Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 3,087: Artoo-Detoo (R2-D2, The Black Series)

ARTOO-DETOO (R2-D2)
The Black Series 40th Anniversary Return of the Jedi or 2023 Window Box Line Look The Mandalorian Packaging
Item No.: Asst. F6853 No. F7075 and Asst. E8908 No. F8351
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: #32 - Star Wars: The Mandalorian
Includes: Four arms, two scopes
Action Feature: Neck extends for on-board arm storage, retractable third leg, opening ports for scopes in dome
Retail: $24.99
Availability: September 2023
Appearances: Return of the Jedi and Star Wars: The Mandalorian

Bio: As Luke Skywalker ushers Grogu into his Jedi training, he's accompanied by R2-D2 who is particularly enthused to encounter the foundling. (Taken from the The Mandalorian box packaging.)

Image: Adam's photo lab.

Availability: Click here to buy it at Entertainment Earth now!

Click here to buy it at Amazon now!

Click here to buy it at eBay now!

Commentary: In a period of weeks, Hasbro demonstrated how it is dealing with being tasked to use fewer SKUs by releasing the same Artoo-Detoo (R2-D2) figure on two different styles of packaging. As far as I can tell both releases are identical, and I opened the 40th Anniversary Return of the Jedi one for this review because the packaging arrived smashed. This new astromech droid body is a little bigger and has a different set of features from the one we got way back in 2013, addressing some issues but not others. It is a little more than just different enough to make you mad, but it is not, sadly, the ultimate R2-D2. You're still being charged a regular price for a smaller figure, but at least this time Hasbro made a few more parts move and added some features to make the most out of the budget. (They did not, however, add instructions so the average Joe can use them.)

 

BanDai did a similar figure a few years ago, and what it tells us is that Lucasfilm apparently does not have a definitive R2-D2 schematic. For those of you who bought that Incredible Cross-sections of Star Wars, Episode I - The Phantom Menace: The Definitive Guide to the Craft book, you know that R2-D2 has an extendable neck so his head pops out of the top of the ship. BanDai went with a five-piston version, while Hasbro's is one big extending piece. In terms of toy functionality, Hasbro's has a slight edge because you can store the figure's extra arms in there, if you want. The dome rotates on the extended neck, and two of the panels on his dome are removable/easily lost for you to use with the included periscope and sensorscope. What's more, R2-D2 has a third leg with an unusual feature - a foot that not only pivots, but swivels. We never get those. They managed to cram a lot in here... but not everything. More on that below.

The figure has four opening bodily compartments, without the little tabs to help get them open. On his sides, each one has three holes in it, so you can put in a manipulator arm, a datalink port, an oil-slick arm, or a utility/interface arm. Also the blue panels under his dome open, but I can't see any function to them in terms of a place to put arms or accessories. It's just a cool extra, and sign that Hasbro is making the most of its tooling budget. I had no idea those panels even opened until I got this in my hands, so you can say I'm more than a little impressed and surprised to see it. I'm also surprised two versions of this figure were released without any mention of all these features on the packaging or an instruction sheet. If you're going to put money into making such a robust droid with so many moving parts, why not tell everybody?

I haven't even talked about the sculpt yet. It's good! It looks like R2-D2 and the size seems more on the money. I like the wires on the feet, the painted blue panels, and his "bald spot" on top of his dome was actually painted this time. (Hasbro frequently leaves the circle on top silver.) They left the vents under his legs unpainted, and also and the areas around the silver greeblies on his arms were left unpainted. But they did recess the octagonal silver element on the bottom of the figure, while leaving off the blue paint in that region. The back of the dome also has a place for a long, rectangular light but Hasbro opted to leave it unpainted this time. On the front of his dome, the Logic Function displays - those little stacked rectangles - were sadly also left unpainted. Since they're hollow, I wonder if Hasbro just left a piece out?

The dome has two pop-out panel slices. Sadly neither hinges up like in the movie, so R2-D2's periscope with the blue top looks like it belongs, but the sensorscope just looks like a piece fell out. It's good, but not perfect. Maybe the next one will be perfect, but it might also be at a higher price for the extra bells and whistles. (Confidentially, if Hasbro made an R2-D2 that does everything at a deluxe price, maybe incorporating some die-cast metal, I'd probably buy it.)

For those looking to replace their older figure, it's two steps forward and one step back. Fans have been asking for a do-over for R2-D2 since the first one came out, because we're hard to please. We may ask for one again as this R2-D2 lacks any sort of lightsaber storage, has none of the arm booster rockets, and lacks wheels. It is difficult to get that third leg out, and still doesn't have the key Return of the Jedi pizza cutter to escape the Ewok net. It's by no means a bad figure, but for those looking to get the best version and call it quits, it is sadly worth noting that this is also not the final definitive R2-D2. You'll probably want the old version too.

If you never got the first R2-D2, or its various reissues or deco variants, I would recommend this one. $25 or so ain't bad, and the added play features make it genuinely worthwhile. The action features are more subtle this time, and the size may be more to your liking. I just wish it was as good as it could possibly be - it's so much better, but short of budgetary reasons (or maybe a new variant with different legs next year) there's nothing really keeping those arm rockets off the toy. I shouldn't dump on it for what it isn't, particularly since what it is, is better than the 2013 version. According to the inflation calculators, $20 from 2013 would be $26.42in 2023, so you might even look at this figure as, in some ways, a decent deal. Also Hasbro still hasn't done a "disk drive" in the modern era - the 12-inch figure from the 1970s had Death Star plans you could cram in the back, but nobody has worked with the diskette from the original movie yet. Free unrequested feedback for the next one: plans, lightsaber, maybe some drink trays, and booster rockets.

Collector's Notes: I got mine from Entertainment Earth.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 3,087: December 5, 2023

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 3,046: R2-D2 (The Retro Collection)

 R2-D2 (Kenner Style)

The Retro Collection 3 3/4-Inch Action Figure Shop Disney / Hasbro Pulse Exclusive Set
Item No.: Asst. F7649 No. F7649
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: Jawa, Tusken Raider, C-3PO, Death Squad Commander, Obi-Wan Kenobi
Action Feature: Clicky dome
Retail: $69.99
Availability: May 2023
Appearances: Star Wars

Bio: The Star Wars Retro Collection features design and detailing inspired by the original 1970s Star Wars figures and eatures original figure design and detailing! Continue your collection from a galaxy far, far away. (Stolen from the marketing copy. Packaging has no bio.)

Image: Adam's photo lab.

Availability: Click here to buy it at Amazon now! 

Click here to buy it at eBay now!

Commentary: You can't turn back the clock - even a well-preserved figure may flake, or yellow, like my original R2-D2 which I've kept in a dark closet for years but still seems to have aged a bit. But the new one, for now, is perfect. The chrome is so shiny, the sticker is so white, everything about him is absolutely perfect. Now that this mold exists, I have to wonder if we'll get his pop-up lightsaber or sensorscope variants. Or R5-D4. Or some repaints we never got in the 1980s.

Since this was a popular figure, older fans had one and it probably showed a fair amount of wear and tear. That's why you need this new one, even though it's goofy. This R2-D2 has one big blue eye instead of a black eye with a blue square around it. The various lights look like a knock-off of the real design, with lights and panels that look a lot like he did in the movies - but also, if Remco put it out as Droidy McDroidface, I think you could make a case for the dome being legally distinct. But not the body. R2-D2 has two legs that look fairly close to what you saw on screen, if simplified, and no third leg. This means you flipped him over and pretended he was a cannon when you were a child.

The sculpt is a little different, but it looks as good or better than the original. The blue chrome paint is perfect, and the panels seem sharper. The leg detail might be softer, but it didn't seem so to me. With only three joints he's clearly overpriced, but it's cheaper than buying an original. With a clicking chrome dome and rotating legs, it's perfect - and you can't beat perfect. I love that he comes with C-3PO in the same package, because you're going to want both. The unique form really exemplifies what Kenner was doing back then - pretty good figures, off-model.

Now that Hasbro released the original, I'd love to see them do variations on it - for example, a retooled dome that maybe took inspiration from the 12-inch Kenner R2-D2, or an added third leg like we got from the Droid Factory or Stan Solo's range. I'd even love to see a new "retro" X-Wing with a working R2-D2 socket, since the only original ship to have one was the Return of the Jedi Y-Wing Fighter. But that's not why we're here - we're here to talk about the blue-eyed, bald-spot, off-model dome that was R2-D2 to kids of the original Star Wars generation. It's the real deal, even if it looks like it was made by someone who only tangentially saw the movie.

I know this figure is probably not going to hold up to time - I've seen what happened to my originals over the years. But it's nice to have a perfect one right now, especially for a price that doesn't make me cringe. I hope Hasbro considers reissuing this R2-D2 to mass retail as a single figure, as I assume they could sell a lot more of them. You'd buy it. It's great. Don't miss this set.

Collector's Notes: I got mine from Hasbro Pulse.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 3,046: July 13, 2023

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 2,934: Artoo-Deetoo (R2-D2, Droids, The Vintage Collection)

ARTOO-DEETOO R2-D2
The Vintage Collection 3 3/4-Inch Droids Target Exclusive Action Figure
Item No.: No. F5310
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: Sensorscope, Coin
Action Feature: Pop-up sensorscope, opening datalink panel, retractable third leg
Retail: $15.99
Availability: May 2022
Appearances: Droids
Bio: A reliable and versatile astromech droid, R2-D2 is a skilled starship mechanic and fighter pilot's assistant. He has an unlikely but enduring friendship with protocol droid C-3PO. (Taken from marketing copy. There is no bio.)

Image: Adam's photo lab.

Availability: Click here to buy it at Amazon now!

Commentary: I've been asking Hasbro for years to deliver unto us a cartoony deco Artoo-Deetoo action figure, and there he sits! Much like the 1985 version from Kenner, Hasbro just used an old mold (now 11 years old) and repainted it. This time around, Hasbro tried some new things - the drink tray is missing, and so is the lightsaber. And the drink dispenser. You don't get as much here, but it costs a lot more. That's progress? You also get a coin. We're absolutely being charged premium pricing for these guys these days, because a similar figure would've been $6.99 in 2007 - and making coins is pretty cheap, especially in bulk. But that's not the commentary we're making today - I just want to know if it's any good.

As a very long-time fan of the Droids cartoon, I'm mostly satisfied. We got a figure that takes design cues from the package artwork. That means blank white legs with molded wires, and grey boxes on the chest, and nicely detailed dome deco with no chrome to offend the eye. The blue looks good, the red light looks excellent, and the big blue circle on top is how the character design looks. It's closer to the Spanish PVC figure that you may or may not have also seen at Disney parks in the early 1990s.

Tooling is nothing new - there's a hole in the dome for the missing drink dispenser, which is a pity because it would be fun to have had included. The opening chest panel doesn't like to stay shut, which is also a shame, but it does allow you to have a bonus play feature. Pushing up his central leg causes the scope to pop out, and vice-versa. It's a perfectly nice mold, but had they used the build-a-droid model I'd be just as happy if not happier. Maybe Disney can incorporate this deco into one of their future releases - I'd buy it. His rolling wheels are great, and it's nice to see an animated version of this figure on the market that doesn't cost ridiculous sums of cash.

I assume he's going to hit markdown, if C-3PO was any indication, but I'd say buy one regardless. I'd buy a spare on sale, but I'm very happy to have mine and I think fans of the old cartoon will be thrilled to own one after a very, very long wait. And if Hasbro ever feels the need to do a new cartoon sculpt, I'd also buy that. This is one of the few repaints I could never seem to get anyone excited about, so I'm thrilled it actually exists, but I would love to know who was the one who finally said "let's do it now."

Collector's Notes: I got mine from Target.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 2,934: June 16, 2022

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 2,703: Artoo-Deetoo (R2-D2, Dagobah, The Black Series 6-Inch, 40th Anniversary Collection)

ARTOO-DEETOO (R2-D2) (Dagobah)
The Black Series 40th Anniversary 6-Inch Figure
Item No.: Asst. E7549 No. E9314
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: #n/a
Includes: 3 removable dome panels, sensorscope
Action Feature: Pop-out arm tools, retractable third leg, wheels
Retail: $19.99
Availability: May 2020
Appearances: The Empire Strikes Back

Bio: R2-D2, pronounced Artoo-Deetoo and often referred to as R2 (Artoo), was an R2-series astromech droid manufactured by Industrial Automaton with masculine programming. (Taken from the figure's packaging.)

Image: Adam's photo lab.

Availability: Click here to buy it at Entertainment Earth now!

Click here to buy it at Amazon now!

Commentary: It's different!  Artoo-deetoo (R2-D2) (Dagobah) is the start of Hasbro releasing retro Star Wars packaging with figures that didn't exist in that era.   While the 1978 R2-D2 and the 1982 Sensorcsope redux both appeared with this logo, the Dagobah photo was never used on the packaging and Dagobah swamp deco wasn't a thing back then.  It's different!

The figure itself looks good in the packaging, but due to the case configuration it's commonly crushed - mint bubbles are going to be a rare find.  Hasbro packed 5 figures into a case that could hold 6, so it would be easy for the cardboard to cave in a bit and this figure had no added support.  AFA-100-seekers, I do not envy you.

R2-D2 takes the mold from 2013, adds paint, and removes accessories.  It's a lateral move.  If you want the lightsaber hilt, the arm rockets, or the other scope, they're not here.  You can still pop off the 3 dome panels and 2 arm panels, but why?  The tabs on them weren't painted as well as previous releases, although you may not notice this thanks to the intense deco on the body.  While not quite as filthy as the photo, it's amazing - splattered mud on the body and limbs look great.  It wouldn't hurt to have had some paint on the third leg, but to recreate the two-leg pose on the photo?  It's fine. 

The mechanisms all work as well as before.  You've got rolling foot wheels.  There's a third leg that retracts when you twist the dome.   It's fine - it's just not as robust as that first release.  If you already have it, you probably don't  mind the accessories aren't here, and the different dirt deco isn't bad either.   Since it's cheaper than the previous single releases and different than the "damaged" Amazon-exclusive version, you'll probably find it interesting enough to add to your Dagobah diorama display.  With a little more mud, it would be even better - but as it is, it's more interesting than getting the same R2-D2 on a new cardback.  It's a pity they skipped the actual 1982 Kenner Sensorscope cardback art, though, even if it isn't as appealing.   Hasbro made a sensible series of choices here.

Collector's Notes: I got mine from Entertainment Earth.  

--Adam Pawlus

Day 2,703: June 30, 2020

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 2,690: R2 Astromech (Color-Changing Droids, Droid Factory Line Look)

R2 ASTROMECH Color-Changing Droids
Star Wars Disney Droid Depot
Item No.: No. ???
Manufacturer: Disney
Number: n/a
Includes: 4 droids - RA-7 Protocol Droid, BB Unit, R2 Astromech, C1 Astromech
Action Feature: Pops apart, changes from white to blue
Retail: $39.99
Availability: ca. July 2019
Appearances: n/a

Bio: All different types of Astromech droids populate the galaxy.  Each droid is different and has their own unique personality and colors.  These droids have the special ability to change color!  (Taken from the figure's packaging.)

Image: Adam's photo lab.

Availability: Click here to buy it at Amazon now!

Commentary:  Time to get back to the color-change droids!  This R2 Astromech is, clearly, R2-D2.  Or is close enough.   You've seen this mold oh so many times, and there are no obvious tooling changes here.  You've got the wheeled feet, the articulated dome and ankles, the swivel arms, and of course the removable third leg.   The proportions are pretty consistent for this and almost every major droid since 2005, with the same advantages and shortcomings we've been getting from Disney since they produced their own droids.  The detail is similar to Hasbro's figures, but softer and you don't get the wires on the feet.   It's a downer, but I'm betting most fans won't miss it.  The fact that the dome is right on the money for most of us is going to be enough.

The core figure is great, but you're buying this one for the color-change paint.  With a body molded in white plastic, the figure is coated in a unique red pigment that either turns white or clear - I am not sure which - with heat.  Put the figure in the freezer for a pinkish red R2-D2, hold it in your hand for a plain white robot.  The color sticks quite nicely if you don't handle it, as it seems to require somewhat extreme temperatures to change.  Your hands or fridge should do the trick.

Collector's Notes: I got mine from my pal Shannon. Thanks Shannon!  There are 2 droid 4-packs and 1 droid playset with a Gonk Droid at this time.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 2,690: May 14, 2020

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 2,628: R2-D2 (Galaxy of Adventures 5-Inch)

R2-D2 with BB-8 and D-0
Galaxy of Adventures   5-Inch Droid 3-Pack
Item No.: No. E3118
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: 3 figures
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $14.99
Availability: October 2019
Appearances: The Rise of Skywalker

Bio: R2-D2, pronounced Artoo-Detoo and often referred to as R2 (Artoo), was an R2 series astromech droid manufactured by Industrial Automaton with masculine programming. A smart, spunky droid serving a multitude of masters over its lifetime, R2 never had a full memory wipe (apart from a partial mind-wipe by Cad Bane during the buildup to the senate hostage crisis) nor has he received new programming, with these factors resulting in an adventurous and independent attitude. Oftentimes finding himself in pivotal moments in galactic history, his bravery and ingenuity saved the galaxy time and time again. (Stolen from Wookieepedia. Packaging has no bio.)

Image: Adam's photo lab.

Availability: Click here to buy it at Entertainment Earth now!

Click here to buy it at Amazon now!

Commentary: Once again, I am infuriated by how good this is - and by a common, repeated error.   This R2-D2 figure would be a killer introduction to Star Wars toys for kids and even for collectors.   It's a simplified, cuter animated design with Hasbro's most commonly repeated problem - the circle on the top of his head is silver here, rather than blue like in the films.  Once or twice is a mistake, but Hasbro is doing it consistently enough that I am unsure how or why it keeps happening.

Once you get beyond that, the figure is pretty awesome.  While probably a bit overpriced in a 3-pack, you're probably going to want it.  It's solid.  The dome spins, the arms rotate, and you can pull the central leg out manually without a clicking mechanism - I think this makes it about as good (albeit different) from the Black Series release.   Detailing on the body is a bit simplified, as you'll notice details missing on the arms - but everything else is pretty darned close.  Most shocking of all are the droid feet.  For the first time ever, R2-D2 has ball-jointed ankles with some very nice black wheels on the bottom. He's even got the gold cables.  I would argue that means that this R2-D2 has the best articulation to date, as you could pose him better on sandy mountains, snowy wastes, or outside a swamp house so he can be a peeping Tom.

He's packed with two more droids and we'll look at those individually because we can.   R2-D2 is a redeco away from perfection - I hope Hasbro does another take with "battle damage" or a chrome/metallic silver-painted top with the blue panel filled in.  The silver plastic shows a lot of swirls, which may not be good for longevity - time will tell.  A painted dome might look incredible, as would one in Droids animation colors - hey, I can dream!    If you just want a good, chunky, and surprisingly solid R2-D2 toy I'd recommend this one.   I don't assume Galaxy of Adventures will last forever, so just go ahead and pick them up as you find them because they're good so far.  (The other droids are simple, but you wouldn't chuck them in the garbage.)

Collector's Notes: I got mine from Entertainment Earth.  

--Adam Pawlus

Day 2,628: October 10, 2019

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 2,612: Artoo-Deetoo (R2-D2, The Vintage Collection)

ARTOO-DEETOO (Vintage)
The Vintage Collection R2-D2 Figures
Item No.: Asst. E0370  No. E5189
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: #149
Includes: n/a
Action Feature: Removable dome, legs, middle third leg
Retail: $12.99
Availability: June 2019
Appearances: The Last Jedi

Bio: R2-D2, pronounced Artoo-Detoo and often referred to as R2 (Artoo), was an R2 series astromech droid manufactured by Industrial Automaton with masculine programming. (Stolen from Wookieepedia.  Packaging has no bio.)(Stolen from Wookieepedia.  Packaging has no bio.)

Image: Adam's photo lab.

Availability: Click here to buy it at Entertainment Earth now!

Click here to buy it at Amazon now!

Commentary: There are times Hasbro gives us something great, and there are times where we get something that's somewhat insulting.  This R2-D2 is not one of Hasbro's finest hours.  What's particularly interesting is that this is the same mold (but not deco) as the R2-D2 in the Force Link 2.0 2-pack with C-3PO... and it costs more. And comes with less.  And hasn't corrected the major decoration problems.  What's funny is I opened this figure and was immediately disappointed, then I went to look at Amazon for the link above... and their reviews were disappointed, but mostly due to how it shipped and not the figure itself.

The body is effectively the "build-a-droid" body we've been getting over the last decade.  R2-D2's dome once more has the "bald spot" on top of his dome - it should be blue, this one is silver.  The figure is on the vintage cardback - the selling point, and Hasbro knows it, given that they've not released this retro-style package over the whopping fifteen years run of The Vintage Collection.   R2-D2 also is missing some blue detail at the bottom of his left-hand side of his can, a few dome details are left undecorated, and the central eye is matte instead of glossy.  It should be - and usually is - glossy.

Over the years Hasbro has often released a figure on both vintage and non-vintage packaging at the same time, giving the vintage one a premium price with fewer accessories.  (Qui-Gon Jinn in 2012 is an egregious example, as were a few Saga Legends repacks with stands and a big box of bonus guns at a discounted price in 2010-2012.)  Hasbro knows fans will pay extra for vintage packaging, regardless of the fact of the figure warranting the higher price or even being a good match for the photo.  By dropping the dirt deco and adding that one blue cap on the dome, I'd say this would be adequate.  As it stands I don't exactly feel like I got my money's worth here.  Packaging fans, I think you'll like this - it's fine if you don't open it.  If you've got over 40 different R2-D2s by now, you're probably not exactly thrilled that this new one is more expensive, does less, and hasn't made any real improvements.  I don't recommend this unless you're a packaging fiend or a completist.

Collector's Notes: I got mine from Entertainment Earth.  

--Adam Pawlus

Day 2,612: August 15, 2019

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 2,606: R2-D2 (Droid Depot, The Black Series 6-Inch)

R2-D2 (Droid Depot)
Galaxy's Edge The Black Series 6-Inch Figure Disney Park Exclusive
Item No.: No. E5158
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: #n/a
Includes: C-3PO. BB-8, DJ-R3X
Action Feature: Compartments open to reveal arms, retractable third leg when dome spins, opening dome panels
Retail: $69.99
Availability: June 2019
Appearances: Galaxy's Edge

Bio: R2-D2 is a plucky and loyal Astromech droid that aids the Resistance in their conflict against the First Order and takes part in many of the numerous events in the galaxy. (Taken from the figure's packaging.)

Image: Adam's photo lab.

Availability:  Click here to buy it at Amazon now!

Commentary:  While C-3PO brought a new deco variant with new parts and was effectively a new definitive figure, this R2-D2 is another R2-D2.   Using the same sculpt from 2013, this one bridges the gap of "too dirty" and "too clean."  You could say it's "just right," but if you're happy with the R2-D2 figures you already have this one only offers a new level of dirt.

I would nudge you to the basic figure first - be it the 2013 orange box version or its 2017 40th Anniversary reissue - because of the lightsaber and scope accessories.   This one has places for those attachments, but you'll need to steal them from other droid figures.  The opening panels on the dome are still present, the third leg still rotates down, but this time it has dirt deco on it! That's a real unusual thing in Hasbro's droid toys.     The wheels on the heels are still present, as are the pop-off blue panels for the arm rockets (which are not included.)

As R2-D2 figures go, it's fine - it's a little different, if lacking in features.  It doesn't bring much new to the table.  The front logic displays - those little rectangles - are left unpainted yet again, but everything else is more or less as it should be. The rear logic display could benefit from being a different color than blue, but it still looks fine.  They did a fine job with weathering the back of the figure, a rare treat as the damage and wear tends to be left off the back side.  Hasbro painted the top panel on Artoo's dome, though, and at this point that's where we need to be.

Collector's Notes: I got mine from my pal Shannon who went to Disneyland's Galaxy's Edge last month.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 2,606: July 25, 2019