DESTROYER DROID Action-Packed and AnimatedThe Clone Wars Basic Figures
Item No.: Asst. 87638 No. 87858
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: #17
Includes: Firing rockets
Action Feature: Launching Blasters, Spring-Open Arms and Body
Retail: $7.99
Availability: Late 2008
Appearances: The Clone Wars
Bio: Droidekas, also known as destroyer droids, are deceptive in their movements. Appearing awkward on their three legs, they can curl into a ball-shaped form and roll swiftly toward their targets then spring open to fire their laser cannons. (Taken from the figure's cardback.)
Commentary: Since their introduction in 1999, Hasbro has been making incremental alterations in the Destroyer Droid, although arguably not for the better. The first figure in 1999 was pretty much spot-on except for two things-- the head was off-model, and it couldn't curl into a ball. Hasbro corrected the head issue in 2007, and the ball possibility may defy the laws of physics-- so how could you possibly make a new version of this toy? Simple, 'toon it up a bit.
Modeled after the exaggerated top-heavy designs from the cartoon series, this figure is arguably the best yet. It can kind of scrunch up and then pop out at a touch of a button, plus it can fire rockets. Well, that last part kinda screws it up visually, which is a shame when you have a toy line like this where the look is almost everything. The springing-open action is neat, but hardly a selling point. It's just an added bonus on a figure that has a great sculpt and a nice look. The little scrawny legs and the huge arms go well together, giving this robot a much more fearsome look. It's sort of the same thing that happened with the Super Battle Droid, it's a design that benefits from being beefed up a bit. This is a figure most of you will want to play with on your desk. It's a solid toy, but it's such a sharp looking design with sleek lines that I think it's more fun as a collectible figure. Especially since this makes-- what is it now?-- like a dozen unique releases? Grab it if you see it and have some extra cash to blow.
Collector's Notes: Since its release, this figure has been shipping steadily. You shouldn't have too much trouble grabbing a few.
--Adam Pawlus
Day 1,036: June 3, 2009
Adam, I agree with you wholeheartedly on this one and your comment about the Battle Droid. I was initially against buying another version of a figure I already had (and was largely satisfied with), but once I got this guy out of the package I was very pleased with the redesign. So far the mechanicals from Clone Wars have fared quite a bit better than their 'realistic' counterparts.
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