Ugnaught (ESB 1980-82)

The Ugnaught was one of those background characters that enjoyed a little foreground action, but not much. The figure reflects this with a tote kit/bag as an accessory, and a removable apron. That’s it. It came on both ESB and ROTJ cards, and the aprons came in light purple, blue, and even green. The apron in the movie, however, was just blue.

Why should you get this figure? Five reasons:

1. He’s so cute – he’s like Babe!

2. Recreate the Wookiee-on-Ugnaught action!

3. Someone needs to man the Bespin playset, even if it is only made of paper.

4. Yo’ mama’s an Ugnaught! Yeah, that’s what I’m talkin’ ‘bout.

5. No one does carbon freezing like an Ugnaught.

Backstory:

Ugnaughts were either from Umgul or Bespin, but originated on Gentes. When Cloud City was originally built (a looooong time before ESB) many Ugnaughts were recruited to build and maintain it. Many of their descendants still lived on Bespin. When the Empire came many fled, some were enslaved, and some formed a resistance, sabotaging Cloud City until the Rebellion came to free the city.

Ugnaughts are typically dwarf-sized, and live to about 200 years. These are the little guys Chewbacca fought with to get C-3PO’s limbs back.

Want more? Their Wookieepedia article

166th in alphabetical order

2-1B (ESB 1980-82)

2-1B is probably as exciting as a medical droid can get. He comes with a medical staff (no, not a team of people, a hand-held staff), and his own blue and translucent body. He has a hose that connects (and if you try, you can disconnect this) from his “mouth” to the left side of his torso. This probably makes little sense on a robot, but, whatever!

2-1B came on two different ESB cards (one says “2-1B” and the other says “Two-Onebee (2-1B)”) and an ROTJ card which has the latter name plate.

Why should you own this figure? Five reasons:

1. Those deep eyes..wait, it doesn’t really have eyes! Aaaagh! Kill it!

2. Shove that medical staff through the eye socket of any figure and claim it’s for the sake of medicine.

3. Luke needs a lot of patching up – who else is going to do it?

4. No one else can stand to be around FX-7.

5. Recreate his pleasant soothing on-screen voice.

Backstory:

2-1B was developed by the Geentech Corporation and built by Industrial Automation. Precursors to his design can be seen fixing Anakin in Revenge of the Sith. One of his earliest assignments was healing people on a planet under Imperial control. Basically he cleaned up the harm done by the Empire. Impressed with his skill, the Governor of the planet took 2-1B as his personal physician. When the Governor was assassinated by a Rebel, 2-1B was put into service for the Alliance, finding his way to the Hoth Echo base where he treated Luke Skywalker. When Hoth was evacuated 2-1B was taken aboard a ship and found his way to the medical frigate Redemption, where he gave Luke a new cybernetic hand. He was later assigned to a Mon Calamari ship where he served until at least the Battle of Endor.

Want more? His Wookieepedia entry

165th in alphabetical order

Twin-Pod Cloud Car (ESB)

Have you ever seen a more stunning vision of orangish-red? The Twin-Pod Cloud Car is a marvel of crimson engineering, and one of those few vehicles that seemed a little "off" if you didn't actually have more than one figure in it.

The Cloud Car is a rather sedate vehicle compared to others - no moving parts, no obvious guns, no playset-like bigness. It's like a flying peapod. The picture on the box is humorous because it is open to interpretation. Are the guards chastising Luke for stealing a Cloud Car? Is the crumbly white stuff it's on supposed to be ice, as in Hoth, or did Kenner take the name literally and mean it to be a cloud? To top it off, where's the Cloud Car pilot? They made one - was it not in time to get on the box?

The Cloud Car has two cockpits for figures, built-in guns (look closely on the fuselage, they're there), and landing struts that come down. However, it is unclear from other sources whether the Car floated on repulsorlifts when it was at rest and the struts may have just been something for the toy.

Why should you own this vehicle? Five reasons:

1. If you own the Cloud Car Pilot you must, or else his existence is for naught.

2. You have to own something that dared fire a warning shot by the Millennium Falcon.

3. That color! Where else can you see that besides the Maximillian robot from The Black Hole?

4. Probably the easiest Star Wars vehicle to hold - like having a built-in handle.

5. There's something strangely phallic about it...

Backstory:

The Storm IV Twin-Pod Cloud Car was built by Bespin Motors right in Cloud City. This explains the coloring, since it was made for atmospheric defense, and the color blends in nicely with Bespin clouds. It has central ion engine block for thrust, and mainly repulsorlifts for maneuverability. After the Empire occupied Bespin, the Cloud Car was sold to outside markets, and its design was also copied by other markets. It sported two small, but powerful, blaster cannons, and the twin cockpits allowed for a pilot and a gunner.

Want more? Its Wookieepedia article

164th in alphabetical order

Turret & Probot Playset (ESB)

The Turret & Probot Playset is really best used in conjunction with an AT-AT...even thought this gun did squat to the AT-ATs in the movie. However, the gun is nifty because you can fit one person in the turret, and another in the top manning the gun. The Probot was also unique to this set, and sat on a perilously-balanced platform. When an adjacent dais was turned (presumably with a Chewbacca or Han figure on it), like a figure was firing, the Probot would fall down. This was not as cool as in the movie where it all but disintegrated, but it's a start.

The playset only came in an ESB box, and included the base with moving figure round, pedestal for Probot, Probot, and laser cannon turret. The name on the package changed from Turret/Probot to Turret & Probot.

Why should you get this playset? Five reasons:

1. The only place you could get a Probot.

2. Only place you could get this Hoth laser turret.

3. Get an M80 and really recreate the scene where the Probot self-destructs.

4. Well, the turret didn't work on an AT-AT, but maybe it did on an AT-ST. Blow those mothers away!

5. The base of the playset doubles as Superman's Fortress of Solitude.

Backstory:

The turret is a DF .9 anti-infantry battery, built by Golan Arms. It can shoot 16 km, (most effective at 3) and usually required a personnel of three to operate: gunner, targeter, and powerer, I mean, power technician. It was effective against AT-STs, but very effective against ground troops.

A Probot, or probe droid, does exactly what its name implies - it probes, explores. The one that found out the Rebels on Hoth was specifially a Viper Probe Droid, built by Arakyd Industries. It had six manipulator arms and retractable sensors. Some built for the Empire also included blasters. It hovers on repulsor lifts and can travel up to 40 kph over most terrain. It is delivered to its target planet through a single-use hyperspace pod.

Want more? The Wookiepedia article on the turret. On the Probot.

163rd in alphabetical order

Tri-Pod Laser Cannon Toy (ESB)

The Tri-Pod Laser Cannon was kind of one of the first "mini-rigs" that came out, beginning in the Empire Strikes Back wave. I say "kind of" because this, the Vehicle Maintenance Energizer, and the Radar Laser Cannon are usually not considered mini-rigs. Mini-rigs are 'technically' only considered to be small, one-figure vehicles that never actually appeared in the movies. Well, that, and the fact that their boxes said "mini-rig" on them. The Tri-Pod Laser did show up in the movies.

This was released on an ESB box and later an ROTJ box. The box accurately depicted both how the accessory was used, and how it was used in the movie, unlike many other accessories/vehicles. The power unit attached to the cannon actually opened up and you could put weapons or small accessories inside. This was a departure from the movie, but hell, it's a toy.

Why should you own it? Five reasons:

1. BFG. It's a Big F***ING Gun.

2. You get a helmeted Snowtrooper - already looking cool - behind this thing, and you have something ultra-cool, like a Jerry Bruckheimer explosion-filled movie.

3. In a pinch you can use this with your G.I. Joe figures too. Or give it to the Cobras - surprise me.

4. If your parents were against gun violence, this was the last toy they would get you. Which, of course, made it the first one you wanted to get.

5. Goes great with your Millennium Falcon play scene. Did I say play scene? I meant historical diorama.

Backstory:

Barely anything is written on the Tri-Pod, but if you watch The Empire Strikes Back, right before the Falcon takes off from Hoth, there are Snowtroopers setting one of these up to hit the Falcon. Now, I would think that in the time it took them to set it up a few of them could have rushed the Falcon and done some damage. Of course, I haven't trained at an Imperial academy, so what do I know. If I believed everything I saw, I would think that to be a good Cobra soldier you have to run while firing and screaming "Cobraaaaaaaaa" the whole way.

Want more? Its Wookieepedia article (it's really called an E-Web Heavy repeating Blaster)

162nd in alphabetical order

Tig Fromm (Droids 1985)

Here, froggy, froggy, froggy. Here froggy, froggy , froggy. Oh, wait a second – this is an action figure. Instead of being a little more diverse, Kenner chose to make another member of the Fromm family. Like all the Droids figures (and Ewoks for that matter) he came with a gold coin with his likeness. He also came with an accessory that, inexplicably, is the same “medical” baton that came with 2-1B. A gun might have made a more appropriate choice for a gangster, but what do I know? I keep wanting to spell his first name with two “g’s” as well. Must be the “Fromm” with two “m’s.”

Why should you get this figure? Five reasons:

1. In case you lose 2-1B’s accessory.

2. For the frog lovers of the world.

3. For anyone with a coincidental last name of Fromm.

4. That retro-future jumpsuit – oh yeah!

5. To complement your Fromm collection.

Backstory:

Tig was the son of Sise, thus heir to a powerful crime family. He was an annoo-dat, but controlled the family’s operations on the planet of Ingo. He was obsessed with using technology to further his family’s power, but his attempts failed. He was the one who began construction of the powerful weapons satellite Trigon I, which would have enabled him to take over all the other gangs. However, through the Annoo Resistance (and some hapless droids and speeder racers) the satellite was destroyed. In trying to blow up the racers’ speeder with a thermal detonator, he failed, and instead blew up Boba Fett’s speeder. Boba Fett then turned him, his father, and his bodyguard into Jabba for a reward.

Want more? His Wookieepedia article

161st in alphabetical order

TIE Interceptor Vehicle (ROTJ)

What is cooler than the color-corrected TIE Fighter? A frickin’ TIE Interceptor beeyitch! The interceptor was first introduced in Return of the Jedi as an updated TIE Fighter. Not only is it faster, but like the X-Wing, it sports lasers on each wing tip. But get this – when you’re flying it around with your buddy who has an X-Wing you also have the two chin guns still! You have 6 lasers to his four! Of course, he can always counter with the proton torpedo launchers, since TIEs don’t have those. Or shields. Or a hyperdrive.

All in all, the Interceptor is a much cooler looking TIE Fighter, with angled cross-cut panels, more guns, and a sleeker look. It also has the same button to press for electronic sounds as the original TIE (the cockpit was the same mold as the original TIE). This puppy came out only in ROTJ packaging, and inexplicably shows a Stormtrooper piloting the thing rather than a TIE Pilot. Kenner, WTF?

Why should you get this vehicle? Five reasons:

1. So much cooler than your older brother’s TIE fighter. No, you can’t play with it Chet!

2. More guns!

3. Accurate coloring!

4. It just plain looks faster.

5. Lights up!

Backstory:

The TIE/IN starfighter, or TIE Interceptor, is a successor of the original TIE. Eventually the Empire would have replaced all their normal TIEs with these. Later, as the remnants of the Empire began to run out of people, shields would be added to preserve equipment and pilots.

The TIE/In was built by Sienar Fleet Systems under contract with the Empire. To improve on the TIE, they ramped up the engines, and put lasers on all four of the wing tips. They also removed the center panel to improve pilot visibility, and angled the wings to cut down on profile. The development of the TIE/In was the reason the Rebellion developed the comparably fast A-Wing fighter.

Want more? Its Wookiepeedia article

160th in alphabetical order

TIE Fighter (SW)

This comes a while after the post on the TIE pilot because it was listed as "Imperial" TIE Fighter Pilot, so that was back in the I's. Although the Fighter came before the pilot, one movie before to be exact. So I guess the egg came before the chicken – or something like that.

The TIE fighter came in all three boxes, SW, ESB, and ROTJ. However, it initially (and I’m sure many of you can attest to this) came in white. By the time of the ROTJ release, though, the color was changed to more of a navy blue, in keeping with the real color of the ship in the movies. The ROTJ release also came with “battle damage” decals, just like the ROTJ release of the X-Wing. Other changes:
-SW release said “TIE Fighter
-ESB release said “Imperial TIE Fighter” (is there any other kind?)
-ROTJ release said “ ‘Battle-Damaged’ Imperial TIE Fighter Vehicle” (got all that?)

The cockpit opened at the top for one figure. Unfortunately, if you turned it upside-down that figure often fell out (It’s outerspace! Make a locking hatch!). A little light on the front lit up red when you pressed the back panel, which also housed the battery for the light and sound. Two buttons on either side of the cockpit made the wings pop off. Wear it down enough and the wings were pretty hard to keep on. The black stripes of the solar panels had to be applied with decals.

Why should you own this vehicle? Five reasons:

1. Frickin’ pop-off wings! No longer do you have to manually destroy your toys!

2. Promotes eco-friendliness with those big solar panels.

3. You can have some nice dogfights – even solo – against an X-Wing.

4. Starting with the first wave of figures, this and the X-Wing were the only vehicles you could fight with. Not like that pacifist landspeeder!

5. The Empire is really pushing toward these over the X-Wings. What could go wrong?

Backstory:
Technically called a TIE/IN Starfighter, they were built by Sienar Fleet Systems, and became a symbol of the Empire’s effectiveness. TIE actually stands for Twin Ion Engine, it means of propulsion (although this explanation never appears on a box from the original Kenner line). It had two powerful lasers below the front of the cockpit.

To increase speed and efficiency, the TIE lacks a hyperdrive and life-support, so pilots had to wear space suits and TIEs had to be in some sort of carrier ship from system to system. It did have an ejection seat, but was not often used to the likelihood of getting destroyed in the craft, and the little time a pilot could survive in their suit alone. The TIE evolved from earlier starfighter designs, some seen in Revenge of the Sith.

For the movies, the TIE fighter was actually inspired by the bow tie shape. They were mainly white in the first movie because blue screen techniques couldn’t have them too blue. This is also why R2’s blue panels always appeared black when in space. By ESB and ROTJ technology had caught up so the FX teams could make them a more navy blue.

Want more? Its Wookieepedia article

159th in alphabetical order

Thall Joben (Droids 1985)

Another frickin’ mohawk! What is going on here? One day I’m going to meet the people who designed the characters for this series and find out they were all punk rock fans or something. In addition to the Mohawk – and accompanying long hair in back – Thall came with a standard Stormtrooper rifle, molded in black. He also had no sleeve on his left arm, which is in keeping with the cartoon. However, this is never explained, so I’ll chalk it up to another punk rock band influence…or something.

Why should you get this figure? Five reasons:

1. Punk rock mascot.

2. Only one of twelve in the line anyway.

3. The closest Star Wars figure to a Road Warrior reject you’ll ever find.

4. A favorite of red heads.

5. Someone needs to pilot the speeder, the White Witch. What? They never made a vehicle of that? Then screw this.

Backstory:

Thall Joben was a speeder racer and native of Beheboth. One day he and his friend Jord Dusat were taking a speeder for a spin when they found the two droids in the desert (heard that before). Since they needed an astromech droid for their new speeder they became the droids’ new owners. They also went to close to a secret base of the Fromm gang, who tried to kill them. Through a series of events he stole the weapons satellite that the Fromm gang were building, and used it to get back his captured friends (but not before the guidance system was changed, destroying it). Sise Fromm tried to have him killed in the Boonta race, but the assassin he hired, Boba Fett, failed to do so. He later got a job with the Zebulon Dak Speeder Corporation.

Want more? His Wookieepedia article

158th in alphabetical order

Teebo (ROTJ 1983-84)

Yep, another Ewok – these guys reproduce like, well, like Ewoks. Teebo comes with a boar-like cowl, a stone axe, and a satchel that may also be a horn. In ROTJ, he probably was the most frightening looking Ewok. Of course, with those black, dead eyes, they can all look a little scary close-up. He was Wicket's friend in the animated series, however.

Why should you buy this figure? Five reasons:

1. That toothed-cowl. Kind of menacing.

2. The Ewoks had a lot of stuff – you need figures to man them all.

3. His striped fur reminds you to change your underwear every now and then.

4. Wicket’s best friend! No seriously.

5. You don’t mess with an Ewok with teeth on top of his head.

Backstory:

Teebo was the son of Warok, and best friends with Wicket. They shared many adventures together (in the cartoons), and he was also an apprentice to Logray for some time. He helped the Ewoks in their battle against the Empire. His cowl was made from the head of a gurreck, a powerful, four-footed Enor carnivore.

Want more? His Wookieepedia article

157th in alphabetical order

Tauntaun (ESB)

The tauntaun – that workhorse, that beast of burden of Hoth. What can I say about the tauntaun? They smell like plastic, or really bad, depending on if you’re smelling the toy or a real one (this site does not advocate that tauntauns are real or unicorns for that matter). The tauntaun was another beast (as opposed to sentient alien beings) from the Star Wars universe, one that you could let your figures ride. The only other animal to feature this in the original Kenner toys was the Dewback, which didn’t get nearly the screen time or lines.

The figures were able to mount the tauntaun by inserting their rigid legs into a trap door on its back. With the saddle in place, it looked (vaguely) like the figure’s legs were saddling the tauntaun. The tauntaun only came out in an ESB box, but in two versions. The first was a normal, uneviscerated tauntaun. The second version (with a slightly different box photo showing its use) was the tauntaun with open belly feature. Yes! Our cries of putting Luke somewhere warm until we could get a shelter together were answered! Yes, the new tauntaun came with a pliable belly with a slit to put a deliriously injured Luke into.

Why should you get this beast? Five reasons:

1. Practice your “grackle-grackle” mating call!

2. Get the open belly tauntaun, stuff in some cooked spaghetti, and let the scene begin.

3. Seriously – it’s got an open belly. You’ve got to see this!

4. Hoth Tours is just not the same unless it’s on one of these babies.

5. You wanted Kenner to make a bantha? Too bad! You’ve got a tauntaun.

Backstory:

Tauntauns are native to Hoth, and have several subspecies (scaly, giant, glacier, climbing), giants being the most common. When the Rebels made their Echo Base, they trained tauntauns as riding mounts since many vehicles did not work well in the cold climate. The alpha female of a pack was subjugated first, making the rest easier to train. They are also the primary food source for wampas, but their horns, camouflage, and speed (up to 90 km/hr) are their defense.

Want more? Its Wookieepedia entry

156th in alphabetical order

Tatooine Skiff Vehicle (POTF 1985)

If you have one of these, congratulations! If you have one unopened in the box, in pristine condition, congratulations – you can now buy a small used car with it! As I’ve said before on this blog, anything in the POTF line was naturally rarer, since the line was petering out at that point. A larger vehicle from this line is definitely rarer, and the Tatooine Skiff (not to be confused with the mini Desert Sail Skiff or the even smaller Sand Skimmer) is arguably the rarest vehicle in the original Kenner line.

This thing has everything you could want from the movie. It’s got the steering “wheel.” Movable steering vanes. Retractable landing gear. Levers you can move. And, of course, the gangplank to send the prisoners into the Sarlacc! There are also some cupholders. Okay, maybe they aren’t cupholders, but those six little holes in the middle look like it damnit!

Why should you get this vehicle? Five reasons:

1. What looks cooler in a sandbox: this or a Tonka truck? You be the judge.

2. C’mon – you’ve got to make your figures walk the plank!

3. A nice piece to display your Klaatu, Barada, and Nikto on.

4. And your Weequay.

5. And your Klaatu in Skiff Guard outfit.

Backstory:

The Bantha-II cargo skiff repulsorcraft was built by Ubrikkian Industries as a standard cargo transporter (up to 100 tons), but could be adapted to carry passengers as well. It had the ability to hover up to 50 meters off the ground, and travel up to 250 km/hr. They were very cheap and affordable to even the most backward planets.

Want more? Its Wookieepedia article

155th in alphabetical order

Sy Snootles and the Rebo Band Action Figure Set (ROTJ 1983-84)

While other figure packs were made, they were department store exclusives and featured figures already sold separately. The Sy Snootles set was the only figure set from the original line where all the figures were only available through the set. The set is also interesting, since this band got made into figures, but the Cantina Band from the first movie was never made into figures in the original line.

The set included Sy Snootles with a microphone (no two turntables), Droopy McCool with chidinkalu flute and microphone, and Max Rebo with a piano-like nalargon. Kenner's eventual buyer Hasbro would later do another 3-figure set in their G.I. Joe line, the characters from Cobra-La.

Why should you own this set? Five reasons:

1. Three figures! Get a whole band at once!

2. You can make them sing “Lapti Nek” as much as you want – screw the “Special Editions” that cut that out!

3. Does Sy…I think she does…does she have naked breasts?

4. The icons of a generation of aspiring musicians.

5. What? A blue elephant playing a round piano? Am I high or...oh, it's actually a figure.

Backstory:

Max Rebo (real name Siiruulian Phantele) [an Ortolan from Orto], Sy Snootles [a Pa’Lowick from Lowick], and Droopy McCool (real name Snit) [a Kitonak from Kirdo III] were the only three members of the band in the original trilogy. In the “Special Edition” there were at least three more members – but we are only talking about the original, vintage line here. They had a fourth member, but when invited to play at the Mos Eisley Cantina (Chalmun’s bar), Figrin D’an (a cantina band member) tried to have them killed. The unseen fourth member was the only one who died.

Sy Snootles let max Rebo act as leader of the band, while secretly controlling their actions. However, while auditioning for Jabba, she was unable to stop him from accepting his form of payment – all the food they could eat. They narrowly escaped death, jumping off of Jabba’s exploding barge. Rebo eventually wound up playing for Rebel troops and opening a successful chain of restaurants. Droopy wandered off into the desert, despondent at not having others of his kind around. Sy got addicted to spice and never enjoyed a very prosperous solo career.

Want more? Their Wookieepedia entry

154th in alphabetical order

Stormtrooper (SW 1978-79)

Just in time for Halloween: the stormtrooper! Helmeted; white; menacing...unless you're a furry creature about a meter tall.

The stormtrooper figure is one of the original twelve figures, and the ultimate army builder. If you are not a hard-core collector, the term "army builder" means figures that there are many, many of in that universe. So, while there may only be one Han in the Star Wars universe, there are a million stormtroopers (actually, it's estimated that Luke killed about one million Imperials when he blew up the first death star, making him the biggest killer in the movies). In the first movie alone there were lord-knows-how-many stormtroopers shot just by Luke and the gang while trying to get out of the death star.

The stormtrooper had the traditional blaster, which was subsequently copied for many of the other figures in the Star Wars wave. His head couldn't turn, but in subsequent versions (1990's+) it did. This figure came on all four cards: SW, ESB, ROTJ, POTF. The figure itself is very close to the actual stormtrooper detailing.

Why should you own this figure? Five reasons:

1. As mentioned before, army builder, army builder, army builder. You shouldn't own one, you should own 10. Check Ebay, there are probably people selling 10-20 of these at a time.

2. They fall like dominoes in the movies - so get a bunch and have your own stormtrooper domino rally.

3. The most prevalent figure in the original Star Wars universe. You're going to get a lot of crap from your friends if you don't get this one.

4. Like I've mentioned in many a post, helmeted figures are automatically cool. Having one that looks like a skull-head is even cooler.

5. Recreate your own exciting version of the conversation near the death star's tractor beam: "Must be another drill." Oh, the drama!

Backstory:

Stormtroopers grew out of the surviving clone troopers that served in the Clone Wars. By the time of the first movie, about 1/3 of stormtroopers were from Jango Fett's original DNA, the rest were from other DNA sources and humans recruited in the traditional manner.

A stormtroopers armor was made of a plastoid composite fitted over a black body glove. This gave some protection from blaster shots (obviously not a lot given the movies' body count) and protection against most climates. In fact there was a limited air supply built in and troopers could survive in the vacuum of space for short periods. The E-11 blaster rifle was standard issue for most troopers (the one that came with the figure).

When not in the white armor, stormtroopers wore a black dress uniform, seen mainly in the first movie aboard the death star. About the only variation that stormtroopers had were the shoulder pauldrons to show rank (see the stormtroopers on Tatooine in the first movie), otherwise the Empire wanted an across-the-board uniform appearance.

The stormtroopers were a feared force...until Endor. After their defeat by a handful of Rebels and primitive natives, two things changed. One, the stormtroopers were no longer seen as such an imposing force, and two, stormtroopers finally got some camouflaged armor - white was a glaringly obvious target.

Want more? His Wookieepedia article

153rd in alphabetical order

Squid Head (ROTJ 1983-84)

Now, even being a minor character - in the film, very minor - you have to admit that the action figure for Squid Head is actually pretty well done. The head, the bulky hands, the figure-trimming metal corset (or whatever the heck that thing is).

Squid Head comes with a blaster pistol that is grey, but is the same mold as used for the Lando and Bespin Guard figures. Squidee (as his friends call him) was only released on a ROTJ card, but was one of the first ROTJ figs released. Squid Head had some nice cloth robes, and the metal "corset" could be removed.

Why should you own this figure? Five reasons:

1. As therapy reference for those things that used to abduct you at night.

2. The best representation of a squid in head form...ever.

3. Again, as said many times before, your Jabba diorama is not complete without this figure. At least until your girlfriend makes you take it down.

4. C'mon - the name? So ridiculous you have to get him.

5. The patron figure of accountants (see below) and Cthulu fans.

Backstory:

Squid Head is a Quarren called Tessek. Quarrens actually originate from the same planet as Calamarians (Admiral Ackbar), Mon Calamari. Tessek had to flee his homeworld after an Imperial invasion. He ended up as an accountant for Jabba, and, like many of his acquaintances, planned the Hutt's death. He didn't get the chance to kill Jabba, but he did manage to escape the sand barge just in time.

Want more? His Wookieepedia article

152nd in alphabetical order

Speeder Bike Vehicle (ROTJ)

Nothing underscores Kenner’s naivete about “nothing sells an item like including a figure with it” more than the Speeder Bike. In the original line no figure was included with anything – they were all sold separately” AT-AT Drivers, TIE Pilots, A-Wing & B-Wing Pilots, and, of course, Biker Scouts. This was the smallest vehicle which had a specific “driver” for it, yet it still didn’t come with one in the same package. Oh, well, Kenner obviously learned their lessons from Star Wars and made up for it with G.I. Joe. Heck, every other vehicle in that line came with a figure.

The toy came in ROTJ box, and featured a “blow apart” feature. It also nicely balanced on its two “legs” when at rest, despite the fact that most of the vehicle seemed to be in front. The toy was pretty accurate to the actual vehicle, except for the addition of a T-bar to hold figures in the seat. When the Bike was re-released in the 90’s, the figures (Luke, Leia, Scout) that came with one all had bendable knees and hips.

Why should you get this vehicle? Five reasons:

1. Flying through the air at breakneck speeds and narrowly missing stuff? What kid wouldn’t want that?

2. Make alternate history: that Ewok steals the Bike and gets blown up.

3. A cheap vehicle and lots of them were featured in the movie? You have to at least get a couple dude.

4. Like many Star Wars vehicles, if you got it, you held out hope that your parents would get the actual pilot for it.

5. Easy to hold, so a vehicle with immense play value. What? I’m serious sometimes.

Backstory:

The Speeder Bikes featured in the movie were 74-Z’s, the military version of the 74-Y (of course!). Steering was controlled through the handlebars, and acceleration was controlled on the foot pedals. They had sensor and communication devices, as well as one for jamming commlinks. It also had a front-mounted rotating blaster cannon. They are built by Aratech Repulsor Company and have been around since the Clone Wars. They can reach speeds up to 500 kph, and heights up to 25 m.

Want more? Its Wookieepedia article

151st in alphabetical order

Sonic Controlled Land Speeder (SW)

Okay, so technically I already posted this with the original Landspeeder (or, as on this box, "Land Speeder"), but it is a different name, so I am posting it here.

One of the first vehicles released in the original line, the Land Speeder represented the finest in Tatooine luxury and comfort. In other words, it was the used car you gave to your son or daughter learning to drive - a beater. Not like your dad's car with the Bantha-hide seats.

The toy was actually a bit more luxurious than the movie vehicle, because most of the vehicles in the movie were supposed to be from Lucas' "used" universe. It wasn't until manufacturing processes caught up in the 1990's that the vehicles got a more weathered look. The 90's version of the Landspeeder even had wrecked engine plating like the movie.

If you're a child of the 80's you may remember this kind of "remote" control for sonic toys. Basically, the vehicle "heard" the audible click of the remote, there was no actual signal. When it heard the click it would make a J-turn in reverse. I had another toy like this from the Starriors line (Deadeye and Cricket - but I don't expect anyone but me to remember that). The only other differences from the original toy was that the engine cover didn't open, there were pegs behind the seats for figures to stand, and it was slightly larger. The Sonic version was only available through J.C. Penney, back when they used to be a big cheese in retail.

The landspeeder was released again in 1983 with a "classic" label on the box, distinguishing it from the 1978 release.

Why should you own this vehicle? Five reasons:

1. As Billy Dee would say, the wheels gave a smooth ride, like a Colt 45 Malt Liquor.

2. This was the one vehicle you didn't mind your younger sibling playing with. It was fun to watch them try to recreate the picture on the box only to figure out that there was no way R2-D2 and C-3PO actually stayed on.

3. It was like a Hot Wheels, it glided across the floor pretty well and didn't need you holding it up in the air the whole time.

4. No other vehicle felt as enjoyable while mowing down Jawas and Sand People.

5. Kenner tricked you into thinking it was a four-figure vehicle, when the only way the droids were staying on is if you didn't move it and no heavy trucks passed by your house.

Backstory:

Luke's landspeeder was an X-34 built by the Sorusuub Corporation (a popular manufacturer in the galaxy). Its popularity waned once Sorusuub came out with the XP-38 landspeeder, which looked similar except for more rectangular engines (never shown in the movies), much like the engines on the V-35 Courier landspeeder, shown in the Lars garage.

Landspeeders work using repulsorlifts that support it whether in motion or not. Turbine engines give it forward momentum. Sources say that the X-34 had a top speed of 250 kph, or 155 mph. The cockpit could be closed, but obviously Luke liked the wind whipping through his blond, feathered hair and sand in his eyes.

Want more? Its Wookieepedia article

150th in alphabetical order!

Snaggletooth (SW 1978-79)

Snaggletooth is yet another Cantina denizen, and yet another Star Wars alien to have the same gun as Greedo (and many others from the first movie). Snaggletooth was a bit of an odd figure, because Kenner, at first, referenced a vague black and white photograph of this alien. What they came up with was the taller, blue Snaggletooth, pictured above. While the blue mistake was still produced in the original line, it only came with the Sears-exclusive Cantina Adventure Set, a cheap cardboard-only playset that included Greedo, blue Snaggletooth, Walrusman, and Hammerhead.

Snaggletooth, for me, was one of those figures with limited play value (unless you count drinking), plus he was short. That always ticked me off with short figures. If, like me, you also got into the 1980’s G.I. Joes, you know that if a figure this short came out in that line they would at least include some elaborate laser-bazooka-tripod-backpack to make up for it. Nope, Snaggletooth just had a gun.

Snaggletooth was available on SW, ESB, and ROTJ cards.

Why should you own him anyway? Five reasons:

1. Get Snaggle and the rest of the shorties to sing the Lollipop Guild song from the “Wizard of Oz.”

2. Your mom didn’t realize she was buying you a figure whose big scene was begging for booze at the Cantina.

3. In the Cantina brawl you set up on your playset, Snaggletooth is able to crawl through everyone’s legs, just like in all those corny movies.

4. The stylish red jumpsuit.

5. Arguably the ugliest face of any figure in the original line.

Backstory:

Snaggletooth, like many alien names in the first trilogy, was more of a nickname given by the film crew to keep the aliens straight. Later on, all of their stories were fleshed out. Snaggly is a Snivvian by the name of Zutton.

Zutton worked as an artist, and as a bounty hunter. He helped support his brother Takeel (briefly seen in the movie) and occasionally worked for Jabba.

Want more? His Wookieepedia article

149th in alphabetical order