Video games collectible figures

Characters from the greatest video game franchises

Video game collectible figures cover a wide range of genres and several generations of consoles. Adventure games, RPGs, fighting games, FPS titles, retro franchises and contemporary releases: manufacturers draw inspiration from the original character designs as well as their armour, alternate costumes, weapons and memorable scenes.

This diversity makes it possible to bring together heroes from very different worlds within the same collection. Some collectors focus on the major historic video game franchises, while others look for pieces dedicated to recent titles, independent games or video game adaptations of franchises originating in movies and comics.

First 4 Figures: from PVC figures to limited-edition resin statues

First 4 Figures mainly produces static figures and statues dedicated to major video game franchises. Its catalogue covers a wide range of products, from more affordable PVC models to imposing high-end resin statues, often released as limited or exclusive editions.

The manufacturer places particular emphasis on historic franchises and characters that have influenced several generations of gamers. Nintendo's The Legend of Zelda and Sega's Sonic the Hedgehog are among its flagship licences. Link, Zelda, Sonic, Tails, Knuckles and Shadow are represented through pieces available in a variety of formats and levels of finish.

First 4 Figures statues also stand out for their elaborate bases, poses inspired by artwork or scenes from the games and, depending on the edition, integrated lighting effects. This variety makes it possible to start a collection with a PVC figure before moving on to a larger resin piece.

PureArts: statues, busts, dioramas and articulated figures

PureArts focuses more on recent or still highly active franchises such as Assassin’s Creed, League of Legends and The Witcher. These collections are developed under separate official licences granted respectively by Ubisoft, Riot Games and CD PROJEKT RED.

PureArts offers static PVC figures, high-end resin statues, busts, replicas and dioramas depicting memorable characters or scenes. Some compositions combine several figures to create a larger display environment.

The manufacturer also produces articulated 1/6 scale figures. These models combine articulated bodies, fabric clothing, weapons, interchangeable accessories and detailed sculpts. Characters such as Geralt, Ciri and Desmond Miles can therefore be displayed in a variety of poses alongside static statues from the same franchise.

S.H.Figuarts: cult video game franchises in articulated form

S.H.Figuarts figures by Bandai Tamashii Nations appeal to collectors looking for compact, highly poseable models supplied with accessories. Their articulation systems make it possible to recreate attacks, fighting stances and movements directly inspired by the games.

The line has explored several historic franchises including Super Mario, Street Fighter and Tekken. Mario, Luigi, Bowser, Ryu, Chun-Li, Ken and King can therefore be displayed in poses characteristic of their video game appearances.

Bandai Tamashii Nations also offers a Marvel Gamerverse line inspired by the visual style of Marvel video games from the 1990s. It features characters such as Spider-Man, Wolverine and Cyclops in designs reminiscent of the major Marvel fighting games from that era.

Figma: articulation and refined finishes across a wide variety of worlds

Associated with Max Factory and Good Smile Company, the Figma line offers articulated figures with high-quality finishes. Their compact format, smooth articulation and numerous accessories make it possible to recreate a variety of scenes without compromising the proportions or overall appearance of the characters.

The selection of licences is particularly varied, ranging from the adventures of The Legend of Zelda and the battles of DOOM to the worlds of Elden Ring and the stealth missions of Metal Gear Solid.

Figma figures generally include interchangeable faces, hands, weapons and other parts. An articulated display stand is also supplied to support characters in dynamic, airborne or otherwise difficult-to-maintain poses.

Hot Toys: franchises at the crossroads of video games, comics and cinema

Hot Toys mainly focuses on video games belonging to franchises that are already well established in comics or cinema. The manufacturer therefore produces 1/6 scale figures from crossover franchises whose different adaptations span several forms of media.

The world of Batman: Arkham Knight is a good example of this approach. The game draws on DC Comics characters and themes while developing its own interpretations of Batman, Arkham Knight, Harley Quinn and Nightwing. Hot Toys translates these video game designs into detailed figures featuring costumes, armour, accessories and articulated bodies.

The manufacturer also explores video game interpretations of Star Wars, notably with characters and soldiers from titles such as Star Wars: Battlefront and Star Wars Jedi: Survivor. These models complement collections inspired by the movies and series while exploring other aspects of the Star Wars galaxy.

How to build a video game figure collection

Building a collection of video game figures can begin with a favourite franchise, a memorable character or a particular type of collectible. PVC figures from First 4 Figures and PureArts provide an accessible way to start with static pieces, while their resin statues are aimed at collectors looking for larger display pieces.

S.H.Figuarts and Figma are particularly well suited to collectors who enjoy dynamic poses and display setups. Their compact size makes it easier to combine several characters even when display space is limited. The articulated 1/6 scale figures from PureArts and Hot Toys offer a more imposing presence and can become centrepieces of a collection.

By combining different brands, materials and scales, collectors can create a varied display spanning several generations of video games. Historic franchises such as The Legend of Zelda, Sonic, Super Mario and Street Fighter can therefore be displayed alongside more recent worlds such as Elden Ring, League of Legends, Assassin’s Creed and The Witcher.