Toys"R"Us Shows Sonic & SEGA Some Love

I felt like a kid in some kind of store!

Just as things were looking grim for Sonic and SEGA at my local Toys"R"Us, a recent visit brought with it a surprising number of new items! Last month I checked in on the video game figures aisle only to find that Sonic had been relegated to a foot length of shelving, with the only toys available being Knuckles in an ATV and a dozen werehogs. But enough about the sad past, the Sonic and SEGA section is bumping! Let's check out what is new in the world of figures and take a closer look at what I bought!

First up is the Vector and Espio comic 2-pack! While I didn't pick this one up, it is a real cool package. The Vector is spot on, and Espio is very detailed. I had to abstain from this one just because if I did get it, I'd be opening the door for even more figures. I have enough collecting addictions as it is, so I've told myself I am only allowed to buy the following Sonic figures: personal favorites Eggman and Metal Sonic, classic sculpts of the original Genesis cast, quality sculpts of modern Sonic, Tails and Knuckles and non-Sonic characters from the Sonic and SEGA All-Stars Racing line.

Oh heck, I know in a week I'll be picking this 2-pack up. It's too cool to avoid!

Next up is the Super 3-pack! This is a very cool pack, with the super forms of the main three hedgehogs as well as seven emeralds. Super Sonic is awesome, however the inclusion of Shadow and Silver caused me to not pick this one up. I just can't see them standing in my limited display space, and I have a feeling we'll be seeing single figures of the three in the near future. Still, if you like Shadow and Silver as well and collect the 3.5 inch line, this is a must buy. Note: nerds such as myself and those at The Sonic Stadium forums noticed that the emeralds are incorrectly colored. For shame, Jazwares!

Here is something I DID buy, the SASASR figure 4-pack! There are so many awesome elements to this set, the first being the inclusion of Beat. How often does Jet Set Radio get a figure? Well I can tell you right now: two times. Once as a figure from Joyride studios and the second time in this set. There is also a very cool JSRF Hot Wheels car however no figure is included, it's just a detailed car. The second awesome element is the box itself, emulating the Seaside Hill track found in the game. While I'll admit, I only bought the set because it is the only way to obtain Beat, the other three figures are equally cool.

Eggman is riding in his converted Egg-O-Matic monster truck, appropriately called the "Egg Monster". This is my favorite of the set, simply because it is so rare for Sonic's arch rival to receive his own figure.

Tails is riding in his Tornado Racer. The detail of the face, especially the eyes, is great considering how tiny the figure is.

Sonic's face suffers a bit as his nose is not entirely painted, making it look like Sonic has a goofy Simpsons-style nose. I checked out all five copies that TRU had in stock and all five looked the same. Oh well, at least his car looks cool.

Here's a closer look at Beat. Yeah, he looks rather wonky but then again for the size of the figure it looks quite good when not held under a magnifying glass.

Check out the sweet JSRF logo on the hood of the car. The car itself is known as the "De La Custom GGs". Did I mention I love Jet Set Radio?

The second and final figure I picked up was a single package of Amigo in his Sun Buggy. I honestly think this is the first time Amigo has received his own action figure! There may be some rare plushies out there from Japan, but this must be the first figure.

Like Tails, the face is surprisingly detailed. He has his eyes, little nose and trademark toothy smile. I still wonder why his car is number 38. I also wonder how a monkey learned to drive. In addition to Amigo, the store also had Aiai, Amy and Shadow in single packs. I didn't pick those up, but I have a feeling those will be hanging on the pegs for a while.

On my way out of the store I passed this SASASR Sonic in remote controlled car. Pretty cool item! If only it shot spring loaded boxing gloves.


BONUS ITEM
While that concludes my visit to Toys"R"Us, upon arriving home I found a tiny envelope that had come in the mail. Inside was a tiny plush Wisp I had won in a giveaway at The Sonic Stadium. I'll allow 10" Sonic to show it to you.

Sonic the Hedgehog 2 Modern Remix

Consider this a mini SEGA Fan Art Showcase. Inspired by the official "cover" art for the soon to be digitally released Sonic the Hedgehog 4 Episode 1, I decided to make an Episode 2 cover by using assets from modern games. I used the CG renders from Sonic & SEGA All-Stars Racing for Sonic, Tails and Eggman's face, while Eggman's hand is actually from his Sonic '06 render. The "2" was made with the SEGASONIC font found at the excellent site ACT SELECT and was given the 3D look in Illustrator CS4 using the 3D extrude and bevel tool. The rest was all done in Photoshop. I would like to spend a little more time on it, but it's not too shabby for under an hours work. Check out a larger version of the remix after the jump!

Figures coming soon without a picture

1. Charmy is coming as a 3inch. I mean what is Espio and Vector without Charmy
2. They are making my 3rd favorite character Jet in 3inch. And some more Sonic Free Riders figures (Wave, Storm, ect.)
3. They are making Chaos 0 in 3inch. He is going to be a see through.
4. My favorite girl character Blaze is going to be made in 3inch.
5. Omega is going to be made in 3inch. Rouge possibly, many request her.
6. Sonic is being made in 10inch.
7. Froggy is coming with Big in 3inch.
8. Super Poser Tails is coming. There is a prototype picture from Toy Island, but not Jazwares.
9. They are making Sonic Colors toys. It is unknown what scale they are in.
10. Tails, Knuckles, and Silver are coming in the plush line.

A Super Update

Ok, I nearly passed out when I heard they where making a Super Silver and now that I saw it  I passed out. I already did a review of Super Sonic and Super Shadow. So Super Silver didn't get much screen time. He was in only one game but he made the cut. They have his color right. And since I'm a Silver fan boy I'm going to say GET THIS. Oh by the way The Chaos Emeralds are in the  background. Below are 5 facts about Silver.


1. Silver was about to be an orange mink
2. His theme song has the same tune as Green Hill Zone music.
3. He is the only Hedgehog that isn't fast
4. In Sonic and the Black Knight Silver is Shadow's son.
5. In Super Smash Bros. Brawl his trophy looks like S.Sonic


Picture taken for Sonic Gear

Facts from Sonic Wiki

Eggman Takes Revenge

My ugly plaid couch makes the perfect backdrop

Just when I thought Jazwares gave me all the figures I could need, they reeled me back in with the awesome 2-pack titled "Dr. Eggman's Revenge". Included in the pack are Eggman (obviously) and some sort of robotic Sonic made of metal. How do these figures stack up? More after the jump! Or "more after the homing attack", depends on your preference.

A part of the ever expanding 3" Jazwares line, Eggman and Metal are exclusive to this 2-pack. Previously, Metal was available in an Amy Rose comic book pack but the figures were pulled from shelves after it was found that Metal had flimsy limbs that were prone to breaking. From what I've read, this Metal is much improved and sports a slightly different blue finish which matches the 10" figure.

The package itself is very cool, sporting a cardboard constructed scene of Metal floating in a tank that looks a lot like his cameo in Sonic Adventure. Unfortunately for me, my Metal slipped forward a bit in shipping so the scene was hindered by what appeared to be Metal making a little bow. Or maybe he had fallen asleep.

Look familiar?

After a few quick cuts of my packaging knife, Eggman and Metal were free. I think I yanked the figures out a bit too hard, as Eggman's nose and mustache popped off! I'd post a photo of what he looked like, but it was honestly too disturbing. After putting a piece of Ticky Tack into Eggman's face hole, I was able to get him back to normal.

Family photo

The packaging touts "over 12 points of articulation", and thay weren't kidding! Every little piece of Metal moves, even his wrists! However, seeing as they are smaller than the tip of a pencil, I think I'll take it easy on posing him too much. Don't want what happened to my Werehog to happen to Metal (full arm dismemberment). Overall, these are some awesome figures! The character combo is genious, the articulation is well done and the packaging is very creative. If you can find these for their retail price of $12.99, pick them up!

Bonus photos:

Metal and Child

"Run away!"

"Scratch, Grounder, Coconuts, Wes Weasley!"

Update number 4

First lets start out with Vector and Espio. I already did the figures but now look at the box. It has a team Chaotix comic book and it has Vector and Espio Sonic Channel art. Bottom line is get it.









This isn't exactly a toy but Silver is my favorite character so I covering it. This is some sort of phone charm. Silver is the Sonic Channel art. There is a little white chaos emerald to. If I found it I would buy it.










Here is a up-close view of Eggman in his monster truck. OK lets start out with Eggman. He looks like the final version of his 3inch figure. So that means he's wicked awesome! Now onto the car. Everything is great. But we don't know what will be under the car.






Toy Island started to make these four as Super Posers! But only Sonic and Shadow made the final cut. Jazwares made Knuckles and now they have said Tails is going to be a Super Poser! So I guess we can consider Tails a first look?



All pictures take from Sonic Gear