It wasn’t too long before Kenner figured out that they could produce different versions of previously released characters in the mini action figures line. The first was ARTOO-DETOO (R2-D2). Named first in all capitals strangely, then soon changed to Artoo-Detoo (R2-D2) (with Sensorscope), Kenner added a call-out on the figure’s packaging to brag about the figure’s new features. And it enticed us all to pick up this new version of our favorite astromech droid in the Star Wars films. I remember owning this figure as a kid. I don’t recall much about acquiring my first 1978 version of Artoo-Detoo (R2-D2), but I do recall very much about getting this version. I loved the card back artwork as a kid, and I could remember the scene in the movie to what inspired its layout. When the sensorscope was in the collapsed, mode it was hard to tell this version and the first version apart. But it did appear the two different figures were also different in height. That's because the legs were attached a tad higher on this figure giving him a false shortened stature. Oh, and I suppose it’s worth mentioning that Kenner tooled ARTOO-DETOO (R2-D2)’s periscope (the one he utilized on Dagobah navigating the swamp) and not the sensorscope (the one he used in an attempt to locate Luke Skywalker on Hoth). As an adult, I appreciate Kenner upgrading specific figures to keep the line fresh. Although we only saw changes made for two characters, once the new version was released, the previous version was put out of production.
Hasbro's Most Definitive Modern Counterpart: 2022's THE VINTAGE COLLECTION ARTOO-DETOO (R2-D2) (VC234) figure.
Name: ARTOO-DETOO (R2-D2)
Alternate Name: Artoo-Detoo (R2-D2) (with Sensorscope)
Collection: The Empire Strikes Back
Source: The Empire Strikes Back
Release: 1982
Status: ARTOO-DETOO (R2-D2) is a retool of 1978's SW Artoo-Detoo (R2-D2) figure. This time the figure has a new dome with added telescoping sensorscope feature.
Assortment: No. 69590
UPC: N/A
Retail: $1.99 USD
Alternate Card Art Details:
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• Artoo-Detoo (R2-D2) (With Sensorscope)
• Trilogo
• Card art utilizes a different color scheme than American Kenner version. Characters are oriented differently in composite. |
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listings.
Figure Release Information
Major Figure Variations (loose): None
U.S. Card Back Release Information (confirmed to exist)
- ESB-45A
- ESB-47
- ESB-48A
- ROTJ-48
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- ROTJ-65A
- ROTJ-65B
- ROTJ-65C
- ROTJ-77A
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U.S. Card Back information derived from the Kellerman Book Matrices and confirmed samples
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