Figure of the Day: Day 227: R2-D2 (Dagobah)

R2-D2 Luke Skywalker's X-wing Fighter
The Saga Collection Toys "R" Us Exclusive
Item No.: No. 32512
Number: n/a
Includes: X-wing, travel gear
Action Feature: Light-up eye port
Retail: $39.99
Availability: Summer 2002
Appearances: The Empire Strikes Back

Bio: Following the Battle of Hoth, Luke Skywalker journeys to the planet Dagobah to train with Jedi Master Yoda, who has lived in hiding since the fall of the Republic. Accompanied by R2-D2, Luke arrives at the uncharted swamp planet and begins difficult training, in which he tests himself in the Force and attempts to meet the challenging tasks assigned to him by the Jedi Master. (Taken from the figure's box.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' toy shelves.

Commentary: There have been a few Dagobah-specific R2-D2 figures over the years, but this one was the first. Its weird, lawn clippings-looking "stains" aren't exactly great by today's standards, but the figure fit nicely in the socket of the X-wing with which he was sold, and he was the first-ever X-wing droid to be removable. (Vintage and POTF2 versions all had dedicated domes and were not fully realized, removable figures.) This R2-D2 is technically nothing special, as its only real action feature is a light-up eye port, and we've had those since 1995. This is not a figure you'll want to track down for itself, as better versions of the droid have since been released-- but he isn't bad, and will likely be the only Dagobah-specific R2-D2 with a chrome dome.

Collector's Notes: This figure is a repaint of Episode I's R2-B1. Both figures are articulated at the dome and "shoulders" and really can't do much but sit there and look cute. Despite a newer, better Dagobah X-wing having been released in 2006, the 2002 model still commands a decent price and this figure will likely not come to you cheaply. In 2004, an electronic Dagobah R2-D2 was sold in the Original Trilogy Collection and is arguably one of the best overall. In 2007, a new version will be released based on the mold used to create the Jabba's Sail Barge R2-D2, which itself was based on R2-Q5.

Day 227: December 19, 2006