Jakks Pacific Super Mario Galaxy Yoshi Egg Playset

 

With the release of the Super Mario Galaxy movie in early 2026, a wave of merchandise quickly followed. As expected from one of Nintendo’s biggest video game franchises, the film inspired a strong lineup of collectibles and toys. One of the major contributors was JAKKS Pacific, which introduced a range of action figures and playsets tied to the movie. Among their offerings, the item that caught my attention the most was the Yoshi Egg Playset.

Released alongside the film, the Yoshi Egg Playset retailed at an SRP of around USD 37. It was not the only playset produced for the Super Mario Galaxy movie line, as JAKKS Pacific also released a Bowser Castle set. The Yoshi Egg Playset features two foldable diorama scenes; the “real world” and the Super Mario World setting both cleverly designed to close into the shape of a Yoshi egg. The set also includes mini figures of Mario and Yoshi.

To be honest, the overall diorama quality does not completely surpass expectations for its price point. However, the playset still stands out thanks to its well-designed gimmick and charming presentation, which will likely strike a nostalgic chord with millennials who grew up with compact playsets such as Polly Pocket. Its strongest appeal is undoubtedly as a display piece for Nintendo collectors, especially for fans who already own Super Mario memorabilia which are USJ' Nintendo World in my case. At very least I consider this playset is overall better deal compared to the recent Yoshi hatch toy.

I may have missed the chance to watch the Super Mario Galaxy movie this year, but it is definitely something I intend to catch up on in the future.

Arknights Myethos 1/8 Skadi Moment of Wilderness Figure

 Another noteworthy Skadi PVC figure has been announced by Myethos and it’s surprisingly affordable. Following her popularity as one of the standout characters in Arknights, the Orca waifu Skadi gets yet another release. This version, titled Wildlight Wander, appears to be inspired by a recent illustration from the CN server. It’s scheduled for release in November 2026, priced at 269 RMB.

This figure presents Skadi in a relaxed camping outfit, casually holding a fishing rod. It leans into a more sporty and laid-back look while still capturing her signature kuudere vibe. Whether it’s directly based on an upcoming CN skin or a standalone concept isn’t entirely clear, but it’s easily a strong addition for dedicated Skadi collectors.

With Chen 2nd Alter having been released not long ago, it wouldn’t be surprising if Skadi eventually receives a second Alter form as well, given her enduring popularity.

Genshin Impact Battle Valor Blindbox - Liyue Review

 Some random Genshin merchandise I picked up around April. While I no longer fully trust Mihoyo with Genshin’s future, I’m still willing to spend on series-related merchandise that I think is genuinely worthwhile. During a random visit to a local hobby exhibition, I managed to grab a few official Genshin blind boxes.

This particular blind box series is called Battle Valor, featuring SD-style figures of Genshin characters, roughly comparable to Nendoroid Petit figures. The ones I found were from the Liyue series, and I happened to pull my personal jackpot: Ganyu! As I’ve mentioned many times before, even if I’ve grown frustrated with Mihoyo, Ganyu remains one of my favorite gacha game waifus, despite how poorly I feel she has been handled by the company.

At its recommended retail price, I personally don’t think the Genshin Battle Valor series is worth the money. However, if you can find one for around $5 USD, it’s still a pretty nice addition to a Genshin collection.

SD Gundam: Psyco Salamander no Kyoui

 

Some random Gundam arcade game I used to play as a kid, one I recently rediscovered. This particular title from Banpresto turns out to be far more interesting than it first appears, especially for an early ’90s Gundam game.

SD Gundam: Psyco Salamander no Kyoui is a run-and-gun arcade shooter featuring the Gundam series in SD art style. It’s a two-player game starring the RX-78-2 Gundam and RXF-78-1, and it essentially serves as a crash course through the Universal Century timeline—from the One Year War all the way to Char's Counterattack.

Gameplay-wise, think Metal Slug but with Gundams. In fact, there’s a good argument that Metal Slug took cues from games like this. One clear similarity is how your mobile suit automatically switches to melee when enemies get too close, keeping the pace frantic and reactive.

Like most arcade games of its era, Psyco Salamander is a ruthless coin-eater. Still, it has a surprising amount of personality. It features a generous selection of MSV-era mecha, and the customization is wild for its time, you can have the RX-78-2 deploying Nu Gundam's Fin Funnel while wielding Double Zeta's Hyper Mega Cannon.

What really cements this game’s place in Gundam oddities is its final boss: the Psyco Salamander itself. The design is striking, arguably ahead of its time and you can almost see echoes of Sinanju in it, like a distant prototype or an alternate take on Neo Zeong.

If you’re a Gundam fan especially a younger one this game can be a genuinely eye-opening experience. I’ll wrap this up by leaving you with the Psyco Salamander lineart, see for yourself whether you can spot the Sinanju resemblance.

Toyseasy Super Alloy Warship God CV-17 Fuxi

 

Just when it seemed Toyseasy had wrapped up their Warship Combiner line, they’ve returned with a new addition, an aircraft carrier mecha. Named after the Chinese progenitor deity Fu Xi, This unit is positioned as a worthy counterpart to the previously released Shennong aircraft carrier combiner. The CV-17 Fuxi is scheduled for a Q3 2026 release at 999 RMB.

Tom & Jerry Frantic Antics (Gameboy)

 

One particular old Game Boy title from my childhood that I recently revisited, purely by coincidence. It’s not especially noteworthy by modern standards, but finally wrapping up some unfinished business from the past was genuinely satisfying.

Tom and Jerry: Frantic Antics on Game Boy is one of several video game adaptations tied to the Tom and Jerry: The Movie (1992 film), the rare entry where the eternal frenemies actually speak normally. As a millennial kid with a fairly typical upbringing, I remember watching the movie and later stumbling across this version of the game.

This iteration is very much a product of early ’90s design, a straightforward side-scrolling platformer where you guide Tom and Jerry through hazard-filled stages. With 10 levels loosely based on the film, Frantic Antics isn’t exactly a walk in the park. In fact, it can be surprisingly challenging even today, especially if you aim for full completion.

As far as Tom and Jerry games go, Frantic Antics is a decent representation of the IP, though it doesn’t quite deliver the same level of fun or polish as the PSX era title, which I might revisit and write about another time.

As for Tom and Jerry itself, it remains one of the Western cartoon classics I hold in high regard, largely thanks to childhood exposure. I’ve always had a soft spot for the era shaped by Chuck Jones, whose style and timing gave the series a distinct charm.

April May 2026 Loot

 

Another two months, another sumptuous banquet of loot. I might be acquiring a bit too much at this rate, but overall, it’s a very solid haul featuring a great variety across the low, mid, and high-end spectrums. I am particularly happy with this round because I managed to complete a couple of significant sets: namely, Fruity Robo and B-Daman Bakugaiden. I’m really looking forward to seeing Fruity Wargod and Saint Blaster fully assembled.

As expected, and in alignment with the interests I've shared on this blog, this haul is predominantly filled with mecha. It starts with the enormous model kits from Pino Flight and Huang Di, alongside the LOGH Brunhild ship model. Without a doubt, the crown jewels of this haul belong to the die-cast department, with Dragon Knight Renata being the most valuable piece of the lot. Furthermore, despite its poorly illustrated box art, the Chinese version of the Chogokin Sazabi FF is a surprisingly solid value; I would have considered getting the Bandai original if they didn't make the hurdles so much harder for overseas collectors. While I am not usually into "Designer" variants of Gundam figures, I decided to grab a copy of the Year of the Horse edition RX-78-2 for an extra luck boost—being a Horse zodiac myself who has to survive the trial of the Fire Horse year.

Surprisingly, the scale anime collectibles in this haul were pretty much an afterthought. Apart from Myethos Citlali, whose box I swapped with a cake box that worked out quite well due to badly damaged packaging, most were just random acquisitions. I got most of them from a local hobby store called Lichtshein, which runs an interesting gacha-based merchandise exchange that offers solid value for money. Through them, I scored some Genshin Impact collectibles and a figma Raphtalia at a great rate, and I wouldn't mind supporting their business again in the future if they keep offering such a good proposition.

Overall, this has been a very solid two months of hauls. It has greatly enhanced the variety of my collection while consolidating some major existing sets.

Genshin Impact Myethos 1/7 Skirk Festive Gathering PVC Figure

 
Despite often being overlooked, HoYoverse occasionally delivers unexpected surprises for Genshin Impact. The game’s merchandising side is usually somewhat disorganized, with even popular characters sometimes waiting years before receiving notable figures. However, out of nowhere, Skirk who debuted last year has already received a PVC figure. Produced by Myethos, the 1/7 scale figure titled “Festive Gathering” presents an alternate costume design and is scheduled for release in January 2027, priced at around 6,800 yen.

To be honest, very few Genshin Impact PVC figures fall under the 10,000 yen range, especially for highly popular characters. In that sense, Skirk’s figure is a pleasant surprise. Despite the relatively low price, the design still maintains a strong sense of elegance. She fits neatly into the same visual archetype as figures like Scáthach in her formal dress, refined, composed, and slightly distant in presence.

The last time something similar happened was with the release of the PVC figure for Citlali, and whether coincidental or not, it feels like Cryo characters are quietly receiving strong figure representation. Nevertheless, Cryo Supremacy is always welcomed!

Personally, I did obtain Skirk along with her signature weapon before eventually stepping away from Genshin Impact. While this figure is a welcome addition, it isn’t quite enough to draw me back into the game.

Ys vs Kiseki: Alternative Saga

 

The PSP era saw a surprising number of crossover party brawlers and fighting games, and Falcom joined the trend with its own mash-up between its two flagship series; Ys and Trails in Ys vs. Kiseki: Alternative Saga.

Released around the peak of Ys Seven, the project also served as a push to spotlight the Kiseki (Trails) series, which remains one of Falcom’s strongest JRPG pillars. The result is a 3D arena brawler that brings together characters from Ys and Trails in the Sky, running on a system clearly derived from Ys Seven’s engine and combat feel.

The roster on the Ys side is somewhat underwhelming. Much of it leans heavily on Ys Seven, with only a few unexpected inclusions like Chester from Ys III. As a small consolation, the twin goddesses Feena and Reah appear as support characters, complete with some striking artwork that adds a bit of charm for longtime fans.

By contrast, the Trails in the Sky side fares much better. Fan-favorite characters are fully realized in 3D for the first time, which at the time was a major draw. The inclusion of Lloyd, protagonist of Zero no Kiseki, as a playable character is another highlight that broadens the crossover appeal beyond just Sky.

Despite being a Japan-only release, Ys vs. Kiseki: Alternative Saga stands as a strong piece of fanservice for Falcom enthusiasts. Its recent re-release on modern platforms, including the Nintendo Switch, also raises some interesting questions—particularly whether it brings meaningful improvements or remains largely a preservation of the original experience.

Warhammer 40k Joytoy 1/18 Imperial Fist MkIII Breacher Squad Sergeant

 

Among my sizable Joytoy 40K collection, this is the first time I’m reviewing a Horus Heresy–related figure on an individual basis. Although the Imperial Fists have never particularly stood out to me, I somehow ended up with a fairly large collection from this First Founding chapter. From that lineup, I’ve decided to take a closer look at the Mk III Breacher Squad Sergeant from the Horus Heresy era.

By the time Joytoy began producing figures from the Horus Heresy setting, their overall product quality had noticeably improved. This Mk III Sergeant, in particular, has fewer playability issues, especially when it comes to swapping parts when compared to earlier releases. While it may appear to be one of the more generic Joytoy 40K figures at first glance, the Breacher Sergeant comes with a solid selection of weapon accessories, making it a good value for its price.

The Mk III Space Marine armor is one of the most iconic designs associated with the Horus Heresy period. Known for its reinforced plating, this armor pattern offers enhanced defensive capabilities at the cost of reduced mobility. Even so, it suits the Imperial Fists perfectly, given their specialization in siege warfare and fortified combat, particularly in their bitter rivalry with the Iron Warriors.

Nokia N-Gage Resident Evil Degeneration

 

Being one of Capcom’s blockbuster IPs, the Resident Evil series has always been on my radar. While I mostly experienced it from the sidelines, diving into its lore rather than fully playing through the main titles, I did spend time with a few of its spin-offs. One that stands out is Resident Evil: Degeneration on N-Gage 2.0, which I played on my Nokia N81 back in the late 2000s.

Resident Evil: Degeneration was developed by Capcom as a tie-in to the Resident Evil movie with same name. The game itself isn’t particularly remarkable; it follows a side mission of Leon S. Kennedy loosely based on the movie. But for its time, it offered something unusual: a 3D Resident Evil experience on a mobile device, which was still a novelty in that era.

By today’s standards, it’s easy to overlook a game like this, especially given how far smartphone technology has come. But Resident Evil: Degeneration represents something more than its gameplay, it stands as a small yet meaningful milestone in the early evolution of mobile gaming.

It may be just a speck of dust within the larger Resident Evil canon, but it occupies a unique place in a transitional moment, when mobile phones were just beginning to blur the line between casual devices and legitimate gaming platforms.

SRW OG Riobot Huckebein Mk-III w/ AM Gunner & Boxer Unit

 

A surprise release from Sentinel, seemingly out of nowhere. It almost feels like a bit of one-upmanship with Bandai: the previously released Huckebein Mk. III plastic model is now getting the full-fledged Riobot action figure treatment. Not stopping there, this final iteration of the Vanishing Trooper is also being accompanied by the AM Gunner and Boxer Unit. Scheduled across November 2026 to January 2027, the Huckebein Mk. III lineup comes with the following price tags:

Riobot Huckebein Mk. III – November 2026 – 22,000 yen
Riobot Boxer Unit – December 2026 – 25,000 yen
Riobot AM Gunner – January 2027 – 27,000 yen

There’s no doubt this is shaping up to be Sentinel’s most expensive Super Robot Wars offering so far. Going all-in for the complete set totals 74,000 yen, surpassing even the 65,000 yen Riobot SRX. Still, this could very well be the definitive rendition of the Huckebein Mk. III, with product quality that should easily outclass the original model kit.

Interestingly, this release strategy from Sentinel gives some room for optimism. It opens up the possibility that previously Super Minipla–exclusive Super Robot Wars OG designs might also receive the Riobot treatment. Personally, I’ve got my eyes on Astranagant and Hyperion.

Trails in the Sky Revoltech Estelle Bright

 

 Kaiyodo has been especially active with its anime portfolio lately through the Revoltech lineup. Not long after Adol Christin from Ys joined the series, Estelle Bright, the main heroine of Trails in the Sky, quickly followed reuniting the Ys vs. Kiseki duo once again. Scheduled for release in December 2026, Revoltech Estelle Bright will retail for 11,000 yen.

This Revoltech release clearly coincides with renewed attention on Trails in the Sky, especially with Good Smile Company also contributing its share of merchandise. While the accessories are largely similar to her Nendoroid counterpart, it’s worth noting that this marks Estelle’s first 1/12 scale action figure—long overdue for the lead heroine of one of Nihon Falcom’s most beloved JRPG series. There’s also a good chance that Joshua Bright will follow to accompany her.

I’ve been wanting to get back into the Trails series myself, but with a growing backlog, I still need to figure out where I can fit the time in.

Ace Combat 4: The Shattered Skies

More than 15 years after my last time with the series, I finally returned to its modern roots through Ace Combat 4: The Shattered Skies. My earlier experience came from the PSP entries, Ace Combat X: Skies of Deception and Ace Combat: Joint Assault, both of which were highly enjoyable. Coming from those later iterations, Ace Combat 4 doesn’t offer as much in terms of gameplay depth. Still, that shortcoming matters less when the game serves as the origin story of one of the series’ most iconic pilots: Mobius One.

Cang Toys Trans Age TA-HCZ002 Bergion Axeetle

 

I forgot to follow up on my Trans Age coverage earlier this year, but the second entry in the trilogy is actually my favorite. Meet Bergion Axeetle, a stag beetle–inspired transforming mecha. Released in Q3 2025, it originally retailed for 179 RMB.

What immediately stands out about Bergion Axeetle is its tank-like presence despite being a medium-sized unit. Equipped with a large axe and a multifunctional shoulder shield, it offers a surprising amount of versatility. The shield alone can be configured in multiple ways, giving it more depth than it initially lets on. Compared to Blacanidae and Swordion, Axeetle is easily the most durable of the trio, firmly positioning it as the team’s defender.

Another reason Axeetle appeals to me is how well it pairs with 52TOYS’ mechanical beetle line. It essentially feels like a larger, more articulated “evolved” version, almost echoing the dynamic of Soundwave and his cassette minions. With Blacanidae already getting a reissue, I’m hopeful Axeetle will follow suit soon.