With Star Wars winding down after the debut of the final film in the saga in 2005, and its Marvel license not set to take effect until 2007, 2006 could be a rough year for Hasbro, the nation's second largest toymaker. But Hasbro has plans to continue its popular Star Wars toy line (the #1 licensed toy in 2005) and to blend the popular outer space saga with other Hasbro licenses in a line of miniature die-cast vehicles (Titanium), in a collectible miniatures game pitting George Lucas's creations against the Transformers (Intergalactic Showdown), and even in the unlikely combination of Mr. Potato Head and Star Wars, which resulted in AR-Two-Potatoo.
Star Wars
Hasbro will continue its line of Star Wars Transforming Figures (MSRP $14.99) in the fall with Chewbacca and Han Solo figures, which when combined can transform into the Millennium Falcon. In addition to a flashy new Lightsaber (MSRP $24.99) due out in the fall, the biggest Star Wars initiative of 2006 is the release of five Vintage Star Wars Action Figures ($9.99) in May. These authentic replicas of the original figures from Episodes 4-6 (the original trilogy) even come with vintage packaging featuring the 'Kenner' logo. Consumers who purchase all five of the figures can mail in the UPCs from the packages to receive the first ever George Lucas Action Figure, which depicts the Star Wars creator as an Imperial Stormtrooper.
Star Wars vehicles and robots will also be a key part of Hasbro's 'Titanium' line of die-cast vehicles and figures. Three-inch Titanium figures will retail for $4.99, while the six-inch figures and larger vehicles will be $19.99. In addition to Star Wars, the Titanium releases will include Transformers and vehicles from the new Battlestar Galactica series.
The Transformers also play a major role in the Intergalactic Showdown ($19.99) an expansion for Hasbro's Attactix game (see 'Hasbro's Attactix Star Wars Game'), which pits Optimus Prime and his robot buddies against a Star Wars lineup that includes Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker. The basic Intergalactic Showdown box will include 4 Star Wars and 4 Transformers figures along with 2 larger Battlemaster figures all packaged in a box that provides a diorama background against which the combats will take place. Additional miniatures can be purchased in blind box packages -- the first series of Intergalactic Showdown includes a total of 18 Star Wars and 18 Transformers figures.
Transformers
The key Transformers release for 2006 is the massive Cybertron Primus (MSRP $49.99), a 15' replica of the Transformers' home planet, which morphs into a robot in a manner that ties in with the current Transformers anime series.
B-Daman
Hasbro's B-Daman marble-shooting game should get a boost from the B-Daman anime series' run on the Cartoon Network, which began in January. Hasbro's new B-Daman products for 2006 include Target Challenges (i.e. moving targets) and electronic 'Direct Hit Battle' shooters, which can sense when they have been hit by an opponent.
