First 4 Figures has been selling small displayable statues of beloved video game characters for years now (I have an Ocarina of Time Link already), but despite having a deal with Nintendo to create statues based on the company's famed properties, they've never done much of anything with the Super Mario license.  That's changing now with the reveal of a Tanooki Mario statue based on Super Mario 3D Land.  It's-a expensive!

After collecting a Tanooki Leaf, Mario dons the Tanooki Suit thus granting him new abilities such as a glide and a powerful tail whip attack. We've captured him in his trademark pose from the game, shaking his tail and ready unleash the tail whip at any moment. The base that he is stood on is styled after the first world in the game with a rich green lawn atop striped brown soil.

Tanooki Mario is made from high quality polystone resin, complete with hand finished detailing and paint work. He measures 15 inches from the base to the tip of his ears. The exclusive version features an additional red scarf and Tanooki Leaf on its own Question Mark Box Base!

At fifteen inches tall and selling for $229.99, this is an impressive design.  I've wanted F4F to create Mario statues for quite some time now, but I'm going to have to pass on this one.  Tanooki Mario is great, don't get me wrong, but I'm holding out for a traditional Mario statue with the classic red and blue overalls.  At these premium prices, if I'm going to buy a Mario statue, it has to be the one I specifically want and with which I have a special nostalgic tie.  Yes, I'm picky, but for $229.99, I have to be.