But to me, these toy action figures are even more sinister than smokin' Joe, because they're not making an understandable pitch in the public marketplace. Quake, Metal Gear Solid, Resident Evil, Mortal Kombat and others have action figures or hand-held electronic games for small children. None of these products carry any warnings that they are based on M-rated games. Like most toys, the only warning they might bear refers to possible choking hazards, as mandated by the Consumer Product Safety Commission. The reality is that pre-teens don't play with action figures.
Little boys do.
Game companies introduce children to a brand early in the hope that they will identify with it and grow up with it. And they're growing up fast. There is a natural progression. But from Teletubbies to Power Rangers, there isn't an awful lot of years there. From Power Rangers to Seeds of Evil is also a quick jump.