JediDefender.com Forums
Collectibles => The Vintage Collection => Topic started by: Scott on February 15, 2011, 09:04 PM
-
Let's Roll
-
I'm in just the "Eat my poop you jerkoffs" kind of mood right now about toys, so this should be fun.
-
I'll need some time to think up a legitimate list, but anything from 2002-2003 will be considered. Salt-Shaker Palpatine too.
-
The POTF2 Rebel Fleet Trooper immediately comes to mind. What a piece of garbage that figure was.
-
What is the criteria? Basic figure carded figures only or can any pack-in qualify?
-
I think just about every POS should be game personally, but it's not an easy decision.
I decided to eliminate the Imperial Missile soldier from my personal list, but my oh my did it deserve a spot. I'm leaving it in the vehicle category personally.
-
You'll notice there are no POTF2 figures in my list. That's because I consider them the return to collecting and have too much respect for them -- without that line, we'd have nothing today. But anything after that is fair game because Hasbro had time to figure out what they were doing.
SAGA Zam Wessel - just look at that ridiculous pose:
(http://www.rebelscum.com/swsaga/saga-zam_front.jpg)
SAGA Mace Windu (Arena Confrontation) - the "action feature" completely ruins this figure
(http://www.rebelscum.com/swsaga/sw0302macewinduacsaber.jpg)
SAGA Luke Skywalker (Throne Room Duel) - huge shoulders, stupid expression - yikes
(http://www.rebelscum.com/swsaga/sw0317luketrdchop.jpg)
SAGA Hoth Trooper - uh, what the hell happened here? Drink too much coffee and it stunted his growth?
(http://www.rebelscum.com/swsaga/sw0401hothtrooperfront.jpg)
ROTS Mace Windu - poor Mace, he gets no respect from the sculptors. Those shoulders! That face!
(http://www.rebelscum.com/ROTS/rots0510macewindufront.jpg)
ROTS Obi-Wan Kenobi (Jedi Kick!) - can you tell I hate those action features? I'd take a neutral POTF2 stance over this **** anyday.
(http://www.rebelscum.com/ROTS/rots0527obi-wankenobiaction.jpg)
E1 Qui-Gon Jinn (Jedi Master) - nice arms, ape boy. And WTF is with his hair?
(http://www.rebelscum.com/episodeI/e1quigonledimasterfront.jpg)
SAGA Ponda Baba (Cantina Scene) - yay, he can bend his knees! But when he stands, he's a knock kneed looking POS. I know he's based on a POTF2 figure that I said I respect, but these were release 5 or 6 years apart!
(http://www.rebelscum.com/swsaga/sw02wmcantinapondafront.jpg)
TSC Boba Fett (Sarlaac Pit) - a neat idea, but he looks ridiculous if you try to stand him without his flames. And I'd rather have no articulation at his arms than the terrible combo of swivels at his elbows.
(http://www.rebelscum.com/TSC/TSC006bobafettfr.jpg)
And finally: any figure with swivel elbows -- I HATE them, one turn and they fall apart. Never sacrifice durability for articulation.
-
SAGA 02/24 Jar Jar Binks (http://www.yakface.com/TGuide2004/html/0224.html) (Naboo Senator)
- WTF is he doing - digging his grave?
SAGA 03/17 Luke Skywalker (http://www.yakface.com/TGuide2004/html/0317.html) (Throne Room Duel)
- Worst face sculpt ever - not to mention Hasbro ******* up which hand was chopped off initially.
SAGA Force Flipping Action figures (Anakin (http://www.yakface.com/TGuide2004/html/saga/deluxe/d1.html) - Dooku (http://www.yakface.com/TGuide2004/html/saga/deluxe/d5.html) - Obi-Wan (http://www.yakface.com/TGuide2004/html/saga/deluxe/d11.html)) - three way tie
- Really Flips! (read: Really Sucks!)
ROTS #36 General Grievous (http://www.yakface.com/TGuide2004/html/rots/36.html) (Exploding Body)
- Falls apart if you even think about looking at him
ROTS "Lava Reflection" Darth Vader (http://www.yakface.com/TGuide2004/html/rots/exclusives/01.html)
- I actually waited inline for that POS
ROTS Wookiee Warrior (http://www.yakface.com/TGuide2004/ActionFigures/rots/battlevehicles/bv4/cf.html) (Wookiee Flyer Pack-in)
- If you need a Wookiee for a "taking a **** in the woods while camping" diorama I guess this is your cup of crap
TAC-03 Mustafar Lava Miner (http://www.yakface.com/TGuide2004/html/tac/03.html)
- They actually made this guy?
TAC-45 Anakin Skywalker's Spirit (http://www.yakface.com/TGuide2004/html/tac/45.html)
- Sebastian Shaw was rolling in his grave when this was conceived
TLC "Skittles" Crimson Empire Crucible Pack (http://www.rebelscum.com/tlcexcrucible.asp) - 4 way tie
The first real set of figures that made me question being a figure completist. Worst legs EVAR!
Cankles/Jazzercise Leia (TLC Leia/Xizor SOTE Comic Pack (http://www.yakface.com/TGuide2004/html/TLC/comicpacks/xizor_leia.html))
- Sculpted by an angry lesbian no doubt - Deb from Napolean Dynamite headsculpt
-
The POTF2 Rebel Fleet Trooper immediately comes to mind. What a piece of garbage that figure was.
Let's expand on this....
#10 - Chewbacca - Bounty Hunter Disguise (SOTE)
(http://www.rebelscum.com/sote/sotechewiesnoovaloose1.jpg)
#9 - Bespin Guard - Carbon Freeze Chamber playset (POTJ)
(http://www.rebelscum.com/toys/potjbespinsecurityfront.jpg)
#8 - Zam Wessel (SAGA)
(http://www.rebelscum.com/swsaga/saga-zam_front3.jpg)
#7 - General Jan Dodonna (SAGA)
(http://www.rebelscum.com/swsaga/sw0412dodonnabody.jpg)
#6 - Anakin Skywalker - Force Flipping Action (SAGA)
(http://www.rebelscum.com/swsaga/sw02dlxanakinffafront3.jpg)
#5 - Obi-Wan Kenobi - Force Jump Attack (ROTS)
(http://www.rebelscum.com/ROTS/rots05dlxobiwanjump.jpg)
#4 - Holiday Darth Vader (OTC)
(http://www.rebelscum.com/OTC/OTCholidayVaderdisplay_front.jpg)
#3 - Princess Leia Organa, AKA Monkey Face Leia (POTF2)
(http://www.rebelscum.com/potf2/POTF2leiafront.jpg)
#2 - Rebel Fleet Trooper (POTF2)
(http://www.rebelscum.com/potf2/POTF2rebelfleetloose.jpg)
#1 - R5-D4 (POTF2)
(http://www.rebelscum.com/toys/potfr5d4topback.jpg)
-
For worst "figure", let me be the first to nominate Log:
(http://www.rebelscum.com/TAC/tacUBPendorLogs4.jpg)
-
(http://images1.fanpop.com/images/photos/1500000/LOG-ren-and-stimpy-1552749-1280-1024.jpg)
-
Some I own
1. Peasant Disguise Anakin from 2002, were that many people really nostalgic for 1970's extending lightsabers? Also, the pose, like he's missing a horse accessory. Mine is used, I didn't even get the good crate accessory!
2. Force flipping Obi-Wan Kenobi, midget with magnets on his feet that looks less like Ewan McGregor and more like Bill Maher.
3. Whacky spin attack ROTS Yoda (Might give it a pass but for those feet!)
(http://i52.tinypic.com/2585unb.jpg)
4. One that I don't own (thankfully):
(http://img232.imageshack.us/img232/6946/lf7c.jpg)
They even reissued that monstrosity!
5. They wasted new tooling making Han Solo with an orange harness. So he could have an absurdly 1990's big gunned jet pack.
(http://i55.tinypic.com/2vm8ygw.jpg)
An early disappointment in POTF2...he may not be the worst, but was disappointing enough to at least make dishonorable mention:
(http://i51.tinypic.com/m9tvg8.jpg)
I'lll never undertand the useless right hand. It's not open, it's not a fist...it doesn't match up with any movie scene.
-
Ugh...just looking at some of these is painful. While I don't really put the POTF2 guys in the "failure" pile, they we OK for the time. Not great, but they fit into the line.
However, the action feature stuff from AOTC almost made me quit collecting. I remember my heart sinking horribly when I first saw those. I was just crused. They are just not what I want from an action figure. At all.
But you know what? Hasbro listened to us. We have super articulation on many figures. We have mostly neutral poses, and well made soft goods.
-
I am very happy my worst of suggestion was taken up, it's too funny of a topic not to take up.
I put some thought behind my choices so here goes my top 10:
1. POTJ Fode and Beed
If there is one figure I absolutely despise it's Fode and Beed. Hate takes effort but this guy is worth the energy. I remember cringing in my seat the first time I saw him in theaters (and on the pegs). This character is so Lucas indulgence it's embarrassing. The design is so half-assed and so non SW looking, it looks like something that crawled out of the Croft Puppet universe. Seriously, this thing came out of a bad 70's acid trip. He voice is also so Hanna Barbara ridiculous that when you look at the whole package I think he has truly earned the title of "Worst SW Character EVER!"
(http://www.rebelscum.com/potj/POTJfodebeed-beed.jpg)
2. Joh Yowza
Like that two headed Croft puppet above I cringed the first time I saw this bad CGI cartoon in theaters during the Special Edition blitz. I hated the fact that they changed the Lapni Nek song. We began to see the E1 warning signs here as the flannelled one decided to stuff in so many dreadful characters into the Max Rebo band. Kenner thinking fans would embrace these new abominations made figures of most of them. They flopped, even on the recent rerelease. I bought this figure because I was desperate for new stuff in 98 and I hated him ever since. I just purged him a few months ago so I am happy to say I am Joh Yowza-less.
(http://www.rebelscum.com/potf2/POTF2bandjohfr.jpg)
3. Rappertunie
Why Lucas, why? A pot bellied Kermit that's way too colorful and puppety. Bad CGI or bad puppet, what to choose…..
Please redeem yourself Lucas remove this scene in the Blue Ray and go back to basics.
(http://www.rebelscum.com/swsaga/sw0408rappertuniefront.jpg)
4. Female Tusken Raider
I hate this figure and the entire premise of it, it's too far from the look of a Tusken Raider. It's also too much information. When it comes to SW leave some things to the imagination. I did not need to see, let alone get a figure of, a Female Sand person. Ahh Sand People babies that want to club your brains in. Ewok babies YES! Tusken Babies NO! It's just dumb all around and this figure is a Salt n' Pepper shaker to boot. I have so many more reasons as to why I despise this figure but I rather move on.
(http://www.rebelscum.com/swsaga/swsaga0208tuskenraiderlooseltfront.jpg)
5. Graga
Like Fode and Beed this friggin Muppet gives me flashbacks of cringing during my first viewing of EP1. (These two characters embody what was wrong with EP1.) This alien design is so dumb and Muppety. It has chicken feet/legs, old lady bat wing arms, a Bom Vidam walnut embedded in it's noggin, a puppety mouth and says Whoopi Whoopi. The figure is a Pepper shaker and should never have been made. (This is why it boggles my mind as why anyone would want Ben Quadrous.)
(http://www.rebelscum.com/TSC/tsc052gragraLI.jpg)
6. Every Blue & Purple Holo figure
STOP! Please, just stop. No more blue or purple holo figures just keep them as accessories. (Make all Force spirits like the 2004 Obi-wan.)
(http://www.rebelscum.com/TSC/tsc063holoobiwanholos.jpg)
7. Bespin Guard "Schnozarelli" from Carbon Freezing chamber set
So we were given an inaccurate but very detailed decent Bespin Guard figure in the modern line for the first time in 2001. He was quickly followed up by this kit bashed Bespin Guard that looked like one of those naked people with an outfit painted on their body. Too boot his nose is huge! Why did they not just put a new head on the 2011 Bespin Guard?
(http://www.rebelscum.com/toys/potjbespinsecurityfront.jpg)
8. Exploding Grievous
I get kid oriented figures, sometime the features are neat as long as they work. When you have a figure that falls apart if you breathe on it takes the fun away. You also need an adult to reassemble him. Many kids cried when they opened this figure and it's a safe bet that this one will never be released again.
(http://www.rebelscum.com/ROTS/rots0536grievousparts2.jpg)
9. Marvel Tarkin (Stormtrooper gets an honorable mention)
Just look at this figure. I do not need to comment any further.
(http://www.rebelscum.com/TAC/TACcomic03cardloose.jpg)
10. Lucas Family
Now this is the item that actually got me to join Jedidefender. I hated this set so much I needed to vent so I joined my first forum in 2006. I trashed it so harshly that I did not give the best first impression with the members here. Jesse James came to my defense and gave me some good advice on forum posting. I will not go harsh as I did in 2006, I learned how to write a lot better and forum ettiquite so I will just leave my comment at this set being a major Lucas indulgence with a huge touch of Hasbro groveling.
(http://www.rebelscum.com/TSC/TSClucassetloose.jpg)
Honorable Mention: Spirit Anakin
It's like a forgotten figure from Princess of Power. This sparkling Goldmember enchants those who lay eyes on him! Why is he gold? I have no idea but it always surprises me why they do not match all Spirit figures like the 2004 Obi-Wan, he still looks amazing to this day!
(http://www.rebelscum.com/TAC/TAC45anakinFR.jpg)
-
10. Lucas Family
my comment at this set being a major Lucas indulgence with a huge touch of Hasbro groveling.
(http://www.rebelscum.com/TSC/TSClucassetloose.jpg)
Even the figures seem embarrassed that they exist....
-
10? How about 100? 8)
In all seriousness, I might break up my own list into 10 worst prior to 2005, and 10 worst since then. I think there's been a distinctive change in quality since then.
-
Remember it's the most hated figures not necessarily the worst made. They can still count but what figures do you really hate? If it was just the worst 90% of the AOTC line would be automatic shoe ins.
-
Even the figures seem embarrassed that they exist....
I read a few Clone Wars rumor/wish lists that had Papanodia listed... I can't believe anyone wants this guy again, let alone that Hasbro would make him. The set was clearanced out for what, $5.00?
-
Even the figures seem embarrassed that they exist....
I read a few Clone Wars rumor/wish lists that had Papanodia listed... I can't believe anyone wants this guy again, let alone that Hasbro would make him. The set was clearanced out for what, $5.00?
:D :D :D :D :D :D :D
-
My guess on the bad Bespin Guard from the carbonite playset is that they had the set and the figure ready to go prior (maybe years?) before making the 2001 Guard, but since playsets died at retail years before, they held off releasing it.
There were two Fode and Beeds, first was inaccurate and packed with that sex toy episode 1 Jabba (does Jabba count as figure or creature accessory?).
I don't own a single hologram figure. Never seemed to be worth the money.
-
You'd be right scockery.
The Carbonite Chamber set floated around for a quite a while, known but in limbo, till it became the exclusive it ultimately was. I believe the figure was indeed part of the package though, IIRC. That set had been around a while though, before it found a home.
-
You guys have already hit on most of my "most hated" figures. POTF2 R5-D4 mega cannon, and pretty much every figure from 2002 Saga collection. Those were so bad I stopped collecting until around 2005.
POTJ Aurra Sing is an exceptionally sucky figure as well.
-
So the top 10 worst figures? That's no easy task.
Hasbro did a lot of pretty crummy figures in the modern line. You really can't deny it. I, like some others, really didn't want to list too many of the Power of the Force 2 figures, however they do get some representation, and deservedly so (I'll explain). The line turned a corner earlier than Power of the Jedi though, and that's a pretty big key. Some figures sucked though for other reasons, and maybe didn't look horrible, but still deserve to make the list because they can be looked at from a different point of view.
Hasbro has come a long way since 2005 though, so really I can't fault them too much beyond that year. Not much fell completely flat, and it really boiled down more to small details like one figure lacking knees and yet including ankle articulation, or a figure like the Training Clone with his stupidly sculpted ankles that make him almost impossible to pose (or even stand). My list focuses on earlier figures than these though. No figure is perfect, not even today, but some really went beyond missing the mark. They missed the entire target. Some even looked like they weren't meant for this toy line at all.
10) (http://www.jedidefender.com/jmccracken/011WorstFigureList_Number010_TN.jpg) 2002 Anakin Skywalker (Outlander Peasant Disguise)... This is a prime example of Hasbro looking at history, thinking "That was cool!", and not realizing that even Kenner abandoned the concept decades ago, so why resurrect this? (Someone other than me pointed this out first, I just agree with it.) Why would you go that route? Let alone the fact this figure lacked almost any articulation, and wasn't the sharpest sculpt. Hell, there wasn't even a really good Anakin in his outfit he wore for 95% of the movie, and this was the only thing on pegs for people to buy really. Talk about disappointing.
9 ) (http://www.jedidefender.com/jmccracken/011WorstFigureList_Number009_TN.jpg) 2002 Battledroid... How do you completely **** the bed on the 2nd most wanted army builder for a film's toy line? You make it the wrong color, and you cast in a plastic that prophylactic companies like to use for their own products. You **** the bed twice by finally putting the figure out in the proper color, but you then refuse to improve the materials you're using to make the figure. And you pretty much set fire to the bed by basically putting the same figure out in 2005's Revenge of the Sith line, still pretty much as bad as ever.
I've never bought the, "We had to use that plastic" line from Hasbro. I've got more than a few friends with experience in plastics (and myself), and they've all said Hasbro can do better. They've made the same statements about accessories (Amanaman, I'm looking at you and that limp biscuit of yours), and yet G.I. Joe and other toy lines have managed to have equally intricate and thin accessories that used rigid plastics. Hmmm... Methinks someone was just cutting cost corners on this figure. The line's only now seeing battledroids people really find acceptable. And they're still not perfect by any means.
8 ) (http://www.jedidefender.com/jmccracken/011WorstFigureList_Number008_TN.jpg) POTJ Eeth Koth... I know you're probably saying, "Well he's pre-posed but he looked nice enough", and to a degree you're right I think. Eeth Koth makes the list because he was the true beginning of a terrible trend. Figures who would be pre-posed to the point they're not much different than plastic army men, yet are still marketed as action figures, for quite some time. This was the sign of the apocalypse to come. He was followed by a wave of Sneak Preview figures that not ONE of them appealed to me, and which screamed that the line was going horribly awry for an entire film's release.
And Hasbro didn't disappoint. But Eeth Koth was the first. Just around the same time we'd gotten some of the coolest figures from Power of the Jedi, like the FX-7 or the Imperial Officer... yet there was Eeth, a guy we'd never seen do anything but stand or sit, gritting his teeth and ready to shove his saber up any Sith's ass he came into contact with. Dynamic and different? You bet! Displayed well? Yup, he was built to "display" for sure. A cool toy? Nope. He sucked. He didn't fit with any other Jedi in his appearance, and he was a statue, and toys had evolved past statues oh, say, around 1982 when The G.I. Joe 3.75" line kicked off. Hasbro failed to go back to the future with the "pre-posed" fad this figure launched.
7 ) (http://www.jedidefender.com/jmccracken/011WorstFigureList_Number007_TN.jpg) 2003-ish Deluxe Anakin w/Swoop Bike... Hasbro hadn't done a really fantastic Anakin for the Attack of the Clones line, at all really, unless you counted the Wedding Ceremony figure as good. It was different, more poseable, but lacked the articulation fans and kids alike wanted so they could actually have a guy wield a lightsaber properly. So what cooler time would there be to test the waters on some articulation than by making a figure who could look cool on and off a speederbike?
Hasbro chose to do neither, and continue on, stubbornly, with a Swoop Bike Anakin that not only was useless without the bike (a trend they'd sort of bucked in POTF2 with the Endor Luke and Leia... Why the regression now?), but the figure's disturbingly constipated face-sculpt made it the punchline of many action figure jokes from collectors.
Face it, Luke looks like he broke the brakes on the bike while he had it going full tilt. Is it a Toyota bike and he can't decelerate? WTF?
Oh yeah, just to **** on them a little bit more, Hasbro also didn't give the cloak to the figure to even make him a little screen accurate, since he was pretty useless otherwise. Thanks Hasbro! And no, the "I swing my saber while I zoom around" feature didn't really cover up the mess this figure is. At least he was removable from the bike, and the bike looks good next to young Owen and Beru. High marks for that much. Now can I have the extra $5 I spent back for the figure I completely didn't want, but I needed the bike?
6 ) (http://www.jedidefender.com/jmccracken/011WorstFigureList_Number006_TN.jpg) 2002 Mace Windu... WTF? I mean, seriously, I don't even know what to say that the picture doesn't explain for me. If this isn't on your list, I decree that your list has been rendered illegitimate.
5 ) (http://www.jedidefender.com/jmccracken/011WorstFigureList_Number005_TN.jpg) 2002 Death Star Duel Luke... OK, this isn't too far off from #6 there, but here's why he's worse.
First, he's Original Trilogy, and Original Trilogy always outranks Prequal Trilogy. Biased? You bet your Aunt Suzy's ass I'm biased. That said, Luke was at least going to come with some cool big accessory base, which I thought would make him almost worth the purchase. It turns out he was just as bad as Mace, just as useless, and featured an equally lame action feature that barely functioned.
One actual redemption? This Luke came with the metal hilt with a removable blade. It's the only Jedi Luke to have the metal hilt, and the metal hilt is pretty bad ass looking. Of course if you used the action feature, you'd break the blade probably (if it worked at all), but I digress.
4 ) (http://www.jedidefender.com/jmccracken/011WorstFigureList_Number004_TN.jpg) POTF2 Death Star Trooper... This figure makes the list for a myriad of reasons. First though, he was virtually impossible to get at retail, which at this point in collecting history was beyond frustrating. Second though, he was an army builder who Hasbro chose to test the pre-posed waters with... Yes, Eeth Koth is up there higher, and he deserves his spot because he's the gateway drug Hasbro took that they thought the entire AOTC line was going to be a good idea as it was.
POTF2 Death Star Trooper was a flash in the pan of pre-posed-ness (unless you count the POTF2 Biker Scout, who is fair game for these lists I think), and he even transcended being pre-posed and was so poorly done that he could not stand without a stand.
But what really stung was Hasbro giving him a removable helmet! You could almost hear them cackling that they gave one cool, new feature to a figure that people wouldn't want to army build because of the attrocious posed sculpt! If he were neutral posed I'd probably still pick this figure up for relatively cheap these days. It's like a POTF2 Death Star Gunner. He'd still be alright to purchase if you got him for a couple bucks, and he'd blend in ok to your army's background.
As it stands, he's a comical looking marching/lurching guy that had massive potential, that Hasbro simply ignored and went for a more dynamic look.
3 ) (http://www.jedidefender.com/jmccracken/011WorstFigureList_Number003_TN.jpg) 2003/2004 Hoth Rebel Trooper... Finally! Hasbro's going to redo one of the most prominent Rebel army builders ever! They've taken 2 previous stabs at this guy, and now for sure they're going to knock him out of the park! I can't wait, and I'm opening him right now, and...
...Holy ****.
OK, let's step backwards a moment. First, he comes at a point when Hasbro had finally shown that maybe they were listening about the Saga line. They had given us a couple guys with some extra articulation (for the time), and neutral poses... OK, things are looking up right? So they "get it" about army builders right?
No. Instead we got a guy with another sort of constipated face (Who's doing these faces?!?), back to a basic original 1995 6-point articulation format, and a sculpt that's definitely updated, other than the figure is about more than a head shorter than anyone else. Is this an Ugnaught Hoth Trooper or a human?
Add into all this that I'm obviously a Rebel-phile, and so great hopes for something cool were compeltely dashed. The upside though? His rifle was actually made using a rigid plastic, which Hasbro claimed wasn't possible on the Saga Endor Rebel's rifle... Uhm, guess they developed a remedy fast? I still refuse to display this guy in my collection. The POTF2 figure was superior to me, and so he held that spot till the Legacy Hoth Rebel debuted.
2 ) (http://www.jedidefender.com/jmccracken/011WorstFigureList_Number002_TN.jpg) POTF2 Rebel Fleet Trooper... You're probably wondering how 1 and 2 aren't flip-flopped, and I have my reasoning on it. What we have here though is the last gasp of figures that were intended to look like super heroes more than the Star Wars characters they're based on.
It's hard to even pick a place to start with the first Fleet Trooper though. He's sporting the wrong costume for instance, with really the vest and helmet being the only things close to accurate. His holster is not accurate in sculpt nor color. His shirt's style is open instead of buttoned. His pants are tight, and the completely wrong color. His face looks like he lacks a chin completely yet his chinstrap is clinging to something on him. And last his boots are more like Han's than the combat/shorter style boots Fleet Troopers wear.
To take it further, a non-removable helmet was disappointing, as the technology was there and the helmet is even a separately sculpted piece. Why not try to advance the line a little? But at least the vest is so-so and removable. Also the blaster was a weak effort, but at least it was an effort.
The POTF2 Fleet Trooper's biggest flaw though? Hasbro had actually turned a corner where they were trying to get away from the more buff and absurd looking figures, and were trying to do a little more realistic look to the line. So the biggest disappointment is how this figure was a hold-over from something early modern collectors had hoped was now behind them. Fortunately he was the last truly buff character I believe. It's probably the only true positive you can say about the Fleet Trooper from this era.
1 ) (http://www.jedidefender.com/jmccracken/011WorstFigureList_Number001_TN.jpg) POTJ Rebel Fleet Trooper... Yes, he's worse. You've maybe seen the trend in my top 10 why he makes it higher than the POTF2 figure. I think some of you are even on a similar wavelength by things that you've said about how the line has changed over the years so comparing sometimes isn't always fair. Let's look at all his flaws though, one at a time.
-The holster is Solid/Non-Functional... First it doesn't work, something Hasbro, by this figure's time, had proven they could do for basically no additional cost. Yet they simply didn't do it with this figure. Ellors Madak, Snaggletooth, Commtech Han... The precedent was set, and ignored on this figure. That's a major regression.
-Holster Magically Floats... Next, the holster actually is sculpted without the strap that connects it to the belt. It just magically is stuck to the thigh. This is simply sloppy oversight of the figure's design/sculpt on everyone's part that had to sign off on it at some point. From Hasbro's designers and sculptors to Lucasfilm's team... how do you miss this?
-Pre-Posed Sculpt Details... The pre-posing of this sculpt goes far beyond just the attempt to make the hands both hold the pistol (which didn't work by the way). The sculpt of the ankles had them on a bit of a lean which made the figure difficult to stand. The torso swas sculpted so that it was "caved in" in the chest and sort of humped in the back. There was a little more there than just the arms angled inward. On army builders, it's the biggest disappointment.
-Tiny Pea-Shooter... The blaster Rebel troops were seen with was pretty much as large as the Stormtrooper's blaster. I appreciated Hasbro's attempt to give a new pistol for them, even if the holster didn't work for it, but their effort was still pretty bad. Very undersized, and it didn't even want to sit in the figure's hand well and often would fall out or not sit straight.
-Lacking & Unimpressive Articulation... For me, this was the figure that I thought Hasbro would really wow me with (at the time). Like Commtech Han, I had expectations that this figure be at least as good as that one. Hasbro instead decided to copy the style of articulation that 21st Century Toys had pioneered for figures in this scale, where a 45 degree angle cut-joint was used so a figure could go from standing to a kneeling or sitting position and the joints would be hidden. The pants lent themselves well to this, however that articulation style was limiting and abandoned by the company that designed it in the first place. Add in that they omitted the figure's waist joint, and didn't really add articulation to the arms much aside from the wrists, and I was certainly let-down by this army builder's poseability.
-Non-Removable Helmet... At the time this was probably one of the biggest gripes I had with the figure. The Trooper had a separately sculpted helmet, Hasbro had proven removable buckets were quite acheivable, and yet they omitted it from this figure... even when the helmet was already a separate sculpt! Why not make it a full accessory then? Ah yes, I recall people said "It's not possible with the strap there to do a removable helmet. They can't sculpt the strap", but clearly those people were proven to be talking out their asses. Later figures would give removable helmets to the character with a couple headsculpts, but that didn't make up for all the other flaws.
I think figures have to be judged by one another, regardless of era to some degree. However they're probably best judged by their peers they came out with (or after) first. If that's the case, Cantina Han was the bar, and the POTJ Fleet Trooper didn't come close. As a toy he was limited to a few poses despite articulation additions. He lacked features that were becoming a standard with the line now, and as an army builder he should've been given a little more love.
A lot of folks compared him only to the POTF2 Fleet Trooper. He was clearly more aesthetically pleasing than that monstrosity, but that's hardly a good enough reason to say this figure was "fine". Compared to the Commtech era figures and some of the later POTF2 even, he was a disappointment to me. Sculpt and costume accuracy was a dramatic improvement, but he was still limited in poseability, and Hasbro missed a prime opportunity to set a bar with figure quality and army builders (which weren't taken seriously at this point in the line like they are now).
For me, the Fleet Trooper was the dismal failure Hasbro had to improve, and they have. I've always said once I got a good Fleet Trooper I could quit the hobby with relative happiness... Of course I changed that and now want a new Tarkin too, haha, but I generally still feel the same that once I get my Fleet Trooper upgrade I'd be pretty content if the line ended the next day.
Ultimately though, Hasbro's Fleet Trooper did suck. It still sucks. Once the new one is out, the old one can be made a distant memory. He didn't hold up well to the line's standards of the time though in any way but his sculpt, and that's not a good figure. That's just something that wasn't as bad as the 1997/1998 figure, and that's not good enough for me.
And I could rail on so much more...
-Tons of Deluxe from all the eras it was out.
-Cruise Missile trooper... has he made anyone's list yet? If not, then how'd he slip by? That's one POS.
-Pack-Ins of varying levels of suck (Falcon Carry Case Wedge anyone?).
-The Entire original 1995 line... Come on, old or not, they suck hard. Hasbro knew it too and had to change.
-Exclusive lameness galore.
The line is rife with crap.
You could even dump on 2005 - now stuff... You'd just have to probably think about it a little differently.
BTW, the only reason R5-D4's POTF2 figure didn't make my lsit, is that I just left mine closed and cut the guns off the side... *shrugs* To me he was suitable then at the time. Still lame. If you list him though you almost have to list that Flashback R2 with the firing lightsaber. It was ALMOST as bad.
-
Sorry, that POTF2 R5D4 takes the cake for me. I have always hated that piece of crap. >:(
-
Great ones mentioned already, but I have to say that the all the original POTF2 figures are pretty much the worst due to the He-sculpting. However, a special shout out must go to the Bespin Guard from the Freeze Chamber playset.
-
Cruise missile trooper was the first POTF2 vehicle I didn't buy. I still consider it a vehicle. There's not enough of a figure there to count as such IMHO.
6. Some might disagree with this one, but I found the design of the droid lacking. And that they made it so soon over characters fans wanted more. I'm alll for background players, too, but to make the dumpy special ed. droid carring some pipes before CZ-4 (many years before, it turns out)?
(http://i56.tinypic.com/161ynax.jpg)
That was more "hated" than worst choice. Maybe...maybe they could redo the droid, and make it good. Still, would not be high on my remake list, either.
7. Three way tie. Why give spirits articulation? I mean, no one is gonna play with a force ghost, right?
(http://i53.tinypic.com/2ccpmd1.jpg)
In fact, why even buy them? I didn't. I thought the mail-in Obi-Wan blew, and hearing the cinema scene trio weren't poseable, I passed on that pack. They look more like ice sculptures than ghosts, too.
-
Wait! Wait! I call foul!
Some of you are judging "characters" not "figures." Not fair.
For intsance, the Lucas Family pack contains four very well-made figures, but you might not like the characters. Totally different discussion.
-
#10 Zam Wessel
(http://www.rebelscum.com/swsaga/saga-zam_front2-m.jpg)
They should have tagged her Zam Wessel (Terrible)
#9 Han Solo (Bespin Torture)
(http://www.rebelscum.com/TAC/TAC38HanSoloLS-m.jpg)
People were asking and asking and asking for a new Han Solo Bespin. They did one finally and while the torture rack was cool, totally blew the figure part...two heads maybe would have saved this one
#8 General Grievous (Exploding Body!)
(http://www.rebelscum.com/ROTS/rots0536grievousparts2.jpg)
Hey kids...buy something you can't keep together!
#7 Barriss Offee (Battle of Geonosis)
(http://www.rebelscum.com/swsaga/sw0312barrissoffeeloose-m.jpg)
I hated the magnet deal...it ruined the asthetics of many figures...and this was one of the worst offenders...not to mention the gigantic robes that took up lots of shelf space
#6 Luke Skywalker (Bespin Fatigues)
(http://www.rebelscum.com/TAC/VTSClukeLS-m.jpg)
This figure makes me pissed...everything about it is absolutely perfect except the head...its so bad they redid it this last year, the mark of a terrible figure.
#5 R2-D2 (with Launching Lightsaber)
(http://www.rebelscum.com/potf2/potf2fbR2D2loose-m.jpg)
Viagra?
#4 Luke Skywalker (Throne Room Duel)
(http://www.rebelscum.com/swsaga/sw0317luketrdloose-m.jpg)
People were asking for a new Throne Room Duel Luke forever and a day and they released this piece of ****, and **** it is!
#3 The Emperor
(http://www.rebelscum.com/swsaga/sw0330emperorloose-m.jpg)
Seriously...look at that thing. Absolutely terrible
#2 Anakin Skywalker (Outlander Peasant Disguise)
(http://www.rebelscum.com/swsaga/swsaga0201anakinoploosefront-m.jpg)
I was absolutely pissed when they first showed this figure. I do not understand who though bringing back a gimmick that Kenner themselves abandoned was even close to a good idea.
#1 Mace Windu (Geonosian Rescue)
(http://www.rebelscum.com/swsaga/saga-macegr_front-m.jpg)
By far the biggest waste of plastic ever...why exactly are his eyes closed? Is he sleeping? This is the dumbest thing they have ever done, bar none!
-
I remember avoiding that Mace Windu in those AOTC era 4-packs at Kay-Bees. In some packs there'd be like 2 decent figures, maybe one marginal one and always a stinker like Windu.
The one positive thing about that figure was someone at rebelscum posted a dio story that was a parody of Airplane!, using Windu as Kareem Abdul Jabar's character...and they used that Windu in one photo screaming at some kid.
Totally forgot about that saber launching R2. May just make my list.
-
I have to agree that hating a character doesn't really qualify its figure well for the list... *shrugs* I dunno.
I buy ASP-7's all the time for cheap. They look like simple industrial droids that do all the grunt work in the galaxy so I'm happy to have them in my collection. I probably have 150 of them around at this point.
-
I buy ASP-7's all the time for cheap. They look like simple industrial droids that do all the grunt work in the galaxy so I'm happy to have them in my collection. I probably have 150 of them around at this point.
Holy **** dude... that's an industrial droid army! :o I'd love to see a pic of all those droids.
-
Yeah, well, I see nothing wrong with Gragra...though I never got that figure. I don't see how both Rebel Fleet troopers are worse than that big hooded Emperor or hunchback attack Death Star 2 Luke. But this is most HATED figures, so reach outward with your feelings!
I suppose the idea is that bad characters make bad figures. I had no use for Clegg Holdfast as a character, because most of the pod racers are stupid, but his figure is quite good. A good figure might change your mind about a character you dislike. Though a bad figure of a good character can leave a bad taste (I still don't own a decent Jango Fett).
-
I hate the Yuzahn Vong... seriously, I think they're the lamest characters in Star Wars ever, but I don't think their figures were "bad". They're just different and appeal to someone... I was focusing mine somewhat on biased dislike of execution, but ultimately still on the execution... There's tons of Star Wars characters I think are incredibly lame, even beyond the Vong, but they make ok toys ultimately to me. And the POTF2 Fleet Trooper better than the Saga Emperor? At least the Saga Emperor looks ok in the hands (well, hand, I guess) of the shocked Vader figure... Mine's been there since the day I got him, haha. He's pretty much **** for anything else though, I agree. The hood looks better like he's up in the air and it's falling backwards and he's all contorted and stuff.
Death Star 2 Luke is a lot harder for me to make any argument against him being #1, haha. Like I said, I liked the silver hilt... I probably hate him a little less because I wasn't as into the character, plus I probably bought mine for $2 and just tossed the figure/base into the "collection bin" of ugly stuff. He still is attrocious looking and probably offended more than my Fleet Trooper did... The Fleet Trooper, both of them, still suck for the myriad of reasons listed though. ;D
BTW ultimately I say hate what you want from the line... Some things I see more logic to is all, not that anyone's opinions are wrong. Everyone is going to hate a figure for a different reason here I think. There are just way too many variables involved from character favoritism, to what makes a good toy varying by the individual, to character dislike, to accuracy... It's probably why deciding a top 10 is hard. Hell, is the Cruise Missile trooper a figure or a vehicle ya know? It's a little bit of both and it's a figure from the waist up (really only lacking legs), so there's a good argument for its listing I think. And god does it suck. But I can see it as a failed vehicle too.
-
R3-T2. They totally screwed up the color of the dome. It should be bright red with white panels in the exact same pattern as R2-D2 has a grey dome with blue panels. Instead they basically painted a wide brown stripe around the dome. It's an important droid, too, being both in the streets of Mos Eisley as well as the one used by Wedge during the Battle of Yavin.
-
Everything from 1995.
-
Heh, you guys are harsh. Obviously some figures became bad due to newer improved sculpts and articulation. But we still bought those older ones when they came out and enjoyed them.
I'd have to take a serious look at all of the figures to come up with a top 10. There are some stinkers yes, but overall, I'd say Kenner/Hasbro has done a great job. Especially in improving the look and playability of figures.
While of course we have the right to post this kind of thread, I did cringe. It makes me feel as though if Hasbro were reading this, they would get pissed off at collectors and not cater to our needs so closely or ever again.
Like it or no, some of the bad figures did pave the way for newer and often much better figures to be made.
-
Which is proven in the lists...most are pre 2004 which shows that they did listen. 2004 was sort of a cool year of figures if you look at it, they went deep into the barrel and came back to a more neutral posed figure. I think 30AC and especially Legacy on they have really upped the bar and that shows in the lists
-
Heh, you guys are harsh. Obviously some figures became bad due to newer improved sculpts and articulation. But we still bought those older ones when they came out and enjoyed them.
Speak for yourself on that... I bought some of them as a loose completist but wasn't ever happy with how they were executed and have championed added articulation and improving sculpts and features (like removable helmets and working holsters) since the day I started buying these in 1995... I have always been critical of what Hasbro makes. Hell, I still am because nothing's perfect. They get praise where's due and criticism where it isn't from me, personally.
I'd have to take a serious look at all of the figures to come up with a top 10. There are some stinkers yes, but overall, I'd say Kenner/Hasbro has done a great job. Especially in improving the look and playability of figures.
Not forgetting that Hasbro made those improvements in large part because of a vocal group of people saying, "Hey, that ain't good enough... Other toy lines have better.". ;)
While of course we have the right to post this kind of thread, I did cringe. It makes me feel as though if Hasbro were reading this, they would get pissed off at collectors and not cater to our needs so closely or ever again.
I owe Hasbro zilch. Diddly squat. Nada. They should be quite pleased I have spent as much as I have on their stuff since 1995, so if they're reading this thread and it hurt them in some capacity, I certainly apologize for their sensitivity not being taken into account, however I don't feel bad that the truth was said. And I think if you talked to a lot of Hasbro's reps they'd probably tell you they felt this was wrong, or that was a bad decision, or that didn't work like they'd hoped, and so they changed things.
I recall back in 1999 people making the same argument, right to our very site's administrators, about my reviews. My reviews were overly critical they were told, and that they were hurting Hasbro's feelings and that Hasbro was going to blacklist our site and all this other bull****. That they read everything I wrote and didn't like how harsh and critical I was. I can understand a sculptor who thinks he nailed a likeness getting offended when the collecting community at large criticizes it, however they're also professionals who realize they have a pretty rabid and particular fan-base. Hasbro's adjusted to the criticism, but without it they'd never have adjusted at all. Without it we'd still be getting disproportionate he-men and she-ra's for action figures, with 6 points of articulation and helmets molded onto their heads.
I'll take the vocally critical collector over the one who doesn't want to step on Hasbro's tows any day, personally. It's gotten us a lot of greatness in the line. It took till 2004/2005-ish before the standards for the line improved in general, but it did happen.
Like it or no, some of the bad figures did pave the way for newer and often much better figures to be made.
Like I said... You'd still be getting the bad figures if it weren't for the criticisms of them. So was it the bad figures that paved the way, or was it the bashing of said bad figures that did it? I'd go with the latter since Hasbro's pretty obviously recognized and reacted to the things collectors have asked for. Very specifically actually.
This isn't a "Hasbro sucks" thread thouh. And I'm sure Hasbro sees that. This is more of a "Look how Hasbro listened to us and improved things dramatically", thread, while still taking jabs and poking fun at the figures that were the bottom of the barrel to many of us.
For me, the "turning of the page" on figures really came with Captain Antilles in the latter part of the Saga line. He wasn't all the way there, but he was cool.
Page two was that first wave of Cantina aliens that had knees, elbows, wrists... They weren't super articulated, but for me they were the first wave of figures that got the "minimum" I felt makes a good action figure. Like the Death Star Gunner... Not SA, but enough articulation at both sets of limbs that you can pose him a lot of different ways and make him really look cool in action poses and neutral poses... He's still my definition of what a figure's standard features should be.
-Neutral pose (no "leaning" ankles, torso, or any other part of his body... Just a nice neutral straight standing pose)
-Minimum of 12 points of articulation which are:
- 2 Shoulder Joints (Not necessarilly Ball-Joints, but appreciated if they are)
- 2 Angle-Cut Elbow Joints (Ball-Joints are better, but elbows on non-army builders or heroes could be angle-cuts and I'd be content)
- 2 Cut Wrist Joints
- 2 Cut Hip Joints
- 2 Ball/Socket Knees (Knees are the most important to have a ball-joint to me)
- 1 Ball/Socket Neck Joint (It doesn't cost any more than any other neck articulation style, so go with the ball joints)
- 1 Cut Waist Joint
That's my minimum on any given figure unless they're a salt-shaker due to plastic robes (which I'm not fond of, but which is necessary at times). I like a little better for Jedi/Army Builders and Heroes... Cantina aliens though? I'd live with that, like we got for the one-eyed guy, or the guy with the nose worm things, both of whom have names that escape me because I don't care about them enough to remember their names, haha.
I'd agree with Scott on 30AC upping the bar by the way. 30AC was probably one of the best overall collections of figures. Some dud moments snuck in like Academy Biggs not having knee joints and that weird staining going on all over his coat, but overall that collection was pretty tops. I honestly dont' know if they've ever done better than that entire collection of figures in my eyes. Between accessories, figure quality, price, line look... I was pretty satisfied with 2007's offerings.
BAD brought a pricehike but at least you got repainted droid parts routinely, and a couple new ones. It offered value.
Vintage offered the best packing to-date, and figure quality has maintained for certain... Well, in general anyway (Medal Han, we're looking at you!). However you've lost the BAD that made you feel sort of like you got something extra, you've seen pretty hefty price-hikes that seem to go beyond what's necessary, and you're not getting anywhere near some of the accessories you did in 2007 (though some do come with cool extras, like the Gammie).
For me though, back to the point, Hasbro improved because of us, not because they were just destined to. I think the Q&A alone (and the fact they even do it) is proof of that. And in general it's been my experience with Hasbro reps that they welcome the criticisms when it's brought to them, especially if you do so in a diplomatic fashion rather than just calling them "Hasblow" like some enjoy, and saying, "You're figure suck, don't you even look at the movies before you make them!?" to them and such... Constructive criticism tends to get actual conversation and ideas flowing.
-
I'm combing through photo archives and here's one a lot of people seem to be forgetting: Droid Factory Flight R2-D2 (http://www.rebelscum.com/sw0309r2d2dff.asp)
If you want to know what Collecting Hell feels like... distribution was so bad in my area in 2003 that THIS WAS THE ONLY NEW FIGURE I FOUND ON THE PEGS BETWEEN NOVEMBER 2002 AND SEPTEMBER 2003
Some more specific figures that I hate:
- "Salt-Shaker" Palpatine (http://www.rebelscum.com/ROTS0535palpatine.asp): Just look at it, and you'll see why this one is universally hated.
- Tarfful (http://www.rebelscum.com/ROTS0525tarfful.asp): This one was more of a disappointment to me. After the AWESOME VOTC Chewie in 2004, we got the equally amazing Sneak Preview Wookie in early 2005. Then comes this flop. Swivel articulation as far as the eye can see and it's just awkward looking. More of a disappointment than anything.
- Battle Droid (any since 2002): A combination of soft plastic and pre-posing doesn't allow these things to stand. I think they've been "fixed" to a point recently, but I don't personally own any. The eyes are still wonky from pics I've seen, and I think they can add ball joints in the arms somewhere. If they can do it to the Super Battle Droid, why not this one?
- Naboo Soldier (http://www.rebelscum.com/tsc050naboosoldier.asp): Uh, yeah. Another one of those "just look at" figures. Awkward articulation and a goofy "buff" sculpt, not to mention that it's freakishly tall too.
-
This isn't a "Hasbro sucks" thread thouh. And I'm sure Hasbro sees that. This is more of a "Look how Hasbro listened to us and improved things dramatically", thread, while still taking jabs and poking fun at the figures that were the bottom of the barrel to many of us.
Exactly. A little flashback to the decisions of the past can make you appreciate the decisions they made later down the line because people did criticize them in the past.
-
Everything from 1995.
Yeah, most things POTF2 would qualify, but I tend to think of them with some nostalgia at this point. A lot of vintage figures are ****** too, but they're a product of the era. That's not to say that everything that was reasonably released in POTF2 shouldn't (and probably has) be redone as a new, realistic sculpt. Well, some things don't need to be redone. But I'm keeping some of my POTF2 original 12 that correspond to the vintage original 12 and then the best modern versions as well.
This thread is depressing though because it reminds me of all the money I threw at absolute garbage along the way so I could be "complete". It took me probably 13 years to come to my senses. That's a lot of coin.
-
I really can't include much of anything from the 1995-1998 era on my list, and it's because no matter how dated those figures are, and how horribly roided out some of those sculpts can be, they made me very happy at the time. Even now when I look at them, I don't have any "hatred" for those toys, as they were a chance to finally get new SW toys again, after years of going without due to that dreaded enemy of childhood collecting: the unannounced yard sale.
That said, I had a hard time narrowing my list down to 10 from the post 1998 era... :)
1. Moff Jerjerrod (Saga, 2006): Granted, this isn't because the figure is particularly bad, but more due to a history I have with it that has not ended to this very day. The Wal-Mart closest to where I live has had a very slowly dwindling stock of Moff Jerjerrods for the last 4.5 years which have NEVER been marked down, have NEVER moved, and will NEVER sell. There are at least 8 Jerjerrods, covered in dust, with cards that have been scuffed, kicked, beaten, and stepped on, still hanging on the pegs in the SW section, STILL at 6.88, and still unwanted. It definitely proves the adage that familiarity breeds contempt, because I have seen that figure so much in this single WM that it has filled me with a totally irrational hatred for a figure which, compared to others on my list, really doesn't suck that badly.
2. Mace Windu (Saga, 2003): This was the first figure I didn't buy at retail, which again, holds a distinction as, up until that point, I had gotten one of EVERY single carded figure to open. One of my friends gave me one as a gag gift because of my disdain for it, and only when I opened it did I realize just how truly horrible it was. Let's stick a huge joystick in the back of a figure, make his arms out of gummi worms, and give him an awful "rectal probe" facial expression. As offensive as some of Hasbro's action features during the 2002-2005 era got, this was probably the pinnacle (or, more accurately, nadir) of that marketing gimmick.
3. Anakin Skywalker (from Swoop Bike, Saga, 2003): I have exactly the same problems with this figure as Jesse so eloquently explained in his post, but the fact that I still have to display his sorry ass on that bike on my shelf due to the lack of an AOTC-era Anakin with ball-jointed hips to replace him with disturbs me even more than any of his flaws. Of which, there are MANY.
4. Explodo-Grievous (ROTS, 2005): I have no idea how this figure even made it out of Hasbro's design team, as most of the ROTS stuff (even the action feature laden toys) was top notch in most respects. It looked, felt, and behaved as if it were a knock-off Happy Meal toy. Its inability to hold together made me momentarily long for the days of the Saga 2002 magnets. The fact that, once the film came out and we saw just how big Grievous actually was, he was horribly underscaled to a degree that hadn't been seen since the POTF2 Chewbacca and Leia, just made things worse.
5. Luminara Unduli (Saga, 2002): As much as Eeth Koth seems to be getting knocked in this thread for his status as a harbinger of action pose doom, I think Luminara beats him in every respect. Lack of articulation? CHECK. Ridiculous pose? DOUBLE CHECK. Saggy lightsaber? TRIPLE CHECK. When the ROTS version hit in 2005, I tossed this one in the "sell" pile and never looked back.
6. Rabe (Post-OTC, 2005): This is probably the one figure that I only keep because Hasbro will probably never do another one ever again. This came out at a time when Hasbro had shown they clearly knew better, and only one wave prior to the start of incredibly detailed Cantina Aliens (Myo, Feltipern, and Jerriko). I know that this figure was part of a wave delayed due to the OT DVD release and the Original Trilogy Collection hustle, but even if compared to the Saga 2004 series it was delayed from, it is subpar in sculpting, detail, and design.
7. C-3P0 (Vintage OTC, 2004): The VOTC figures were pretty much as good as it could get back in 2004, so even when Threepio first hit, it was clear he stunk. He sported less articulation and detail than many mainline, non-premium figures at that point, and at a higher price tag. He was the stinker of the VOTC assortment, and he remains one of the worst figures to this very day, as far as I'm concerned.
8. Clone Trooper (Deluxe with Speeder Bike, Saga 2002 and Clone Wars 2003): Even though 2003's Anakin (from the Swoop Bike) outdoes this one in terms of ridiculous pre-posed sculpt, the Clone carries it to a new level with awkward removable armor, a completely non-functional action feature that resembles the Masturbating Bear from Conan O'Brien's show, and a near-total inability to even interact with the vehicle he comes with. As soon as the 2003 SA CW Clone Trooper hit, he got to ride the bike in my display and this bowlegged aberrant Clone went into the bottom of the "dregs" box.
9. Luke Skywalker (Death Star Duel; Saga, 2003): For all the reasons that everyone else has already gone into at length, this figure offended me on multiple levels. Not the least of which was that I "had to" buy it twice because the first one I got had the "swapped hand" issue. Of course, that's more my problem than the figure's, but hey, it does suck pretty bad.
10. The Emperor (Saga, 2003): I really don't know what Hasbro was trying to accomplish with old Palpy here. That huge hood was silly enough, but the awkward pose that looked like he was trying to do the Wal-Mart "Squiggley Dance" and what I can only describe as "impotent" Force Lightning accessories made this one of the worst non-action feature related figures from the Saga years (2002-2004). The fact that Hasbro reissued him a year after they'd done the superior-in-all-ways Evolutions sculpt in 2006 was yet another strange decision that I can't figure out.
I'd also like to say that saying the figures from 2002-2003's Saga line, for the most part, were horrible is like shooting fish in a barrel; it's far easier to go through and pick out which figures from that era were actually GOOD. I find the majority of those figures far more offensive than ANYTHING that came out of the POTF2 era.
-
I'm combing through photo archives and here's one a lot of people seem to be forgetting: Droid Factory Flight R2-D2 (http://www.rebelscum.com/sw0309r2d2dff.asp)
That's the one whose legs can't even move! Is that really an action figure! :P
Dishonorable mentions:
Jedi Luke is an ongoing joke with Hasbro or was until late last year, that Saga one is the worst but...
(http://i51.tinypic.com/2qjkux4.jpg)
The plastic hood looks terrible. They reused that same damn 1995 Luke headsculpt. He's quite tall, too. There's picking on POTF2, but this one seemed off even back then...no, not seemed, it just didn't work.
And there's these guys. LOL. That bear on Conan mention applies to the first one...but a lot of action figures suggest that (Playmates' Trek like was rife with them). The rest....goofy eyed bunch.
(http://i56.tinypic.com/35he8lu.jpg)
-
Yeah, most things POTF2 would qualify, but I tend to think of them with some nostalgia at this point.
Oh yeah, don't get me wrong; in '95, I was mega-super stoked about them and snagged the whole lot ASAP. Just having new SW merch then was a lot of fun. But beyond the nostalgia factor, those things are just ugly all around.
-
The only figures i really hate are the ones that are preposed in some awkward body postion or those with non neutral facial expressions. sometimes we are so lucky to get both in one figure. You guys already listed most of them.