Review: 75168 Yoda's Jedi Starfighter
Posted by CapnRex101,
Almost three years have passed since Star Wars: The Clone Wars came to an end and the recent release of 75168 Yoda's Jedi Starfighter was therefore a complete surprise. The vehicle originates from the very final episodes of the series in which Yoda travels to the Wellspring of Life in an effort to gain a greater understanding of the Cosmic Force and its capabilities.
This craft therefore plays an important role but is involved in very little action so does not seem entirely suited to a LEGO set. Nevertheless, the model looks interesting and I am very pleased to see Yoda in a comparatively inexpensive set, with a price of just £19.99 or $24.99.
Minifigures
This version of Yoda has appeared in two previous sets and is therefore fairly rare. It makes no attempts to replicate his stylised character model from The Clone Wars but that increases the versatility of the minifigure as he fits seamlessly into scenes from any of the Star Wars films. Furthermore, the mould for the rubbery head has probably been retired by now so the use of the more detailed sculpt is sensible in all respects. It looks splendid, with some wrinkles on the top of the head, nicely shaped ears and grey hair printed on the back.
The torso printing features some simple tan robes with a folded hood at the back while the short legs are left plain. I think a fabric component would improve the Yoda minifigure considerably but a standard short cape would be inappropriate so perhaps a narrower template could be designed. Regardless, this is a great figure on the whole and he comes complete with a green lightsaber.
R2-D2 has appeared in at least one set every year since the Star Wars theme began in 1999. The most recent version includes a metallic silver dome which features some dark blue highlights and a pink processor state indicator while the cylindrical body is decorated with a variety of panels concealing all kinds of equipment.
I remain hopeful that we will one day see some printing on the back of Artoo's body but that is not the case here. The printed designs do continue onto the back of the head though, with a small projector at the centre. It would also be nice to see a central leg which could be attached or detached for display but this is s decent figure even without it.
The Completed Model
Yoda's modified Eta-2 Actis-class light interceptor is considerably smaller than the standard model in the animated series but this set is roughly the same size as 75135 Obi-Wan's Jedi Interceptor from last year. That is not necessarily an issue as a larger scale usually permits a greater level of detail but this set also suffers from some major proportional inaccuracies, most notable of which are the vastly oversized wings. They appear to be very narrow in the show but the inclusion of the opening wing panels leaves this design looking decidedly bulky which is rather disappointing.
However, these issues do not impact upon the play value which is offered by this set. The four wing panels can be opened manually and present a pleasing profile, protecting the cockpit from laser fire and providing a clearer view of the twin laser cannons which are fitted sturdily on the inside edge of each wing.
The vessel looks great when viewed from the side, with an attractive combination of light bluish grey and dark green armour as well as Yoda's unique emblem which is represented by a sticker on both dorsal wings. The panels are securely attached using Technic pins at their core and they present a shape reminiscent of the TIE Interceptor when opened.
The spherical cockpit is similarly reminiscent of a TIE Fighter, even using the printed TIE Fighter canopy element which first appeared in 2015's 75082 TIE Advanced Prototype. It looks splendid here and is reasonable faithful to the vehicle as it appears onscreen, although I should mention that the arrangement of the windscreen supports is incorrect and that the transparent area should continue onto the roof of the cockpit. Nevertheless, I think this design works quite nicely and a more authentic model would certainly have required a new piece so the compromise is justified.
Republic symbols adorn the sides of the cockpit and it can be hinged open in two sections to reveal room for Yoda inside. The interior is relatively plain and I think printed 2x1 slopes could have been used in place of the plain ones visible below but the cockpit serves its purpose as an area from which Yoda can pilot the fighter.
There is also a slot for R2-D2 behind the cockpit, allowing the Astromech Droid to provide technical and navigational support during Yoda's journey into the Deep Core and the Wellspring of Life. The thrusters are located beneath the Astromech Droid socket and some more engine details are represented by stickers on either side.
The view from the underside of the Jedi starfighter reveals much of the Technic assembly which holds the vessel together. It is very sturdy so will remain intact during even the most enthusiastic of swooshing and a pair of missiles are also hidden underneath which can be activated separately by pressing on the tails.
Overall
The Star Wars theme is often criticised for failing to fully explore the vast array of vehicles, locations and characters which are found across the saga. 75168 Yoda's Jedi Starfighter therefore makes a welcome change as this craft has not appeared in a LEGO set before, although it is not something which I ever thought was particularly suitable for the purpose. The model looks pretty good at first glance but closer inspection reveals a raft of major inaccuracies which combine to form a reasonable vehicle, albeit not one which closely resembles the source material.
On the other hand, I would recommend this set if you have yet to add Yoda to your Star Wars minifigure collection as he looks brilliant. The Jedi starfighter itself is a little disappointing in my opinion and I do not consider it a worthy purchase at full price, although it is pleasing to see a return to The Clone Wars animated series and the era of the Republic.
I hope you have found this review informative. Let us know by liking this article and share your thoughts on the set in the comments below.
73 likes
28 comments on this article
Poor showing from ELGO o nthe cockpit area, in regards to the interior. I understand that their focus testing may have revealed that the target audience doesn't care much, but I've always highly valued detailed and well thought out interiors, even as a small child (the printed computer slopes were always my favourite pieces).
Disappointing that prints or even extra stickers weren't included for this set, where it would have cost little effort.
I do not own Yoda yet and am hoping to add him to my collection with this set. The price is pretty good considering the size of the set and the number of pieces, and the cockpit opening the way that is does in the Clone Wars is a nice touch. Great review!
They could have made the cockpit the size of the UCS Tie Fighter to achieve more accurate proportions. Then this set would have cost 100+ bucks, i.e., it would have never been made.
I am glad they chose this way :-). In my opinion, it is one of the more interesting of the recent Star Wars sets.
@deikoon - It wouldn't have needed to be anything like that big, they could have just made the wings smaller.
I really didn't like this set when it was announced and I still don't, especially when it's compared with the 'real' thing. Thanks for the review though.
I don't think that it is as simple as that. The wings would need to be smaller and thinner for better proportions. However, at this scale, there is probably not much they could have done without sacrificing stability. The wings are three plates thick, and that makes them sturdy.
The price is a little steep, maybe another minifigure could be added, Darth Bane or a Force Priestess maybe? The set is a must have though for Clone Wars fans. I'll pick this up when it comes out on March 1st in the U.S.
Nice price for a Star Wars set, and I like the ship.
The stickered rear pieces on the back would work quite well as rear lights on a moc sports car as they quite resemble the lights on a modern European super car
Those small earth green wedges are what my Sopwith Camel has desperately needed all these years.
I feel like these Star Wars sets are increasing in price and decreasing in value.
Rex, what is the other set it has previously appeared in, the database just shows one, thanks!
@VaderFan2187 - I would recommend Duel on Naboo given that you do not own any of the minifigures included, although this is the superior model in my opinion.
@wesman21 - This version of Yoda also appears in 75017 Duel on Geonosis and 75142 Homing Spider Droid. A quirk of the database means that the minifigure in 75017 Duel on Geonosis is shown with a neck bracket and is therefore considered a unique figure, although they are otherwise identical.
Is the only difference between Yoda in this set and Yoda in 75017 Duel on Geonosis the neck clip? They're listed as separate minifigs in Bricklink/Brickset, but that is the only difference I can see.
@wesman21 I think we may have just answered each other's question LOL
Wasn't familiar with the original ship from TCW, but after a quick Google image search, I prefer the LEGO version. The original looks to me like an eyeball with stabilizers, not a Jedi starfighter. In this case, the LEGO compromise happens to be a vast improvement over the source material, IMHO.
^ This Yoda is also in a duel with Dooku set but Yoda has a neck bracket with technic pin to connect to the boom arm to twirl him around as if he's fighting
...also in the current Homing Spider Droid set
This set seems a little too small for 25.00, especially for only having two minifigures that have appeared a hundred (it seems) times before (although I'm not sure I have that exact Yoda head). Still looks like a fun little swooshable ship and interesting part of the Clone Wars. I'll definately pick it up, but it won't be the first one I cross off of my new set wish list. Just wondering, I know these sets are supposed to be avail. in US on March 1st but they're still not showing up on Lego LEGO.com. So far the only one showing up as "Coming Soon" is the new Y-Wing, so does anyone know what's up with that?
Am actually quite keen on this set, mainly for the mini fig but here's where the price discrepancy becomes an issue in Oz. For a comparable set size for Lego City would be looking at paying between AU$24-28. This little Star Wars set comes in at a hefty $44.95! Sure the license cost is added but seriously $17-20 dearer? Gonna have to wait for a sale and hope it's still in stock by then!
Golem25 ... Actually, the printed computer tiles and slopes were some of my favourite pieces as a kid, as well. I always loved those bits, it made your designs so much cooler.
This was about the only SW set I wanted to get, this year, and the show inaccuracies notwithstanding, it looks like a cool little set. I've never seen any of the Clone Wars programs, so that doesn't worry me much, and it'll look great on display next to the other Jedi fighter ships that I own.
Can't wait to grab this
The original one itself barely looks sleek. This one just looks weird. Too wide, for sure.
I use a peg (http://brickset.com/parts/4211483) and white cheese slope to give R2 the middle leg. These are literally considered extra parts in sets and I don't know why TLG hasn't given him this before. Back printing should have happened a long time ago.
A nice set, just not for me.
Personally, I collect all of the Jedi fighters so even if this set sucked and was super inaccurate, I would have bought it.
Natro and Capn, thanks! All this due to a neck clip!
I do kind-of like this set and hope to get it sometime. I don't have this version of Yoda yet. Hey Captain, on what day does the new wave of Star Wars sets release to the public in the USA? Thanks.
@Hawkibro123 - The 1st of March, I believe.
I think it's a cool looking set and IMO looking at pictures of the source material it seems like a pretty good recreation. I don't have Yoda yet so may grab this, especially if I can get it at a discount.