Review – Star Wars Fighter Pods
The Star Wars Fighter Pods toys (Amazon.com search*, available at Entertainment Earth*) have been on shelves for about a month now, and in that time I have seen them appear, sell out, appear, sell out, appear . . . well, I think you get the idea. Basically, it seems that Hasbro has a bit of a hit on their hands with these adorable Star Wars toys.
Blind Bags
The toys come packaged at several different price points, but it’s the blind bags — priced anywhere from $3 to $5 depending on store — that’s what I often see sold out in stores. One bag includes two small figures and a clear “pod” that will hold a figure, and in the photos below you can see the six toys I pulled from the three bags that I bought and opened. And only one duplicate!
Sculpt and Paint
All of the figures in the Fighter Pods line are soft-edged and rounded, squat little guys specifically designed too look so cute that almost anyone who seems them goes “awww.” And even though the toys are only a little over three-quarters of an inch tall the sculpts work and are quite clean and professional. And, as I said, every single one is adorable.
And the paint’s okay. Nothing great, but for the toys the paint is adequate and fairly clean. These aren’t detailed works of art, though, so don’t open a pack expecting the same level of work that we expect from a 6-inch or 12-inch scale action figure. But the paintwork is much better than we often see in capsule machine toys and I’m satisfied that the paint’s appropriate to the toys.
Did I Mention Cute?
The Chewie and Carbonite Han that I pulled are nice and all, but it’s the Stormtroopers and Clone Troopers in the series that most have me tempted to grab more bags. The only problem I’m running into is that I can’t figure out how to display these so that the kitties don’t get themselves a batch of new toys (our kitties like to climb). So until I find a suitable display case I think I’ll just leave these on the store shelves . . . though I do admit to wanting more of the little Stormtroopers.
Closing Thoughts
The Star Wars Fighter Pods toys (Amazon.com search*, available at Entertainment Earth*) was a good idea for a toy series that has been executed fantastically. I have no idea how the toys are played with — there seems to be some sort of game that you can play with the pods — but as little collectible figures these are winners.
Fun stuff, and I suggest you buy at least one bag if you even kinda like the look of the toys.
Philip Reed should feel ashamed for pointing people at blind bagged toys; he knows how some of us have little control when it comes to the joy of unwrapping packs and searching for a specific figure or two.
I’ve looked at these blind-bags a few times but never pulled the trigger, mainly as I want PROPER Star Wars ones and not prequel toys – and knowing my luck I’d get the latter. I just wonder what the ratio of new vs original is…
Ditto on what lok said.
Your review of the SW license plates convinced me to buy a couple handfulls. I was lucky enough to only get 3 prequel plates – Maul and 2 Mace. I’m okay with the Maul one, but the Mace is definitely my least favorite.
Bought two blindpacks. Sharp sculpts and paint!
It’s the cost that gets me though, they work out to over a dollar for each tiny little guy!
if they werent rubber, id probably get a few of these.
Amaziiiiiiiiiiiiiiing little guys!
Lok: There are larger sets ($9, $14, $18) that have most of them shown in the blister pack, but a couple hidden. That way, you can choose the one that has the most figures you like.
Ah, thanks John. I’ll take a look!
You guys do know you can actually tell what figures are in each blind pack, right? Just move the figures down to the white area at the bottom right corner of the bag and press them against the plastic… it’s just translucent enough to see exactly which figures are in each bag. Good luck!