It’s dangerous to go alone, take this!
I will never, ever get tired of that exclamation. The very first thing spoken to our dear hero, Link, in the original Legend of Zelda game, was an advisement that, without weapons and defense, his time gallivanting around Hyrule might be short. Now, one can see the humor in the fact that, while dangerous, a WOODEN sword is not the best possible offering from an old sage, but since he spent all of his time in a musty cave, perhaps he can be forgiven. Anyhow, it is a great opening line, the perfect way to start the quest to save Princess Zelda, and I have been in love with the Legend of Zelda property from the moment I first made Link pick up that fateful wooden sword.
Many, many games have been released under the Zelda mantle since that first NES offering, and while some like A Link to the Past and Ocarina of Time are timeless classics (see what I did there?), I have not really been struck by a new Legend of Zelda in a long time. I tried to get into Skyward Sword, but I found so much of it tedious, and, personally, I am much more a fan of the format and storyline (I like my Ganons piggish) of the earlier offerings, but as time has passed, most games have strayed from that. However, A Link Between Worlds has so much of the classic games (especially A Link to the Past) running in its DNA, it caught my attention immediately. I have only had the chance to briefly play it since I don’t own a Nintendo DS and all, but man, I could not help but get some of those old feelings while playing it, and in a lot of ways, it felt a Link to MY past.
So, being an action figure collector, you can bet I was excited to hear that Max Factory (via their figma imprint) had plans to release a new figure of Link based on his appearance in A Link Between Worlds. I am always a sucker for new Legend of Zelda figures, but I was particularly interested in this figure because, while it is most definitely lifted from the character design of A Link Between Worlds, this figure would also be the closest thing I have ever gotten to a collector-grade figure that has a pretty close resemblance to the more classic Link. I have some cool Link figures from both figma and Jakks (and others!), but all of them are based more around what I would call “modern” games, so while this technically fits that format, too, my new Link is definitely driving up the nostalgia meter.
You might say that I am pushing it a bit in drawing close similarities between a classic NES/SNES Link and this one, but this simpler design and more “impish” (is that the right word?) look for Link are much closer to his older games than modern ones that match his build closer to a traditional hero. Plus, as I have been waiting for an action figure of the classic incarnation of Link for only, like, 30 years, I am taking the cautionary measure that this might be the closest thing I ever get to having one and seizing the opportunity. Don’t worry, I have some plans (and help) to get me to even more of a classic aesthetic later, but for now, if you are a Link Between Worlds fan, or a classic Zelda fan, or just a Legend of Zelda fan in general, you are going to want this figure.
While I have not collected a lot figma figures in my time, I have had a very good run with the ones I have added to my collection. A previous Link, Kid Icarus, Samus, Sherlock Hound, and some others are standouts on my shelf, and since I am primarily a property-driven collector, I hold great figures of great properties in very high esteem. Figmas are some of the nicest action figures on the market in terms of sculpt, articulation, and quality, and this new Link is no exception. He has instantly shot to the top of my list of favorite Legend of Zelda-based figure ever, and the aesthetics and quality are the perfect combination to make a top-notch action figure.
The sculpt work and paint detail on this figure are about as close to flawless as I have seen with anything that I own. The matching to the character design and style guide to the A Link Between Worlds game and Link model is pretty damned perfect, and the balance between the animated notes and increased realism in some regards is perfectly struck. I hate using the term “anime” when talking about a specific look of something, but … in recent years, Link has taken on a bit of an anime look in his face (especially the eyes) and while that is very apparent here, it matches the impish (there is that word again) look of the current game, but it doesn’t destroy that classic feeling. Sure, the old game book art and what not from the NES days does not feature this specific style, but it does feel like a part of a modern take on an iconic look, so I am good with it.
The figure (both the standard and deluxe models) comes with two different face plates: one smiling and one a bit more serious, which can be swapped with ease depending on your preference. I like the more serious look so he is ready for battle, but in all instances, I really appreciate the options. The green jerkin and hat are defining of Link, and the boots, and rest of the costume are wonderfully realized. Figmas are also renowned for their quality and quantity of articulation, and for being such a small figure, Link has both of these qualities in droves. The essential points of neck, shoulders, elbows, wrists, hips, knees, and ankles are fluid and functional, with great range of movement.
I have put this figure through his paces in terms of posing at this point, and there is not any needed or realistic pose that Link needs that cannot be achieved. The soft plastic in the jerkin also helps to not limit the movement of the shoulders and hips, so that is appreciated. Speaking of the shoulders and hips, all of them have the “telescoping” quality to them in that you can pull them out a bit further from the socket to help with across the body posing, essential for things like a two-handed sword grip. I am seeing this a lot in my Japanese figures, so I have really become accustomed to, and appreciative of, it. It is easier to show articulation functionality than to describe it in the abstract, so hopefully you can see the possibilities in the pictures.
Now, while the figure itself is really great, the amazing accessories included with the deluxe release are certainly a big part of the draw of ponying up the extra Yen when making your buying choices. The standard release does include the sword, shield, three of the four sets of hands, wall drawing, stand, and extra face, but everything else we are about to jump into here are exclusive to the DX version. And maaaaaaan … there is a LOT, and everything is awesome. So feel free to sing that song (now that it is stuck in your head) as you play with all of this stuff, because all of it enhances the release and makes the few extra dollars completely worth it.
I guess I will start with the pieces that are common to both versions of Link, and since I already spoke about the swappable face plates, maybe the hands are the way to go. Like most figma releases, Link comes with multiple sets of hands, and this version gets four, while the standard gets three options. Common to both are the fists, open hands, and grip hands for the weapons; the DX version also gets two more open hands, but these have a peg to help hold the bomb included with the deluxe Link, which has a corresponding hole. This functionality works great because Link can hold the bomb with one hand in an overhanded throwing pose. The rest of the hands are good, too – I don’t have a TON of use for the fists or open hands for the display, but the grips work great with the accessories, and the angled peg hole allows for very natural sword poses. Oh, and Power Bracelet can also slip right off, when you remove the left hand, so that is like getting a whole other accessory.
One of the best parts of just about an Legend of Zelda game is being able to accumulate literal treasure troves of weapons and implements as you progress through a given game. The sword(s) and shield(s) are most certainly the most iconic, and this link comes with the Hylian versions of both, as portrayed in the game. The sword hilt and shield grips are both removable to facilitate getting them into Link’s hands, so functionally, all due considerations have been given. The sculpts are, of course, accurate, and very crisp to help convey the sharp quality of the blade of the sword; the paint applications on both are very clean, too. Now, both the shield grip and strap come off, so it can be a bit of a trick to get everything connected correctly in Link’s hand, but once you do, it all holds together well. Now, being the classic head that I am, I do want the classic swords and cross shield, but that would not be accurate to the game, and I have other plans anyway …
Both versions of Link also include the standard figma stand and the “wall drawing” of Link from the A Link Between Worlds game. Do you own any figmas at all? If so, you probably own this stand; if not, I love that they include these (along with the accessory bag and extra joint piece), and it is functional (figures need the standard back hole though) and strong, and adds a lot to the display options. The drawing of Link is cleverly conceived and executed as it is printed on a piece of thin plastic (almost like acetate), and while it comes with a stand, you could also affix it to an actual wall, too. It is a cute and relevant piece that really only displays as there is not much interaction with it for Link, but it is important to the game.
Okay, hold on because, as far as the extra accessories are concerned, we are getting into the good stuff. There is so much included with this release, and all of it is so “Legend of Zelda” it’s not eve funny. I already mentioned the included bomb, and all the way back to the original NES game, this was typically the first weapon you got after the sword. While it is a nice piece and works well, I pine for a boomerang, but that makes me look like a beggar. Also scratching that classic itch is the inclusion of a rupee. My gripe about this is that you only get one, and I would love about ten in green, blue, and red, but otherwise, it is awesome cast in clear plastic, and it even has a little stand so it can stand upright.
Of course you know that, whatever the adventure, Link needs plenty of weaponry beyond his trusty sword and shield to help keep him on the move. Included here is one of my favorites: the hookshot. This made it’s debut in a A Link to the Past, and I still remember using for the first time in the game — I was instantly in love. Of course you would want options with this, so you can have your hookshot displayed coiled and at the ready or fully extended, ready to grab ahold of the nearest wall/statue/tree/whatever, and pull Link along for the ride. The Tornado Rod is also included, and without the cool whirl effect (again, realized on a plastic sheet, just like the drawing), it kind of looks like a green version of the original Magical Rod from the NES game, so it gets point from me for that. I think they picked two great implements to include, but it makes me want a raft and stepladder all the more.
Finally, the DX Link comes with a baby Maiamai and a ubiquitous clay pot. I will admit, I do not know much about the Maiamai, but is is adorable and makes for a cute little part of the display. For looking like a snail/conch creature, this piece is actually just a slug, or rather, a non-articulated figure. Now, the pot, I know a lot about these guys because I, like everyone else have smashed the hell out of a lot of these. Again, starting with the SNES game, smashing these jars is as much a part of the Hyrule mythos as saving Zelda herself, so it would feel completely left out if it was not included. It really makes for a fun addition to the set.
Whew, so to me, this by far the best Link figure ever made, and I am completely taken with it. I know it is based on a very recent game, and it matches that perfectly, but it also has recalls so much of the classic Link, that it really works for me. Everything about the figure is utmost figma quality, and the boatload of accessories make the deluxe version totally worth it, so go getcha one from Big Bad Toy Store — you will not regret it. Like I said, I have some plans for my (THREE!!!) sets I bought, so I will be revisiting this guy soon, so check back for that, especially if you are an NES fan. In the meantime, have fun with this guy. He is a great release!