by Considering it’s based on one of the most recognizable props in movie history, it makes sense that the Obi-Wan Kenobi Force FX Elite lightsaber would be a show stopper. The moment guests signal his presence, they walk straight towards him with appropriate “oooo” noises while making gripping hands. And you know what? Fair enough. This thing is cool.
Of course, it’s not perfect. Some corners have been cut here and there. But for the most part, it’s a reminder of the quality of The Black Series – and of what so many best lightsabers are lacking.
Obi-Wan Kenobi Force FX Elite Lightsaber: Design and Assembly
Hasbro’s Black Series is well known for recreating props or characters in great detail, and nothing has changed for the Obi-Wan Kenobi Force FX Elite lightsaber. This is a 1:1 replica of the laser sword wielded by Ewan McGregor in his Disney Plus series, and it’s deeply impressive. Of course it’s not enough at the level of the (admittedly much more expensive) Denuo Novo The Mandalorian Helmet. But it’s still superb in terms of authenticity.
Rather than being assembled from cheap plastic, this thing is made almost entirely of metal; it’s heavy and feels authentic, as if it too was put together from scratch like the original handle in A New Hope. Plus, the weather is great – looks like it’s been hanging around in a box on Tatooine for a little too long, so hats off to Hasbro.
Unlike cheaper competitors, there’s no real “assembly” to worry about
Is it completely flawless? No. The display transmitter neck – that brass section in the middle – swaps metal for plastic, and the result isn’t as high-end as I’d hoped (it looks and feels a little less upscale, and the paint job isn’t as convincing). It’s a disappointing compromise, especially because the otherwise very similar Leia Organa Force FX Elite lightsaber still opts for metal. However, it’s a relatively small detail in the grand scheme of things.
Additionally, and unlike cheaper competitors such as the Encalife lightsabers, there is no real “assembly” to worry about. This replica comes with the display transmitter already attached, a separate action transmitter to use with the blade (for reasons I’ll get to later), the blade itself, and the two-piece stand. As such, you can have it ready to use and on display at home in seconds. Yes, it’s more complicated to add batteries – the handle unscrews in various places to give you access to the AA battery compartment. But it is neither complicated nor trying.
Obi-Wan Kenobi Force FX Elite Lightsaber: Features and Performance
First off, while it includes the light and sound effects you get with all lightsabers, it’s not a toy. It’s not even an action-ready prop that you can swing into a duel. It’s for display, so even if you can to try to cross swords, it is more likely to break than anything else.
That’s because the blade isn’t a torch-like tube like you see from competitors like Encalife. It has LEDs that run all the way up, providing more consistent light from top to bottom.
This also enables the special effects of the Obi-Wan Kenobi Force FX Elite lightsaber. For starters, this paves the way for a more gradual ignition. Rather than just turning on, this one turns on steadily like in the movies. Plus, it’s what makes his “blaster deflection” mode (where small flecks of light appear like you’re crushing laser bolts) and “wall cut” (where the tip of the blade lights up in red as if slicing through metal partitions) work.
Then there’s the new feature, of course – the “duel” effect. This illuminates the center of the blade in a brilliant white glow, as if you’re holding your saber against another in a deadly bind (the kind where you look sullen into each other’s eyes and try to tip your opponents to the side obscure ).
It’s only after trying something cheaper that you realize why replicas like this are so much more expensive
All of the above are easily activated, unlike some sabers I can mention (*cough* Encalife *cough*). Rather than having to worry about settings, they’re all operated by a subtle side button that replaces an actual button on the original accessory. That way it’s easy to use but doesn’t stand out.
Basically everything works – and it works phenomenally well. Only after trying something cheaper do you realize Why replicas like this are so much more expensive. Simply put, they are much better.
The wrong side? Due to the way the saber is powered (the blade has to connect to the batteries at the base of the hilt) you will need to replace this precise transmitter with a thicker one so the blade can actually pass through it if you want to use all of these effects. This is well made, looks excellent and is of course necessary, but it will nevertheless be a little disappointing for purists considering the price.
Obi-Wan Kenobi Force FX Elite Lightsaber: Battery Life
The Obi-Wan Kenobi Force FX Elite lightsaber runs on three AA batteries inserted into the hilt, and although I don’t use it all the time, it was taken out when friends visited a fair amount.
As such, he had a good workout for months… and he didn’t struggle at all. You can last a long time with just one set of batteries, clearly.
Obi-Wan Kenobi Force FX Elite Lightsaber: Price
There’s no denying that this is an expensive piece of kit. It’s several hundred dollars (or pounds, depending on which side of the Atlantic you’re on), and it’s way more than many others – including the Legacy version, which I’ve also work. As such, anyone who just wants a replica for the shelf might be better off looking elsewhere.
But if you want something with bells and whistles (something that can be used for display, to impress visitors, or for cosplay), this is the only option. It’s so much better than anything I’ve seen, so worth the higher cost as far as I’m concerned.
Should You Buy the Obi-Wan Kenobi Force FX Elite Lightsaber?
Even though I wish the display transmitter used metal throughout rather than opting for cheaper plastic (for me, that takes things down a notch), it’s still not enough to that the Obi-Wan Kenobi Force FX Elite lightsaber is less than excellent. It’s a great kit when it comes to its special effects, and the more I try other equivalents, the more I appreciate how awesome it is. Also, the general weathering and painting here is, for the most part, excellent.
Alternatives
If you’re just looking for a lightsaber you can swing, there are plenty of cheaper models (like the Encalife line (opens in a new tab)) to consider. But if you’re specifically looking for a replica Obi-Wan saber, you have several options.
Want it just for display? Consider ShopDisney’s official Legacy option. I’ve been hands-on with this and it’s really just as good in terms of painting, although it’s cheaper (the trade-off is a less impressive blade with much less effect).
Want something for the action, on the other hand? It’s worth taking a look at the Sabers Pro version. This one still looks true to the movie, but it can take a beating.
