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Review of IG-88 Star Wars Sixth Scale Action Figure
Sideshow Collectibles
Date Published: 2012-02-03
Written By: Michael Crawford
Overall Average Rating: 4
out of 4
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Introduction
Sideshow has a subset of sixth scale figures based on the Star Wars license called "Scum and Villainy". It doesn't get much
better than that.
The latest figure in this subset is that rusty bucket of mean bolts - IG-88! A bounty hunter of much renown, at least
amongst the robot population. This ain't C-3PO, that's for sure, and he'll kill you just as soon as look at you.
This figure marks a decided step up for Sideshow. With a price point of $175 and a light up feature, they are clearly
dipping their toes into the Hot Toys pond, looking to use the healthy Star Wars license as their gateway into the market.
While some of their other Star Wars and G.I. Joe figures have been getting close to this level of complexity, detail and
price, with the release of IG-88 they are starting a trend that will continue with Boba Fett and others.
As usual, there is both a regular release and an exclusive. There's 2500 of the regular
release, but just 750 of the exclusive.
I'm looking at the exclusive tonight, which includes the vibro-ax.
Click on the image below for a Life Size version
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Packaging - ****
Back in the day, the Sideshow Star Wars packaging set the standard for sixth scale figures. With a cool wrap around lid and
fifth panel, magnetic closures, and collector friendly trays, it set the bar.
Of course, since then other companies have surpassed these initial developments. The Star Wars packages have remained
largely unchanged, but this time...this time it seemed a bit different to me. It's the interior trays, with multiple levels
holding everything in place, that seem to be a real improvement to me. It's not a huge difference - they've always used
similar trays - but the multi-level thing seems a better solution.
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Sculpting - ****
If you're looking for the perfect IG-88, look no further. This is him, with all his tubes, pistons, bolts and rivets.
There's even a chest spike!
This is a large figure coming in at a whopping 14 inches tall. The details on his mechanic pieces, from his Tin Man on
steroids head to his blocky construction equipment feet, he looks like the real deal.
Let's not go crazy here - this isn't quite Hot Toys Iron Man/Terminator level of robotic detail...but it's awfully close.
The sculpt and articulation work fantastic together, just as good as the best engineering we've seen from other high end
companies.
What's even better is the figure has been designed to work with the accessories, especially the two blasters. The smaller
blaster should be held in the left, with the larger blaster in the right. There is a small peg on the back of the large gun
that fits into the wrist on the right, while the left arm has a peg that fits into a small hole on the littler gun. Not only
that, the left hand has a 'thumb' designed to cradle the butt of the gun. How cool is that?
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Paint - ****
There's not a ton of small detail work here - it's more about getting the subtle look of the faux metal finish just right.
They did that, and they avoided going overboard on any wash or dry brushing.
There's some nice variation to the general color too, with some areas looking more brassy, while others are a steel or
iron. There's also minor damage and wear at joints and edges, done in a very realistic style.
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Articulation - ****
Wow - this is a far more articulated figure than I ever expected.
The neck doesn't tilt a lot - but it does tilt a bit. It adds a little personality and flow to even basic poses.
The shoulders were tight on mine, but with a little effort they turn smoothly. Take some care though, as the upper arm post
is a bit thin, and you don't want to use it as a lever to move the shoulder.
Speaking of the arms, not only does the upper arm move outward on the shoulder perfectly straight, there's a cut joint on
the bicep that allows it to turn. Two more cut joints above the elbow and a cut wrist further add to the ability of the arms
to pose. Add in the elbow and middle hand joints, and you have some great arms with a very wide range of movement, even
better than most human action figures!
The hips are well hidden ball joints, as are the knees. There are two additional cut joints on either side of the knee,
which help with posing, but even better, allows the pieces to align in such a way as to strengthen the joint and keep him
standing. The feet turn as well, and there's enough side to side movement to allow them to remain flat on the ground in
shallow stances.
The legs are extendable too - pull downward on them carefully, and IG-88 gets himself even more height!
Even the waist moves back and forth slightly. The pistons on the front slide in and out, allowing some minor moving. And of
course, the sections of the head turn, allowing the cameras and lights to line up in different ways.
All these joints are well hidden, and still work extremely well. Even with the robotic sculpt, something that is often
restrictive, the bounty hunter has better movement than a lot of standard sixth scale figures. I have to say, I'm impressed!
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Accessories - ****
Being impressed doesn't end there - the accessories have a wow factor as well.
Let's start with the obvious - the two blasters. Both have the usual excellent Sideshow Star Wars weapon sculpt, and the
smaller has the folding stock. They fit well in the hands and stay in place thanks to the ingenious design I mentioned
earlier.
There's also three mines, and these are held on the bandoleer with magnets. They are very strong, and there's no problem
with them falling off inadvertently.
There's a holster for the smaller blaster, and this can fit on the bandoleer as well, again with magnets.
That means you won't need to open the bandoleer, which is a plus since getting those buckles to work can sometimes be
tricky. There are two small 'tools' that slip into the front of the bandoleer as well.
If you pick up the exclusive, you'll also get the short vibro-ax. I have no idea how this weapon was supposed to actually
function, but it's still a cool add.
Finally, there's the large display base that looks like a hunk of the ship's platform, where Vader chatted with the
hunters. It lights up, but I'll discuss that aspect more in the next section. There's a saddle post that can hold him
up on the stand, but it's not really necessary. EDIT: Okay, I have a fair share of readers who believe this base is intended
to look like the grating around the carbon freeze chamber, which would go nicely with a similar base for Fett. Yea, that
sounds more likely to me too.
Overall, he's well equipped, and the use of the magnets was well executed. Adding in the light up feature with the stand
and the overall cool factor goes up even further.
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Light Feature - ****
There are two light up features, one in the head and one in the stand.
The stand is VERY bright, easily seen in even a fully lit room. The bottom has a red glow, while the two cylinders in back
have bright blue LED's. These are powered by two AA batteries, which are included. My only gripe is that the on/off switch
is on the bottom, which means you have to remove the figure each time you want to turn it on or off.
The other light up feature is in the head, where a red light illuminates several different places. This is powered with
three watch batteries, again included. Turn the top of the head a half turn, and it pops off to allow access to the battery
compartment. Press the top of the head down, and the light turns on and off.
It's not as bright as the base, but it is very easy to see, and since it's so easy to activate, is more likely to be used
regularly.
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Fun Factor - ***
While he's a little fragile, he's still one Hell of a cool toy. If you're a big fan of cool robots, this one will really
trip your blaster trigger.
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Value - **
This is not a cheap figure. I don't care who you are, $175 for 14" of plastic is a lot of green. We're talking Hot
Toys/Enterbay money here, and even with the cool light up feature, he seems a *little* high to me. It's not a major
complaint though, and I can honestly say this guy is a huge improvement over past releases.
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Things to Watch Out For -
He's a little fragile, but with basic care you should be fine. The only place I had any trouble was with the shoulders,
which were stuck pretty tight when I first opened him up. They did turn though with some constant pressure, but be sure you
don't try to move them by using the arms as a lever.
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Overall - ****
Sideshow had a great year in 2011 with their Star Wars license, but it looks like 2012 is going to be even better.
The quality of this figure is a huge step forward for the company, and bodes extremely well for the upcoming Boba Fett. I
can honestly say that this figure can stand along side any of your Hot Toys or Enterbay sixth scale figures, and he won't
have anything to be embarrassed about.
Score Recap (out of ****):
Packaging - ****
Sculpting - ****
Paint - ****
Articulation - ****
Accessories - ****
Light Up Feature - ****
Fun Factor - ***
Value - **
Overall - ****
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Where to Buy
Online options include these site sponsors:
- Sideshow has the regular
for $175, but the exclusive
(also $175) is wait listed.
-
has him at $158.
-
also has him at $158.
-
is at $165.
- or you can search
ebay for a deal.
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Related Links -
I've covered a ton of Sideshow Star Wars figures:
- just last week it was the new Battle Droids.
- I love the big Dewback and Trooper, but it's a
lot of cash.
- late last year I checked out Figrin D'an.
- speaking of Troopers, there's the Sargeant Clone
Trooper.
- just before that was the diminutive Jedi, Yoda.
- I also liked the recent Gammorean Guard.
- it was awhile before that for the previous review, Admiral
Thrawn and his command chair.
- prior to that was Lando Calrissian, and
the Shock Trooper.
- Darth Vader was perhaps Sideshow's best Star
Wars release.
- then there's the Utapau Trooper, the
Imperial Stormtrooper, and Captain
Antilles.
- I wasn't as thrilled with Ki-Adi-Mundi, but Obi-Wan
in Clone Armor is easily one of their best. Then there's Aayla
Secura, Tatooine Luke and Han
Solo.
- Sideshow had a strong year in 2008 with Commander Praji, the
exceptional Palpatine/Sidous and ANH
Obi-Wan, and the not quite so exceptional Ilum Padme.
- also in the sixth scale line, I've reviewed Leia and Bespin Luke,
the Holo-chess set, Sideshow's
Asajj, a terrific figure, Yavin Luke, the Endor
Troops, Jabba the Hutt and his
throne, Bib Fortuna, Jedi
Luke, Darth Maul, Obi-Wan,
Bespin Han Solo, regular Anakin
Skywalker and Kit Fisto.
- I also have guest reviews of the SDCC Anakin Skywalker, Mace
Windu, Emperor Palpatine and his throne, and Qui-Gon
Jinn.
- in the premium format line, I've reviewed Darth Talon, Jedi
Luke, Yoda with the Clone Trooper, Slave
Leia, Darth Vader, Princess
Leia, Boba Fett, Obi-Wan
Kenobi, and Han Solo.
You should also hit the Search Reviews page, in case
any other applicable reviews were done after this one was published.
Discussion:
Want to chat about this review? Try out one of these terrific forums where I'll be
discussing it!
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This product was provided for the review by the manufacturer. Photos and text by Michael Crawford.
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