Star Wars Victories! Custom Kenner-Style Bespin Playset!

#retroblasting #starwars #kenner
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Title card art finishing by www.claviusbase.com
This is a day long-remembered. Michael rights a longstanding wrong from the Kenner days of Star Wars toys!

[@J-T-A]

"Just because you're accurate doesn't mean you're interesting"... my god, so many people need to hear this wisdom.

[@JosephDickersonUX]

100 percent. Accuracy is one thing, playability is something else altogether.Tried to hit the sweet spot combining both.

[@legodeathstarproductions5513]

That's why almost every star wars thing I get is heavily modified

[@favoritemustard3542]

I agree, I do. I do. My _only hope_ is that they also *listen.*

[@The_Jawnski]

As a reenactor, I grinned when I heard him say this.

[@coledakers6127]

7:10

[@jumpinjimflash]

"Just because you're accurate does not mean you're interesting." This is why classic Kenner and 80's toys are still resonating. Were they accurate? Sometimes but NOT dependent on being so. The toys continue to be popular because they were a playful caricature of the real thing. Truer words never spoken; y'all have forgotten what a toy is supposed to be.

[@OfficialFinnTDK]

If only the same can be said for the Transformers Geewunners who are obsessed with G1 toon accuracy.

[@ImTheKingOfHyrule]

My first Star Wars action figures were the Power of the Force line in the 90s. I know people today laugh at them for their ridiculous musculature and wide shoulders but I couldn't have been happier to have them back in the day, just like with the Batman: The Animated Series action figures before them. It was pure action figure joy.

[@coledakers6127]

7:10

[@Badgers0710]

Okay, but the idea of an Irvin Kershner action figure playset with come down Carrie Fisher feels like something Hasbro would've made as a double pack in 2007. Maybe an Entertainment Earth exclusive

[@damianstellabott3613]

I think that figure set needs to happen.

[@skylx0812]

I'd like a _"Mother, will you just F off!"_ Fisher figure, thnx.

[@Jellycakelap]

Kerr E Fissure and Kersh Nurr... With a Sleez Baggano triple pack.

[@steveharvey2102]

As long as it comes with a telescoping Coke fingernail, I'm all in! Disney can have all of their 'Royalty' characters, but for me, there's only one true Princess :)

[@FullersFigures]

Makes you wonder how a guy with a dream can out do a massive corporation with a marketing team and focus groups. Yet he has and succeeded by leaps and bounds. Stunning playset and to quote some guy 'The fans are doing the best work'.

[@drawingbyhand]

absolutely agree amazing playset fans are doing the best work.

[@diggingattycho7908]

I said this in his teaser vid. The future is going to get real interesting.

[@stren6587]

Marketing teams and focus groups are bs. I’ve never once seen a panel that added anything to the process. All the best designs come from true passion, intuition, and emotion. Corporations are soul killers for designers. They never listen, they never take risks and always cheap out to keep the return at a healthy margin. Hats off to RB Solarquest this playset truely magical

[@justinschraeder8924]

Because massive corporations with marketing teams and focus groups don’t have passion or give a damn about what people really want.

[@davfree9732]

My worry is that J 'Business is life' J Abrahms will see this and call Disney to serve a cease and desist due to IP. Yes, this playset is the best playset of Bespin. And that's going to be a problem for Disney in much the same way it's a problem for Games Workshop. Now instead of buying toys, you can buy a 3D printer and make them. I'll be following this development hoping Disney keeps it's greasy mouse paws off a mans dream.

[@Grindhead_Jim]

The joy on your face, and the determination in your voice were absolutely palpable, brother. From all of us, thank you for doing this, and thank you for not backing down. I cannot wait to see what comes next.

[@eyedestroyeverything9953]

You’re channel is the only Star Wars “ thing “ I enjoy anymore . Cheers

[@TheChibitodd]

Well said!!!!

[@robm313]

The mandalorian?

[@steveharvey2102]

I'll agree but I'm throwing in RLM Star Wars content as a close 2nd ;)

[@aaronlea-art]

I forgot that toys and play sets were supposed to be fun. Man, that thing looks like a blast.

[@jean-paulaudette9246]

I can see myself spending hours just arranging and rearranging it...and then forgetting to play whatever scene i'd intended at the start, before shuffling it again.

[@jamievaughn1485]

I want to give this more than one like but KZbin won’t let me. Seriously, this looks so great and kudos to you for making this dream happen! I can’t wait to see how the rest turns out.

[@skylx0812]

You can place an extra thumbs up or two in your comment(s)... 👍⬅

[@elenaphisher244]

Just use an alt account 😄

[@ivyhereuwu]

The ending with Vader and Michael was honestly the best thing I've seen all day. Thank y'all at Retroblasting for making my day a lot better QwQ

[@WyzGyzEntertainment]

I enjoy this video so much I had to watch it again

[@WyzGyzEntertainment]

Same.

[@jerryparks3706]

This is legitimately the best Star Wars playset I've ever seen! The fans are doing the best work!

[@duanemosher8798]

This is the single coolest thing I’ve ever witnessed. I want- I want - I want

[@JosephDickersonUX]

The Ultimate Edition is currently SOLD OUT. I am working on printing and processing these orders and will relist three Ultimate sets sometime in October. The Base and Deluxe version is still available. Link to my eBay store in the description.

[@destinycaptain247]

A modular play set like this is fantastic… For any franchise. This was kewl.

[@stevemcq.9911]

I followed some of Michael‘s beloved videos, when the night came and I could barely keep my eyes open, as much as I wanted to … then fatigue triumphed and I felt asleep. When I openend my eyes again later, I saw the orange lights and the dark surrounding of Cloud City‘s Carbon Freezing Chamber - and I didn‘t know, if I was still sleeping and dreaming. But I wasn‘t!:-) Man, this was real. What a MASTERPIECE!!! Kenner wouldn‘t have made it better … on the contrary! This thing is awesome! I bow … I can‘t even get that far down!

[@JosephDickersonUX]

Thank you!

[@GenXToysGeek]

who would have thought we would live to see the day that BV plays nicely with Michael? Yo Joe!

[@JosephDickersonUX]

I consider myself a peacekeeper.

[@velvetplatz1024]

@@JosephDickersonUX AMAZING job!! I can't wait to see the finished product!

[@Alex-17720]

Honestly was right there with you Jody. That scene there at the end got me right in the feels. 🥲😊👍I was chomping at the bit to see this thing and it did not disappoint, hope this all comes out well and we can finally enjoy this fabled city in the clouds in all its glory

[@homerdudley9539]

That's freaking cool man. Hat's off to you and the designer.

[@JosephDickersonUX]

Thank you.

[@jonathanstancil8544]

I'm not a huge SW collector so I probably won't be buying one, but this does look incredible and I completely understand the desire for this set. Bespin is easily one of if not THE coolest location in the SW universe, and is quite possibly the most pivotal from a story point so this is almost essential to display a proper display of the entire story world. I did always love the Bespin playsets in the Micro Collection. They were well designed and beautifully executed, this is indeed a worthy successor.

[@davidandrews5215]

okay now this is playset is knock out of the ballpark awesome design all the way around looking forward to the next one

[@afterwit3620]

It's a brilliant set. Eleven-year-old me and current me are both absolutely thrilled you pulled it off. Can't wait to see the rest!

[@BruceKenobi]

I can only call this: a TRIUMPH!!!! And another example of The Fans are doing the Best Work!!!!!! Can't wait to see more

[@schwaaard]

I thought it looked damn fine with the lights on. But then the lights went out, and the practical lights from the floor came on…and it looked like the actual scene from the film. Got chills. Good work to both of you, and congrats on incarnating a vision. …Now about that Irvin Kershner action figure…

[@HectorLopezSM]

That look awesome, and the end was really funny!!

[@CappnRob]

This is absolutely gorgeous to look at my guy. I love that it WORKS like a PLAYset - it has PLAY FEATURES, you can easily move your arms around it even as a grown ass adult and PLAY with the fgures inside it easily. It's not just a beautiful diorama, its something that could really have been marketed and sold in the golden age of playsets as something to PLAY with, all while having a ton of customization options for the more adult display oriented minds. Absolutely lovely, makes me wish I had a Kenner 3.75 inch collection to justify buying my own once it hits market.

[@JosephDickersonUX]

Available now. In multiple configurations. Visit my store to see them all. Link in description. Here's the Ultimate version: www.ebay.com/itm/334113956586

[@loganholmberg2295]

At first, I was that's nice. It'll look great once you give it a nice sand and paint. When you lit it up I was oh man I wish I had the space for that! Props dude to you and Joe that's awesome. 👍🤘

[@ethanmichaelcrane934]

I haven't seen something this beautiful or awe-inspiring since the day my child was born. This is like watching a childhood memory that you never had but wish you had unfold in real time before your eyes. Thank you, Joe and Michael, for undertaking this.

[@seancurry6052]

Incredible work! I’ve been a huge fan of the micro collection, and it’s amazing to see it go 3.75 size. Well done Joe and Michael!

[@ThePapaVader]

This is *INSANELY* cool! A true testament to the necessity of pursuing your dreams, however big they are.

[@robertchambers6344]

That is friggen amazing. Any who knocks this has no clue. Very cool playset

[@peterthoes0426]

This is now my favorite video! Michael you have done a good thing in this...I cant wait to see more and hopefully be able to purchase the final product for my own adventures with my figures. "I don't wanna grow up, I'm a Retroblasting kid!"

[@joshuabekel9700]

That playset is freakin AMAZING!!!

[@davidnetherton9456]

Kudos to you Michael And thank you for sharing with us looking forward to seeing more of it in the future as well as more than likely purchasing it

[@unclemattsworkbench6667]

This is amazing. I am quite sure I would not be able to afford the finished product but I get it. I used to make knives and swords and I did do some commission work. I know first hand how and why it is so expensive. My deepest respect for the creator of this awesome peice of work.

[@JosephDickersonUX]

See my pinned comment. It's available in different configurations at different price points. You can "build" to the Ultimate playset like Michael's when you can afford to. :-)

[@vlenhoff]

"Build me a 1/18 Bespin playset Kenner!" "That's impossible sir!" "It doesn't matter, I'll build it myself!" Well done!

[@marklovelace297]

Well done to both of you! Absolutely worth it and you sir are correct, Bespin hit different and pivoted the franchise like no other!

[@kungfutyla]

I love it. This is the perfect idea executed marvelously. Your point about people forgetting what a toy is supposed to be is very true, and a playset should be like this and not two bridges to nowhere. Extremely impressed, wish I could have one for my collection!

[@deathtron5000]

Not sure what I like more, your fantastic videos or how you pre-argue the naysayers. Thanks for showcasing a great play set.

[@Sano1970]

That playset is spectacular! ❤️👍🏻

[@JosephDickersonUX]

Thank you.

[@britishsouth]

My favorite Star Wars toy of all time is the Micro Collection Bespin World. I still have mine today. I always wanted to see a 3-3/4" scale Bespin World worthy of the accomplishment of the Micro Collection toy. This is so exciting!

[@SargesCustoms]

"Michael, you got a lot of nerve coming here with this..." So happy to see this review and reveal! I absolutely agree with all your points. This is beyond awesome. I am a member of the maker community and this is truly a labor of love. This is what life as a collector is all about - encompassing our dreams and desires into an actual thing that will be a part of a personal collection. Absolutely thrilled this is now a part of your life. So looking forward to some more "lights at the end of this tunnel." This was so worth the wait!

[@h4jmig32]

Eagerly anticipating the part two for this playset

[@JosephDickersonUX]

Me too. 🙂

[@D.Pensak]

OMG! FRICKIN’ FANTASTIC!!! Outstanding work and congratulations to Joe and you for tackling this most impressive project. I can’t wait for more. Oh to have had this as a play set back in 1980~. Thank you.

[@wittmanist]

Looks authentic to the original line. Really well done!

[@Cyberrat629]

Michael, that is the most amazing thing I've seen in quite some time. Wow! It is amazing to see something like this come to life after all these years. The fans, truly DO make the best stuff. I can't wait to see the completed playset.

[@aaronmosteller2997]

Absolutely fantastic work!! Would love to see more development on this project, simply beautiful!

[@retroblasting]

More to come!

[@Dormition]

This playset is coming along nicely, and you can really see the amazing work, detail and passion that is going into! Looking forward to seeing the rest of this build. Also, that was a sweet ending. We're all kids at heart, and we should always take a moment to play with our toys, if only to feel young and carefree again. Great video!

[@cpmario97227]

That’s so cool!!! I really like how you let your childhood figures have their turn first. It shows how much you loved and cared for those toys as a kid that you still have that respect and admiration for them in your adult life. Thanks for showing more people you’re never too old to play with toys and use your imagination

[@largolore]

Totally worth all the time and effort.👍 Very, Very Cool 😎

[@JosephDickersonUX]

Almost 100 hours of design time. Yup. Worth it.

[@markbradley5908]

Bravo sir. Just sublime.

[@jackhammer0101]

Absolutely awesome.. Watching this made me feel like the 12 year old kid I was when empire came out. And while practically all my toys are long gone.. I still have about 40 or so figures and if I was going to buy a display set, to display them.. THIS WOULD BE IT.. freaking spectacular!

[@JosephDickersonUX]

Glad you like it. It took a while (100 design hours). Frankly, I'm exhausted.

[@reccesam7799]

Probably the coolest thing I have seen on KZbin in a very very long time. Thank you, Michael.

[@creasybear31]

So good I had to watch it again! 👍👍

[@TheAtariCreep]

The playlet is rad AF but it's the story that rules here. Amazing stuff.

[@henryford5105]

I love that the concept came from an original kenner design.

[@matafuko]

That rant about the film-set playset was inspired. I do want the "George Lucas and Gary Kurtz arguing about the budget" 2 pack!

[@georgecostanza8927]

Michael (and Retroblasting ), this is truly a beautiful and well detailed Bespin play set. Thank you for posting this video.

[@brockbaby]

I commend you sir! Actions speak louder than words. We're at a point with age and technology that it's upon us to make that which Kenner/Hasbro has never made and will never make. Excited to see the rest of the playset!

[@bobahicks]

Now that is a real playset. Brilliant stuff.

[@fairamano4657]

I've seen this video a dozen times, but I love it. Very wholesome in a way.

[@mechamanblade8465]

This is a beautiful modular playset. You, my friend, are doing the best work!

[@Majicalcreatures]

Amazing! Love it! 👍😊

[@irish3335]

I like how you just have a love of collecting - I’m surprised at all the negativity regarding the collecting community, this stuff is supposed to be fun - way to bring something from your childhood dreams into reality, you need to patent “the fans are making the best stuff!” Slogan!

[@kaioken654]

I love how logical your channel is and how your argument is always valid.

[@SQLJedi]

Awesome playset... been thinking the same thing ever since I first saw ESB. The carbon freeze chamber is by far the coolest set piece in the history of film. Keep up the great work Michael, looking forward to seeing the rest of the playset!

[@Br1cht]

I really enjoy your dry humor and love for the hobby.

[@FanboyCantina]

This is sheer beauty and commitment. Love all of this.

[@mikedbz8530]

The Vintage Collection bridge to nowhere playset is really a spit in the face even for that line and for to the fans that support it, i’m really glad that someone took matters into their own hands and gave it to someone they trust to create Cloud City/Bespin. Yes I’m a younger person who was born the year after the Special editions was released but Hasbro really screwed the pooch with this one. And Kenner toys in the 80s not everything they did was gold (really a whole Hoth System play set and Yoda’s hut.) but someone would gotten the job done if they didn’t waste money on Hoth and Yoda’s hut. The original Kenner ESB figures reissues and The VC really deserved a better playset.

[@shockwave7513]

If I were a Star Wars collector I'd totally want this! And yeah, I don't get the backlash against "assembly required" these days. People are just lazy I guess. Even the new Castle Grayskull requires assembly!

[@JosephDickersonUX]

I will do as much assembly as I can for this, but some things the buyer will have to do. But I'm trying to make it as simple and easy as possible.

[@maxbrandt6]

Some assembly require, batteries not included, get your parents permission first, $2.50 for the first five minutes-$7.48 for each additional minute, veterans can not be turned down, void where prohibited, please allow 3 to 8 weeks for delivery and no CODs please! 📺

[@steveharvey2102]

Offer not valid in Quebec. I know that only a few will enjoy this comment but I don't care :) Cheers from Canada

[@OfficialOpinion]

A little too big and interesting and screen-friendly for a Kenner-inspired set. If you really wanted Kenner Vibes, we'd be seeing something with broken tabs and a bunch of random elements shoved together in a small display that kind of maybe look like movie scenes if you squint. Just like my favourite set; Vader's Star Destroyer! But aside from that, this is actually legitimately really cool! Excellent work between you and the creator to get this where it is and I am excited to see more of it! I love seeing people do stuff like this! Just today I was considering what an idea for a bigger version of the Kenner X-Wing and TIE Fighter could be like. Maybe to the scale of the modern Hasbro ships, but stylized in that original way with sh*tty plastic, obnoxious lights/sounds, and decals instead of paint. I've been into doing some 3D modeling myself and I think this channel and all the custom stuff I see here is really inspiring me to maybe do something like that for myself.

[@andrewclarvis8976]

Absolutely fantastic! Bespin was also the play set I wanted more than any other, we didn’t even have access to the cardboard version in the Uk

[@steveharvey2102]

I think it was a Sears exclusive in Canada but I'm not 100% sure. Regardless, I didn't even have the Sears one but I did have the Micro one, and loved it! The regular sized one featured in this video is amazing! Cheers from Canada

[@jasontheredfox]

This is honestly spectacular

[@AllThings80s]

Impressive. I like it!!!

[@marktodd6187]

This is absolutely the Empire set I always wanted as a kid. Amazing job!

[@SFforlife]

This is just awesome. This... is why this channel always stands out in my mind. It’s so satisfying, and, honestly, heartwarming and wholesome to see a child’s dream finally become an adult’s reality. It’s not often that our childhood dreams come true, whether big or small, but this one of those very cool and rare instances. It’s stories like this which keep me loving this channel. Because it’s not just a Star Wars/toy/pop culture one.. it’s also at times, an enlightening journey of not just a fan, but a _man’s_ journey through fandom. Don’t mean to get too sappy, haha, but I’m very happy you accomplished this, Michael. If only more people had the gumption and passion to not give up on some of _their_ dreams, I think the world would be a better place.

[@newwavepop]

it is an awesome set and i appreciate that you put your time and money into getting it made and that you made sure it can be shared with the rest of the community, for me personally its out of my price range and kind of takes up some space but thats ok because its YOUR passion project. i have some passion projects of my own i would like to do someday if i can ever afford them. also personally i am all for adding The Adventure People Action News Van set to Bespin :) EDIT. DAMN the set is really cool in that end shot where its all set up with the rest of the pieces.

[@manofmainstreet1503]

What brings me back to Retroblasting videos, is Michael's core understanding of what this stuff is supposed to be....fun! The era of collector's editions and exclusives has gotten to far away from play value. That final bit at the end of this video really drove it home, and I started writing this comment before seeing the whole video.

[@erikkunkle9574]

It looks great....then you lit it. Perfect screen shot from the movie. Just gorgeous. Just saw the ending. Looks much better with someone beaming from ear to ear playing with it.

[@Miakel]

That is an awesome playset, one you can recreate the scenes you love and then create your own story. If I had that set as a child, Boba Fett vs IG88 final battle would occur right there.

[@TheNerdHolden]

Michael and DV playing at the end is the most wholesome thing ever. And as someone done with high school and getting ready for college, this is the reminder that i needed that toys don't have to be something that gets left behind for childhood, these tangible figures represent the things I love, and I don't care what anyone says, but I love them.

[@laserkid]

Oh my God this is exactly what kid me wanted also. Can not waot to be able to buy this! Thank you for spearheadding this! 😁

[@Fnordathoth]

I'm not big into Star Wars toys to be honest, but this is absolutely one of the most awesome things I've ever seen in my life! Congrats on fulfilling a childhood dream, this is truly awesome!

[@MrDrokkul]

I think a neat addition might be some kind of antenna array that attaches under the tall platform that Luke could hang from while he mentally phones Leia in the Falcon.

[@samsscaledmodels1872]

So inspirational. I hadn't thought about a 3D printed play set or display until now. Excellent work by you both.

[@wonderfulwookiee6443]

A wise man once said, "the fans are doing the best work". Trying to remember who that was... Excellent work Michael.

[@rbrearey]

This is amazing. I can’t wait to see the finished product. Like you’ve been saying, the fans are doing the best work.

[@Linuxpunk81]

This is so amazing. I've always been a sucker for toys with quality lighting, it would mesmorizine me as a kid and does so even now. It brought a literal tear to my eye. Keep up the good work! I imagine this will be only the first of many custom playsets you will create!

[@bountyhunter779]

You had a dream, made it happen, and enjoyed having something in your collection that looked amazing, especially with the lights on! Dream it, Do it, Enjoy it!

[@TheCatWatches]

Funny story, a friend dropped $100 for the Hasbro 2020 Bridges to Nowhere, displayed it near a window for natural light to give it a glow. On a blustery day, the set was so flimsy it blew over with a gust of wind xD

[@maxmessling8064]

Great playset.

[@aegonthedragon7303]

You know the toy has succeeded in making Michael happy when even DV wants to join in.

[@belahajnal]

The best bespin-playset ever. Would love to have this in my collection

[@FADE_FROM_VIEW]

The look on Michael’s face at 17.07 is face of that realised childhood dream, and one we’ve all made a a few times. Look forward to you and Joe’s updates!

[@PrenticeBoy1688]

Not a toy collector, or even a consumer of popular culture, but I really enjoy your videos and hearing what's on your mind. You make valid points on issues I would never think about otherwise.

[@MarcelosToyRoom]

For the longest I been saying that 3D printing will only get better. Is great to see the maker community do what big corporate business won't do. Hope he can get a popular design and keep selling this custom playset and it out shines any of the other ones.

[@h.b.hatecraft953]

This thing is perfect! An acetone vapor chamber and some sand paper gits rid of most printer build lines and some decals and a printed floor mat would be the finishing touches to make this play set perfect. Great job man. I can't wait to see the final version of this. Seriously great work.

[@hgc7000]

The fact that you can move the platforms around, AND fit the classic Slave 1 is great! Modular parts are a smart design method.

[@venger78]

One word... Epic. Thank the Force for you and Joseph Dickerson. You guys are a credit to the fans.

[@brycevo]

This looks so fantastic. I hope to see more from this project later

[@styluscx7800]

Perfectly Splendid! This is amazing! Hasbro/Kenner needs people like you! #letshelphasbro understand the fans!

[@geordiebatt]

That is top class, the lights are fantastic. Well done to all involved.

[@paulparker1360]

That is so awesome! Congratulations on you receiving what you have dreamed of for 40 yrs.