The Star Wars Black Series Gaming Greats Riot Scout Trooper was a 2022 release well ahead of the April 2023 arrival of the Jedi: Survivor video game from which the figure is based. The Gaming Great releases are sold exclusively by Gamestop in the US, while the figure was sold more widely via the Fan Channel in the UK and elsewhere. The Riot Trooper pre-dates the plastic-free packaging change so comes with a window box and uses the electric blue colour accent assigned to the Gaming Greats series, the figure is number 14 and the first of a run of four Jedi: Survivor figures in the collection.
Unlike the Stormtroopers and Clone Troopers, the Scout Trooper body remains the same as when it was originally released in 2014. The figure is cast in alternating black and white parts depending on the armour with crossover parts hand-painted leaving a bit of a rough and dulled finish in places like the elbow and knee armour. The overall proportions of the trooper are good and the likeness to what we see on screen in Return of the Jedi and various properties since is excellent. Over the base Scout Trooper body is placed a harness vest which is the same one used in 2020 for the Jedi; Fallen Order release. This time around the paintwork feels brighter and crisper with a clearer red to the wiring that comes off the vest and down the arm for the electro baton.
Articulation is pinned, but the majority of the pinned joints are on black areas of the body so are less obvious. The benefit of the older 2014 body is the double-jointed knees and elbows utilised to allow this figure to ride the Speeder Bike, that means the Riot Trooper has a huge range of movement all of which are secure with ratcheted and secure joints and a good balance on the feet and ankle rockers to keep it standing.
The electro-baton weapon first seen in the original 2020 release and also included on the recent Imperial K-Series droid is included with this figure. It is simple in its design, cast in a base grey with obvious detailing around the textured grip and central controls - but with no added paintwork. The outer baton is telescopic so extends in and out. And the weapon end is finished with a blue translucent soft plastic effect piece to stimulate the electroshock. This effect is loose and wrapped around the baton but could be removed if you are not a fan of such enhancements.
As the Jedi: Survivor Troopers got an upgrade to Riot Shields, so does the figure with a new Riot Shield piece included. This is cast in white with a pitted and worn surface. The top part is painted black and includes a transparent orange view screen. The piece does not match the gameplay exactly as it is missing the Imperial Logo we do see in live gameplay. Behind the Shield is a wrist connection and a grip handle for the hand which both work really well although only allow the left-hand grip. The addition of the Shield seems to have taken the costs to a point where the original Scout Trooper Hold Out blaster has been lost from the release. That is disappointing considering the figure comes with a sculpted shin holster which now sits empty.
The Gaming Greats line as a whole is one aimed at particular collectors and with the exception of the recent Cal Kestis, these figures do not seem to have the same demand as more mainstream releases. As has been defined for some time, the Gaming Greats releases are usually tweaks to existing figures and the Riot Scout Trooper is a prime example of that. Despite the heavy re-use the high-end RRP of these figures - which can sometimes push £30 - is off-putting. For your money, you do get a highly articulated and good-looking trooper, and the new shield piece is a great addition to the Imperial armoury.
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About Me : As a child of the 70's and 80's I grew up in a golden age for action figures and in my youth bought and sold myself through collections of Star Wars, G.I. Joe (Action Force) and M.A.S.K. while also dabbling in He-Man, Transformers and Ghostbusters. Roll forward and I am now reliving that Youth with the action figures of today and am a collector and fan of the larger 6-8 inch figures from my favourite movie and TV licences - including the ones mentioned above, but also the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Doctor Who and the Aliens. I launched The Mephitsu Archives in 2015 with a view of creating a UK focused site or these figures where fans can pick up the latest action figure news, read reviews and get information on where to buy their figures and what is currently on store shelves. I hope I am delivering that to you guys...