Pokémon Carry Case Playset

 Pokémon Carry Case Playset

Wicked Cool Toys

Wicked Cool Toys continues to put out some great figures/figurines for Pokémon fans.  Much better quality than has come before from Hasbro and such.  And they beat Jakks Pacific’s World of Nintendo Mario line in character selection and availability.  So much that I’m very, very behind in showing all the critters I’ve picked up from them since Detective Pikachu came out.  What better way to take a look at all of these than together on a nice, new playset!  

It’s an in-universe backpack prop!  It’s a carrying case for all your figures!  It’s a playset!  It’s all that and only $30.  Is it worth it?  I think so.  It’s got some great sculpting inside that brings the word of Kanto to life.  You get several different terrain types:  field and stream, rock/mountains, forrest, and Pokémon battle court.  

There are a few action features here and there as well.  The large, pop-up tree has a trap door and slide exit.  The rocky region has a rock cave with an opening/closing door.  Crossing regions to the stream, you have to danger over a swinging bridge.  

On route to the meadow, watch out for falling rocks and Pokémon that jump out of bushes.  The water at the end of the trek is nice, but watch out for that whirlpool!

Having World of Nintendo/Sonic/other video game characters, the battle court should sell any Smash Bros fans on this set.  There are some spring loaded platforms for launching smaller Pokémon at each other.  Sorry, Blastoise...you’re still number one in my book, even if you’re too heavy for this feature.  You’re cool, too, Gyarados, but the pool is only for your lame, unevolved form.

The set does come with a Pikachu figurine.  Sadly, Ive got this style/pose already.  I understand you want to include the flagship character to help sell the set, but it would have been nice to have him in a new/exclusive sculpt.  That’s really the only downside I can see here.  If you love Pokémon, Nintendo, or Smash Bros, you probably need this in your collection.

PS - For those new to Pokémon, always choose Squirtle.  There is no debate.  Why choose a generic, red, fire-breathing dragon, when you can have a blue, cartoon version of Gamera with gigantic cannons coming out of his shell?

Take a look back at some Detective Pikachu figures from Wicked Cool Toys:

https://terribletoyman.blogspot.com/2019/04/detective-pikachu.html

Slushy Soldiers

 Slushy Soldiers

Fortnite Legendary Series - Jakks Pacific

It’s been a while since Jakks’ Fortnite series filled some goon slots in my superhero collection.  This Walmart exclusive was a bit late for Christmas...but luckily that groundhog saw his shadow, and gave Mr. Freeze a bit more time on the ice with his new henchmen.

The slushy soldier is on a reused soldier body, but is nicely repainted with wintry colors.  His arsenal is appropriately hilarious:  carrot knife, carrot bandolier strap, machete wreath back pack, ice pick/hammer.  The traditional snowman head could be taken as cutesy or creepy, depending on what you’re using them for.  Of course, these have several machine guns with them at all times, so I would guess the latter.

 

I braved sub-zero temperatures and hardened plastic joints for this shoot.  It was a lot of fun to play with my toys in the snow.  I got to break out my favorite Mr. Freeze figure (DC Direct’s Secret Files figure) and  Arctic Shield Batman (Mattel 2003 Batman line).  While these are older figures with limited articulation, the sculpts and accessories keep them in my displays.  Freeze just looks perfect, and Arctic Batman...he’s had a lot of wacky costume variants, but this one actually works!  I was even able to give hi shield/sled a go!

 

Get out there and have some fun with your toys when you can.  And pick up some Slushy Soldiers on Walmart’s website now!  They, and the snow, won’t last for long.

Paulie Pennino

Paulie Pennino

Rocky - Jakks Pacific

It’s a Thanksgiving miracle!  Everyone’s favorite alcoholic, abusive brother is home for the holidays.  I missed out on Paulie from the Jakks Pacific Rocky line way back in 2006, so this guy was a must at a local toy shop...for only $7.99!   Between Jakks and NECA, I feel my Rocky lineup is that much more complete now.  Time to start work on a custom of Paulie’s robot!

Take a look back at the rest of my Rocky Collection here:

NECA Rocky

WWE Slambulance

WWE Slambulance

Mattel

Mattel is taking a page from the Jakks Pacific days with a new, 7-inch scale vehicle/playset.  It has been a while since the Slam Mobile, so the Slambulance is a welcome addition.

It features opening/tear-off driver, passenger, and rear doors.

There is some nice detailing with the seats, dashboard, and center console.  The back bay has some nice stickers already applied.

The hood can be smashed in or ripped off to reveal the engine.

The roof can be smashed in or outward.

There is a large, breakaway portion on the side.

The other side has two removable storage compartment doors.  It looks like there are pegs and tabs inside that were meant for some extra gear that got cut?  In any case, you can store some goodies here.  Too bad the doors were only made to come apart, and not open for equipment access.

It comes with a stretcher accessory to be used with the main action feature.  When you press the license plate on the front, the stretcher shoots out the back doors and rolls a short distance.

Without the stretcher inside, there is a lot of room.  Heck, even with the stretcher, there is more than enough room for several figures.

Since the Ghostbusters are currently missing their iconic ride, they got the first spin in the Slambulance.  I might have to get another to customize into an Ecto-2 (IDW Comics’ RV unit) of sorts, and keep the other a plain ambulance.  At $40, here’s the question to Hasbro:  how much could the GB and Cadillac license possibly cost for you to make a profit and still keep the bottom line down for the consumer on a scale Ecto-1?  We heard the B.S. answer from Mattel back in the day...$250?!  Like I sad before, it doesn’t need all the bells and whistles, or be 100% accurate.  Just look at the Kenner classic!  The Plasma Series figures almost fit in that, for cryin’ out loud!

Godzilla vs. Kong

Godzilla vs. Kong

Jakks Pacific - Lanard

Jakks has updated and rereleased their 24" Godzilla from his previous crappy movie to coincide with his newest crappy movie.  Seriously? 40% on Rotten Tomatoes?!  How could it be worse tham that bait and switch job they pulled with Bryan Cranston?!  Godzilla is now an 0-3 loser in America...Kong should have no problem whipping his scaly butt.  Oh wait...Kong is an 0-2 loser in modern cinema...just stop already!  Anyway...at least we got some cool, big figures out of this garbage.

I was so angry with that Aaron Taylor-Johnson nonsense to want anything to do with the merch last time, so I have no idea what all has changed with this big figure rerelease.  He has some speaker holes in his chest, but no sound feature, leading me to believe this time around was more cost effective.  He's not bad for $60.  His jaw opens, his head turns, his arms and legs move a bit, and his tail is super long and articulated.  The only drawbacks are the screw holes that show on both sides of his back and I wish he had included some sort of energy beam effect.  He's a big, lumbering lizard and this presentation fits that just fine.  So big that you may want to brace yourself in attempting any Jet Jaguar kicks with this thing.

Kong: Skull Island was "meh", but the birth of awesome, cheap-o toys from Lanard.  See my "Rampage" and "Primal Clash" reviews...they knock several scales of beasties out of the park!  I was lucky to pick this 18" Kong up on clearance for $9.  That's a steal, even with his limited articulation.  His legs may not move, but he can still gorilla pound Godzilla to death.

I added some challengers to demonstrate the size of these figures.  You've seen my 24" Stay Puft Marshmallow Man bank before, but not the 18" Transformers Generations Predaking!  Sorry, but Transformers take so much time to review, what with their dual forms and all.  Even worse when you have to review a big bot that splits into six smaller bots, all with their own alt. modes!  Predaking is great.  A faithful representation of the artwork/cartoon.  His size makes him a bit difficult to manipulate for play, but you can get him into some decent static poses.

Just look at that tail!  And only $60!  If you have the space for him, this Godzilla is quite the display piece.

8-bit Donkey Kong, Mario, and Bowser

8-bit Donkey Kong, Mario, and Bowser

World of Nintendo - Jakks Pacific

Walgreens exclusive 2-packs

Finally Jumpman and original, mane-less Bowser are here to join Jakks Pacific's World of Nintendo lineup!  The downside is you have to pay twice as much for them, as they come in 2-packs with some previous offerings.  Seriously?  We couldn't get the same, flat 8-bit characters in another pose at least?  DK in profile or holding a barrel over his head?  

Eh, at least the diorama package presentation is nice.  And, at this point, you would probably be paying more than $10 for a single-packed Bowser alone.  If you're a fan of the retro look, and don't mind the more "display over play" approach to the 2.5 inch line, then don't pass these by.   They make great little desk ornaments.  The DK/Jumpman set is hitting Walgreens now, so happy hunting!