Review – 1984 Echo Space Walker

When I saw the Radio Shack Space Walker packaging back in 2014 (posted here) I immediately set off in search of the toy. That box art was far too incredible for me to ignore the tank-like vehicle that was sized for Star Wars action figures. Imagine my surprise when I uncovered a completely different Space Walker toy from the same era.

That’s Not a TIE Fighter Pilot!

The Space Walker, made by Echo Toys in 1984, is packed in a beautiful box that’s decorated with a fabulous schematic-like illustration of the toy and a handful of photographs. Enlarge the box photo and you’ll see a suspiciously-familiar action figure: Hey, that’s not a TIE Fighter pilot!

Or is it?

What I’m seeing makes me think that someone took a Kenner TIE Fighter Pilot action figure (see rebelscum.com) and added a few stickers to the toy to vary the appearance a little. There may have even been some paintwork involved, but regardless of the details, I am positive that the photos show a TIE Fighter Pilot driving this motorized Space Walker toy.

Motorized?

Yep. Two AA batteries — identified as “penlight” batteries on the box; I cannot remember when I last saw that word — power the walker which . . . well, the Space Walker walks. And not an elegant and graceful runway model walk. This thing lurches forward, a lumbering and wicked stride that’s more like a turtle dragging itself along the floor than any creature known as fast or attractive. But that’s okay. Hey, the Space Walker toy walks! Battery-operated toys were a big deal in the early eighties, even if those toys were rarely sophisticated.

Fairly Durable

First, keep in mind that this toy is over three decades old. That said, I was initially concerned that the Echo Toys Space Walker would be a fragile design that I’d have to treat gently. When I first mentioned the Radio Shack Space Walker back in 2014 reader Microbry commented with a link to Echo Toys at virtualtoychest.com and said:

“That said, they are extremely brittle plastic that doesn’t seem to age well (possibly a bit of “gold plastic syndrome” at work, though I think it’s just really cheap materials that Echo used).”

I was lucky. This Space Walker doesn’t feel at all brittle. I wouldn’t stand on it, toss it around, or hand it to a kid, but I’ve handled far more delicate toys. (3A’s World War Robot series* immediately comes to mind as considerably more fragile than this.) I can happily report that my Space Walker is holding up great.

Seats One 3.75-Inch Scale Action Figure

Pretty much any standard Kenner Star Wars action figure seats perfectly in this Echo Toys Space Walker. Getting a figure to hold the controls and sit in the seat at the same time isn’t always easy, but there’s a damn good reason those Kenner Star Wars vehicles didn’t bother with things like steering controls for figures to grab. I’m betting G.I. Joe action figures from the eighties would also work in this; actually, the Space Walker looks like it should go up against the Cobra Pogo (commercial posted here).

Closing Thoughts

Though I may have set off in search of one Space Walker toy design I am happy to say this Echo Toys vehicle was a great find on eBay. $50 (which included shipping) for an obscure toy from three decades ago wasn’t a bad price at all, especially since the toy still walks. It’s not a high-demand or collectible toy, but it’s a fun bit of toy history that’s gonna make a fantastic addition to the display of weirdness here at home.

And as for that other Space Walker toy? Well, I’m on it. More to come.