Gonk Droid (GNK Power Droid) - Dark Bluish Gray
sw0861 · Star Wars
Star Wars Episode 4/5/6 · 2017: Debuted in the set 75183 Darth Vader Transformation. It was released during a period where LEGO was updating droid designs with more accurate printing and higher-quality molds.
Figure ID
sw0861
Theme
Star Wars
Year Released
2017: Debuted in the set 75183 Darth Vader Transformation. It was released during a period where LEGO was updating droid designs with more accurate printing and higher-quality molds.
Rarity
Uncommon. While appearing in a relatively affordable set, this specific variant with the red eye/sensor printing is limited to only three Star Wars sets, making it more desirable than the plain, unprinted brick-built versions.
Head
Not a standard head; the 'head' is part of the top 2x2x1 brick. It features a dark bluish gray 2x2x1 brick with detailed silver, red, and black printing representing the droid's sensors and power ports.
Torso
The body is composed of a dark bluish gray 2x2x1 brick. Unlike earlier versions that were solid, this one features sophisticated front-facing printing that mimics the control panel of a GNK power unit.
Legs
The legs consist of a black 1x2 plate with two 1x1 round plates or a specialized droid leg element (often referred to as 'feet' for brick-built droids). They provide very limited mobility but high stability.
Accessories
Typically none included as standard for this droid, though it is often displayed alongside lightsabers or medical equipment in the sets where it appears.
Color Scheme
A utilitarian industrial palette consisting mostly of Dark Bluish Gray, with accents of Pearl Dark Gray, Black, and Trans-Red/Red printing for the sensors.
Printing Details
High-quality pad printing on the front face of the 2x2 brick. It includes two red rectangular panels and silver dots/dials. The printing is crisp and significantly more detailed than the 'classic' sticker-based or unprinted Gonk droids.
Variants
There are many Gonk variants: the vintage 2002 version (plain gray bricks), the sw0407 (sand blue), and the newer 2023 version (sw1251) which uses different building techniques and a different print style.
Condition Notes
The primary concern is the integrity of the printing on the forward-facing brick, as it is prone to scratches. Checking the 'clutch' between the top and bottom bricks is also recommended as these are often played with roughly.
Estimated Value
Used: $4.00 - $6.00 / New: $7.00 - $9.00. The value is relatively stable but high for such a small, brick-built figure due to the character's 'meme' status and popularity.
Price (New)
N/A (Figure was part of a $24.99 set). This figure was never sold individually in a polybag or CMF series.
Compatible Sets
75183 Darth Vader Transformation (2017), 75225 Elite Praetorian Guard Battle Pack (2019), and 75251 Darth Vader's Castle (2018).
Character Background
The GNK-series power droid, colloquially known as the 'Gonk' droid due to its low-pitched vocalization, is effectively a mobile battery. It is one of the most recognizable 'background' droids in the Star Wars universe, appearing in almost every movie and series.
Design Notes
This version represents a shift from 'purist' brick-building (using unprinted parts) to specialized printed elements to provide accuracy. It captures the squat, boxy silhouette perfectly while maintaining the LEGO 'System' aesthetic.
Similar Minifigures
sw0407 (Sand Blue Gonk), sw1251 (Imperial Gonk Droid), and various mouse droids (MSE-6) which share a similar scale and brick-built nature.
Collectibility
High. The 'Gonk' droid has a massive cult following within the LEGO community. Most Star Wars collectors aim to have at least one printed version for their dioramas.
History
The Gonk droid first appeared in LEGO form in 2002 (set 7106). For 15 years, it was mostly unprinted. This 2017 variant marked the first time the droid received a truly detailed, dedicated printed face plate.
Interesting Facts
The Gonk droid is often voted as a fan-favorite character in LEGO Star Wars video games due to its slow movement and funny sound effects. It is one of the few 'minifigures' that consists entirely of standard bricks rather than specialized minifig molds.
Display Suggestions
Best displayed in a hangar scene or medical bay (specifically the Vader Transformation scene). It pairs well with other droids like R2-D2 or MSE-6 'Mouse' droids.
Modification Potential
Extremely high for MOCs. The printed brick can be used to represent many different industrial control panels or computer terminals in custom sci-fi builds.
Overall Assessment
9/10 for a brick-built droid. It is the definitive 'Standard' Gonk droid. While simple in construction, the printing makes it a standout accessory for any Star Wars collection.