New Hasbro Toy Lightsabers

[cboath]

Anyone got an amazon link?

 

[Tan Djarka]

Well, we should soon know how accurate that 1/30 release date was for the Qui-Gon Jinn saber. Hopefully they'll release another "yet to be named" saber with it. Rolling them out one at a time is killing me... If they just put out a bunch of them, I'd just buy the ones I really wanted. This way, I'll end up getting all of them!

 

[Mara Jade's Father]

Well, we should soon know how accurate that 1/30 release date was for the Qui-Gon Jinn saber.

FYI. It was very accurate.

 

[Tan Djarka]

Not that I would know. I've been to several Targets today and, while all the other new merchandise appeared to be there including the newer narrow boxed Ultimate FX sabers, the Qui Gon was MIA so I guess I'm TSOL for now, but that's okay, I'm a little short on fluid assets at the moment anyway.

But they did have the new Maul, which is a mixed bag. The detail is not only decent, but much better than the original electronic Maul. Unfortunately, though, it is not electronic. It's essentially a double ended "basic" saber, which has an upside of the blades being fully retractable. Too bad they didn't make it separate into two halves, although I suppose it could be modified to do so (or at least one "battle damaged" saber).

 

[Mara Jade's Father]

I cannot remember if I have seen the Qui's at Target yet, but they have been at the Wal Marts.

 

[Tan Djarka]

Of course they are, because that's where I didn't go. They're hiding from me!

 

[Tan Djarka]

I stopped by a couple of Walmarts, one had none and the other, many. I also know why Target didn't have 'em... They're a Walmart exclusive. They had a sticker stating "only at Walmart". They seemed reasonable enough, and I'll probably get one in a week or two.

A couple of curious things though: First, the activation button, while molded in red plastic on the Maul, is painted. Badly. Also, if you check the illustration on the box, Qui-Gon is weilding a green bladed saber, but it's the Obi TPM. Say what? I'm sure more than a little effort goes into the design of the boxes, and you'd think they wouldn't make a bone headed mistake like that!

 

[The Night]

the qui looked alright, but imo it was way too fat. id estimate it was around 1.75 to 2 inch outer diameter. kinda made me lose hope for a ffx version to be half way decent. itd probly end up as fat as the dooku, though idk why they make them that large to begin with

 

[Tan Djarka]

the qui looked alright, but imo it was way too fat.

Yeah, that did seem a little troubling. The mid-line electronic Qui-Gonn saber with the collapsible blade isn't so thick, and the electronics in the Anakin ROTS I looked inside didn't seem so big that they couldn't fit into a comparably sized hilt. I don't understand what's up with the Hasbro design team. Some things, like the Rebel Trooper blaster or Anakin and Vader Ultimate FX can be so right (as far as toys go), yet sometimes they go so inexplicably wrong.

 

[Mara Jade's Father]

NYTF 2012 is this week. Hasbro is showing off their goodies. It is still early but I saw this picture.

Yodasnews New York Toy Fair 2012/Hasbro Gallery 2/P1015706

At first I thought this was the Hasbro FX (you know the adult version that has been out) but I was looking at the blades... do those blades look shorter... like Ultimate FX (the kiddie version)? Maybe the angle makes it look shorter. I am not sure. If this is true, there should be more info in the next day or two.

EDIT:

Evidence is looking good..

http://photos.sirstevesguide.com/role-play/p41296-hasbro.html

EDIT II:

Yep it is official from Hasbro:

STAR WARS ULTIMATE FX LIGHTSABERS
(Approximate retail price: $34.99; Ages: 6 & up; Available: Now)
The ULTIMATE FX LIGHTSABER provides the most authentic JEDI experience for kids ever! The toy features a progressive light-up blade with vibrant LED lighting, allowing kids to experience the FORCE in a whole new way. And coming in Fall 2012, a Darth Maul model packed with an adaptor to create a Darth Maul Double-Bladed Lightsaber! (Second lightsaber sold separately.)

 

[Robiwon]

That's cool but I want news on what new FX sabers they're coming out with. Ooh the waiting..................

 

[Tan Djarka]

That's cool. But they need to make an Obi TPM, a Mace Windu AOTC, Ahsoka Tano, maybe some assorted generic/clan sabers and a baby doll that really eats and wets. Wait, no... Scratch that last one.

Probably what they need to do is create a "saber core", rather than continually tooling completely new sabers. In the future they'd only need to design a new shell for each new saber release. Not ones that would be user interchangable, but just to simplifiy the manufacturing process. It would vastly reduce the cost of development and the time to bring it to market.

 

[Volador]

I've never been able to understand, since childhood, why they could not fit a retractable blade ALL THE WAY IN to the toy hilts. I ended up taking one apart to steal the soundboard for my ancient lightsaber project, and THERE IS PLENTY OF ROOM!

I just don't get it. They look so stupid with the tiny blade section always sticking out like an unwanted erection.

 

[Mara Jade's Father]

That's cool. But they need to make an Obi TPM, a Mace Windu AOTC, Ahsoka Tano, maybe some assorted generic/clan sabers and a baby doll that really eats and wets. Wait, no... Scratch that last one.

Probably what they need to do is create a "saber core", rather than continually tooling completely new sabers. In the future they'd only need to design a new shell for each new saber release. Not ones that would be user interchangeable, but just to simplify the manufacturing process. It would vastly reduce the cost of development and the time to bring it to market.

Hasbro probably has some sort of long term plan for release if products based on the upcoming release of the 3D movies. That is why you have the Qui and Maul sabers out now. Hopefully the Obi saber gets released with the next movie (as far as kids sabers go, they are not going to make a distinction in the minor difference of the TPM and the AOTC hilts). If they do a Mace, it could be either AOTC or ROTS. I doubt they do an Ashoka saber. Although there are female children out there that are fans, I do not think there are enough to support the items. They most likely would become peg warmers. Little boys think girl sabers are yucky and full of cooties. However, I know I would buy an adult version of the saber.

I've not taken one of these sabers apart but I would assume the inside electronics (core) are the same with the exception of different LED colors for the blades. I am pretty sure they do not go back to the drawing board each time they make a new version, just add the new shell and switch attachment. I only think they would change if there was some sort of tech improvement they could implement.

 

[Twinsen]

My thoughts on the new Maul, with a few pics :

http://www.therpf.com/f9/new-hasbro-maul-lightsaber-pics-inside-139537/#post2138605

 

[Robiwon]

With the NY Toy Fair over and no new Force FX sabers announced, what is going to happen? This would have been perfect timing for Hasbro to announce any new sabers in the Force FX series. Instead we got an all plastic Maul in the cheaper Ultimate series.

I was hoping for a re-release of the Obi TPM or a Qui-Gon. They (Hasbro) may be a bit oversized but they were still metal, lit up and made cool sounds. With Hasbro promoting the Ultimate line I wonder if the FX series is over and run its course?

We may just be left with plastic toy sabers, MHS hilts, Ultrasabers, and $1,500 custom builds! I for one would like a few more middle ground choices.

 

[Mara Jade's Father]

Hasbro NYTF usually just covers items to be released through the summer, the tend to show off the rest of their year's items at SDCC. So maybe it is still possible to see something then.

I know I would like to see the FX Obi TPM/AOTC style. I also wish they would redo their design for the Obi ROTS, Obi ANH, and Luke ROTJ to incorporate a thin neck.

 

[Mara Jade's Father]

SirStevesGuide.com - More Detailed Notes from Hasbro's Toy Fair Event posted notes from Hasbro media event. There was a small section about the Ultimate FX line...

Ultimate FX Lightsabers: A huge hit with kids, going to have Obi-Wan Kenobi coming out. Going to be releasing Darth Maul single saber version, buy 2 and each comes with an adapter to connect them to the double-saber.

No clarification about which version, but if I had to bet, I would say that it will be ROTS/CW version.

 

[Robiwon]

Nice, but not for me. It does seem like the FX series is at least on the back burner. They probably figure they can sell more $30 sabers with the same leftover technology from the FX series. That would be cheaper than designing a new FX saber. Especially since their last few FX's probably tanked. Ultra Sabers and Parks will probably have the market covered by the vacated FX line. This may spur more new models from both.

 

[B4DW0LF]

so I was at MegaCon last weekend and found what I think to be a pretty cool representation of the full size replica, yes definitely a toy but added stroke of awesomeness..... Darth Vader signed it!