The new cockpit has a redesigned cover that flips up (instead of sideways) on a more standard peg hinge. The control panel sits inside the cockpit cover and no longer has a divider to separate the left and right 'seat'. This makes getting Han and Chewbacca in and out of the cockpit much easier. The new hinge should also be more durable over time, although you must be careful not to flip the cockpit cover up too far. They also added strategically placed tabs on the main compartment cover so it will stay in place even when the ship is upside down. Hasbro must have recognized the landing gear problem, because the new 2004 version uses spring loaded tabs in the landing gear which shouldn't have a push too far and get stunk problem. One of the best new features of the ship are the light up engines, they look simply awesome (especially at night) with the bright blue lights. The new 'fly by' sound effect enhances the visual effect of the light up engines. The new launching missile is another nice feature. You can load the red missile into the front of the ship and press a button to fire it. Firing the missile also turns on a missile launching sound effect. Besides the 'fly by' sound, you also get 'start' (which sounds like the engines starting up and then switches to a cruise sound; the engines also light up), 'burst' (which sounds like the hyperdrive turning on, followed by cruise sound; the engines light up for this one also), and 'cannon' (which sounds like the laser cannons firing and causes the red cannons on the front of the ship to light up). Whether you had an earlier Millennium Falcon or not, you will enjoy this new 2004 version the best!

HAN SOLO'S FALCON:

A legendary Starship despite its humble origins and deceptively dilapidated exterior, the Millennium Falcon has factored into some of the Rebel Alliance's greatest victories over the Empire. On the surface, the Falcon looks like any other Corellian freighter, with a saucer-shaped primary hull, a pair of forward cargo-gripping mandibles, and a cylindrical cockpit mounted to the ship's side. Beneath its hull, though, the Falcon packs many powerful secrets. Its owners made "special modifications" on the freighter, boosting its speed, shielding and performance to downright illegal levels. Its weaponry has been upgraded to military-class quad-turbo laser turrets. To cover rapid escapes, the Falcon sports a ventrally mounted hatch-concealed antipersonnel repeating laser. Between its forward mandibles rest concussion missile launchers. The habitable interior of the vessel also has a few surprises, such as concealed scanner-proof smuggling compartments.

A vessel employed in the shady fringe business of smuggling, the Falcon was owned by Lando Calrissian before Solo won it in a heated sabacc game. Under Solo's command, the Falcon became a famous starship, completing the Kessel Run at unprecedented speeds. Solo and his first mate Chewbacca maintained the Falcon, constantly modifying and tinkering with it, coaxing the maximum speed from the ship. This speed became quite useful as Solo and Chewbacca were drawn deeper into the Rebel cause, and the Falcon began flying missions for the Alliance. It was the Falcon that provided covering fire for Luke Skywalker's final attack run on the first Death Star. The Falcon became Princess Leia Organa's escape transport during the Battle of Hoth. During the decisive Battle of Endor, the Falcon flew point for the Alliance Fleet. Under Lando Calrissian's command, it soared into the heart of the incomplete Death Star, and delivered a missile volley that helped seal the Empire's fate.