Editor’s Note:  This review has been updated with our second look at TVC…

Original Review (edited from DTF Gungan Warrior “pre-pack”):  Chris - 2/19/12 3:45 AM

This is largely a retool of the Legacy Collection Gungan Warrior from 2009, but with a new head and torso.  The parts the are in common with the 2009 figure are shaded differently to make it stand out from the previous offering.  Hasbro is allowing us to build up a nice Gungan equipment shed.  This time around, the figure comes with the roll-your-eyes named Farseein device.  It also comes with an apparently unnamed device used to hurl plasmic weapons.  Wookiepedia has failed. 

Again, this is a figure you’re probably somewhat familiar with due to its predecessor.  It’s super articulated with ball joints at the ankles, knees, elbows, shoulders and neck, so it’s a strong offering worth army building a few of.  The figures is still missing the distinctive Gungan skin pattern on the arms. Unfortunate, but not worth discrediting the figure too much.  It can be posed in decent battle positions without much effort and that always earns a big nod from me.  9 out of 10.

Updated Review:  Bret - 8/22/2018 07:05 AM

Here’s another one of the 4 figures that Hasbro originally planned for TVC earlier on, but it was hijacked and “pre-packed” in the pretty cool but tragically marketed TPM3D subset of figures that were exclusive to Walmart to commemorate the release of The Phantom Menace in 3D.  This figure is exactly same.  The only difference is that the TPM3D figure came packaged with a stand and a game die. 

As for TVC, this figure is part of a 15-figure TPM streak from VC70 through VC85.  Along with VC108 Jar Jar Binks, these are the only TPM figures in the entire confirmed run of TVC figures so far.  The sad thing is that most of these are excellent figures, but remain under-appreciated due to the source material.  Perhaps the best thing to happen to the PT is the controversy surrounding the ST, which may allow for a bit of a Prequel Renaissance among fans.

On its own, the Gungan Warrior should be recognized for what it is, a potential army builder.  It has an outstanding sculpt with enough articulation to allow for some dynamic poses.  My only real complaint about the articulation is that the feet don’t have a very wide range of motion due to the limiting nature of the ankle sculpt.  Ball jointed wrists and hips would be a bonus, but as always, weren’t standard at the time.  The detailing on the figure is quite good, and this guy has a nice amount of personality. 

While the figure is called “Gungan Warrior” he’s really the advanced scout you see in the film, using his farseein (perhaps the greatest ever contribution to the Star Wars lexicon).  He’s basically the same figure as the red TLC BAD figure, the one that came with a rally tuba, which only the coolest Gungans know how to play and which takes an absurd amount of practice.  These guys endured all kinds of ridicule as they lugged their music case onto the school bus, rarely finding a seat, as the cruel children stared or laughed.  Whatever, Jason Chen!  Who’s laughing now, jerk!  I heard you got rejected from SUNY Oneonta!  Wait, what?  On top of the Farseein, this figure also includes a giant, 2-piece Jai-Alai cesta.  The split nature gives you two distinct display options.

In order to improve the figure, enhanced modern articulation would be appropriate, and perhaps adding another type of weapon, like a bolo or something, would add variety and display options.  Otherwise it really is an excellent figure. And I back Chris in his original score of 9.  There are some incremental changes that could improve this figure, but I’ll call it definitive.

Verdict: No Action 

While I just called this figure definitive, enhance articulation and another weapon could improve upon it.  Regardless, it seems clear for now that TPM figures, no matter how well-executed, are simply not in demand.  To make things worse, this guy was released twice in a short period.  eBay market values are pretty affordable, so building a small army of these may not be out of the realm of possibility for many collectors.  Hasbro need do nothing with this figure, for the time being. 

Verdict Guide:
Re-sculpt = The figure is not definitive, and a new version should be developed.
Re-issue = This version is definitive (or close enough), and shows sufficient secondary market demand to warrant a straight repack.
No Action = This release does not require new attention.