How to Collect "Star Wars" Action Figures

With "The Phantom Menace" reviving the "Star Wars" toy frenzy, even more action figures are available than ever before.

Instructions

1. Grab a Darth Maul or Qui Gon Jinn collectible action figure ($50). These have light sabers that glow when the characters' waists are turned.

2. Shop at Sam's Club and Costco for Hasbro's special-release Multi-Pack Series I and II, available exclusively at these stores.

3. Be cognizant that Hasbro also has a Power of the Force Series 3 3/4-inch figures ($8), a 12-inch Action Collection ($25 to $35), a Cinema Scenes collection ($10), Electronic Power F/X ($25) and Deluxe Figures ($25). Deluxe figures come with a small vehicle or weapon.

4. Find Hasbro's series called Shadows of the Empire, which features Dash Rendar, Prince Xizor, Luke Skywalker (in Imperial Guard disguise), Chewbacca (in Snoova Bounty Hunter disguise), Princess Leia (in Boussh disguise), Darth Vader vs. Prince Xizor (two-pack) and Boba Fett vs. IG-88 (two-pack).

5. Check out Applause's newly released series of 5 3/4-inch figures and accessory packs plus deluxe figures of Darth Maul, Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi.

6. Pick up a set of 4-inch, speaking Episode I Battle Droids ($4 each), which come with blasters and are from a series that features a COMMTech chip. You'll need an Episode I: Electronic COMMTech Reader ($7) to operate the chip.

7. Look for Kenner's Flashback Series action figures, which are popular this year, or try to find some of the original figures at game stores or online at auctions.

8. Look for original or reissued C-3PO, Chewbacca, Darth Vader, Princess Leia, Luke Skywalker, R2-D2, Stormtrooper, Obi-Wan Kenobi and Han Solo.

9. Keep an eye out for Yoda, Boba Fett, Lando Calrissian, Tie Fighter Pilot, Luke in X-Wing gear, Luke in Dagobah gear and Han Solo in Hoth gear. A Biker Scout came out at the same time as these figures, but it was only available with the Speeder Bike.

Tips & Warnings

• Others in the Episode I Battle Droids series are Nute Gunray, Obi Wan, Ki Adi Mundi & Adi Gallia, R2-D2, Mace Windu, Captain Tarpals, OOM-9, Anakin Skywalker, Rune Haako, C-3P0, Boss Nass, Darth Maul, Watto, Jar Jar Binks, Chancellor Valorum, Senator Palpatine, Jabba, Ody Mandrell, Gasgano, Darth Sidious, Qui-Gon Jinn and Ric Olie.