If $200 was too much for you to get in on some Star Wars augmented reality action, Best Buy is now selling refurbished Star Wars Jedi Challenges sets for $79.99 and new ones for $99.99.
Even better, Star Wars fans who order one today at standard shipping will likely receive their heavily-discounted unit in time for May the 4th Be With You day, the annual celebration of all things Star Wars.
Released last year, just before Christmas, the set includes the Lenovo Mirage augmented reality headset, a lightsaber controller, and a tracking beacon. After inserting a compatible smartphone into the headset and completing the set up process, players can participate in lightsaber battles, command miniature armies in strategic combat, and play the classic Holochess game seen in the film that started the franchise.
The companion app for iOS and Android appears to be receiving consistent updates, with the most recent version bringing the Holochess game to ARKit-capable iPhones and iPads, with no need for the Lenovo Mirage headset. Earlier this year, an update brought content inspired by Star Wars: The Last Jedi. The game also earned a spot among Next Reality's 50 Best Augmented Reality Apps.
Now, just five months after aspiring Jedi masters began unboxing and playing with the AR headset and lightsaber controller, the set is available as a refurbished unit, which, according to Best Buy, includes defective or damaged units repaired by the retailer or a third-party vendor. (In this case, the units are also Geek Squad certified.)
Is this indicative of slow sales or a high volume of returns? We've reached out a company spokesperson at Disney for comment.
Nonetheless, opportunities to enjoy Star Wars in AR have been plentiful over the last year. The Star Wars AR sticker pack for Google's AR Stickers app is arguably the killer app for Pixel handsets, while Apple's Clips app has made it easy for iPhone X owners to teleport themselves to a galaxy far, far away with Star Wars-themed backgrounds. (Both apps also made our top AR apps list.)
The force has also been strong at Nissan dealerships, participating retailers, and via the recent AR effects offered from Snapchat and Facebook.
Whichever way you go, AR appears to be the way to celebrate your Star Wars fandom on this upcoming May 4.
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