Release Date: August 2018 RRP: 5370 yen With Breath of the Wild going on to become of the most popular and beloved Legend of Zelda titles of all time, there was no way that Good Smile Company were going to stop at just one figure. While fans are still sadly waiting for a properly proportioned Figma release, the Nendoroid line definitely went all out with its version of Link . So what's next? Zelda? Maybe one of the four Champions? Not quite. Instead we have the Nendoroid Guardian – the ancient six-legged automatons created by the Sheikah to help in the fight against Calamity Ganon . Unfortunately for Link, Ganon's malevolence is now in control – and the Guardians patrol Hyrule Castle ready to attack any invader.

  Release Date: July 2017 RRP: 4167 yen (Standard Edition), 5370 yen (DX Edition) Continuing in their goal to seemingly make a new Link figure for every Legend of Zelda game going forwards, Good Smile Company are back again with Nendoroid Link: Breath of the Wild Ver. in both standard in DX Editions . While some are surely thinking “do we really need yet another Link figure?”, when it comes from one of the most popular Zelda games of all time and is based on a design that’s a significant departure from the usual one the answer is most definitely yes. Breath of the Wild Link is the third Link Nendoroid (following on from the Wind Waker and Majora’s Mask versions) and the sixth overall including the three Figma releases. It’s also the second to be released in 2017, coming only a few months after the release of Figma Link Twilight Princess Ver.

Release Date: May 2017 RRP: 5093 yen (Standard Edition), 6000 yen (DX Edition) Between the two Figma and two Nendoroid figures released over past five years, it’s fair to say that Good Smile Company know that a Legend of Zelda Link figure will usually go down pretty well. So it’s no surprise to see that 2017 will see a new variant in both lines, with Figma opting for a Twilight Princess version spurred on by the game’s HD remake last year. Much like the A Link Between Worlds version this Link also comes in standard and DX editions, however unlike before this DX Edition isn’t limited to just the GSC and partner stores. On top of that it also released the same month as the long-awaited Figma Princess Zelda , making May 2017 a particularly special month for Zelda fans.

The Nintendo range of Figma are arguably some of the most popular figures Max Factory and Good Smile Company have put out in recent years, and all of that began way back in 2013 with the original Metroid: Other M Samus Aran Figma . Not long after her release plans for a Figma Zero Suit Samus were unveiled, but it wasn’t until the very end of 2016 that these plans came to fruition. Now Metroid fans can jump for joy as a toy line shows more love towards the franchise than Nintendo currently are, as this second version of Metroid ’s legendary heroine joins Figma’s growing collection of Nintendo characters.

Whether it was simply due to the popularity of the character, the Pokémon franchise's 20th anniversary or it's appearance in the Super Smash Bros. series, it's fair to say that Charizard quickly became one of the most sought after D-Arts releases and previously fetched an extremely high price on the aftermarket. However patience eventually pays off, and Bandai Tamashii Nations recently reissued the figure under their flagship S.H. Figuarts banner now that the D-Arts line has ceased to exist. While the same core figure, S.H. Figuarts Charizard was a Tamashii web exclusive , featured a new range of accessories and was marketed as being from the Pokémon XY&Z anime series rather than just the general game series. 

When Good Smile Company dived into the wonderful world of Nintendo it’s fair to say that the Legend of Zelda was one of their biggest offerings – for proof look no further than the amount of re-releases Skyward Sword Link has had since his original release in 2013. Since then GSC and Max Factory have covered a number of Zelda games through the Nendoroid and Figma lines including Wind Waker , A Link Between Worlds , Majora’s Mask and (due for release next year) Twilight Princess . However as varied as this range may be, there was one significant problem – all the figures were of Link. However that’s finally no longer the case, as the Wind Waker version of Princess Zelda herself finally joins the Nendoroid line!

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild may be drawing ever closer, but thanks to the slow process that is figure manufacturing Figma ’s latest entry from the prolific franchise takes us back to 2013 and the release of The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds on the 3DS . Previewed at Wonderfests for years but only now finally seeing release, Figma A Link Between Worlds Link is the second Link from Max Factory and the fourth from Good Smile Company as a whole. This figure had the particular honour of being released in two different formats – in addition to a general release version a “ DX Edition ” with more accessories was also made available via the GSC Online Store as well as any of the brand’s partner stores across the globe.

When Nintendo finally began licensing their characters out to companies to produce figures it didn’t take long for said companies to realise they were on to a golden goose. So after the success of their Skyward Sword Figma and Wind Waker Nendoroid figures, Good Smile Company have turned to the Legend of Zelda franchise once again for another iteration of the legendary Hero of Time. This Nendoroid Link is based on his appearance in the 2000 Nintendo 64 game Majora’s Mask , or more specifically its 2015 3DS remake Majora’s Mask 3D . This unique Zelda offering took Link out of Hyrule, placing him in the land of Termina with only three days to stop the moon crashing into the Earth. However thanks to some ocarina trickery, you can do an awful lot in 72 hours. For Smash Bros. fans this figure can also serve a double purpose, representing Young Link from Super Smash Bros. Melee. This was the only game in the franchise Young Link appeared in, before being replaced by Toon Link f...

Bandai Tamashii Nations ’ journey into the colourful world of Nintendo ’s flagship franchise continues with the arrival of S.H. Figuarts Bowser ! Primary antagonist and star of the Super Mario series since the very beginning, the King of the Koopas is perhaps one of the more radical entries in the Figuarts line thanks to his inhuman design and proportions. While some collectors out there may think Bowser is more suited to the S.H. MonsterArts line, his cartoonish design would have been a major clash there and so really he fits perfectly under the Figuarts banner. Like the Fire Flower Mario and recent diorama sets, Bowser is a Tamashii web exclusive figure.

Between Good Smile Company , Bandai Tamashii Nations and Jakks Pacific , one thing collectors don't have right now is a shortage of Nintendo figures. After years of fans clamouring for plastic representations of their favourite video game characters, it seems that everyone is clamouring for the golden tickets that are Super Mario, The Legend of Zelda,  Pokemon, Fire Emblem and more. One toy line that's managed to tackle all four of those franchises is of course Nendoroid , and now it's adding one more to that already impressive resume. The puffy pink sphere known as Kirby first appeared way back in 1992 in the Game Boy game Kirby's Dream Land ( Hoshi no Kirby in Japan), before progressing on into a franchise that is still going on strong today. Kirby has also been a staple character in every Super Smash Bros. instalment thus far, as well as starring in his own anime series and several manga titles. Not bad for a character that can barely talk. Given his body ...

It’s baffling how it’s taken them so long to realise it, but recently Nintendo have really gotten wise to the fact that people want toys of their various gaming properties. All of a sudden Nintendo figures have started popping up everywhere, from both various Japanese manufacturers and the World of Nintendo line here in the West. But while Good Smile Company seem content tackling the major players from the likes of Zelda , Metroid , Kid Icarus and Fire Emblem , it’s Bandai Tamashii Nations that are covering everyone’s favourite series about a plumber that never actually does any plumbing. After the successful release of Mario , Luigi and a number of accessory sets, S.H. Figuarts in now turning its attention toward the wider Super Mario cast. And even though there was plenty of different places for Bandai to start, it probably comes as no surprise that next up would be Yoshi – the brothers’ long-tongued, egg-throwing dinosaur buddy that first appeared in Super Mario World ...

It's time to warm up that second player controller as Luigi joins Mario in the S.H. Figuarts line! After the roaring success of the Mushroom Kingdom's number one plumber it's no surprise that his more cowardly brother is following soon after, proving that Bandai's release of Nintendo's poster child was anything but a one-off thing. The year of Luigi may be well behind us now, but with the genius of  Mario Kart 8' s "Luigi death stare" still fresh in everyone's minds the lean green plumbing machine certainly won't be going back into his brother's shadow any time soon. Luigi number one!

Don't you find it a strange coincidence that all these Nintendo characters that feature in Super Smash Bros. are coming out around the same time as the new games, despite the figures themselves being from their original appearances and having little to do with Nintendo's giant fighting crossover? That aside, Good Smile Company continue the fantastic work they've done so far with the eagerly awaited Nendoroid Link from The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker . This just happens to be one of my favourite games of all time (I bought the Wii U version on release despite not owning the console just to get that limited edition Ganondorf statue), so finally getting a decent Toon Link was a dream come true for me. After suffering a few months of delays, this figure was first released in October 2014.

Clearly the death of the  D-Arts line wasn't enough to stop Bandai Tamashii Nations continuing what they'd started with the Pokémon franchise, branching out of the original generation of games to tackle some more modern monsters. From Kanto we now take a journey over to Sinnoh with the release of the fourth generation Pokémon Lucario , an ever popular choice for a figure thanks to his bi-pedal build and prominence in one of the movies. Of course, the fact this release is well timed with the lead of Super Smash Bros. certainly isn't going to also contribute to video game fans picking it up...

When Bandai's D-Arts line was suddenly stopped and integrated in the much more established S.H. Figuarts line, it didn't seem like very much would change outside of the name slapped on the box. However the inclusion of video game stars in the line has naturally widened the spectrum of interest in Figuarts even further, with Bandai immediately announcing none other than Mario as the first video game figure in the line. Can you get any bigger than the Nintendo mascot? Not only that, but after an endless amount of detailed but completely static figurines, it's exciting to see just what the Italian plumber can do with a fair bit of articulation on him. Let's a go!

Max Factory 's new selection of Nintendo Figma have proven rather popular haven't they? After both Link and Samus were released a few months ago, they instantly sold out and commanded ludicrous secondary prices on the aftermarket (one Samus I found was going for 10,000 yen!). Thankfully Good Smile Company have obviously noticed the popularity, and so the two figures have been re-released to meet greater demand. So after missing out on her first run, here she is - Samus Aran as she appears in the Nintendo Wii game Metroid: Other M . Admittedly I'm not overly familiar with the Metroid franchise - having only played the original and Metroid Fusion , my knowledge of the character mainly stems from the Super Smash Bros. series of games. Therefore I can't really comment on whether Samus' box decoration has any relevance to the game itself (like how Link's was Skyward Sword style sky art), but I can say that the orange/yellow/black colourscheme is ver...

Max Factory's Figma line is back with another Nintendo  franchise character, and unlike Link or Samus this one's a favourite despite having appeared in barely games. Their latest release is Pit from the Kid Icarus  franchise, styled on his appearance in the latest game - Kid Icarus Uprising  for the 3DS. Released alongside him was Dark Pit , an evil recolour of the character with a different weapon set. Does Pit reach the standard set by his peers? Let's find out! Figma box is the usual display of colourful front, single picture spine and back featuring action poses and contents (as well as picture of Pit alongside his dark counterpart). This time the front of a lilac dawn style sky, which contrasts quite nicely with Figma Link's bright blue sky box. While it's not pictured there are actually 2 trays inside the box, with the bottom one housing the weapons and hands. Current versions of Pit also include a first release bonus of 2 3DS AR cards - o...

If you own a Nintendo handheld console, chances are you've played a Pokémon game in your life. If you were a child in the late 90s/early noughties, most of these fond memories were probably spent playing the original Red and Blue versions on the Game Boy or watching the anime series. While Pokémon has always had a huge following outside its target demographic, there hasn't been much in the way of poseable figures aimed at adult collectors. Until now that is, as Bandai welcome them into their video-game based D-Arts line. Their first release is the 150th Pokémon Mewtwo  - clone of Mew, final monster in the original Pokédex and star of the very first Pokémon movie. Joining him later this year will be the fully evolved forms of the Kanto starters Charizard, Blastoise and Venusaur. While my reviews usually look at the packaging of the figure, I'm going to take an extra moment just to appreciate Mewtwo's. Being a Pokémon character, I had fears that the ...