2011 Rebel Transport Speeder w/ Ground Crew (TRU Exclusive)Hello folks and thanks for clicking!
Hopefully you like the review, this and the other one are the first formal reviews I've ever done.
Here is a quick review of the new 2011 Toys R Us exclusive Rebel Transport Speeder wtih Rebel Ground Crew figure. It's a repack of some parts from the much coveted SCRAMBLE ON YAVIN Battle Pack from 2009. The pack was one of the most difficult toys to get that year and commanded a ridiculous price in the secondary market... until now (maybe)
Here are some relevant links to the toy, like what it is and what the 2009 release was like.
http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Rebel_personnel_carrierhttp://www.rebelscum.com/TLCBPScrambleonYavin.aspThis retails for US$17.99 (OUCH!) here in the US. I think $14.99 is pretty fair, and $9.99 would have me giddy with joy. My obsession with the mundane aspects of the SW universe forces me to do stupid things, like driving around trying to find more of these for my collection.
Here's the box. I usually could care less about the box. I open it all and it ends up in the garbage or the recycling bin.
But this made me take notice.
Here's the back box text.
Instructions on the bottom on how to assemble the diorama.
The diorama assembled. Yarders do better
all kidding aside it's the nicest image of the Hasbro cardboard dios.
Here are some close-ups:
This image of the little guy running ROCKS. My favorite!!!
A picture of his game card.
The set includes a figure, the transport, one die, and a game card. Slim pickings for $17.99
The figure seems to be an exact repack of the 2009 release to my eyes.
The cart is awesome, but probably not too screen accurate. I don't care.
I love all the mundane backgrounders in the SW universe and there's not too many guys who aren't overtly violent or aggressive. What most find boring my thirty-something brain finds awesome.
For those who don't have the 2009 version, the back opens up and can hold an astromech as well as some weapons.
A quick comparison between the 2009 and the 2011 re-release:
The re-release has a "N" on the yellow console, while the original is blank. Also, on the bottom of the 2009 version is some engraved numbers, which the TRU version does not have.
The figure appears the same as the original. If you find anything different, please let me know!
I need to get more of these guys. I have five but I need tons of these.
A quick shot of my beloved rebel crew:
Overall:
PROS: Hasbro re-released a direct copy of the set everyone's wanted for years now. YAH! Must have for ANH completists and hangar dioramas. Cheaper than buying the loose figure online alone!
CONS: It's $17.99 and a TRU exclusive. It's not a main character. Red Leader and his astro are not included... plus the Battle Pack with two figures, a droid, and their ride was $23.99 in 2009...
Highly recommended for those who missed out on the 2009 release. If you have the BP version you're not missing anything... but how can you resist these guys? They just look great servicing the Falcon or X-Wings in your home hangar. I like many others will be hunting down more of these, as many as I can find. This is one that I think will be hard to get, especially since his casemate is the Genosian Warrior and speeder, and I can't see those selling through anytime soon. There was at least ten of them in the store when I picked this up. Best get this now and avoid future disappointment/price gauging.
I really wish HTS would offer this figure in groups of five in baggies like they did years ago with stormtroopers. Actually HTS would clean up if they made "army builder packs" in plain cardboard boxes. Five troops per box. Offer this Rebel Ground Crew, the Rebel Fleet Trooper, a mix of the recent Rebel Hoth Trooper variations, the Imperial Navy Officer, Stormtroopers, TVC Phase I Clones, Sandtroopers, Snowtroopers, Biker Scouts... People would eat these up at the right price ($20-25 per set) just like they ate up those packs years ago. Cheap and easy money.
cheers and thanks!!!