Max Factory Figma Link Review

HEY!  LISTEN!  Nintendo fans rejoice!  We finally have a hyper-articulated version of Link!  Sure, it’s the Skyward Sword version (I wanted Ocarina of Time), but it’s LINK!  Max Factory has finally delivered another character from the mind of Shigeru Miyamoto in their epic Figma line, and they couldn’t have chosen better.  (As always, click the pictures for a larger version.)

What’s a Link figure without his signature yelling face?  Of course the Figma has got that, as well as a regular, more tame face for when Link’s spitting some game at Zelda instead of fending off Octorocs.  Both of the included faces seem to be extremely accurate to the in-game Skyward Sword model, and although there are only two, I haven’t had too much trouble conveying any different expressions with Link.  The articulation in the head seems to be excellent, as it’s on an unrestricted ball-joint.  The back section of Link’s cap is also able to be swiveled around for different poses.  I was honestly a bit skeptical when we first heard about this feature as I figured it’d look natural in one pose, and distorted and weird in others, much like bicep swivels can sometimes be.  Nope.  I was wrong.  It looks great in every pose.

Link’s shoulders are honestly a bit iffy.  While the joints feel very good and they look great, I think Max Factory sacrificed a little articulation in this area to keep the look a little more flush in the tunic.  This doesn’t detract from the figure at all, in fact I think it’s a plus.  The bicep swivel in the elbow picks up some of the slack and the great Figma hand articulation does wonders.  If I’ve got you worried here, don’t be, it’s just something worth noting that you’re not gonna get all Kamen Rider on the shoulders with this guy.  Along with the swivel, the elbow articulation is the standard Figma joint, and it gives Link the ability to do a ton of dynamic poses with the Master Sword.

Link’s overall aesthetic in the torso and abdomen is absolutely mind blowing.  The chest looks like it’s almost the same type of soft, movable rubber that the skirted part of the tunic is made up of, I had to feel it to make sure it wasn’t.  There’s a swivel on the waist, and as stated before the lower part of the tunic is a soft rubber.  I initially was kind of worried that it might restrict leg movement, but it’s loose and stretchable enough to allow dynamic poses while still retaining the ridiculous accuracy.  I’d say I’m surprised, but even I’ve come to expect this type of quality from Figmas.  The sword sheath with the sword and shield are also able to be pegged to Link’s back.

I kind of covered it up above, but Link’s hips are ball-jointed and allow for some great movement every which way.  Again to reiterate, the soft rubber tunic does not get in the way of articulation from what I can tell, it just gives Link an even more natural look.  The knees have use the signature Figma joints, and much like the elbows they provide some excellent hinge movement, while also giving a swivel movement at the boot.

The ankles are articulated in the ways you’d expect, but I do wish Link had a bit more flexibility when rocking the ankles to the side.  Maybe I’m just paranoid about breaking mine, but I had some issues getting them to budge past a certain point.

The accessories seem to be the catch 22 of Figma Link.  While what’s included is damn amazing, there could have been so much more to them.  Of course Link’s Hylian shield, Master Sword and sheath look amazing, but what about Link’s other contraptions?  I’d kill for a slingshot or bow.  I think Max Factory could make an absolute killing down the line if they just put out an accessory pack for this guy.  One thing to note is that the sword does not split into two pieces to make it easier to get in Link’s hand.  Don’t even try it!

Other than the main accessories Link comes with, it includes a Figma stand (along with 2 adapters to help get around the blockage the shield can have on the stand port), two faces, two different hair styles, five pairs of hands, and an effect part for the sword.  While everything works fairly well, I found that the effect part’s added weight tended to get the sword to fall one side or the other occasionally.  Nothing too drastic, just worth noting.

Overall Figma Link is something any toy collector should own.  Sure he’s got some very minor shortcomings, but they’re easily kicked to the wayside with how rest of the figure looks.  Plus there’s the little fact that IT’S LINK!  Seriously, I’m amazed you’ve gotten this far in the review.  Just go buy the damn thing while you can.