So I read quite a bit about the Wolvie bash toy breaking and thought I'd see what could replace him. I noticed that some replaced with a Bowen figure and I might go that route, but I found something else that might work for $15 on amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000NYQJGC/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00

It is just barely too tall in the machine and may need some tweaking, but the plastic is more rubbery than not, and with some heat and cutting, I think it would fit just right AND for my tastes, it looks better than the original! Pics soon and I'll update with progress.

Pics...

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The ball does clear his elbow and you can still hit the Beast lane. I want to try and cut the back and heat up and rejoin it together to slim him down a bit. I also need to take some off of the height to clear the glass which will drop the elbow at the Beast lane, so I'll need to heat and raise his arm. The neat thing about this is that unlike the Bowen figure which are resin, this guy is a malleable plastic which I can manipulate. We'll see if it works! For $15, who cares if I destroy it and throw it in the garbage you know?

Thanks for that vote of confidence

It is already registering hits and allowing the ball to travel freely as well as mot getting in the way of the ice ramp in its current, unaltered state. It doe not allow the glass to go back on, but I think getting it there could be done without too much headache.

I will say that the build of this $15 bank seems more practical for a pinball machine than the on which costs $100 that is currently in the machine. It looks as good or better imo as well.

He is wider right now. It is nice that the claw doesn't hit the ball, but the base is blocking more than before. It will depend largely on how well I can change his shape. It may not work, but you never know until you try!

If I can get him to fit right, I truly think he will never break from the abuse the ball dishes out. I don't even think the paint will wear much of at all. We'll see...

And the bank is good for...

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Yup. I am afraid to say that once he is cut down to clear the glass, his left elbow will block either your access to magneto, or, if you try and turn him toward the player to give a clear shot to Magneto, he'll block the Wolvie magnet. His right arm could be dealt with to be our of the way, but his left is not an obstacle you can beat. He is a nice little topper for $25 though