R2 - D2 R2 - D2 is a " Star Wars " minifigure first released in 1999 , and has been released at least once every year since . Description . The Minifigure of R2 - D2 has come in eight variations : the classic variation , the 2008 redesign , the Clone Wars variation , two serving tray variations , the snowman version , the 2013 redesign and the Christmas Tree version . Original Version . The original version is the most famous variation , spanning the LEGO Star Wars theme from 1999 to 2008 . Unlike most Minifigures , all of R2 - D2 ' s parts were first exclusive ( later becoming a standard for other astromech droid Minifigures such as R4 - P17 ) not sharing the same components of standard LEGO Minifigures . He was composed of four parts : the Headpiece , the two leg pieces , and the body piece . The head was shaped like a dome , featuring blue designs all over , making it resemble Artoo ' s head . The Leg pieces were plain white . The body piece was cylindrical , featuring blue designs on it to make it resemble Artoo ' s body . He has appeared in this variation in thirteen sets . Head Only . The Head Only variant refers to when only Artoo ' s head comes in a set , due to Artoo having the ability to enter vehicles with only his head being exposed in the movies in order to do repairs . All the sets in which this version appears have the head of the original variant . He has appeared in three sets in this variation . 2008 Redesign . The 2008 Redesign , also known as the New Head Variation , is the variation of R2 - D2 that came with a new head as first seen in the set 10188 Death Star . This R2 - D2 minifigure came with almost the exact same body as the original variant , but utilized a new headpiece . The new head piece had more thick shades of blue compared to the earlier variation , along with a more cartoon - like appearance . Also , the holes in the bottoms of the head and body were changed to axle holes instead of round Technic pin holes . He has appeared in this variation in nine sets . Clone Wars Variation . The complete new variation uses the exact same pieces as the previous two variations , but has a head that resembles the New Head Variation and the body is reprinted to follow the style implemented in a similar head seen in the New Head Variation ; thus a new body print with thicker blue details and less details was created . The body has a more cartoon look just like the new headpiece . This variation has so far only appeared in one set . Snowman . In the 9509 LEGO Star Wars Advent Calendar , R2 - D2 appears as a snowman with carrots on his body and wearing a top hat . Ewok Village variant . A special variant is included in 10236 Ewok Village . This version uses a Titanium Metallic version of the head from the Clone Wars variant , atop the body from the 2008 version . It is only seen in this set . The promotional materials for the set use the regular 2008 version , possibly indicating that the existence of this version is an error . 2014 Redesign . In 75038 Jedi Interceptor , a new variation was introduced . This one has more detailed markings on the head and body , and the head is now coloured Titanium Metallic . There is also a slight variation where the dot on the front of the head is not coloured red . This is the current variant and has appeared in eight sets . Christmas Tree . In the 75056 LEGO Star Wars Advent Calendar , R2 - D2 appears dressed as a Christmas Tree with the normal head piece replaced by a nose cone to emulate the tall look of a tree . Artoo also sports a star on top of his head complete with an Earth Green re - color . Serving Variant . When aboard Jabba the Hutt ' s Sail Barge , Artoo has a tray with drnks on it . This variation has appeared twice , in the two different LEGO versions of the Sail Barge . It is represented by placing a 2x6 plate between the head and body of a regular Artoo variant . The original version uses the original design , and the new version uses the 2008 redesign . In the Video Games . R2 - D2 has appeared in all five LEGO Star Wars video games . In the first three , he appears in his original minifigure variation . This variation looks almost completely identical to the Standard Variation , except for the fact that his head could rotate and a third leg sticks out of his body piece when he moves . In he is his Clone Wars variant . In , He is the 2013 redesign . Background . R2 - D2 , phonetically spelled Artoo - Detoo and nicknamed Artoo by his various masters , was an R2 - series astromech droid , and was undoubtedly the most famous unit of the R2 series . R2 - D2 started his existence on a Naboo ship of which Padme Amidala , Qui - Gon Jinn , and Obi - Wan Kenobi , along with other natives of Naboo , used to escape Naboo and reach the Galactic capital Coruscant . The ship ' s astromech droid repair team were requested to fix the shield generator while being blasted by the Trade Federation in space . Artoo succeeded in repairing the shield generator , thus saving the lives of everyone on board . The ship soon had to stop at Tatooine . There , the ship ' s crew recovered a new hyperdrive and Artoo befriended the young Anakin Skywalker and C - 3PO . Artoo soon helped in the recapture of Naboo . Soon , R2 - D2 became an ordinary companion of the now - Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker , helping in the Battle of Geonosis by keeping Padme alive . At the outbreak of the Clone Wars , R2 - D2 served aboard almost all of Anakin Skywalker ' s Jedi Starfighters , accomapnying the Jedi on countless missions with Anakin , Obi - Wan , and several Jedi , including Ahsoka Tano he even saved himself and Mace Windu after the endurance crashed when Anakin and Windu after Skywalker picked up Jango Fett ' s helmet which was rigged with explosives by Boba Fett . At the end of the Clone Wars , and Anakin ' s fall to the Dark Side , Artoo and C - 3PO eventually fell into the hands of the Rebel Alliance ' s Princess Leia , until her ship was boarded . She inserted the plans of the Empire ' s Death Star inside Artoo and sent him to Tatooine . Artoo successfully brought the plans to the Jedi Obi - Wan Kenobi and Luke Skywalker , son of Anakin . Luke soon joined the Alliance , with R2 - D2 becoming his X - Wing co - pilot in various missions , including the destruction of the Death Star . The Alliance soon defeated the Empire and afterwards , Artoo continued his duties as Luke Skywalker ' s co - pilot until the remaining fragments of the Empire could be eliminated .