Interactive R2D2 Reviews

Cool Interactive R2D2 with a few secret commands

Santa brought Interactive R2D2 to my 6 year old son this Christmas. My son takes this robot with him everywhere. I was concerned that he would lose interest after a few days, but he spends the majority of his day playing with Interactive R2D2. The entire family has enjoyed giving him various commands and in addition to the commands listed in the Command Guide, Interactive R2D2 has some advanced commands (sometimes known as Easter Eggs) built in that we found on the HASBRO website. Here they are:

Advanced Command #1 - Follow Me

In Companion Mode, if you say "Follow Me," Interactive R2D2 will turn to find you and then attempt to follow you around. Go slowly though, or Interactive R2D2 will lose you and turn the other direction.

Advanced Command #2 - Come Here

Also in Companion Mode, if you say "Come Here," Interactive R2D2will attempt to find you and come to you. Since this feature relies on R2's heat sensing technology, kneel down in front of Interactive R2D2. R2D2 may not come directly to you, but R2D2 will try and find you.

Advanced Command #3 - Imperial March Song

R2 plays up to 5 songs, but only the Cantina song is expressly mentioned in the Command Guide.

To play the Imperial March, go to Character Mode by asking "Do You Remember." Ask R2 about Darth Vader and Anakin (in any order) and Interactive R2D2 will play the song.

Advanced Command #4 - Sad Cantina Song

Another song that R2 plays is actually a different version of the song he sings if you command him to do the dance program (in game mode). When R2 is in a sad mood, he will play a sad version of the Cantina song. There are many ways to put R2 into a sad mood. The easiest is in 'Do You Remember'. If you ask about Darth Vader, R2 will go into a sad mood. You can tell, because his mood status indicator will be red instead of blue.

Advanced Command #5 - Celebration Song

The Celebration Song is another one of the 5 songs that Interactive R2D2 plays and is not expressly mentioned in the Command Guide.

To play the Celebration song, go to Character Mode by asking "Do You Remember." Ask R2 about Chewbacca, Han Solo, and Luke Skywalker (in any order), and R2 will play the celebration song.

Advanced Command #6 - A "Special Surprise"

The final hidden gem for Interactive R2D2 really takes a little work, as well as really knowing your droid.

First, have R2 turn on his light beam by saying "light beam." With his light beam on, tap R2 three times on the head, and then place him into Game Mode by telling R2 "Game Mode" and then "Dance program." R2d2 will have a special dance, just for you.

Overall, I am happy with our Interactive R2D2. I hope you find the commands useful for your little droid. :) –Miss B.

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Star Wars Interactive R2D2 Robot

Temperamental, disobedient and he gets into a lot of trouble. I'm not talking about a pet or your average little kid, I'm talking about the Star Wars Interactive R2D2 Robot (2005 edition).
All of 18 inches tall, this diminutive little toy gets around well on most surfaces (hardwood or linoleum floors are best) and is a lot of fun. But he's not your daddy's Radio-Controlled Interactive R2D2. This Artoo unit doesn't automatically do what you say, or even what you want or expect. Although, on most occasions, you wont' have a problem with Artoo, the one I bought has shown flashes of temper and streak of stubbornness that would try even the most patient parent.

Despite this (or maybe because of this) Artoo is a riot! I took him over to my friend's place for Christmas and, at first, everyone in the room was amazed at how well he followed orders. Whether it was to turn left, turn right, go forward or turn around, Artoo seemed pleased as punch to follow directions. Then his temper flared and he, quite pointedly, refused to obey me; shaking his head and making noises in apparent disdain at my pleas.

That reaction brought the house down, as everyone laughed at his refusal to follow his "master's commands." When I ordered him to "re set system" and he refused again, that created still more chuckles. Finally he got over his little "snit" and behaved normally...until he seemed to change his mind decided to act up all over again.

Then my friend, who has three children of his own, got into the act. Pleading with Artoo in his best "daddy voice" he finally got the robot to obey him where my pleas failed. Then, like a stubborn child, Artoo had another tantrum and stopped listening to him too. That invoked a surprising response from me, anger. But, instead of spanking him like any other misbehaving child, I manually shut him off via the power switch on his behind so he could "calm down" (I would have spanked him, too, but Hasbro, the manufacturer, has not seen fit to include a pain function on him...yet!).

Needless to say, all this only helped to further endear Artoo to everyone around him, although this behavior can get annoying when you want him to do something simple, like bring you a beverage. That said, after a while it became hard to see him as simply another "toy," which is probably what Hasbro had in mind all along.

Instead of a mere "toy," they created a "personality," one that can interact, and react, with both people and the environment around him. Had Artoo simply followed directions, he would have got "old" real fast; becoming nothing more than another cleverly designed (but boring) set of circuits and switches run by batteries. But, by giving him what appears to be a random and unpredictable nature, Hasbro has made Artoo appear to be as realistic, and "alive," as the one in the movies we all love.

That said, Artoo is also a very clever robot, packed with sonar and voice recognition capabilities that are very functional. Although he cannot "see" things below his domed head, he is not stupid and not only found his way out of my bedroom but proceed to bound his way down the hallway.

Artoo's dance function is hilarious and he patrols a floor better than the average mutt, without fear of "accidents." Although the beverage container is problematic (the grip is not very strong), he does manage to find his way around a house fairly well and will probably get into all kinds of mischief unless monitored carefully (like any toddler). Be careful, though, of stairs, as Artoo does not have a floor-sensor and would go over and down them, with catastrophic results.

Combined with a very affordable price tag, the Star Wars Interactive R2D2 Robot (2005 edition) is a terrific toy and well worth the money. If anyone reading this article knows of any "secret" or hidden commands, please e-mail me and let me know. –I.M. Ulyses

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Cute Fun, Like Having A Little Pet-Interactive R2D2

I bought Interactive R2D2 for my daughter's birthday. It was pricey, so I was hesitant, but she seemed to really want it. Boy, I'm glad that I did as it is a very well made, sophisticated toy. I find myself playing with it and treating it almost as a pet. You talk to it, and it responds to you, it plays games and can be mischievous. We like "light tag", and "spin the droid". If you tell him to go on a "Time out", he shakes his head "no" like a disobedient child.

If you tell him to "Behave himself" and give him a "Time out" again, he obeys. Sometimes, we have a hard time getting him out of "Game Mode" to "Companion Mode" (He doesn't seem to understand the "Re-set command" always), so you just turn him off and then turn him back on. Thanks to the reviewer giving the "Easter Eggs". They were fun to do. Overall, the voice recognition is good, but it definitely takes practice to learn the nuances of his programming. A fun toy and a "must" for any Star Wars fan.