Tag Archives: Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace

The Vintage Collection Queen Amidala (VC84), also part of the “worst reissue wave ever,” has also never looked better. Frankly, the figure is a work of art. (It was in 2012 too.) It received a couple of enhancements. The Photo Real on this figure is absolutely mesmerizing. We took the time to break it all down for you by producing an all-new 64-image gallery complete with both versions (2012 and 2021) featured, comparison shots, and a breakdown of what separates the two releases in the Collector Notes. Check out this exquisitely updated figure in our RDRs now! There’s more difference here than you may realize.

Our next Visual Guide Update takes a look at the first “Deluxe” figure in The Black Series [Phase IV] line. Click below to check out Jar Jar Binks (TPM01). Make sure to also check out our full review of this figure.

The Vintage Collection Battle Droid (VC78), part of the “worst reissue wave ever,” was a curious release back in 2012. It’s more curious today because it’s not the best 3.75″ super-articulated Episode I Battle Droid action figure from Hasbro. The best is still from the 2011 Star Wars [Shadow of The Dark Side] Episode I Blue-ray Commemorative Edition four-pack. The figure is well-made and designed but falls short of definitive status thanks to its inhibited movement, and inability to stow the E5 blaster rifle on the backpack. Hasbro did make improvements, however, including a uniform weathered paint job. But Hasbro also employed a less rigid plastic this time, so the parts feel rubbery in places. We took the time to break it all down for you by producing an all-new 76-image gallery complete with both versions (2012 and 2021) featured, comparison shots, and a breakdown of what separates the two releases in the Collector Notes. Check out this excellently updated figure in our RDRs now! There’s more difference here than you may realize.

The Galaxy Of Adventures Darth Maul is another fine release in this format. See why you’ll want one. (more….)

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The worst wave of The Vintage Collection repacks of all time is now hitting your local Walmart store. JTA reader and friend Russ T. found the wave at his local Walmart in NJ. Let us know of your store finds too in the comments!

We wanted to give The Black Series [Phase IV] Jar Jar Binks a perfect score, but unfortunately we cannot. As if the $29.99 MSRP isn’t egregious enough, the figure has a facial expression that’s odd (Jar Jar looks quite glum), and the paint operations aren’t totally right. The figure comes with too few accessories for a “deluxe” figure as well, even though they look great. But there is a great deal of positive here too. (more….)

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Check out our sneak peek on the brand new The Black Series [Phase IV] Jar Jar Binks 6″ figure. Hasbro wants you to pay more money for this one, but there is no reason why this figure “as is” should be a penny more than $19.99. If they want to include a boat-load of more accessories, we’ll listen to their argument about a higher MSRP. But right now, something is rotten in Denmark. We digress. Jar Jar Binks is excellent, but some of the paint operations don’t look right. For example, the figure is too dark in spots. The included accessories are nice, and the figure comes loaded with premium articulation, but is it worth what Hasbro is asking for it? You decide. Check it out. The review is coming soon!

The Star Wars Toybox Darth Maul figure is pretty bad. It doesn’t look like the on-screen character much at all. (more….)

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Look at all of those cool accessories with the Diamond Select Toys Darth Maul figure! But how is the figure? (more….)

Thank you for reading Research Droids Reviews: Season 12!

The Sith Celebrate The Saga set comes with a never-before-released action figure. But is a 5POA version of TC-4 worth your $30? (more….)

Thank you for reading Research Droids Reviews: Season 12!

As of this post, The Vintage Collection Darth Maul (VC86) figure ranks as the 22nd most-visited review in our RDRs database. Now, it’s time to revisit the figure and get that rank higher since Hasbro re-released the figure in 2020 with significant changes. Another wise repack in The Vintage Collection “2.0” lineup, Darth Maul now comes with Photo Real deco, a flatter matte paint job, and significantly revised packaging (both card art and figure placement). We took the time to break it all down for you by producing an all-new 120-image gallery complete with both versions (2012 and 2020) featured, comparison shots, dioramas, and a breakdown of what separates the two releases in the Collector Notes. Check out this excellently updated figure in our RDRs now! There’s more difference here than you may realize.

Hasbro surprised collectors in 1999 with high-quality Portrait Edition figures that still hold up extremely well today. Let’s go back more than two decades and check out the Queen Amidala (Red Senate Gown) 1999 Portrait Edition (3 of 3) figure. It’s beautiful. (more….)

Thank you for reading Research Droids Reviews: Season 12!

Let’s take a look at the Episode I Theed Hangar Playset (Motorized). It’s terrible! Check it out in our Research Droids Reviews today! Be sure to leave your thoughts in our comments section, vote in the poll or comment about it on our Facebook page. Click the banner below for the direct link to the review! As always, you can also send your review requests via email if you’d like to see something that we didn’t cover yet.

Let’s take a look at the Episode I R2-D2 Carryall Playset. It’s a hybrid of playset and carry case. Check it out in our Research Droids Reviews today! Be sure to leave your thoughts in our comments section, vote in the poll or comment about it on our Facebook page. Click the banner below for the direct link to the review! As always, you can also send your review requests via email if you’d like to see something that we didn’t cover yet.

Let’s take a look at the Episode I CommTech Reader (Electronic) accessory. It’s the focus of our Research Droids Reviews today! Be sure to leave your thoughts in our comments section, vote in the poll or comment about it on our Facebook page. Click the banner below for the direct link to the review! As always, you can also send your review requests via email if you’d like to see something that we didn’t cover yet.

It’s our 4000th Research Droids Reviews entry today! Holy cow. Let’s check out the Naboo Royal Starship Blockade Cruiser/Playset (Electronic) vehicle from the Episode I line? Relive this wonderful vehicle again in our Research Droids Reviews today! Be sure to leave your thoughts in our comments section, vote in the poll or comment about it on our Facebook page. Click the banner below for the direct link to the review! As always, you can also send your review requests via email if you’d like to see something that we didn’t cover yet.

We’re still looking at some Episode I products. Let’s check out the Jar Jar Binks (Electronic Talking) figure. It’s more fun! See more in our Research Droids Reviews today! Be sure to leave your thoughts in our comments section, vote in the poll or comment about it on our Facebook page. Click the banner below for the direct link to the review! As always, you can also send your review requests via email if you’d like to see something that we didn’t cover yet.

We’re still looking at some Episode I products. Let’s check out the Darth Maul (Electronic Talking) figure. It’s a lot of fun! See more in our Research Droids Reviews today! Be sure to leave your thoughts in our comments section, vote in the poll or comment about it on our Facebook page. Click the banner below for the direct link to the review! As always, you can also send your review requests via email if you’d like to see something that we didn’t cover yet.

Let’s continue looking at some fun Episode I products. We’ll move ahead with the Sea Creatures [B] Battle Bag. It’s an oozy mess! See more in our Research Droids Reviews today! Be sure to leave your thoughts in our comments section, vote in the poll or comment about it on our Facebook page. Click the banner below for the direct link to the review! As always, you can also send your review requests via email if you’d like to see something that we didn’t cover yet.

Let’s turn our attention to some fun Episode I products. We’ll begin with the Sea Creatures [A] Battle Bags set. It’s an oozy mess! See more in our Research Droids Reviews today! Be sure to leave your thoughts in our comments section, vote in the poll or comment about it on our Facebook page. Click the banner below for the direct link to the review! As always, you can also send your review requests via email if you’d like to see something that we didn’t cover yet.

The Aurra Sing (Dawn Of The Bounty Hunters) Masterpiece Edition set is another gorgeous release! See the figure, the book, and the deluxe packaging in our Research Droids Reviews today! Be sure to leave your thoughts in our comments section, vote in the poll or comment about it on our Facebook page. Click the banner below for the direct link to the review! As always, you can also send your review requests via email if you’d like to see something that we didn’t cover yet.

We continue our The Black Series Visual Guide updates, filling a few final holes in the last few waves. First up is Obi-Wan Kenobi (Padawan) from wave 21. Click below to see this repacked figure in our full Visual Guide, and make sure to also check out our full review of this figure in case you missed it.

They’re GOLD! Let’s check out a series of sets intended to celebrate the Skywalker Saga. Lets begin with the Star Wars: The Phantom Menace (1999) (Darth Maul/Yoda) two-pack. It’s the focused of our Research Droids Reviews today! Be sure to leave your thoughts in our comments section, vote in the poll or comment about it on our Facebook page. Click the banner below for the direct link to the review! As always, you can also send your review requests via email if you’d like to see something that we didn’t cover yet.

The Episode I Qui-Gon Jinn (Electronic Talking) Qui-Gon Jinn looks nice but has aesthetic issues thanks to its action features. See more in our Research Droids Reviews today! Be sure to leave your thoughts in our comments section, vote in the poll or comment about it on our Facebook page. Click the banner below for the direct link to the review! As always, you can also send your review requests via email if you’d like to see something that we didn’t cover yet.

The Power Of The Jedi Sith Lords (Darth Vader/Darth Maul) Action Collection set is very nice. See why this is so in our Research Droids Reviews today! Be sure to leave your thoughts in our comments section, vote in the poll or comment about it on our Facebook page. Click the banner below for the direct link to the review! As always, you can also send your review requests via email if you’d like to see something that we didn’t cover yet.