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.

Since we're not sure when Super Smash Bros. Brawl is scheduled to assault us, it's hard to say with any certainty that the above Zero Suit Samus statue -- designed by the prolific folks at First4Figures -- will be ready in time for its launch. With a Q3 '07 release date for the statue, it seems likely that you'll be able to have one before Brawl drops featuring the very same Zero Suit Samus as a playable character. So, why all the concern about getting the statue first? We see it a couple different ways. First: what better way to reward the household's (world's?) reigning Super Smash Bros. champion than to bestow upon them a large (and, at $110, rather extravagant) statue? Oh, and second: you can always practice your moves by getting one of those Metal Gear Solid 4 Snake statues and forcing them to fight to the death ... after making them kiss ... like you weren't thinking that anyways.

First4Figures is back again, with another collectible statue based on the ever-so-popular Nintendo franchises of our youth. This time it's not the growth-hormone abusing Fierce Deity Link or the creepy Skull Kid, but the hunky all-AmericanHylian Ocarina of Time Link, adult version. Like the rest of F4F's offerings, this one doesn't come cheap. These aren't action figures you're going to be playing with, but collectible statues you're supposed to display. Think of it more like the collectible statues in Wind Waker, except you don't need to take pictures of people to get them ... and you don't have to find a sculptor's hidden underground lair.

When we saw First4Figures first Metroid statue, we wondered "where's Samus?" As it turns out, she was coming all along. Though it's not shipping yet, they've released the statue's likely to be final appearance, in both Varia and Gravity suit varieties. Also coming are Samus' Light, Dark, and Phazon suits. The $99 11" tall statue will be available later Q4 2006, which is more than we can say for the recently dated Metroid Prime 3: Corruption.

See also:
Majora's Mask Fierce Deity Link figurine
Colossal figurine ... at 1/150 scale
Collectible Metroid statue
Samus returns as... a Metroid paperweight

There are two kinds of gamers in this world: those who favor Ocarina of Time and those who prefer Majora's Mask. Sure, the latter is a much smaller group -- easily dwarfed by Ocarina fans waving its 40/40 score in Famitsu magazine ("the first game to do so," they helpfully remind you) -- but First 4 Figures sent word that Majora's Fierce Deity Link would be the first in their lineup of Legend of Zelda figurines, undoubtedly beating out the much anticipated Ocarina Ingo figurine. At 14.5" tall, and $130, this thing is collectors only, we're afraid. Wouldn't want you recreating the epic showdown with Majora and busting your sword, y'know?

See also:
Colossal figurine ... at 1/150 scale
Collectible Metroid statue

The guys at First 4 Figures dropped us a tip to let us know about their upcoming Metroid Prime Hunters collectible, a 9" tall figurine of super-soldier bounty hunter Kanden.

"Who?"

Oh, Kanden. He's one of the six "hunters" in Metroid Prime Hunters. Yeah, the ones that most people thought were annoying in the otherwise stellar single-player game. What is cool about the statue is that it was recreated from the actual game data (like this guy), so expect a slightly less polygonal -- though highly accurate -- collectible. The website says the figurine will "feature an interconnecting base with the other upcoming hunters." Does that mean we will get a Samus? She's a bounty hunter! Samus is coming ... but not in just one suit. Oh no, we'll have four versions to plunk our would be gaming dollars down on, as well as all the other Hunters.

As long as we're on the topic of the Hunters, am I the only one who thought their names sound sort of like American Gladiators: Noxus, Stylux, Spire, Trace, Weavel, and of course, Kanden?

See also:
Samus returns as... a Metroid paperweight
Spore figurines at E3

[Update: Noted that they're making additional figurines, including Samus. More info here.]

Toymaker First 4 Figures has signed a three-year licensing agreement with Nintendo to produce statues based on the legendary Zelda series. Standing 9 to 12 inches tall, the statues will depict characters from Ocarina of Time, Majora's Mask, and the forthcoming Twilight Princess.

Nintendo will be previewing the first series of synthetic polymer Link and friends at E3. The figures are expected to retail for $80 to $120 each, and will go on sale in Q3.

[via RPGamer]