Customer Reviews

Hasbro Star Wars Transformers Darth Vader/Death Star

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(9)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(12)

 

 

I agree with all the other reviewers that it's very hard to get it to transform from Darth Vader into the Death Star. I would be stunned if any 6-year-old (my son's age) is able to assemble it having seen somebody else do it, to say nothing of trying to get it from the instructions.

Nevertheless, it's pretty cool once it's in Death Star mode. My son isn't too excited about the Darth Vader mode, but he has been playing with it some as the Death Star. I don't think it's going to keep his attention for too long, though. I'm still marveling at the feat of engineering creating this thing must have been (difficulty of assembly notwithstanding).

While the transformer itself seems very solid, the accessories are not so well constructed. The laser beam and light saber are both very easily bent, and the tie fighters are also pretty soft plastic. As for the arm pieces coming off, I'm not sure that isn't by design (same with the feet, which, at least to me, look like space ships).

For all of you still struggling to put it together, here are some written tips:

* Make sure that his legs are folded all the way up. The trigger for the gun (which is placed between his legs) needs to be activated by pushing his head forward once the Death Star is assembled.
* Make sure to pull the spring-loaded section on his back all the way out. It should click into place. I didn't do this at first and it's impossible to assemble if you don't.
* After the legs are folded up and the bottom cap has been swung into place, start at the back spring-loaded section and snap pieces into place, moving around to the front -- first one side and then the other. Leave the two top sections (the ones with the little doors to reveal Darth's head) for last.
* To get the last two sections in place, look for a little plastic hook on the bottom corners (nearest the back spring-loaded section). For each one, swivel the part so that that hook catches first, then rotate it into place.

Good luck!

I am at wits end trying to assemble this guy into "Death Star" mode. The "instructions" are written microscopically and are not much help. I have tried to do it three times with my overly excited son watching each time. Failed again. I need a drink!

My 8 yr. old son really wanted this toy as well as a Star Wars Lego set. After spending several hours with him constructing his 471 piece Lego Imperial Land Cruiser we were both happy and satisfied. The toy had several working parts including gears and weapons that fire. On the other hand this Transformer is nearly impossible to "transform" completely. At some point when trying to get it into the Death Star form you just want to brute force it into place. Almost 2 weeks after Christmas this Transformer has not been played with much and the Lego craft has seen lots of play time. It is not a matter of skill or following directions - the transformer toys just don't transform well. Trying to transform these toys will try your child's patience while Legos will reward their ability to stay with the activity.

WOW THIS IS HARD TO TRANSFORM THE FIRST TIME!!!!!!!!!! but after about four times ive goten pretty good! the robot looks amazing! hes huge and awesome! my favorate chistmas gift this year! the lightsaber lights up and makes sounds! he talks too! and his little figures are sweet! he gos great with the han and chewbacca transformers! theres only one thing to say now.....AWESOOOOOOOOOOOOOMEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yes, this almost drove me to drink!! Getting the death star created is a royal pain. Thanks to Andrew for his helpful hints review. A few more suggestions. Mine went along pretty well until I got to the arm pieces.

*Vader's arms need to be close to his side. I put the pieces on his biceps in first. Make sure his hands are turned thumbs up and pushed down as far as possible. The other piece (the hinged piece) should fold in without much resistance. If it doesn't slide flush, look in through the top (Vader's head) and you can see if his hands are in the way.

*On the pieces above the missle launcher, there are some connectors that swivel. You don't need them, but make sure they are pointed down and out of the way.

*With the final 2 pieces, the one on the left has to go on first (if you are looking at the back of the toy (part with the battery compartment)).

Good Luck and May the Force be with you (but not too much force or it'll break apart).

I purchased this toy for my six year old son for Christmas. He and his father both love Star Wars. Trying to get Darth Vader to transform to the Death Star is like trying to get a law passed through congress. It is horrible.

As mentioned in numerous other reviews, the Death Star transformation is not for the faint of heart. It requires perseverance, full engagement, and deft hand steadiness to execute. If the Primus and Unicron are rated Skill Level 4, this thing should be about a 6. It takes patience and practice to learn how to best approach it. That's why I rated it high in educational, "brain" value... The Darth Vader mode is cool - with noises and lights and trash talk, but the conformation is not comparable to Unicron or Primus. I'd put it third of the three as a robot, with Unicron the baddest, most capable. As a planet though, the Death Star is striking, and embodies the ultimate evolution of the sphericals. It even has retractable stand legs, unlike the Primus.
Sitting side-by-side, they make a nice ensemble. Of the three, I like the Primus best for play value - quick and easy and fun to transform and show off with. But this one can be fun if you are up for the challenge, or is cool as a noisy paperweight in whichever mode, if you aren't...

It looks great coming out of the box. Darth Vader is amazing. Then you decide you want to see it as the Death Star...this is where you need more than the directions can provide. I'm thinking of hiring and architect to see if they could help us figure it out. I would not recommend it for those who aren't ummm, how should I say, extremely mechanically inclined.

We purchased this as a Christmas gift for my six year old Star Wars and Transformer fanatic. He loves it and has played with it more than most of his other presents. It is difficulty to transform into the death star but that has only increased his interest in it - he spent over an hour working on it before he asked for some final help to finish the transforming. Overall, a great toy for a kid who loves this stuff!

anyone familiar with transformers will know that while neat that they transform from one shape to another, they are not always easy to change. This one is no exception. After 10 minutes of turning vader into death star, I gave up. It's not that it is hard to figure out, it's just that the pieces don't want to go together. So we have either Vader, or a cracked up Death Star. My son was disappointed in that, and has not played with the toy since then.