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Playskool’s New Star Wars Sets Are Ready To Do Battle

By Brian Thomer

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New Galactic Heroes Star Wars sets have blasted onto toy shelves in anticipation of the upcoming holiday season and the new Star Wars film, Rogue One.

Playskool continues to release new figures and playsets for their Galactic Heroes Star Wars toy line, aimed at preschoolers. Among them are the Resistance X-Wing Fighter with Poe Dameron figure and the Star Wars Galactic Rivals 10-figure set. All sets are geared toward children ages 3–7.

Join the Resistance, Fly an X-Wing

The Resistance X-Wing Fighter vehicle was specially designed with small hands in mind. Its short, stocky frame makes it easier for kids to grip and hold firmly. The ship comes with a Poe Dameron in X-Wing Pilot Gear figure. He stands 2 1/2 inches high with 6 points of articulation. The joints are loose enough to be managed by small hands, but still maintain their integrity when posing. Dameron has no accessories of his own. His blaster pistol is molded to his hand.

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The ship itself has a few special features. With the press of a button, the wings expand into the X formation. Each of the four wings can hold one of the four included projectiles. However, only the top two are launchers. The bottom two are for “storage.” Why all four do not have spring-loaded launchers is not apparent. Maybe just an effort to keep costs down or not overload the ship with too many features.

There is also a droid compartment on the top of the X-Wing. There is no droid figure with the set, but at least the separately sold R2-D2 and Chopper figures fit in the slot. Chopper fits much more securely of the two. In fact one can turn the ship upside down and the droid remains inside. R2, on the other hand, will easily fall out if the ship travels too quickly (not good for a ship with a hyperdrive.). BB-8 was not available for testing.

Perhaps the nicest thing about this ship is the cockpit. For some playsets, the cockpits are so small that it is difficult for small hands to manipulate the figures into them. The X-Wing’s cockpit is wide and deep enough to easily fit the Poe Dameron figure inside, whether standing or sitting. Preschoolers will be able to add or remove the figure free of frustration.

Galactic Rivals Ready to Duel

The Star Wars Galactic Rivals pack of figures pairs ten popular characters up for epic battles. Luke Skywalker (in black Return Of The Jedi outfit) faces off against Darth Vader. Rey is pitted against Kylo Ren. Obi-Wan Kenobi vs General Grievous. Plus, Yoda/Emperor Palpatine and Chewbacca/Stormtrooper round out the assortment.

All of the figures feature the standard six points of articulation for Galactic Heroes figures, except Chewie has no effective neck swivel joint, and no hip joint for Yoda. Darth Vader is a bit larger than the others and comes with a non-removable cloth cape. All of the figures have attached light sabers, with the exception of Chewie and the Stormtrooper. They each hold a blaster. The light saber wielding figures are mostly compatible with the Jedi Dueling discs on the newly released Star Wars Rebels Ghost playset, with the exception of the too large Vader.

Next: Check out the Rebels Ghost playset review

Overall, the pairings are pretty well matched up. However, it would have been nice to see a little more diversity in a ten-figure assortment. Padmé Amidala or Mace Windu or Finn and an appropriate rival could have easily been swapped in place of Chewbacca and the Stormtrooper. If not also Yoda and the Emperor.

Both the Resistance X-Wing Fighter & Poe Dameron figure vehicle, and the Star Wars Galactic Rivals ten figure multi-pack are available now at national and online retailers. Items are appropriate for ages 3–7.

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