Research Droids Reviews today! Be sure to leave your thoughts in our comments section, vote in the poll or comment about it on our Facebook page. Click the banner below for the direct link to the review! As always, you can also send your review requests via email if you’d like to see something that we didn’t cover yet.

The Diamond exclusive Sandtrooper from the Collector Series line is terrible. Find out why in our Research Droids Reviews today! Be sure to leave your thoughts in our comments section, vote in the poll or comment about it on our Facebook page. Click the banner below for the direct link to the review! As always, you can also send your review requests via email if you’d like to see something that we didn’t cover yet.

We’re finishing up looking at the figures in the Action Collection line. Next up is the Sandtrooper. It’s based on the Special Edition character. See more in our Research Droids Reviews today! Be sure to leave your thoughts in our comments section, vote in the poll or comment about it on our Facebook page. Click the banner below for the direct link to the review! As always, you can also send your review requests via email if you’d like to see something that we didn’t cover yet.

MORE NEW FIGURES! It’s time to check out the 6″ Imperial Probe Droid figure. It’s nice. And it’s the focus of our Research Droids Reviews today! Be sure to leave your thoughts in our comments section, vote in the poll or comment about it on our Facebook page. Click the banner below for the direct link to the review! As always, you can also send your review requests via email if you’d like to see something that we didn’t cover yet.

Starting tonight we are adding the new Gaming Greats The Black Series GameStop exclusives to our Visual Guides. Click below to check out the Stormtrooper Commander six-inch figure. You can also read all about this figure right here in our full review.