Review 1: Sideshow Collectibles Star Wars R2-D2 Deluxe 1/6th scale Figure (Exclusive version)

May the 4th be with you :) Happy Star Wars Day!

"Help me, Obi-Wan Kenobi; you're my only hope."

And that's pretty much how the epic space opera began. A Tatooine farmboy named Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) intercepts a desperate call for help from two droids he comes in possession of and decides to rescue a princess (Carrie Fisher) in distress. He finds old Ben (Sir Alec Guinness) and together with Han Solo (Harrison Ford) and Chewbacca (Peter Mayhew) sets off on the adventure of his life!

This is the Sideshow Collectibles (Exclusive version) Star Wars 1:6 scale R2-D2 Deluxe figure (droid would have been more appropriate term since figure usually refers to a person with limbs) which I got in February 2014 - see my toy blog post HERE of my haul for that month. I've been wanting a proper 1:6 scale version of R2-D2 for the longest time and I'm glad that Sideshow finally released one.

Medicom Toy did release a 1:6 scale R2-D2 sometime back (pictures HERE) but the higher price and suspect scale (Medicom Toy have been getting the scale of their 1/6 figures all wrong for the longest time!) prevented me from getting R2-D2 then and I'm glad I waited. Sideshow even puts this clause when they sell Medicom Toy figures on their website. This is not a joke. It actually says: "Please note: The RAH series is highly detailed, very well articulated, and of exceptional quality; however, the RAH figure line is not in the exact same scale as the Sideshow Sixth Scale figure line. Figures may not be comparable in size and scale to Sideshow Collectibles' Sixth Scale figures."

Now, on with the review of Sideshow Collectibles Star Wars R2-D2 Deluxe Sixth Scale Figure (Exclusive version). Scroll down to see all the pictures. Click on them for bigger and better views.

Sideshow Star Wars packaging opens to reveal all the parts nicely laid out in the tray seen through a window style display.

Here's Sideshow Collectibles Star Wars 1/6th scale Deluxe R2-D2 (exclusive version) out of the tray with all accessories displayed. R2-D2 isn't sparkling clean or whiter than snow. One of the most revolutionary things about Star Wars when it came out was the 'Used Universe' philosophy. Unlike other future-tech media, which was filled with gleaming white, or worse, chrome technology, the Star Wars universe is a dirty patchwork which breaks down half the time. Everything was dirty, sooty and worn-out. Star Wars creator George Lucas was determined that the universe he envisioned would have a "lived-in" look to it. So R2-D2 looks just right for the part.

Sideshow Collectibles Star Wars 1/6th scale Deluxe R2-D2 (exclusive version) comes with three additional arms: Spacecraft Linkage Arm, Laser Welding Arm and Utility Circular Saw Arm (bottom three in the picture below). The regular version comes with the Power Charge Arm, Computer Terminal Arm and Grasping Arm (top three).

Other accessories include: Articulated Drink Serving Arm, Multi-Tiered Serving Tray Attachment, Seven (7) Drinking Glasses, Restraining Bolt, Skywalker Saber Hilt with Magnet Tip for Panel Access which is a rather nice touch as it allows easy access to all the panels

There's also the Ben Kenobi's Table with Optional Illuminated Princess Leia Transmission Hologram

A closer view of the Princess Leia Transmission Hologram with Optional Illumination

Here's a picture of Sideshow Collectibles Star Wars 1/6th scale Deluxe R2-D2 (exclusive version) with illuminated Princess Leia Transmission Hologram on Ben Kenobi's Table

Sideshow Collectibles Star Wars R2-D2 Deluxe Sixth Scale Figure (at 6.75 inches tall or 171.45mm) specially features Sideshow Collectibles Highly Detailed R2 Series Astromech Sculpt, Rotating Dome with Articulated Projectors Ports and Hinged Panel Utility Access Ports plus Light Up Logic Function Display, Processor State Indicators & Holographic Projector. It also has Articulated Terrain Tread Legs, Articulated and Retractable Third Tread Leg.

It's cool how the lights switch from red to blue and back again. The on/off switch for the lights as well as the battery compartment are hidden under the rotating dome so you won't see anything that indicates that this droid has light-up features. The touch sensor switch to activate the lights is the long blue panel on the left of the picture. The lightest of touches / a tap will activate the lights. All very nicely done :)

Same with the back: from green to orange and back to green. The lights at the side goes from left to right. Having a weathered R2-D2 is much easier to maintain because you worry less about scratches and how to keep it pristine looking. This way, R2-D2 will always look as good as 'new' because even when it's newly bought, it's already 'dirty'.

Here's Sideshow Collectibles Star Wars 1/6th scale Deluxe R2-D2 with Extending Life Scanner, Extending Periscope, Two (2) Articulated Control Arms, Three (3) Application Arm Compartments with Hinged Panels, One Access Compartment with Hinged Panel. I don't think there's any other R2-D2 that can do all these things or have all these functions.

NEXT: More pictures of Sideshow Collectibles Star Wars R2-D2 Deluxe 1/6th scale Figure (Exclusive version)

Other May 4th posts:
May 4, 2014 – Review of Sideshow Collectibles Star Wars 1/6 scale Sandtrooper: Squad Leader 12-inch figure posted HERE
May 4, 2013 – May the Fourth be with you: Review of Sideshow Collectibles Star Wars 1/6 Snowtrooper 12-inch figure HERE and HERE
May 4, 2011 – May 4 is Star Wars Day or Medicom RAH Jedi Knight Luke Skywalker REVIEW posted HERE

Related posts:
July 16, 2008 – Hasbro Star Wars 1:6 scale C-3P0 and R2-D2 figures posted on my toy blog HERE
September 19, 2009 – Star Wars Legacy Collection Battle Packs: Training on the Falcon (pictures HERE)
February 24, 2010 – "I am C-3PO, human-cyborg relations and this is my counterpart R2-D2." posted HERE
November 5, 2010 – Thinkway Toys Star Wars C-3PO and R2-D2 Electronic Talking Bank review HERE
February 20, 2011 – USPS Star Wars R2-D2 Mailbox Coin Bank (pictures HERE)