Grand Admiral Thrawn - Sideshow Collectibles - 1:6 Scale Figures (2009)
Return to the Main Jedi Temple Archives Home Page

Episode I

Gungan Scout Sub (With Obi-Wan Kenobi) - EI - Invasion Force

Name: Gungan Scout Sub (With Obi-Wan Kenobi)
Collection: Episode I
Number: N/A
Source: The Phantom Menace
Availability: 2000
License: Hasbro

Review_GunganScoutSubWithObiWanKenobiEI001 Review_GunganScoutSubWithObiWanKenobiEI002 Review_GunganScoutSubWithObiWanKenobiEI003 Review_GunganScoutSubWithObiWanKenobiEI004
Review_GunganScoutSubWithObiWanKenobiEI005 Review_GunganScoutSubWithObiWanKenobiEI006 Review_GunganScoutSubWithObiWanKenobiEI007 Review_GunganScoutSubWithObiWanKenobiEI008
Review_GunganScoutSubWithObiWanKenobiEI009 Review_GunganScoutSubWithObiWanKenobiEI010 Review_GunganScoutSubWithObiWanKenobiEI011 Review_GunganScoutSubWithObiWanKenobiEI012

A compact, one being transport, the scout sub's organic design is typical of Gungan artisans. Though its design is often mistaken for a tasty morsel by the sea monsters of Naboo, it's high speed capabilities and powerful defensive claw succeed in keeping it out of danger.

With the sensory overload that was Episode I, did Hasbro honestly run out of ideas when it came to the toy line? That’s what immediately comes to mind when we consider the ridiculousness of the Gungan Scout Sub (With Obi-Wan Kenobi) “figure and vehicle” set from the Episode I line. By the end of 1999, the Episode I line was backing up something terrible. New waves of figures were hitting clearance outlets before major retail chains and many of the “new” sub-lines had extreme difficulty finding their way to pegs. Products that were meant for 1999 didn’t leak out until 2000 and one sub-line that suffered this fate was the short-lived Invasion Force lineup. Much like a Deluxe type of item, these sets contained a single action figure and a corresponding and interactive “Mini Rig” vehicle. Some worked while others were complete flops. Perhaps the worst of the bunch was the Gungan Scout Sub (With Obi-Wan Kenobi) which was some sort of peculiar amalgam which blended two key scenes from Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace: the one where Obi-Wan travels underwater to Jar Jar Binks’ home world city and the one where Obi-Wan was traveling in an space submarine along with Qui-Gon Jinn and Jar Jar Binks.

OK, so this toy is a hybrid of multiple scenes in Episode I. But ultimately this means that it is from the Expanded Universe, specifically Hasbro’s universe. The toy itself is rather boring. The Gungan Scout Sub isn’t large enough to hold an action figure. In fact, there isn’t even an opening cockpit to house anything. Sure, the vehicle has an action feature of two, but aside from attaching Obi-Wan Kenobi like this is some fun water sport device, there isn’t much at all this thing can do. It looks pretty cool, but its small size and lack of features makes it a dull plaything. We honestly don’t know what else to say about it other than it is a complete waste. It’s not worth the $10 you’ll have to plop down for it. The Invasion Force line was meant to be the Episode I version of a Mini Rig line. But Kenner’s original Mini Rigs were a whole lot more interesting and many had believe “off screen” accuracy. Gungan Scout Sub (With Obi-Wan Kenobi) just doesn’t have that same authenticity. We’re not sure why Hasbro just didn’t develop an accurately scaled submarine vehicle that was seen in the film. This feels like a huge misstep in every way possible. But the vehicle isn’t the only issue here.

We’re not crazy about the included action figure either. And in all honesty, Obi-Wan Kenobi couldn’t be more screen inaccurate. When Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon Jinn entered the Gungan City below the water, most of the water was “strained” out of their clothing and bodies thanks to the large and thick bubble walls that allowed entryway into the city. Yes, they were still damp/wet, but they weren’t sopping wet. Yet this action figure interpretation of Obi-Wan Kenobi looks as if he was just completely submerged in water. His matted hair, his sad face and the thin frame of the figure just don’t work. And while we imagine there will be a couple of kids out there that may find this toy to be fun in a bathtub, we just don’t see how it will remain a kid or collector favorite throughout the years. Obi-Wan doesn’t come with any accessories either, so we imagine this toy will get pretty old fast. Obi-Wan Kenobi does come with six points of articulation however. Hasbro could have certainly made shortcuts here but they didn’t. We just hope that they expend their time and energy making more interesting vehicles and not these second rate “excuses” for vehicles instead.

Collector Notes

Gungan Scout Sub (With Obi-Wan Kenobi)

Assortment Number: 84205/84397

UPC: 076930843970

Retail: $9.99 USD

Market Value: Click here to check the latest prices based on Click here to check the market value on eBay! listings.

Gungan Scout Sub

Status: Gungan Scout Sub is an all-new vehicle.

Features Count: 1

Feature Details: snapping defense jaw

Accessory Count: None

Accessory Details: None

Date Stamp: 1999

Obi-Wan Kenobi

Status: Obi-Wan Kenobi is an all-new figure.

Articulation Count: 6 points (6 areas of articulation)

Articulation Details: swivel head (1), swivel left shoulder (1), swivel right shoulder (1), swivel waist (1), swivel left hip (1), swivel right hip (1)

Accessory Count: None

Accessory Details: None

Date Stamp: 1999



Episode I

All Products

Added: April 12, 2016
Category: Episode I
Reviewer: Paul Harrison
Score:
blog comments powered by Disqus

Return to Research Droids Reviews Index

-Click HERE to return to the home page-

Channels

 

Follow Us

JTA Info

Affiliates

Hasbro

Gentle Giant

Sideshow Collectibles

Hot Toys

LEGO

Mattel

Disney

Disney Store

Acme Archives

Hallmark

Trading Cards

Store Reports

Research Droids Reviews

Visual Guides

Books & Novels

Convention News

Movie & TV News

Rants & Raves

Special Reports

       Facebook

       Instagram

       Pinterest

       Youtube

       RSS

Home

Contact

News Archives

Site Search

Image Use Policy

Disclosure Policy

Privacy Policy

RDR Index

Visual Guide Index

Bantha Skull

Collector's Cantina

Jedi News

Star Wars Figuren

Star Wars New Zealand

Star Wars is a Copyright and Trademark of LucasFilm LTD. This site is intended for informational purposes only, and is not in anyway associated with LFL. All Visual Guides, images, and content are the property of JediTempleArchives.com, © 2004-2019 and may not be reused without permission. Please do not direct link to any of the content on this web site.