Review of 1998 Star Wars Episode I Sith Speeder with Launching Probe Droid and Darth Maul Figure by Hasbro

PRODUCT DETAILS

Put out by Hasbro in 1998.

Recommended for ages 4+.

Contents:  1 vehicle, 1 action figure, 1 dual lightsaber, 1 probe droid, instructions, booklet offering other Hasbro products

Made in China.

UPC:  076930841419

Measurements:  Vehicle:  4.5" L x 3" H    Action figure:  4"

My mother asked me to do a review of this product, which she had bought to sell.  It isn't actually very popular, and that was one of the reasons why my mom asked me to do a review.  I don't like sounding like I have a high opinion of myself and that I'm the Queen of Youtube that everyone listens to, but we have seen a correlation between doing video reviews and the products selling soon afterwards.  Even an unpopular product that we thought we would never get rid of suddenly sells after years of collecting dust in our closet.  Social media, annoying as it can be, has its uses.

This item at the moment sells pretty cheaply.  As I've said, it isn't popular.  One review I read, the person complained that he thought "it would be cooler than it is."  In the box, I have to admit it didn't look that impressive.  Out of box, it looked better--and actually I think this is a very nice set.  You get both a vehicle and an action figure.  It fires a probe droid out the back.  The only way it could be cooler is if it was a remote control vehicle (which it isn't).

If you get this item, be certain to search the box thoroughly.  The manufacturer hid some of the items inside the cardboard.  Make sure you know what the contents are, and you get all of them out.  The probe droid particularly is elusive.

The contents

THE VEHICLE:  The vehicle was not as cheap looking as I expected it to be.  From the picture on the box, it looked cheap.  The handle bars move up and down, probably so that you can adjust them so the action figure can clasp them.  There is a hole that allows his lightsaber to go through.

The back cargo area opens up with the push of a lever.  You can slide the probe droid into a slot in the back.  You can fire it by pushing the lever.  You can never open the back and fire the probe droid simultaneously.  The first push opens the cargo area, the second push launches the probe droid.  The launching mechanism works extremely well.  I launched my probe droid into a glass of water and a disgusting spider web.  You can definitely put someone's eye out or traumatize your cat with this thing (I'm not encouraging that).

I have to admit, though, that the vehicle looks like someone combined a Harley with a gynecology table.  I couldn't also help be reminded of the South Park episode where Mr. Garrison invents an alternate form of transportation called the It.

Who inspired who?

It doesn't have the the accessories that go into your butt and mouth, but you do have to wonder.

THE ACTION FIGURE:    The action figure doesn't really look like the character as portrayed in the movie.  Actually, this action figure seems to portray Darth Maul in appearance as if he were a hard-core drunk that spent many nights sleeping in the gutter.

That said, it is a nice action figure otherwise.  He has a cloth robe.  His face is old looking, but he has a nice butt and thighs (yes, I'm a toy perv that likes to check).  What makes this action figure particularly nice is that it is more articulated than your usual action figure.  The head moves side to side.  The arms are a little stiff but do move.  The torso moves side to side.  The knees bend.  He stands up well.  He can also sit down in the vehicle and grab the handle bars (though sometimes it does take some fussing to do this).  He comes with a dual lightsaber that can have a neon appearance under certain lights, though it doesn't actually glow in the dark.

I did a video review of this set.