The 10 Greatest Star Wars Micro Machines Playsets

10) Dagobah


From toplessrobot, After dominating toy aisles and coveted Saturday morning commercial time throughout the late '70s and mid-'80s, demand for Kenner's line of Star Wars action figures and vehicles ground to a screeching halt and quickly fell out of favor despite numerous attempts to jumpstart the toyline with new characters and background stories. However, with the coming of the '90s came a Star Wars renaissance of sorts with Kenner leading the charge with an all-new line of toys. But Kenner wasn't the only toy company reigniting the public's nostalgia with the legendary franchise. Galoob -- one of the largest toy companies during its '80s/'90s heyday -- combined the popularity of its Micro Machines line with the scope, diversity and epic nature of Star Wars, all of it culminating into the memorable (and incomparable) Star Wars Micro Machines Collection!

Highly reminiscent of Kenner's miniature die-cast Star Wars Micro Collection of the past, Galoob churned out a number of vehicles and miniature figurines in multi-packs, meaning that one could build an army or a fleet of battleships and starfighters in a short amount of time. But like the main Micro Machines line, the tiny vehicles were nothing without the playsets and, in standard fashion, Galoob pulled all the stops when it came to special features and details that bordered on the obsessive. There were plenty of playsets out there (enough to recreate an entire planet), but there were some that truly stand out from the rest in regards to creative design, mechanics and pure fun. Check out 10 of the greatest Star Wars Micro Machines playsets!

See the rest here

Lego: The Movie

From slashfilm, When news first broke that Warner Bros. was developing a Lego film, we groaned at the thought of yet another film based on a beloved childhood property (see also: G.I. Joe, Transformers, Battleship, etc.). But then Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs helmers Phil Lord and Chris Miller boarded the project, and the idea of a Lego movie suddenly got much more interesting — especially when Robot Chicken‘s Chris McKay signed on to co-direct as well.

During this weekend’s press junket for their new film 21 Jump Street, Lord and Miller offered a few more details on what we could expect from the Lego movie, including a potential title, the status of the film, it’s look, its tone, and even a tiny hint about its plot. More after the jump.

Over the past couple of years, Lord and Miller have let slip some occasional bits of info about the film, including the fact that it’d be set in an all-Lego universe “to the point where if there’s water or clouds or like a big explosion, that will be made out of animated Legos,” and that the tone could be described as “like if Michael Bay kidnapped Henry Selick to make a movie for him.” I got the chance to speak with the filmmakers at the recent 21 Jump Street event and press for a little more detail.

Asked to expand on the film’s plot and tone, Miller and Lord referenced The Matrix, The Magnificent Seven, Time Bandits, Lord of the Rings, and Star Wars, adding, “it’s pretty crazy.” Lord then dropped a clue about the movie’s storyline: “It involves many worlds. Basically, the least qualified Lego characters in the universe having to keep the world from being frozen together.” I’m not sure what “frozen together” means, exactly, but at the most basic level, it sounds like a plot about the Lego equivalent of unlikely underdog heroes stepping up to save the world. According to Miller, the film is currently titled Lego: The Piece of Resistance.

REad the rest here

Rejected Star Wars merchandise

Go to actionfigureinsider for tons of rejected ideas!

Star Wars "deleted scene" wave

I continue to marvel at the Star Wars juggernaut. I can’t think of a single other toy franchise that consistently produces all possible toys even tangentially related to the original product and that includes Star Trek. From minor characters to the Star Wars extended universe, Hasbro continues to satisfy the desires of Star Wars most dedicated fans. I smiled when I saw this latest line of action figures. Hasbro has once again mined the depths of the Star Wars universe to add more unique product to a series of action figures that has far surpassed 1000 at this point. Above is a picture of the latest characters, which can only be found on the deleted scenes section of the Star Wars Blu-Ray discs. You can see some of the scenes that these new figures were based on in the trailer for the Bly-Ray set.

One Of The Rarest Figures Ever

From cooltoyreview, Drop everything you are doing and follow this link for your chance to bid on one of the rarest action figures you'll ever see. The Black Hole Humanoid figure, released by Mego in 1979, seldom goes up for auction, and never are they complete. The Humanoid linked above is complete with its cloak and booties, and it is all original! This figure was only available in Canada and Italy at the tail end of the line's production run.

Go here for the auction

Extremely violent Lego Captain America

New Dewback looks promising

I don't have any other pictures of the new Dewback but I always love this creature and I'm leaning heavily into purchsing it. Stay tuned for pictures if I do.

Creepy Freddy figure

[via cooltoyreview]

See other shots here

Behold the Legos of the Rings

From toplessrobot, The French site Lord of the Brick managed to find incredibly fuzzy, grainy, CONFIDENTIAL-stamped scans of the packages for Lego's upcoming Lord of the Rings sets, and... damn. I don't think there's anything mind-blowingly surprising in here -- they look pretty much exactly as I expected them to look -- but still, just seeing them is pretty nerdgasm inducing. That's the Mines of Moria set up above (which comes with Pippin, Gimli, Legolas, Boromir, 2 x Goblins, 2 x Skeletons & Cave Troll), and the Helm's Deep set below (Aragon, Gimli, Legolas, Theoden, 5 x Uruk-hai).

The other sets include...

• Gandalf Arrives - Gandalf & Frodo
• Shelob Attacks - Samwise, Frodo & Gollum
• Uruk-hai Army - 4 x Uruk-hai, 1 x Rohirrim Soldier, 1 x Rider Of Rohan

• Attack On Weathertop - Merry, Frodo, Aragon & 2 x Nazgul

...and you can see equally crappy pics of those sets' packaging at Lord of the Brick
. Infinite thanks to Purple Monkey Dishwasher for the tip.

Recreate your favorite Apple events with this Steve Jobs action figure

From digitaltrends, A startlingly realistic Steve Jobs action figure has been unveiled by In Icons. Available from February, it comes complete with accessories including jeans, a turtleneck top and even a "one more thing..." backdrop.

Leaving aside the questionable timing of such a product, and the lack of the word “official” anywhere on the site; the appearance of In Icons’ Steve Jobs action figure is sure to garner plenty of interest, not least because it’s startlingly realistic.

The figure will stand 12-inches tall and it comes with a wide variety of accessories, including his trademark blue jeans and black turtleneck top, a pair of socks, a tiny pair of New Balance shoes and two pairs of glasses.

With the figure all dressed up, he needs somewhere to go, so a stool and a backdrop with “One More Thing…” written on it provides the perfect chance to recreate your favorite Apple events from years gone by.

That’s not all either, as the set will also include two apples, one with a bite out of it (they do understand he never sold actual apples, right?), and not one or even two, but three pairs of hands. Sadly though, the pictured miniature Mac, iPhone and iPad won’t come with the figure.

It’s yours for $99 and will be available from February, provided that in the meantime, the operation isn’t shut down by Steve Jobs’ estate, who’ve previously taken a dim view of similar action figures.

I would want that figure!

From rebelscum, The thrill of the hunt; it’s one of the most exciting aspects of the hobby. What can be better than walking into a store and finding a shelf full of brand new toys! But lo’, what’s this? Amongst the plethora of new figures there’s something there you’ve never seen, or even heard of before. It’s a Han Solo in Hoth Gear on a Bail Organa card! What could this be? A rare variant perhaps? Maybe a miscard?

No. There’s only one thing that this is - a scam where the original figure has been swapped out and replaced with a common figure from days gone by.

Unscrupulous collectors have been buying hot items, switching out desirable figures and returning the tampered with product back to the unsuspecting stores for years. Unfortunately, the packaging style Hasbro has employed for the Revenge of the Sith line has made it all the easier for this to happen. Collectors need to be especially diligent in order to ensure they don’t fall victim to this scam. We here at Rebelscum have put together a guide chalk full of helpful reminders that will ensure you don’t get burned.

Read the full article here

Droid Attack on the Coronet (whatever the hell that is)

I have been increasingly disappointed with Hasbro's Star Wars output over the years but every once in a while a set comes out that looks interesting. I like the look of this probe-droid-ish figure (not enough to purchase, $25 give me a break!). I hate spiders in real life but I'm a sucker for robot spiders. what do you think?

Lego Super heroes!

From aintitcoolnews, Lego will bring both Marvel and DC Super heroes to toy shelves in May of next year. Construction sets, minifigures and buildable characters will feature fan favorites like Spider-man, Superman, Captain America, Batman and more. Lego has already launched a website for the new wave of figures at www.LegoSuperHeroes.com, but so far it only features three DC heroes (Superman, Batman, and Green Lantern) and information about several of their Super Hero-themed contests. Here are some pics courtesy our good friends over at From Bricks to Bothans of a few of the figures shown off at San Diego Comic Con.

10 Undeniably Nerdy Burger King Kids Meal Toy Sets

From toplessrobot, Like Coke and Pepsi, McDonald's and Burger King are locked in a seemingly-eternal battle over their slice of the food galaxy. Of course, that extends past their bland, factory-made burgers to their toy offerings, too. McDonald's struck first with its Happy Meal and its accompanying goodies (you can check out our favorites here), but Burger King was quick to respond with its own brightly colored cardboard box full of greasy kids' grub and equally greasy, cheap plastic toys once they realized kids will happily psychologically torture their parents for them.

Of course, even though they were cheap, that doesn't mean that some of their Kids Meal toys still weren't pretty darned cool. Indeed, the King gave his subjects a lot of great figures and figurines over the years, especially when it came to the DC animated universe.

See them all here

Cool stop motion video with awesome song

I dig this dude

Tons of new Star Wars products shown at Comic Con

Check out more here and
here

Comprehensive history of the Simpsons action figure line article

Set aside 20 minutes and read it here

Spike Jonze Directs Beastie Boys Action Figures in Video For ‘Don’t Play No Game That I Can’t Win’

Impressive Toy War Between Father And Son

From geekology, If you haven't already seen it (and even if you have seen it that doesn't actually change what it is), this is a video of a father and son locked in an epic toy battle, complete with special effects AND sound effects. It's pretty cute and definitely worth a watch. Now I can't actually remember being five years old anymore, but in my mind this is exactly how I pretend-played with my toys. In reality though it was probably much, MUCH sadder. Just sayin', an imagination only goes so far when your coolest toy is a stick with a face painted on it. Isn't that right, Branchy? BRANCHY? There you ar-- OMG WHAT HAPPENED TO YOUR FACE?! It looks...chewed. "I was playing fetch with the dog." Dammit, what did I you about that?! "He licks his butthole with that mouth." And? "And I was just in it." Exactly -- now go wash up, we're playing space-rangers this afternoon.