Now that Toys ‘R’ Us’ exclusive X-Wing Fighter is now hitting stores, From 4-LOM to Zuckuss takes a look back at the previous versions of the larger-scaled starfighter which have led up to it’s current release. Let’s get started by setting your targeting computer back to 1998.
Luke Skywalker’s Red 5 X-Wing Fighter
- Year: 1998
- Series: The Power of the Force “2”
- Source: A New Hope
- Price: $50
- Exclusive: N/A
- Included: Luke Skywalker and R2-D2 “figures”, Electronic Power F/X features
This was the first time that Hasbro had produced an X-Wing that was not based on Kenner’s 1978 mold. This version was larger and more in scale with the 3 ¾” figure line. It featured lines of dialogue and sound effects mostly from A New Hope’s trench run and had light-up features (such as a targeting computer) as well. The Luke and R2 “figures” were affixed to the fighter and could not be removed and the vehicle featured a handle underneath for an easier grasp during play.
Luke Skywalker’s X-Wing Fighter
- Year: 2002
- Series: Star Wars “Saga”
- Source: The Empire Strikes Back
- Price: $40
- Exclusive: Toys ‘R’ Us
- Included: R2-D2 Figure, Dagobah survival gear
The next release of the larger-scaled X-Wing mold was done by Toys ‘R’ Us and featured a significantly retooled version of the previous ANH release. The handle was eliminated as was the affixed figures. Now the R2 figure included with this set was a proper action figure and could fit in and be removed from the droid socket. The cockpit was altered and the targeting computer was removed. This version was also repainted to resemble Luke’s landing on the swamp world of Dagobah and included a few items Luke needed to survive his search for a certain Jedi Master.
Red Leader’s X-Wing Fighter (Death Star Trench)
- Year: 2004
- Series: Star Wars “Saga”
- Source: A New Hope
- Price: $30
- Exclusive: Toys ‘R’ Us
- Included: Rebel Leader Pilot “Garven Dreis”
Two years later, Toys ‘R’ Us returned with another X-Wing release and this time they chose to base it on the doomed Red Leader from A New Hope. Red Leader’s X-Wing is a simple repaint of the previous Episode V release. The interesting thing to note is TRU sold this set for $10 less and only removed 3 accessories.
Luke Skywalker’s X-Wing
- Year: 2006
- Series: The Saga Collection
- Source: The Empire Strikes Back
- Price: $45
- Exclusive: Toys ‘R’ Us
- Included: Dagobah Luke figure, Dragonsnake figure, removable moss
Appearing to own exclusive rights to Hasbro’s larger X-Wing mold, Toys ‘R’ Us released their third version in 2006. One would assume they were not happy with their earlier version as they revisited their own Dagobah deco release and added some extras. For $15 more dollars this time, collectors received a repainted Luke figure, the new Dragonsnake creature and multiple sections of snap-on plastic Dagobah moss. No new changes were done to the mold making it a simple repaint.
Wedge Antilles’ X-Wing Fighter
- Year: 2009
- Series: Legacy Collection
- Source: A New Hope
- Price: $50
- Exclusive: Target
- Included: Wedge Antilles figure, Astromech figure, 2 ladders
In 2009, Target stole the reigns of this mold from TRU and offered Wedge his first X-Wing fighter. With five extra dollars most likely added for inflation, this set included about the same as the previous one; two figures and accessories. And of course this version has a unique deco as it is repainted to resemble Wedge’s “Red 2” paint scheme.
Death Star Trench Run
- Year: 2011
- Series: Star Wars “Shadows of the Dark Side”
- Source: A New Hope
- Price: $100
- Exclusive: Toys ‘R’ Us
- Included: X-Wing Fighter, TIE Advanced Fighter, X-Wing Pilot Luke Skywalker figure, R2-D2 figure, Darth Vader figure
Wanting most likely to follow-up their success with the release of their The Rise of Boba Fett Ultimate Battle Pack from the year before, Toys ‘R’ Us included their favorite exclusive in a new battle pack for Christmas time: Death Star Trench Run. In this set collectors received a repainted Darth Vader’s TIE Fighter, three figures and a vastly improved X-Wing Fighter. Luke’s X-Wing underwent significant retooling for this release. It now included a completely new and redesigned cockpit which featured the return of the targeting computer and a removable dashboard. It also features a new fuselage section with a hidden spinning torpedo launcher, a retractable front landing gear with hatch, storage compartments and new detailing. This X-Wing is by far the best possible version released to-date and made the large price tag worth the expense.
X-Wing Fighter
- Year: 2013
- Series: The Vintage Collection
- Source: A New Hope
- Price: $60
- Exclusive: Toys ‘R’ Us
- Included: N/A
Summer 2013 has brought Star Wars action figure collectors their seventh version of the larger-scaled X-Wing mold and Toys ‘R’ Us’ fifth outing with the starfighter. Despite not having his name on the packaging, Biggs Darklighter could now climb aboard his “Red 3” X-Wing. This version continued the use of the superior updates made in the Death Star Trench Run battle pack but with Biggs’ deco in-place of his childhood buddy Luke’s. The issue many collectors have voiced with this release is the inflated price for just the one vehicle which for the first time ever includes no extras. This set appears to be catering to nostalgic fans that are willing to pay a premium price to see new ships packaged in The Vintage Collection boxes.
In summary, if you own all of the above you now have three distinct molds of the larger-scaled X-Wing, 4 different X-Wings (Red 1, 2, 3 & 5), one general release version and 5 exclusive versions sold by two different retailers, 9 normal action figures and two “affixed” ones and if purchased at retail you have now spent $375 and that’s before taxes and possibly shipping.