PROBE DROID with proton torpedo and self-destruct exploding head
Power of the Force Collection (1997); Revenge of the Sith Collection Assault on Hoth Battle Pack (2005)
Item No.: Asst. 69610 No. 69677;
No. 85841
Number: n/a
Includes: Head, rocket
Action Feature: Self-destruct blast-off head, spring-loaded "eye" missile
Retail: $9.99;
$24.99
Availability: January 1997,
Fall 2005
Appearances: Primarily The Empire Strikes Back
; also appears in the Expanded Universe
Bio: Probe droids (also known as probots) were reconnaissance automatons. These droids were dispatched by to gather information, reporting anything of significance. Some models were equipped with a self-destruct, to prevent enemies from studying them and determining their source, as well as a small weapon for defense. (Stolen from
Wookieepedia.)
Image: Adam Pawlus' shelf, on top, where it's just a bunch of crap thrown up there. This is the 1997 version of the figure.
Commentary: One of the first deluxe action figures that wasn't a figure fans had with a new backpack, the
Probe Droid was quite popular for quite a while. It tended to sell fairly well, and for fans of vintage toys like the Hoth Wampa cave from the Micro Collection and the Turret & Probot Playset, it was fun to see the return of the Probot, even without the old-timey name. (The name "Probot" was used for the 2005 re-release.) With a blast-off head and a firing rocket, this was not just a great figure, but a pretty nice toy as well! The figure was capable of having several moving parts, a head that could raise to reveal added weaponry, and a tiny extra gun as well. In short, it's everything you could want in a Probe Droid and then some, although it is lacking a certain "magic" quality that the vintage toy seems to carry with it to this very day. Still, it's a fun figure, and a must-add to every collection.
Collector's Notes: The 1997 and 2005 releases are virtually identical. Some of the 2005 ones have the legs assembled differently, and a slightly different level of black spray. While your mileage may vary, I do not consider these to be significant enough differences to buy the Battle Pack just for the variation for my "complete set." A fairly common figure these days, you can probably add this to your collection for less than original retail. If you can still find the 2005 Battle Pack, it's a wonderful value with several great toys and overall, is probably a better buy.
Day 33: June 8, 2006
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