The Ultra Deluxe Crash Bandicoot 7″ Scale Figure with Aku Aku Mask is scheduled to begin shipping out to retailers on June 17th. This release marks the fifth variation of Crash Bandiccot by NECA Toys. You can check out all of my NECA Crash Bandicoot Photo Shoots you missed any of my previous galleries. Following this release will be two all-new characters in the line! Both Neo Cortex and Coco were shown during Toy Fair 2019. With this release, NECA packs Crash with three interchangeable portraits, as well as the Aku Aku Mask accessory.
Our friends at NECA have sent over the Crash with Aku Aku Mask Set for an advanced look. After the jump, you can check out my thoughts, and see my full photo gallery.
Ultra Deluxe Crash Bandicoot 7″ Scale Figure with Aku Aku Mask by NECA Toys
Pros
- Aku Aku Mask is great
- Can use mask on previous figures
- Nice variation of head sculpts
- Each head sculpt has new paint apps
- Great overall release
- Base Crash figure still looks great
Cons
- Makes standard Crash release less needed
- Head sculpts a little hard to reattach
Overall
This release of Crash comes in a large window box, featuring pretty much the same design as the Hoverboard Crash release. The check list on the back, and the figure pictured have been updated to reflect the new release. Crash sits on a plastic tray with some twist ties, and protective coverings over the head sculpts. The three head sculpts included are all variations of a smiling portrait.
Since the figure is essentially the same as all of NECA’s previously released Crash Bandicoot figures, I won’t go into much detail on the figure itself. Bottom line, the sculpt is still great, the articulation still good, and the paint applications are just as solid as before. The three head sculpts are all variations of previously released portraits. It does kind of negate the initial release. However, one of the portraits previously had additional sculpted on pieces for the Jet Pack release. With those pieces now removed, the head sculpt is basically new for this release. The other two head sculpts originally were included with the standard Crash, and the Hoverboard Crash. However, the eye paint on this release was changed, so that they aren’t exactly the same. Also, the black nose paint has been changed from a gloss finish, to a more matte finish (will explain why below). While the heads pop off fairly easily, I would recommend heating up the holes as it can be a bit tough to attach them to the peg.
The biggest draw of the set is the Aku Aku Mask accessory, which I had been hoping to see for some time. NECA came up with a clever way to incorporate the mask as well. On the back of the mask, there is a peg that is perfectly shaped to fir over ant nose on the Crash Bandicoot Figure. This keeps the mask perfectly balanced, without the need to use a stand or other help. I suspect this is why they went with a slightly more matte finish on the nose, so that the gloss isn’t rubbed off as you attach or remove the mask. The mask itself look spot on, with nice wood grain texture, soft feathers and a nice paint job.
This is basically the Crash Bandicoot I wanted from the start. Swap out portraits and the Aku Aku Mask make it the best release so far (in my eyes). If you’ve skipped the previous releases, then this is an easy figure to recommend. For those that have any or all of the other versions, then it will really come down to how much you want the Aku Aku mask. Check out some select photos below, and the full gallery after that.
CompaniesNECA
CharactersCrash Bandicoot
Scale7 Inch