[TAO's Note: Our newest guest reviewer is already back again, this time taking a look at the Star Wars Legacy Collection AT-ST. It's hard to think of Star Wars without picturing a lumbering AT-ST, and before long, it might be hard to picture Star Wars toys without thinking of this plastic counterpart. Keep reading as go fig tells you just how enjoyable this toy really is.]  

Name: AT-ST (All Terrain Scout Transport)
Line: Star Wars Legacy Collection
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Released: October 2009
Price: Retail: $43.96, Online: $31.00-$99.99
Scale: 3.75 in. (figure is a little over 12 inches tall)
Accessories: AT-ST Driver (removable helmet, BlasTech E-11 blaster), interchangeable cannons, 2 missiles

     When I first saw the scenes with the AT-ST walking around in the forest of Endor, I immediately fell in love with that vehicle.  I recall waiting for what seemed to be many years for a plastic AT-ST counterpart, until finally one day my patience was rewarded with Kenner’s Power of the Force AT-ST vehicle.  At first, I was thrilled.  After playing around with (inspecting) it, I was disappointed.  One of the features that really hurt Kenner’s AT-ST was the lack of hinged viewport shields (the vehicle was given stickers instead).

 

      Thankfully, Hasbro’s AT-ST has improved upon everything that was wrong with Kenner’s version.  Yes, it has hinged viewport shields, which can be swung open or kept closed.  The blaster cannons and concussion launcher are sculpted smaller, giving it a less “kiddy feel”.  There is no “action-feature” button (thank God) that will cause the “chicken walker” to do its “mechanical chicken walk”.  The detailing on the outside roof and the inclusion of railings have been done in such a way that it portrays a more accurate AT-ST.  Even the back of the AT-ST has some nicely sculpted details, which is a nice surprise.

     Unfortunately, there are a few negative things about this vehicle.  Just when you think you’re finally done with decal stickers, you find them already plastered on the interior of the AT-ST.  I appreciate the fact that we no longer have to apply the stickers ourselves, but there’s something “half-ass” about it.  Not to mention, a slight drop in collector appeal.  Don’t let the photo fool you, but the minimal sculpt work done on the inside (where the viewport shields are located) of the cockpit is underwhelming to say the least.  I guess something had to give, and the small interior space in the cockpit of the AT-ST was it.  Another thing, the AT-ST driver figure can’t fit in the cockpit seat.  Much to my dismay, I had to shove the poor unwilling bastard in.
     The AT-ST vehicle also comes with an AT-ST Driver.  (I will consider this figure as a “bonus” item so it will not affect the score of the vehicle).  This figure is basically a kit-bash repaint: body parts from Hasbro’s 2004 The Original Trilogy Collection: Han Solo, Endor Strike; the head is from one of the Rebel Fleet Troopers in Hasbro’s 30th Anniversary Collection: Capture of the Tantive IV Battle Pack.  Although it’s nice to have a “free” figure, a new (and improved) figure would be even better.

Sculpt Score: 9 / 10

     There’s no doubt in my mind that Hasbro’s version of the AT-ST is far better than Kenner’s version, but the lack of paint application prevents Hasbro’s version from being perfect.  The side packaging of the vehicle depicts a gritty looking AT-ST shooting its laser cannons at an unseen [Rebel] target.  After looking at that, I now focus my attention on the plastic AT-ST, and boy do I feel let down.  Hasbro could’ve just given us a completely gray AT-ST, so I’m thankful they decided to add some random brown spots all over the vehicle.  But, if you have the resources to make a toy “movie-accurate,” it would make sense to do so.  This is especially true if you have the package showing a picture of the vehicle containing the actual toy.  Also, why is black paint applied to the wire in the front of the AT-ST’s “chest area” when the picture clearly shows that it isn’t black (but actually grey)?

Paint Score: 8 / 10

      For a vehicle, this AT-ST packs a whole lot of surprising articulation: hinged cockpit, hinged roof, hinged viewport shields, rotating turrets, swivel (turret) mounts, rotating cockpit, swivel/hinged upper-body, swivel/hinged lower-body, hinged knees, hinged ankles, and hinged feet.  With all this articulation, it’s possible to reenact the scene where the AT-ST starts wobbling due to the unsteady supply of logs (thanks to those pesky Ewoks) rolled right underneath it.  It just blows the mind how Hasbro got around to adding so much articulation to a vehicle.
     Unfortunately, the AT-ST driver is your standard re-used figure with minimal articulation: swivel neck, swivel arms, swivel elbows, swivel waist, swivel hips.  He comes with a removable helmet and a BlasTech E-11 blaster pistol. 

Articulation Score: 10 / 10

 

     I’ve never had so much fun with a vehicle before.  I used to have Kenner’s Power of the Force AT-ST, which was okay for that time.  But the “action feature” button on the upper-back of the vehicle really killed any collector appeal for me.  Sure, it was fun watching the AT-ST do the “chicken” walk, but that got old quickly.  Thankfully, the amazing Hasbro designers found a way to get rid of that pesky feature and replaced it with even more articulation.  You can have the AT-ST squat completely!  How crazy is that?  As an added bonus (I consider it a bonus) Hasbro has given us a “missile-firing” cannon which is interchangeable with the regular (non missile-firing cannon).  These things are dangerous, so I recommend keeping the missile-firing ones away from the kiddies (the small “missile-launching” button is on the bottom center of the cannon).  And although it’s nice to have interchangeable cannons, the “missile-firing” feature is something I wish Hasbro got rid of altogether.  As previously mentioned, the chicken walker has more than enough articulation allowing for numerous poses: sitting pose, squatting pose, tripping pose, dancing pose… you get the idea.

Fun Score: 10 / 10

      The AT-ST has been retailing for $43.96 only at Walmart stores (it’s a Walmart exclusive).  It’s a reasonable price and money shouldn’t really be an issue if you’re a huge Star Wars fan anyhow.  You may be able to find a better deal now that this toy has started to flood the secondary market.  Ignoring the AT-ST driver figure, the AT-ST vehicle is arguably one of the best Star Wars vehicles out there.  There are huge improvements over the now defunct Kenner’s version.  This is absolutely one vehicle any collector can have and display proudly without worry.  The main thing that still bothers me to this day is the paint application.  I really wish Hasbro “dirtied” up the AT-ST enough to match the picture of the AT-ST on the packaging.

Value Score: 9 / 10

9 / 10 - Really grateful that Hasbro pulled through on this one.

8 / 10 - Not bad for a mass-produced toy, but there is room for improvement.  Don’t place a picture that can be used to easily compare with the product.  If you do, try and make the product match the picture.  But wait, as the all wise and powerful Yoda once said “Try not. Do or do not, there is no try.”  I guess Hasbro chose not to.

10 / 10 - Numerous poses for a VEHICLE!  What?  EXACTLY!

10 / 10 - Oh yeah, it’s fun alright.

9 / 10 - Reasonably priced, but may be hard to find due to its “exclusivity” (I hate you Walmart). 

96 / 100 - This is a Wonderful Toy

     This is an essential part of your Star Wars collection.  Why are you still reading this?  Get it already!
     I may be biased because I’ve been infatuated with this vehicle since viewing Return of the Jedi many years ago, but this is one of the best Star Wars vehicles out there right now.  It has more “movie-accurate” sculpts and features, and added articulation which allows for more than just a few poses.  As an added bonus (depending on your point of view), Hasbro has included a figure as well.  Now you can finally re-enact the scene “Battle of Endor” in your own home!

-go fig

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