2 MINUTE TOY BREAK !

How do you guys keep it nerdy? 

Not gonna lie. I don't think I ever got to play as Roo in any Streets of Rage game. I think he was an unlockable player. I can't remember. I should Google it. Either way, Jaaks Pacific took on the task of producing a highly articulated boxing Kangaroo and did a decent job of it.  I'm really digging the sculpt work on all of these Jaaks figures. Judging from all the weird, moving parts in the legs of a kangaroo, I think Jaaks did a pretty good job with Roo.  It took me a little while to figure out the leg articulation but I was able to finally get Roo into some pretty cool poses.  Here's Roo sparring with GI Joe Classified Big Boa. That just about wraps up my Jaaks Pacific posts. Stay tuned as I've got some things on the way that I'll be showing once they arrive. 

Blogging about these Jaaks Pacific figures reminds me of how lucky we were to grow up with so many great video games! Golden Axe was another great 80s beat'em up. While it was released initially as an arcade game, my first time playing it was on the Sega Genesis. You were able to choose from three characters - Axe Battler ( barbarian), Tyris Flare (female Amazon warrior) and Gilius Thunderhead  (dwarf warrior).  Jaaks decided to go with Gilius Thunderhead as the introductory figure ( assuming they'll release figures of Axe Battler and Tyris Flare at some point) representing the Golden Axe franchise. I think It was a wise choice. It gives the line a nice variety of different sized characters.  For such a small figure, Gilius packs a punch. I'm impressed with the articulation on these guys. Especially Thunderhead, with his short self. There are some limitations, though, in the head sculpt ( beard) and legs (tunic)....

I'm really impressed with this line of Jaaks Pacific figures. These days, 6 inch figures dominate the toy aisles so It's always nice to see a quality, smaller scaled figure on the pegs.  Werewolf is a nice looking figure. I mean, you could say he's just a werewolf but he's not. He's Altered Beast Werewolf! I have one gripe and that's not being able to bring his arms completely down and at his sides. Everything else I like.  Werewolf comes with a power up sphere that reminds me a lot of the Sega Saturn logo. It has no pegs or special way to interact with the figure. Unless you have a stand to display it , it's just gonna sit there.  For size comparison, here's Werewolf next to Marvel Legends retro 3.75 figures Hulk and Spider-Man. More Jaaks Pacific Sega goodness on the way! Stay tuned! 

That techno riff at the very beginning of stage 1 in Streets of Rage 2 on the Sega Genesis will forever be etched in my aging and dilapidated memory. The game was pretty epic. Of the many installments, part 2 was my favorite.  Streets of Rage 2 Stage 1 Music Of all the Jaaks Pacific Sega themed figures, Axel is the most underwhelming. This has nothing to do with functionality or quality, it's just that Axel is a pretty ho-hum character as far as design goes. 90 percent of every beatem' up or fighting game in the late 80s, early 90s had a bandana, jean and t-shirt wearing character.  You can get Axel into some decent poses. Every figure comes with at least one accessory, Axel comes with his flaming grand uppercut effect.  For reference, here's Axel next to DC McFarlane Superpowers Superman and Batman figures.