Release Date Listed for the Uncharted 4 Nathan Drake Funko Pop Figure

In February 2016, an Amazon product listing revealed the release date for a Funko Pop Vinyl Figure of Nathan Drake from Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End. The retailer scheduled the collectible for a March 11, 2016, launch in North America. This announcement gave fans of the PlayStation-exclusive series a new piece of merchandise to acquire just weeks before the highly anticipated game was set to arrive, providing a physical collectible tied to the digital adventure.

Figure Details and Design

The figure was designed to represent Nathan Drake as he appeared in the fourth main installment of the franchise, which promised a more mature and personal story. Standing at the standard Funko Pop height of approximately 3 and 3/4 inches, the vinyl collectible featured the character’s signature stylized look with a large head and small body. It depicted the treasure hunter in his familiar blue shirt and cargo pants, looking ready for action.

A key accessory included with the figure was a grappling hook, which directly referenced a significant new gameplay mechanic being introduced in A Thief’s End. This tool was confirmed to play a major role in traversal, combat, and environmental puzzles, allowing Drake to swing across large gaps and access previously unreachable areas. The inclusion of the grappling hook made the figure a specific tribute to the gameplay evolution of the series, distinguishing it from merchandise based on previous Uncharted titles. The figure’s design aimed to capture the slightly more weathered look of Drake in what was billed as his final adventure.

Context of the Game’s Release

The Funko Pop’s release was timed to build excitement for Uncharted 4, a title that had already experienced a series of delays. Naughty Dog’s sequel was originally slated for a 2015 release but was first pushed to March 18, 2016, to give the development team more time to polish the experience. As the March date approached, game director Neil Druckmann announced another delay, moving the final worldwide launch to April 26, 2016. The reason given for the final push was to allow for enough manufacturing time to meet worldwide demand.

These postponements heightened the anticipation for what was being marketed as the concluding chapter of Nathan Drake’s story. At the time, Uncharted 4 was positioned to be one of the biggest exclusive games for the PlayStation 4. The Funko Pop was part of a broader merchandise campaign that also included other items like a Limited Edition PlayStation Gold Wireless Headset and a detailed art book, all appearing on retail sites in the months leading up to the game’s eventual debut.

Funko’s Pop! Games Collection

The Nathan Drake figure was a new addition to Funko’s ever-expanding ‘Pop! Games’ line. This collection already featured dozens of characters from popular video game franchises, transforming iconic heroes and villains into their signature vinyl form. These figures were popular among gamers and collectors for their uniform design, accessible price point, and the sheer breadth of licenses they covered, allowing fans to build extensive displays. By adding Nathan Drake from Uncharted 4, Funko capitalized on the excitement surrounding one of the most awaited PlayStation 4 titles of the year, offering fans a tangible connection to the game as they waited through the final delay. For many, it was the first piece of Uncharted 4 memorabilia they could own.