Manufacturer: Hasbro
Release Date: 2011
Price: $39.99
Availability: Domestic release - meaning you can find this at Walmart.
Background info:
Of all the intellectual properties in the world today, Star Wars is one of popular IPs out there and of course through the all the IPs that make it in the world there is merchandise. In this case a new line of toys was created back in 2009-2010 from the Transformers brand holder - Hasbro. A crossover brand dubbed Star Wars: Transformers Crossover.
Initial release were smaller figures larger (slightly) than action figures and the first wave did fairly well. This prompted for the line to increase and the size of figures to increase. This lead to the Darth Vader/Death Star transformer, which was a bit complex for children and fell into the older crowd of collectors and fans. Another note worthy entry would be the Millennium Falcon combiner, consisting of Han Solo and Chewbacca. Where the two characters connected to one another to complete the Millennium Falcon.
Now incorporating an idea from the Transformers line, a figure capable of doing 3 transformations. An example would be Astro Train. A humanoid type robot that could change to a train, or a shuttle, and back again.
But the Star Wars figure in this review has one extra transformation making a total of four. Humanoid x2 or Ship x2.
Features:
4 x firing spring loaded missiles
Electronic sounds -
Vader:
sound clips:
"Impressive. Most impressive."
"Join me on the Dark side."
"What is thy bidding my master?" followed by mechanical breathing.
"Release your angry and complete your transformation"
mechanical transformation sound.
"The Force is strong with you" followed by mechanical breathing.
Star Destroyer sounds:
"You may fire when ready."
Engine sound
Single laser firing
Anakin:
sound clips:
"The sith will never transform me!"
Light saber hum, slash, and lasers being reflected from the saber.
"We've got them right where we want them!"
"You're no match for a Jedi master!"
3 x Triple A batteries (installed).
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| Accessories |
Review:
Ok so out of the package the figure is already in Vader mode holding a red light saber molded with a red wavy fire pattern via a cardboard box with plastic window. Attached to the sides of the box are the following: a the cover of the Star destroyer, two panels. Two blue light sabers, two engine parts for the Republic Cruiser, and on the bottom of the box, two missiles and an instruction sheet.
Out of the box, you need to take the Star Destroyer cover and attach it to the top of Vader's back. Then you will need to pull the lower legs, adding about half inch of height to the figure. The two engine parts can be combined into an arm mounted blaster for Vader mode and can be placed on either arm.
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| Vader Mode - minus his flaming saber, which is out of the picture |
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| Anakin Mode- Slightly mis-transformed |
Now let's transform this figure into Anakin mode. Simply push up on the lower legs, left the back panels away from the body, this allows for clearance...and grab the waist, pull down. This causes the a short extension in the body allowing you to grab the lower rib cage area and turn this along with a portion of the stomach area. In this particular for Vader is a clear plastic panel painted with the control panel, also behind this plate is a glowing red light whenever the sounds are activated. This forces Vader's head to split in half - revealing Anakin's robotic face, once the lower piece is turned the black colored plastic and clear plastic is replaced with a dark red and orange-yellow colored plastic to attempt to match the color of Anakin's head in the same orange-yellow paint. The area with the light has been covered saved a small V-line cut allowing the light to show during the sound clip, and this light is blue. Push the waist back up, and continue on with the transformation...
Take the panels off the back of Anakin, connect them together and pace on either hand as a shield. The blaster on the arm can stay or you can separate it into a dual-gun setup (these blasters are spring loaded as well, allowing for the two blue light sabers to be fired). Finally take the flaps on the back of the Star destroyer and lift until angled, and flip down the top of the Star Destroyer.
Next transformation into either vehicle mode requires the figure in Anakin mode. Start by taking each leg and twisting the lowing legs and connect them together. Then take the feet and and angle them to point downward. Next take the forearms and rotate the and bend inward until you hear a snap. Move to the shoulders which are now angled and parallel them to the body. Grab the shield/cape and cover the feet then snap into place after aligning the pieces correctly. The shoulder flaps should be rotated until parallel with the ship. Again regardless of which vehicle mode, and character mode, take the Star Destroyer "backpack" cover and lift until parallel with the horizon then rotate. Bring it down over Anakin's head and body until it snaps into position. Now here is the main body of either vehicle. Difference in transformation lies in the two blasters and the engine tabs that were flipped up for Anakin mode. If you want Republic cruiser mode, first lif up on the Republic cruiser and flip out a panel, unfold either piece (this same area is where the 3 x triple A battery compartment is...). Once the panel is flipped down it will cover the middle engine of the Star Destroyer and the additional flaps, Finally take the blaster parts and slide them into place. Match the pegs with the holes on the engine cover piece you just unfolded and voila...cruiser mode is complete.
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| Rear of the Republic cruiser (mis-transformed) |
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| upper frontal view of Republic cruiser mode |
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| Empire Frontal - intimidating, no? |
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| Rear view of Empire Star Destroyer mode |
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| Side view of Empire Star Destroyer mode |
In regards to the Star Destroyer mode remove the Republic cruiser engines, fit them to the gaps in the side of the Republic cruiser and fold the cover piece back and over the battery compartment. Then flip the ship over. Snap the engine panels into place...and the transformation is finished.
The details on either ship is not bad, there are panel linings across each vehicle mode, paint applications are there and nothing seems like it was made with lack of quality. Heck, Anakin's face has a nice scar with it to boot. If everything is aligned correctly nothing should fall off of any of the modes. All the joints are tight and nothing seems loose about the figure over all. Another feature is the light up eyes during the sound play, aside from a light on the stomach the eyes on either mode come to life. Another neat little thing Hasbro did was paint the tips of the missiles to match the Republic cruiser's bridges so it is camouflage well...but at the same time instead of making them square, the tips are rounded. Possibly to provide a bit of protection in case a child decides to launch these missiles at anyone or animal.
The transformations are incredibly simple when compared to the Death Star to Vader figure, and features aren't too bad for the price you pay. Articulation is alright, the figure can move its arms, legs, shoulder - yet this figure won't be able to hold some extreme poses. But this figure doesn't escape this review without some negative remarks.
The bad:
Let's start with the packaging in the way of the photos of the transformation. They are purely misleading in the manner of how the product looks in their vehicle transformations. You cannot tell how the bottom of the vehicle looks. So you don't know that the bottom of each vehicle is the other vehicle. The whole point of a transformer is to be in a disguise, in this case this figure falls short.
Another noticeable issue is the lack of a glowing blue light in the Republic cruiser mode. I even checked the instructions to ensure I had not mis-transformed the figure and confirmed that I did follow the correct steps. In fact the instructions only lights and sounds with the Star Destroyer mode. While the photo on the package states otherwise. Funny thing though there is a small white clear bubble, looks like a light piece on the Republic cruiser mode right under neath the spring loaded launchers for the bridge missiles, but it does NOT light up (may be a defect for my figure alone). Aside from the issue of the electronics not working properly, there is the design of the over all figure.
Vader mode has the legs extended an extra half inch, which alters the center of gravity. The lazy design of having the back loaded with both tops of the ship add extra wait to the figure. In Anakin mode the tip of the top of the ship acts as a third foot. But in Vader mode this figure must be bent over if you want this thing to stand. In Anakin mode the figure will stand alright, but the back pieces will still throw it off in effect killing a lot of options for posing.
The major negative remark on this figure would be the execution and delivery of the figure and its vehicle modes. Leaving the bottom of the vehicle mode the way it is a poor execution of the idea. Hasbro could have easily designed to fold down so that the bottom of the vehicle in either mode is a better representation of each vehicle. Sure it wouldn't look right detail wise, but I think this would be acceptable in regards to the price of the figure.
This same figure is available without the lights, sounds, and the Anakin mode. There is a republic clone trooper figure available that transforms into a Republic cruiser with a much better execution than this figure.
This figure also has issues with the mountable parts. The shield and dual blasters are both halved, and in this manner the hole for the peg on the arms basically rely on the pegs of each half to secure both the shield and blasters to the arms. This fails half the time because of the fact that connectivity of the peg and halves are working against one another. The shield when off the arm, holds fine together. But the way the arm peg is made it is in the shape of a T. This T shape peg basically splits the shield or blaster apart, just enough to cause it become unstable. So care is needed while posing or using the accessories with the figure.
Bottom line - this figure is great for the target demography: young children. Price wise it is a bit high.
The older collectors may just want to avoid this...
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