Action Figure Review: Raccoon Mario from World of Nintendo by Jakks Pacific

   I didn't review too many World of Nintendo figures in 2018. There weren't as many releases as in years past and what was released was often ridiculously hard to find as the distribution on this line was pretty poor in 2018. 2019 looks better, however, as Jakks is going to a new packaging format with more unique characters. Hopefully that means a renewed commitment to the line. That seems like a great idea considering how big of a hit the Nintendo Switch and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is right now. Today I'm checking out a figure from Wave 2-7 that has been one of my longtime wants: Raccoon Mario! Super Mario Bros. 3 was possibly the first video game I remember actually waiting to be released and seeing Mario on the cover in his Raccoon outfit was such a huge thrill when my dad finally brought it home when it was released. Let's check out this cool variant of Mario after the break...

Action Figure Review: Hammer Bro. from World of Nintendo by Jakks Pacific

     As I'm wrapping up my 2018 toy pickups in anticipation of the upcoming end of the year awards season I'm getting ready to review a couple World of Nintendo figures I picked up this year. While Jakks Pacific looks ready to gear up for a soft relaunch of the line with new packaging and such, 2018 was a bit of a rough year for this line. I'm not sure I ever saw any figures from Wave 2-6 and figures from both that wave and Wave 2-7 have gotten to be ridiculously expensive. I did manage to track down a Hammer Bro. however, which is great. While I have the S.H. Figuarts version of the Hammer Bro., it's nice to have an official World of Nintendo version, too. Plus, they're usually referred to as the Hammer Bros., so having two of them just makes sense. I love these guys ( a Fire Bro. has just been released and I'd love a Boomerang Bro. in the future, too) and having this classic villain is really fun. Let's check him out after the break...

Action Figure Review: Prince Adam (Laughing) from He-Man and the Masters of the Universe by Super7

    While my wife no longer thinks it's funny, I still find the Fabulous Secret Powers/ "HEYYEYAAEYAAAEYAEYAA" video hilarious, especially the part that features the cover of 4 Non Blondes' "What's Up?" Super7 still thinks it's funny too and that's why they releases this action figure of Prince Adam laughing/ singing as a 2018 SDCC exclusive in the He-Man and the Masters of the Universe line. While I've not been a huge collector of the more Filmation focused line (I love the Filmation cartoons but I'm most interested in figures that mesh well with Masters of the Universe Classics) this was one I couldn't pass up. Let's check out this rocking version of Prince Adam after the break...

Action Figure Review: Dylamug from Masters of the Universe Classics by Mattel

    Over the next week I'm going to be wrapping up reviews of the stuff I picked up in 2018 that I want to make sure I review before I start my annual "best of the year" awards at the end of January. Masters of the Universe Classics is my favorite toyline of all time so I'm pretty glad that 2018 was the year that Super7 really started continuing the line. There were some incredible figures released this year, such as Karg, Quakke, and Wrap Trap, but there have been a few less than impressive releases as well. While figures with a true Filmation aesthetic have a home in the He-Man and the Masters of the Universe line, Super7 seems to be trying to work them into the standard MOTUC line, too, and the results are less than impressive. Dylamug has long been one of the most wanted figures in MOTUC due to his role as one of the earliest Horde villains in She-Ra: Princess of Power. Getting him as part of Super7's second series is a real treat but, aesthetically, he feels like he almost belongs more in the Filmation line rather than MOTUC. Join me me after the break so I can show you why.

Minifiigure Review: Advent Calendar from Star Wars: Micro Force by Hasbro

   Yes, we're near the end of January. Yes, I'm reviewing an Advent Calendar. I actually didn't hear about the Star Wars: Micro Force Advent Calendar until after Christmas so I tracked mine down in early January. I got it on clearance, too (although I've hear they're down to around $8-$9 dollars at Target). Star Wars: Micro Force is a fun little line although the fact that they're typically blind bagged mixed with the terrible distribution of the single packs means there are a few of the series I haven't even seen in stores. The Advent Calendar is a fun idea and includes figures from the various series released thus far as well as some "exclusive" figures for this set. I'm going to buzz through these pretty quick, which is kind of the opposite of the intent of an Advent Calendar, but considering we're far past Christmas and Epiphany, I think we're OK. Light your advent wreath and join me after the break...

Toy Review: Michelangelo from Eekeez: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles by FOCO

    Today I'm checking out the last item from the very cool box of stuff that FOCO sent me last month and it just so happens to be another Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Eekeez figure: Michelangelo! This party dude really looks incredible in the Tiki inspired aesthetic of the Eekeez line, doesn't it? I'm really a pretty big fan of this line and I hope to add the other figures from it (Raphael, Donatello, and the Shredder) to my collection in the near future. As someone who has collected various Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle figures since 1988, it's nice to see there are still unique depictions of the TMNT to be had. Let's check out Michelangelo after the break...

Minifigure Review: Captain Phasma from Star Wars: Micro Force Wow! by Hasbro

 Hasbro has started putting the Star Wars: Micro Force figures in new lightsaber packaging and is now calling the line Star Wars: Micro Force Wow! While the name and packaging are different, the figures are the same as the previous Micro Force figures, which are essentially the same as the Fighter Pods figures from a few years back. I'm pretty sure these are all new sculpts, though. One of the figures I got in my pack was Captain Phasma. While Phasma's not one of my favorite characters or anything, she definitely does have a great look.  This figure depicts Phasma with her Quicksilver Baton from her battle with Finn in The Last Jedi. Ready for a quick look at a small figure? Then join me after the break...