Instead of suggesting we double the sets, hasbro should’ve released two versions of this with different figures and different features, like where is the control panel, and the giant crane that raises the carbonite? on the crane they could’ve included the tubes and wires Luke climbs on after Vader says “all too easy” including the carbon freezing tube that gets cut and Luke blasts Vader in the facemask with. And the set itself should be electronic with sound effects and light up on its own. Lots of features they could’ve included. And if the set was meant to be segmented, they should release other sections of Cloud City, like the window Vader hurls Luke out of, the hallway where they fight, and the iconic balcony bridge where Vader reveals he is Luke’s father. Buying the sets in segments to build out Cloud City would add value, but doubling this set on its own for $50 a piece doesn’t seem worth the asking price.
When you lit it up after unpacking it was the highlight of the video (no pun intended!) Looked great. Overall they F'd up this set and we all knew it! Great review though Tim... and 100% what you said about the Ugnaught. I do however how a place I'm gonna put this.... but don't even know if I wanna. Can see this on clearance in US
I will still buy it. Yes it looks flimsy but that's not a deal breaker for me, what I think it really misses are foot pegs. Not all figures can stand unassisted...
Makes me a bit worried about the Tantive playset. Good review and looks like the price point should be a lot lower or should have included 2 or 3 key figures.
This has so much potential! I think what we’ll see is artists that collect will take this to where it needs to be! For anyone that builds dioramas, I’m sure they will appreciate the stairs and the platform! This is hard to construct. The rest is yet to come!!! 😉 great video! I needed to see it in this manner for inspiration!
Glad your stormie card wasn’t in terrible shape; good catch on the image flip. Nice lighting effects on the display when it’s in the dark. Great review and unboxing, thanks!
Now you know why I had to build my own version of this, to show what they have missed out of this playset, it may be big at 5 foot in length but had to be done
Thanks, Bossk! So glad you were able to review this before it was widely distributed. I've had 2 on pre-order for months, but I was just able to confidently cancel 1 of them. You're the best!
I was on the fence about getting this, but after watching your review, I’m definitely not picking this up. It’s incredibly disappointing because it doesn’t feel like a playset. It feels very empty. It’s just half a platform with some stairs. Yes, it looks very cool in the dark and with the right lighting, you could make it look very cool and make it look like the movie. But I just don’t feel like this belongs in The Vintage Collection. It feels like it belongs in a 5POA line which is for kids, not an adult collector oriented line with “premium articulation and deco”. Also, I understand them releasing half of it and if you want to complete the set, you need to buy two of them, but it’s still a very low and cash-hungry move by Hasbro. I mean, $50 for this? This should have been fantastic with a few play features, movie accurate, and an Ugnaut. But the fact that it really isn’t is a massive let down.
A lot of people are nit picking this set, I've ordered two for my collection. I think it's going to be a great addition. If you look at scenes from ESB there's not much to the actual platform and tubing in the movie, so I think it's pretty good for what we're getting, if they included an Ugnaught yea sure, but it's not like we don't have them already or can't find extras out there. People just want something to complain about. To those people I say, don't buy it then, leaves more on the shelf for a true fan to buy.
Thanks for sharing the video Tim, mine's on it's way and am happy with how it looks from your awesome video!. The box is very colourful and I'm excited about that.
This was a stellar honest review. I think you did an amazing job of showing the features and benefits but when its very plain of a playset its quiet hard to do. The Stormtrooper on cardback looks nice though! Great Video!
I took my sets and glued them together as a display. The lower platforms can be joined with spring clamps from underneath. It locks together very tight.
My set hasn’t arrived yet but I’ve a feeling I will totally agree with your review on the overall quality and functionality. Still can’t believe it doesn’t have a control panel and total echo your thoughts about the strange choice of figure to give us - why, as you say, not an Ugnaught or Lobot which would have been perfect! Or a Bespin Guard!! I have the BS 3.75 Lando so happy enough with it for the time being.
I just got another set and put em together on the coffee table. My son went nuts, so did the wife hahaha. Idc its awesome. I paid tons of loot for custom sets.
Fair review. I must say it looks great and when lit from below, it really comes to life! Had it come with an added control panel and another character or two, it might have been better received!
Yeah, imagine if they included those two ugnaughts with their control panels? It would've appeared that Hasbro actually gave a damn. But what they gave us instead looks like they wanted to give us less than what this is really worth. Hasbro/Disney are greedy corporations.
Ah mate... I have just had the email through that mine has been dispatched and this is the first time I am angry and frustrated about a product I've preordered and await. Just like you I ordered this for the Stormtrooper (reluctantly, I hasten to add). I feel like an absolute mug for doing so, I'm probably being a little over the top but I actually feel disappointed in myself for giving Hasbro money for this because it basically says "I am happy pay for below par products" ... the thing that compounds my disappointment is that these will undoubtedly go on heavy discount and I wouldn't be surprised if the figure gets re-released. I feel like Hasbro have put me in a horrid position (coupled with some other issues due to exclusivity / distribution) ... plus, honestly, this recent announcement about carbonising 3.75 figures... it all feels like we're being taken for a bit of a ride at the moment! I am very seriously debating whether to continue collecting modern. Sorry to rant, it's not me normally just feel somehow let down by it all at the moment and as a self confessed'man-child' I collect toys for fun and capturing that magical, nostalgic buzz... I'm not getting that atm. Great vid mate, always love the honesty in your reviews, it's highly valued and appreciated by comparison to many other reviewer's channels! 😊👍
From the box cover photo, I had assumed that the pieces framing the hall at the top of the stairs were made from metal - - disappointing to learn they are only cheap soft plastic. The inclusion of an additional action figure (e.g., the little creature with the control panel) and a few strategically placed LED lights underneath the translucent orange sections would have gone a long way towards giving this set enough perceived value to justify its retail price. I realize the set is intended for 3.75"-scaled action figures, but it is so large that I think the use of a couple of 6"-scale Black Series figures (e.g., Bespin Luke and Darth Vader) with it makes for a more dramatic and visually-appealing display. I intend to use the Han-Solo-in-carbonite accessory from this set with my Vintage Collection Jabba's Palace set so that I do not need to open the dual Han-Solo-and-carbonite-block carded figure that comes with that set.
Good to see this thing in the flesh and nice to hear the fact you dont really need two. I'll be after that Trooper, but does he have black teeth? Empire bucket heads had the grey painted over...nice review on a hotly debated piece of plastic 🤘👍👌
Rule #1 with playsets: a playset is NEVER "too" big! I love the size of this thing, it simply needed a lighting system to make it perfect. The claw would have been nice as well - but no offense, I think people complaining about space shouldn't be buying playsets in the first place. What were you expecting? Why WOULDN'T you want something substantial? The biggest complaint I agree with is how sparse it is and featureless. They didn't even include a circular plug area for the Legacy Ugnaughts control panel - which I think is totally reprehensible. Otherwise, I think they did an amazing job on this set.
It looks good with the lights off and lit from behind. Definitely a half baked set. The set should have included a light feature built in and an Ugnaught figure with the control panel.
Very surprising piece. For the size of it, versus how many figures we would need to fill it up (most are not even available) they've made some surprising design choices. I agree with your review, thank you!
I Totally want a couple of these!!!! That's awesome for displaying loose 'Empire Strikes Back' figures!!!! Pointing out , that they should've included 'control panels' , an 'Ugnaut' (sp?) or At Least 'Han Solo in Carbonite' is spot on!!! I hope they watch this review and maybe alter it , cause more people would definitely buy it if they did!!!!!!
That's a very honest review Bossk. In my opinion, this thing was a let down the minute we saw it! Not to secure that stormtrooper card properly is just wrong!
Not sure if I should agree or disagree with you. For sure you got some valid points there. It’s too big to display, that’s the least that the creators should worry about, or would you say the same thing about the Death Star play set or Jabba’s sail barge. It’s half a set, ok...but the double size would raise maybe more complaints since this part is already perceived as too big. The earlier playset was rather an action playset and this one feels more like a diorama display...not much of play value, but I have to admit it looks great especially when you illuminate it. Compared to the paper back playset from my childhood, i think it is not so bad, but maybe the best to play is the power of the Jedi version, this one might be best for display only. They could have enlarged the micro collection and would have a decent module playset...i don’t have this playset, but somehow feels more appealing to me than the inside of a tantive iv corridor...and yes, there should have been a figure included that is more typical for Bespin than a Stormtrooper, even if it is the ice cream man...good video.
Great review Tim! So many questions on How? Why? & What was Hasbro thinking? Its almost like the design team at Hasbro started out with good intentions and then someone or upper management pulled the plug on this project. The stairs and platform floor looks cool with the translucent panels but that is about it.. I was appalled at the freezing chamber, its almost like this some kind of cheap bootleg set that nothing fits or works right. This set should have came with another figure ( just like the Jabbas Palace set) Lando would have been my pick to go with the stormtrooper. Again great review on a lackluster product from Hasbro. I am so disappointed in them. TVC collector's deserve much better.
I can’t wait to buy two of these for my toy photography on instagram. I recently got the Jabba’s Palace playset and got some shots I’m very pleased with. (Shameless plug: @powerofthefocus) I got giddy when I saw that they put orange translucent pieces, that’ll be so much fun to light and execute a handful of scenes. Looking forward to the Tantive IV very much too, hope they make more of these sets.
On top of all the bad decisions in this set, the cherry on top is the Stormtrooper not being secured or protected in any way. I think you got very lucky with not having a scuffed and scraped up card, Tim. Very, very lucky. I reckon we’ll hear about other folk’s experience soon enough.
Looks like a quick throw together to make more money!! They should have done something like the micro collection freeze chamber from the 80’s. That thing was awesome. Plus you could load Han on there and twist the lever to have him come out in carbonite. This looks really nice and all but at least they could have made the console stands and other features to snap in rather then just leaning up on something where a slight bump will knock everything down
Great review! Honest and to the point of what most of us think about it. I’ll pick it up on clearance and that’s it for me. I’m going to customize it and make it much more movie like. Thanks
Hey man I just started collecting and i was like I need someone that know about Star Wars vintage collections and I ran into this video and I loved it bro keep up the good work also I subscribed gonna tell more of my boys to do also I love the content
I wasn’t too sure about this one, but your review actually makes me like it just a little, because I could add the surrounding pieces myself, and they could release more sets to build up that stairway area that leads into the corridor and then to the pier
Seeing this I think this is a great set to display your figures. Using a "half chamber" makes this even more displayable, put a few lads up the stairs and that should really look good on display!
Thanks Tim. Its frustrating as I was so looking forward to the release of this but what Hasbro served up is half baked at best. This with a little more attention could have been one of their best playsets. Customers should not have to buy two of key components or be required to add bits of cardboard and lights to what amounts to a £100 item. Poor day (again) Hasblow.
Great video, I wonder if I can combine the power of the force carbon chamber and this set to make 1 great playset.... We will soon find out "TO BE CONTINUED "
Broke down and recently picked one up from Best Buy on sale for $30.00. It's actually kind of cool. I am primarily a 6" inch Black Series collector, however this is a fun piece to have based solely on this being my top Star Wars scene on film. It is worth the sales price. $50.00+ was way too steep, imo. Enjoy fellow collectors!
Well.... it’s an improvement from the original. Still a little basic. LOVE the see through steps. I would buy this to complete a larger custom piece. Nice Work Hasbro...
Had to buy this set just for the stormtrooper, it was on Amazon for 35$ In my opinion i prefer this stormtrooper and card back compared to the rogue one stormtrooper, between this and the new reissued stormtrooper from Walmart I can’t decide which one I like more, great video though Bossk
Thanks for the review. You answered my question. Is this good for photography! I can get it for 38$ so taking the stormtrooper into account the actual play set isn't so expensive... So I buy!
Yeah when a diorama only looks good in the dark, I think you can call it a miss. 😄 For the price they’re asking they should have integrated some lighting into it. Your silhouette shot was 👌🏾
You know I’m really torn on this one! I do want at least 1 side to have Luke and Vader like you do, it was the first time they meet face to face . So for that reason I want at least 1. Side note the month they were released , on the 8th that month I had 2 in my hands at Best Buy and at the register they told me they couldn’t sell it because it didn’t come out till the 15th and they were wrong! Every other place it was being sold at was selling then ! I checked , I even showed the manager hasbro s page to show them it was release already ! They just wouldn’t hear it! Making me think something else was going on. Perhaps they were holding it for someone or themselves?? But it was bunk! I even called hasbro to tell them Best Buy hasn’t been selling there product for 2 extra weeks! Who knows how much money that cost hasbro?? They didn’t care, they told me to order it of the Internet. I told them that wasn’t the point! The point was I had the hole play set in my hands trying to buy it! And sense having it in hand I didn’t want to order it and wait! But that was that and I still don’t have one
I wish the carded Stormtrooper was better secured. I was able to order this from Gamestop here in the US and got it on one of their 24 hour collector sales for $31.00. Otherwise, would have waited for clearances to hit before getting it. Hope when it arrives, my figure is not bruised or messed up. Great review though!
Great video Bossk. I agree that they were going for more of a diorama then a playset. The appearance is a bit flimsy and they could have done something much better at the price point. Also I would have liked to see the big robot arm that pulls the carbonite block out of the chamber. It was part of the iconic scene and it's shame it's not included. Also, definitely a Lobot or Ugnaught would have been a better figure choice. If this is the kind of stuff Hasbro wants to make then why not do a series of modular walls and floors an let you make you own diorama/playset? (especially since they appear to have shut down Space Walls)
Tim, I've recently discovered an alternative to using the expensive Legacy Ugnaughts for this set that your viewers may be interested in. If they don't mind using the Power Of The Force (POTF) Ugnaught set, those figures are not too bad. The trick is in finding a proper control panel. The data-pad that comes with the POTF EV-9D9 droid may work. It's a little big, but looks the part in its design, and could probably even be cut/modified to fit the height of the Ugnaught size and there are a ton of those droids new on eBay for cheap! {In fact, as I write this, there is an auction going right now for a POTF Ugnaught two pack and EV-9D9.} Anyway, just a suggestion. Cheers!
I know it is shabby and I'm disapointed. Could be more and better (I missed some claws, another figure -Ugnaught or Lobot-) and the fact that is only a half is a disgrace. That said, I'll buy two xD I dream with this set since I was a kid and is the more accurate that exist. It will require a lot of work to make a good chamber and lightning to dress this. Great review, Bossk!
Great honest vid Tim 👌 I was so Disappointed when I first saw this set, And my view has not changed. Its almost as if hasbro ran out of budget on this! That's what is frustrating, it has the potential to be very good, Having no lobot or ugg or lando is unforgivable by hasbro... Just like the solo falcon they produced, That couldn't fit Han and Chewie in the cockpit.. Crazy decisions.. Thanks for the great vids 👍
I would have liked to see Two figures because it could have opened a hole world of possibilities of characters for it, that and they should have given us a full chamber which really was not that big anyways!! I wish they rerelease this set more complete, but hay, that's just my wish!!
One was gathering dust in my local store and I wanted to pick it up last week but someone just bought it between the 3 weeks when I saw it the last time just last month. Bad or not, I wanted to get it.
Interesting set. I didn't get it mainly because of room, but also because I have the Power of the Jedi carbon freezing set and that makes a decent enough display.
Love the cardback but what a crappy playset. Thanks for the early review. Mine doesn't arrive until November. Now I just have to pray that the cardback isn't too beat up!
Oh dear Tim, it looks fantastic in the dark, if lighting had been with it and a ugnaught and control panel I would be in... Il try and get the figure off ebay loose... Its just very poor quality.. Not vintage at all.
A glorified figure strand for sure, it wouldn't have felt so bad had it included an exclusive new figure. That being said I did order one.... cheers tim
Looks better as a sillouette,but the lights shining through doesn't look too bad. It looks a bit too wobbly and cheaply done. They could've just re-released the 2001 version and just added either a latter or a small set of stairs to the side of it.
I agree with everything you said and it doesn't even look like 2 playsets would clip together, they look like they would just rest together and I dont see any pegs to hold figures like the falcon and a lot of playsets have. I am still getting one and possibly a 2nd when the second one is in the clearance section and I know it will be..lol.. its a little disappointing.
I knew I wasn't going to have room for this and as you pointed out when this was revealed, its missing a lot of what makes the scene and it will just be too much money to buy everything needed. It's a good effort but I'm sad the quality isn't there.
I appreciate you entered this review with an open mind and and gave an honest review of the chamber with it’s good and bad points. I can be less diplomatic and say this chamber is garbage and won’t be buying it.
I don’t think it’s flipped as you’ll see the stormtroopers on Bespin wearing them on the right hands side! I’ve always wondered why this was as they reverted back to the left in RotJ.
I’m on The Fence I feel that I will have To Do some Creative Diorama Magic To Make This Playset Work , But I Mean Should we really have To Dig That Deep Into our Creative Diorama Imaginations To Make This Somewhat Work On our Shelves ?... I’ll have To Make Lights , Find A Blue Back Drop And Piece Together Figures .
also... do you not like vc47 general lando? Do you say that there needs to be a new lando because vc47 is a ROTJ figure and not the ESB lando before he took on the general title?