Sonic the hedgehog Toy Island Metal Force

Toy Island Sonic X Metal Force Figures

There are 4 figures in this line, and it is a repaint of the earlier Space Fighters line. These figures are SLIGHTLY different, in that they lack headgear, and some small details, as noted below. The theme to these action figures, is that they are supposedly now wearing "Metallic Suits". The fifth figure for Space Fighters was Missile Wrist, the robot, but there is no point in making him metallic, becaue he already was. Therefore, he is not on this line.

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Here is Metal Force Knuckles.
As you can see, he still has his light-up emerald rod, and strange armor. ALL the figures are in identical armor. The armor has been painted differently, in all cases. The texture of the armor is also identical. No Metal Force figure has a helmet. Other details are missing, for example Knuckles does not have the orange fin at his hip, and Shadow does not have a fin on his leg back like the Space Fighters one. See the original Knuckles review here to compare.

Here are 2 comparisons, so you can see how each figure's color scheme differs, and how Knuckles looks without his strange helmet. The Metal Force 'space rod' is also a slightly lighter color of plastic, but this does not effect it in any way.

Here is a close-up of his fist. You can see that ALL colors on all metal force figures are 'pearlized' versions, even if it's hard to notice in the photos. Even the red on him has a pearl-tone coat. The golds and silvers are all appropriatly metallic. They DID make an honest effort to reign in overspray, and for the most part it worked.

Over all, the metallic paint is a nice touch for these figures. It changed their color drastically in some places, and really improved some of the suits. Removing the helmet for Knuckles and Tails was a nice move, as their heads had a good sculpt. Shadow and Sonic...it just reveals that their heads are a poor job.

Here are all of the figures. Sonic gear is not currently affording all the figures, as they are repaints, and can be judged fairly well through looking at the originals, and this box back photo. You can see all the new colors for the new figures.

On this set, Shadow got a raw deal. His suit is not that impressive or different, and without his mask, his badly sculpted and poorly painted face make him an embarrassment to the line. Sonic fares a bit better in the paint department, but is still looking up. Sonic's suit is quite nice in person. Ignore the box back photo, the paint is attractive when you get the figure.

Watch for bent figures on this line!

ALWAYS look your figure over before buying it. This line can have paint spray problems, and there are reports of bent figures, such as Knuckles having a lifted spike, or Shadow having a distorted arm.

With this photo, you can get a better look at the metallic paint used on the figures. Tails is done in entirely silver and gold theme, with the only red for his shoes. Shadow is red and glitter-black, but his color scheme isn't much of an improvement. Sonics' dark blue/red is more impressive in person, and makes the figure look a bit less "power rangers" than it's Space Fighters counterpart. Photo by

In all, the metallic paint is a surprisingly nice addition.
Fans were dissapointed that the figures are not all new, but if you missed anyone from Space Fighters, this is a good chance to get someone similar. The metallic paint is a nice touch, and seems well selected and well done. Removing the helmets was a good choice on two, but it really shows the flaws on Sonic and Shadow.

Donate to Sonic Gear!
You can donate these figures to Gear, if you somehow magically have extras. If a figure is donated, it will be reviewed here with full photos.

Toys R Us has Assortment Number 37644 and UPC# 54687-37648 for Metal Force Knuckles. Other figures may have similar numbers. If you ask a clerk to look them up, use this number to help them.