R2-D2 1/6 Scale
Sideshow vs Hot Toys
Sideshow
Dome - Plastic painted silver. Looks good. There is a seam that lets it down.
Panels - Many of R2’s panels open, which is cool. Some of R2's dome sections open also, which is also cool.
Lights - Yes, and quite nice they are to:
https://youtu.be/tCZaT_hKs2g
Sound - No. Too bad.
White - A nice white shade of white.
Blue - All blues areas are represented using a muted blue.
Weathering - There is a hint of weathering that works well.
Weight - Very light. The lack of weight gives a cheap feel.
Extras - Comes with a ton of extra;s including a mini light up Princess Leia
Base - No
Hot Toys
Dome - Shiny metal with added weather effect. Metal is better than plastic. It is possibly too shiny. No visible seam.
Panels - All panels are sealed closed
Lights - Yes. Brighter than the Sideshow R2
Sound - Yes. Good move by Hot Toys
White - Not as white as the Sideshow R2. Some have described the white as cream / bone white.
Blue - Bright blue, brighter than the Sideshow blue. Possibly too bright.
Weathering - Darker compared to the Sideshow effect
Weight - Reported to be heavier than the Sideshow R2
Extra’s - None
Base - No
Both R2-D2’s have their plus and negatives. The Sideshow R2 has the opening panels + extras. The Hot Toys R2 makes sounds. While both R2’s are 1/6 scale, the Hot Toys R2 is slightly taller. The Sideshow R2 dome looks flatter less round than the Hot Toys R2 dome. I’m not sure which one is more correct, but I think the flatter dome looks better. Maybe a combination of the Hot Toys R2 head (with sound) placed on the Sideshow R2 body (with opening panels) would result in the ultimate 1/6 scale R2-D2
There are a number of videos on YouTube that point out much of the above.
Here is one of them:
1/6th Scale R2-D2 Comparison Review - Hot Toys vs Sideshow
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MkIPnnZxkHI
(not my video - i picked this video at random)