We’ve been watching McFarlane Toys’ development of their new Star Trek licensed products since they first revealed their plans at STLV last August, and today we can share some more about their upcoming Star Trek: Discovery phaser toy due for release in 2018.
Back in February, we took you inside the McFarlane booth at Toy Fair 2018, where we got a hands-on look at the fresh-from-manufacturing prototype of the company’s electronic phaser replica, along with early looks at the planned packaging for the forthcoming toy.
In recent days, retailers have been starting to share a preview image of the in-development phaser, complete with sell-sheet details of the expected functionality, as seen here:
These features all line up with the mechanics of the phaser we saw at Toy Fair, though the orange barrel face is a new addition since we last saw McFarlane’s plans for the toy.
Orange barrel tips or markings have been a part of “gun toy” production for decades thanks to US federal regulations, and were included on the last wave of Trek TV weapon replica, the Art Asylum Star Trek: Enterprise phase pistol.
We’ve reached out to McFarlane Toys to confirm whether or not the final Discovery phaser will have the orange barrel once it hits stores, and will update this post once we have their feedback on the matter.
Retailer BigBadToyStore.com has the phaser for preorder at a $34.99 price point, our previously-reported cost estimate, but interestingly notes that “McFarlane is prohibiting distributors and retailers from shipping this item to consumers in California, Connecticut, Kansas, and New York due to the specific and restrictive “imitation firearm” laws in those states,” which makes it unclear how fans in those states will be able to access this toy for purchase.
In terms of the planned release for the Discovery phaser, we’ve also confirmed from McFarlane Toys that the replica — original slated for a Summer 2018 arrival — is now set to land in stores in time for the 2018 holiday season, with some online retailers like Forbidden Planet showcasing an early December delivery date.
Check back often for the latest in Star Trek merchandise news!
