Sideshow 1/6 C-3PO

[Wor-Gar]

I just really hope this figure turns out good and doesn't have a bunch of issues.

Only two real issues it could have:

1) be horribly rickety and light -- which it most likely will

2) the gold paint is as "metallic gold" as Sideshow's Lost Ark was -- which was horribly flat and is my biggest pending gripe. If the gold's flat like that, the figure will stink no matter how good it is.

 

[kl241]

Only two real issues it could have:

1) be horribly rickety and light -- which it most likely will

2) the gold paint is as "metallic gold" as Sideshow's Lost Ark was -- which was horribly flat and is my biggest pending gripe. If the gold's flat like that, the figure will stink no matter how good it is.

Those are the two main reasons you should just bite the bullet and get the Tamashii Nations diecast figure. Expensive, yes. but relatively speaking not much more expensive than Sideshow's dull fragile figure and you will not be disappointed to be sure.

 

[Wor-Gar]

Those are the two main reasons you should just bite the bullet and get the Tamashii Nations diecast figure. Expensive, yes. but relatively speaking not much more expensive than Sideshow's dull fragile figure and you will not be disappointed to be sure.

I know. I've been giving SS the benefit of the doubt because of the "they do good robots and aliens" thing. And I do like R2-D2. And I do prefer the overall body proportions of the SS prototype of 3PO.

BUT... SS has been such a disappointment this past year with Hoth Luke and Han and this Jango figure. Coupled with the price hike and the NRD means I generally don't preorder or buy thru SS directly anymore because its too expensive for us Cali guys.

I have this on preorder without NRD and with coupon... so it stays on order until I can see in-hand pics. But like Jango, I'll cancel in a heartbeat if I don't see any pictures prior to it being ready to ship. Unfortunately, I'm one of the early receivers so my figures often ship prior to seeing in-hand photos.

Gonna be a race to the finish line on this one.

 

[Mike86]

I have been contemplating getting the Tamashii figure over this version myself but have decided since it should be coming soon (if there aren't any delays) that I'll wait for in hand pictures.

 

[Mad Old Lu]

Even if the paint is flat like the Ark, I can almost forgive it because it's a heavily weathered 3PO.

 

[Mike86]

I'm more concerned with how solid the figure will be built. I know it won't be as much as the Tamashii but Sideshow likes to cheap out on materials and I could see issues like bad pistons and whatnot.

 

[TaliBane]

Even if the paint is flat like the Ark, I can almost forgive it because it's a heavily weathered 3PO.

It should be mirror-like gold with grime, not like Home Depot gold spray though.

I'm more concerned with how solid the figure will be built. I know it won't be as much as the Tamashii but Sideshow likes to cheap out on materials and I could see issues like bad pistons and whatnot.

The sliding pistons (they don't telescope like the Tama) WILL be a problem. Anyone with the SSC IG-88 can attest to issues of fine articulation combined with heavy weathering.

 

[Pixelpiper]

I don't see the Sideshow 3PO being much more fragile than the Tama when handling, including the pistons.

 

[Mike86]

Recent problematic issues with Jango Fett which should be a fairly simple figure have me skeptical on how well this will turn out. Sideshow just hasn't been impressing me with their offerings as of late.

 

[Wor-Gar]

I have to admit it worries me too, as their recent work is 1 in 4 success (Scout Trooper out of Hoth Han, Hoth Luke, Jango Fett and Plisken).

That's a 25% success rate.

 

[ebor]

I'm keeping my PO for now, but I too am skeptical this will be worth what they are charging.

 

[Pixelpiper]

I have to admit it worries me too, as their recent work is 1 in 4 success (Scout Trooper out of Hoth Han, Hoth Luke, Jango Fett and Plisken).

That's a 25% success rate.

That's some creative accounting. 20% (1/5) by your example. Except, IMO, Scout, and the two Hoth figures are excellent (in hand), so that's at least 3 out of 5. Plisken looks bad in all photos I've seen and the other one is Jango - an extra in a purple jumpsuit. There simply no way to make that any good - though I've seen a couple of photos that show the sculpt and paint are very nice and a couple more that make it look like it has no paint at all.

 

[Asta]

I've got 4 out of 5 and like them.

Jango doesn't exist, so that's a 100% success rate!

 

[TonTon]

I was actually a bit disappointed by the Scout and don't have much issue with the Hoth Figures after some tweaks, but that was probably because I was comparing the Scout directly to the Hot Toys Stormtrooper and didn't have anything in the way of human figures to compare the Hoth ones too when I got them. I have HT Bespin Luke now and the Hoth figures are still a couple of my favorites, and I haven't taken them out of my display once since grabbing them. If push came to shove I would choose both those over the Bespin set, but that's partly cause they're two characters and I find the outfits more interesting.

I think 3PO will be good but with some issues, like all their recent figures. I anticipate 3PO feeling like R2 in terms of being lightweight, the head will be somewhat disappointing straight on, but will look fine from most angles. Thankfully he doesn't have any opening panels to flop open and worry about like with R2 and Jango. It really all comes down to the finish on this figure, whether the pistons are too delicate to enjoy the arm articulation, and whether the belly wiring is painted well or looks too simplistic. I've thought about canceling since I have the Tama now, but I'm still very curious to see the final product.

 

[Wor-Gar]

That's some creative accounting. 20% (1/5) by your example. Except, IMO, Scout, and the two Hoth figures are excellent (in hand), so that's at least 3 out of 5. Plisken looks bad in all photos I've seen and the other one is Jango - an extra in a purple jumpsuit. There simply no way to make that any good - though I've seen a couple of photos that show the sculpt and paint are very nice and a couple more that make it look like it has no paint at all.

The Scout is the one good out of the the four Star Wars figures. I see now that I confused my argument by adding Plissken.

You are generally discerning and yet I know you like Hannequin and Luke, which... surprises even me. It's not just the frozen faces (and even though its Hoth that is not a compliment) but its also the cheap way the materials are used (large stitching, not enough fur on the collar, etc). Of course this is subjective.

Assuming you are not satisfied with Jango, the two Hoth offerings and Plissken, well then Sideshow's 20% success rate is even worst than I had originally projected.

 

[Pixelpiper]

Anyway, never tell me the odds.

 

[Mike86]

That's some creative accounting. 20% (1/5) by your example. Except, IMO, Scout, and the two Hoth figures are excellent (in hand), so that's at least 3 out of 5. Plisken looks bad in all photos I've seen and the other one is Jango - an extra in a purple jumpsuit. There simply no way to make that any good - though I've seen a couple of photos that show the sculpt and paint are very nice and a couple more that make it look like it has no paint at all.

With Jango it's not a matter of how it looks but the numerous QC concerns that many are having with it. Seems like there's been a bunch of things breaking or not staying on properly plus the wrong color of the jumpsuit.

 

[Pixelpiper]

With Jango it's not a matter of how it looks but the numerous QC concerns that many are having with it.

Yeah, broken parts and such are a different matter entirely, but for the most part no producer of high-end figures is using the same high quality equipment and molds that mass-market toy manufacturers use, nor do they have even a fraction of the same quality control. They need to step up their game though. If they're going to use "hand made, small batch" as a positive (and excuse) then they can certainly offer hand-inspected high quality goods.

 

[Kamandi]

My two most recent Sideshow 1:6 are ESB/ROTJ Vader and R2D2. I'm very happy with both. I wish I had ordered the Imperial Probe Droid, it looked great in people's pictures. I'm still looking forward to Creepio.

Hoth Han and Luke missed the mark on portraits. They need to get William Harbottle working on their headsculpts.

 

[TaliBane]

I don't see the Sideshow 3PO being much more fragile than the Tama when handling, including the pistons.

It's a sliding joint with a plastic rod that's only 2mm in diameter that has weathering throughout. It WILL be a problem. I'm going to find a pose and not move it.

I have to admit it worries me too, as their recent work is 1 in 4 success (Scout Trooper out of Hoth Han, Hoth Luke, Jango Fett and Plisken).

That's a 25% success rate.

I HATE the SSC Scout Trooper. I'm actually now thinking I'll sell my EX, even though I made my peace with the fact it really looks nothing like a ROTJ Scout. I just really resent that side-by-side my $20 custom Hasbro looks way more accurate than a $200 Sideshow figure.

I really hope the ATAT Driver and TIE Pilot - which look stellar so far - deliver.

And big stitching on the Hoth figures? Did you have a look at the collar stitching on the HT Han?