You’ve seen them. Those tiny, plastic representations of Link that somehow cost more than a month's worth of groceries.
It’s wild.
Collecting Legend of Zelda figures used to be a niche hobby for the hardcore fans who hung out on message boards in 2005. Now? It’s a full-blown investment market. If you’re looking for a specific Figma or a rare First 4 Figures statue, you aren't just fighting other fans anymore. You’re fighting scalpers, global supply chain hiccups, and the sheer, overwhelming popularity of Tears of the Kingdom.
Honestly, the market is a bit of a mess right now. But if you know what you’re looking for, there’s still a way to build a collection without draining your savings account.
The Good, the Bad, and the Scalped
Let’s talk about the big names first: Good Smile Company and Max Factory. Their Figma line is basically the gold standard for anyone who wants a Link that actually moves. These aren't just toys. They’re high-end posable art pieces.
The Twilight Princess Link Figma, specifically the DX edition with the Ordon Sword and the Hero’s Bow, is a masterpiece. But have you tried buying one lately? Unless you caught a recent reissue, you’re looking at prices that would make Ganondorf blush.
It’s the same story with Nendoroids. These are the "chibi" versions—big heads, tiny bodies, lots of personality. They’re adorable. They’re also bait for counterfeiters. If you see a Wind Waker Link Nendoroid on a random site for $15, run. It’s a bootleg. The paint will be sticky, the joints will snap, and it’ll look like it survived a direct hit from a Guardian beam.
Why some figures just disappear
Why does this happen? It’s not just Nintendo being stingy with licenses. It’s the "pre-order or die" culture of Japanese figure manufacturing. Companies like AmiAmi or HobbyLink Japan take orders months in advance. Once that production run is done, it’s done. They don’t just keep pressing plastic forever.
If a game is a massive hit—like Breath of the Wild—the demand instantly outstrips the supply. Suddenly, that $60 figure is $200 on the secondary market. It’s a brutal cycle for anyone who just wants a cool desk companion.
First 4 Figures: The Heavy Hitters
If you have floor space and a very understanding spouse, you’ve probably looked at First 4 Figures (F4F). These guys are the heavyweights of Legend of Zelda figures. We’re talking massive resin statues that weigh as much as a small dog.
Take their Majora’s Mask life-size replica. It’s iconic. It’s also huge.
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F4F does two types: resin and PVC. The resin ones are the "true" collectibles—limited edition, numbered, often featuring LED lights. The PVC versions are smaller, cheaper, and usually sold in places like Best Buy or GameStop.
Expert Tip: If you’re starting out, stick to the PVC line. The detail is surprisingly close to the resin versions, but you won't have to worry about your shelf collapsing under the weight of a ten-pound Midna.
There is a real craftsmanship there that you don’t see in mass-market toys. F4F artists like Alex Davis have built a community where fans actually get a say in what gets made next. It’s a rare level of transparency in an industry that usually feels very corporate and distant.
The Amiibo Situation
We can’t talk about Zelda collectibles without mentioning Amiibo.
Look, Amiibo are weird. They started as "toys-to-life" gimmicks for the Wii U and 3DS, but they’ve outlived almost every other competitor in that space. Sorry, Skylanders.
The Skyward Sword Zelda & Loftwing Amiibo was a flashpoint for fan frustration. It locked a quality-of-life feature (fast travel) behind a physical plastic figure that was immediately bought out by bots. It was a bad look for Nintendo.
But as far as Legend of Zelda figures go, they’re the most accessible entry point. They’re $16-ish at retail. They look great on a shelf. They give you in-game loot.
The Tears of the Kingdom Link Amiibo, with his corrupted arm, is probably one of the best-sculpted figures in the entire 20+ piece Zelda set. The texture on the tunic and the detail on the ancient technology is genuinely impressive for something that costs less than a pizza.
What collectors often get wrong about value
People think every Zelda Amiibo is a gold mine.
Not true.
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The "Link (Super Smash Bros.)" figure is everywhere. The "Wolf Link" figure from Twilight Princess HD? That’s the one people hunt for because it actually adds a companion to your game in Breath of the Wild. Value in this hobby is driven by two things:
- How many were made?
- Does it do something cool in the game?
If the answer to both is "yes," expect to pay a premium.
Spotting the Fakes (Don't Get Scammed)
The bootleg market for Zelda merch is massive.
Seriously.
Sites like AliExpress and certain eBay sellers are flooded with "Version 2.0" or "Unbranded" figures. If the listing doesn't explicitly say "Good Smile Company" or "Banpresto," it's a fake.
Check the box. Real Japanese figures have holographic stickers of authenticity—usually a gold or silver Toei sticker or a Nintendo "Official Licensed Product" seal. If the colors on the box look washed out or blurry, you’re looking at a counterfeit.
The plastic quality is the biggest giveaway. Real PVC shouldn't smell like a chemical factory. It should be firm but slightly flexible. Bootlegs are often brittle and have "seam lines" where the plastic mold didn't quite close right. It’s ugly stuff.
The Banpresto and Jakks Pacific Gap
Not everything has to be a $500 statue or a $100 import.
Banpresto makes "prize figures." In Japan, these are meant to be won in crane games (UFO catchers). They don't have moving parts, but the sculpts are often fantastic. They’re basically the "mid-range" of the Zelda world.
Then there’s Jakks Pacific. These are the toys you find in the toy aisle next to the LEGOs. They’re meant for kids. They’re durable.
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Does a 4-inch Jakks Pacific Link have the same grace as a Max Factory Figma? Of course not. But for $10, they’re a great way to let your kids play with Zelda characters without you having a heart attack when Link loses his head.
Maintaining Your Collection
If you’re going to spend money on high-end Legend of Zelda figures, you have to take care of them.
Dust is the enemy.
Over time, dust can actually bond to the PVC if the room gets too warm, creating a sticky film that’s a nightmare to remove. Get a glass case. An IKEA Detolf used to be the go-to, but since those were discontinued, the Milsbo is the new king of collector shelves.
Keep them out of direct sunlight. UV rays will bleach the green right out of Link’s tunic. In three years, your "Hero of Time" will look like the "Hero of Pastel Green." It’s not a good look.
What’s Next for Zelda Collectors?
With the live-action Zelda movie officially in development at Sony and Nintendo, expect the figure market to go absolutely nuclear. We saw it with the Super Mario Bros. Movie—suddenly, everyone wanted a piece of the action.
The next big wave will likely focus on the "Ancient Hero" designs and more elaborate dioramas. We’re already seeing hints of new statues featuring Zelda in her Tears of the Kingdom priestess outfit, which is a design fans have been begging for.
Actionable Steps for New Collectors
If you're looking to start or expand your collection today, don't just go to Amazon and buy the first thing you see. You'll overpay.
- Check Japanese Retailers Directly: Use sites like AmiAmi, Mandarake (for used items), or Solaris Japan. Even with shipping, it's often cheaper than buying from a US-based reseller.
- Join Communities: Reddit’s r/AnimeFigures or specific Zelda Discord servers are great for tracking "re-run" announcements. That’s your best chance to get a Figma at retail price.
- Verify the Seller: If buying on eBay, only buy from sellers with 99%+ feedback who post actual photos of the box, not just stock images.
- Prioritize "DX" Versions: If a figure has a Deluxe (DX) and a Standard version, always go for the DX. The extra accessories (like the Majora's Mask or the Hylian Shield) hold their value significantly better.
- Invest in a Small Blower: A simple camera lens blower is better for dusting figures than a cloth, as it won't snag on tiny, fragile parts like Link's earrings or sword hilts.
The world of Zelda collecting is deep, expensive, and sometimes frustrating. But there’s something special about seeing the progression of the series—from the pixelated 8-bit Link to the hyper-detailed warrior of the modern era—sitting right there on your shelf. Just watch your wallet. Those Rupee-themed piggy banks don't fill themselves.