First 4 Figures blazes into summer with this big display figure scene! It has classic style Sonic & Tails in Sonic & Knuckles' forest area that is notoriously set on fire by Eggman in his fire spreading boss machine. You can display the scene two ways, just like how the level was. The Tropical Jungle edition is exclusive to the first4figures website though.
There's also the Rhinobot badnick ready to charge in, as well as some spikes, but Tails is here to carry Sonic to safety, just like in the games. This makes for a cool, dynamic scene with great new poses that look cool from any angle. Of course, the flames light up on the deluxe version....but first let's take a look at the badnick.
Just look at this robo-detail!
Someone was really in their element when they sculpted this thing. Of course, this is the first time merchandise has been made that features this particular no-good robot. (Badnicks, for whatever reason are fun to see, colorful & diverse...which means you'd think they'd be good to collect, but so far it seems nobody bothers with toys)
You can see not only the metallic tone of the paint, but also the texture of the two kinds of 'metal' used to construct it. Then, the screws are actually in-set as they would be AND the tire tread even has a texture atop it's...regular texture. The bottom edge of the robot also appears to have wear. The eye is very smooth, to look like the white plastic shell with black camera center that Eggman would use. Notice that it does have the kitty cat ears instead of rhino ears, but that's how it was in the game. This little guy is quite impressive.
Of course, the Sonic & Tails figures are no less great.
Notice how the hands have caught each other, the finger-pose is exactly how it does it in the game. Then, see their use of transparent plastic and semi-transparent elements to really do a fantastic job making it look like Tails is really flying. This is maybe the best-ever look for 'spinning swirling tails' that anyone has ever produced as a physical product.
Sonic's got his legs kicked up, just like in the game, and both are going cheerfully forward as they avoid the spikes and rhino below, which is exactly as it would be.
The bent branch is what holds them up, without getting in the way of the view. It's an ideal thing to use as the 'stand', and it fits right into the scenery.
However, there's something a little different than F4F usually has happen...Look closely at the photo to the left, then see below on the deluxe edition to try and detect what's different. Is a prototype happening, or was something edited? Maybe the statues really are different.
Here, in the light up edition, the Sonic is shown slightly frowning / concentrating, rather than cheerful as he is in the above photo. What will his expression be in the final figure? Because it's First 4 Figures, they seem to totally require a light-up-deluxe version of the display figure, and this one is no exception. It makes sense with the game, as it adds semi-transparent flames which light up. There are 2 on the branch, and two on the base.
Interestingly, with this large size display figure scene, both editions cost the same.
They are both $499.00 USD
Usually, the lighting up one will cost more, so this one is an exception to the rule. As usual, they are hand numbered, and you can get it on First 4 Figures website, as long as they last.
Another fantastic offering from First 4 Figures!
They always seem to come up with something cool and new for their display figures with detail that doesn't dissapoint. Using add-on flames to represent both areas of the zone is a great idea that hasn't been done before. The badnick is just amazingly done too, really top notch. Should you get this? Yes, totally if its in the budget, as it is super classic in all its detail from (arguably) the most exciting time period of classic-Sonic-era.
All photos by First4Figures