Tag Archives: Galactic Empire

In 1984, new packaging for Star Wars figures was introduced for the European market. A cost containment initiative, the new packaging sported three languages of the Return Of The Jedi logo for a “one size fits all” approach. Although a “three-logo” design was created for The Power Of The Force line (as evidenced on some ‘boxed’ toys), it wasn’t carried over to the basic figure line’s card design. They continued to use the three Return Of The Jedi logos instead. Although the word “Trilogo” is found nowhere on the packaging, the term is universally adopted by all Star Wars collectors to describe this line of figures.

Today we revisit Emperor’s Royal Guard. For the Trilogo art, not much differs when compared to the original Kenner version. The image of the character and frame is repositioned a little. The name of the figure changed to Emperor’s Royal Guard (Garde Royal de L’Empereur). See the full card art and additional notes by revisiting 1983’s RETURN OF THE JEDI Emperor’s Royal Guard figure HERE.

5POA is never OK, but at least Hasbro did something good with the Celebrate The Saga multipacks, a parting gift for collectors as they close the tooling archives on these figures forever. The Galactic Empire set includes a new take on R2-Q5, a figure we haven’t seen Hasbro release is 19 years. And the included TIE Fighter Pilot and Snowtrooper sculpts are better than their current super-articulated counterparts. The rest of the set is “meh.” Are you buying these sets for your collection? (more….)

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If you ordered the various “Celebrate The Saga” 5POA multipacks, the one from Best Buy has shipped their exclusive “Galactic Empire” set and is beginning to arrive at collectors’ doorsteps. JTA reader ff sends us the report and image. If you’d like to order them, they all contain exclusive figures (mostly droids), and links for all of the CAN BE FOUND HERE.

Here’s the review to The Vintage Collection Carbon-Freezing Chamber playset. (more….)

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It’s just a straight repack, but will you get it for your collection? The Black Series [Phase IV] Darth Vader is a dang-nice figure. (more….)

Thank you for reading Research Droids Reviews: Season 12!

In 1984, new packaging for Star Wars figures was introduced for the European market. A cost containment initiative, the new packaging sported three languages of the Return Of The Jedi logo for a “one size fits all” approach. Although a “three-logo” design was created for The Power Of The Force line (as evidenced on some ‘boxed’ toys), it wasn’t carried over to the basic figure line’s card design. They continued to use the three Return Of The Jedi logos instead. Although the word “Trilogo” is found nowhere on the packaging, the term is universally adopted by all Star Wars collectors to describe this line of figures.

Today we revisit Imperial TIE Fighter Pilot. Imperial TIE Fighter Pilot comes with all-new card art based on a film-ou from Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope. See the full Trilogo card art and additional notes by revisiting 1982’s THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK Imperial TIE Fighter Pilot figure HERE.

In 1984, new packaging for Star Wars figures was introduced for the European market. A cost containment initiative, the new packaging sported three languages of the Return Of The Jedi logo for a “one size fits all” approach. Although a “three-logo” design was created for The Power Of The Force line (as evidenced on some ‘boxed’ toys), it wasn’t carried over to the basic figure line’s card design. They continued to use the three Return Of The Jedi logos instead. Although the word “Trilogo” is found nowhere on the packaging, the term is universally adopted by all Star Wars collectors to describe this line of figures.

Today we revisit AT-AT Commander. AT-AT Commander has card art that’s nearly identical to the Kenner release. See the full Trilogo card art and additional notes by revisiting 1982’s THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK AT-AT Commander figure HERE.

You saw our The Pathway To The Vintage Collection Special Report published on August 6th. Now we’re finishing up revisiting the figures that set The Vintage Collection in motion. We’ve reached the final wave of figures. Imperial Stormtrooper (Hoth Battle Gear) was excellent for the time but has since aged out. How many of you bought this figure by the dozens? We updated the figure in our newly updated review, complete with new text and photos and Visual Guide.

Up next for our The Black Series [Phase IV] Visual Guide updates is the Imperial Stormtrooper (TM02) from The Mandalorian. Click below to check out this all-new 6-Inch Stormtrooper, and make sure to also read our full review of this figure right here.

Let’s finish out our Visual Guides for the last of the Carbonized figures from The Black Series with Darth Vader (Carbonized). Click below to check out our full Visual Guide. You can also head to our review database for a full review of this figure.

In 1984, new packaging for Star Wars figures was introduced for the European market. A cost containment initiative, the new packaging sported three languages of the Return Of The Jedi logo for a “one size fits all” approach. Although a “three-logo” design was created for The Power Of The Force line (as evidenced on some ‘boxed’ toys), it wasn’t carried over to the basic figure line’s card design. They continued to use the three Return Of The Jedi logos instead. Although the word “Trilogo” is found nowhere on the packaging, the term is universally adopted by all Star Wars collectors to describe this line of figures.

Today we revisit Imperial Commander. Imperial Commander has a different color palette than the Kenner figure and the tones are darker See the full Trilogo card art and additional notes by revisiting 1981’s THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK Imperial Commander figure HERE.

Wow! The Imperial Stormtrooper from The Mandalorian is awesome! You’re going to want to army-build this figure! We had so much fun we posed it with a bunch of other figures and scenes. How many are you purchasing for your collection? (more….)

Thank you for reading Research Droids Reviews: Season 12!

In 1984, new packaging for Star Wars figures was introduced for the European market. A cost containment initiative, the new packaging sported three languages of the Return Of The Jedi logo for a “one size fits all” approach. Although a “three-logo” design was created for The Power Of The Force line (as evidenced on some ‘boxed’ toys), it wasn’t carried over to the basic figure line’s card design. They continued to use the three Return Of The Jedi logos instead. Although the word “Trilogo” is found nowhere on the packaging, the term is universally adopted by all Star Wars collectors to describe this line of figures.

Today we revisit AT-AT Driver. AT-AT Driver perhaps has the strangest alternate still image than any other Trilogo figure. For reasons unknown, Kenner airbrushed out the figure’s detail below the helmet. There is nothing but a white “blue” shaped to look like chest armor. Again, it’s one of the strangest updates made to a figure’s card art. See the full Trilogo card art and additional notes by revisiting 1981’s THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK AT-AT Driver figure HERE.

The Darth Vader (Carbonized) figure is shimmery and shiny and is a gorgeous action figure. Will you add it to your collection? Do you collect the “carbonized” sub-line? (more….)

Thank you for reading Research Droids Reviews: Season 12!

Let’s continue our Visual Guide updates from The Empire Strikes Back 40th Anniversary line. Up next is the Imperial Snowtrooper (Hoth). Click below to check out our Visual Guide entry for this figure. You can also read our full review right here.

Hasbro employees can’t name the “vintage” Kenner 6″ figures correctly to save their lives, but at least the sculpts of the figures are incredible. We fell in love with the Imperial Snowtrooper (Hoth) all over again. Will you? It is part of the 40th Anniversary of The Empire Strikes Back celebratory line. (more….)

Thank you for reading Research Droids Reviews: Season 12!

You saw our The Pathway To The Vintage Collection Special Report published on August 6th. Now we’re revisiting the figures that set The Vintage Collection in motion. Let’s continue moving ahead with 2006’s VTSC Biker Scout figure in our newly updated review, complete with new text and photos and Visual Guide. This figure still looks great in 2020!

Let’s take a look at the next wave of The Empire Strikes Back 40th Anniversary figures. Up first is the retooled Darth Vader. Click below to check out the Visual Guide page. You can also read our full review of this figure in our review database.

Do you remember the first 6″ Darth Vader figure that looked like Droopy Dog? Well, you can throw that monstrosity away now. Hasbro created a stunning Episode and Episode VI version of Darth Vader in The Black Series [The Empire Strikes Back 40] line, and you’re going to love it. (more….)

Thank you for reading Research Droids Reviews: Season 12!

You saw our The Pathway To The Vintage Collection Special Report published on August 6th. Now we’re revisiting the figures that set The Vintage Collection in motion. Let’s continue moving ahead with 2004’s VOTC Stormtrooper figure in our newly updated review, complete with new text and photos and Visual Guide. This figure changed the plateau of the 3.75″ basic figure line for years.

In 1984, new packaging for Star Wars figures was introduced for the European market. A cost containment initiative, the new packaging sported three languages of the Return Of The Jedi logo for a “one size fits all” approach. Although a “three-logo” design was created for The Power Of The Force line (as evidenced on some ‘boxed’ toys), it wasn’t carried over to the basic figure line’s card design. They continued to use the three Return Of The Jedi logos instead. Although the word “Trilogo” is found nowhere on the packaging, the term is universally adopted by all Star Wars collectors to describe this line of figures.

Today we revisit Dengar. Dengar’s Trilogo card art features a revised crop of the interior of the Executor. The review’s Collector Notes are updated with this information. See the full card art and additional notes by revisiting 1981’s THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK Dengar figure HERE.

You saw our The Pathway To The Vintage Collection Special Report published on August 6th. Now let’s revisit the figures that set The Vintage Collection in motion. Let’s continue moving ahead with 2004’s VOTC Darth Vader figure in our newly updated review, complete with new text and photos and Visual Guide.

In 1984, new packaging for Star Wars figures was introduced for the European market. A cost containment initiative, the new packaging sported three languages of the Return Of The Jedi logo for a “one size fits all” approach. Although a “three-logo” design was created for The Power Of The Force line (as evidenced on some ‘boxed’ toys), it wasn’t carried over to the basic figure line’s card design. They continued to use the three Return Of The Jedi logos instead. Although the word “Trilogo” is found nowhere on the packaging, the term is universally adopted by all Star Wars collectors to describe this line of figures.

Today we revisit Imperial Stormtrooper (Hoth Battle Gear). Imperial Stormtrooper (Hoth Battle Gear)’s Trilogo card art doesn’t vary all that much from the 1980 Kenner release. There are some pink elements on the Trilogo version that aren’t present on the American version, but nothing out of the ordinary. The review’s Collector Notes are updated with this information. See the full card art and additional notes by revisiting 1980’s STAR WARS Imperial Stormtrooper (Hoth Battle Gear) figure HERE.

Our next The Black Series Visual Guide update features the latest in carbonized technology. Click below to check out the Stormtrooper (Carbonized). Make sure to also check out our full review of this figure over in our review database.

So Hasbro can make a box “vac-metalized” but can’t do the same for the figure inside of it? The Black Series [Phase III] Stormtrooper (Carbonized) figure has a box that’s more silvery and shinier than itself. What’s up with that?! (more….)

Thank you for reading Research Droids Reviews: Season 12!