Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 519: R2-D2

R2-D2 with Extension Arm
Original Trilogy Collection Vintage Collection
Item No.: Asst. 85213 No. 85270
Number: n/a
Includes: Removable panel, gadget panel, two gadget arms
Action Feature: Removable third leg, light-up eye port, twist dome and sensorscope pops up
Retail: $9.99
Availability: Fall 2004
Appearances: Return of the Jedi

Bio: R2-D2, also known as Artoo for short, was an astromech droid, the most famous unit of the R2 series, and long time friend of Protocol droid C-3PO. Along with his resourcefulness, R2 had many tool-tipped appendages that allowed him to be a great starship mechanic and computer interface specialist. (Stolen from Wookieepedia.)

Image: On the "Early Bird"/Vintage shelf.

Commentary: This one is not as "vintage" as it should have been. R2-D2 takes the packaging used in 1983 and 1984, but puts an R2-D2 figure on it that never existed in the original line. For accuracy, it should've been a recreation of the Sensorscope figure. While this figure has that feature, it doesn't pop out as much as it did in the films, and the added arms are a nice touch. The sculpt has been reused for many figures since this one, so by now you've no doubt seen it more than once and probably own it four or more times over. The figure's most notable feature is a pop-off panel that can be replaced by an "open" panel in which you can plug a claw or a data arm, both of which are excellent features. For whatever reason, all future releases of this mold had the panel glued shut-- so if you want the awesome arm action feature, you have to buy this one. The figure had the first-ever "wires" coming out of the feet, which was a nice touch, plus brought back the questionably popular metalized dome. Some love it, some hate it, but here it is.

Collector's Notes: Hasbro loves this mold, period. It's been used to make R2-R9, R5-D4, R5-J2, R5-F7. It's also been used to make the Early Bird R2-D2 of 2005, the Hoth R2-D2 from 2006, the upcoming Endor R2-D2 of 2007. It's pretty good, but the metalized dome isn't so hot-- frankly, I wish they'd do away with it, but that's what we get some times.

Day 519: October 7, 2007