Looks like I have a reason to preorder now. To think that I can be persuaded by a cheap figure...
I'm not a fan of Kubrick figures either, but it would be an insult to compare that THING to Kubrick figures. o_O It looks like a freakin' melted chocolate bar. Everybody who got it previously has said that it's complete crap and the worst example of pixel art they've ever seen. NECA was trying to charge big bucks for it and was claiming it was very limited edition, but I'm not surprised they're giving them out for free now. They probably could barely move any stock.
Let me just say this:
I dislike the "toy" part of video gaming!
I just think it is completely stupid and actually degrades the hobby as a whole.
Many of you will disagree with me on that, as I am sure there are collectors here who have to have every Halo 3 action figure and collectible as well! That being said, I do LIKE collector's editions of games and systems, but don't expect to see me buy any video game action figures any time soon.
I also think the "legendary" Halo 3 edition is incredibly stupid! All my opinions!
The little 8-bit Simon Belmont figure is ok. The new Castlevania figures (Simon, Alucard, Drac and Succubus) are freaking awesome. I find myself a little put-off by game related toys too but, I want all four figures of that series. Mostly my toy collections are movie, television or horror related and those figures will gel very well with Grandpa Munster, Evil Ash and even the Hanson Brothers from Slap Shot.
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Yeah, I want to know how video game figures are "degrading" as well.
How are they any different from the official art portraying characters within a game? One is a 2D artistic expression (drawing) of the characters, while the other is a 3D artistic expression (plastic mold).
The only way I can see figures being degrading is if they're poor interpretations of the characters or if they make video gaming look like it's kid's stuff. The latter isn't an issue in terms of this topic, though, considering the NECA Castlevania figures are clearly aimed at an older audience (I mean, heck, Succubus has bare breasts).
Just my opinion. In order to get video game collecting to the masses, we need to take a more "grown up" approach.
Unfortunately, this isn't the case with comic book collectors, toy collectors, and coins, because they are considered "main stream" collecting fields.
Whenever I say I collect video games, I am met with comments like, what is that or that is different.
It is unfortunate that most toy collectors and other hobbyists consider video game collecting a part of toy collecting! I consider that an insult! That is why I feel as though, when a company releases toys, etc. on a hit game, they are making that argument more viable.
Well, that's the difference between the outlook on video game figures in Japan and in the US. They're much more popular in Japan, and you'll almost NEVER hear them called "toys". They're meant to be art displayed on a shelf, not played with. There just isn't as big of a market for them in the US. American adults who do collect figures tend to go for comic book superheroes and such. In the past, when video game figures were first trying to break ground in America, companies did think the safest approach was to target kids, so you'd end up with stuff like the Street Fighter II G.I. Joes. It's nice to see American companies like NECA making figures for adults, and I think more and more of these companies are only going to keep sprouting up.
I don't think it's the figures that are the problem, nor do I think eliminating them will fix it. It's a deep set, ignorant outlook that mainstream America possesses, and it'll be hard to change. It's the same kind of thing that makes most people think everything that's animated is cartoons for kids.
I will say this NECA does make nice toys. And when I order from NCS (import dealer on the net), I am sometimes tempted by those "figures" they have displayed, however the bigger picture is "culture shock."
That is accepted in Japan, not in the US.
There lies the problem!