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The Legacy Collection / "Greatest Hits" Figures
« on: May 5, 2009, 12:49 PM »
I was listening to the Star Wars Action News podcast, and in their Hasbro Q and A for this session, one of the questions dealt with the "Greatest Hits" figures included in some of the Legacy waves.  We've been seeing a few of those figures along the way (these are seperate from the "Legends" line), and according to this question/answer, it sounds like we'll be seeing more of them.  They will, apparently, be dropping the "GH" designation to avoid confusion in the line - but they think it is a good way to bring out some of the "ultimate" characters they have gotten out over the past few years.

Personally, I don't mind this at all.  If they're not part of the "regular" wave, we're not missing out on new figures - and it would be nice to see some of the ultimate characters re-released that aren't related to clones or the Clone Wars (which seems to be the majority of the Legends line anymore).  It could be a good way to get figures like VOTC Han/Luke/Leia, EB Chewie, various Troopers, the Evolutions figures, and more.  With this in mind, since we basically know the movie lineup (and in some cases, the figures) for the rest of this year, do you have any suggestions for "Greatest Hits" figures for the upcoming waves?  I think we have some announced for the AOTC wave (Evo Anakin, Evo Jango, Evo Clone Pilot, etc.), but beyond that we have the following waves:

The Phantom Menace
A New Hope
Return of the Jedi
Revenge of the Sith
The Empire Strikes Back

Star Wars Universe / Star Wars Saga Viewing Order?
« on: May 4, 2009, 09:56 AM »
Since this could fit in either the prequel or Original Trilogy forum, I thought it might fit best here.  We've heard the discussion a lot, but for those of you with kids (or nieces, nephews, or friends' kids) - what order would you choose to show them the Star Wars Saga?  Would you go in order (1-6), in the order many or most of us viewed them in (4-6, 1-3), or some other order of your own (I've heard some say 4, 5, 1-3, 6)?  Maybe you'd skip the prequels altogether :P.  Anyways, what do you think is the best viewing order for new viewers?  I would sort of lean towards viewing them the way I did (OT first, then the PT), because seeing things like the Vader reveal, the first appearance of Yoda, etc. were some of the greatest moments for me as a kid.  It is possible that it wouldn't be nearly as big of a deal to today's kids, as society has changed a lot since the early 80s.  What viewing order do you prefer?

Feedback / Hothwampa's feedback
« on: April 29, 2009, 06:56 PM »
Just received a lightning-fast payment from Mike, thanks Hothwampa!

The Vintage Collection / Drop in Collector Interest?
« on: April 28, 2009, 12:35 PM »
This is a topic we've been discussing in the Q and A thread since the last round, where Hasbro (through several sites) indicated how - while Star Wars is selling better than ever, it is mostly due to Clone Wars, and the "Legacy" type figures were dropping in sales.  As is often the case with some of Hasbro's answers that they send to a number of sites, it makes me think they are subtly telling us "get ready for less collector figures, and more animated stuff".

A few questions regarding this...first, do you believe them?  Do you think that there really is a drop in overall collectors and/or "collector" sales?  Second, what do you think is the reason for it?  Is it one of the following:

-So Many Years Collecting for Some Leading to Burn Out (Since '95, or longer with Vintage)
-Clone Wars Animated (Although it seems to be selling well, it was quite polarizing among collectors at first)
-Price Increases/Down Economy (I'm sure this plays at least a part for many)
-Lack of Interest/Most Figures Done (Always more to be made, but getting more obscure all the time)

Also, if this is the case, what do you think can be done to fix it?  Other than the obvious choice of lower prices, what do you think would keep collectors in the fold?  I'm someone who has bought both the animated CW stuff and the Legacy line, but if I had to choose one I wouldn't think twice about keeping with the "realistic" style stuff.  I may be heading more and more that way anyways.  I don't mind, and can understand, why the animated stuff is there for kids (and collectors), and it is obviously doing well for Hasbro.  Do you think we are seeing the start of a dwindling space for "movie" figures at retail?

Aside from prices, I could see "burn out" having something to do with it.  Not only have we had nearly 15 years of modern collecting, there also seems to be "more stuff" out there than ever.  That might be changing as some lines (Unleashed, Titanium, etc.) seem to be getting the axe, but it does seem more difficult to keep up with things these days.  There also seems to be more and more focus upon prequel/CW/EU era toys - which, again, is understandable - and I think that a lot of the older collectors maybe have a little more of a leaning towards OT.  Not to say that many, if not most, of us collect the entire Saga - but I know that I personally usually get more jazzed about a new OT wave, especially with them being more infrequent the last few years.  That might contribute to a lower interest level.  Anyways, I'm rambling now, but I was just wondering what some of your opinions were on the whole "collector interest fading" comment we've gotten from Hasbro.  Do you feel the same way, and if so - as a collector - what would keep your interest better?  My gut reaction is to say "more Original Trilogy" - but the OT collectors might be the minority at this point, and it may just be my preference :).

Other Collectibles / Star Wars Pool Toys
« on: April 23, 2009, 11:29 AM »
Along the same lines as the kites thread, I've recently noticed a number of Star Wars pool toys at Target.  Again, this is something I would have really liked as a kid, but now they seem kind of pricey, but also kind of neat.  They had inflatables of the Falcon and Jedi Starfighter for $25ish (I think), and a larger X-Wing (with firing water gun) for around $40 (again, I think).  The back of the box also pictured some other products like a Death Star beach ball and R2 floating drink carrier.  Kind of neat stuff.

Other Collectibles / Star Wars Kites
« on: April 23, 2009, 11:27 AM »
I think these are available places online, but I've noticed lately at Target (and TRU) that they are carrying Star Wars kites.  I've seen the Falcon, X-Wing, and Vader's TIE, and have to say that they are pretty nifty.  They are $25 each though, which seems like a lot for a kite.  I have to admit I was slightly tempted to get the Falcon one, just from the aspect of "I wish they made this stuff when I was a kid".  Has anyone else seen these, or picked any of them up?  I don't think I've flown a kite since I was 6 or 7 years old, but I suppose that time will come eventually since we have a little one now.

The Legacy Collection / HTS Figure 8-Packs
« on: April 22, 2009, 09:47 AM »
I think we discussed these when they first had them during the TAC line, but it looks like HTS has some new 8 "value" packs of figures up now.  There are some interesting combinations though, including one set that has 4 Scuba Troopers, 2 Mon Cal, and 2 Quarren figures from TLC Wave 2 - as well as 8 packs of the Lancer Droids and Kashyyyk Troopers.  There are also 8 packs available for the Clone Wars line including Clonetroopers, Battle Droids, Super Battle Droids, and Destroyer Droids.  They all seem to be listed at $59.99.

Joe Defender / G.I. Joe Resolute
« on: April 16, 2009, 12:26 PM »
It looks like Hasbro has a press release regarding the online and television airings of the G.I. Joe: Resolute cartoon.  Looking forward to checking this out.

The Clone Wars '08-'13 / General Vehicle Discussion Thread
« on: April 9, 2009, 10:49 AM »
I know we have threads for the individual vehicles as well, so I hope this isn't redundant - but I didn't see a thread to just discuss the vehicles in general.  I put it in the CW section since that is where the majority of new releases seem to come from these days - but I'm thinking more of the Star Wars vehicles line as a whole.  Anyways, I was just rearranging the shelves recently, and taking a look at the vehicles - and realized that it seems like Hasbro has really been doing a pretty nice job with new vehicles lately.  I certainly don't have all of the releases, and I'm no expert on the scale of each individually - but looking at some recent vehicles (The BMF, V-Wing, V-19, Obi-Wan's Delta 2 in particular for me), it seems like the detailing is really taking a step up like we've seen with the basic figures in recent years as well.

I like that we're getting more sculpted details (and less stickers) in the cockpits, and it seems like they are adding in "features" that are actually pretty cool as well.  It is this reason that it has been more and more difficult for me to pass on PT/CW vehicles (like I had once planned), and why I really hope we do see more re-dos of the OT vehicles over the upcoming years as well.  I haven't picked up an AT-TE yet, but that seems (aside from the leg issue) to be pretty well received as well.  Anyways, it just seems like we've really seen a pretty nice step forward in quality for the majority of the "new" vehicles lately - and I hope that continues.  The sculpts are well done, and they are just "fun" as far as a toy goes as well.

Other Collectibles / TaunTaun Sleeping Bag
« on: April 2, 2009, 09:52 AM »
This was originally an April Fool's joke by, but apparently the response was so overwhelming they are now looking to see if Lucasfilm would allow them to produce it.  I'm not sure if that would happen or not, but the mockup pic they have on there is pretty good - and I think it is a pretty funny idea.  Just thought I'd pass it along if anyone hadn't seen it.

Watto's Junk Yard / OnLive Gaming
« on: March 26, 2009, 10:05 AM »
I've seen a couple of articles this morning discussing OnLive, which is apparently a new gaming option - a set top box (like a cable box) that allows you to rent or purchase video games and play them directly "on line".  No gaming console required.  It is the first I've heard about this, but apparently it is getting a fair amount of buzz right now.  I could see something like this catching on eventually.  I really think this is the way movies will go eventually too (which it already is somewhat with that Apple TV thing).  I know its easier to cue up a movie quick off of our DVR than with various DVDs and everything, and it would take up less space/etc.  Anyways, I didn't see a topic for this so I thought I'd post it here.  Is this something anyone here would be interested in, or do you prefer to have your console/games (or for that matter, movies) "physically" in your home?

Other Collectibles / Speeder Bike Ride-On
« on: March 24, 2009, 09:56 AM »
Just saw this at  I would have loved this when I was a kid.  Looks pretty cool.  Sounds like it will only be coming out in Australia for now, but hopefully we'll see something like this here soon as well.  It is sort of surprising to see something like this with all the Clone Wars push lately.

The Legacy Collection / Hasbro's "A Rated" Star Wars Characters
« on: March 17, 2009, 09:58 AM »
I don't know how many of you read Star Wars Insider anymore, but the last issue (107) had a feature about the process of making a Star Wars figure.  Within the article, Hasbro discusses how it makes up its waves, and mentions that a typical wave of eight figures might include up to three "A-rated" characters (which are produced in greater numbers).  They go on to say that there are only 12 A-rated characters in the entire Saga (from Hasbro's viewpoint), and mention some that are or are not included on that list.  It also appears to depend on which version of the character it is.  For example, both Jedi Luke Skywalker and X-Wing Pilot Luke Skywalker are considered "As", while farmboy Luke is not.  Others they mentioned as A's are Jango and Boba Fett, and R2-D2.  Some figures that are not considered A's are Han Solo (surprising, but apparently due to lack of kid interest), C-3PO, and Princess Leia.  Anyways, I just thought it was interesting, and was wondering which other characters you think make up the list of 12.  I would think figures like Anakin and Obi-Wan are certainly included (at least their ROTS versions), as well as Vader and probably some sort of clonetrooper.  Which characters do you think make their cut?

1. Jedi Luke Skywalker
2. X-Wing Luke Skywalker
3. Jango Fett
4. Boba Fett
5. R2-D2
6. ?
7. ?
8. ?
9. ?
10. ?
11. ?
12. ?

Hasbro's A-list seems to really be made up of figures that have kid appeal, and that they can sell year round (they specifically mention the upcoming Jedi Luke being one that can be continually packed in throughout the year).  Others that could maybe make the cut, going by this criteria, could possibly be Darth Maul, General Grievous, Yoda, Chewie?, and as mentioned Obi-Wan, Anakin, and Vader.

The Vintage Collection / How Much is Too Much?
« on: February 20, 2009, 12:19 PM »
It seems like, for the most part, everyone was pretty happy with what Hasbro had to show at Toy Fair.  Whether it was in the display room, or in their presentation for the year, it does look like the basic figure line (and everything that accompanies it) has a lot of neat stuff on the way.  I'm sure there are still more surprises to come along, and we'll see even more at SDCC.  That said, the other big topic really seems to be the pricing.

We've all seen it coming, or even starting at retail already, but it seems like lines all around are getting more and more expensive.  Eight dollar basic figures seems to be the norm for now, and even Galactic Heroes 2 packs are hitting that price now.  Battle packs seem to be getting less figures for a higher price, and now it seems like any vehicle larger than the "starfighter $20/$25" assortment is going to cost at least $60.  I'm afraid to see what exclusive vehicles will run now.  That seems to be the only avenue for OT vehicles right now, and I wonder what something like Wedge's X-Wing will run.  We've also seen increases in the comic packs and pretty much everything else SW-related (although I think its happening in most other lines as well).

Anyways, my point is, how much is too much?  With the economy what it is, people seem to have a lot less to spend on this type of thing (non-necessity, hobby-type stuff).  Hasbro's release pace certainly hasn't slowed down any since the ROTS days, although we continue to see the back half of the year being quite heavy once again.  I'll admit that I'm someone that usually buys most of the basic figure related stuff, but I'm also not a completist (although I have been since Build a Droid started I guess).  We now have three lines running (TLC, CW, Legends), and that's just the figures.  I couldn't imagine trying to keep up with everything as completists do.  Anyways, have any of you reached your breaking point?  Are you dropping lines, or just becoming more selective?  Its tough for me to collect anything but SW anymore, since it is such an expensive hobby on its own (not even getting into anything considered "high end") just grabbing Hasbro's offerings.  It sort of reminds me of when I used to collect sports cards.  We kept getting less cards per pack, prices were going up, there were more and more "lines" of cards out there - and pretty soon I just quit.  I didn't follow that market after that, but I think it sort of changed/crashed a short time later - at least for awhile.  Do you think collecting is headed that way too?  Do we need to have a breaking point to streamline the products again?

1:6 Scale Figures and Collectibles / Sideshow 12" Lando Calrissian
« on: February 17, 2009, 08:47 AM »
It looks like Lando is on the way.  I haven't bought one of these in a looong time, but this one is awfully tempting.  The headsculpt looks pretty well done to me.  Looks like only 750 made, so I could see this one being tough.  I don't know if I even remember how to order these things anymore ;).
