GamesCom 2018 has been a “PVC Coming Out” party of a sort for First 4 Figures, who simultaneously are revealing and selling PVC statues for heir first time ever at a major event. But GamesCon hasn’t been all about PVCs on the F4F reveals from, as the company also brought along a pair of previously-unannounced resins to display for the first time ever: “Mini” Aku Aku Mask 1:4 scale statue companion pieces to the classic Crash Bandicoot Statue!

Leave it to the masters over at First4Figures to prepare us solely for an onslaught of new PVC figures at GamesCom (which they did unveil) and to then hit us with something totally unexpectedly out of left field as well: resin Companion piece statues!

Companion pieces are a new concept for F4F where smaller, complementary resin statues are created to enhance the display of a main line of resin statues–without actually being counted as a normal part of that series. Basically, it’s “bonus” pieces that you don’t have to buy to keep your number for a line, but which will look great with your statues from that series if you do decide to purchase them.

These companion pieces will still be numbered, limited-edition statues—they just won’t be required purchasing in order to maintain your “championship belt” and carry your number over to the next statue in a series. More specifics on the numbering details for these companion statues will be announced at a later date.

The first-ever First 4 Figures “Companion” statues will be the Golden Aku Aku Mask and the traditional Aku Mask from Crash Bandicoot. Almost all of the detail of the 1:1 scale versions will be present (or at least as much as can fit)–just at a smaller size and lower price!

Just like with the life-sized versions, the Exclusive editions available direct from F4F will feature electronic light-up eyes, and the two will be available as a combo pack bundle for a discount ($399.99 for the combo pack vs. $214.99 each–a $30 savings).

In addition to the Mini Golden Aku Aku Mask and regular Aku Mask, First4Figures CEO Alex Davis mentioned the transformed wolf and bat forms of Alucard from Castlevania Symphony of the Night as future possibilities for the Companion Series. (And for those who regret missing Alucard, you can still get on the Wait List for both versions of the Exclusive Versions of the Alucard 1/4 statue!)

I think that referring to these as “Mini” Aku Aku Masks may be a bit of a misnomer. While these are obviously only a quarter of the size of the enormous Life-Size Aku Aku Mask, they’re still in approximate 1:4 scale and sized to look right next to the very large 16” Crash Bandicoot resin figure. And to be honest, I think the base is much-improved on this version of the masks as opposed to the life-size version.

There’s been some controversy regarding the prices of these Mini Aku Aku Mask statues, as some have been complaining about the price-point of $214.99 for these, as the Life-Size Aku Aku Mask is “just” $384.99, so I feel like I need to say a few words regarding the pricing on these.

Size is not the sole, primary determining factor in pricing. The Life-Size Aku Aku Masks are a tremendous value to be sure, but that’s not indicative of 1:4 versions of the mask with a new and more elaborate base being poorly-priced at $200-$215 each.

There’s no company in the land releasing statues of the size, detail and quality of these light-up 1:4 scale “Mini” Aku Aku Masks for anywhere near as low as $215. In a world where 1:6 resin statues are commonly costing $350-$400+, that’s an insanely low price for the modern resin statue era.

Production is expensive, and you only save so much money by making item smaller. That’s the reason so few companies make 1:6 statues anymore–because they have to be priced almost as much as 1:4 statues because of production costs, so companies might as well offer consumers something much larger for only a little bit more money.

The F4F Companion Piece Aku Aku Mask Minis will be available on the F4F website at a later date to everyone, and are only available right now to GamesCom attendees who purchase a Pre-Order Pack at the show. I’ll send out alerts via the Gamer Toy News Facebook and Twitter pages once more information on the pre-orders for these is available, so stay tuned if you’re dying for some quarter-scale Aku Aku Masks!

What do you think of this all-new concept of First 4 Figures Companion pieces, gaming collectors? Are you interested in owning companion statues of things like Alucard’s Bat and Wolf forms and the Aku Aku Masks, and what other characters would you be psyched to see made in the companion series?