R2-D2 (Artoo-Detoo) - POTF2 [R/G] - Electronic Power F/X

Recreate R2-D2's action scenes on Tatooine! Magnetic wand moves Artoo around the desert base.

It wasn’t too soon after the launch of Kenner/Hasbro’s modern Star Wars line that they investigated new ways to bring action figures to collectors. Never satisfied with staying within accepted norms, Kenner/Hasbro decided that bringing “electronic” action figures would be a sub-line that would pay off significantly for them. Think about it. Who wouldn’t want an action figure with a lightsaber that lights up? Or who wouldn’t want R2-D2 with all of his flickering lights and whistling sounds added to an action figure? Well, Kenner/Hasbro did that for collectors in 1997 with the Electronic Power F/X sub-line. Not only did they add electronics into the action figures, but they went out of their way to create environmental display stands, large enough to be considered playsets, to interact with the figures and recreate some of the most pivotal scenes from the Star Wars saga. The packaging also serves as part of the experience. Once you cut out the dioramic backing, you add it to the plastic display stand for a bigger presentation. They look great fully assembled. Likely, you’ll replace the electronic figures for better-looking ones.

While interest was immediate, the line soon faltered and ultimately didn’t grasp the full attention of the collecting community. The concept was spot on for many, but the execution lacked terribly. The action figures in the line, more often than not, looked bizarre. They either had severely limited movement, because of the electronics inside of them, or they had strange buttons to initiate the electronics and sounds that affected the aesthetics of the characters in an unfortunate way. One of the better-received figures in this line was R2-D2 (Artoo-Detoo). Based on his appearance from Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope, Kenner/Hasbro created version of the astromech droid that lights up (incorrectly by the way – his main “eye” isn’t ever red – in fact, it never lights up) and also comes with various sounds like beeps and blurts. Visually, the figure looks nice, but it isn’t without its set of issues. When collectors want to see more articulation added to their figures, this line reduces that option. R2-D2 (Artoo-Detoo) is tooled and painted nicely, but the figure’s lack of articulation is disappointing at best. He only comes with swivel legs—and the button to activate the electronics.

We’re quite disappointed that his dome doesn’t move at all either. But that must be because of the electronics once again. You activate all of the electronics in R2-D2 (Artoo-Detoo) by pressing the center panel button. Once pressed, R2-D2 (Artoo-Detoo) will make various sound effects and while this is happening his center eye remains lit with a red LED light. And that’s all the figure does as far as its electronics are concerned. They also added a magnetic feature to the figure. His third foot contains a magnet. Then you slide a wand on the back of the environmental display stand, which also has a magnet, to move R2-D2 (Artoo-Detoo) along the base, back and forth, giving him some “magical” movement. The environmental display stand could be based on a couple of scenes: where R2-D2 (Artoo-Detoo) encounters the Jawas, or when he is hiding from the Sand People attacking Luke Skywalker. For $9.99, it does feel like you get a great deal of value for your money. And R2-D2 (Artoo-Detoo) is the best of the bunch. But overall, collectors would probably like to see Kenner/Hasbro focus their energies elsewhere.