Jakks Pacific World of Nintendo Metroid Action Figure Jakks Pacific, 2015
Day #1,125: February 25, 2015
World of Nintendo Metroid Action Figure Series 1-2
World of Nintendo 4-inch Scale Action Figures
Item No.: Asst. 68518 No. 68519 Manufacturer:Jakks Pacific Includes:n/a Action Feature:n/a Retail:$14.99 Availability:February 2015 (Toy Fair promo) Other:Metroid fans, today is your day
Along with a Gannon, this Metroid was distributed at a Jakks event at Toy Fair 2015. As of my writing this they don't seem to be hitting stores yet, so I'm pretty jazzed to have one - mostly because I've been wanting a Metroid toy for decades now. Due to luggage restrictions the box didn't make the trip, but the figure made it home in fine shape.
This is a strange figure. The green membrane is a flexible green plastic, and it's a little smooshed compared to most in-game appearances. The teeth are all articulated, but that's it - for all intents and purposes this is pretty close to a life-size baby Metroid prop replica. I haven't seen any for sale outside of eBay ($60, yeesh) and the funny thing is that $60 doesn't seem outlandish yet. If there were other Metroid toys it would be absurd, but this is a sizable piece for the money - it's close to 6-inches tall and about as wide. It feels hefty and if it were a Matty item or a Japanese import, I'm sure it would be at least $40. $15 is going to be a steal, although I do fear if it gets wide distribution it may not be the fastest seller ever.
The joints are nice and tight, and the deco is clean. The (presumably) cells on the inside are red with little yellow bits here and there, giving it a somewhat realistic but bizarre look. It's not quite a perfect match for the games, but it's clearly a Metroid. It's amazing to think that after three decades, this is the first domestic release of this creature. A miniature was distributed in Japan with a Zero Suit Samus statue, and if there's a keshi figure out there I've not seen it.
If you collect busts or statues, this figure is right for you. As an action figure, it doesn't so much - you can pose those fangs, but other than that it's just going to sit on your desk or a display stand. The mouthy bottom has a lot of sculpted detail, with a ribbed "lip" between them and the green membrane. Considering they could have gone a lot smaller and a lot cheaper, this is an impressive specimen. The only thing that could probably have made it better was some sort of display stand or some sort of ability to clamp on another figure.
Given the rising costs of toys, this seems like a real oddity. Despite being the title character from a popular, long-running game series it seems amazing that we ever got one. And for $15. And it's pretty good. I was actually expecting a tiny little $5 PVC collectible figure at the most - this is way bigger. Aside from feeling a little deflated it's pretty fantastic. Considering you can count the number of figural toys from this series released stateside on one hand, go ahead and get this one. You've paid more for less. The flexible green plastic's long-term prospects do have me concerned as the item's longevity goes, but for now it's going to look great on my desk.
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