Hasbro Unveils New Retro 'Star Wars' Line, Black Series Celebration Exclusive, and More

By: Dominic Jones
 

It's that time of the year again, New York Toy Fair, where collectors all around the world get their first glimpse at some of the upcoming merchandise.  Toy manufacturer Hasbro was on hand, and they revealed several new Star Wars products.  The big announcement out of Toy Fair was the Retro Kenner 3.75" line of figures, where Hasbro will be releasing figures that based on the original Star Wars figures that were first released back in 1977.  In addition, they revealed their Star Wars Celebration exclusive black series figures, new playsets from The Vintage Collection, and a new 8" Hyperreal Darth Vader.

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Lego 'Star Wars' Reveals Out Of Toy Fair

Image via: Fantha Tracks

By: Dominic Jones

New York Toy Fair is taking place this weekend, and several Star Wars licensees have debuted several new products we can expect to see on shelves in the coming months. Lego always has a major presence at the event, and this year was no exception. This year they revealed the packaging for their upcoming 20th anniversary collection, a couple of Star Wars Resistance sets, as well as a few other surprises.  You can see some of the reveals below,

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New 'The Force Awakens Funko Pop! Figures Revealed

By: Benjamin Hart

New York Toy Fair is happening now and a lot of awesome Star Wars toys and collectibles are being revealed. While we can't expect to see anything from the upcoming Anthology film Rogue One, we have been seeing a lot from The Force Awakens lines, among others. Funko, the company behind the ever popular Pop! Vinyl bobblehead figures, appear to be close to releasing a brand new wave of figures based on characters from The Force Awakens. Yakface spotted a photo posted by "funko_fnatic" on Instagram of a Funko catalog that reportedly surfaced at Toy Fair which features artist renderings of previously unseen Pop! figures.

Included are General Leia Organa, Luke Skywalker, Snap Wexley, General Hux, A Guavian, Maz Kanata, CO-74, FN-2199, a helmetless, scarred Kylo Ren and a Lightsaber wielding Rey. You can see them all below:

OH BOY. #funko #popvinyl #funkopop

A photo posted by Funko Account For All Things (@funko_fnatic) on Feb 13, 2016 at 7:27am PST

It's currently unclear when we can expect to see these on store shelves. We will provide updates when more info is revealed.

Sources: funko_fnatic(Instagram), TotallyPopCulture.com

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Report: Spin Master To Unveil Larger, Voice Controlled BB-8 At NY Toy Fair

By: Benjamin Hart

Last year one of the hottest toys on the market was Sphero's remote controlled BB-8 that was released on Force Friday. Now that The Force Awakens has blasted its way through the box office, another company has stepped up to give us an even more realistic version of BB-8 to take home. Spin Master has reportedly developed an all new, much larger version of BB-8 that they are set to reveal at New York Toy Fair which is happening this weekend in the Big Apple.

This BB-8 will be much closer to life size than previous versions, standing at 19-inches tall. It includes a remote control(comparble to a Nintendo Wiimote) with a joystick to control it, but the remote is not absolutely necessary thanks to the fact this BB-8 is voice activated. BB-8 will respond when he hears his name, comes when he's called and will even follow you when commanded to do so. It will also include electronic lights and sounds to match its on-screen counterpart.

Although Spin Master is ready to unveil their BB-8, they are not ready to sell it just yet. The toy won't hit shelves until the Fall and will reportedly cost $180.

If this BB-8 works anywhere near as good as the Sphero version it will no doubt be a huge hit. Hopefully we will see some demonstrations of how it works in the coming days at New York Toy Fair.

Source: Gizmodo

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Lego Announces 32 New Star Wars Sets

By: Dominic Jones

Lego announced at Toy Fair this past weekend the 32 new Star Wars sets it will be releasing this year.  This includes the new Ultimate Collectors Series TIE Fighter and a new "Constraction Sets" (construction + action) line of toys (which are buildable versions of characters).  The building sets come from all six current films, as well as the animated series' Star War Rebels and Star Wars: The Clone Wars, and the popular "Legends" video game The Force Unleashed.  

From Lego's press release, here's all the sets announced,

Bringing Star Wars: Rebels TV Episodes to the Playroom
Six new LEGO sets help fans build the exciting adventures from the Disney XD series, Star Wars Rebels, five available now and one launching in June. Fans looking to build their collection of Stormtroopers will love the Imperial Troop Transport ($12.99), featuring four of the iconic troopers in minifigure form plus an armored transport pod. With Ezra’s Speeder Bike ($19.99), the young rebel hero and his confidant Sabine can outrun the Stormtroopers. In the ultimate expression of the power of the dark side, rogue rebels are tracked by the experimental TIE Advanced Prototype™ ($39.99), complete with folding wings for flight and landing modes, spring-loaded shooters and functional top hatch. Builders can search the streets of Capital City for rebels in the twin-legged AT-DP™ ($49.99), featuring Agent Kallus, a Stormtrooper and two AT-DP pilots. Fans can protect Wullffwarro and his Jedi friend, Kanan Jarrus, with the powerful Wookiee™ Gunship ($69.99), featuring movable front and top cannons, folding wings and two Wookiee minifigures.

 

Rebuild Favorite Star Wars: The Clone Wars Battles
Fans can safeguard the security of the Senate with the elite Senate Commando Troopers™ set ($12.99), featuring a never-before-seen buildable rapid shooter plus Senate Commando Captain minifigure and three Senate Commandos. Or builders can support the clone army at the Battle of Geonosis with the Geonosis Troopers™ set ($12.99), featuring a walker, two Geonosis Clone Troopers and two Geonosis Airborne Clone Troopers. Builders travel to Coruscant to relive the epic lightsaber battle between Asajj Ventress and Anakin with Anakin’s Custom Jedi Starfighter™ ($39.99), featuring detachable escape pod, droid eject function, retractable front landing gear, lightsaber storage, four spring-loaded shooters and an Astromech Droid. All are available now.

 

Revisit Star Wars: The Force Unleashed
Fans can protect the Empire with the silent and mysterious Shadow Guards ($12.99 available now) by using their deadly lightsaber staffs, or call in the Shadow Stormtroopers if backup is needed.

Classic Star Wars Sets Feature Big Action from the Saga

Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace – Builders can relive the riveting battle scene where the Trade Federation tightens its grip on Naboo and the local Gungans must stop the advancing AAT™ (available now for $24.99). Includes Jar Jar Binks minifigure, Battle Droid and Pilot Battle Droid figures. An additional set launches later in the year.

 

Star Wars: Episode II Attack of the Clones – Fans can build the Republic Gunship™ Microfighter to defend against the heavily armored Homing Spider Droid™ Microfighter ($9.99 each). To defeat the clone army on Geonosis, builders can assemble the Hailfire Droid™ ($19.99), featuring giant rotating wheels and four spring-loaded shooters. Reinforcements at the Battle of Naboo arrive in the Battle Droid Troop™ Carrier ($39.99), featuring detachable driver compartment, hidden wheels to help it glide, Gungan Warrior minifigure, two Pilot Battle Droids and 12 Battle Droids. All are now available. An additional set launches later in the year.

 

Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith – Builders can choose sides and reenact the ultimate showdown to defend or attack the Republic. High above Coruscant flies the advanced ARC-170 Starfighter™ Microfighter, perfect for defending against the attack of the deadly Separatist Vulture Droid™ Microfighter ($9.99 each, available now).

 

Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope – Fans can swoop through the canyons of Tatooine chasing down womp rats and trying to avoid Tusken Raiders in the T-16 Skyhopper™ ($24.99, available now), featuring adjustable wings, detachable storage box and dual spring-loaded shooters, Skyhopper Pilot and Tusken Raider minifigure.

Star Wars: Episode V The Empire Strikes Back – Builders can relive one of the most exciting battles in the entire Star Wars universe as they speed over the icy planet of Hoth in the agile Snowspeeder™ Microfighter to protect the Rebel Alliance and assault the Rebel base with the AT-AT™ Microfighter. Both are available now for $9.99.

 

Star Wars: Episode VI Return of the Jedi – Two exciting sets launch later in the year.

First Star Wars Constraction Sets Unveiled

Expanding the way children can build and play within the Star Wars universe, the company also unveiled new constraction – constructable figures – sets featuring, among others, Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker ($19.99 and up in September). Additional constraction figures in the collection will be unveiled throughout the year.

LEGO Slave I™ will Delight Even the Most Skilled Fan Builders

Builders can assemble and pilot an unbelievable detailed replica of the iconic Slave I™ spaceship owned and piloted by the infamous bounty hunter Boba Fett™. With 1,996 pieces, this set will inspire fans to search the galaxy for fugitives using the realistic rotating cockpit and wings for flight and landing mode along with dual blasters to repel attackers, then reenact the capture of Han Solo™ in Bespin’s Cloud City. Includes minifigures of Boba Fett™, Bespin Guard™, Stormtrooper™ and Han Solo™ and is available now for $199.99.

Also announced was the 2015 Star Wars advent calendar.  You can see pictures of that below,

Post by Lego Star Wars Style and Beyond.

Lego also released this image of the "Constraction Sets" (construction + action),

And even though they weren't included in the press release, LEGO did reveal the Shuttle Tydirium set and Death Star Final Duel sets.  Pictures below,

Post by Lego Star Wars Style and Beyond.

Post by Lego Star Wars Style and Beyond.

The good folks over at ComicBook.com has a comprehensive gallery of all the set announced, check that out here.

I have to say, it was nice to see such a good showing from Lego, especially since Hasbro failed to show much of interest.  Lego has been doing an excellent job with the Star Wars brand and you can bet they have big plans for when The Force Awakens is released as well.

Sources: Jedi Temple Archive, ComicBook.com, Slash Gear, Cnet

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Hasbro Toy Fair Star Wars Announcements and Q&A

By: Dominic Jones

Toy Fair has come and gone and now it's time to really delve into what was, or really what wasn't announced by Hasbro at the event.  Their big reveals were the Bladebuilder lightsaber construction toys, the Chewbacca/Furby crossover, and the new hero mashers line.  To see images of all the reveals, check out the official Hasbro gallery Jedi Temple Archives has posted on their Facebook page.

Post by Jedi Temple Archives.

About the Furbacca (Furbie/Chewbacca toy), Hasbro said,

(Ages 6 years & up/Approx. Retail Price: $79.99/Available: Fall 2015) For the first time ever, HASBRO is bringing FURBY to the world of STAR WARS with FURBACCA! This fully integrated toy and app speaks wookiee just like CHEWBACCA, hums theme songs from the STAR WARS movies, plays virtual games, and much more! FURBACCA takes kids on a STAR WARS themed digital adventure via their mobile device as they explore the galaxy and collect virtual Star Wars FURBY FURBLINGS. The free FURBACCA app will be available for download in the App Store and Google Play in Fall 2015. The FURBACCA app is not required for FURBACCA play. Includes bandolier accessory. Requires four “AA” batteries, not included.

But the really interesting stuff came from the Q&A JTA did with Hasbro representatives about the Star Wars brand.  There were a lot of non-answers (due largely to the secrecy surrounding The Force Awakens), but I've picked out some of the highlights to feature bellow, but you can find the entire Q&A here.

Q: Where are the action figures for the female characters from Rebels, like Hera, Sabine, or Maketh Tua? Male characters like Ezra and Kanan have been released multiple times already in many formats and scales, yet the best we've seen on shelves so far is a single Sabine with a non-removable helmet and a yet-to-be-released Hera, both of whom are packed with re-released Stormtroopers. Female characters have always played an integral role in the Star Wars saga, from Leia in the original trilogy to Padme in the prequels to Ahsoka and Asaaj in The Clone Wars and have always been among the first characters released in figure form, yet for this new chapter in the Saga, they've barely been a blip on the radar.
A: Hasbro feels they have released plenty of female characters in the line.

Q: With the port/shipping delays on the West Coast, are there any plans to re-ship Star Wars Rebels/Saga Legends figures from wave 1 to meet the demand?
A: It’s not an issue of re-shipping. It’s an issue of getting out what’s already ready. Hasbro plans to keep supporting Rebels.

Q: Does Hasbro plan to eliminate producing super articulation 3.75 inch figures altogether, or do they plan on reducing it for the line, for example, between 5-10 points of articulation, to keep the line cost effective and appease collectors?
A: Hasbro plans to continue to supporting collector-focused figures.

Q: With LEGO allowed to put out sets from the old non-canon "Legends" stories such as the Shadow Troopers pack based on 'The Force Unleashed', or Anakin's Starfighter from 'Clone Wars (2003/04), is it possible that we'll ever get action figures and the like from those stories, as well at some point? A: It’s possible. Hasbro was trying to stay within what Pablo Hidalgo (and others) had deemed that the cannon of Star Wars. But exceptions like these could open the window for other options in the future.

Q: Do you have any plans to produce more 6-inch figures from "The Clone Wars"? A: Not right now, past Fall 2015, likely.


Q: Hasbro.. I used to buy a figure or two every week. I haven't spent any money on your company since November last year. I am not interested in 6" or 5POA 3.75". I was going to collect the Rebels line but due to a lack of availability I have lost interest in them and have no desire to collect them now. I know I am not the only collector that feels this way. Are you concerned that you are losing customers by not having the abundance of SA 3.75" that you used to have? I'm pretty much done with collecting as it is in its current state. I only collect Star Wars figures and I am sick of seeing nothing but junky overpriced Command crap. Are you aware that in New Zealand a lot of retailers aren't even carrying figures now?
A: Everyone will be happy Fall 2015.

Q: Do you have plans to release a Star Wars Celebration Anaheim Exclusive?
A: No.
 

I have to say, this was a disappointing showing from Hasbro.  Everyone was aware that The Force Awakens stuff was not allowed to be shown, but the lack of any other reveals was unexpected and disappointing.  I'm also sad to hear that there will be no Hasbro Celebration Anaheim exclusive.  The Furbacca also seems like a bizarre idea.  I don't think many kids were crying out for that, but who knows maybe it will be this years must have toy (yeah right!). 

Source: Jedi Temple Archives

 

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Star Wars Bladebuilders Toy Line Announced

By: Dominic Jones

One of the products Hasbro will have on display at this weekend's New York Toy Fair has been revealed early.  USA Today unveiled the new "Star Wars Bladebuilders" line of constructable lightsaber toys.  Bladebuilders, which is expected to launch in the fall, is described by USA Today as, "a line of compatible hilts, connectors and various lightsaber materials that let children use the simple gadgets of their favorite Jedi masters and Sith lords or come up with the craziest, most complicated combination ever."

Basically, you will be able to use the various connectors and lightsaber parts to create any lightsaber you want, like so,

According to USA Today, there are various kits of pieces that will be sold.  They write,

The main Jedi Master Lightsaber set (for ages 4 and up, $49.99 includes a lightsaber with lights and electronic sounds, a pair of lightdaggers, an expansion hilt and a variety of connectors.

From there, kids can mix and match from three other assortments with connectors and lightsaber blades tied to various characters. The electronic lightsaber ($19.99) comes in Obi-Wan Kenobi, Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker flavors, the foam lightsaber ($14.99) has Yoda, Vader and Luke variants, and the extend lightsaber ($9.99) offers something for Luke, Vader and Anakin Skywalker fans.

These look like they have a lot of potential to be fun for kids.  And, it gives us a way to build Kylo Ren's broadsword-style lightsaber from The Force Awakens a few months early!

Source: USA Today

 

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New York Toy Fair: Hasbro Panel Tweets Reveal 'Rebels" Figures and more

By Chris Seekell

Our friend Justin LaSalata (@JustinL81) from Jedi News has tweeted some fantastic updates from the Hasbro panel at the year's New York Toy Fair.

Here are some of his tweets:

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