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For years, fans of video game–inspired action figures had limited options. A handful of characters here and there, often lacking in accuracy or articulation, left collectors wishing for more. That all changed when SH Figuarts, Hasbro, Storm Collectibles, and Jada Toys stepped into the arena. What some fans call the Gamerverse Wars has sparked a creative arms race, pushing each company to refine its approach and deliver better figures than ever before. Marvel vs. Capcom: Premium vs. Accessible On the Marvel side, SH Figuarts and Hasbro have carved out their own visions of what collectors want. SH Figuarts leans into premium craftsmanship, with sharp sculpts, game-accurate detail, and articulation that makes dynamic fight poses come alive. Hasbro, meanwhile, has doubled down on accessibility — expanding rosters through its Marvel Legends line, improving sculpting and paint over the years, and giving collectors a wide variety of characters at a far more affordable price point. Instead of clashing directly, the two lines have sharpened each other’s strengths. Figuarts has set the bar for premium standards, while Hasbro has proven that mass-market releases can still thrill hardcore fans. Collectors benefit by having both options — whether you want to build out a massive Marvel vs. Capcom display or showcase a few high-end pieces. Street Fighter: Titans vs. Newcomers The Street Fighter lines have turned into an equally fascinating duel. Storm Collectibles established itself as the premium home for fighting game fans, with oversized, muscular sculpts and an abundance of accessories — from alternate heads to wild effect parts. Their figures feel like deluxe display pieces built for seasoned collectors. Enter Jada Toys, the surprising new challenger, which has quickly gained momentum with affordable, highly articulated figures that capture the energy of the franchise without breaking the bank. Storm continues to serve the diehards who want massive figures with presence, while Jada has opened the door for new collectors to join in. The result? A hobby space where you can have both — a centerpiece Ryu from Storm and a full playable roster from Jada — depending on your budget and collecting style. Competition Makes Everyone Better What makes the Gamerverse wars so exciting is that competition has elevated every company involved. SH Figuarts has tightened its game on accuracy and posing. Hasbro has expanded its offerings and improved sculpt quality to stay competitive. Storm keeps delivering fan-favorite fighters with deluxe builds, while Jada pushes boundaries on what a $25 figure can achieve. Each brand fills its own niche, meaning collectors aren’t stuck with a single version of their favorite characters. Collectors Are the Real Winners In the end, the Gamerverse wars don’t have a single victor. Instead, the rivalry ensures that fans win across the board. Whether you prefer premium imports, mass-market variety, oversized display pieces, or affordable entry points, the choices have never been better. For Marvel vs. Capcom and Street Fighter fans alike, this is a golden age of collecting — where your shelves can showcase both high-end works of art and budget-friendly fighters ready for battle. At New Meta, we celebrate that spirit of choice. From Hasbro to SH Figuarts, Storm to Jada, our mission is to connect collectors with the figures that mean the most to them. Because when companies push each other to be better, the entire community thrives.

  I’ve been collecting superhero figures for two and a half years and in that time, I have managed to find my way into collecting a wide assortment of characters. These include Marvel, DC, Masters of the Universe, Power Rangers, GI Joe, Star Wars, Gargoyle’s, Thundercats, Silverhawks, Ninja Turtles, and most recently Mythic Legions. Being a participant in that many lines will eat a hole in your wallet quickly! It can be daunting trying to figure out what to collect. Prices and functionality can vary greatly. And character accuracy can be elusive. How many articulation points are needed? And will there be a better version coming sooner than I can say “Spider-Man”?! Fortunately, I’ve found an array of figure review channels on YouTube to help sort it all out (and they share my zeal for collecting!) It’s a fun community to be a part of, after all, the characters we collect have a rich history in print media and television and most definitely pluck at our nostalgia heartstrings! I’m drawn to presenters who know the source material; they’re honest and constructive with their criticisms; ideally, they cover several lines; and most importantly they make their presentations fun and engaging. They take into consideration the points of articulation, accurate paint application, the body mold used for the figure (is it outdated), the number and usefulness of accessories, and price. I don’t intend to rank them with the exception that my favorite five channels will be listed at the end. I want to promote the remainder of my favorites first so that you’ll make sure and give them all a visit! Hopefully you will find them as helpful as I do and have a few laughs along the way!-OGI Universe-DC Multiverse Collector -Pearlescent Toys-Asoka the Geek-Xmanny87-Dan Who? Reviews-Toy Bro-Analog Toys-Pixel Dan Top 51. 5POA Figure Reviews2. Toy Shiz3. Brad The DC Universe Geek4. MCUcollector245. ShartimusPrime

San Diego Comic-Con 2025 delivered a stacked lineup from Hasbro across all major lines — Marvel, Star Wars, Transformers, and G.I. Joe. From animated revivals to cross-brand collabs, collectors were hit with wave after wave of reveals, exclusives, and pre-order chaos. Here’s a full breakdown of the most talked-about drops, including some hidden gems you’ll want to track before they disappear. Marvel Legends – X-Men ’97 Takes Center Stage Hasbro leaned hard into the X-Men ’97 hype, revealing a full wave of figures featuring updated sculpts and animated styling. Standouts include: Logan, Jubilee, Morph, Sunspot, Emma Frost, and Cable Comic-style packaging and bright, retro color palettes Pre-orders went live during the con and are expected to ship this fall Collectors praised the wave for blending nostalgia with fresh articulation and show accuracy. Transformers x Hot Wheels – Unexpected & Awesome Mattel and Hasbro’s ongoing crossover gave us SDCC exclusives like: Bone Shaker Prime and Twin Mill Soundwave, turning classic Hot Wheels cars into fully poseable Transformers Limited quantities dropped on July 26 through Pulse These were sleeper hits — and sold out fast. G.I. Joe Classified – Deep Cuts & Fan Favorites The Classified Series expanded with new characters and troop-builder sets that scratched multiple collector itches: Sci-Fi, Mainframe, Wet-Suit, and Grim Viper Cobra Desert Scorpion with SKRP10N drone Steel Corps Sentry & Modular Defense Post (Hasbro Pulse exclusive) As always, Hasbro brought army-builder energy and ARAH nostalgia to the booth. Star Wars: The Black Series – Clone Wars, OT, and Disney+ Unite The Black Series had something for every corner of the galaxy. Highlights included: Asajj Ventress (Bounty Hunter) – Her post-Sith look from The Clone Wars, with dual red lightsabers and a new helmet sculpt. A long-awaited update for fans of the EU and animation canon. Jango Fett – New sculpt, removable helmet, and blaster accessories The Stranger (Qimir) from The Acolyte Darth Vader & Luke Skywalker 2-pack from Empire Strikes Back Anakin Skywalker & Clone Captain Rex – A Pulse exclusive deluxe set Qimir, in particular, generated major buzz as he's never made it to plastic form — making him one of SDCC’s most in-demand pre-orders. Final Thoughts Hasbro showed up strong across every fandom this year, but the Black Series and Marvel Legends waves arguably stole the spotlight. From long-requested characters like Ventress to modern reinventions like X-Men ’97, SDCC 2025 reminded us why this event still sets the tone for collectors the rest of the year. Want to grab what you missed? We’re tracking restocks, late drops, and post-con listings — follow New Meta for updates and exclusive availability alerts.