When my children were younger, we had a number of Mr. Potato head toys with even more arms, legs, eyes, hats and other accessories to go along with them.  They have since outgrown playing with these toys, but now my husband has begun to collect the Star Wars potatoes, which sit on his office shelf among other Star Wars memorabilia.

The Star Wars Artoo-Potatoo Mr. Potato Head is designed to be a child's toy, and is recommended for ages 2 and up.  However, most of the fans of the Star Wars Saga are those in my age group who saw the first movie on the big screen in the 1970's, as opposed to the toddler set.  Even though I really would not be considered a true fan of the Saga, I can certainly appreciate how having such a fun toy from childhood dressed as a favorite character would be appealing.

This toy consists of a light brown plastic potato that measures roughly 4.5" tall, and is smaller than standard Mr. Potato Head toys.  Many of the regular Potato Heads have an door that opens on the back of the potato so that the various parts and pieces can be stored inside, while this one has indentations around where the door would be, but it does not actually open.  Unfortunately this means that you need to find another container or way to keep your extra pieces nearby when not in use.

The potato has openings on the top and bottom of its head, on both sides and one on the front where you can insert the different pieces that come with it.  Rather than arms, legs and silly hats that dress up the standard issue Mr. Potato Head, Artoo-Potatoo has parts that make him look like the R2-D2 robot from Star Wars.  Included with the potato is a top dome with big eyes that look out at you, two legs, one robot arm, a base with a working wheel and a front panel all made of white plastic with blue and black markings to make it look as much like the actual robot as it can.  If you want to make it more like a real Potato Head, there is one "silly face" included which is big round eyes, a red nose, a moustache and big white teeth all on one piece of plastic.

Much of the fun that children (and adults) have with Mr. Potato Head toys is rearranging the pieces in odd ways, and the back of the box shows that the pieces can be stuck into any of the potato's openings, so that if you want an arm coming out of the top of its head, go for it.

A bonus in the box is a 1.5" inch tall blue plastic figure of a potato made to look like Princess Leia from Star Wars, which, of course here is called Princess Tater. On the box, a speech bubble is shown near her with the words: "Help me Obi-Wan Spudobi, you're my only hope!"

The two main reactions to this Star Wars Artoo-Potatoo Mr. Potato Head are utter disbelief and being very impressed.  For those who have no interest in Star Wars, this seems like a very strange idea, whereas those who enjoy it immediately begin to play with it and want one of their very own.  Unlike some of the other Star Wars items on the office shelf, which are glass and/or expensive, this one can be taken down and played with.  When my children (or bored adults) are in the office, it is often taken down and handled quite a bit.  A true collector could even leave it in the box on a shelf, as the top and front are clear and the potato is dressed as R2D2, with the extra pieces and Princess Tater visible next to it.

I paid only seven dollars for this toy on clearance as a gift for my husband, but even at the full price of fifteen, I would have purchased it since I knew that he would enjoy looking at it on his shelf, and playing with it on occasion.  If you like Star Wars, but Artoo-Potatoo is not your favorite character, why not look for Darth Tater, Luke Frywalker or a Spud Trooper?

Recommended: Yes

Amount Paid (US$): 7.00
Type of Toy: Action Figure
Age Range of Child: Whole Family