Recommended music: Phil Collins – In The Air Tonight
I can feel it coming in the air tonight on this #StarWarsSaturday. Today, we’re heading to the icy plains of Hoth during The Empire Strikes Back. From the Hasbro Star Wars The Vintage Collection, it’s the AT-AT All Terrain Armored Transport!
In The Empire Strikes Back, the All Terrain Armored Transport (AT-AT) changed how we see big movie battles. These huge, four-legged machines first appeared in the Battle of Hoth as moving fortresses for the Empire. At over 20 meters tall, they turned a simple fight into a true “David vs. Goliath” moment.
The walkers are famous not just for their powerful laser cannons, but also for the fear they created. The steady, metallic sound of their approach signaled inevitable doom for the Rebel Alliance. Despite their impenetrable armor, the Rebels famously exploited a vulnerability using snowspeeder tow cables to trip up the overwhelming imperial machines.
Kenner first released a large AT-AT vehicle for 3.75” figures in 1981, just in time for the holidays, priced at $47.99. They reused the same mold the next year with extra accessories, and again in 1983 with Return of the Jedi packaging. Hasbro brought back the vintage mold in 1997 for their Power of the Force 2 line, adding more detailed paint, electronic sounds, and dialogue from The Empire Strikes Back, all for $79.99.
Finally, in 2010, Hasbro broke the mold and released an all-new AT-AT (sometimes referred to as the BAT-AT, or Big AT-AT), as part of The Legacy Collection at a $99.99 retail price. Technically, the packaging for this vehicle is part of the “Shadows of the Dark Side” line seen throughout that year. I actually resisted that first release, waiting a few months to get mine in the Toys “R” Us-exclusive vintage-style packaging. The contents were the same, but this release is included in The Vintage Collection.
Hasbro used the BAT-AT mold again in 2013 for a Return of the Jedi-themed release, this time with muddy feet and priced at $129.99. Every few years, there are rumors about a new release or upgrade, but I bet it would be a $500 Haslab project if it happens. Getting a boxed TVC version now will probably cost over $600, so maybe Haslab is the best option, since most stores don’t want to give up space for such a big, pricey toy. Hasbro could make the AT-AT head more accurate by changing the chin guns and removing the handle on the back, but I’ve enjoyed having this version in my Hoth diorama for 15 years. It has lots of features, including almost 30 sounds and dialogue. The only thing I don’t need is a speeder bike, so I’m fine with leaving that out in the future. The legs may not look 20 meters tall next to a four-inch figure, but they just need to stay stable, and they’ve done that well over the years.
That’s probably enough about the AT-AT for today. It’s still a great vehicle for any 3.75” Star Wars collection and a must-have for the Battle of Hoth.
The Empire Strikes Back turned 45 last May! I “figure” there will be a new Episode V figure to share here for the rest of the anniversary year. Happy 45 years and counting to TESB!
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