With the impending theatrical re-release of Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace (this time in 3-D), a new batch of Star Wars merchandise is set to hit shelves. From books to Lego sets to Happy Meal toys to action figures, there’s plenty of products for avid fans and collectors alike to purchase. Although the official shelf date for most of the toys is January 30, several items have been found for sale this past weekend in local stores.
At Toys R Us in Sanford there were 6 new Lego sets on the shelves that contain new Lego minifigures. Set 9490, Droid Escape, contains a new version of C-3PO and two new Sandtrooper figure variants, one with a white shoulder pauldron and the other an orange pauldron. Both of the troopers have dirty armor. Set 9491, Geonosian Cannon, includes new versions of Barriss Offee and the Geonosian Warrior figures, as well as two brand new figures, Clone Commander Gree and a Geonosian Zombie. Clone fans will also want to pick up set 9488, Elite Clone Trooper and Commando Droid Battle Pack, which includes two black Commando Droids, a new ARC Trooper variation, and a new ARF Trooper variation.
Lego also has released new versions of their X-Wing, TIE Fighter, and Y-Wings sets. Set 9493, the X-Wing, includes a figure of Jek Porkins and astromech droid R5-D8 along with the traditional Luke Skywalker and R2-D2. Set 9492, the TIE Fighter, comes with a TIE Pilot and Imperial Officer as well as brand new figures Death Star Trooper and R5-J2. Finally, set 9495, a Y-Wing Starfighter, includes a new version of Princess Leia and brand new figures of Gold Leader Dutch Vander and droid R5-F7.
Turning to Hasbro’s action figure line, a wave of new items were found at Wal-Mart stores. Three different three-figure Battle Packs have been found. The Rebel Heroes pack includes Han Solo, Chewbacca, and C-3PO, the Republic Troopers pack which includes Cutup, Hardcase, and Bomb Squad Trooper, and the Geonosian Battle Arena pack including Jango Fett, Obi-Wan, and a battle droid.
A large assortment of the individual action figures, both from the Clone Wars line and the new Movie Heroes line, was also on the pegs, but they were all repacks of older figures into the new packaging. Hasbro did see fit to include new accessories with most of these figures, and the figure stands have been changed from the silver color of last year to a brownish-tan color. Many of these new accessories are designed to add more “playability” to the toys, with things like rocket-firing backpacks and exploding helmets. Hasbro really seems to be marketing this current batch of toys straight to kids and not as much to collectors. Future waves of these figures are scheduled to include more new characters that will appeal better to collectors than the current waves do.
Even with the official release date a week away, there are plenty of new Star Wars items to be had. By early February, the stores will be flooded with even more. George Lucas may have turned his attention to World War II fighter pilots, but his marketing people are still focused completely on that galaxy far, far away.
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