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Samus and Link Figma figures articulating stateside this fall

Jordan Mallory — Sat, 25 May 2013 19:30:00 EST

Remember that totally boss Metroid: Other M-style Samus action figure that Figma put into production last year, and how it was only sold in Japan? Well, no longer will you have to go to great personal expense to buy one in a used games store in Akihabara - not that any of us have done that or anything.

Varia Feature Samus, fabric-doesn't-work-that-way Zero Suit Samus and Skyward Sword-era Link are all receiving new production runs for sale in the US this fall, though no specific release date has been given. Varia Samus and Link can both be pre-ordered for about $50 a pop, while Zero Suit Sammy rings up at a whopping $100.

Samus and Link Figma figures articulating stateside this fall originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 25 May 2013 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Portal 2's Atlas and P-Body get fresh, filthy coats of paint from ThreeA

Jessica Conditt — Sun, 07 Apr 2013 19:30:00 EST

Portal 2's multiplayer pawns, Atlas and P-Body, have seen some tough times and even tougher test chambers, as highlighted by ThreeA Toys' latest figurines. ThreeA revealed the prototypes for Atlus and P-Body last year, as smooth, gray statuettes. Now, the figures have a dinged-up coat of paint and classy lens details, along with a pair of Portal guns, and they're looking fly.

ThreeA showed off the new prototypes during an event in Taiwan, as spotted and photographed by Tomopop. It's still unclear if Atlas and P-Body will include any LEDs or flashier add-ons, or when they'll be available for collectible consumption.

In other video game toy news, ThreeA announced a partnership with Capcom to make mecha figures straight out of Lost Planet. Check out Tomopop's gallery of the ThreeA show here.

Portal 2's Atlas and P-Body get fresh, filthy coats of paint from ThreeA originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 07 Apr 2013 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Dead Island sales pass 5 million

Jordan Mallory — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 23:59:00 EST

Counting both retail and digitally distributed copies of Dead Island, total sales for the weird zombie action-RPG have surpassed five million units globally, Deep Silver announced today. In meaningless, arbitrary statistics, that shakes down to about 402.18 units sold an hour since the game was originally released in back in September of 2011.

By December 2011, Dead Island had shipped 3 million units worldwide, with a fourth million added to that total after another eight months. Today's figure, however, is our first look at how the game has actually sold, since shipped figures count all units sent to retailers, while sell-through/net sales only count what is actually purchased by a consumer. We're sure those Steam sales didn't hurt anything.

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Dead Island sales pass 5 million originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 05 Feb 2013 23:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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October NPD: Downward trend continues, NBA 2K13 dunks at the top

Jordan Mallory — Thu, 08 Nov 2012 19:15:00 EST

Based on the NPD's purview, the physical sales sector of the video game industry continued its downward year-over-year trend as October came and went, raking in $755.5 million for the period ending on October 27, as compared with the straight-up $1 billion the industry earned during the same period in 2011.

Despite the 25 percent difference, however, momentum is building towards the holiday buying season, according to NPD Group analyst Liam Callahan: "While we saw declines in hardware unit sales across all platforms year-over-year, when looking at average sales per week versus September, several consoles realized higher sales: The 360, PS3, NDS and 3DS. This is a sign of increasing momentum as we move into the holiday season."

Hardware sales themselves accounted for $187.3 million of October's overall figure, a 37 percent decrease over October 2011's $295.9 million. As usual, the Xbox 360 was the top-selling hardware platform and claimed more than 40 percent of the market, according to Major Nelson.

Accessories continue to be the only field of growth in the physical channel, pulling down a five percent increase in October 2012 over October 2011 ($135.6 million and $129.6, respectively). As has been the case in months past, Skylanders toys and digital currency giftcards are primarily responsible for this segment's prosperity.

Portable software sales were up 37 percent in comparison with last October thanks to the release of Pokémon Black & White 2, though the rest of the segment failed to best the curve and was down overall by 25 percent. October 2011's software figure of $576.8 million was bolstered by the release of both Battlefield 3 and Batman: Arkham City; since comparable heavy-hitters were missing from this October's release schedule, software sales total at $432.6 million.

October's top 10 best-selling games are lead by NBA 2K13, which "outsold last year's 2K12 by over 60 percent in both dollars and units," according to Callahan. As per usual, the full list can be found after the break.

Continue reading October NPD: Downward trend continues, NBA 2K13 dunks at the top

October NPD: Downward trend continues, NBA 2K13 dunks at the top originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 08 Nov 2012 19:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Google Play up to 700,000 apps for Android, closing in on App Store

Sinan Kubba — Wed, 31 Oct 2012 17:00:00 EST

There are now around 700,000 apps on Google Play, the same number Apple revealed last month as being on the App Store. Speaking to Bloomberg, Google divulged the new amount of available Android apps, having announced last month it was up to 675,000.

Google Play is apparently closing in when it comes to available apps, but there's a way to go yet in terms of app downloads. At its recent press event, Apple revealed a figure of 35 billion downloads on the App Store. That compares to 25 billion downloads on Google Play at last count.

Using those figures, there have been 8.5 Android and iOS app downloads per person on the planet. That's crazy to think about, even if it sounds relatively meager compared to the number of apps we've stuffed onto our devices.

Google Play up to 700,000 apps for Android, closing in on App Store originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 31 Oct 2012 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New Halo 4 figures include the most adorable Cortana ever

Jordan Mallory — Sat, 27 Oct 2012 22:30:00 EST

Funko's Pop! Vinyl line of collectible figurines is welcoming four new Halo 4 figures into its already plentiful ranks of super-deformed pop-culture characters. Available on November 8, the new line includes Master Chief, both red and blue Spartan Warriors, as well as the unbelievably cute Cortana figure seen above.

Seriously, it's like if Betty Boop were a hyper-intelligent, holographic artificial intelligence from the future. Check out all four figures in the gallery below.

Gallery: Halo 4 (Funko Pop Vinyl Figures)

New Halo 4 figures include the most adorable Cortana ever originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 27 Oct 2012 22:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Majority of undecided Xbox Live voters declare Obama victor of town hall debate

Jordan Mallory — Wed, 17 Oct 2012 19:00:00 EST

Of the 2,000 or so undecided voters that tuned into last night's presidential debate via Xbox Live, 51 percent thought that President Barack Obama's overall performance was better than former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney. Meanwhile, 17 percent declared Romney the winner, while 32 percent remained unsure as to who outclassed who.

Fifty-two percent of undecided Xbox Live voters felt that President Obama was the most truthful during the debate, compared with the 17 percent who felt that way about Romney. Regarding the specificity of their plans for our nation, 56 percent felt Obama was satisfactorily specific in regards to his plan for the future, whereas 17 percent said the same about Romney.

Those 2,000-ish voters were but a small subset of the total number of viewers, however, which totaled more than 100,000 Xbox owners. Over the course of the debate, more than 2 million individual answers were given to approximately 70 poll questions, with most questions averaging 35,000 to 45,000 responses each.

Majority of undecided Xbox Live voters declare Obama victor of town hall debate originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 17 Oct 2012 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Street Fighter X Tekken Minimates coming this fall

Jordan Mallory — Sat, 25 Aug 2012 12:00:00 EST

Excellent news for that one guy making a Street Fighter X Tekken stop-motion animation film based on the one fanfic he wrote, as well as regular people with cubicles that need decorating: Diamond Select Toys will be releasing two new series of SFxT Minimates figures, with the first wave arriving in November.

Regardless of which wave they're in, characters come in fixed packs of two: Ken vs. Steve, Cammy vs. Nina, Poison vs. Lili and Sagat vs. King (above) make up November's offering. Wave two, said to release sometime in February, pits Chun-Li vs. Hwoarang, Abel vs. Kazuya, Ryu vs. Yoshimitsu and Rufus vs. Julia, all of whom can be seen after the break. No word on pricing, but we do know that some pairs will be more rare than others.

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Street Fighter X Tekken Minimates coming this fall originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 25 Aug 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Custom Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater figures shouldn't hide in a box

David Hinkle — Wed, 11 Jul 2012 02:30:00 EST

Sure, you could go out and hunt down some Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater figures, shell out some dough, set them up on your desk and breathe a sigh of relief. We prefer One Sixth Warriors forum user elvis1976's solution: make your own badass, custom action figures.

elvis1976 created four different figures: The Pain, The End, The Fury and Gray Fox, the cyber-ninja that appeared in Metal Gear Solid. A lot of love went into crafting each beautiful figure, which resemble their in-game counterparts with downright impressive accuracy. Crawl past the break and see for yourself.

Continue reading Custom Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater figures shouldn't hide in a box

Custom Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater figures shouldn't hide in a box originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 11 Jul 2012 02:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sam & Max figures are unusually silent

Richard Mitchell — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 17:30:00 EST

With all the joy that Sam & Max has brought to your desktop over the years, isn't it about time they bring some joy to your actual desk? These new figures from Symbiote Studios should do just that, offering up some cute, stylized versions of both Sam and Max or one sweet statue.

The figures will set you back $20, while the 17-inch statue demands $75 of your precious monies (at gunpoint). Check out a detailed image of the statue after the break.

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Sam & Max figures are unusually silent originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 18 Apr 2012 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Draw Something hits 50 million downloads, becomes number one paid app

Jordan Mallory — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 11:15:00 EST

Draw Something has become the fastest selling mobile title in history, moving 50 million proverbial units since its launch last February -- 13 million of which were accumulated in just the last week. The pictionary-plus-'splosions app from OMGPOP is currently the number one paid app on the iOS App Store, dethroning Rovio's flagship rocket ship Angry Birds Space.

Broken down into impressive-yet-meaningless marketing figures, Draw Something has yielded six billion drawings in total, at a rate of 3,000 per second. We'd imagine that a large percentage of those drawings are boners, but new-owners Zynga have yet to release information that specific.

Draw Something hits 50 million downloads, becomes number one paid app originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 05 Apr 2012 11:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Halo 4's Master Chief steps boldly into the physical realm

Jessica Conditt — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 16:30:00 EST

We first got a look at Halo 4's Master Chief with this epic picture of him being born from an exploding robot womb, and the physical version made by McFarlane Toys stays true to that rendition, right down to the placement of the chink in his armor. If Microsoft approves this prototype, Halo 4 will mark a departure from previous armor designs, which have generally offered more coverage around Master Chief's vital organs, and more mobility around the neck and shoulders. Because that's what armor should do.

For example, the Halo 4 version offers a squishy black bullseye over Master Chief's heart, while in Halo 3 that area was covered in sturdy green armor. The bicep patches in the above design look large enough to carry your emblem of choice (unicorn), but not to stop advanced-technology bullets from piercing your skin as previous armor versions do. Also, he's fighting a galactic war, not practicing advanced yoga -- there is no reason for that much uncovered space on his hips.

Microsoft will decide if this prototype is close enough to in-game reality before it launches in the fall as part of McFarlane's Halo 4 lineup, which will include brand new weapons, characters and vehicles. This year McFarlane also plans to drop two new product lines based in the Halo universe: Micro Ops, which offers classic figures at 1:100 standard size, and Halo Avatars, 2.5-inch physical renditions of Xbox Live avatars.

Halo 4's Master Chief steps boldly into the physical realm originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 13 Feb 2012 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Minecraft Pocket Edition building worlds in 700K pockets

Jordan Mallory — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 13:30:00 EST

We don't know if you guys knew this or not, but Minecraft is, like, super popular. Not only has the desktop version of the game reached 20 million registered users, but Minecraft Pocket Edition for iOS and Android has broken the 700,000 sold barrier, according to Mojang's Daniel Kaplan.

Between iOS and Android versions, Mojang is selling around 5,000 copies per day, which is a pretty amazing feat considering the game costs $6.99 and has no crafting or survival elements. Well, not yet, anyway.

[photolinc via Shutterstock]

Minecraft Pocket Edition building worlds in 700K pockets originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 19 Jan 2012 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Custom Mass Effect turian figurines say hi with sass

Jessica Conditt — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 00:00:00 EST

Sculptor Kerry Dyer seems to be a purveyor of adorable sculptures and 3D art, and her latest conquest is the turian race from Mass Effect. Kerry created a few super-cute, sassy turian figurines like a pro, with a full rundown of the process on her blog.

Custom Mass Effect turian figurines say hi with sass originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 19 Jan 2012 00:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Put these cute Zelda figures from Japan in your pocket

Jessica Conditt — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 02:00:00 EST

The cheap-toy twist-knob machines lining grocery stores and movie theaters across the western world don't contain Zelda figures, which makes them more proof that Japan is way cooler than everyone else, ever. Takara Tomy Arts is offering six gashapon figurines direct from Japan, including characters from The Wind Waker, Ocarina of Time and Skyward Sword. Import specialist NCS is taking pre-orders for the collection, dubbed the Zelda Figure Collection, for shipment in April.

For $30 you can get two tiny Links, a Tetra, Zelda, child Link and child Zelda. Even with import costs, it's much cheaper than a plane trip to Japan and the 100-yen coins you'd have to spend on cool toy capsules.

Put these cute Zelda figures from Japan in your pocket originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 05 Jan 2012 02:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The making of a McFarlane Halo figure makes us feel old

Jordan Mallory — Sun, 04 Sep 2011 15:30:00 EST

Video games are great and all, but most of us at Joystiq HQ still harbor a penchant for action figures, born from youthful days and being forced to play outside now and again. As we've matured, however, so has the toy industry, and action figures these days are way more awesome than the stuff we had growing up.

Kids these days don't know how good they have it, either. The above video, for instance, showcases the state-of-the-art rapid prototyping technologies used by McFarlane Toys to create their hyper-detailed Halo figures. Back in our day, action figures took months to prototype, and we were happy about it!

And another thing! Back in our day, the words "3D" and "printer" would never share space in the same sentence, let alone be used in conjunction with one another to describe an actual thing. Get off our lawn!

The making of a McFarlane Halo figure makes us feel old originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 04 Sep 2011 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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StarFox and Minecraft characters recreated in Munny form

Mike Schramm — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 05:30:00 EST

This dashing Fox of the Stars above is none more than a custom-painted Trikky figure put together by artist Jared "nikejerk" Cain. Pretty swanky -- the gun is cool, but that headset is the real star. It's the perfect accessory to never giving up and trusting your instincts.

While you're at the source link, be sure to check out the Bub customized Minecraft-style, with artist 8bit using what look like little paper squares to recreate those pixels.

StarFox and Minecraft characters recreated in Munny form originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 26 Apr 2011 05:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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First 4 Figures reveals Wolf Link and Midna statue

JC Fletcher — Thu, 02 Dec 2010 03:00:00 EST

First 4 Figures has returned to challenge gamers' budgeting skills with another high-end statue: this time The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess's Midna, riding Wolf Link. The 15-inch figure, shipping in the second quarter of 2011, is available to order in two options: a $330 "regular" edition or a $350 "exclusive" edition, which adds a light-up feature to Midna's hair.

If you pre-order a statue before January 1, you can get it a little cheaper. A F4F newsletter on the topic features pre-order coupon codes good for $25 off the regular version or $30 off the "exclusive" glowy one. If you use a coupon, you can also maybe convince yourself that you're being thrifty when buying a $300-plus toy.

First 4 Figures reveals Wolf Link and Midna statue originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 02 Dec 2010 03:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Build-a-Bayonetta model is for filthy rich hobbyists only

Richard Mitchell — Tue, 28 Sep 2010 23:30:00 EST

Filed under: Weird But True, Opinions, New In Pop Culture

It takes a certain kind of person to assemble and paint a 67-piece, 1/4-scale model of Bayonetta. It takes another kind of person altogether to spend ¥48,300 ($575) for the privilege to do so.

Continue reading Build-a-Bayonetta model is for filthy rich hobbyists only

Build-a-Bayonetta model is for filthy rich hobbyists only originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 28 Sep 2010 23:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Reminisce about classic Sonic over this six-pack

JC Fletcher — Sat, 07 Aug 2010 09:00:00 EST

Filed under: Weird But True, Opinions, New In Pop Culture

If you demand tiny figures of Sonic and his pals, and you demand them to be in their "correct" Genesis-era forms, you're going to be pleased with this set of six from First 4 Figures. Sonic fans can be quite demanding.

Continue reading Reminisce about classic Sonic over this six-pack

Reminisce about classic Sonic over this six-pack originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 07 Aug 2010 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Assassin's Creed 2 Ezio figure sneaks into view

David Hinkle — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 00:00:00 EST

Filed under: Weird But True, Opinions, New In Pop Culture

Looking to intimidate all of the other figurines on your toy shelf? You may want to check out Hot Toys' 1/6th scale recreation of Assassin's Creed 2 protagonist, Ezio Audisomethingorother -- which comes complete with a set of interchangeable hands, knives, swords and even a ponytail.

There's no word on price right now, but the figure is planned to launch in Q3. Considering its 30 points of articulation, 30cm height, real metal weapons and complex uniform -- not to mention the going rate on some of Hot Toys' other figures -- you'll probably want to start saving your Florins right now.

Gallery: Assassin's Creed 2's Ezio figure (from Hot Toys)

Assassin's Creed 2 Ezio figure sneaks into view originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 08 Jul 2010 00:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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A super expensive Super Sonic figure

JC Fletcher — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 13:00:00 EST

Filed under: Weird But True, Opinions, New In Pop Culture

Just in time for Sonic's birthday, high-end figure company First 4 Figures is taking pre-orders on a new statue of the hedgehog hero's occasional Chaos Emerald-infused Super Saiyan form, Super Sonic. The figure depicts Super Sonic in the "classic" Genesis-era art style, sparking across a platform in Sonic 2's Chemical Plant Zone.

If you want to buy one of these 15-inch-tall figures, you'll have to dig up some Chaos Emeralds or other precious materials of your own. Two versions will ship in the first quarter next year: one for $140 and a deluxe version that lights up for twenty dollars more.

Gallery: Super Sonic figure

A super expensive Super Sonic figure originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 23 Jun 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The most expensive toy Goron you'll see today

JC Fletcher — Tue, 04 May 2010 16:44:00 EST

Goron into the gallery First 4 Figures has created a niche for itself as a destination for insane, rich Nintendo fans' extra money. The company has dipped pretty deep into the Zelda character catalog for its latest high-quality, high-cost figurine: Ocarina of Time's Goron King, Darunia.

Zelda adherents who really want to festoon their desks, shelves or dioramas with a 15-inch rock man (he's to scale with First 4 Figures' other Zelda toys) can order one of these for $154.99 in advance of its Q4 2010 release. The rest of us can just look at pictures of the thing in the gallery below.

Gallery: Darunia figurine

The most expensive toy Goron you'll see today originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 04 May 2010 16:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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A set of Chrono Trigger figurines that you'll want

Richard Mitchell — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 15:46:00 EST

You have an empty shelf, right? Of course you do. So there's really no choice in the matter: You've got to fill it with something, and that something might as well be game merchandise. As luck would have it, we've got some particularly sweet merchandise in mind just for you. Specifically, we're talking about the nifty Chrono Trigger figures you see above -- or "Chrono Figures," if you prefer.

As Destructoid points out, the statues recreate scenes from the original SNES instruction booklet. Entertainment Earth has the figurines available for pre-order -- scheduled to ship this October -- with the set of 4 statues available for $40. There's no indication of the actual dimensions of each statue, though each certainly appears detailed. The only question that remains: Where's Marle?

[Via Destructoid]

A set of Chrono Trigger figurines that you'll want originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 08 Apr 2010 15:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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McFarlane's Halo: Reach figures infiltrate Toy Fair 2010

David Hinkle — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 20:15:00 EST

[Kotaku]

A couple weeks back, McFarlane Toys announced it would be producing a line of action figures for Bungie's upcoming Halo: Reach. Nothing too surprising there, as most of us with any kind of flat open surface can attest -- you have lots of Halo toys already, right? Well, we hope you're ready to at least look at some more, because that's what this post is about!

Kotaku attended this year's Toy Fair show in NYC today, where the preliminary packaging and prototype images for the toys were presented. The original announcement for the figures only detailed that we could all expect Halo: Reach stuff from McFarlane this year and well into 2011, but it would appear the initial run is being limited to Noble team (the Spartans the game revolves around) and at least one Ghost-riding Grunt. Hit up Kotaku for the images.

McFarlane's Halo: Reach figures infiltrate Toy Fair 2010 originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 15 Feb 2010 20:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ratchet and Clank, Resistance figures now on sale

David Hinkle — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 12:30:00 EST

Six-inch tall news now, as DC Comics has released a line of figures based on Insomniac properties Ratchet and Clank and Resistance. As you can see above, the gang's pretty much all here -- the titular duo of Ratchet and Clank, along with Dr. Nefarious and Captain Qwark. Oh, then there's the Resistance guys, like hero Nathan Hale and Chimera A and Chimera B and (our personal favorite) Chimera C!

We kid, but if you're interested in plunking down some green on these bath-time buddies (where do you play with your action figures?), you can find them at most retailers.

[Via PlayStation Blog]

Ratchet and Clank, Resistance figures now on sale originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 15 Jan 2010 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mass Effect 2 figures feature Shepard, if not your Shepard

JC Fletcher — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 14:30:00 EST

We already know what you're going to say. While DC's upcoming Mass Effect 2 figure series includes decent likenesses of Thane, Grunt and Tali, the company is way off on its version of Shepard. In DC's defense, however, the company has no idea what your Shepard looks like, so it was stuck with a mold for Default Shepard instead of the real Shepard -- who everyone knows is vaguely Asian and female.

According to the scans of DC's solicitation book, posted by Gamervision, the figures are still pending approval, but are due for release August 25 of this year. By then, you may be done with Mass Effect 2, so you can use these action figures to stage your own adventures on Planet Your Shelf.

Mass Effect 2 figures feature Shepard, if not your Shepard originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 07 Jan 2010 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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DS Daily: Must. Have. It.

David Hinkle — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 10:30:00 EST

Filed under: DS Daily

As gamers and general obsessing types of folk, we find our love of games doesn't actually stop at just the game. We buy figurines, peripherals bearing the likeness of characters we enjoy, and posters, among other things.

What we're asking you today is which of these franchises to do you go beyond just the game with? What characters or games do you own figurines, posters, and soundtracks for?

DS Daily: Must. Have. It. originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 24 Dec 2008 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chrono Trigger goodies, just in time to appeal to your sense of nostalgia

David Hinkle — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 17:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fan stuff

With the recent announcement of Chrono Trigger DS, the DS Fanboy staff have been salivating for weeks now. In fact, we've all tied buckets around our necks, to save our precious t-shirts from being drenched. Life is all about adapting.

If you find yourself in the same crazed state of mind as us, desperate to get your hands on the final product, know some cool Chrono Trigger collectibles just went up on eBay. They're a set of keychain figurines and some Prism cards. The keychains are especially nice, but cost about twice the going rate on a SNES Chrono Trigger cart.

Source - Keychains
Source - Prism cards

[Via Gamesniped]

Chrono Trigger goodies, just in time to appeal to your sense of nostalgia originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 14 Jul 2008 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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PS3 outsells 360 in Australia

Majed Athab — Mon, 19 May 2008 16:45:00 EST

Filed under: Business, News

For Quarter one of 2008, that is. It's a small victory for our sleek black box; however, it surely is an interesting victory considering that the PS3 is a very pricey machine down under. According to Sony managing director Michael Ephraim who spoke with PALGN, the PS3 outsold the 360 by 45% in Q1 2008. Ephraim believes that, "it's a matter of time before [the PS3] surpass the install base [of the Xbox 360 in Australia]."

It looks like this far away PAL continent is starting to follow the footsteps of their European friends. Could Australia become the next Sony stronghold? Ephraim thinks so, "[Microsoft] were very weak in Continental Europe, so they have done fairly well here, but with the rate we're going we will definitely surpass the install base, we're just guessing somewhere around the end of the year, if not sooner if the trend keeps going the way it is."

[Via GamesIndustry.biz]

PS3 outsells 360 in Australia originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 19 May 2008 16:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Doki Doki Majo Shinpan Duo's limited-edition stuff

JC Fletcher — Fri, 16 May 2008 08:45:00 EST

Filed under: News, Imports

A few weeks ago, we saw concept art of the promotional stuff SNK's using to try to trick Japanese otaku into dropping $91 for the "Special Box" edition of Doki Doki Majo Shinpan Duo, including two Nendoroid figurines. Now pictures of the real materials are online to look at, in case you would like to see what people are going to be waiting nervously in front of Akihabara electronics stores for.

In addition to the Maho Akai and Seika Koron figurines and Lulu and Kuro phone strap, the set comes with a guidebook to the students in the game's schools, and a color-changing card that allows you to rub the image of a sweater off of a picture of Haori Kureha. And shame. Shame is in the box.

Doki Doki Majo Shinpan Duo's limited-edition stuff originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 16 May 2008 08:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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March NPD: Wii, Smash Bros. on top, software sales surge

Kyle Orland — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 19:15:00 EST

Filed under: Nintendo DS, Sony PlayStation 2, Sony PlayStation 3, Sony PSP, Nintendo Wii, Microsoft Xbox 360

If this is how Nintendo does before the predicted Wii Fit-exacerbated shortages, we're a little scared for what the future will hold. As predicted, Nintendo dominated the March NPD sales report, selling over 720,000 Wiis and 698,000 DS units. The DS and Wii represented 58 percent of hardware sales for March, leapfrogging over one another to swap positions from the February numbers.

Further down the list, the Xbox 360 regained an extremely slight sales lead over the PS3, mainly due to a slight dip in Sony's system sales. We predict the systems will likely continue trading slight leads like a couple of fading horses in the home stretch of a marathon-length race, until one inevitably dies just short of the finish line. And speaking of dead horses, the perpetual PS2 finally showed some signs of weakening this month, plummeting down nearly 63 percent from February's sales.

- Wii: 721K 289K (40%)
- DS: 698K 110.4K (15.8%) [Update: Fixed typo in growth number]
- PSP: 297K 53.9K (18.1%)
- Xbox 360: 262K 7.4K (2.8%)
- PS3: 257K 23.8K (9.3%)
- PS2: 216K 135.8K (62.9%)

Continue reading March NPD: Wii, Smash Bros. on top, software sales surge

March NPD: Wii, Smash Bros. on top, software sales surge originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 17 Apr 2008 19:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Street Figure II: Hyper Cuteness

JC Fletcher — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 11:15:00 EST

Filed under: News, Fan stuff

We just fell in love -- with Sagat. Somehow Pansonworks managed not only to make the tragic Muay Thai boxer really, really cute (even his Dragon Punch scar is cute), but to make him and three of his fellow World Warriors even chibi-er than they were in Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo!

We don't know where (or if) we'll be able to get these in the U.S. anytime near their Japanese release in August, but figure retailer Blister is selling them in Japan for -- oh, no, 2,500 yen ($24.50) each. You could buy all three Street Fighter II variants on the Virtual Console for that much.

[Via That Girl's Site]

Street Figure II: Hyper Cuteness originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 07 Apr 2008 11:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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First4Figures' new toys feature pre-attitude Sonic

JC Fletcher — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 18:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fan stuff

First4Figures, the company responsible for all of those extravagant Nintendo figurines, has turned their attention to classic Sega for their next release: a line based on Genesis-era Sonic the Hedgehog. The collection is designed to represent Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles as they appeared back in the mid-'90s, before their extreme redesign -- before Knuckles started rapping.

For now, the set includes Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles. The best part about this period in Sonic's life is that there aren't really any more ridiculous characters to base toys on. No Big the Cat, no Cream and Cheese, and certainly no Shadow. Maybe Robotnik and a couple of mechanical Sonics later, but this collection is safe from the sidekick parade that has ruined the series.

The approximately 5-inch-tall toys will be released around the summer, for a currently unspecified price. Don't be surprised if they're expensive -- this is First4Figures, after all!

[Via Joystiq]

First4Figures' new toys feature pre-attitude Sonic originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 05 Feb 2008 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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First4Figures announces classic Sonic vinyl line

Scott Jon Siegel — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 17:55:00 EST

Filed under: Culture, Retro

First4Figures have done it again. First it was Zelda, then Metroid. Now, they've breathed life into the classic Sonic the Hedgehog series with a line of vinyl figures, depicting Sonic, Tails and Knuckles as they were before their "extreme" redesign for Sonic Adventure.

In fact, First4Figures has done a lot of great work since we last reported on them. Check out the group's site for a classy Sheik figurine, Altair from Assassin's Creed, and a gorgeous, LED-lit version of Samus's gunship from Metroid Prime 2: Echoes.

The Knuckles, Tails and Sonic figures will comprise the first wave of Sonic figures manufactured, and are due out around July 2008. No word yet on pricing, though expect a premium on these high-quality pieces of fan-cred.

First4Figures announces classic Sonic vinyl line originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 05 Feb 2008 17:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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McFarlane's exclusive active camo Spartan figure

Dustin Burg — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 17:30:00 EST

Filed under: News, Halo 3

And you thought Todd McFarlane was so innocent, so pure only choosing to make Halo 3 action figures out of the kindness of his heart. Well, we'd hate to say "we told you so", but we did, because Mr. McFarlane is releasing yet ANOTHER Halo 3 figure this May available exclusively from his website.

Newly announced today is a brand new Halo 3 Spartan figure featuring EVA armor and active camo (ooo ahh!) This clear figure will only be available through Spawn.com pre-orders and we're led to believe that if you don't grab a pre-order by December 12th, you'll miss out on a chance to own this limited figure. You can see what the new active camo looks like in the gallery below, check out the complete details here and get your pre-order over here. An exclusive McFarlane money making Spartan figure ... we told you so.

[Thanks, TMD]

McFarlane's exclusive active camo Spartan figure originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 28 Nov 2007 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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McFarlane planning lots of Halo figures in 2008

Dustin Burg — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: News, Halo 3

Good old Toddy McFarlane and his entrepreneurial spirit, always taking ideas to the next level and always willing to saturate a retail channel. It's something we value in a person more than good will or kindness. And his ambitious nature is spreading into the previously announced Halo 3 figures he's creating, because we're getting lots of 'em.

According to official product launch dates over at Spawn.com, the McFarlane Halo 3 figures we've all known about will launch sometime in March 2008, but there will be other series' coming later in the year. Series two is scheduled to land at retail a few months later in June 2008 including such highlights as ODST, Drone, Mongoose and Wraith figures. Series three is planned for an August 2008 release and includes figures like a Human Flood, Brute Captain, Banshee and Scorpion. That's not all, August will also bring a special 12" Master Chief figure and October 2008 will see the release of three highly stylized figures. Wowzaz! And for easier digestion, we posted a list of figures, release dates and a series breakdown after you click towards the break.

Good old McFarlane, we knew you wouldn't let us down.

Continue reading McFarlane planning lots of Halo figures in 2008

McFarlane planning lots of Halo figures in 2008 originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 30 Oct 2007 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Metal Gear Solid 4 action figures for pre-order

Andrew Yoon — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 20:15:00 EST

Filed under: Community

No more Metal Gear Solid 4 trailers? Bah! Make your own! Comics Infinity has new UDF figurines available for pre-order from the entire Metal Gear Solid franchise, including statues from the upcoming PS3 exclusive sequel. With Old Snake in hand, you can create your own funny videos, throw them up on YouTube, and enjoy upwards of fifteen minutes of internet fame.*

[Thanks, anonymous!]

*Internet fame has no monetary value. Cannot be traded, sold or exchanged.

Metal Gear Solid 4 action figures for pre-order originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 28 Sep 2007 20:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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What a horrible summer not to be going to Comic-Con

JC Fletcher — Sun, 08 Jul 2007 11:16:00 EST

Filed under: Fan stuff

NECA, the company responsible for the awesome Castlevania figure prototypes, has a new Simon Belmont figure on the way. It's a somewhat more faithful sculpture of Simon as he appeared in the first Castlevania on the NES. Unfortunately, only 1,000 units will be produced, and it will only be available at the San Diego Comic-Con.

We totally want this, and we are all about pixel art, but we must say that this figure, with its rounded edges and inexact paint job, looks a little more like a cookie to us than an action figure. Which actually gives us an idea!

[Via NeoGAF]

What a horrible summer not to be going to Comic-Con originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 08 Jul 2007 11:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Fanboylicious! McFarlane to create Halo 3 figurines

Dustin Burg — Mon, 18 Jun 2007 15:00:00 EST

Filed under: News, Halo 3, Multiplayer

Today, McFarlane Toys announced that they have partnered with Microsoft to create eight exclusive Halo 3 figures that'll be available Spring 2008. McFarlane will be creating highly detailed figures that are roughly five inches tall including five character figures (Master Chief, Cortana, Brute Chieftain, Jackal Sniper and a Grunt two pack) and three vehicles (Warthog, Ghost and the new Brute Chopper). But there are a few things we're confused about. Why the heck is it taking until 2008 to get our action figure fix? It's not like they didn't know the game was coming out this year. Second, what happened to Joyride Studios creating Halo figures? Maybe they lost their street cred.

Prototype McFarlane Master Chief figure in all his five inch glory posted after the break. Enjoy.

[Thanks, TMD]

Continue reading Fanboylicious! McFarlane to create Halo 3 figurines

Fanboylicious! McFarlane to create Halo 3 figurines originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 18 Jun 2007 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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