Figure of the Day: Day 380: Snowtrooper

SNOWTROOPER Toys "R" Us Exclusive
Power of the Force Millennium Mint Coin Collection
Item No.: Asst. 69675 No. 84028
Number: n/a
Includes: Blaster, coin, display base
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $9.99
Availability: Spring 1998
Appearances: The Empire Strikes Back

Bio: The snowtroopers, also known as cold assault stormtroopers, were Imperial stormtroopers trained to operate in arctic climates. Some snowtroopers were deployed under Death Squadron's Blizzard Force, as well as other arctic forces. (Stolen from Wookieepedia.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' toy shelves.

Commentary: When Kenner first said they were going to bring back the coins in 1998, fans were initially skeptical, and elated, all at once. The actual coins had the front of the 1984 series and an all-new more generic back, plus they were cast in gold. Still, most fans didn't see them as being worth a $9.99 price even though figures like the Snowtrooper were repainted to be a little more movie-authentic. The figure is the same as the 1997 release, but with subtle differences. How subtle? Well, if you don't put it side-by-side with the old one, you're not even going to notice. This one sold fairly well because it was a Snowtrooper, and then, like today, troopers were popular.

With five points of articulation, this figure is still pretty good despite his towering height and inability to turn his neck. Fans wanting only the bestest figures with the craziest articulation should pass on this one, but the coin display base in the picture is neat enough to warrant purchasing at least one or two of these guys. I actually kinda wish Hasbro would remake this base, so I could put my 2007 figures with their modern coins in it as it'd look really cool.

Collector's Notes: This item shipped in wave one with Han Solo (whose gun was painted with a silver tip) and Chewbacca (who had grey fur patches painted on). Later releases were a bit more interesting-- the Luke and Leia in Endor Poncho figures featured a lot of new sculpting, C-3PO was entirely new, and the Emperor was changed quite a bit from the electronic version on which he was based. Still, it's a little sad to think back at these being $10 each and today we're getting brand new sculpts for $7 with a coin, or in 1984, we were getting brand new sculpts with a coin for like $2.49.

Day 380: May 21, 2007