King A'Da Koopas

So, this is a thing!  Jakks Pacific started making these "World of Nintendo" sets with teeny tiny Mario figures that go with these little mini-world playsets of Super Mario levels.  I am staying away from them for reasons.  You know, I buy one set, I'll get 'em all.  This, however, is different!  It's in the same World of Nintendo line, but they're regular action figures.  As you can see...they've made a Bowser!

This Bowser is part of a larger set of two (for now), the other being Donkey Kong.  Down at the bottom you can see a list of upcoming (and already sighted at Targets) figures in a 4 inch scale, so you can be sure Bowser will be much larger than them!  I haven't found them, so all I've got is the S.H. Figuarts version of Mario to go with him....but MAN does he go with him!

I think that sums it up, but lets talk about the figure!  He's touted with having 9 points of articulation.

They give you an idea here, you know: arms move, legs move, etc.  They also tell you that the head moves, or....I assume that's what that first bubble is telling you.  It just DOESN'T.  I have tried turning the head within reason, and it just feels like it's gona break the main body.  A turning head would add a lot more to this guy, but it's not a deal breaker.  Still....they shoulda just put that sucker on a ball joint.

Speaking of ball joints: they should have used those more!  The shoulders and hips are on ball-and-disc type joints, which doesn't give you as much movement as a ball joint.  The legs do what you want, but the arms could have used some ball joints to let them move a bit more.  As they are: one is meant to be moved in higher positions, so it won't go down far.  The other is meant for lower positions, so it's the one that has the most personality.  Also, the wrists do allow the hands to move up and down - which is cool - but they don't turn!  Why?  They're on posts...but the posts aren't molded to turn.  There's literally no reason to do that.  Not a one.  Instead of making the pegs that insert into the wrists square, just make them round!  Then the wrists turn!  Come on guys, look at some other toys!

ADDENDUM:
The wrists DO move!  They're just really, really, REALLY tight.  When you turn them side to side, it feels like they're hitting a stopping point (like the wrist pegs are square) but they certainly turn.  I'd still be careful when doing so, and maybe run some hot water over it before turning.
ADDENDUM END

But hey, let me close up shop on the complaint department.  They could have done more, yes, but what's there works well enough!  As you can see, he just looks fantastic with Mario - and here's the best part - he's HUGE AND CHEAP!  This guy was Fifteen Dollars!  When I saw him I thought he was at least 20, maybe 25.  This guy is totally worth it at 15 - not even a question.  

You really feel it when you lift the figure, too.  The heft is what made me think it would be expensive!  I'm serious man - don't throw this at anyone!  If it meets a face shell-first then someone is losing an eye.  On the other hand, if he does get tossed, he'll probably  survive!  When you shake him, you can hear the arms and legs rattle, but not in a bad way.  He really feels like he'll hold up to rough play, and that makes me happy!  You know how long I've been waiting for a REAL toy of Mario characters?  This is THE Bowser I would have loved!

Now, he isn't going to make all the collectors happy.  There are some paint errors on the face and on the spikes, so you'll probably wana watch out for that.  But hey, I'm a toy fan.  This is a toy!  And that's awesome.  Super Mario Bros (and various Nintendo properties) deserve some real down-and-dirty toys for play.  Don't get me wrong - I love the Figuarts Mario!  That's the collector in me.  This Bowser, though?  This is for the kid in me! 

If you're any sort of Mario fan, then I see no reason to pass this up.  I mean fifteen bucks, man!  Pick this one up, no question.