Everything You Need To Know About The Retro Collection
5/3/2019 Star Wars Retro Collection Hasbro Kenner
We've added all Star Wars Retro Collection 3.75" action figures to the database. To learn more about each individual figure have a look here:
- Retro Collection Chewbacca
- Retro Collection Darth Vader
- Retro Collection Grand Moff Tarkin
- Retro Collection Han Solo
- Retro Collection Luke Skywalker
- Retro Collection Princess Leia Organa
- Retro Collection Stormtrooper
What Did We Learn About The Figures?
Star Wars Retro Collection figures have the same size peg hole in the bottom of the feet like original Kenner Star Wars figures. We had no issues placing them on stands which were previously used to display originals. The details in the sculpts are slightly more pronounced than on the original Kenner figures, but you have to look closely to spot the differences (the easiest where you can tell is the Stormtrooper). The color tones on all the figures are an exact match, the brown fur on Chewie, Han's black pants with the red stripe down the side, Vader's chest box, all those colors match the 1978 versions nicely. The only difference here is that the colors were applied recently which gives it a fresh and pristine appearance when compared to the 40+ year old Kenner figures.
Every Star Wars Retro Collection figure has the Hasbro (not Kenner) name printed onto the back of the legs along with production numbers not found on the original Star Wars figures. This makes it very easy to differentiate them from Kenner figures.
We noticed that all the single carded Star Wars Retro Collection figures which came with blasters had trouble holding them. Leia, Chewie, Han and the Stormtrooper, they all either couldn't hold their weapons at all or they fell out of the hands as soon as they were moved a little. None of their original Kenner counterparts had those issues.
All the weapons feel authentic, the weight, the details, the densitiy of the plastic, they are very close to the originals and for an untrained eye they are indistinguishable. Han's blaster and Chewbacca's bowcaster MIGHT have slightly more pronounced details than their original counterparts, but Leia's black blaster, the Imperial Stormtrooper blaster, the lightsabers, they certainly feel and look like the real deal.
Retro Collection Luke Skywalker
The Retro Collection Luke Skywalker has slightly shorter legs than the 1978 version, which makes it just a tiny bit shorter overall. The lightsaber's handle is a little bit larger than before, but other than that the saber is identical.
Retro Collection Princess Leia Organa
Leia's cape is about 0.5" wider than the original cape which makes it wrap around the figure more in the front. The Retro Collection Leia figure is a little shorter than the original figure, but the plastic used for the cape feels just like the original, there are no markings or textures on it.
Retro Collection Darth Vader
Darth Vader's cape is also about 0.5" wider than the original, which makes it wrap around the front of the figure more than on the 1978 version. Again, it feels like an original cape, there are no markings on it or textures. Vader seems to have the same exact height as the original.
Retro Collection Chewbacca
Chewie has shorter legs than the 1978 Chewbacca figure, but we didn't find any differences in the sculpt itself. The figure leans to the left when standing straight which is a bit annoying. The paint application on the eyes was interesting because the 1978 version looked much cleaner.
Retro Collection Han Solo
The Star Wars Retro Collection Han Solo has a slightly bigger belt buckle than the original figure and it's slightly shorter overall.
Retro Collection Stormtrooper
This figure chips easily, when placing the blaster into the right hand for the first time a little bit of black paint on the glove came off. Just like with most figures in the Star Wars Retro Collection, the figure is slightly shorter than the original counterpart.
Should You Remove The Retro Collection Sticker?
We've had results which ranged from easy-to-do to impossible. We used a hair dryer to heat up the sticker and glue, and it did come off every time. What we struggled with however was the glue residue (look at the Darth Vader card where you can see the round glue residue). You can apply lighter fluid or goo-gone with a q-tip or cotton ball, and gently rub the glue off the card, but there is no telling what the long-term effect on the cardboard will be. If you use too much lighter fluid or goo-gone you risk damaging the image on the card and even a small crease or rip into the picture ruins the look. To sum it up, it's possible to do, but it's tough and you risk ruining a carded figure. We do not recommend that you remove the sticker.
Summary
We love Hasbro's Star Wars Retro Collection and the way the first wave was executed. If we could have an easier to remove sticker on the packaging and figures which could hold their weapons better, there would be no complaints at all. Our biggest hope is that Hasbro is going to expand the Retro Collection with never before done characters in the Kenner line like a Han Stormtrooper, Uncle Owen and Aunt Beru, Rebel Fleet Troopers, Slave Leia and Sandroopers. Give us differently colored astromech droids (same sculpt different stickers!) and dare we say it, bring on prequel and sequel characters! We'd love to see the main cast of Rogue One and SOLO represented as well.
Where To Go From Here?
You can look at all the figures on one page in our Star Wars Retro Collection section, or learn more about each figure by taking a look at the database entries for each figure:
You can look at the press images from New York Toy Fair 2019 or have a look at the Kenner Early Bird Kit inspired envelope with retro Star Wars stickers which was sent out to media outlets.