2 MINUTE TOY BREAK !

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. 

My first memories of Altered Beast are mostly  arcade related. I remember not caring about beating the game as much as I did turning into the main characters alternate beast mode. "POWER UP!"  😆 Weredragon was pretty indestructible, using his Blanka-esque body enveloping electricity move to fend off evil hordes of ogre zombies, blobs and wasp-men.  Weredragon feels solid and heavy in hand. What toy collectors would refer to as a  "chunky" action figure. The electric bolt accessory fits snug in Weredragon's mouth, looks organic and flows with the head sculpt. You can almost hear the 16-bit crackling effect ⚡ The wings move up and down for outstretched or closed display. Weredragon's tail, while limited , is also articulated.  And just for reference, here's Weredragon next to a couple of larger Marvel Universe figures.