Special Offer Radio Control R2-D2
In order to make overstock product more attractive to retailers, Kenner offered very limited numbers of some of their action figure and Micro Collection toys with in-box bonuses such as figures or cardboard backdrops. In most cases, such toys had bright yellow notices either printed onto the front of their boxes or affixed to them in the form of stickers. These yellow areas usually have the word "Special" printed in large block letters on them; the more interesting of them actually include a small image of the figure bundled inside of the box. While, in recent years, "Special Offer" items have begun to attract more collector attention, they remain some of the most obscure and infrequently-seen toy collectibles produced by Kenner. A good reference source for collectors interested in this material are the "Department Store Programs" issued by Kenner to their retailers during the Star Wars and Empire Strikes Back years. Unfortunately, no "Special Offer" pieces of this kind were released for the Return of the Jedi line.

Here we have the Special Offer version of the Remote Controlled R2-D2 with Adventure Obstacle Set. This is one of the most uncommon of the already rare Special Offer toys.  This is only the second one to turn up that's known to exist at this time.  No one seems to be sure whether it only came with the mat or if there were also special instructions or a "die" that actually made this some sort of game.  Both examples found in collections only included the mat and no associated paperwork.

Description by: John Wooten
Photo: John Wooten
From the collection of: Anonymous
Country:United States
Film:A New Hope
Licensee:Kenner
Year:1979
Style:Includes Adventure Obstacle Course
Category:Toys / Radio-Controlled


  


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