There are no less than 3 small scale lines of Halo Toys this year. McFarlane Toys Halo Micro Ops line is in a realistic style. Every piece in scale with one another. The difference between McFarlane’s and Jada Toys line is firstly price. I was not able to attend the Jada booth at Toy Fair as they were only allowing buyers in their booth. I do know they only had mockups. Anyway, McFarlane Toys was only too happy to give me a tour of their booth with a heavy concentration on their Halo lines. I spoke with Mark Weber Sports Project/Brand Manager with McFarlane for about 45 minutes.

During this discussion the topic of the other micro lines came up. I asked him his thoughts on this. To paraphrase he said that each line has an appeal to different people. With McFarlane’s line being realistic and affordable he believes it will be a huge success. I’m very inclined to agree with him, especially after seeing their product.

Hmm, so I guess you want to see those pics now???

Well, okay, because I love you.

As you can see by the detail, these are excellently sculpted. But then, we’d expect nothing less from McFarlane and they do hold up to the larger line.

I’m really excited for this line as I will now be able to create “forced perspective” dioramas. This is where you have larger scale objects in front and smaller scale objects in back therefore making a diorama look bigger and deeper than it actually is. Plus with the cost being very affordable it will be easy to amass a huge army!

Package shots are mostly mockups. So look for that product to change.

Look for these starting in Summer this year!

For larger pictures, please check out my flickr account:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/23683004@N06/sets/72157629335596455/

I was first skeptical of this line, but after seeing it in person, they are cute and not like the vinyl or bobblehead figures so many companies make. With the price being around $3 for the small ones, I’ll get them. I didn’t get a price on the larger one (Carter).

These aren’t due out for awhile yet and it looks like they are BLIND packaging. So that’s one thing that does hinder the line. At least for me. I’m not a fan of blind packaging.

The small ones will be just a few inches high. They separate at the head and hips so you can mix and match them!

This special Halo Wars boxed set features three heroic Spartan-IIs: Jerome, Douglas, and Alice, collectively known as Red Team. This trio of super-soldiers fought alongside the crew of the Spirit of Fire, defending them from the dangers encountered on Shield 0459. Our Red Team 3-pack brings back the leader, Jerome-092, and completes the team with two never-before-released figures of Douglas-042 and Alice-130. Each includes some serious firepower to help them carry out their mission: Jerome comes with a Spartan Laser, Alice comes with dual SMGs, and Douglas comes with a Shotgun. One Spartan is a force to be reckoned with, but a coordinated team of them is virtually unstoppable. Go back to 2531, before the fall of Reach, and get the complete Red Team, all in one box! (text from Spawn.com)

Jerome-092

Douglas-042

Alice-130

Where to buy:
Barnes & Noble
Fred Meyer
Meijer
Target
Toys ‘R’ Us
Walgreens
Walmart

Thoughts from HaloFanForLife:
At first I thought the two non-squad leader spartans were the same figure. While in sculpt they are, it’s on the right shoulder pad where the difference is made. As you can see in the above composition photos, they each have their own distinctive shoulder emblem to further denote who they are. I’m glad to have Red team. Here’s hoping we’ll see at least one of them in Halo 4…

The demolitions expert and pilot of Buck’s ODST squad joins our action figure lineup: Private First Class Michael Crespo, better known as “Mickey.” This NEW figure, clad in black ODST armor with red accents, is in scale with our previous Halo 3: ODST figures, so Mickey won’t look out of place with his teammates. Figure comes with Mickey’s signature weapon, the Rocket Launcher. Mickey also comes with the eagle body piece of the UNSC Logo. (text from Spawn.com)

Where to buy:
Barnes & Noble
Fred Meyer
Meijer
Target
Toys ‘R’ Us
Walgreens
Walmart

Thoughts from HaloFanForLife:
This marks another entry for the ODST squad of the same name of the game. I happen to like the color markings on this particular ODST. With Mickey we are now just one shy of having the complete squad.

The legacy of the most technologically-advanced species in the Halo games, the Forerunners, can be seen in everywhere you turn. For the first time, Halo: Anniversary Series 2 brings a pair of these ancient machines to your collection: 343 Guilty Spark and a Sentinel. The Sentinel is ‘action figure’ sized and features articulated appendages, while the Guilty Spark features a reversible eye that can be changed from blue to red. Figures include a base and poles so they can hover near your figures, along with the right wing piece of the UNSC Logo. (text from Spawn.com)

Where to buy:
Barnes & Noble
Fred Meyer
Meijer
Target
Toys ‘R’ Us
Walgreens
Walmart

Thoughts from HaloFanForLife:
I’m looking forward to this two-pack very much. I’ll be getting a few extras for the Sentinels, and will keep two or the Sparks (one to show with blue eye, the other with red eye). The other Sparks left over I’ll either use as a prize here or to trade with. The sculpts look well done and I’m happy that the Sentinel has articulation.

Back in Halo 2, Master Chief’s MJOLNIR Mark VI armor was the basis for all multiplayer Spartans. Our first Halo 2 multiplayer Spartan action figure takes collectors back to those days — when all you could do to customize yourself was change your primary and secondary armor color. Our multiplayer Spartan Mark VI features bright white armor with cool blue accents and comes equipped with the ever-popular Battle Rifle, a Frag Grenade, and the left wing piece of the UNSC Logo. (text from Spawn.com)

Where to buy:
Barnes & Noble
Fred Meyer
Meijer
Target
Toys ‘R’ Us
Walgreens
Walmart

Thoughts from HaloFanForLife:
I’ve quite had my fill of multiplayer Mark VI Spartans. This one however harkens back to when JoyRide had the license during the Halo 2 days. I’ll get it, but really mostly for the build part to complete the UNSC emblem.

Our first UNSC officer figure is the first person players ever see in the original Halo video game: the commanding officer of the Pillar of Autumn, Captain Jacob Keyes. This all-NEW figure features Keyes as he appears in this fall’s Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary, in sharp gray military uniform. Figure comes with the fan-favorite Magnum pistol and the banner piece of the UNSC Logo. (text from Spawn.com)

Where to buy:
Barnes & Noble
Fred Meyer
Meijer
Target
Toys ‘R’ Us
Walgreens
Walmart

Thoughts from HaloFanForLife:
The only main detractor here is the elbow and knee joints. They stand out. However, as with most crisp uniformed figures this is near impossible to hide. So we should take that into account. The head of the figure should have gray hair at the temple if we are to go by the Reach sample, which this figure is clearly taken from. Still, not a big deal and can easily be customized. I loo forward to not just having one of this figure but possibly a couple more for customs. Just pop the head off and replace. I might use Carter’s unhelmeted head for a younger looking Keyes.