Star Wars Galactic Heroes from Hasbro: The Best Star Wars Toys in Years
Since Hasbro obtaining the license, from Kenner, to make Star Warts toys, Star Wars collecting has taken a dive for the worse. They produce way to many items and most are just the same figures over and over in different packages. Only the most obsessed, and weird, collectors would even bother to purchase everything. The recently started Galactic Heroes line of toys is a breath of fresh air. The toys come two to a pack and are about half the size (vertically) of regular Star Wars figures. They almost resemble the 1980’s Smurfs line of toys. The best thing is that Hasbro isn’t releasing hundreds and hundreds of them to flood the market.
I have been a die hard Star Wars fan since I was a little Ewok back in the 1980’s. I began collecting figures when the original movies were in theatres. Kenner made great toys back then and they were fun to collect. Today, I still have all my childhood Star Wars toys. I almost have the complete set of vintage figures.
Then from about 1985 – 1995 there was no interest in the toy line. Star Wars toys were no longer being produced. But then came Hasbro. The obtained the license to make new toys and they have since taken advantage of it to the extreme. In the original line of Star Wars toys, from 1977 – 1983, there was only one Darth Vader figure and three or four Luke Skywalkers. This year alone there have been three Darth Vaders and now each one comes with 1 of 10 mini figures on the back. To get all Darth Vader combinations, you need to buy 10 of the same figure. This is similar to music companies or magazines releasing multiple covers for the same release. It is cheap, it is wrong and those involved should be ashamed of themselves. That means you George Lucas and you Hasbro.
Just when all hope was lost, we collectors were given A New Hope. That was the Star Wars Unleashed line. They were the best line of toys on the market but Hasbro announced that the newly released series (Han Solo in Stormtrooper outfit, Chewbacca, and Shock Trooper) would be the final. I don’t understand why. Unleashed toys were amazing. Regardless, they are gone. Now we just have the Galactic Heroes line
Galactic Heroes are cheaper to collect. They cost about $6 for two figures whereas regular sized figures cost about $7 each (and they keep releasing the same figures). The smaller Smurf-like figures are fun to collect. They have only released about 50+ total figures, thus far, and almost no duplicates. That is the best feature. The detail to them is immaculate. The look is great. They are fun to display. I usually open almost every toy that I buy; they are more fun that way. Only geeks keep them all unopened. However, with the Galactic Heroes, I have succumbed and kept them sealed in their package. But then I went out and bought a second set of most so I could open them. I’m crazy that way. They are just to cool not to have opened.
Lastly, the secondary market loves this line. Check eBay for prices. Many of the Galactic Heroes have skyrocketed in price at a time when most Star Wars toys are worth less than they cost in stores. The most expensive figures are the Anakin Skywalker and Padme Amidala two pack. It sells for about $40! I think the reason why is that nobody much bought it when it was in stores. There is nothing special to it. I remember seeing it everywhere a few years ago and I never bought it. Now if costs a fortune. Other expensive ones include Boba Fett with Dengar, the Stormtroopers 2-pack, Wicket the Ewok (from a Fast Through the Forest set), and Jango Fett. Also on the rise is the Lando Calrissian and Kit Fisto figures. For those who want a solid investment that can still be found today, you should buy the Darth Maul and Obi Wan Kenobi 2-pack figures. DarthMaul is one of the most loved characters in the Star Wars Universe. The piece is sure to go up in value once it is no longer available in stores. Buy it now, sell it later.
Thank you Hasbro for giving us Star Wars fans something cool to collect once again. Just don’t ruin this line of toys. Do not release tons of the same exact figure, do not release the same figures in different packages, do not release the figures with mini figures attached and do not discontinue the line. Give us more…more ships, more unreleased characters (droids like R5-D4, other Lando versions, Lobot, Emperor’s Royal Guard, a Jabba The Hutt set of characters, and more. They are great and they could save your reputation.
