16bit.com Figure of the Day Review: Jakks Pacific World of Nintendo Skyward Sword Link Action Figure

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Jakks Pacific World of Nintendo Skyward Sword Link Action Figure Jakks Pacific, 2014

Day #1,032: October 17, 2014

World of Nintendo Skyward Sword Link Action Figure Series 1-1 World of Nintendo 4-inch Scale Action Figures Item No.: Asst. 68518 No. 68519 Manufacturer: Jakks Pacific Includes: Sword, shield (mystery accessory), scabbard Action Feature: n/a Retail: $9.99 Availability: August 2014 Other: From The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword
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I was scrounging around several Target and Toys R Us stores last summer before finally finding a Skyward Sword Link Action Figure at a Kmart that just reset. Possibly for the first time in years if not decades - they really changed up the layout for the better, so I was pumped to see so much new stuff including Jakks Pacific's very necessary World of Nintendo line. Wario, Mario, and Yoshi share this assortment, with big boxed deluxe figures of Donkey Kong and Bowser sold separately. Ever since I heard that Jakks got the license I've been dying to see a catch-all, "Marvel Legends" of sorts for Nintendo as it is one of those big character troves that, as toys go, is largely unmined. Mario gets a lot of action, but there are precious few toys of other characters sold in the USA. Sure, Ertl/Racing Champions and Toy Biz did some nice stuff but that was a while ago - and most people didn't even realize that they came out.

This new line seems to be trying to do 3 3/4-inch scale, or close to it - Link is about the size of a Hasbro figure, and similarly articulated. We saw a swell Figma figure of this costume not too long ago with more gear, optional parts, and articulation, but it was also closer to $70. And, frankly, Nintendo is still a kid's brand so collector figures may be antithetical to what a toy company should be doing. This is even a little more "collectory" than I would have expected, as the packaging boasts 13 points of articulation. Depending on how you count the various bends and swivels, my tally was closer to 20. The elbow joint swivels and the bicep and at the edge of the glove. There are bend-and-swivel wrists, which are still relatively scarce at this size. The boots are jointed at the knee, swivel at the boot top, and the ankle has the quasi-ball-joint you all love. There's a ball jointed waist and neck, plus the hips have great lateral movement. Since the figure can't sit or easily mount a hypothetical Epona, I would say that Jakks cranked out a top-notch, low-dollar figure for teenagers and cheap adults.

The joints are a little loose in spots, but largely pretty good. His hands have no problems holding his sword skyward or out for battle, while the shield glides over his arm and the grip fits firmly in his wrist. The engineering is largely quite good, and the figure is bright and colorful.

The deco on the head, shield, and sword are also better than I would have expected. The eyes are painted cleanly, the sword's modest decor makes it feel almost alive - it could be better, but this is $10 - and the shield is bedecked with grey, yellow, blue, and red on the front plus a brown strap on the back. I'm amazed they bothered - someone there (perhaps Nintendo's approval process) is looking out for us. Finally, the scabbard mounts in a hole on Link's back much like a Snake Eyes figure. It's good. Real good.

When I see a line that has potential for long-term growth and epic scale, I tread lightly at first - usually I'll buy only my favorite or the shortpacked character at first, because if there's a figure with a scarce build-a-figure piece (Black Widow) or represents something outside the same blah figures we've been getting (Link vs. Mario) that's essential to my caring about the line. I haven't bought in to previous recent Nintendo lines because, while I love Mario, I've been holding my breath for something with more meat on the bones. It stuns me that Smash Bros. has been out for over a decade and nobody has milked the mascot train for a toy line - heck, this isn't Smash Bros., either, but it's a very good start. Jakks has some room to improve but I'd be lying if I said this wasn't a figure that was worth the asking price and has me excited for the future. Perhaps we'll get Samus Aran, Pico, Captain Falcon, a pig-style Gannon, or even an articulated 8-bit Mario figure some day. With bosses, enemies, and a few strong franchises Jakks Pacific could make this line into a broad series that rivals DC, Marvel, Star Trek, or even Star Wars - plus the franchise is completely beloved by kids and new parents. This could be a slam-dunk and I hope that it continues long enough to get me an honest-to-goodness Metroid creature toy.

--Adam Pawlus

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