The AT-ST has to be one of the most commonly released vehicles over the course of the Hasbro line.  I didn’t dig deep into the Kenner mold releases, but I believe there are 5 (because that’s how many I have) which include 2 Hoth versions, and 3 Endor versions.  This was over the period of 1995-2008.  In 2009, Hasbro introduced a much larger and more screen accurate sculpt.  From 2009 until today, there have been 7 releases of this updates sculpt, to include 1 Hoth, 5 Endor, and 1 Raider version seen on the planet Sorgan:

1. TLC (red) AT-ST (All Terrain Scout Transport) [2008-Walmart]
2. SOTDS Attack On Hoth [2009-Target]
3. TVC Scout Walker (AT-ST) [2012-KMart]
4. TBS(P2) Battle on Endor [2014-Toys R Us]
5. TBS(P3) Imperial AT-ST Walker and Imperial AT-ST Driver [2017-Walmart]
6. TVC AT-ST Raider (with Klatooinian Raider) [2019-Best Buy]
7. TVC AT-ST & Chewbacca [2023-Fan Channel]

I didn’t realize it until I compiled this list, but all 7 have been exclusives of some kind.  I must have skipped the 2014 TBS version, due to burnout.  The Black Series period was a low watermark for my collecting habits.  I skipped on a lot of repaints and re-releases that I normally would have picked up as a completist, but the prices and lame offerings of the day really challenged my interest level in collecting.  So you’ll notice in the AT-ST composite lineup shot in the gallery above, that one is missing.  For the record, that 2014 release is pretty similar in paint scheme to the TVC 2012 release that immediately preceeded it.  Hence, my disinterest.  But now I feel that my collection is incomplete.  Sigh.

The main complaint with most of these releases that, while your mileage may vary, they don’t stand well.  Some were okay, and you could usually get it to stay put if you didn’t mess with it.  Others were essentially a lost cause.  I can’t emphasize enough how challenging it was to take the shots of each walker in order to complete that composite comparison image.  Long time reader and Disqus contributor MAHSMonster07 recently mentioned that some of the photography looks hard, but it must be fun sometimes.  I agreed that it is usually fun, but sometimes - not so much.  In this case, I wanted to Hulk Smash most of the AT-ST toys.

So, the burning question: Does the 2023 TVC AT-ST actually have improved joint firmness that was recently touted by the Hasbro Brand Team?  The answer is:  Yes. I would say it’s not as sturdy as I would hope, but of the 6 versions I own, it’s probably the sturdiest.  That alone probably makes it worth considering purchasing, even if you are AT-ST’d out.  Along with the stronger leg joints, the paint scheme is by far the most realistic and detailed, and is a worthy addition to the TVC line (even though it’s the third).

Chewbacca isn’t anything particularly special as a pack in.  Collectors probably would have preferred and Ewok or two, or an AT-ST driver, or even another shot at the new(-ish) Biker Scout with updated helmet.  When I reviewed the carded VC141 Chewbacca figure, I gave it an 8/10, congratulating Hasbro on having created a base figure in 2004 that had stood the test of time, despite missing some of the more modern articulation and sculpting found in contemporary figures. However, that was almost 4 years ago, and Hasbro’s figure’s have increased in quality dramatically over that time.  While I do still like this figure, now that we are in 2023, I think it’s probably time for an update with better articulation and sculpting, particularly the hips, hands, and ankles.  I’ll still give it a 7 as a matter of respect, but I may be ready to move on to something better.

One quick note about Return of the Jedi.  I’ve often said that no matter how many times I’ve watched these films, I still can find something new that I’ve never noticed before.  As most of you know, the paint scheme and detailing on this particular AT-ST match the one that was hijacked by Chewbacca and the Ewoks.  The most distinguishing characterizing is the large diagonal blast mark across the “face” of the vehicle.  So what was new to me was that this blast mark was present on the vehicle prior to the battle.  This AT-ST is the one that is staring down at the bunker when Han, Leia and the Rebel Soldiers are escorted out as prisoners.  There is one AT-ST driver standing in the opened hatch, as the garrison below gathers around the prisoners.  Shortly thereafter, the Ewoks attack. During the immediate chaos, Leia kicks a stormtrooper, and then looks up and blasts the exposed AT-ST driver.  Later, when Chewie and the ewoks attack this very same AT-ST, there are 2 drivers in the cockpit.  So what happened there?  Was there a third crew member that kind of hangs behind the two seats, like General Veers in the AT-AT?  Or was that, in fact, one of the two drivers, and he was only grazed and wounded by Leia’s shot and he just got back in his seat to resume his duties?  Or was this an editing error?  Whatever the case, I never noticed this AT-ST with the distinct markings being the one that was outside the bunker at the start.

I give the vehicle an 8, for improved stability and paint applications.  It’s always been a great looking sculpt, but now you can actually enjoy it in all its glory.