BB-8 (Small Photoreceptor)
sw0661 · Star Wars
Star Wars Episode 7: The Force Awakens / Episode 8: The Last Jedi / Episode 9: The Rise of Skywalker · 2015 - First appeared in Millennium Falcon (75105) and Poe's X-Wing Fighter (75102) during the Force Friday launch event.
Figure ID
sw0661
Theme
Star Wars
Year Released
2015 - First appeared in Millennium Falcon (75105) and Poe's X-Wing Fighter (75102) during the Force Friday launch event.
Rarity
Common - Released in 13+ retail sets, polybags, and promotional items between 2015 and 2020.
Head
Half-sphere domes head piece (Part 23321pb01) featuring silver and orange circuitry printing with a large black primary photoreceptor and a smaller red/black secondary sensor.
Torso
Spherical body piece (Part 23322pb01) with 360-degree printing. Features orange circular panels, silver grilles, and technical details representing its internal compartments.
Legs
None - The figure utilizes a specialized rounded base piece with a single stud on top and a hollow anti-stud connection at the bottom to remain stationary on plates.
Accessories
Typically none included with the figure itself, though in sets it is often paired with flight equipment or Rey's staff.
Color Scheme
White, Orange, and Silver (Flat Silver) with black and red accents for the eyes/sensors.
Printing Details
High-quality pad printing on curved surfaces. The torso features four distinct orange 'rings' and the head has wrap-around printing including the distinctive metallic horizontal banding.
Variants
sw0661 (original), sw0851 (identical but often associated with later waves), and a larger brick-built version (set 75187). Some variations in the 'small' sensor print size exist.
Condition Notes
Common wear points include scratches on the top of the head dome and the bottom curved edge of the body. White plastic is slightly susceptible to UV yellowing over long periods.
Estimated Value
$2.00 - $5.00 USD for used; $4.00 - $8.00 USD for new/mint condition. It is a high-volume figure and very affordable for collectors.
Price (New)
Retail sets ranged from $9.99 (75297 Resistance X-Wing) to $799.99 (75192 UCS Millennium Falcon). Polybags were approximately $4.99.
Compatible Sets
75102, 75105, 75148, 75149, 75176, 75178, 75179, 75184, 75187, 75192, 75242, 75250, 75273, 75297.
Character Background
A BB-series astromech droid belonging to Poe Dameron, BB-8 carried a portion of the map leading to Luke Skywalker and became a central hero of the Resistance.
Design Notes
LEGO created two entirely new molds for this figure to accurately represent the rolling ball droid, rather than using a standard R2-D2 style cylindrical body.
Similar Minifigures
BB-9E (sw0855), BB-8 Holiday Outfit (sw1113), R2-D2 (sw0527), and Chopper (sw0565).
Collectibility
High popularity due to character status, but low investment potential due to extreme saturation in the market.
History
Debuted as part of the 'Force Awakens' wave in 2015. It marked a significant shift in droid design, moving away from the classic astromech silhouette for the first time in years.
Interesting Facts
The BB-8 minifigure consists of only two parts, yet it uses sophisticated 3D pad-printing technology to achieve the wrap-around orange rings on a spherical surface.
Display Suggestions
Best displayed next to Poe Dameron's X-Wing or inside the droid socket of a Resistance starfighter. Use a clear 1x1 round plate to elevate it slightly.
Modification Potential
Body piece is frequently used by MOC builders for mechanical details or specialized spherical pods in sci-fi builds.
Overall Assessment
A perfect 1:1 scale representation of the onscreen droid. While not rare, it is an essential piece for any Star Wars collection due to its unique mold and screen-accurate detail.