Endor AT-AT (All Terrain Armored Transport) - TSC - Vehicles (Exclusive)

The All Terrain Armored Transport (AT-AT) walkers are used by the Empire to launch devastating ground attacks. These walkers are less stable than similar vehicles that move using tank treads, but standing at over 15 meters tall, these behemoths more than make up for their instability with a menacing psychological assault. Although the Empire mainly uses the smaller AT-ST models on Endor, the site of the second Death Star's shield generator, the AT-AT model was also used to transport large quantities of troops and supplies.

Hasbro thought a little bit outside of the box during The Saga Collection. What new and invigorating ways could they present previously developed products yet make them new and fresh for collectors? We could probably make a case in point with the Endor AT-AT (All Terrain Armored Transport) vehicle. In Return Of The Jedi just as Luke Skywalker is surrendering himself to Darth Vader, you can see an AT-AT walker moving along the grounds scouting the area directly below the Imperial Shuttle launch pad. It did take up a decent amount if frames in the film, but it was hard to make out the vehicle completely due to the lack of light (since Luke turned himself in at dusk). Hasbro must have had to utilize some of their own concepts on how an Endor AT-AT would look like in daylight, and it comes in the form of a cool Toys R Us exclusive for collectors. We’re especially fond of 2006’s TSC Endor AT-AT (All Terrain Armored Transport) vehicle because it was a brave, yet wise decision Hasbro made to bring something “new” to the 3.75” scaled line. Most collectors are so Episode V focused that it seemed unlikely Hasbro would have ever developed an Endor AT-AT for release. The deco looks fantastic and we’re actually quite impressed with the final product. If you’re bored with the same old sculpt of the AT-AT that’s been used since the vintage era, this may not be for you or your collection, but we’d have to tell you that your collection will be missing out on a really fun Star Wars toy if your choosing to overlook this exclusive.

You may be of the belief that the same old features that have been carried forward from the vintage vehicle are for all intents and purposes once again carried forward here. With each release however, it seems that more tweaks are made and others get taken away, but no matter how you see it, revisions are made which continually improves the AT-AT vehicle with each subsequent release. Three double A batteries are required to power the electronics. Three buttons (We’re calling them A, B and C) on the console inside the AT-AT’s body control lights and sounds, similarly to the 1997 Imperial AT-AT, but now specific to Endor. By the way, we feel we need to reiterate how very nice of Hasbro to update the inside of this vehicle. The graphics on the screen and even the sound effects are Episode VI specific. It’s truly nice to have this Imperial vehicle that is sourced to Return Of The Jedi. Button A activates walking sounds, but if you hold it down you’ll hear both walking and crushing sounds. Button B just sounds off firing sounds. Button C activates heavy blaster sounds. There is a new lever that activates the lower cannons and when you articulate it red electronic lights and sounds are activated by moving this lever back and forth. The upper cannons can be manually rotated and there is a small button that you press to fire the projectiles that are stored in them. The same control stick moves the “head” of the vehicle up and down and back and forth. We’re glad they kept that feature here. It’s too nostalgic to eliminate.

Hasbro also gives collectors two new pack-in figures and they really tried their best to make them Endor-specific too. Hasbro retooled 2000’s POTJ Scout Trooper by giving him an all-new head sculpt. The new head sculpt now has a flip up Bike Scout helmet face plate. Since the latest rage is to get clone faces under all of the Original Trilogy Imperials, Hasbro tries to get the Scout Trooper up to snuff. (We’re being sarcastic.) The Biker Scout only has six points of articulation and comes with a blaster pistol. You may get bored with him rather quickly. Hasbro also included a slight repaint of 2006’s TSC AT-AT Driver (SAGA 009) figure. There are little to no differences between the figures except for maybe a few shades of color being different, but who can get enough AT-AT Driver figures? (Not us!) The AT-AT Driver fits perfectly inside the cockpit and for good measure Hasbro has also included his blaster for some extra play value. Just don’t have him shooting and steering the Endor AT-AT at the same time. Hopefully we’ve given you cause to consider this exclusive for your collection. We think it’s the best delivery of the old sculpt money can buy. Between the gorgeous and very believable paint job to the revised electronics, there is a lot to appreciate with the Endor AT-AT. (Editor’s Note: Hasbro released an update to the AT-AT and released in both the Star Wars [Shadow Of The Dark Side] line and The Vintage Collection – the same vehicle in different packaging. It will be neat to see if they update the Endor AT-AT with this sculpt.)