CommTech Chips

  

1st Generation Chips

In 1999, Hasbro released the first generation CommTech chips included with the 3¾" action figures.  Doubling up as an action figure stand, these chips contained voices & sounds from the Star Wars trilogy.  A user simply had to swipe the chip along the face of a CommTech reader (sold separately).  The technology was impressive.  However, the sound quality was not equally matched.  This technology is known as RFID (Radio Frequency Identification).  For more information on RFID, click here.

These chips were available in a variety of languages including English, French, Spanish & German.  For more information on the various languages, see the Ultimate Checklist.

DataTalk (Conceptual Design)

This hand made carded action figure represents one of the initial CommTech designs.  The chip included is a round disc that was packaged behind the action figure.  These samples were usually used in presentations to help determine which design will go to market.  However this particular design was not used.


DataTalk Mockup Chip
Power Of The Jedi (Conceptual Design)

This hand made carded action figure represents one of the transitional CommTech designs planned to utilize a single card design for both Episode I and classic figures.  Hasbro finally decided to discontinue the chips & replace it with a 'Force File'.  Unfortunately, the retail price remained at $5.99.

 

Stages of Development:

Round Mockup
DataTalk Chip (Front)		 Round Mockup
Data Talk Chip (Back)		 Conceptual CommTech Chip
Figure Stand
  
Mockup Test Chip (Front) Mockup Test Chip (Inside) Clear Test Shot #1
 
Clear Test Shot #2 Production Chip
(Holographic Photo Insert)		 Production Chip
(White Photo Insert)
 

2nd Generation Chips

Due to high production costs & a lack of demand, the second generation CommTech chips were cancelled & replaced with an insert called a 'force file'.  Some of these chips were actually produced, but never made it to store shelves.  These chips were designed to hold "twice the speech" compared to the normal production CommTech chips.  The old chips held 2 kilobytes of information & the new one's hold 4 kilobytes.  Some of these chips were planned for the re-release of some characters in which the chip would contain some old phrases from the first release chip with additional new phrases.  Other chips were intended as all new phases for newly released figures.

Stages of Development:

Foam Core Mockup

Test Shot (Front)

 Final Design (Front)
 
Test Shot (Back) Final Design (Back)
 

 

Prototype Variations:

Stage I Test Shot
(Yellow)		 Stage II Test Shot
(Orange)		 Orange Working Sample
(White Insert)
 
Clear Working Sample
(White Insert)		 Frosted Working Sample
(White Insert)		 Blue Working Sample
(White Insert, Numbered)
 
Blue Unreleased Sample
(Photo Insert)
 

Figures Planned For Second Generation Chips: 

The chart below represents items that are known to exist.  If you have any information on chips or carded figures that are not listed below, please email me.

Key:
Colored Test Chip (Clear, Frosted or Orange)
2nd Generation Test Chip w/ Numbered White Insert
2nd Generation Test Chip w/ Photo Insert
Carded Sample
  

Click on names below for more photos & other information.
Figure:

#
Qui-Gon Jinn (Jedi Master) w/ Lightsaber & Commlink 17      
Senator Palpatine 18        
Obi-Wan Kenobi (Jedi Knight) w/ Lightsaber & Commlink 19        
Mace Windu 20        
Yoda 21        
Gasgano 22        
Ody Mandrell 23        
Boss Nass 25        
Captain Tarpals 26        
Darth Sidious (Hologram) 27        
Ki Adi Mundi 28        
Adi Gallia 29        
Naboo Royal Security w/Blaster Pistol & Rifle 30      
Darth Sidious 31        
Darth Maul 32        
Nute Gunray 33        
Rune Haako 34        
Battle Droid 35        
Watto 36        
OOM-9 w/Blaster & Binoculars 37        
Destroyer Droid (Battle Damaged) 38        
Gungan Warrior 39      
Lott Dodd 40        
Cancellor Vallorum 41        
Darth Maul w/Horns 43        
R2-B1 44        
Darth Maul (Soft Goods) 45        
Destroyer Droid 46        
Tusken Sniper 47  
Battle Droid Security 48      
Daultay Dofine (Neimoidian) 49        
Sio Bibble 50        
Pit Droid (2-Pack) -or- Bail Antilles 51        
Nute Gunray (Hologram) 52      
Coruscant Guard 53  
Mas Amedda 54  
Obi-Wan (Jedi Cloak) 55    
Jar Jar Binks (Swimming) 56        
R2-D2 (Battle Damage) 57    
General Ceel 58        
Padme Org. 59        
Sabé 60      
Jar Jar Binks (Tatooine) 61      
Wald w/Droid 62        
Ketwol 63        
Qui-Gon Jinn (Farmer Poncho) 64        
C-3PO (Take Apart) 65        
Anakin Skywalker (Mechanic) 66    
Shmi Skywalker 67      
Sebulba (Boonta Eve) 68      
Kitster w/Droid 69        
Quarrens (Squid Face) 70        
Queen Amidala Battle (Soft Goods) 71        
Anakin Skywalker (Naboo Pilot) 72        
Darth Sidious (Hologram) 73        
TC-14 Protocol Droid 74        
Boss Nass 75      
Fode & Beed 76      
Darth Maul Final Duel 78      
Plo Koon 79        
Ben Quadreneros 80        
Pit Droids (Cinema Scene) 116        
Princess Leia Organa C8        
Admiral Motti C9        
Chewbacca (Dejarik) C10  
Wuher C11        
Obi-Wan Kenobi (Jedi Knight) C12      
Jek Porkins C13  
Dagobah Spirit Darth Vader ??        
Luke Bacta Tank ??        

For information on all CommTech chips, see the Ultimate Checklist.

  
   
 

unproduced commtech ctc2 carded prototype testshot test shot unreleased




 

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