Is there a more iconic toy line than Kenner’s original 3.75-inch Star Wars action figures and vehicles? Arguments can be made for Transformers, GI Joe, or Barbie, but let’s be honest… the answer is no. Kenner’s original line, which ran from 1977 through 1985ish, is the standard against which all toys made since are measured.

Like most nerds my age, I grew up with those toys. The power of nostalgia is very real, but even today – in an era with hyper-real, photorealistic action figures – it’s hard to deny that Kenner did something amazing with the Star Wars brand.

Full disclosure: I’m a recovered Star Wars collector who spent far too many years and far too much money in the pursuit of plastic happiness. Cripes, I had an entire room in my parents’ house devoted to the collection. Today, most of that collection is gone (sold or donated) or in the hands of my kids, but my vintage Kenner pieces?

You can pry them from my cold dead hands.

At this year’s Toy Fair in New York, Hasbro made a slew of new product announcements across all of their brands. And even though new Star Wars action figures and toys were announced for both The Black Series and The Vintage Collection, it was a brand-new THIRD line that caught my attention.

It’s called the Retro Collection – and for good reason. Hasbro has gone back and re-created figures to look practically identical to the original Kenner figures from 1978. They’ve even re-created the packaging. This will no doubt sow confusion and wreak havoc on the vintage collector’s market, so it’s a good thing I’m no longer actively collecting.

Figures announced and included in the first wave are the ones you’d expect to see: Darth Vader, Princess Leia, Luke Skywalker (complete with his blasphemous yellow lightsaber), Han Solo, Chewbacca, and a Stormtrooper. We can only assume Obi-Wan and the droids will be in the inevitable second wave. Each will retail for $9.99 and be available “spring 2019.”

Also included in the Retro Collection lineup is an Escape from Death Star board game (originally released in 1977, before the action figures were available, actually). It’s a curious choice – the game isn’t very good – but will absolutely be worth the $19.99 price for the Grand Moff Tarkin figure that comes with it.

Confusingly, there was an individually carded version of Tarkin on display at Toy Fair, but he wasn’t included in the official product details put out by Hasbro. I suppose time will tell if he can be bought separately from the board game.

And the ALL-NEW #Kenner Retro Collection TARKIN figure with Escape From Death Star game! #HasbroToyFair #StarWars #TFNY pic.twitter.com/hcPEMGtQit

— Justin LaSalata (@justinlasalata) February 16, 2019

Tarkin was notoriously absent from Kenner’s original lineup. There were more than 100 unique action figures released from 77 through 85, several of which had mere seconds of screen time. (I’m looking at you, Prune Face and Amanaman.) But we NEVER got a Tarkin figure. So this is a particular nerdy thrill that brings joy to my cold, dead heart.

How do they look? Well, from the promotional images and photos coming out of Toy Fair, they look remarkably well done and accurate to the original Kenner molds.

Even though I’m a recovered collector, these are figures I simply can’t avoid. Hopefully, I’ll get them in my hands soon to compare against the classics. Until then, I’ll bide my time with one of the jewels of my collection, this pristine 20-back Stormtrooper…