I’ve been collecting Nendoroids for a while, and the moment Good Smile Company showed the updated painted prototype for Sam Porter Bridges from Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, I felt that familiar mixture of excitement and impatience. The first thing my eyes landed on wasn’t Sam’s face or his cargo case—it was the tiny Dollman figure clipped to his waist. I immediately thought about how much personality that one little piece adds to the whole sculpt.

Even from a quick glance, this version of Sam looks like he stepped straight out of Death Stranding 2: On the Beach. He’s wearing the familiar porter outfit, and Lou’s BB pod is attached to his chest with that darkened surface that makes it feel a little more somber and mysterious. In his right hand he’s holding a piece of cargo, which is such a small but effective reminder of what a porter actually does. Then you notice Dollman hanging at his waist, and the figure suddenly feels alive with that odd, surreal humor Kojima Productions does so well.

What surprised me most about the update is that the prototype is already in a painted state. That usually means Good Smile Company has moved far enough along that pre-orders could open fairly soon. I’m still checking the usual storefronts every few days because there’s no official release window yet. The wait is a strange kind of torture. A painted prototype often suggests we’re close, but close can still mean weeks or even months of silence. 🫠

Looking at the full body photograph, I can see the little details that make this Nendoroid feel true to the game. The Odradek is attached to his back, which I love because it gives the silhouette that unmistakable Death Stranding shape. The BB pod is dark and closed, almost like it’s hiding something, and the cargo in Sam’s hand looks weighty despite being tiny. But honestly, Dollman steals the show. In this prototype the small Dollman figure doesn’t appear to have its facial features painted on yet, or at least not fully finished. That detail makes me think the accessory might still be getting some refinement before the final product goes up for sale.

I also can’t help comparing this new figure to the original Sam Porter Bridges Nendoroid from the first Death Stranding. Good Smile Company made two versions back then, and I remember how fans argued over which one was worth grabbing. The standard version was already nice, but the Great Deliverer Version became the one everyone wanted because it included extra packages to load onto Sam’s back, a hood, and sunglasses. Those extra bits made the figure feel much more customizable and closer to the game’s lonely, heavily loaded traveling fantasy. Both of those original releases are now out of print, so finding one on places like Amazon or eBay usually means paying a serious markup. I’ve seen collectors wince at those prices, and I completely understand why. 😅

That history makes me especially eager to get this Death Stranding 2: On the Beach version. If the original figure’s Great Deliverer Version is anything to go by, the new one might eventually get a deluxe treatment too, or at least enough accessories to make Sam feel complete. Right now, the focus seems to be on capturing his updated look from the sequel rather than piling on extra gear. Still, a man can dream about a hood or additional cargo cases.

What I really appreciate about this prototype is how balanced it feels. Nendoroids can sometimes get cluttered when a character has too many accessories, but here every element has a clear place. The right hand holds cargo, the back holds the Odradek, the chest keeps the BB pod, and the waist gets Dollman. Nothing competes too much for attention, and the whole thing looks like a clean translation of Sam’s in-game silhouette into chibi form.

Here’s a quick rundown of the key parts I noticed on the prototype:

Honestly, I’m glad Good Smile Company and Kojima Productions are taking their time with this one. A character as detailed as Sam benefits from careful sculpting, especially when he has so many signature pieces attached to his body. The painted prototype gives me hope that the wait might finally be narrowing, but until pre-orders actually open, I’ll keep my wishlist ready and my wallet braced.

For now, Death Stranding 2: On the Beach is available and I’m still wandering its world, so a little chibi Sam on my shelf would feel like the perfect companion. The moment this Nendoroid goes up for pre-order, I’ll be ready. Dollman might be tiny, but he’s already done a huge job in making me want this figure even more. 📦