Even with 'The Mandalorian & Grogu' hitting theaters, there’s another member of the mysterious little green species grabbing some online attention: the original Jedi Master himself. I got an exclusive hands-on look at the new Yoda Puppetronic by RealFX from WOW! Stuff, and it’s about time our backwards-speaking sensei got this kind of treatment.
The 17.3-inch animatronic puppet features more than 120 sounds and movements designed to recreate Yoda’s signature expressions and mannerisms. The skin has a rubbery, realistic finish that somehow manages to capture every wrinkle you’d expect from someone who’s been around for 900 years, give or take.
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Now I’m no puppeteer, but with the joystick-style controller concealed underneath Yoda’s Jedi robes made the movement points simple enough to navigate.
The eyes especially stood out, complete with that slow, wise Yoda blink fans instantly recognize.The ears shift up and down, the forehead subtly bulges during certain reactions, and there’s even a trigger that lifts Yoda’s left arm so he can “use the Force” while his right hand stays planted on his cane.
Of course, the core to puppets is a moving mouth. Yoda cycles through a mix of iconic lines and surprisingly funny quips. You’ll hear classics like “Do or do not, there is no try,” alongside more playful dialogue including, “Strong am I with the Force … but not that strong,” and “Yoda! You seek Yoda!”
This is the first Star Wars Puppetronic from the same company responsible for the viral Toothless dragon and Stitch animatronics. And while Grogu has absolutely dominated the cute side of Star Wars lately, there’s something satisfying about seeing some attention return to OG Yoda.
The version I tested was a prototype on temporary loan, but pre-orders are already live ahead of its October release. It’s expected to cost $90, positioning it squarely as one of those holiday gifts that’s either going to delight Star Wars fans or mildly terrify house guests depending on where you display it.
