Toy Bender

McFarlane Toys revealed this last week (or so) their version of the Arbiter from the mega popular, sweet ass, you should be dead if you haven’t heard of it yet, Halo 3.

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Just when I start dipping into my crappy emergency posts for something… anything for you guys, I find out that McFarlane toys has a new Halo figure update. Sweet.For their Collector’s Club exclusive figure, they’ve got an exclusive “camouflaged” Spartan in EVA armor:

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Very disappointed in this announcement.

I’ve recently gotten a fair amount of traffic from an XBox 360 fan site in reference to an old Halo toy article I wrote awhile back. One comment in particular bothered me and since I couldn’t figure out for the life of me how to leave a response, I decided to leave it here on Toy Bender.

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Hardcore Halo fans and anyone interested in things that are awesome no doubt will want to pick up every single variation of McFalane’s upcoming Halo 3 series of figure. If you are one of these people then you’ll have to head on over to video game retailer (and secondary home to many greasy, pimply faced 13 year olds) GameStop, and get your exclusive Steel Spartan in Close Quarter Battle armor in March of 2008.

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I realize that in this day and age or instant electronic gratification that I may be a tad late with this, but just in case you haven’t seen the newest Halo figure reveals, Mr. McFarlane and crew have decided to rock your world yet again. They’ve released new pictures of their sweet, not yet released, Halo series. This time, they threw in a few pics of the alternate Spartan armor that you can unlock in Halo 3. (click on pics to make them bigger)

Do you ever get attached to a certain character model in a videogame when you play as that character over and over? If you do, then you’ll know what I’m talking about when I say that the above Spartan is me and that’s whose killing you on Live if you really suck. If you don’t, then that’s me you’re killing and frustrating the hell out of. This white version is a unnamed retailer exclusive, while the red version (below) will be available at all retailers selling McFarlane Halo toys.

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The McFarlane Halo 3 toy blitz continues. Bungie.net, the maker of Halo 3’s own website, has posted a ton of cool Halo 3 toy pictures, of which I swiped. Thanks Bungie, you guys rule. If you want to go to the site to check them out please do, because they’ve got some pictures of the Halo 3 statues that I won’t be posting on ToyBender. (As always, click on the pictures to make them bigger)

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When I wrote my last post about G4’s Halo offerings, I hadn’t realized that it was a massive release of Halo toy images, so sorry about the multiple posts. This time IGN got some of the exclusive Halo toy action. Be sure to visit them to see the rest of the pics. (Make the pics larger by clicking on them, duh)

Here’s the Ghost:

Looks sweet, but too bad there’s no dudes to put in it… yet.

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G4, the gaming television network that really doesn’t do a lot of gaming stuff anymore, got some exclusive pictures of one of Todd McFarlane’s Halo 3 action figures series. It’s for the Grunt two pack. Let’s give credit to McFarlane, it’s one of the few times that the Grunt has looked really cool. In the spirit of the internet, I swiped the pics. (Click on them to make them larger if you so choose.)

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Millionaire collector of fantastic balls and nerd dream maker, Todd McFarlane had one fine showing at the 2007 San Diego Comic-Con. While the McFarlane Toys booth might not have been the flashiest, the display cases brought plenty of Teh Awesome to the show.

First off, let me please my core audience (basically myself) and show off what Todd had to offer in the way of Halo toys. Here’s a prototype of Master Chief himself:

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All the pieces are falling into place for Halo fans. First JoyRide studios folds, then McFarlane toys announces that it will be making Halo figures, Master Replicas starts making Halo merch, and now there is a sneak peak at the new Halo 3 figures from McFarlane.

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I found a rather interesting press release from Corgi International over on Toys News International having to do with a structural announcement and brand license acquisitions, here’s the most interesting nugget:

- A partnership with Microsoft to bring the exciting and interactive world of Microsoft’s “Halo�? franchise to life with stunning 3-D merchandise, in conjunction with the highly-anticipated release of “Halo 3�? later this year.

I have a Toy Psychic prediction. Very shortly you will see an announcement that Master Replicas will be making high end Halo collectibles. Why you ask? Well, Corgi owns Master Replicas and after losing their Star Wars license, they’d be utter fools not to cash in on the Halo franchise.

Annnnnnd my prediction has come true. Amazing isn’t it?

So here’s my wish list for Master Replicas Halo merch:

1. Full Size replica assault rifle
2. Full size Spartan Helmet
3. Full size ODST Helmet
4. “Studio Scale” Warthog

What would you like to see coming from a Master Replica Halo line up?

toy, toy collecting, action figure, Master Chief, Halo, Xbox, Corgi, Master Replicas

It was only a few weeks ago when I asked the question of just who might make toys based off of the upcoming Halo 3 after I learned that JoyRide Studios had been shut down. Now my friends, we have an answer!

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I was running through my bookmarks the other day snooping around for toy news when I discovered that the website for Joyride Studious is gone. In its place was the website for Johnny Lightning. Joyride was mostly known for its Halo toy license and over the years it produced some pretty good, if not bordering on awesome, Halo toys.

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I have to thank Shawn at Digital Monkey Box (yes this is a little bit of shameless self promotion), because he informed me of some mighty cool news that I completely missed last week! I guess I can’t be perfect all of the time…

It seems that a company named Jasman Toys is going to make a Halo themed laser tag assortment. They plan on making the Covenant’s Plasma Rifle, Plasma Pistol and most exciting of all, the Energy Sword. Sword laser tag? Now that’s crazy cool. I’m thinking that a sticky grenade would make a fine addition to the laser tag game as well.

Here’s the offical press release:

Jasman Toys Announces Halo 3 Licensing Agreement With Microsoft and Bungie

Toy manufacturer Jasman to produce licensed Halo 3 Laser Command laser tag game targeted to fans of the popular franchise

SAN DIEGO, Feb. 22 /PRNewswire/ — Jasman Toys, a growing toy designer and manufacturer announces a new licensing partnership with Microsoft Corporation and Bungie Studios. Under the agreement, Jasman will produce a line of Halo 3(TM) Laser Command products. Highlighting the line is a laser tag-style set that features an infrared-light laser gun and sensors. Targeted to core Halo fans, Jasman’s Halo 3 Laser Command products will be available later in 2007.

“We are extremely excited to announce this licensing partnership with Microsoft,” said Brian Bonnett, executive vice president of Jasman Toys. “The Halo franchise is one of the most-recognized brands in the industry; the anticipation surrounding Halo 3 and our innovative product should prove to be extremely successful for Jasman and Microsoft.”

Jasman’s Halo 3 Laser Command builds on the success of the most sought-after video game brand with an exciting laser tag-style game. With the upcoming release of Halo 3, this is a must-have product for any Halo fan. Weapons will include the Covenant’s Plasma Rifle, Plasma Pistol and Energy Sword. These alien laser weapons emit a harmless infrared beam and sensors are worn by players to register hits. Engage in capture the flag, team battles, free-for-alls … the possibilities for gameplay are endless!

Links: Jasman Toys company website.

Toy, toy collecting, videogame, XBox 360, Microsoft, Bungie, Master Cheif, sword, laser tag, Jasman Games

If you’re a Halo fan and need an excuse to play with some Halo toys, WizKids has got the answer for you. The gaming company is releasing a Halo tabletop miniatures game in the style of Heroclix. There aren’t too many details released so far, but a few of the main differences between this game and Heroclix are some game mechanics that include weapon swaps, figure respawning, and most importantly the addition of vehicular combat. These additions to the gameplay will definitely make it feel more like the videogame, but I’m not too sure if that’s something I’d want in a table top game. Time will tell how these rules work out in a gaming session.

Please note that the little Master Chief in the picture is for size reference only and he’s not striking a Jesus Christ pose or in the middle of a jumping jack.

I’m wondering how these figures will be able to fit into the vehicles considering if it is a true “clix” type figure, then they will have bases. I guess we’ll just have to wait and see as details trickle in. However, the most tantalizing detail so far is:

A number of vehicle packs are also being produced, including a big surprise planned for San Diego Comic-Con this July.

If any of the Heroclix or Mech Warrior convention exclusives are any indicator, then this might be a pretty big vehicle. Could it be a Scorpion or Wraith tank? My guess is it’s going to be bigger than that. How about a Pelican drop-ship? That’s what I’d guess would be a “big” surprise. I’m hoping to make it to the San Diego Comic-Con, so you’ll hear whatever it may be as soon as I find out.

toys, toy collecting, table top gaming, war gaming, Halo Actionclix, Heroclix, Halo