Why was the 1979 Boba Fett prototype recalled?
Because it was too risky to play with.
Back in 1979, Kenner Products made a Boba Fett action figure that could shoot a rocket from its backpack. It was part of a mail-away promotion for the Star Wars toy line. Kids just had to send in proofs of purchase, and they’d get one by mail.
But then a big problem came up. A toy from Mattel’s Battlestar Galactica line had a rocket that shot out, and a child choked on it. That toy was recalled. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission got involved. It was serious. So Kenner stopped the rocket before any Boba Fett figures were shipped.
Only a few prototypes were ever made. Some had an L-slot, some had a J-slot, and a few were painted. Most were just test models. Because of the danger, the rocket was glued in. The toy lost its action, but it became a legend.
Now, collectors pay over $100,000 at auctions for one. It’s one of the rarest toys ever made.
That’s why the 1979 Boba Fett prototype was recalled, and why it’s now a piece of toy history.
Kenner’s Big Plan: Launching the Boba Fett Toy
In the late 1970s, Kenner Products had a hit on their hands, Star Wars action figures. Kids loved them. Stores couldn’t keep them on shelves. So, Kenner came up with something new: a special Boba Fett figure with a rocket that really fired.
He wasn’t even in the first movie much, but Boba Fett looked cool. Quiet, serious, with armor and a jetpack. So Kenner made him the star of a mail-away promotion.
Here’s how it worked: buy some Star Wars toys, cut out the proofs of purchase, mail them in, and wait for your Boba Fett. Easy.
But the real excitement? That rocket-firing mechanism. It was a spring-loaded red missile. Press the button, and whoosh! it launched from his back. At the time, this was a big deal. Kids loved toys that moved or fired stuff.
Kenner showed the firing feature in ads and catalogs. Everyone expected to get the full version. But behind the scenes, things were about to change fast, and not in a good way.
What looked like the coolest toy of 1979 was about to get stopped before it ever made it to your mailbox.
The Dangerous Detail: Why the Rocket Was a Problem
Everything was ready. Kids were mailing in their proofs. Kenner was gearing up to ship the new Boba Fett. But then, something bad happened, and it had nothing to do with Star Wars.
Another toy, from Mattel’s Battlestar Galactica, had a rocket that fired. A little boy got one, played with it, and the rocket shot into his throat. He choked. He died.
That changed everything.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission stepped in. They warned toy companies: these small, firing rockets were too dangerous. Kids could choke or get hurt.
Kenner didn’t want to take any risks. They knew their Boba Fett prototype had the same kind of rocket. So, before shipping any out, they made a choice: stop the rocket from firing.
They glued it in.
So when kids finally got their Boba Fett in the mail, it looked the same but the rocket didn’t work. It was just for show. The fun part was gone.
That’s why the 1979 Boba Fett prototype was recalled, not because it was in stores, but because it almost was. It was pulled just in time to keep kids safe.
The Recall: Why Kenner Pulled the Feature
After the choking accident with Mattel’s Battlestar Galactica toy, people got scared. Parents were worried. The news spread fast. That’s when the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) stepped in.
They sent warnings to toy companies: small parts that shoot could be deadly. The CPSC made it clear, toys like that had to change.
Kenner listened. They didn’t want any kids to get hurt from their Boba Fett rocket. So they made a big decision. They stopped the rocket from firing.
They didn’t recall toys from shelves, because no firing Boba Fetts were ever sold in stores. But they did change the toy before shipping it out.
The final version still had the red rocket, but it was glued in. It didn’t move. No spring, no button, no firing. Just a cool-looking figure with a backpack.
So when kids opened their mail, the toy was safe but it wasn’t what they expected. No launching rocket.
That’s how the rocket-firing Boba Fett became a legend. A toy that never truly launched.
The Lost Prototypes: What Survived
Even though the rocket-firing Boba Fett was stopped, a few test figures still exist. These are called prototypes, and they’re super rare.
Kenner had made some samples before the recall. Some were used for testing, others for showing at toy fairs. Most never left the factory. But a few did, and collectors found them years later.
There are two main types: L-slot and J-slot.
The L-slot was the first version. It had a simple launcher, but it wasn’t strong enough. So Kenner made the J-slot next. That one had a better locking system to hold the rocket in place. Both types could fire the red rocket, but neither ever made it to stores.
Some prototypes were painted to look like the real toy. Others were unpainted, just gray or blue plastic. A few even came with extra parts or stickers.
Now, these test models are treasures. Only a small number are known to exist. That’s what makes them so special.
They aren’t just toys anymore, they’re pieces of history. And for fans, finding one is like finding gold.
The difference between Prototype and Mail-Away toys:
| Prototype Type | Slot Shape | Painted? | Fires Rocket? | Rarity |
| L-Slot | “L” shape | No | Yes | Very Rare |
| J-Slot | “J” shape | Some | Yes | Ultra Rare |
| Mail-Away | No slot | Yes | No (glued) | Common |
The Holy Grail of Collecting: Why It’s So Valuable
Those few rocket-firing Boba Fett prototypes that survived? They’re now the holy grail for toy collectors.
Most kids never got one. Most were never even made. That’s what makes them special. These weren’t sold in stores. They were test toys, a part of Star Wars toy history that slipped through the cracks.
Over time, collectors started finding them. Some worked at Kenner. Others found them in old boxes or got them from ex-employees. Each one is a rare piece of the past.
And guess what? People pay big money for them. A working J-slot prototype sold at auction for over $200,000. Even damaged ones go for tens of thousands.
According to CLLCT.com, this Boba Fett is “the most wanted toy in the galaxy.” And the Star Wars Collectors Archive calls it one of the most valuable toys ever made.
Collectors love it not just for the price, but for the story. A toy that was too dangerous to release, and too cool to forget.
It didn’t fire rockets, but it launched a legend.
Examples of real sale prices, with prototype type and year sold:
| Prototype Type | Condition | Auction Price | Year Sold | Source |
| J-Slot (painted) | Near Mint | $204,435 | 2022 | CLLCT.com |
| L-Slot (unpainted) | Good | $86,000 | 2021 | SWCA |
| Mail-Away (non-firing) | Mint | $250 | 1980s resale | eBay |
Myths and Misunderstandings
There are a lot of stories out there about the 1979 Boba Fett prototype, and not all of them are true.
Some people ask, “Was it ever really released?” Others say, “I saw one in stores when I was a kid.”
But here’s the truth: the rocket-firing version was never sold to the public.
Kenner made test models, just a few to check how the rocket worked. These were prototypes, not final toys. They were never put in toy aisles. They weren’t part of any normal release.
Sites like JediNews have explained this in detail. Even though some early ads showed a firing rocket, Kenner changed the toy before shipping. The version kids got in the mail had the rocket glued in.
So no, you didn’t see one on a store shelf. You didn’t own a real rocket-firing one, unless you somehow ended up with a rare test model. And that would make you one lucky collector.
The myths are fun, but the facts are even cooler. This toy’s story is real, and that’s what makes it legendary.
Final Thought: A Toy That Made History
So, why was the 1979 Boba Fett prototype recalled? Because safety mattered more than action features. A rocket that could hurt kids just wasn’t worth the risk.
Kenner made the smart call and in doing so, created one of the rarest toys ever made.
Only a few prototypes survived. No stores ever sold them. But the legend grew. Fans and collectors chased them. Auctions reached over $200,000. And today, this little figure is a big piece of Star Wars history.
It’s more than just a toy. It’s a story of danger, design, and a decision that changed everything.
And now, you know the full story behind the toy that almost was, but never quite made it.
Nope! It was never in stores. Only test versions were made. The one kids got by mail had the rocket glued in.
No. Kenner changed the toy before mailing it. The rocket didn’t fire. Only test figures made inside the factory had that spring-loaded rocket.
It’s all about the launcher on the back. The L-slot was a simpler design. The J-slot locked the rocket better. Both could fire, but neither was released.
A lot! Some have sold for over $200,000. Even damaged ones can sell for tens of thousands. They’re that rare.
No one knows the exact number, but collectors believe fewer than 100 survive. Maybe even less.
Good question! It wasn’t a “recall” in the usual way. Kenner pulled the rocket-firing feature before shipping it, after a safety scare with another toy.
Explore the battle between prototype vs production models.
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