Prepare for 'Rogue One' With Hasbro and #RogueFriday

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story may not come out until December 16, but the wave of merchandise is about to hit. Last year, the crazed final weeks leading up to the release of The Force Awakens officially kicked off (from a retail perspective) on Force Friday. Many of the toys and related merchandise were released on the same day, and stores used the opportunity to have midnight release parties for fans who simply couldn’t wait. It was Black Friday in September…and just for Star Wars stuff.

Apparently, the event was successful enough that it’s now become a “tradition.” This Friday, September 30, is Rogue Friday and will see the release of the first wave of toys and merch for the franchise’s first standalone film. Check here for an official list of what’s available, along with store exclusives, from several different companies.

Even though several different companies will have Rogue One-related toys, Hasbro has the primary license (to print money) and is the source of much of fans’ excitement. From Hasbro alone, toy aisles will be lined with vehicles, playsets, Black Series figures, Nerf blasters, and games.

In addition, fans are encouraged to #GoRogue and create a 2-minute video exploring where you think the Rogue One story could go. To learn more and see how you can win a trip to Lucasfilm and see a screening of Rogue One, visit www.StarWars.com/gorogue. Also, if you want to share photos of your own Rogue One haul, use #HasbroToyPic online!

Earlier this week, a huge box stamped “Star Wars Rogue One” on every side arrived at my door. It’s amazing something like that didn’t “go missing” in transit.

(Keep scrolling all the way down for Hasbro’s store exclusives.)

Inside was an amazing assortment of toys from the first wave that will be released on Rogue Friday and soon flood every store in the known galaxy. All of the action figures, from the 3.75″ and 6″ Black Series to the oversize 12″ dolls, have amazing detail and should satisfy both the adult and kid fans. There’s some great stuff here.

Let is also be known that there is now a 3.75″ figure of Sabine. And she comes with “zipline action,” which absolutely delights the 80s kid inside of me. Can we now finally get a Hera figure?

Each new Nerf gun in my kids’ arsenal seems to be cooler than the last. The Imperial Death Trooper and Sergeant Jyn Erso guns are both Glowstrike weapons, which means the Nerf bullets glow in the dark. And they both light up and make firing sounds when the trigger is pulled. I don’t know who has more fun with them: my kids or me.

The Titanium Series (which, oddly, is still part of the Black Series) is branching out into model helmets, and I have to say I’m intrigued. This set includes Imperial Death Trooper and Rebel Commando helmets, and each comes with a small stand so you can display the helmets on your desk or bookshelf. Like other Titanium Series models, the helmets are incredibly detailed. I’m really curious to see where this line will go. There’s certainly no shortage of helmets in the Star Wars universe.

Finally, the Imperial Death Trooper Voice Changer Mask looks just so darn cool I wish I could give it a stronger recommendation. The idea is that, while you’re wearing the mask, it alters your voice so you sound like a Stormtrooper. In theory, this should work fine. However, the design of the mask keeps the mouthpiece far enough away from your mouth that it doesn’t work as well as intended. Both my kids and I have to hold the mask incredibly close to our mouths for it to sound Stormtrooper-y. It’s also pretty uncomfortable to wear. But, hey, it looks wicked awesome!

I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention what is probably the greatest of all Rogue One toys (but was sadly absent from my box): the monumental AT-ACT playset. If you haven’t seen it yet, behold the motorized, app-controlled jewel in the Rogue One crown…

These and so much more will be available in stores and online retailers from this Friday. Good luck hunting down whatever you’re looking for this weekend, and if you’ll be out there at midnight on Rogue Friday, please remember to stay safe. No toy is worth real-life battle scars.

If you’re up for an extra challenge, here are Hasbro’s store exclusives coming out on Friday…

Nerf Captain Cassian Andor Blaster, $79.99, Target exclusive