A fair point, Dub. However, Biggs' ship is only available at one store, Biggs himself is everywhere. The Obi-Wan ship has been released every year. Now that we've gotten to a point where the OT 3D films should have come out, isn't it time for Hasbro to put out some Class II OT ships? Why can't I get an X-wing for my kids, like I can get a Jedi starfighter? The way it looks, Jedi starfighters will be clinging to the shelves through the summer and then we'll see an onslught of Rebels stuff.
Are they just skipping the OT potential?
Like I said, I'd like to get X-Wings for my kids from the Class II line. The Biggs' X-wing is too big, too expensive, and not for kids.
Anyway, I'll buy the Luke, but I agree, Han and Luke are wasted slots at this point. These two can always be brought back any time because they're main characters. For the ST line they could do a Luke and a Han Evolutions set and use these versions.
Or did I miss something and Hasbro is trying to make TBS appeal to kids as well?
I'm definitely not saying BS is targeted primarily at children, but I think they want to aim for
some kid spillover. I think they're mainly targeting collectors/older kids with the BS.
Again, not all collectors were around the last time these were up for sale, or they may have sold them off, or whatever. And if it's a legit improvement, than that's a good thing.
Here's my guess: there will be some retailer exclusive Vintage Collection packaged items announced (Snowspeeder, Wampa, maybe a re-issue of the Tauntaun), just like the X-Wing at TRU (i.e. collector oriented) and these ESB Hoth figures will all be
intended to accompany those in some way.
Even though Biggs was a general release available at all retailers, he was clearly intended to accompany the retailer exclusive X-Wing. I would also posit that 4 of the BS wave 1 figures were "intended" to accompany the retailer exclusive Gunship - Padme, Anakin, Clone and Clone Pilot. They can all go with that. And the biker scout? Goes with the Endor AT-AT (it includes a speeder bike, after all). And Luke and Vaders just always sell (or were ready to go).
Even though it's a themed release pattern that sort of
looks like a kids line would, I believe their intent is the same for collectors - "If there's a Tauntaun at retail, they're going to want a rider for it." Which makes sense for new collectors. Guys who've been around for 10+ years? Not so much. They're probably handled. You guys get the other stuff from the line - the ion control lady, the new Yoda, the updated Snowtrooper, etc.
In other words, they're using the same approach across all of the lines, when possible - release synergy. It's a good thing to have related toys available at the same time. Themed waves were limiting, but they also made for a really fun buying experience. IMO.
And I'm guessing there will be an X-Wing (or X-Wing like vehicle *cough* Phantom *cough*) in the Rebels/Legends line soon enough.
