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Via the Star Wars Galactic Hunter Figure of the Day Blog: Darth Vader (Epic World of Action). The 2025 model has more motion at the shoulders and hips, plus adds knee and elbow joints. The lightsaber is overpowered too, take a look at the energy bolts coming from it - it's pretty cool, and hopefully will be in a store near you soon. Read the whole review.

--AP

Something new every day-- unless it's old! Our exciting Figure of the Day continues for you lucky people! Is there anything we won't cover in this column? Probably not!

Spin to win! The Playing Mantis Johnny Lightning The Challengers Custom Turbine (Aqua) does not actually have a spinning turbine, but the wheels roll well and I love that bubble dome. Also, this is a 1995 reissue of a car toy from the 1970s, which is worth under $5 today. So you can afford it! Read on, and come back tomorrow for more fun!

--AP

Ad: More oldness! If you missed the hard-to-get (and expensive on the secondary market Star Wars The Retro Collection Return of the Jedi 3 34-Inch Action Figures Set of 6 - Exclusive, you can get it! It's one of many Star Wars: The Retro Collection action figures and sets at Entertainment Earth. This set is famous for having a reissue of Yak Face as well as a new-to--the-line Mon Mothma, both of which are due to ship later this year.

Something new every day-- unless it's old! Our exciting Figure of the Day continues for you lucky people! Is there anything we won't cover in this column? Probably not!

New! The Super7 SilverHawks Quicksilver ReAction Figure shiny and looks a lot like the old Kenner Quicksilver, but with better eyes and no wings! I think you'll like it. Do read on, and come back tomorrow for more fun!

--AP

Via Comics Beat: TFAW.com to close down April 30. I've frequently peeped their store, and back in the day their SDCC booth was one of my first stops in San Diego. They say: "We�re sad to announce that [our web store] will be closing on April 30, 2025. Our thanks for making us your go-to comic shop! Don�t worry�our physical stores are open and ready to serve you in person."

Given a lot of other brands have closed their physical stores yet remained open for e-commerce, this is a surprise. The comic shop and web store has always had a close relationship with (and was owned by Dark Horse founder) Mike Richardson. With Diamond comic distributors being sold, it's certainly a very tenuous time for numerous aspects in pop culture. And that's not even bringing up the tariff issue, which could be a comet-level disruption across this and other industries.

Hopefully you can visit TFAW's remaining physical stores, or grab something from their web site while you can.

--AP

Via the Star Wars Galactic Hunter Figure of the Day Blog: IG-12 with Grogu and Anzellan (The Vintage Collection Deluxe). Most likely in a store near you somewhere, the figure is $25 - and has a couple of little guys with it, and those aren't cheap to make. But it's also a retool of a figure you probably purchased for half the price a few years ago. Read the whole review.

--AP

Ad: More MOTU! Get Masters of Universe Origins and ThunderCats Wave 1 Lion-O Action Figure and Masters of Universe Origins and ThunderCats Wave 1 Battle Cat Man Action Figure and all sorts of newness while supplies last.

Also, buy yourself a nice Star Wars The Retro Collection Return of the Jedi 3 3/4-Inch Action Figures Set of 6. It's got Yak Face. Don't say I've never done anything nice for you.

This week's batch of titles on the eShop: SaGa Frontier 2 Remastered, BIOMORPH, Rift of the NecroDancer, and over a dozen more.

Arguably most exciting of all, Limited Run Games is doing a physical version of Gradius Origins. Yet another arcade collection doesn't sound super exciting, but this one has Salamander III on it and that's a new game.

--AP

Galactic Hunter has posted Q&A: Star Wars of the Future, on the Streets, and in Packaging. It's new! Be sure to click through and read up on the latest!

Be sure to send in your questions for the next thrilling update! We now have one for next week.

--AP

Something new every day-- but this was posted 10 years ago today! Our exciting Figure of the Day continues for you lucky people! Is there anything we won't cover in this column? Probably not!

Posted 10 years ago! The Playmobil Magician with Genie Lamp Figure is a nicely painted figure with a lot of cool accessories, including a glow-in-the-dark figural puff of smoke that has made appearances in multiple sets. The main guy has great facial hair and earrings, as well as a swell sword. Do read on, and come back tomorrow for a new one!

--AP

Via Keshi Corner on Archive.org Dig Dug (Dig Dug) - Keshi Gomu Rubber Figure 3D Scan! I didn't know this one existed either, but 1980s Japanese collectible rubber figures are admittedly something of a blind spot. And now you can download one and print your own! Lucky you. check out the latest.

--AP

We're taking donations for server costs! Really. One of the rewards is Q&A a few days early - you can read next Monday's installment as soon as it's ready, which can be as early as 1:00 AM my time on Monday!

Become a Patron!

If you've got a dollar a month to share, please Visit the Galactic Hunter Patreon and help cover our server costs. I'll still put in hours of work, writing, photography, and research - I just need some help making sure that the site costs me only time, and hopefully not money. Thanks for your support!

--AP

Something new every day-- unless it's old! Our exciting Figure of the Day continues for you lucky people! Is there anything we won't cover in this column? Probably not!

New! Hasbro Transformers Studio Series Deluxe Devastation Optimus Prime Action Figure is a new mold and should be widely available in stores right now... and it's pretty good. It's not as fancy as other Optimus Prime toys, but for $25 it's decent. I wish it had a blaster, but it's a perfect figure for anyone new to the line or for someone who wants a decent toy to fidget with on their desks. Read on!

--AP

Via Nintendo: Competition #38 is on now in Nintendo World Championships: NES Edition. It's just the way I like it.

This week:
Run for Your Money (Super Mario Bros) - in which you grab a few bucks.

Octorok Onslaught (The Legend of Zelda) - in which you go out for octopus.

Meta-Knights Strike (Kirby's Adventure) - in which you slaughter them all.

Cliff Jumping (Zelda II: The Adventure of Link) - in which you run through the bubbles.

Curtain Call: Roy (Super Mario Bros. 3) - in which you defeat a boss, in dreams.

I broke my personal records when doing these one-by-one, but stumbled getting the trophies. How odd. Well, you've seen the news this week, we're all a little twitchy.

--AP

Via the Star Wars Galactic Hunter Figure of the Day Blog: Jedi Master Sol (The Retro Collection). He came out last year as part of a boxed set for a Disney+ streaming series, with unique robes using surprisingly cool material. He has an extra chunk of hair on his head, the articulation is good, and he's been off and on sale. But do you need one? Read the whole review.

--AP

Something new every day-- unless it's old! Our exciting Figure of the Day continues for you lucky people! Is there anything we won't cover in this column? Probably not!

But what does it mean now? The Mattel Hot Wheels Hippie Mobiles '68 Mustang was a weird piece of nested nostalgia when it came out, coming after the boomer high of remembering Woodstock came to an end. And today? Well... you've seen the news. Read on, and come back tomorrow for more fun!

--AP

Something new every day-- unless it's old! Our exciting Figure of the Day continues for you lucky people! Is there anything we won't cover in this column? Probably not!

P;d! The Super7 Universal Monsters Frankenstein ReAction Figure looks old, and I guess is now old itself. It's a nice figure, with good joints, and it looks like a less-scrawny version of the kind of figures we got 45 years ago. I like it. Do read on, and come back tomorrow for more fun!

--AP

Via the Star Wars Galactic Hunter Figure of the Day Blog: Yoda (Epic World of Action). I got mine online, and I hope you'll see it in stores. For $8 you get Hasbro's best prequel-era Yoda figure yet, with excellent articulation and three good accessories. The lightsaber is no surprise, the Sith energy thing is pretty cool... but a tiny clear green Starfighter? Now that's impressive. The 2025 figure has those ball-ish shoulders you love, plus swivel wrists. If you only buy one figure from this particular range of figures, it should be Yoda. The other figures in the wave have more articulation and features, but only Yoda has a tiny ship. Read the whole review.

--AP

Ad: Make mine Marvel, and maximized. The Marvel Legends Maximum Series Hulk 6-Inch Action Figure is coming soon, and you can order it!

Also, buy yourself a nice Star Wars The Retro Collection Return of the Jedi 3 3/4-Inch Action Figures Set of 6. It's got Yak Face. Don't say I've never done anything nice for you.

This week's batch of titles on the eShop: Eggconsole How Many Robot PC-8801mkIISR, Snow Bros. 2 Special, Arcade Archives Assault Plus, and over a dozen more.

--AP

Galactic Hunter has posted Q&A: Star Wars Pack-Ins, Luke Remakes, and The T Word. It's new! Be sure to click through and read up on the latest!

Be sure to send in your questions for the next thrilling update! We now have one for next week.

--AP

Something new every day-- but this was posted 10 years ago today! Our exciting Figure of the Day continues for you lucky people! Is there anything we won't cover in this column? Probably not!

Posted 10 years ago! The Hasbro Transformers Generations Combiner Wars Air Raid was a nice update of a toy from the 1980s, and it's being updated yet again in 2025. Mine isn't here yet, but I remember really loving this one. (He's been a Superion limb for several years now.) It was a solid item for the price. Do read on, and come back tomorrow for a new one!

--AP

Via Keshi Corner on Archive.org Suketoudara (Puyo Puyo) - Keshi Gomu Rubber Figure 3D Scan ! Bring home the fish from a version of the jelly matching game. check out the latest.

--AP

We're taking donations for server costs! Really. One of the rewards is Q&A a few days early - you can read next Monday's installment as soon as it's ready, which can be as early as 1:00 AM my time on Monday!

Become a Patron!

If you've got a dollar a month to share, please Visit the Galactic Hunter Patreon and help cover our server costs. I'll still put in hours of work, writing, photography, and research - I just need some help making sure that the site costs me only time, and hopefully not money. Thanks for your support!

--AP

Something new every day-- unless it's old! Our exciting Figure of the Day continues for you lucky people! Is there anything we won't cover in this column? Probably not!

New! Hasbro Transformers Studio Series 86 Voyager Constructicon Scrapper Action Figure is possibly in a store near you, or shipping from an online pre-order. It's a very robust Deluxe-sized robot, but it's a Voyager. Such is life. But at least it's really, really cool and I think has most of what you would want out of a Scraper minus the big wing that comes in another set. You'll want this one. Read on!

--AP

Via Nintendo: Competition #40 is on now in Nintendo World Championships: NES Edition. Mario, Metroid, and Motorcross await you.

This week:
Power Grab: Morph Ball (Metroid) - in which you get some balls. One. Just one.

Cool It (Excitebike) - in which you just say yes to track.

Hit the Bricks (Super Mario Bros) - in which you do what it says.

1-1 of a Kind (Super Mario Bros. 3) - in which you run through that first level.

Whale of a Time (Super Mario Bros. 2) - in which you shave a few seconds off the whales.

I had an easy time with the silver but am still struggling with gold. I blame my never getting a good handle on 1-1 in Mario 3.

--AP

Via the Star Wars Galactic Hunter Figure of the Day Blog: Velken Tezeri (The Vintage Collection). The 2023 figure is the first - and likely only - incarnation we get of this guy. I'm delighted and amazed Hasbro did him at all, given the obscurity. Read the whole review.

--AP

Something new every day-- unless it's old! Our exciting Figure of the Day continues for you lucky people! Is there anything we won't cover in this column? Probably not!

A pee joke! The Mattel Hot Wheels Gotta Go gives you a toilet-themed car with faucets and toilet paper elements, which is about as fun as you're going to have with a toy car today. The lid even opens. Read on, and come back tomorrow for more fun!

--AP

Ad: New G.I. Joe Classified Series Cobra Commander, Major Bludd, Snake Eyes, and Monkeywrench action figures are up for pre-order! They're due in a few months, so get your orders in today.

Something new every day-- unless it's old! Our exciting Figure of the Day continues for you lucky people! Is there anything we won't cover in this column? Probably not!

New! The Super7 Micronauts Baron Karza ReAction+ Figure is not the towering giant from Mego or Palisades. Rather, it's the same size and general vibe you got from Cobra Commander in the early 1980s. He has no hand held weapon, but there is a backpack accessory. The sculpt is good, the feel is nice, and he blends in well with some of my other retro space figures. I'd say give it a look. It doesn't seem like Micronauts is going to be an extensive line, so at least you won't have to worry about devoting a ton of space to it. Do read on, and come back tomorrow for more fun!

--AP

Via Limited Run Games: Switch Limited Run #279: Gradius Origins. I kept going back and forth on this one, and just bought the Switch version because it has a new Salamander III on it. There was a rumor of a new Salamander game on Wii Ware, and I wonder if this is related. The basic version is $39.99 and due in September. There are some fancy collector editions with art books and arcade marquees, but I've found any "extras" just wind up in a box, or in the way, so I'm going with the base variant.

I hope it's good. Honestly, I'm really just buying it for Salamander III but I'm sure the international variants of the other games might be fun to fuss with, too.

It'll also be sold as a download, but I love a cartridge. Pre-sales end May 11.

--AP

Via the Star Wars Galactic Hunter Figure of the Day Blog: Grogu (The Book of Boba Fett, The Retro Collection). This is a pretty clever idea for a product. It's a reissue of the obscure Kenner Dagoah training backpack, with a reissue of "The Child" and a frog from 2021. Since the wave never hit mass market retailers it can be tough to say if it sold well or not, but I rarely saw them on closeout shelves and odds are a lot of fans might want it just for the backpack. I think it's worth getting, but I generally like all of these a fair amount. Also I believe this is my last unreviewed Retro figure until the red dot ships their exclusive set around the end of the month. Read the whole review.

--AP

Via the Glyos News Dump: Glyos Onell Design April 17, 2025 Drop Menu. The Last Exellis and Standard Govurom heads were run over a decade ago and matched with new bodies - it's not the kind of thing you tend to see every day. A cape accessory sold out almost immediately. Check 'em out!

--AP

Ad: More Daredevil! Pick up Daredevil: Born Again Daredevil Unmasked Funko Pop! Vinyl Figure #1547 - Entertainment Earth Exclusive or Daredevil: Born Again Marvel Legends Series Punisher 6-Inch Action Figure today!

Also, buy yourself Star Wars The Retro Collection Return of the Jedi 3 3/4-Inch Action Figures. It's got Mon Mothma.

This week's batch of titles on the eShop: Eggconsole Hydlide II PC-8801, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Wrath of the Mutants, Arcade Archives Vs. Super Xevious Mystery of Gump, and over a dozen more.

--AP

Galactic Hunter has posted Q&A: Star Wars Epic Sizing and Baggage. It's new! Be sure to click through and read up on the latest!

Be sure to send in your questions for the next thrilling update! We now have one for next week.

--AP

Something new every day-- but this was posted 10 years ago today! Our exciting Figure of the Day continues for you lucky people! Is there anything we won't cover in this column? Probably not!

Posted 10 years ago! The Funko Hikari Vinyl Ghostbusters Pink Stay Puft Marshmallow Man was a clear glitter figure, exclusive to Entertainment Earth, and painted like it was being burned. I liked these guys a bunch - the whole line was a little expensive for Funko fans, and they more or less ignored it. It's a shame, the colorways are really cool and I bet would have done well as $10-$20 standard 4-inch guys. Do read on, and come back tomorrow for a new one!

--AP

Ad: A lot of new Hasbro pre-orders are live! Grab Star Wars The Black Series Han Solo 6-Inch Action Figure, Star Wars The Vintage Collection 3 3/4-Inch Nightsister Merrin Action Figure, and more!

Also, buy yourself Star Wars The Retro Collection Return of the Jedi 3 3/4-Inch Action Figures. It's got Yak Face.

If that weren't enough, check out new Superman and other action figures.

We're taking donations for server costs! Really. One of the rewards is Q&A a few days early - you can read next Monday's installment as soon as it's ready, which can be as early as 1:00 AM my time on Monday!

Become a Patron!

If you've got a dollar a month to share, please Visit the Galactic Hunter Patreon and help cover our server costs. I'll still put in hours of work, writing, photography, and research - I just need some help making sure that the site costs me only time, and hopefully not money. Thanks for your support!

--AP

Something new every day-- unless it's old! Our exciting Figure of the Day continues for you lucky people! Is there anything we won't cover in this column? Probably not!

Old! Hasbro Transformers Legacy Evolution Voyager Animated Universe Motormaster Action Figure came out last year, and is another in an ongoing series of toys that are lower-price updates (or substitutes) of old BotCon exclusives. I sure don't miss BotCon price points - $35 for this boxy-headed fellow felt plenty fair. Read on!

--AP

Via Nintendo: Competition #38 is on now in Nintendo World Championships: NES Edition. It was a little challenging.

This week:
Mushzoom 3 (Super Mario Bros. 3) - in which you do mushrooms.

Seek & Destroy (Kid Icarus) - in which you snake, rattle, and roll.

Fireball Rush (Kirby's Adventure) - in which you fly.

Bonus or Bust (Ice Climber) - in which you jump up into the ice.

Divemaster (Super Mario Bros: Lost Levels) - in which you sink and/or swim.

I had no problem getting the silver trophy, but that gold is challenging so far.

--AP

Via the Star Wars Galactic Hunter Figure of the Day Blog: Dark Trooper (Epic World of Action). I haven't seen it in a store myself yet, but if you do? You should get one. It's big, it's sturdy, it's cheap, and the paint on the figure is very good. I am not crazy about both the blaster and blast effect being clear red, but it's still pretty excellent. Read the whole review.

--AP

Something new every day-- unless it's old! Our exciting Figure of the Day continues for you lucky people! Is there anything we won't cover in this column? Probably not!

Who's ready for lunch? The Mattel Hot Wheels Street Wiener was a car design that has been around for a few years, in many similar-but-different colorways. This one has a base that looks sort of like a paper tray, with wheels that look sort of like toppings, and I assume zero dollars needing to be paid to the Wienermobile people. It's really neat, and new versions of it are still shipping cheaply at a store near you. Read on, and come back tomorrow for more fun!

--AP

Ad: Andor returns tonight, so it seems like a good time to get the Star Wars The Black Series Death Trooper Helmet Prop Replica out there! With electronic lights and sounds, this full-head helmet looks amazing.

Something new every day-- unless it's old! Our exciting Figure of the Day continues for you lucky people! Is there anything we won't cover in this column? Probably not!

Not too old but gone from most stores! The Mattel Turtles of Grayskull Masters of the Universe x Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Beast Man Action Figure looks like a basic Beast Man with some added armor, a different whip, and both hands able to grip. It's neat! It's not essential, but at least it's fun and looks like a decent riff on the original toy. Do read on, and come back tomorrow for more fun!

--AP

Via Down the Tubes.net and many sites: In Memoriam: SF and Fine Artist David Schleinkofer. He's done a lot of art, but he is the probably not known to you man behind probably the most famous piece of 1984 Transformers box art.

But he's done a lot more, and I'm sad I didn't know his name until today. Check out his Flickr page for some of his other sci-fi pieces. It's incredible stuff.

He died April 20, 2025.

--AP

Via the Star Wars Galactic Hunter Figure of the Day Blog: Jawa (Mos Eisley, The Vintage Collection). It's a nice Jawa, but it's made from parts dating back up to 10 years. Some parts come from a 3 3/4-inch 2-pack of Jawas from The Black Series, but mostly he shares elements with the Offworld Jawa and Teeka. This new one comes with a playset! It's still a nice Jawa, but you might have a very similar figure or three in your clan already. Read the whole review.

Also of great importance, Hasbro announced they re-upped their licenses for Marvel and Star Wars toys. But for how long?

Ad: New stuff! Don't miss the Star Wars The Black Series Death Trooper Helmet Prop Replica and the Fantastic Four Retro Marvel Legends She-Hulk 6-Inch Action Figure are now up for pre-order.

Also, buy yourself a nice Star Wars The Retro Collection Return of the Jedi 3 3/4-Inch Action Figures Set of 6. It's got Yak Face! If you don't have Yak Face, you can fix that.

This week's batch of titles on the eShop: 9th Dawn Remake, Love Live! Nijigasaki High School Idol Club Tokimekimap Road To Future, Super Technos World: River City & Technos Arcade Classics, and over a dozen more.

--AP

Galactic Hunter has posted Q&A: Star Wars Plastic Toys Made in America? Nope!. It's new! Be sure to click through and read up on the latest!

Be sure to send in your questions for the next thrilling update! We now have one for next week.

--AP

Something new every day-- but this was posted 10 years ago today! Our exciting Figure of the Day continues for you lucky people! Is there anything we won't cover in this column? Probably not!

Posted 10 years ago! The Mattel Masters of the Universe Classics Huntara was the only toy of this character to get an official release - so far, at least. I doubt we'll see every Classics figure in Origins, but really, what else are they going to do? There's time, especially with that movie coming. Do read on, and come back tomorrow for a new one!

--AP

Via ICv2 and others: ALLIANCE ENTERTAINMENT TERMINATES DIAMOND PURCHASE AGREEMENT. Diamond were the biggest partner to American comic and nerd shops for decades, until their exclusive deals with Marvel and DC and others began to ebb. They still have a lot to offer in terms of toys, comics, models, grading, manufacturing, and whatnot - but went up for auction this year. The story seems to be Alliance wanted to buy Diamond, but Diamond said "we want to take a bid from NECA's parent company and Universal Distribution instead." Alliance sued, and got to buy it. And now, they don't want it.

Given the situation with tariffs and their impact on any goods - particularly the catastrophically large ones the US placed on China - it is not a good time to be in the physical goods space. Presumably Diamond will go to Ad Populum/Universal, but given how interesting this has been, perhaps not.

--AP

Via Keshi Corner on Archive.org Waddle Doo (Kirby Super Star) - Keshi Gomu Rubber Figure 3D Scan ! It's from 1996, from Kirby Super Star... which is eye-opening. Did we even have any Kirby toys in the USA for the Game Boy or NES games back then? check out the latest.

--AP

We're taking donations for server costs! Really. One of the rewards is Q&A a few days early - you can read next Monday's installment as soon as it's ready, which can be as early as 1:00 AM my time on Monday!

Become a Patron!

If you've got a dollar a month to share, please Visit the Galactic Hunter Patreon and help cover our server costs. I'll still put in hours of work, writing, photography, and research - I just need some help making sure that the site costs me only time, and hopefully not money. Thanks for your support!

--AP

Something new every day-- unless it's old! Our exciting Figure of the Day continues for you lucky people! Is there anything we won't cover in this column? Probably not!

Newish! Blokees Transformers Galaxy Defender Version 01 Shattered Alliance SG-Sideswipe Action Figure is a robot figure for those who miss Battle Beasts. It's roughly the same size, pretty much the same price, and has loads more articulation. I really hope to see more of these smaller, $2.99 guys from other licenses - Beastformers would be pretty amazing. Read on!

--AP

Via Nintendo: Competition #42 is on now in Nintendo World Championships: NES Edition. Mario, Metroid, and more await you.

This week:
? Block Party (Super Mario Bros) - in which you hit your head in 1-2.

Sub-Space Exploration (Super Mario Bros. 2) - in which you go deep within again, again.

Aquamentus Argumentus (The Legend of Zelda) - in which you slay the dragon in three or four seconds.

Pop 'Em All (Balloon Fight) - in which you Balloon Trip.

Escape Expert (Metroid) - in which you exit Zebes.

You've got a week to earn your trophies. The Silver was easy, the Gold took me a few tries. Balloon Trip remains challenging.

--AP

Via the Star Wars Galactic Hunter Figure of the Day Blog: SM-33 (Epic World of Action). The only figure of this character so far, it's in the kid line and has telescoping forearms. That's a new featre! A droids go it's distinctive, very large, and hopefully something you'll find in a store near you at some point. Read the whole review.

--AP

Something new every day-- unless it's old! Our exciting Figure of the Day continues for you lucky people! Is there anything we won't cover in this column? Probably not!

A classic, squared! The Playing Mantis Johnny Lightning The Challengers El Camino (Purple) is a 1990s reissue of a 1970s mold - and it's pretty solid. Also, worthless - you can get one really cheap if you can find one. I recommend it. Read on, and come back tomorrow for more fun!

--AP