Note: Vintage review – this review is from an earlier version of our homepage and is correspondingly old!
First impression
Darth Vader's Episode IV FX lightsaber is very detailed and looks no different from Hasbro's older FX version.
Handling
Because of the shape of the emitter and the screws attached to it, the saber doesn't sit particularly well in the hand, so various tricks aren't that easy to do. The sharp-edged clamp also plays its part.
The balance, however, is very good and makes the Darth Vader FX lightsaber usable for show fights to a limited extent.
Light and sound
As with the other Sith sabers, the blade glows a nice red. What sets this model apart from the older FX versions is the removable blade.
With the blade removed, you can insert a small piece into the black emitter shroud that represents the blade emitter plate and makes the lightsaber look more authentic and convincing.
Hasbro also came up with something completely new for the sound. Instead of just one clash sound, the new board has completely new swing and clash sounds.
The blade's "energy hum" has also been completely reworked.
The sounds are much more intense, louder and even more true to the original than on all previous models. When you switch on the saber without a blade, another sound plays, which is meant to represent a defective lightsaber.
Wear
The black paint on the clamp is quite delicate and can wear off in some places after frequent use. Otherwise, this saber shows no signs of wear worth mentioning.
Verdict
This lightsaber clearly reflects the dark side of the Force.
Even though it's less suitable for show fights, it impresses with its reworked technology and new features. Whether in a display case or for a matching costume – this lightsaber makes a good impression everywhere.
