I’m Obsessed With Fortnite’s Absurd New Action Figures

Whenever someone outside the gaming sphere discovers the staggering amount of time I’ve poured into Fortnite, the inevitable question arises: what is the appeal? Over the years, my justifications have shifted, but they always settle on a singular, fundamental truth. Fortnite serves as a sprawling virtual toybox inhabited by my favorite pop-culture icons. Now that NECA is translating these digital avatars into tangible, physical action figures, I find myself in a state of expensive internal conflict.

During the New York Toy Fair on February 14, the collectible veterans at NECA unveiled an official collaboration with Epic Games. This upcoming line of Fortnite figures will bridge the gap between mediums by including unique digital codes for in-game use. While details on the specific unlocks remain scarce, the prospect has already sent waves through the community.

It is worth noting that the market is already saturated with Fortnite merchandise, ranging from LEGO environments to Peely plushies and Nerf weaponry. However, NECA is taking a more specific approach. They are meticulously crafting figures of established franchise characters exactly as they appear through the lens of Epic’s signature art style.

In its current state, Fortnite’s momentum is sustained by a relentless cadence of crossovers. Fictional legends and real-world celebrities arrive at a steady clip, expanding my digital collection (with rumors suggesting Solo Leveling may be next). But the transition from digital possession to physical hardware raises a new dilemma: how am I supposed to manage a real-world reflection of my virtual inventory?

Ultimately, my logic is failing because my desire is winning. When a friend first alerted me to these, I initially dismissed the news as a blatant marketing ploy. Then I saw the prototypes. While I won’t pretend this isn’t a calculated attempt to part fans from their cash, I’m already reaching for my wallet. I tell myself I won’t be a completist, but seeing as the initial wave consists of my most-played skins, my bank account is in serious jeopardy.

Leading the charge is the Fortnite x Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles collection, debuting with five distinct figures: the four brothers and their arch-nemesis, Shredder. These sculpts are based on the unique designs that appeared in the Item Shop last December, offering a fresh take on the classic heroes in a half-shell.

The craftsmanship captures the game’s aesthetic perfectly, making them a seamless addition to any TMNT enthusiast’s display. Personally, my self-control is being tested. I previously retired from collecting NECA’s live-action movie line after they released a set based on a deleted scene throne room. I thought I was out, but the stylized charm of these Fortnite variants is pulling me back in. Is it enough to just own Donatello, or is the full squad—plus Shredder—a necessity?

The potential for expansion is immense, considering the depth of Fortnite’s TMNT roster. The game has already featured Splinter, April O’Neil, Casey Jones, and even Bebop and Rocksteady. Even if the line concluded with the core cast, a full Fortnite-inspired Ninja Turtle shelf would be a sight to behold.

The nostalgia doesn’t stop with the Turtles. NECA also showcased a trio of horror legends reimagined for the battle royale. This initial spooky wave includes Michael Myers from Halloween II (complete with his musical emote), Saw’s Billy the Puppet, and Leatherface from The Texas Chain Saw Massacre—who comes with a rather grim Peely-skin back bling. Unlike the hyper-realistic Ultimate NECA figures, these maintain a cleaner, more animated look. Interestingly, Billy the Puppet is scaled to the same height as his slasher counterparts, mimicking his in-game appearance and creating a truly bizarre physical presence.

Considering the massive breadth of NECA’s licensing, this is likely only the beginning. If their previous lines are any indication—where we saw multiple variations of the same character from a single film—there are no limits here. We could eventually see an entire office staff based on The Office crossover. My advice? Choose your figures wisely, or you’ll end up like me: buried under a mountain of boxes in a storage unit, wondering why you didn’t just stick to the digital versions before giving up and logging in for another match.

Source: Polygon