For me, the most exciting part of the new The Force Awakens line has been the triumphant return of Micro Machines. Hasbro's stock shortage problems meant that we only started seeing the multi-packs arrive in New Zealand stores last week - but In the interim I'd managed to pick up most of what I was after during a brief trip to Houston last month. The one set that had proved frustratingly elusive was the First Order TIE Fighter Attack 3-Pack. Fortunately, I happened to spot one at my local Warehouse store last week for a reduced price of $10.39.
The pack contains a First Order TIE Fighter, a crashed First Order Special Forces TIE Fighter, and the Millennium Falcon. Only two of these sculpts are unique to the pack, as the First Order TIE Fighter also comes in the Galactic Showdown Deluxe Pack. That version of the TIE features an annoying spray of white 'snow' however - so it's nice to have a second version with a clean deco. While it doesn't allow for a lot of play possibilities, the crashed TIE is also a nice addition to the set, especially since the latest trailer seems to suggest that it'll play a large role in the film's story.
Of course the real highlight of this 3-pack is the Falcon. It might seem that the only difference between this version of the ship and its 90s Micro Machines predecessor is the shape of the dish - but it's actually an all-new sculpt. The original MM Falcon - while incredibly detailed - was always a little too chunky at the front. This new version features a pair of nicely tapered mandibles that gives the ship a much more screen-accurate profile. My only gripe with the vehicle is that the non-rotatable dish is skewed slightly to one side. It's not a make-or-break - but the stickler in me wishes it had been glued on in a forward-facing position.
All up, this is a fantastic little pack - and, at roughly $3.50 a vehicle, great value too. Having picked it up, I can also officially close-off my Force Friday wishlist.
The pack contains a First Order TIE Fighter, a crashed First Order Special Forces TIE Fighter, and the Millennium Falcon. Only two of these sculpts are unique to the pack, as the First Order TIE Fighter also comes in the Galactic Showdown Deluxe Pack. That version of the TIE features an annoying spray of white 'snow' however - so it's nice to have a second version with a clean deco. While it doesn't allow for a lot of play possibilities, the crashed TIE is also a nice addition to the set, especially since the latest trailer seems to suggest that it'll play a large role in the film's story.
Of course the real highlight of this 3-pack is the Falcon. It might seem that the only difference between this version of the ship and its 90s Micro Machines predecessor is the shape of the dish - but it's actually an all-new sculpt. The original MM Falcon - while incredibly detailed - was always a little too chunky at the front. This new version features a pair of nicely tapered mandibles that gives the ship a much more screen-accurate profile. My only gripe with the vehicle is that the non-rotatable dish is skewed slightly to one side. It's not a make-or-break - but the stickler in me wishes it had been glued on in a forward-facing position.
All up, this is a fantastic little pack - and, at roughly $3.50 a vehicle, great value too. Having picked it up, I can also officially close-off my Force Friday wishlist.
