Packaging - ****
Back in the day, the Sideshow Star Wars packaging set the standard for sixth scale figures. With a cool wrap around lid and fifth panel, magnetic closures, and collector friendly trays, it set the bar.

Of course, since then other companies have surpassed these initial developments. The Star Wars packages have remained largely unchanged, but this time...this time it seemed a bit different to me. It's the interior trays, with multiple levels holding everything in place, that seem to be a real improvement to me. It's not a huge difference - they've always used similar trays - but the multi-level thing seems a better solution.

Sculpting - ****
If you're looking for the perfect IG-88, look no further. This is him, with all his tubes, pistons, bolts and rivets. There's even a chest spike!

This is a large figure coming in at a whopping 14 inches tall. The details on his mechanic pieces, from his Tin Man on steroids head to his blocky construction equipment feet, he looks like the real deal.

Let's not go crazy here - this isn't quite Hot Toys Iron Man/Terminator level of robotic detail...but it's awfully close. The sculpt and articulation work fantastic together, just as good as the best engineering we've seen from other high end companies.

What's even better is the figure has been designed to work with the accessories, especially the two blasters. The smaller blaster should be held in the left, with the larger blaster in the right. There is a small peg on the back of the large gun that fits into the wrist on the right, while the left arm has a peg that fits into a small hole on the littler gun. Not only that, the left hand has a 'thumb' designed to cradle the butt of the gun. How cool is that?

Paint - ****
There's not a ton of small detail work here - it's more about getting the subtle look of the faux metal finish just right. They did that, and they avoided going overboard on any wash or dry brushing.

There's some nice variation to the general color too, with some areas looking more brassy, while others are a steel or iron. There's also minor damage and wear at joints and edges, done in a very realistic style.

Articulation - ****
Wow - this is a far more articulated figure than I ever expected.

The neck doesn't tilt alot - but it does tilt a bit. It adds a little personality and flow to even basic poses.

The shoulders were tight on mine, but with a little effort they turn smoothly. Take some care though, as the upper arm post is a bit thin, and you don't want to use it as a lever to move the shoulder.

Speaking of the arms, not only does the upper arm move outward on the shoulder perfectly straight, there's a cut joint on the bicep that allows it to turn. Two more cut joints above the elbow and a cut wrist further add to the ability of the arms to pose. Add in the elbow and middle hand joints, and you have some great arms with a very wide range of movement, even better than most human action figures!

The hips are well hidden ball joints, as are the knees. There are two additional cut joints on either side of the knee, which help with posing, but even better, allows the pieces to align in such a way as to strengthen the joint and keep him standing. The feet turn as well, and there's enough side to side movement to allow them to remain flat on the ground in shallow stances.

The legs are extendable too - pull downward on them carefully, and IG-88 gets himself even more height!

Even the waist moves back and forth slightly. The pistons on the front slide in and out, allowing some minor moving. And of course, the sections of the head turn, allowing the cameras and lights to line up in different ways.

All these joints are well hidden, and still work extremely well. Even with the robotic sculpt, something that is often restrictive, the bounty hunter has better movement than a lot of standard sixth scale figures. I have to say, I'm impressed!

Accessories - ****
Being impressed doesn't end there - the accessories have a wow factor as well.

Let's start with the obvious - the two blasters. Both have the usual excellent Sideshow Star Wars weapon sculpt, and the smaller has the folding stock. They fit well in the hands and stay in place thanks to the ingenious design I mentioned earlier.

There's also three mines, and these are held on the bandoleer with magnets. They are very strong, and there's no problem with them falling off inadvertently.

There's a holster for the smaller blaster, and this can fit on the bandoleer as well, again with magnets.

That means you won't need to open the bandoleer, which is a plus since getting those buckles to work can sometimes be tricky. There are two small 'tools' that slip into the front of the bandoleer as well.

If you pick up the exclusive, you'll also get the short vibro-ax. I have no idea how this weapon was supposed to actually function, but it's still a cool add.

Finally, there's the large display base that looks like a hunk of the ship's platform, where Vader chatted with the hunters. It lights up, but I'll discuss that aspect more in the next section. There's a saddle post that can hold him up on the stand, but it's not really necessary. EDIT: Okay, I have a fair share of readers who believe this base is intended to look like the grating around the carbon freeze chamber, which would go nicely with a similar base for Fett. Yea, that sounds more likely to me too.

Overall, he's well equipped, and the use of the magnets was well executed. Adding in the light up feature with the stand and the overall cool factor goes up even further.

Light Up Feature - ****
There are two light up features, one in the head and one in the stand.

The stand is VERY bright, easily seen in even a fully lit room. The bottom has a red glow, while the two cylinders in back have bright blue LED's. These are powered by two AA batteries, which are included. My only gripe is that the on/off switch is on the bottom, which means you have to remove the figure each time you want to turn it on or off.

The other light up feature is in the head, where a red light illuminates several different places. This is powered with three watch batteries, again included. Turn the top of the head a half turn, and it pops off to allow access to the battery compartment. Press the top of the head down, and the light turns on and off.

It's not as bright as the base, but it is very easy to see, and since it's so easy to activate, is more likely to be used regularly.

Fun Factor - ***
While he's a little fragile, he's still one Hell of a cool toy. If you're a big fan of cool robots, this one will really trip your blaster trigger. 

Value - **
This is not a cheap figure. I don't care who you are, $175 for 14" of plastic is a lot of green. We're talking Hot Toys/Enterbay money here, and even with the cool light up feature, he seems a *little* high to me. It's not a major complaint though, and I can honestly say this guy is a huge improvement over past releases.

Things to Watch Out For -
He's a little fragile, but with basic care you should be fine. The only place I had any trouble was with the shoulders, which were stuck pretty tight when I first opened him up. They did turn though with some constant pressure, but be sure you don't try to move them by using the arms as a lever.

Overall - ****
Sideshow had a great year in 2011 with their Star Wars license, but it looks like 2012 is going to be even better.

The quality of this figure is a huge step forward for the company, and bodes extremely well for the upcoming Boba Fett. I can honestly say that this figure can stand along side any of your Hot Toys or Enterbay sixth scale figures, and he won't have anything to be embarrassed about.

Score Recap:
Packaging - ****
Sculpting - ****
Paint - ****
Articulation - ****
Accessories - ****
Light Up Feature - ****
Fun Factor - ***
Value - **
Overall - ****

Where to Buy -
Online options include these site sponsors:

- Sideshow has the regular for $175, but the exclusive (also $175) is wait listed.

- Alter Ego Comics has him at $158.

- Fanboy Collectibles also has him at $158.

- Big Bad Toy Store is at $165.

- Urban Collector has him at $175.

- or you can search ebay for a deal.

Related Links -
I've covered a ton of Sideshow Star Wars figures:

- just last week it was the new Battle Droids.

- I love the big Dewback and Trooper, but it's a lot of cash.

- late last year I checked out Figrin D'an.

- speaking of Troopers, there's the Sargeant Clone Trooper.

- just before that was the dimunitive Jedi, Yoda.

- I also liked the recent Gammorean Guard.

- it was awhile before that for the previous review, Admiral Thrawn and his command chair.

- prior to that was Lando Calrissian, and the Shock Trooper.

- Darth Vader was perhaps Sideshow's best Star Wars release.

- then there's the Utapau Trooper, the Imperial Stormtrooper, and Captain Antilles.

- I wasn't as thrilled with Ki-Adi-Mundi, but Obi-Wan in Clone Armor is easily one of their best. Then there's Aayla Secura, Tatooine Luke and Han Solo.

- Sideshow had a strong year in 2008 with Commander Praji, the exceptional Palpatine/Sidous and ANH Obi-Wan, and the not quite so exceptional Ilum Padme.

- also in the sixth scale line, I've reviewed Leia and Bespin Luke, the Holo-chess set, Sideshow's Asajj, a terrific figure, Yavin Luke, the Endor Troops, Jabba the Hutt and his throne, Bib Fortuna, Jedi Luke, Darth Maul, Obi-Wan, Bespin Han Solo, regular Anakin Skywalker and Kit Fisto.

- I also have guest reviews of the SDCC Anakin Skywalker, Mace Windu, Emperor Palpatine and his throne, and Qui-Gon Jinn.

- in the premium format line, I've reviewed Darth Talon, Jedi Luke, Yoda with the Clone Trooper, Slave Leia, Darth Vader, Princess Leia, Boba Fett, Obi-Wan Kenobi, and Han Solo.

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