Review: 75261 Clone Scout Walker - 20th Anniversary Edition
Posted by CapnRex101,
Numerous wonderful LEGO Star Wars sets have been produced during the last two decades and some outstanding examples were chosen for an update in 2019. 75261 Clone Scout Walker - 20th Anniversary Edition is a surprising choice, taking inspiration from 7250 Clone Scout Walker which became available in 2005.
The original set seems unexceptional within the Star Wars range, although it was reportedly very popular. In fact, 7250 Clone Scout Walker is among the first LEGO Star Wars sets that I possessed so its modern successor may be rather interesting, particularly given the addition of several supplementary models on this occasion.
Minifigures
Specialist drivers control AT-RTs during Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith but this set includes a standard Kashyyyk Clone Trooper. An identical minifigure appears in 75234 AT-AP Walker, wearing camouflaged olive green armour which looks marvellous. The pouches are intricately detailed and I like how these designs continue onto the dark brown legs.
The helmet features a bright green visor which corresponds precisely with the movie and the breathing filter looks fantastic, concealing a Clone Trooper head underneath. Camouflage arm printing may have beneficial but is not really necessary in my opinion as this olive green design is an accurate alternative. This minifigure carries a black blaster rifle into battle so matches other Clone Troopers.
An excellent Wookiee Warrior accompanies the Clone Trooper and this minifigure is unique, featuring dark brown hair which is decorated with dark tan highlights. The resultant design accentuates moulded detail in the combined head and torso component. The legs are equally impressive, although the same piece appears on Chief Tarfful in 75233 Droid Gunship.
Unfortunately, this warrior lacks the armour, helmets or ammunition belts which are worn by Wookiees during Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith. Presumably that decision was taken to differentiate this character from Tarfful or Chewbacca but a bandoleer could have been included. The minifigure is equipped with a reddish brown blunderbuss that represents a heavy bowcaster.
Kashyyyk Battle Droids have already appeared in two 2019 sets but 75261 Clone Scout Walker - 20th Anniversary Edition contains a standard Battle Droid instead. These droids have hardly been updated since 1999 so it seems appropriate that they should appear in the twentieth anniversary range, despite the inconsistency between this Battle Droid and the others found in recent Kashyyyk sets.
Darth Vader is probably the most instantly recognisable character from the entire Star Wars saga and his original minifigure is similarly popular. The distinctive helmet is less accurate than modern versions but it feels more consistent with traditional minifigure proportions, featuring bulbous lenses and a large triangular respirator. The scarred head underneath looks great.
Torso printing has advanced significantly since 1999 and this design seems incredibly simple, lacking the metallic silver printing that appears on current Darth Vader minifigures. Nevertheless, the required details are included while the reverse features some twentieth anniversary branding. This minifigure is equipped with a red lightsaber and wears a black cape, thereby concealing the back printing.
The Completed Model
Each twentieth anniversary minifigure is accompanied by a display base, identifying the character and featuring some metallic silver branding for the anniversary. These bases can be connected using black 2x4 plates which fit underneath the stands, creating an attractive display of five minifigures from across the history of LEGO Star Wars.
The beaches surrounding Kachirho are fortified before the Separatists arrive, hence this set contains an imposing wall which resembles those shown in the movie. The black 2x3 rock pieces provide nice texture and they are joined using hinges, allowing you to change the wall arrangement. A blaster rifle can be mounted here and includes armoured panels to protect the operator.
Dwarf Spider Droids are remarkably prolific, appearing in six LEGO Star Wars sets. This model looks similar to the version from 75142 Homing Spider Droid, albeit featuring slightly different colours in this instance. The legs are individually articulated which is useful, particularly in combination with the trans-clear 2x2 round brick that provides support beneath the droid.
An articulated stud shooter is situated between the forward legs and looks reasonable when compared with the films, although this should actually connect directly to the head. The eyes are excellent though and I love the pearl silver foil that forms an antenna, presumably connecting this Dwarf Spider Droid to Separatist command.
LEGO has produced numerous renditions of the AT-RT since 7250 Clone Scout Walker was released and the majority are larger than their onscreen counterparts. Excluding the communication equipment, this model measures almost 16cm in height so towers above minifigures. The vehicles from both 8098 Clone Turbo Tank and 75151 Clone Turbo Tank are more accurately scaled at half this size.
However, constructing a larger model has enabled the designer to include outstanding detail and this vehicle looks fantastic. The angular armour features sand green highlights which correspond with the source material while smaller details, such as the terrain scanner, are represented by stickers. These are easy to apply and I think the AT-RT would appear rather bland without them.
The laser cannon rotates but there is no vertical motion, unfortunately. It cannot therefore target droids on the ground which is a notable issue, exacerbated by the absence of useful leg articulation. The stud shooter has been integrated effectively though and could be easily removed if you prefer, although this weapon loosely resembles the targeting rangefinder situated beneath the laser cannon in the movie.
Weapon storage is found beside the handlebars which is slightly odd as the AT-RTs shown during Revenge of the Sith include prominent gun racks behind the driver. There is plenty of room for a minifigure though and I like how the antennas have been connected using clips, ensuring that they cannot be dislodged accidentally. That issue affected 75002 AT-RT from 2013 so I am pleased that it has been rectified here.
Broad feet are integral for stability and these certainly appear accurate, taking inspiration from 75002 AT-RT. The articulated claws look perfect and I appreciate this combination of dark bluish grey pieces with dark tan tiles. Furthermore, the vehicle includes two Technic linkages which look superb but they are mounted on blue Technic pins. A more muted colour would have been preferable.
The legs are constructed using click hinges and include three separate joints. However, their motion is severely restricted as the joints can only move backwards so creating stable poses is difficult. Even so, I am reasonably satisfied with the appearance of the legs and this has remained almost identical since 2005 when the first AT-RT was released.
Overall
75261 Clone Scout Walker - 20th Anniversary Edition is probably the most unusual of these twentieth anniversary sets, taking inspiration from an unexceptional source. However, choosing to produce a vehicle from the Clone Wars era was certainly welcome and this is an impressive model. It looks brilliant on display and the accompanying minifigures are appealing, even though a specialised driver could have been included.
Unfortunately, the limited articulation does restrict play and I would prefer a smaller and more accurate version of the AT-RT, despite the excellent detail on this rendition. Nevertheless, the price of £24.99 or $29.99 seems appropriate and I would recommend this set, although it does not particularly stand out when considered among the entire range.
I hope you have found this review informative. Let us know by liking this article and share your thoughts on the set in the comments below.
This set was provided for review by The LEGO Group but the review is an expression of my own opinions.
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19 comments on this article
Why are those pins not black?! Damn it Lego.. otherwise it looks like a really cool set.
good review
@darthnorman maybe because those pins haven't come in black since 2006?
Its a fun model, I bought it last week. The size is definitely way to big though; and almost looks better for some Star Wars action figures than it looks for Lego minifigures.
I actually like the blue pins. Those little splashes of colour remind me that this isn't a replica, it's a Lego set. Everything is dark tan and olive and grey grey grey these days, I welcome the blue!
Nice review of a well-rounded set, Cap'n.
The little build for that gun emplacement is surprisingly effective!
I want it, May 4 is getting closer and closer.....
That little gun emplacement is cool, hadn’t noticed it before when looking at the official pics. I wasn’t aware those rock pieces even existed.
What AT-RT? I just want that classic Vader!
You don’t get much for EUR 30 these days.
My least favorite set of the five
In Australia, apparently this and the Imperial Dropship are Lego Store exclusive.
I would have preferred two or three of the Kashyyyk type battle droids (as in 75233) replacing the 20th anniversary Vader in this 75261 set...for consistency.
Are there going to be many future sets that will have Kashyyyk themed green battle droid markings ? I hope so, but haven't set any high expectations.
Not super keen on this set although it is what I expected. The Wookie figure and the wall are both good. WIsh they didn't include the spider droid. Then it might have been £20.
I'll probably end up scrapping everything except the wall for parts. Might be able to use those stickers on a custom AT-RT
Great set and I have them all. I am 51 years old and still love Lego.. lol..
I had to buy all the sets as wanted the free mini figures for my collection. I'm one of those who sat in the cinema at aged 9 all day for 2 weeks to watch A New Hope - Episode 4. Hooked on star wars ever since, so when Lego came out I had to have them. I even bought my best friend Han Solo figure. He didn't want it so we fell out. He wanted Space 1999. It cost me 99p and every weekend my dad would buy me a figure if been good. Oh how I wish I'd kept them. My best friend didn't talk to me for 5 years. But hey it was Star Wars. Anyone got a similar story?
Tlg could've easily skipped the trench and battle droid and dropped the price to $20-$25
For me original 7250 is better.
Great review! I like this set, but I prefer the walker from 75151. That could have been included in a nice 15€ battle pack. I know Lego is not meant to be perfectly to scale, but this one is just way too big. I like vehicles that are a bit too small, like the AT-AT, latest Sandcrawler or the Tydirium, those are all nice and fine to me. I even like the Microfighters, they are really cute. But vehicles that are too big, like this or the latest Captain America motor cycle, those always make the minifigures look too small.