Games Radar: Newest Game Releases We Love

May 29, 2025

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It’s been a pretty exciting year for games thus far. From the Switch 2 being announced to events like The Witcher 3’s 10th anniversary alongside rumors regarding the release of games like Half-Life 3 and Resident Evil 9, we thought it’d be fair game to recap some of the games that we’ve been playing and loving lately at Cooledtured. 

Doom: The Dark Ages

Finally being revealed as a prequel game to both Doom (2016) and Doom Eternal (2020), we follow the Doom Slayer (or Doomguy as you may know him) slay his way through hellish hordes medieval-style. Occurring in an arc previously unexplored of the Doom universe timeline, we befittingly see the addition of multiple new medieval-themed game features that we can’t stop thinking about. 

Though we loved the Crucible in Doom Eternal, new melees such as the gauntlet and flail are pretty addicting. The shield is a great addition too, as it adds a lot of depth to the run-and-gun mechanics that Doom is mostly known for. Overall, we’re pretty pleased with how much Bethesda has innovated, but even more impressed with how true-to-character that they’ve kept the newest Doom release.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

A roleplaying game created by French developers Sandfall Interactive, Expedition 33 follows the titular 33rd Expedition as they venture to slay the Paintress, an entity who has the ability to annually “disappear” all humans at or above an age that decreases year by year. It’s weird, we know, but we’ve had a lot of fun playing it.

As Japanese culture fans, what we really enjoy about it is the inspiration it takes from Japanese games such as the Final Fantasy and Persona series. Probably most directly inspired by these games is the choice to start the game over but with an added option to play with New Game Plus on, which allows you to keep your items - it’s a no-brainer for those who don’t want to grind items or skills just to enjoy the story.

Tales of Seikyu

Tales of Seikyu is a game that operates within a niche filled with heavy-hitting games like Stardew Valley and Slime Rancher. Since you've probably played at least one of these games (they're pretty popular - not to mention good), we'll keep it straightforward: you are tasked with renovating an inn and creating a profitable business model for it. Sounds pretty easy, but the game becomes more charming as you progress and get more situated into the resource management gameplay loop. The game also introduces shapeshifting mechanics, allowing players to transform into animals like boars and slimes. 

It’s a cute little game that is clearly inspired by its peers and predecessors though still allows itself room to breathe with fun mechanics and anime-inspired aesthetics. 

Conclusion

From brutal demon-slaying in Doom: The Dark Ages to the emotionally rich RPG journey in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, and the cozy, creative charm of Tales of Seikyu, 2025 is already shaping up to be an unforgettable year for gamers. Whether you're into fast-paced action, deep story-driven quests, or relaxing sim-style adventures, there's something fresh and exciting to dive into right now. 

If we were you, we’d make a note to stay tuned to the Cooledtured blog for our gaming picks as we plan to cover lots more in the gaming world very soon - but for now, tell us how we did writing this article! Any games you love on the list? Already played through? Skipping for now? Feel free to let us know!

Witcher 3’s 10th Anniversary Overview: Trailer Analysis & Anniversary Notes

May 25, 2025

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CD Projekt Red (developers of other story-oriented roleplaying games such as Cyberpunk 2077) have released a 10-year anniversary retrospective trailer for the cult-classic medieval roleplaying game The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, as well as announced some other exciting upcoming events to celebrate the game’s anniversary in general. Explore with us as we ride into town to take a look at the news and see what’s up.

In this article, we’ll:

• Discuss and note some key announcements regarding the 10th anniversary of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

• Examine the trailer for secrets and possibly upcoming information about new The Witcher installments or news

Witcher 3 10th Anniversary Announcement Notes

It’s hard to believe it’s been a decade since The Witcher series’ last installment, as Geralt of Rivia embarks on yet another band of quests involving returning characters such as Yennefer, Ciri and Vesemir. We’ll assume you’re pretty up to speed with the Witcher, so we’ll jump into some pretty exciting stuff coming up.

So far, CD Projekt Red has officially announced these events occurring in celebration of the game’s 10th anniversary:

• Anniversary Trailer: A new trailer for The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt celebrates the game's legacy and thanks its community.

• Doug Cockle Interview: Doug Cockle, the voice actor for Geralt of Rivia joined a special REDstreams episode to reflect on his role.

• Borys Pugacz-Muraszkiewicz (English adaptation director for The Witcher) joined in on the fun as well.

• The Witcher in Concert: Anniversary concerts will take place in Boston and Poznań, with a full tour starting at gamescom in August.

• Boston on May 31 and Poznań on June 15, official tour kickoff at gamescom in Cologne on August 20

• Additional Celebrations: These include 10 new artworks by veteran Witcher artists, the release of The Little Witcher, and a collaboration with Embody on the Immerse Gamepack, with more to come.

• Most excitingly, The Little Witcher is a comic book series that expands upon some of the events that we see in the introduction to The Witcher 3, such that we observe Geralt of Rivia as he raises young Ciri in Kaer Morhen.

We also shouldn’t forget that it’s likely that more will be announced not only in terms of content adjacent to The Witcher 3, but also the upcoming Witcher 4 game also being developed by CD Projekt Red. It’s gonna be a pretty exciting ride for Witcher fans in the next few upcoming months!

Trailer Analysis

As fans of The Witcher 3, we didn’t really notice too much that stood out about the trailer in terms of new content. 

However, it’s pretty clear that Witcher/CD Projekt Red fans are still easily convinced that The Witcher 3 is one of the best games of all time. The outpouring of support for the game has led developers to respond to a lot of comments talking about how the game has helped them through some rough times in their life, as well as just general praise for the series.

In honor of the life-changing game’s 10th anniversary, we’d like to take this section in highlighting some of these super heartfelt comments on the trailer’s YouTube page and awfully thoughtful responses from a game studio we already know and love - it genuinely is really cool seeing this sort of interaction happen. 

 

“After a brain surgery that lasted more than sixteen hours, I woke up unable to walk and with difficulty moving my left hand. [...]. At first, I could barely control Roach and had to relearn how to play using the joystick. With time, I started to get better, began walking again, and almost one year later, I got the platinum trophy on PS4. When the PS5 version was released, I earned the platinum again. Playing it all over again made me remember the pain, the challenges, and most of all, the victories. It may not be the best game in the world for many people, but for me, it is the greatest of all.” -@samaronee 

CD Projekt Red’s reply: “Congratulations on your recovery and the platinum. We're honored to be a part of it.”

 

“10 years of killing monsters , 10 years of how about a round gwent , 10 years of wind's howling , 10 years of team Triss or Yen , 10 years of Roach spawning in random places , 10 years of looking for Ciri , 10 YEARS OF THE GREATEST RPG EVER MADE !” -@sujandhar6613

 

“10 years. Still one of the greatest video games ever made” -@tornado6911

 

Well said.

Conclusion

As we celebrate the 10th anniversary of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, it's clear that the game has left an enduring legacy—not just as a critically acclaimed RPG, but as a deeply personal experience for countless players around the world.

From touching community stories to exciting new events like The Witcher in Concert and The Little Witcher comic series, CD Projekt Red is honoring the game’s decade-long journey in meaningful ways. While the anniversary trailer might not tease much in terms of new content, the heartfelt exchanges between fans and developers serve as a powerful reminder of the impact this game has had over the years. 

And with whispers of The Witcher 4 on the horizon, the path ahead looks just as thrilling as the one we've walked with Geralt so far. Here's to ten years of monster-slaying, Gwent-playing, and unforgettable storytelling—and to many more yet to come.

A Glimpse into the Passion and Vintage World

May 22, 2025

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This short film gives an interesting insight into the life of Joseph Gonzalez and Nate, the proprietors of Sad Heart Vintage and American Decay. It's a story of love, collaboration, and the offbeat journey of building a business out of retro treasure hunting. The film manages to get across quite well the character of their joint store, not merely the variety of things they stock but the people and outlooks of the two proprietors.

The film stands out due to the genuine passion that Joseph and Nate have for what they do. They are passionate about antique objects, ranging from masks to jewelry and curiosities. They are not just selling relics; they are passing on a passion for history, art, and the stories behind each object.

The friendship between Joseph and Nate is a central theme. The video highlights their great partnership, noting how complementary they are in their varied strengths and perspectives. They discuss the advantages and disadvantages of working out of the same creative environment and needing support and inspiration from one another.
The Allure of the Uncommon: The video perfectly captures the eclectic and odd collection in their shop. From antique jewelry and masks to the strange find, the video expresses the allure of a place where treasures can be found and touched and the past felt.

Beyond the products themselves, the film is about the community that Joseph and Nate have created. They discuss the unexpected relationships that they've formed with customers, the long conversations that have been sparked by shared interests, and the joy of creating a venue where people feel at home and supported.

The film delves into the personal journeys of Joseph and Nate, and how they came to this shared project. They discuss the risks they took, the challenges they faced, and the transformation they experienced in this period. Nate discusses his road to sobriety and how American Decay was a constant presence in his life.

The video also mentions the lively creative community within Chicago, with the city having an impact on their contributions and a welcoming society that they have become a part of. 

This short film is an uplifting and compelling portrayal of two individuals pursuing their passion and creating a whimsical business. It's a tribute to the power of collaboration, the beauty of old treasures, and the requirement for a place where community and connection are established. While this review provides a detailed perspective, viewing the video itself will provide a deeper, more participatory experience.

Newest Releases: Marvel Studios’ Thunderbolts* (*The New Avengers) - No Spoilers

May 22, 2025

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Look out Marvel fans! Marvel Studios’ newest movie, Thunderbolts, also known as “The New Avengers” has been released in theatres worldwide. It’s high time we check it out, but first we’ll discuss the reason for the asterisk in the title as well as go over some of the characters you may or may not know/love (depending on how much you love Marvel).

In this article:

• Title Synopsis: We take a look at the new Marvel Studios movie titled Thunderbolt and discuss why there’s an asterisk in the title.

• Character Discussion: We’ll discuss characters from the movie, such as Yelena Belova, Bucky Barnes aka the Winter Soldier, Taskmaster and more

• Reveal how the movie ties in with the Marvel Studios movie timeline as a whole

Let’s dive in and check it out, spoiler-free!

Title Synopsis

In going about the asterisk in the name of the movie, movie theorists have stated that they believe the title to imply that the Thunderbolts is not actually the official name of the new cast of what Marvel has dubbed “an unconventional team of antiheroes”. Additionally, fans have noticed that there’s been a significant amount of buildup as to the presence of this asterisk in general.

We know from Avengers: Endgame that the Avengers are nowhere to be seen in-universe as of the ending of that movie, timeline-wise. International posters from this movie support this: notice how a Japanese poster for the movie gives way to the fact that, in the poster’s words, the Avengers “are not available”.

Character Discussion

Thunderbolts brings together both familiar faces from the MCU and new characters joining the cinematic universe. Here's a spoiler-free look at the key players:

Returning MCU Characters

• Yelena Belova / Black Widow (Florence Pugh)

• Bucky Barnes / Winter Soldier (Sebastian Stan)

• Antonia Dreykov / Taskmaster (Olga Kurylenko)

• Alexei Shostakov / Red Guardian (David Harbour)

• John Walker / U.S. Agent (Wyatt Russell)

New Characters Introduced

• Sentry (Lewis Pullman) – A mysterious powerhouse with ties to Marvel’s deeper cosmic lore

• Mel (Geraldine Viswanathan) – A new character whose role has yet to be fully revealed

With a team made up of antiheroes, don’t expect clean-cut heroics. The Thunderbolts are expected to bend or even break the rules, leading to unpredictable character dynamics—even among those we’ve previously known and trusted.

How Thunderbolts Fits into the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU)

Set after the events of Avengers: Endgame, Thunderbolts continues Marvel’s exploration of a post-Avengers world. With the original Avengers disbanded or gone, the emergence of a new team brings uncertainty—and potential conflict.

This movie is expected to bridge several MCU storylines, especially from the Black Widow, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, and Hawkeye series, creating a more complex, morally gray corner of the Marvel Universe.

Conclusion

With a witty marketing scheme revolving around the movie’s title and the premise of the movie being unlike any other superhero movie, we’d like to ask you:

Did the title of the movie puzzle you as much as it did us?

Are you excited to see familiar and unfamiliar faces alike alongside each other?

We sure are! Let us know if you’ve already seen the movie or plan to soon and if you already did, what you thought of it.

Collector's Tips: Maintaining Your Collectible Figurines

May 18, 2025

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If you’ve worked hard on something (say, your car or a model plane), it’s natural to want to protect it. Your figurines shouldn’t be an exception. But where do you start? What solutions are there to protecting your figures? In this article, we’ll show you a couple of methods on how to not only keep your valuable collector’s figurines clean and tidy, but also how to keep them that way as well.

As passionate collectors of figurines ourselves—whether anime figures, Funko Pops, action figures, or statues—we understand that being able to protect our investment is essential. Figurines can fade, scratch, or degrade over time without the right care.

This guide will teach you how to clean, store, and preserve collectible figurines so they stay in mint condition for years to come.

In this article, we’ll discuss:

• Gentle cleaning solutions for figurines

• Methods of preservation for figurines

• Other tips on how to keep your toys in tip-top shape

Cleaning Your Figurines

Generally, you should first be testing any products you use on your figurines in a small area - this will help to ensure it doesn't catastrophically damage the paint or plastic. Additionally, one should be gentle as gentle products such as soap or even just water may lead to unwanted abrasion. Avoid harsh chemicals and cleaners, and be cautious when cleaning to prevent damage. 

To properly clean any figures, it’s best to start by dusting them with a soft, dry cloth or a gentle brush. For stubborn smudges or marks, use a soft-bristle toothbrush with diluted dish soap and warm water. Figures can then be placed next to a cool fan (avoid heat solutions such as air-drying) or simply left to air-dry by themselves. Now your figure’s looking squeaky clean!

Methods Of Preservation

Now that your figure’s all dolled up, it’d be nice if we could keep it looking that way. Let’s take a look at some of the ways we can do this:

Protective Cases

• Soft Protectors (Funko Pops): These are inexpensive, clear plastic sleeves designed for standard 4-inch Funko boxes.

• Hard Stacks (Funko Pop Stacks): Rigid acrylic or polycarbonate cases for added protection from drops and crushing.

• UV-Protective Cases (Any figurines, though your mileage may vary as you’ll have to find ones that fit your figurine): Blocks sunlight to prevent fading of boxes and figures.

Other Tips

Here are some other general tips that you might find useful on your collecting journey!

Dusting: 

• Use a microfiber cloth or a gentle brush to remove loose dust and debris. 

• For more difficult-to-reach areas, a canned air duster can be helpful. 

Cleaning Stubborn Spots: 

• For smudges, grease, or sticker residue, try a dilution of rubbing alcohol in water on a soft cloth or toothbrush (remember to spot test first).

• If the stain is particularly stubborn, use a soft-bristle toothbrush with a diluted dish soap and warm water solution. 

• Gently clean the area, avoiding soaking the figurine and let it air dry. 

Storage:

• Keep figurines in a cool, dry place.

• Use a dehumidifier in very humid climates to avoid possible mold or warping.

• Store them away from windows or use UV-blocking window film.

• Sunlight can bleach both the box and figure over time.

• When storing multiple figurines on top of each other, avoid stacking too high to prevent crushing the lower boxes.

• Use shelving units with dividers or spacers for stability.

• Oils from hands can cause discoloration or wear - try to minimize contact with your figurines if possible, other than to clean them when necessary.

Conclusion

Whether you're a casual collector or a die-hard figurine fan, keeping your collectible figurines clean and protected can greatly extend their life and preserve their value.

In short, these are our top tips on how to keep your collection in check from Cooledtured:

• Clean gently and regularly

• Use protective display cases

• Avoid direct sunlight and humidity

• Minimize physical contact

• Store smart and display safer

What did you think? Did we miss any? Fixing to implement any of these solutions in your collection? Let us know by reaching out to us on social media! 

 

Pop Culture in Media: How Anime Has Affected Western Media

May 16, 2025

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Fan of shows like Samurai Jack, Avatar: The Last Airbender, or Teen Titans? Also a fan of anime or Japanese culture?? You probably won’t be surprised when we tell you that anime has had a profound effect on not only these shows, but western media in general. Learn about other shows and pop culture phenomena that have been influenced by anime by reading below!

We’ll talk about:

• How your favorite shows (including but not limited to the ones mentioned above) have been influenced by anime

• Other forms of media (movies, video games, TV shows) that anime has changed

Let’s dive right in!

Your Favorite Animated Shows and Anime

Samurai Jack

Older fans will remember watching Samurai Jack on Cartoon Network often, while slightly younger fans might remember the reruns that occurred periodically on Cartoon Network’s Cartoon Planet. Nevertheless, the effect that Japanese culture has had on Samurai Jack is quite obvious, seeing that the artstyle is directly influenced by ukiyo-e, a historically Japanese style of artwork. Additionally, the personality and appearance of Aku, a main antagonist in the series, is inspired by tales of Japanese demons.

Avatar: The Last Airbender

A Nickelodeon classic created by Bryan Konietzko and Michael Dante DiMartino, the animation and storyboard team specifically drew inspiration from Studio Ghibli films like "Princess Mononoke" and "Spirited Away," as well as "Cowboy Bebop" and "Samurai Champloo". The creators admired the balance of action, humor, and emotion in Studio Ghibli's work, particularly in "Princess Mononoke" and "Spirited Away," and incorporated those elements into Avatar: The Last Airbender.

Teen Titans

Let’s mention the obvious here: the original Teen Titans’ theme song was written and performed by the Japanese performers Ami Onuki and Yumi Yoshimura, as well as animated to a backdrop that was very reminiscent of the Cowboy Bebop introduction sequence. Both the English and Japanese version of the theme song were featured on alternating episodes of the original series, and the characters even travel to Japan in the TV film Teen Titans: Trouble in Tokyo. It’s no secret that anime has had a remarkable effect on the Teen Titans series up to this day with Teen Titans Go! as well, such as exaggerated expressions and exhibitors of emotion such as sweat lines and anger marks.

Anime Influences in Other Western Media

To keep it short, we’ll go from here:

• In Overwatch, characters such as McCree and Ashe can equip Cowboy Bebop (a reoccurring theme, we know) skins that mimic characters from the show such as Spike Spiegel and Faye Valentine, respectively.

• The art of the video game series Skullgirls is inspired by anime such as Kill la Kill and JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure.

• Cyberpunk 2077’s sister animation series, Edgerunners, is an anime adaptation of events relating to the main video game. 

• Animations and trailers for the game Valorant feature over-the-top action with a focus on personal rivalries and triumphant victories.

Conclusion

As both huge anime/Japanese culture fans as well as die-hard video game and TV show fans, we worked pretty hard to compile the picks of what we thought were great mentions of how Japanese culture and anime have influenced Western media. Did we miss any? Let us know by reaching out to us on social media!

Character Spotlights: Doomguy (No Spoilers)

May 15, 2025

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Need a refresher on a little Doom history? With the release of Doom: The Dark Ages on May 15th, we thought we’d provide a little history lesson on one of the most famous protagonists in gaming history: Doomguy! Scroll through as we talk about the in-universe origins of the character, his appearance in the new game and a few other neat little tidbits about him.

In this spotlight, we’ll cover:

• Doomguy’s origins and lore

• His role in the upcoming Doom: The Dark Ages

• Fun facts about his name and connections to other id Software characters

OriginsAs a space marine who was unfairly dishonorably discharged from the Union Aerospace Corporation’s space marine legion, Doomguy makes his way through legions of scowling demons on Mars and its orbiting moons before returning to Earth to see that demons have invaded, only to conquer the forces of evil yet again. He returns to Hell in an attempt to finally seal off the origins of the demons.

Following the release of the modern games, Doom (2016) and Doom Eternal (2020), his lore is updated and we are shown that after conquering Hell, he’s sent to a form of purgatory where he’s trained as an outsider super-soldier in order to further the ideals of a race known as the Maykrs. After a lengthy civil war in which Doomguy is seemingly entombed though not having perished, a scientist named Samuel Hayden of the Union Aerospace Corporation puts Doomguy into stasis and keeps him as a failsafe for the Corporation’s demonic experiments. 

The events of Doom Eternal show Doomguy embark on a mission to exterminate the Hell Priests and blast a hole in Mars - as well as rescue Samuel Hayden, the scientist who originally revived him - before finally slaying the Icon of Sin and the Khan Maykr in order to “finally” put an end to the demon spawn.

Abbreviated Timeline:

• After conquering Hell, he is cast into a purgatory-like realm where he is trained by an ancient race called the Maykrs.

• Eventually, he leads a civil war.

• Presumed lost, Doomguy is entombed but not dead. Dr. Samuel Hayden, a UAC scientist, discovers and preserves him in stasis as a backup plan.

• In Doom Eternal, the Slayer awakens again to:

• Slay the Hell Priests

• Blast a literal hole in Mars

• Defeat the Khan Maykr and the Icon of Sin

• Then…?

Doom: The Dark Ages

While it’s not exactly known when in the timeline Doom: The Dark Ages takes place, everything in the trailers released so far seem to imply that the game occurs a good amount of time before the modern Doom games. The first official trailer states that “before he became a hero, he was the super weapon of gods and kings”. Additionally, medieval influences such as the usage of a flail and shield seem to point towards the fact that the game is centered around a prior point in the timeline that the games previously haven’t explored yet.

Other Doomguy Facts

Doomguy's Namesake

Doomguy isn’t actually his name - in the modern incantations of the games, he’s most often referred to as “The Slayer” or the “Doom Slayer”, though fans of the original Doom games released in the 1990s came up with the name as there was no indication from the developers as to what his actual name was, mimicking the sort of interaction that fans were supposed to have with the character (in other words, YOU’RE the Doomguy).

Doomguy's Familial Origins

Doomguy is actually the descendant of another id Software character - yes, that’s correct - as stated by id developers John Romero (creator of Doom), Doomguy descends from B.J. Blazkowicz, the protagonist of the Wolfenstein series. Some fans have even speculated that other characters from id trademarks are involved in his lineage, such as Commander Keen being his grandfather and Billy Blaze being his father

Conclusion

Doom: The Dark Ages is shaping up to be one of the most ambitious entries in the franchise, diving deeper into Doomguy’s legendary past and reimagining his legacy in a dark, medieval world. We’re super excited to see what Doom: The Dark Ages explores in terms of the Doomguy’s history! 

Are you planning to grab the game on launch day? Maybe holding out to see what other people think? Already have and loving it? Let us know in the comments, and don’t forget to share this article with your fellow Slayer fans!

Top American Cartoon Toy Brands – McFarlane, Hasbro & Mattel

May 12, 2025

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Discover top-quality cartoon toys from American brands like McFarlane, Hasbro, and Mattel. Shop Batman, Star Wars, Jurassic World, and more at Cooledtured!

More of a cartoon geek than an anime nerd? No worries. For the cartoon lover in you, we carry multiple American toymakers from McFarlane toys to Hasbro and Mattel that we think you’ll love.

Have a look and see what else you can find to add to your collection on Cooledtured!

1 - McFarlane Toys

Build your ultimate collection and create your own epic adventures. McFarlane Toys Figures spark imagination and unlock endless potential for immersive storytelling. Design dynamic scenes, recreate iconic moments, or stage your own epic battles. The possibilities are as limitless as your own creativity.

Founded by Todd McFarlane (yes, that Todd McFarlane, president of Image Comics, creator of the comic series Spawn and artist for The Amazing Spider-Man), McFarlane Toys mostly tends to focus on creating toys from animated series such as Batman, as well as the odd NHL toy here or there. The attention to detail on these figures is immaculate, as seen by the Riddler figure shown above.

Why collectors love McFarlane Toys:
Designed by Todd McFarlane, legendary comic creator and artist behind Spawn and Spider-Man
Famous for highly detailed, realistic figures based on animated series like Batman
Great for display scenes, storytelling, or epic battles
Includes occasional crossover collectibles (e.g. NHL figures)

2 - Hasbro

Kids and fans alike can imagine the biggest battles and missions in the Star Wars saga with figures from The Black Series! With exquisite features and decoration, this series embodies the quality and realism that Star Wars devotees love. 

Each 6-inch-scale figure is carefully detailed to look like their appearance in the films. They feature premium details and multiple points of articulation, and include character-inspired accessories.

Founded in the 1920s, the Hasbro company has a long and rich history of creating popular figures collaborating with franchises such as Transformers, G.I. Joe, Star Wars and Marvel Legends. Besides figures, however, they also house first-party lines of toys such as Nerf, Play-Doh and Furby. 

Why Hasbro stands out:
Legendary maker of figures from Star Wars, Transformers, G.I. Joe, and Marvel
Home to The Black Series: 6-inch scale, film-accurate figures with premium detailing
Known for multiple points of articulation and accessory-rich sets
Also creators of iconic brands like Nerf, Play-Doh, and Furby

3 - Mattel

Each Jurassic World Gigantic Tracker action figure is now ready for rampaging battle attacks, with spin wheel-activated dramatic attack motion. Each has also evolved for battle, with a feature like spikes on the body that extend with the touch of a button, or a second row of horns. These large dinosaur species come at an impressive size, about 14 inches long and 7 inches tall, with authentic sculpting and a variety of habitat decos. Scan the hidden Tracking Code in the free Jurassic World Play App with a compatible smart device (Android or iOS, not included) to unlock AR experiences and fiercely fun games! Colors and decorations Summer vary.

Mattel offers an excellent lineup of movie-themed toys, such as Toy Story and Jurassic Park, with other offerings from Cooledtured including Halo Mega Bloks, WWE, and Hot Wheels toys. Construct a Banshee from Halo or a Pokémon Dugtrio set, or pair a Jesse doll from Toy Story with Buzz Lightyear.

What makes Mattel toys a must-have:
Jurassic World Gigantic Tracker dinos with spin-wheel attack motions and extendable spikes or horns

Large-scale figures: approx. 14 inches long, with authentic sculpting
App-integrated: Scan the hidden Tracking Code to unlock AR games in the Jurassic World Play App

Conclusion

With us being massive fans of new Japanese anime and movies, including the toys from companies like Kotobukiya and Good Smile, we thought we’d take the time to showcase toys from American makers as well. Here at Cooledtured, we’re not just anime fans — we’re massive lovers of all things pop culture, including top-tier American toy brands. Which maker is your favorite? Do you have any plans to purchase from any of the brands shown? Ready to build your collection? Shop now or explore more exclusive cartoon toy collectibles on Cooledtured!

Hobby Figurine Maker Roundup - Which One Is Your Favorite?

May 10, 2025

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At Cooledtured, we know how daunting it can be to get into a new hobby (believe us). That’s why as toy enthusiasts ourselves, we’ve always wished that there could be some sort of guide for each new hobby that beginners could look at to get a bird’s-eye glance of what they need to know before diving in.

We’ve always believed in the phrase that if it doesn’t exist, make it yourself - that’s why we’ve written this guide on the different types of anime figurines including their makers, how to identify them, and other things a beginner might need to know before making that deep plunge into the toy figurine world.

1 - Funko

Funko POP! Television: Invincible - Atom Eve #1501 - Vinyl Figures

If you’ve been anywhere near a toy or hobby store, it’s pretty much guaranteed that you’ve seen a Funko figurine before. Their uniquely stylized features including large head and eyes, stand-out rectangular see-through packaging and branding have made these a staple in the figurine scene - not to mention the presence of brand collaborations such as Invincible, The Walking Dead and The Office. These highly cute and collectible figurines would make an indispensable addition to any nerd’s collection, which is why we’re proud to offer a large selection of Funkos on the Cooledtured website - take a look and see which one resonates with you the most.

2 - Good Smile

Azur Lane - Unicorn - Nendoroid #1990-DX (Good Smile Arts Shanghai Company)

Consider yourself more on the “otaku” side? No worries - we’ve got you covered. Produced by the Good Smile Company, most of the Good Smile figurines you’ll see on the market can either be classified as “Nendoroid” or “figma” figurines. Nendoroid are highly posable and articulable “chibi”-style figurines with swappable body parts and faces, making them playable as well as displayable. “figma” figurines resemble your typical action figure much better - with full human proportions, these super cool figures are lifelike and realistic in appearance, though don’t think they skimp out on the playability features for just a second. 

Featuring popular anime and otaku series such as Hololive and Azur Lane, It’s up to you whether you’re more in tune with your “Nendoroid” or “figma” side, but just know you won’t be disappointed either way.

3 - Kotobukiya

Haikyuu!! - Hinata Shouyou - ARTFX J - 1/8 (Kotobukiya)

Kotobukiya figurines are a little different - while they usually come as non-articulable, they make up for it by being amazing mantelpieces for a hobby display. These figurines come in scales of 1/8th or 1/7th scale, meaning that you get a great close-up look at how detailed and well-modeled they are. They’re also made in tough ABS plastic and PVC, so that you can be assured that they’re super tough and durable.

We offer Kotobukiya figurines featuring characters from Jujutsu Kaisen, Persona 3, and even Star Wars: The Clone Wars (who would’ve expected that?).

4 - Hasbro

Marvel Legends: X-Men '97 - Cyclops - 6-inch Action Figure (Hasbro)

Does the name “Hasbro” spark any memories of childhood for you? After all, who hasn’t picked up a Nerf blaster or played Monopoly before? It might be to nobody’s surprise, then, that Hasbro is also a prolific maker of action figures. Most of the Hasbro figurines that we carry are 6 inches in scale and made out of toy-tough ABS plastic, though you’ll occasionally see the 3 and 3/4ths scale figurine as well. Marvel Legends, Ghostbusters and Transformers are all figure offerings by Marvel that we carry at Cooledtured.

5 - McFarlane Toys

The New Adventures of Batman DC Retro Commissioner Gordon Action Figure

In terms of comparison, you can expect pretty similar offerings that Hasbro has in McFarlane Toys. 6-inch scale figurines, ABS plastic construction, multiple points of articulation and sporting familiar faces from series such as Batman, featuring characters from story arcs such as DC: The New Batman Adventures, DC Multiverse, and DC: The New Batman Adventures. Great for the Batman fan in you or your loved ones!

Conclusion
With all the figurine selections at Cooledtured, it can still be hard to pick out a figurine you’re going to love. Hopefully, due to our wide selection from each of these toymakers (and more!) you can find your niche. Why not try something new and purchase one of our figurines today?