Figure of the Day: Day 1,264: Battle Droid

BATTLE DROID Theed Generator Complex
Episode I Playset Pack-In
Item No.: Asst. 26220 No. 26222
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: Theed Generator Complex
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $19.99
Availability: May 2010
Appearances: The Phantom Menace

Bio: The adventure continues with this exclusive playset from Star Wars: Episode I! Authentically styled with incredible detail, the Theed Generator Complex captures all the suspense of the fierce lightsaber battle between Darth Maul and Jedi Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi! (Taken from the figure's packaging.)

Image: Adam's yard.

Commentary: Does this Battle Droid look familiar? He probably should-- the same mold was used a few times in 1999, and you might have him from any of many places. This specific figure-- with this specific paint job-- was a pack-in with the "Theed Generator Complex" playset, which was the smaller, simpler of the two Episode I-themed environment toys. The figure has very limited articulation, about on par with a vintage (as in 1978) action figure. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, as he doesn't fall apart easily and he can actually sit inside a vehicle without too much fussing. As toys go, this is a pretty solid figure. His blaster is part of his hand, which is why it isn't called out above as a separate accessory.

This figure will not wow or amaze you if you're a picky collector, but it's another neat evolutionary step in the line's development. This is one of the more primitive Battle Droids, but it's also a very good one. Points to Hasbro for keeping it simple. More points to Hasbro if they find a way to release a bunch of these on the cheap again.

Collector's Notes: The same mold was used in 1999 in Asia and some other countries as a CommTech chip substitute-- it's the same figure, just unpainted. So no eyes, no dirt, none of that. In a way I'm envious of those people, because I've probably not even seen my CommTech chips in over 8 years at this point. This figure (as far as I know) wasn't widely available separately from the ship but it's possible some polybagged ones are out there that I missed.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 1,264: April 19, 2010