Top 10 Best Vintage Star Wars Action Figures - Kenner Collection

Subscribe Now and watch all our videos featuring vintage and retro toys from the 1960s, 70s and 80s. Our Channel includes vintage toy reviews, restoration tips and featurettes about the hobby of vintage toy collecting.
Don't Eat The Yellow Lightsaber:
• Star Wars Follies: Don...
Like us on Facebook / analogtoys77
Follow us on twitter: / analog_toys @Analog_Toys
Email us at: [e-mail]

[@Villafarrell]

Love yr intro!!! I also enjoy animating my SW figures :) thts a good list, I like the fact u had TESB Han & Luke, original line figures AND a final line figure! Keep up the good work :)

[@Halbared]

My top Luke was Jedi Knight Luke, he has the green sabre, unique gun and cloak!

[@katelynnchadwick1308]

my favorite is a TIE between 4-LOM and Zuckuss, while too young to have gotten any of the vintage figures, i did play with by brother's hand me downs and just like the alien bug look on these... also hey another Chadwick lol

[@Halbared]

@@katelynnchadwick1308 Yeah cuz! I had 4-Lom and Zuckuss as well, along with Dengar, IG-88, Bosk and Boba. I just loved the idea of the bounty hunters so I'm fairly sure I had all. I deffo had Zuckuss and 4-Lom, I use to think they were related or something. :D

[@JFvE]

Biker Scout for me is right up there in the Top 10. I was blown away in '83 when I got him. I mean we finally had a Stormtrooper with a movable head! He has excellent sculpting too. Thanks for the great vid! Really enjoyed it.

[@wesmander]

Han Solo bespin best !, no way dude , Han Solo hoth is way cooler , other than that great vid thanks for posting 👍

[@bartdman95]

The part of the video that AMAZED me was when the Bespin HAN SOLO changed his gun on the turn table.

[@Blackedoutewoks]

Great choices 😗 My top 3 would be 1978s Han Solo, Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia!

[@toypolloi]

Congrats on the 5k subs! Well deserved!

[@TheStgmp44]

none had a Star Wars figure in '77,all they had was a cardboard card and a promise of getting their first figure in February '78.

[@comixrel8ted950]

I have to agree with the choice of Luke in number one place. Especially this figure holds such great memories. My parents back then asked me if I wanted a Luke figure or an Easter egg for Easter. I was 14 then and Star Wars figures over here in the UK were quite expensive. I didn't have to think, Luke was my choice. WOW !!! on Easter Sunday they got me a Luke and an Easter egg, it made my day..... THE FORCE WAS WITH ME..... Great top 10 choices. Best wishes from Dave in the UK.

[@dcambel943]

I also received besbin Luke on Easter.

[@DAREDEVILBKLYN]

Good pick the sliding light saber in Lukes arm was so cool.

[@paulnorton3607]

For me the original Luke Farmboy figure takes me back to 77/78 and epitomises SW toys. There have been some great Luke figures since then but that one does it for me?

[@Steve-wm9gg]

I've only got Han and vader

[@dcambel943]

The empire strikes back line was the best.

[@kurtoogle4576]

Honorable mentions? For me: Bossk, Greedo, & Squid Face. Great & imaginative aliens!

[@MEEMS_is_clear_of_u]

Squid faceee

[@bradbruhn9586]

The Squid Face Figure is a very good looking figure

[@nickmanzo8459]

Bossk is also dressed in a Doctor Who space suit so that’s awesome.

[@geordiebatt]

My 3 favourites as a kid were the Snow trooper, Biker Scout and Tie Fighter Pilot the best looking figures by a mile imo.

[@ashleycorkadale1744]

Bryan Battista - Good call mate

[@TheRowlandstone73]

@Bryan Battista Those are strong choices. Did your TIE Fighter pilot have an extremely distinctive smell too? I've no idea what it smelled of, but it wasn't particularly offensive!

[@Daniel-415-Ponce]

In light of all the obscure characters who were made into action figures, it drove me crazy as a young kid in 1978 that Kenner - - as far as I know - - never made a generic rebel soldier from the opening battle scene of Episode IV.

[@Darth_Collector]

I agree, glad they eventually made them in POTF and obviously the modern figures.

[@justinallen1771]

I agree that Luke Bespin is the best. Certainly the most popular. From the most climactic scenes in the movie really. (I've done a couple videos on him). Maybe not the best sculpted though.

[@sausagefestcity5078]

I remember my favs were Bespin Luke, Hoth Han Solo, and Snow trooper...oh and Death star trooper too. I'm 49.

[@rodchamp7510]

Love the video - although don't agree with it! 1. Hammerhead 2. Boba fett 3. Luke Hoth 4. Powerdroid 5. Leia bespin 6. Yak face 7. Amanaman 8. Luke stormtrooper 9. Death squad commander 10. Jaws

[@Jonny-xq5cb]

I didnt know Jaws was canon 😂

[@unit0033]

whos jaws! lol

[@jaysonw8730]

Hahaha, Jaws is the late richard kiel..........Spy who loved me, Moonraker, of James bond🤫

[@masterrserch3971]

0:21 I didn’t know Eddie Murphy had his own Star Wars action figure!?!?!

[@famousbowl9926]

Hahahahahah! Duuuude! Tfff haha

[@richardlee2120]

But I like the Anakin Skywalker figure! He was free with 5 Proof of Purchase seals! He's easily found today loose, but a fortune if carded.

[@broken1394]

My favourites ... 1. Original Luke 2. Stormtrooper 3. Boba 4. Greedo 5. Chewie 6. Original Han 7. Yoda 8. Anakin Last 17. 9. Jedi Luke 10. Jawa Honorable Mentions ... Gamorrean Guard, Rebel Commander, Hammerhead, Lobot, Bib.

[@jamesbodnarchuk6245]

Kenner should have made a rebel blockade runner trooper?

[@dex7721]

My own picks: Han Solo (Star Wars) Darth Vader Lando Calrissian (Empire Strikes Back) Princess Leia (Star Wars) R2-D2 (Star Wars) Ben (Obi-Wan) Kenobi (Star Wars) Chewbacca (Star Wars) Admiral Ackbar R5-D4 Luke Skywalker (Jedi Knight)

[@ericroth2400]

Luke Jedi is far superior to Luke Bespin

[@PixelPipes]

While they predate my existence, I can't help but admire the dedication vintage Star Wars collectors have for the line, and it has led to many interesting documentaries and videos on the subject, like this one!

[@literallyunderrated]

I tend to think of the more unusual sculpted figs, even if they weren’t major characters. Hammerhead, FX7 and 21B come to mind. I know a lot of people don’t consider Jabba a figure but he had way more lines/screen time than many of the standard figures. Its not his fault that he’s big!

[@mattpomara1967]

Great job, although I disagree about Anakin, thought that was a great figure!

[@TheImapotato]

I remember I used so many rubber bands as 'holsters' for the weapons. Never lost one!

[@stratpack9591]

Luke Bespin was one I really wanted but never found as a kid. I always thought the shot of Luke on the cardback was superb!

[@salvatoredangelo7026]

Nice video😀 Chewbacca was my first action figure from the star Wars collection I had a little Chewbacca in the big gigantic Chewbacca my great-grandmother bought it for me

[@MadisonCarter]

Very late to the party on this one, but for me, the worst figure in the line was the FX-7 Medical Droid.

[@markrussell3414]

Another awesome fantastic video of star wars figures top 10 awesome video 👍👍👍

[@Ol_Lochy]

In my opinion my favorite Kenner vintage figure is Jedi Knight Luke

[@brianjohnson5063]

9 of my 10 starwars figures only 1 i didn't have was yoda on the list

[@rodman9121]

love your list vids! my top 10: 10) Death Squad Commander (Death Star Trooper) 9) Death Star Droid 8 ) Leia (Combat poncho) Endor 7) Biker Scout 6) Greedo 5) Darth Vader 4) Snaggletooth 3) Bossk 2) Jawa 1) Yoda

[@Darth_Collector]

Great list! I really like the hammerhead and Walrus Man figures!

[@rodman9121]

@@Darth_Collector thanks! Walrusman is one of my best friend's favorites :) ... Hammerhead I really liked as a kid; in my mixed rebels and imperials list, he comes out at #18... in my imperials list only (i just put all the bounty hunters in there) he is #10 :)

[@voyager360]

I agree with the selection and a have all but R2. I may ad that mi figures are all well play! Greetings!

[@sammylane21]

Yoda was by far the cutest and tiniest toy I ever held .

[@newmod1974]

Dude, you got me with that one!

[@thlandon]

IMO The Imperial Guard was one of my favorites. The helmet and the cloth cape are perfection. Also Zuckuss and his faux leather duster was pretty badass

[@mblatty.]

I have to vintage Darth Vader carrying case and half close to 20 of the vintage action figures

[@goheen1701]

The Japanese Star Wars t-shit you wear is AWESOME.

[@alexj1188]

Whats the differences of those 1980s figures that have a yellow star that read proof of purchase.and the ones that dont have it.

[@Kerja_Relon]

I think the Chewie figure should have been #1. It was also my first Star Wars figure. ❤

[@estabanb55]

You mean Luke Skywalker's Shea Stadium Beatles outfit

[@stephanieparker5049]

Great video but.... Boba Fett and Han Solo my favorites the force is with you

[@MrRomanweb]

These are fun! Another great list. Although for me I felt like Luke Skywalker's figure evolved quite well over the collection years. And so Luke Skywalker Jedi Knight was always my favorite figure as a kid. Awesome lightsaber cool gun and great, cloth cloak to drape over his awesomeness.

[@MattakaMouse]

exellent video! I dont like the fact the handle on the bespin lukes saber, its flat making it hard to hold in his hand firmly. Thats my only complaint

[@tonycarlson9013]

Great video. I was surprised the Emperial Guard didn't make the list. He had to be number 11 right? lol!

[@Halbared]

tony carlson Yrah, that red robe 👘 was ace!

[@LegitMan335]

I’m going to collect all these figures, or at least one or two.

[@scottterry4309]

Luke jedi Way more accurate sculpt than Bespin Luke and all black outfit and accessories.

[@garzh814]

Memories man. Other belters- Zuckuss. 4 lom. Prune face ha. They ran the show in my ewok village. The things bespin Leia done for them. Used to make lando the canteena boss. Walrus man and hammerhead were the dodgy but OK guys that sold things. With stormtrooper guns. Ha

[@DAREDEVILBKLYN]

Memories had all of them bought at Alexanders department store as kid. Amazing how time flies over 40 years ago. Happy to see this video brought back some cool memories of a more simpile action figure and time.

[@gregoryreed4866]

As far as Leia, I have to say bespin Leia was it!!! For me..

[@darrenccwong]

Pretty spot on for me..........my top choice was also Bespin Luke, although I chose Leia Boushh as number 2

[@richardmilbourne1679]

Great video I agree with your choice however I must say that the sandpeople would be my 1st choice for no1

[@Andrew-el8xi]

Good video can you do one on the vehicles ....I glad I have most of these figures .my first figure I ever got was the luke in bespin gear then atat driver class toys

[@AnalogToys]

andrew wyatt I’m planning to do a vehicle list but that will only be a top 5 video

[@sammylane21]

KENNER had the best collectible toys , huh ?? STAR WARS , THE REAL GHOSTBUSTERS and more . My fav are The Stay Puffed Marshmallow Man and the large angry looking Slimer .... I still have'em to this day and have no plans to lose them ever .

[@contactlight8079]

Bousch was a fantastic figure. I I had to choose one from a fire it would be Bousch.

[@Andrew-el8xi]

OMG my first figure was luke in besbin gear and I have nearly all those figures I have yoda with his brown snake

[@temazros6112]

Bossk is the best!

[@My2Drumsticks]

I mailed in all my proofs of purchase for that Bobba Fett.

[@hankw69]

Good list! But for me, Chewie & Vader would take the top spots.

[@leebush4053]

Great video. Very hard list to compile. Some sentiment needed to make the choices. Jedi Luke? Tie Fighter pilot? Bossk or Dengar? My favourite for the sculpt is the Gammorean Guard. Like you I couldn't get my head round the awful Anakin figure and the lack of DV with removable helmet. thanks for the video and the memories

[@Cyberbeagle1000]

I kept losing my Bespin Luke! And it was my favourite too. Last I saw it was at the Abbey Centre in Glengormley 😢

[@geographyinaction7814]

I had most of these, including Yoda. I noticed the blue, Jedi training ruck that Luke is wearing in one of the clips. I got mine in a mail-order package that included Hoth back-packs, blasters, and the gas-masks used by our heroes in the Space-slug. Chewie was my first figure and is my favourite character. I remember that the last two figures I ever got were R2-D2 and Ben...they completed a set that was made up of all of the SW figures, the Cantina 'monsters', bounty hunters, droids, and most of the ESB figures. There were one or two I didn't have and once I got Bespin Luke, regular Luke was banished to my figure box. I was somewhat spoiled and also lucky in that a friend grew too old for the toys (he was 13 when SW came out, I was 9). I managed through gifts, purchases and through a generous donation from that friend, to acquire close to 15 or so of the Stormtrooper's, and a half dozen or so of the Snowtroopers and Hoth Rebel troopers. The sheer size of my collection allowed for some epic play...I finished grade 7 in 1981 and by the time I was into my first few months of high-school, my SW toys had been relegated to the large SW box in my toy closet. They remained there for many years alongside my Micronaut collection and a fairly prolific collection of 12"GI Joe's and British Action Men. With the exception of a few Chewbacca and Boba Fett collectibles and my original Kenner Millenium Falcon that adourn the man-cave, they're all gone.

[@dcambel943]

The last 17 were the most boring, Kenner lost its way at the end.

[@bobastu]

Luke Bespin was my #1 as well. I used to use cocktail swords (with the pirate hilt removed, leaving a flat piece then the swird) to replace the yellow lightsaber. Yellow lightsaber sat in my underwear drawer right next to telescoping yellow lightsaber.

[@bluesnagg]

I had commented on Retroblasting's video on probably why the Kenner Luke lightsabers were yellow. Good choices for the list, but the worst figure has to be Rancor Keeper. Best figure is either Yoda or the Jawa.

[@sneakyquick]

Snow troopers are cool but I liked biker scout the best as a kid

[@riverdealer]

i vaguely remember Luke (ROTJ) originally being released with a blue lightsaber...is that true or just bad color on my TV

[@AnalogToys]

Jan Chapman you’re correct

[@chrisdaugherty8265]

So glad you had Bespin Han on the list. It is without a doubt my favorite Star Wars Vintage figure. Great video Tony!

[@jamesbodnarchuk6245]

My favourite was the imperial storm troopers

[@TheVegastiki]

great video...but no Luke in stormtrooper disguise in the top ten???

[@markgriffith3076]

My thoughts exactly.....best figure, well close with Bespin Luke.

[@Lars_Homestead]

That’s exactly what I thought

[@zangeejoe]

My no1 has to be ATAT Driver..always will be..great video.. just wondering i live in ireland do you know any other sites to buy vintage star wars apart from ebay..

[@AnalogToys]

James Ennis check out echo base uk on Facebook

[@IntotheSarlacc]

Awesome List!

[@Ariranhaa]

Nice! Action figures have surelly come a looooong way. If you show those to some regular kids today, they will surelly dismiss them as fake bootlegs. And this is actually a good sign! We old guys will always love those toys because they connect us to fond memories of the past, but action figures today have improved a lot! I wonder how will they look like some 30 years from now...

[@scottakanumba1heathen379]

For me, POTF 1985 Amanaman -the figure AND trophy skull staff. The sculpts of both were ahead of its time, even if he wasn't scaled as tall as the puppet in Jabba's Palace.

[@Yviqo_fn]

My dad and his four brothers have all of them

[@LaserRanger15]

That was good. Brings back memories. I had 6 of your top 10, but I got them to play with not collect. Fun post.

[@anakinfilm9467]

DO ANOTHER STAR WARS VID ITS BEEN FOREVER!

[@ahorriblebeast196]

For me it was the droids and bounty hunters

[@dreamlandnightmare]

3:32 - how did you do that? It was seamless. I didn't notice a cut anywhere. (And the motion is much too smooth to have been stop-motion.)

[@AnalogToys]

dreamlandnightmare secrets of the trade lol

[@hando88c]

I hate how Bespin Luke has his lightsaber hanging on his belt the same time his lightsaber is in his hand wtf

[@MyNameGoesRightHere]

I would'nt be able to do a top 10 list... Way too much coolness in the vintage line!

[@ObiwanKBI333]

Me encantó tu canal!!!

[@805warriortentwelve9]

That skit in the beginning is funny

[@thethoughtcriminal8786]

I totally agree. Luke's Bespin figure was my favourite. I had a tan jacket similar to Luke's and I remember wearing it and having to force my arms into it as I grew to big to wear it.....I went through a growth spurt that summer and by the end of the summer I could no longer fit my shoulders into it....but for that entire summer....I was Luke....and during that winter I was a rebel soldier fighting in the Hoth trenches at the park, by the river....perfect ditches for simulating the snow trench.

[@YodaPagoda]

I clicked on this video, expecting a terrible list I didn't agree with. Needless to say, every figure in your top 10 is in my top 10, and I had every one of them...although I think I liked Leia on Endor just for the rad poncho that I appropriated for my GI Joe figures.

[@Creatures1982]

I agree with your number 1 :)

[@bill21lumberg]

Jedi Luke should be #1!

[@benw9949]

Back when the figures came out, my mom wanted an R2-D2 of her very own. This was a big surprise to me as a kid. -- That Boba Felt figure or a special version was offered by the Star Wars Fan Club early, before the Empire Strikes Back came out. I ordered it with eager anticipation and wasn't disappointed. It was a good figure, so mysterious and cool-looking. -- I also liked the R5-D4 figure. -- I wish they'd offered a smaller scale version of the Imperial Walkers, but my parents got me one for Christmas, and even though I was getting too old for kids' toys by then, I though that thing was fantastic. -- But I will always like the Cylon Raider toy from the same era. Mine was gifted to friends' kids, and I later wished I'd gotten another one.

[@marcrichardson2814]

Great Video Tony! My favourite figure will always be Return of the Jedi Luke.

[@turtlebeach_192]

For me it’s a tie between Jedi Luke and Bespin Fatigues Luke

[@raleighburner1589]

I have six of those ten with blasters

[@curtwoot]

Nice list! I’d have to put original Lando in there somewhere!

[@jartladder15]

I agree...Luke Bespin is the best figure if I had to chose one (I've got a few Luke Bespins on my channel!). He's certainly not the best sculpted or anything like that, rather he's the best because that's the outfit and gear he was wearing during ESB, during the most climactic moment of the trilogy. It's also cool because he's got a separate saber not one stuck in his arm, even if it's yellow!!

[@jonathanrowlands1234]

Agreed with your No.1 Tony. Love Luke Bespin, I have olive and blonde versions.

[@Jasonleal77]

They could have given Luke a removable hand. Would have been cool.

[@JoeMotionVideos82]

Excellent video! I love the voice over.

[@Morgaine4194]

I think that's a good list

[@dustycrosley486]

Don't know why I missed the notification on this but better late than never haha!! The quality on your vids is top notch now and I love your reviews. With all that being said I have to agree that the POTF Anakin Skywalker was the biggest letdown of all time and yeah lets not even get started on Imperial Dignitary. I mean at that point in the game they had to give us that figure and we never got a Tarkin? Anyhow, great review Tony. Look forward to many more!

[@captainbeefcake5272]

I always enjoy your videos thanks

[@thereallantesh]

Great video. I don't know if I can pick a top 10 best list today, but my favorite figures as a child were the original Luke Skywalker, and Stormtrooper. As for those last 17 I never even knew they existed. I probably bought my last figure right before they came out, and wasn't aware of them until I started watching these retro videos.