The Yoda Puppetronic by RealFX is an impressive-looking 44cm Star Wars collectible that makes a strong first impression. Yoda looks excellent, the outfit is good quality and the voice effects are remarkably convincing, although they are quite quiet and there is no volume control. Left switched on, Yoda will occasionally deliver one of his iconic lines, which makes him particularly entertaining as a display piece. Even someone unfamiliar with Star Wars can find him engaging, as demonstrated by the enthusiastic waving and babbling he received from a curious baby. As a figure for the shelf or sideboard, this is one of the best Yoda pieces I have seen.
The problem is that it is much less successful as a puppet. There are no automated movements, so the joystick and controls on Yoda's back have to be operated manually, and everything feels noticeably stiff. The Force arm control is particularly heavy, while fitting the feet is awkward and the battery compartment is poorly positioned. The lack of Yoda's distinctive white hair is also disappointing, as is the 44cm size compared with the real character's 66cm height. At £79.99, I think the Puppetronic works far better as a display piece than as something to regularly operate.
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