Collector’s Entry Guide: Which Toy Lines Are Easy—and Which Ones Make You Hustle | By: David Gibbens

Thinking of starting a new toy line? Here's what you're really signing up for.

Collecting is supposed to be fun—but sometimes it feels more like a quest. Between exclusives, price jumps, and the dreaded “Sold Out” screen, some lines are a breeze while others test your patience (and budget). We’ve scored the top lines we carry at New Meta to help you pick your next collecting adventure wisely.

Scorecard Categories (out of 25 total):

Availability Online
Availability In-Store
Average Retail Price
Ease of Completing Waves or Core Characters
Secondary Market Costs (what you’ll pay if you miss a figure)

Bandai (Dragon Stars, SH Figuarts, Gundam Universe) – 22/25

Online: ★★★★★
In-Store: ★★★☆☆
Retail Price: ★★★★☆
Wave Completion: ★★★★☆
Secondary Market: ★★★★☆
Verdict: Deep lineup, flexible budget, and accessible entry points.
Bandai offers one of the most diverse collecting ecosystems out there. From beginner-friendly Dragon Stars to premium SH Figuarts, there’s something for every level. Most figures stay available for a while, and even older releases don’t spike too badly—unless you’re hunting rare Figuarts. Combine that with Gundam Universe’s display-ready mechs, and you’ve got a solid, low-stress collecting experience.

WWE (Mattel Elite / Ultimate) – 23/25

Online: ★★★★★
In-Store: ★★★★☆
Retail Price: ★★★★☆
Wave Completion: ★★★★★
Secondary Market: ★★★☆☆
Verdict: A collector’s dream—if you stay current.
Mattel’s WWE line is one of the most robust and accessible action figure lines in the game. You can find Elites at major retailers, online shops, and even grocery stores. The Ultimate line adds premium articulation and accessories at a higher price point, but both lines are generally well-stocked. Just watch out for Legends or event exclusives—they can jump fast on the secondary market.

Masterverse (MOTU) – 21/25

Online: ★★★★☆
In-Store: ★★★☆☆
Retail Price: ★★★★★
Wave Completion: ★★★★☆
Secondary Market: ★★★☆☆
Verdict: A solid line with room to grow.
Masterverse is a love letter to MOTU fans, combining classic characters with modern designs and articulation. Prices are fair and packaging is collector-friendly, but in-store stock can be hit or miss depending on the wave. Most releases are easy to grab if you act fast, though some deeper cuts or deluxe figures can spike in price.

McFarlane DC Multiverse – 22/25

Online: ★★★★★
In-Store: ★★★★☆
Retail Price: ★★★★★
Wave Completion: ★★★☆☆
Secondary Market: ★★★☆☆
Verdict: Affordable, widely available, and constantly growing.
If you want to dive into superhero collecting without breaking the bank, McFarlane's DC Multiverse is the spot. Tons of characters, bold sculpts, and great articulation at a great price. But McFarlane’s rapid-fire release schedule and exclusive variants can make it tricky to build a full team—or even find that one oddly packed Robin you’re missing.

Jada Toys (Street Fighter / Mega Man) – 23/25

Online: ★★★★★
In-Store: ★★★☆☆
Retail Price: ★★★★★
Wave Completion: ★★★★★
Secondary Market: ★★★★☆
Verdict: The rising star of collector-friendly lines.
Jada has quickly made a name for itself with its clean, affordable, and impressively articulated figures. Street Fighter and Mega Man lines are small but mighty—easy to keep up with, fun to pose, and priced well under most competitors. Stock doesn’t linger forever, but the aftermarket hasn’t gone wild yet, making it the perfect time to jump in.

Marvel Legends – 21/25

Online: ★★★★★
In-Store: ★★★★☆
Retail Price: ★★★☆☆
Wave Completion: ★★★★☆
Secondary Market: ★★★☆☆
Verdict: The gateway drug of collecting—with a few hidden traps.
Hasbro’s Marvel Legends line is a great place to start. Big waves, deep character variety, and reliable distribution make it easy to grab most figures. But beware the occasional exclusive or army builder—prices can spike fast if you miss the drop, especially for fan-favorite Spider-Man or X-Men releases.

Star Wars Black Series – 19/25

Online: ★★★★☆
In-Store: ★★★☆☆
Retail Price: ★★★☆☆
Wave Completion: ★★★☆☆
Secondary Market: ★★☆☆☆
Verdict: A galaxy of figures… but it comes at a cost.
Black Series collectors enjoy strong sculpts and a galaxy’s worth of characters, but it’s not always easy. Waves sell out fast, exclusives are everywhere, and if you want to go deep on Clones or Mandos, bring your wallet. It’s a gorgeous line, but not the most forgiving for new collectors.

NECA TMNT – 17/25

Online: ★★★☆☆
In-Store: ★★☆☆☆
Retail Price: ★★★☆☆
Wave Completion: ★★☆☆☆
Secondary Market: ★★★☆☆
Verdict: Pure nostalgia with a side of chaos.
NECA’s TMNT figures are stunning—movie-accurate, loaded with accessories, and packed with 90s vibes. But exclusivity and sporadic retail drops make it a tough line to casually collect. Target runs can feel like treasure hunts, and missing a drop often means turning to the secondary market at premium prices.

Final Thoughts:

If you’re just dipping into collecting, Jada, WWE, or Bandai lines are your easiest paths to toy bliss. But if you’re chasing NECA Grails or trying to build an elite Star Wars squad, get ready to grind.

What’s been your smoothest collecting experience—and what line made you question your sanity? Let us know in the comments!

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