Review – Robocop Classic Video Game Action Figure

Constructed from the Spring-Loaded Holster version of NECA’s Robocop action figure (review here), this shiny blue Classic Video Game Robocop* is a simple — but still fun! — variant that works as a mint-in-sealed-box collectible for anyone who wants to display the vintage NES-style packaging. It’s more fun open, but I know not everyone opens their toys . . . for shame!

Packaging

The box — designed to look like a video game box from the eighties — looks great. The NES-style NECA seal on the front is a great touch, as is the eighties-like “Reel Toys” logo and the false weathering and shelf wear. Yes, it is a very nice package design. I opened my toy, though, and tossed the box. There’s just not enough space in my life to keep every box.

Repaint!

As I’ve mentioned, the Classic Video Game Robocop* action figure is just a repaint of an earlier Robocop toy — Robocop with Spring-Loaded Holster (review here) — so we’ve already seen the toy once before. Don’t miss that earlier review to know about the basics of the mold; this review’s dealing with the shiny blue paint and heavy, high-contrast paint apps that are designed to make the toy look semi-digitized.

My favorite points of the paint scheme include:

• Heavy blacks on the face and body that minimize the more realistic features of the sculpt and help stylize the toy’s design.
  
• The false highlights; the paint itself creates hot spots and shadows in the coloring. Fun!
  
• Shiny, metallic blue. Hey, I’m a sucker for shiny objects.

Stiff Joints

I’m not sure if it’s excessive paint at work, but something’s making this Classic Video Game Robocop* action figure really tight in the joints department, with every single joint on the toy resisting movement on the first few twists, bends, pulls, and turns. The hands were especially tight, and at one point when posing the toy it felt as if the plastic was going to twist instead of the joint.

All I can suggest — if your Classic Video Game Robocop* action figure has the same joint issues mine did — is to go very slow and work each joint carefully. After about fifteen minutes of posing and working at the joints my toy is usable without too much fear of self-destruction when posing it, but take it easy the first few times so that no one runs home in tears with a broken toy.

Closing Thoughts

A great repaint of a fun toy, the Classic Video Game Robocop* action figure is just one more example of a toy company getting very creative with their tooling and offering us something new. And adding this to my collection bring the total number of NECA-crafted Robocop action figures on my shelf to four — Battle Damaged Robocop review here, Night Fighter Robocop, Robocop with Spring-Loaded Holster review here — which you would think means I’m done with NECA Robocop action figures.

Not true! If the company comes up with another neat repaint or retool on the basic mold then I’m in. And offering to buy what would effectively be the same toy a fifth time is the best was I can think of to illustrate that I’m happy with the work.

So bring it on, NECA! Get another fun design on the market and I’m ready to add it to my shelf.