I’m Not a Fan of the New Star Wars Packaging . . .
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It’s arguably not new, but I definitely prefer the Vintage Collection packaging design (Amazon.com search*) over the newest packaging design Hasbro is using for their Star Wars action figures. And this was really driven home to me when I happened to come across the same figure on both card designs at the local HEB.
This is clearly just me being old and cranky, because the newer packaging is just fine and not terrible in any way, but I like the Vintage Collection packaging better only because it is styled after the seventies/eighties Kenner toys. And spotting the same figure design on the two packaging designs now has me thankful that I’m not a MOC collector or I’d be chasing every packaging variant known to man.
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I think it was time for a refresh and I like the new packaging. But the vintage package stye is always a winner. I’m sure they’ll come back to it in a few years.
IIRC the new packaging is modeled after an unused concept they were going to go with for the original line, so chances are if they had and the new refresh had been what we had previously there’d be the same response.
Not that I like the blue-backed packaging. If something is going to claim to be the ”vintage” version I’d much rather see it sticking as closely to the thematic style/aesthetic of the original.
Speaking of the Vintage line, every time I look at them all I can find is Prequel figures. Is the line as heavily focused on those ”movies” or is it simply the fact that nobody buys the figures of Oop Weng and Monge Plop and I’m just seeing the dross left when people have picked out the proper Star Wars figures?
I just wish hasbro would do more of the metal lunch boxes that had four figures on two double cards inside. Very handy for a quick carded star wars fix. Keeps me out of trouble.
@Iok – I also remembered that the line was based on an old rejected packaging concept but I couldn’t find any info on line to support that memory.
And yeah, it feels like the prequel figures are being abandoned on the shelves while the classic trilogy toys are scooped up instantly.
I don’t think the packaging is new, i.e. the packaging that will be used going forward, but rather a variation for a particular assortment of figures in 2012. It was also used for the 2012 SDCC exclusives.
I don’t collect Star Wars…but I like ’em both.
Remember, Hasbro – never make 6″ Marvel Legends-style Star Wars figures, please! I just couldn’t afford it.
@stack32 – I remember during the Hasbro presentation at NYTF last year they talked about the design being an old and rejected one but now I can’t find any links online discussing that.
@Poe – Have you seen the 6-inch Star Wars rumors?
http://www.actionfigurepics.com/2012/12/two-possibilities-for-rumored-6-inch-star-wars-figures-gentle-giant-and-threea-toys
I think they were calling it the Lost Line or something like that. I could be wrong though. I do believe it’s not a permanent change but I do actually like it. I think the new cards will have Yoda on them. There’s some new vehicles out and they have new package art that features Yoda.