Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 3,242: Darth Vader (Epic World of Action Mech Force Suit)

DARTH VADER Ultimate Mech Force Suit
Epic World of Action "Power the Force" Mech Figure
Item No.: No. G0770
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: Cape, Mech, lightsaber
Action Feature: Removable cape, mech opens, lightsaber blade flips out and extends
Retail: $219.99
Availability: March 2025
Appearances: n/a
Bio: Power up the Dark Side with Darth Vader at the helm of an armored mech suit! (Taken from the packaging)

Image: Adam's photo lab. Note, this sample has two left feet because life is cruel.

Availability: Click here to buy it at Entertainment Earth now!

Click here to buy it at Amazon now!

Click here to buy it at eBay now!

Commentary: I think some kids are going to get this and either love it, or be bewildered by it. I would have hated this toy when I started writing online 30 years ago. This Ultimate Mech Force Suit Darth Vader feels like the kind of thing to come out of a style guide from Disney's marketing department, and the kind of thing Lucasfilm would have said "no" to under George Lucas. It's by no means bad - it's interesting! - but your willingness to go along with whimsy and 1990s-style action figures are what will drive this sale. Because I've started to like the bugnuts Kenner zaniness of the 1990s Batman and Aliens line a whole bunch, I can say I like this toy too.

A nearly-identical Epic World of Action Darth Vader [FOTD #3,228] is available with more painted details by itself. The Mech pilot drops the red and green chest lights as well as the silver belt buckle, and instead gives you some sort of PCB circuit patterns painted on his chest. Does it make sense? No. But it matches the interior of the mech, which you can see through the mech's transparent red chest. It's distinctive - and if it was part of the Batman Beyond-era of toys you'd go "Oh, I get it. I don't know that I need one, but I get it."

The sculpt is still Obi-Wan Kenobi-derived, with the gloves you saw in Rogue One and Star Wars along with the shoulder armor on top of his Sithly robes. He's jointed in nine spots - there are 15 joints in all - and he has no problem holding that overloaded energy lightsaber. It, and the energy crackles on his chest, go along with the "Power the Force" (no "of") initiative that's a big part of Disney's 2025 marketing strategy for Star Wars. You say you haven't noticed it at all? A lot of the big marketing strategies tend to be things that the consumer doesn't tend to notice, despite being name-checked on the packaging.

The big mech is pretty neat. It's not an amazing toy after we lived through $30-$40 31-inch Jakks Pacific Vader just over a decade ago, but it's at least interesting. I kind of wish they outsourced the design to Japanese mech designers to get us something with a little more zing, but the robotic armor and stompy feet look like a pretty decent kid's toy. The toy has two notable action features - a button on the beck of the right arm deploys the lightsaber blade and flips it out in his hand. Another big red button on his shoulder wiggles it. I don't know that it's going to be exciting for the kids, but it works well and is clever. The mech is jointed at the left elbow, and both shoulders. He is also equipped with a number of 5mm sockets on his arms, which allows you to mount the big weapons from other mechs or your Transformers collection. Someone at Hasbro seemed to have some fun making it.

Is it worth $30? Or more, with the tariffs? I'd say it is hard to compare it against other product at the price point, as a 6-inch The Black Series Vader is a better-painted toy with tons of articulation. But you can't open the head and chest, and plop Vader inside to pilot it. If it ever goes on clearance you owe it to yourself to get one - it's fun and weird, and mercifully doesn't duplicate a figure you already own. There are no other be-circuited Vaders. There are red ones, white ones, clear blue ones, and lava reflection ones - this is the only one that reps soldering skills. The 4-inch figure is a quality piece, and the mech functions as advertised. Pats on the back to the designers for doing something absurd, although I do kind of wish we got a new "kid" Darth Vader TIE Fighter as well/instead. At least this will take up less space standing on my shelves!

Collector's Notes: I got mine from Entertainment Earth.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 3,242: May 20, 2025