Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 2,975: R3-T2 (Disney Droid Factory)

R3-T2 Redux and Impruxved
Droid Factory Obi-Wan Kenobi Boxed Set
Item No.: No. n/a
Manufacturer: Disney
Number: n/a
Includes: 3 more droid figures
Action Feature: Removable limbs
Retail: $49.99
Availability: September 2022
Appearances: Obi-Wan Kenobi

Bio: All different types of Astromech droids populate the Star Wars galaxy. Each droid is different and has their own unique personality and colors. These four are featured in Star Wars: Obi-Wan Kenobi. This is the way... for you and your Droids! (Taken from the figure's packaging.)

Image: Adam's photo lab.

Availability: Click here to buy it at Amazon now!

Commentary: I was more than a little surprised to see R3-T2 in this boxed set. If he looks familiar, he should - he was first in an Entertainment Earth Exclusive Droids pack from 2006! The dome wasn't painted correctly, so I'm glad someone got around to giving it another whirl - I have no problems owning a "wrong" droid if it's sufficiently different from the "right" droid. For all intents and purposes, R3-T2 is R2-D2 with a red dome and white panels... and this is that.

The 2006 edition was cleaner, and didn't have as many painted panels - looking back at the old CCG card from Decipher, it would seem this Disney release is more correct. There is red between the white dome panels, there are more blue details on the body, and the extra silver and scuffing never hurt nobody. There's a big silver panel on the back, and plenty of silver highlights and a little orange dome light. It's different enough to be exciting! How often do I get to say that? Even though the old one was perfectly nice, this one is arguably much better. I love the vibrant red dome and the added painted details, plus seeing someone redo an obscure droid for absolutely no good reason other than a background cameo makes me happy. It's completely unnecessary, and that's a big part of what makes me love collecting toys. I could live without ever seeing another figure of the main characters again, but I'll take a fresh coat of paint on a revised and improved original trilogy droid any day.

The build is the same as always - no foot wires, two removable legs, a removable dome, and a removable central third leg. The designers and the factory put out a great toy robot here, and while I am happy with the one requested from Hasbro 17 years ago, I'm even happier with this one. A big part of that happiness is the price - he came in a mold with three newly-molded droids, which makes it way more exciting than a $17 or more individually carded redeco.

Collector's Notes: I got mine from my pal Greg! Thanks Greg.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 2,975: November 8, 2022