Return of the Jedi Retro Collection Figures In Hand Review
Kicking off the celebration for The Return of the Jedi’s 40th Anniversary, Hasbro finally brings us the long-awaited Return of the Jedi Retro Collection Figures! Ever since the Retro Collection hit retail shelves 3 years ago, fans could not wait to get the Return of the Jedi Figures! Hasbro started with a nostalgic New Wave Hope of 6 classic figures. Then they followed up with the Empire Strikes back figures. Now after waiting 3 years, the Return of the Jedi Retro figures are finally here, and they look amazing! These 5 POA figures are just like the ones we grew up with! Just like the plastic beauties we remember as kids, Han with his trench coat and we can finally army build those awesome biker scouts! After a long-awaited preorder wait, we now have the Return of the Jedi Retro Collection Figures for an in hand review!
New figures in this Wave include:
- Jedi Knight Luke
- Endor Han in Trench coat
- Bike Scout
- Lando as Skiff Guard
- Leia in Boushh disguise
- Emperor Palpatine
Jedi Knight Luke
Jedi Knight Luke was one of the coolest figures that came out of the 1983 Kenner Return of the Jedi line! Luke comes with his brown soft goods Jedi cloak, a blaster and his special green lightsaber! If you had this figure as a kid, you were part of the cool kid’s club! In today’s aftermarket, a complete Jedi Luke can run close to $100 clams, but now you can have a fresh new one! The vintage version came in two unique variants, one with a painted face and plastic colored hair, and the other the rarer one of peach colored face and painted hair. The later was the preferred one as examples of the Luke with the painted face typically had nose rubs and such. Well, it looks like we will no longer have that problem here, as this new Jedi Knight Luke is the preferred painted hair version.
Now Hasbro has unfortunately continued to use the very flimsy card backs on these figures, and also still included the faux “worn” look to the cards. I wish they would just get rid of that look and recreate the look of the original card backs, as the worn look does nothing but detract from the look of the carded figures in my opinion. Also they unfortunately continue to use the large “Retro Collection” stickers on these, which cover a large portion of the image as well. And in this case of the flimsy card back, I would not recommend trying to remove them, as this sticker will not come off as easy as the re-issue A New Hope 6 pack, which had a nicer, thicker card back.
Here we can see what Luke likes like without his cloak on. He is wearing his signature black Jedi Knight outfit.
Vintage Jedi Knight Luke Figure
Here we can see what the 1983 Return of the Jedi Luke Figure looked like. As you can see the new Retro Collection Version is a perfect Homage to this version. Thank you to the Return of the Jedi) Visual Guides (jeditemplearchives.com) for this great overview on this figure!
Endor Han in Trench Coat
Endor Han in Trench Coat one of my favorite figures from the Return of the Jedi line. Only Han Solo had the swagger to pull off a cool look wearing this battle camo Endor Trench Coat! This new version of Han Solo is a perfect homage and recreation of the original 1983 version! He comes with the same soft goods trench coat with his signature Endor style camouflage. He comes complete with his smuggler blaster. Han Solo was the leader of the mission to destroy the new Death Star’s shield generator on the forest moon of Endor! There he and his team met the furry little Ewoks and fought of the Scout Troopers. Now you can reenact those battles!
The card back for Han of course is also very flimsy, but also the image on the card back looks very dim and grainy. I have to say that I am a bit disappointed at how low quality the card backs are on theses figures. It’s too bad because I would love to have kept a set closed of these.
Here you can see what Han looks like without his trenchcoat. He has that broader shoulder design, with the black vest, and tan shirt.
Vintage Han in Trench Coat Figure
Here we can see what the 1983 Return of the Jedi Han Solo in Trench Coat Figure looked like. As you can see the new Retro Collection Version is a perfect Homage to this version. Thank you to the Return of the Jedi) Visual Guides (jeditemplearchives.com) for this great overview on this figure!
Leia in Boushh Disguise
Leia in Boushh disguise is a very memorable figure and unique as she came with a separate helmet to complete her disguised look. We all remember the scene in Jabba’s Palace when Leia pulls out that detonator and strikes a deal for a fake “bounty” on Chewbacca, who then helps in efforts with Lando to free Han Solo! Again, another wonderful recreation of her vintage counterpart, this version of Leia is just like the original! Now you can recreate that memorable scene! Leia includes here signature Boushh outfit, helmet and staff rifle.
Vintage Leia in Boushh Disguise Figure
Here we can see what the 1983 Return of the Leia In Boushh Disguise looked like. As you can see the new Retro Collection Version is a perfect Homage to this version. Thank you to the Return of the Jedi) Visual Guides (jeditemplearchives.com) for this great overview on this figure!
Lando as Skiff Guard
Lando Clarrisson the smooth talking space pirate, dawns a Skiff Guard outfit to go undercover to help rescue Han Solo. When his old friend Han Solo was held captive by Jabba the Hutt, Lando joined Princess Leia in a mission to rescue him from Jabba’s palace. Lando too was a very memorable figure and unique as since he also came with a separate helmet to complete his disguised look. Lando has a very kind looking face and bright white eyes that peek thru that Skiff helmet of his! We all remember the scene in Jabba’s Palace when Lando sneaks in and helps to free Han Solo! Now you can recreate that memorable scene! Lando comes complete in his Skiff Guard outfit with his staff and helmet.
Vintage Lando as Skiff Guard Figure
Here we can see what the 1983 Return of the Lando as Skiff Guard Disguise figure looked like. As you can see the new Retro Collection Version is a perfect Homage to this version. Thank you to the Return of the Jedi) Visual Guides (jeditemplearchives.com) for this great overview on this figure!
Biker Scout
The Biker Scout was one of my personal favorites from the Return of the Jedi Kenner toy line in 1983! Who wouldn’t love a sup’d up version of a Storm Trooper in a cooler outfit who rides a flying motorcyle! Plus, how fun was it to as a kid to play with your Ewoks and attack the heck outta these guys! Over the years, vintage examples of these tend to yellow and fade, well now you can a minty fresh biker scout, or heck, several of them and army build the suckers! I personally bought myself two of them, and might get more! Now all we need is a re-release of the vintage speeder bike and we will all be set!
This one surprisingly has a very bright and clear image on the card back, and it’s just too bad that Hasbro couldn’t print the other photos of the characters just as bright! This is one I will definitely keep an extra carded version of!
Vintage Biker Scout Figure
Here we can see what the 1983 Return of the Jedi Biker Scout figure looked like. As you can see the new Retro Collection Version is a perfect Homage to this version. Thank you to the Return of the Jedi) Visual Guides (jeditemplearchives.com) for this great overview on this figure!
Emperor
Last but not least is Emperor Palpatine! Yes, that evil master of the Empire, complete with his walking stick. This was never one of my favorite characters as a kid, but what Return of the Jedi collection would be complete without him? He comes in his signature grey robe, with a split in the middle for his legs and that famous grey complexion on his face. The retro version of him is a perfect recreation of the vintage original!
Vintage Emperor Figure
Here we can see what the 1983 Return of the Jedi Emperor figure looked like. As you can see the new Retro Collection Version is a perfect Homage to this version. Thank you to the Return of the Jedi) Visual Guides (jeditemplearchives.com) for this great overview on this figure!
Where to buy
NEW STAR WARS RETRO COLLECTION SHOP PAGE!
Be sure to check out our brand new Star Wars Retro Collection Shop page, now OPEN! Find links to all your favorite retailers to complete your collection!
