I would argue that the plastic bubble on Kenner-inspired "expressions" are just as integral to the collectible being sold as the plastic figure inside. I would further argue that Hasbro knows this, having switched from those 3.75" Black Series WalMart boxed figures back to TVC cards.

The Retro 2-pack of Dengar and IG-88 has carded figures inside a larger box. The Marvel Legends Retro figures have done this multiple times. Hasbro has already found a technical out if they absolutely can't have visible bubbles for sale.

The bubbles are with us until TVC is done. And Retro for that matter. But look for new figures (with new tooling) to likely follow the form factor of the $25 Boba Fetts from earlier this year.

Hasbro: before you make the excuse that you have to make the Dark Trooper a "World-Building" figure because it simply won't fit in a TVC bubble, let's preemptively just make it a Troop Builder 4-pack and call it a day.

I am simply not going to buy any of these upcharge packs without the value proposition being fulfilled in some way. I don't care what figure they put in there.

For the window, if they were going to make it cardboard, they could have at least included a second version that is not shot out.

The cardboard window piece does have both shot and pristine versions in it. If you pull out the cardboard and rotate it 180 degrees you switch the style.

Unfortunately the sculpted hanging lights remain shot up either way. Oops.

I was just able to get the two Bespin Guards. It wanted me to add something else for free shipping, so I went to toss in a Stormtrooper. But "Sold Out" so instead I added the gangle-creature Death Star Gunner.  I could've done another BG and found a different head to stick on it, but I do feel like a 4-pack will come sooner or later...

I find this selection interesting. I am not about that weird underscaled Artoo mold at all, the only time I have bought it was for the Droids repaint. I am not worried about the Stormtrooper because I have plenty (even with holsters if you count Han, luke and Carbon Freeze modern ones, I am kind of covered there.) The DS Gunner has wonky weird proportions that don't work for me.

But I will snap up the Bespin Guards no problem. And I am beyond happy for all the folks who are honestly trying to complete a collection of carded updates to the Kenner line. C'mon Sim Aloo!

One thing I noticed that may be of interest is in comparison to last year's line of these recard exclusives. Last year's all seemed to get distributed as shippers with equal amounts of 3 figures. No cases as far as I ever saw, either solid or mixed. Just shippers.

If this year follows suit, they have 5 figures to distribute over 6 slots...could they have made the smart move of doubling up on Stormtroopers so that one shipper is Stormtrooper, Bespin Guard 1, and Artoo, and the second shipper Stormtrooper, Bespin Guard 2, and DS Gunner? I truly hope so for everyone who wants one. (I can also see Patrick making a case for shipping Artoo in both slots because that's a cheaper figure to produce and they are morons when it comes to figure selection.)

EDIT - I forgot about the RESISTANCE line from 2019 or so.  But I think so did a lot of collectors.  And Hasbro might want to forget it, too.

My Five Below remembers them. It remembers them a lot.

I would have done $28 for Artoo and Threepio.

I can't justify that much for Dengar and IG-88. Maybe I would have if it was Bossk instead of Dengar, but he is the absolute worst figure choice for this format IMHO. I won't keep a big box or these carded at all, and I can find pretty minty originals for less than this.

Hasbro is still testing those boundaries.

Reading those comments it seems like the bots really appreciate his blog!

What a blast from the past!