Hasbro has locked in a new licensing partnership with Nintendo to produce The Legend of Zelda toys and products from 2027 (quick, someone play the treasure-chest-opening sound effect).
Although it's still early days, the first reveals will come in just a few days; three 6-inch figures are going to be revealed during San Diego Comic Con, which takes place between July 23-26. However, these Legend of Zelda toys aren't just going to be limited to action figures. By the sounds of it, this deal includes all kinds of products – and because Hasbro produces everything from plushies and roleplay replicas to tabletop games, it's possible that Link and co will join the best board games as well as the best toys.
Hasbro's president of toys and board games, Billy Lagor, says that the “Legend of Zelda franchise has captivated fans through its deep lore, unforgettable characters and enduring sense of discovery [for decades]. By combining Nintendo’s iconic storytelling with Hasbro’s leadership in action and role-play, we’re delivering toys that invite fans to play, explore and forge their own epic adventures."
Considering how few and far between Zelda toys have been up until now (they're largely limited to the Nintendo Store or replica items from the likes of Paladone at Amazon), this is likely to be encouraging news for fans who'd like to see more Legend of Zelda merch based on the franchise. I'm not concerned about quality, either; Hasbro is responsible for everything from the incredibly detailed Marvel Legends action figures to high-quality helmet/lightsaber replicas from Star Wars The Black Series, so it has a track record.
Although we haven't been awash with Zelda merch before now, what we did get has been stellar - as case in point, I spent $200 on this official Master Sword replica, and it made me weep with pure Zelda-fandom joy.
Hasbro is also a giant in the industry with access to some of the world's biggest IP, so it's not outside the realm of possibility that we'll see high-profile crossovers in the not-so-distant future. It owns the organization that makes the best Nerf blasters, for example, so I think we can count on a tie-in Zelda blaster at some point. In much the same way, it also heads up Wizards of the Coast – the organization that makes D&D and Magic: The Gathering. Whether fans of those games would want a Zelda tie-in is up for debate (it's a fierce argument right now, with MTG head designer Mark Rosewater saying fans must adapt or "walk away" if they don't like Universes Beyond), but it's now a possibility at least.
It's certainly been a fruitful year for Hasbro so far; just a few months ago, the company announced that it had gained the Harry Potter merch rights (which makes an MTG crossover feel inevitable). In addition, it recently got the license to produce KPop Demon Hunters toys as well.
For more cool collectibles, don't miss the best Lego sets - which includes Legend of Zelda models, no less.
