DJ Plays With: Max Factory The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds figma Link DX Version
For a company with a treasure trove of beloved characters, Nintendo has only recently really begun to make use of and, in less nice sounding terms, exploit its IP in terms of merchandising and franchise recognition. Sure, there’s always been Mario figurines and toothbrushes and what have you here and there, but it feels like a combination of their own unpreparedness for how well received Amiibo would be and suddenly paying attention to exactly how much bank The Pokémon Company was making around the corner in selling Pokémon merch was what finally woke them up to the potential they had. It was fairly sudden – the Super Mario static figurine line that had been selling in Toys R’ U for years now included articulated action figures of not just Mario characters, but of other Nintendo franchises as well. The company as a whole became much more open to working with others and outright expressed interest in having derivative works (movies, cartoons, etc.) of their properties made, for the first time since they were burned so badly with the Super Mario Bros. Movie. Indirectly, they even made partnerships with DeNA and Universal Studios to create mobile device games and theme park attractions based on their games, respectively. More important to this review and to people like me, however, was the foot forward into more, higher ended toys and collectibles becoming a reality. Among the first were figures created by the Japanese toy company Max Factory, known for various anime and game sourced articulated figures in its figma line, based on the Metroid: Other M version of Samus Aran, the Kid Icarus: Uprising version of Pit (and Dark Pit), and the Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword version of Link. These and those that followed were well received, and actually picked up for local distribution in North America and other parts of the world by various companies, making the ability to actually give someone money and receive a nicely crafted, well-made action figure of a character one might have beloved since childhood a simple reality.
Speaking for myself, I was always a little miffed by how so many other game fandoms could seemingly just look on the internet and just buy an action figure of Cloud Strife or Master Chief from various levels of playability and price, while anyone trying to get a Link or Samus or even Mario had to make do with a subpar figure that’s skyrocketed in price since it was from 10 years ago, or imported from Japan and there were no other options otherwise. This new wave of higher end yet still not bank breaking figures from companies like Max Factory or Bandai, and even the much improved Jakks Pacific World of Nintendo and Tomy Pokémon lines are a welcome sight, ‘cept maybe for my wallet. I went from not being able to get any Links to now having my choice of half a dozen, including the one I’m talking about today. This is the DX version of figma’s The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds Link figure, the “DX” meaning it comes with extra accessories, so let’s start there.
ACCESSORIES
Other than Link himself, the window box comes with a figma stand, the Master Sword, a Hylian Shield, a retracted and extended hookshot, a bomb, a pot, a rupee and stand, a maiamai, the Tornado rod, both a smiling and angry face, four pairs of hands (fists, “calm” open, stretched/splayed out open, and item holding) Ravio’s bracelet, and from the game itself, a “flat” version of Link as he appears when using the bracelet’s wall-merging ability.
The Master Sword, like all the other accessories, has all the detail it needs and looks great, and while I would guffaw here about the lack of scabbard when the previous Skyward Sword Link had one, if memory serves you never actually get to see the scabbard in this game so I can let it go as being accurate. Still, if that bothers you, let it be known now. The Hylian Shield is just as good with nice paint apps, and in a nice touch can be used for both left and right handed grips…though really, why wouldn’t you use it in his right hand since this Link is definitely a lefty. Ravio’s Bracelet is actually already on the figure’s left wrist, though if you want to you can definitely take it off without much of a fuss at all.
The pot is…a pot, the much-targeted object of Link’s kleptomaniac desires to find Rupees in the world throughout the series, and for this troubles he received a single green rupee in this package. Just like everything else, they’re nicely made without any blemishes and look like you’d expect these items to look in toy form, neither too simplistic nor over complicated. You also get one maiamai here, so if you want to collect’em all, you’ll have to look elsewhere. Using the splayed hand, you can have Link hold both the rupee and the also well-made bomb in either hand, and pose him in various states of throwing or holding about his head, though none of the hand options really let you do the classic “I Got an Item!” pose, alas.
The Tornado Rod is a nicely made item in two pieces, having both the rod itself and the twirling effect printed on a clear plastic disc that attaches on top, and when used with the included figma stands can be posed to have Link in mid-glide.
The hookshot is notable for coming both in its retracted form, and having a different piece to swap out to show it in its extended form – again coupled with the stand, you can pose Link in mid-grapple or shot with the accessory.
Last, but not least is the “flat” Link, like the Tornado rod, is printed nicely on a flat piece of plastic. Put on a stand, it works pretty well if you want to re-create any scenes from the game where he’s using the ability…or make up your own.
It’s a pretty full slate of accessories, and while he doesn’t come with every little item he uses in the game, one really cannot complain about him not having enough options to pose with, as you could with the earlier Skyward Sword rendition only coming with the Master Sword, Hylian Shield, and sword effects part in addition to the usual spread of hands and stand. It should be noted that this review is for the DX version, the regular version omits everything but the sword, shield, faces, stand, and flat Link, so keep that in mind if lack of accessories will be an issue.
FIGURE
Link himself is fantastic. For newcomers, the figma line is known for using a specially designed set of joints that allow a full range of wide poseability without impacting the physical appearance of the figure with joint lines and seams that might take away from the toy’s aesthetic. Combined with using soft plastic for areas where harder plastic would hinder any of those poses – such as skirts, sleeves, hair, etc. – and you get a nice, clean looking figure that can still pose a great deal. Link is no exception, with a head that can turn 180 degrees, shoulders, elbows, wrists, a waist joint, hips, knees, boot cuts, and ankles with a bit of a tilt. He even comes with a rotating “tail” on his green cap so you can move it out of the way if it impedes any movement of his head or arms. All of these have at least a full range of motion a person would have, and Link can be placed in a variety of poses, ranging from serious ones from the games or just goofy silly ones your imagination can come up with. He can also stand very well, and while the included stand is great for those poses that require defying gravity a little too much, he can stand planted on his feet pretty well, even when you bump against the desk or shelf by accident.
The sculpt is great and knocks it out of the park, looking like Link leapt out of ALBW’s artwork and onto your desk. Not highly detailed like some other figures, but the game and its artwork don’t have a lot of micro details in it either so it’s a great representation, not missing a single bit unlike the Skyward Sword Link, where my sticking point is still that his chainmail mesh is done as a solid grey instead of having the mesh detail that even the WoN figure does. The paintwork is equally amazing, with the eyes popping out of the face despite being painted on a flat surface, and the only missing detail I really see are that of the ties on his tunic’s neckline being solid green instead of painted brown or tan. The majority of the joints are also hidden as folds in his clothing, giving a nice, smooth impression that would have to be broken up by those joints otherwise.
As far as swapping out pieces are concerned, it’s pain free and simple, though seeing as how this isn’t a toy meant to be thrown around the playground during recess, popping in and out his various hands or attaching weapons and accessories via pegs or just his hand grip should be simple and not scary provided you be careful. His swappable face is the same, as you remove his hair and change between happy, smiling Link and stern, serious Link in a quick, easy step.
A Link Between Worlds Link is yet another fantastic toy in the Nintendo figma line, and goes well with any of the past releases if you’re a fan of the company’s franchises. He looks great next to them, as well as next to Bandai’s Figuarts/D-Arts offerings, and if you want to have a row of Links, you can’t go wrong adding this to the already released Skyward Sword version, the alternate line nendoroid Wind Waker Link, as well as the upcoming Twilight Princess Link. For newcomers, the figma line is a great place to start your more upscale figure collecting, coming in at a decent price point – don’t let all the anime girls scare you away, if that somehow bothers you. If the price still tilts in too much and you don’t mind losing a lot of the accessories, you can save at least 10 bucks or so by going for the regular version, since you still get the solid figure with his main armament. I, for one, am glad to be getting more of these Nintendo figures in the future, so it’s not a bad buy if you’re as big a fan as I am, and like all figures in this and similar lines, the after-market price can vary from barely fluctuating (Samus and Skyward Sword Link can still be had for close to their original retail price, less if you know where to look) to skyrocketing to the point of not being remotely worth it anymore (I’m looking at Pit and Dark Pit, here). For fans of The Legend of Zelda looking to get some merch for the franchise, it’s well worth adding to your collection.
…. oh, uh, I’m not doing star rankings. It’s a good toy, go buy it!