Non Specific Action Figure

2012Character meme / inside jokedead

Also known as: NSAF · Non-Specific Man

Non Specific Action Figure is a 2012 Nintendo meme from the Pre-E3 Direct video, featuring a featureless mascot with a red-white-and-blue color scheme that inspired fan campaigns for Super Smash Bros.

Non-Specific Action Figure is a fictional mascot character that appeared in Nintendo's Pre-E3 Nintendo Direct video on June 3, 2012, introduced as a tongue-in-cheek companion for the Wii U console2. The featureless, generic-looking action figure with a big grin and red-white-and-blue color scheme instantly became a fan favorite, sparking campaigns to include it in Super Smash Bros. and generating a wave of fan art across DeviantArt, Tumblr, and gaming forums7.

nintendo memessmash bros memese3 memesfan art memes

Overview

Non-Specific Action Figure is a plain, smiling humanoid figure with no distinguishing characteristics beyond a vaguely superhero-like appearance. It has a blue body, red boots, white teeth, and small wings on its back. The joke is right there in the name: it's an action figure that is deliberately non-specific, a blank slate with zero backstory or purpose. Nintendo presented the character completely straight-faced during the Wii U reveal, describing it as "your companion while playing on the Wii U" that would give you a thumbs up and flash its "glowing teeth" when you did well2.

The humor came from Nintendo treating this obviously disposable joke character with total sincerity, and the internet responded by treating it with even more sincerity.

Non-Specific Action Figure debuted during Nintendo's Pre-E3 Nintendo Direct broadcast on June 3, 20122. The character appeared between the 12:40 and 16:40 marks of the video, popping up during a promotional segment about the Wii U's Miiverse social network9. Nintendo described NSAF as a brand new character that would be "an integral part of the Wii U experience," though the company was clearly being playful2.

Vooks, an Australian Nintendo news outlet, played along with the bit, writing that NSAF "won't be included in the Wii U box but we think it should be" and expressing hope to "see him in his own game tomorrow at Nintendo's E3 Conference"2. The character was designed as a one-off gag for the presentation, but fans had other plans.

Origin & Background

Platform
Nintendo Direct (source video), Gaming forums and Tumblr (viral spread)
Key People
Nintendo
Date
2012

Non-Specific Action Figure debuted during Nintendo's Pre-E3 Nintendo Direct broadcast on June 3, 2012. The character appeared between the 12:40 and 16:40 marks of the video, popping up during a promotional segment about the Wii U's Miiverse social network. Nintendo described NSAF as a brand new character that would be "an integral part of the Wii U experience," though the company was clearly being playful.

Vooks, an Australian Nintendo news outlet, played along with the bit, writing that NSAF "won't be included in the Wii U box but we think it should be" and expressing hope to "see him in his own game tomorrow at Nintendo's E3 Conference". The character was designed as a one-off gag for the presentation, but fans had other plans.

How It Spread

The reaction was immediate. GoNintendo declared the Non-Specific Action Figure "the star of E3" and noted that a campaign to get the character into the next Super Smash Bros. game was "already picking up steam" within hours of the Nintendo Direct airing.

Fan communities picked up the character quickly across multiple platforms. A dedicated Tumblr blog, "F Yeah Non Specific Action Figure," launched and began collecting fan content, with users comparing NSAF to Captain America due to its red, white, and blue color scheme. On DeviantArt, artists created original illustrations, approval stamps featuring NSAF alongside Nintendo president Satoru Iwata, and crossover art with other Nintendo characters.

The Wii U Forums hosted polls asking whether the figure should be packaged with console hardware. On GameFAQs, a thread titled "Let's list 500 games non-specific action figure should star in" saw users proposing mock game titles like "Non-Specific Action Figure's Mansion 2" and "Non-Specific Action Figurebound," riffing on existing Nintendo franchises. Some users even speculated that NSAF might be the unnamed character in Shigeru Miyamoto's rumored new IP.

Nintendo Gamer published an elaborate satirical biography for the character, inventing a backstory about "Alfredo Russo," born in San Marino in 1943, who became a "small-claims superhero" and rice collector before landing his role in the Nintendo Direct video. The piece described how "Alfredo" met Reggie Fils-Aimé, who told him: "Kid, you've got natural acting ability and a great ass. You've got the gig".

By January 2013, a modder demonstrated how to create a physical Non-Specific Action Figure using a toy figure of wrestler Mark Coleman, some paint, and a pair of attached wings. The video tutorial gained attention on My Nintendo News, though commenters were more interested in debating the character's potential as a Super Smash Bros. fighter.

Media

How to Use This Meme

Non-Specific Action Figure works best in Nintendo fan discussions as a joke candidate or absurd suggestion. Common uses include:

- Proposing NSAF as a fighter in Super Smash Bros. roster wishlists, typically delivered deadpan - Creating fan art that treats the featureless character as a legitimate Nintendo hero - Using NSAF as a reaction image (particularly a thumbs-up) to express generic, non-specific approval - Inserting the character into mock game titles by replacing existing Nintendo characters with NSAF

The humor comes from the contrast between the character's intentional blandness and the passionate sincerity of the fan campaigns around it.

Fun Facts

NSAF's brief appearance in the Nintendo Direct lasted roughly four minutes, but it generated more fan enthusiasm than several actual Wii U game announcements from the same presentation.

The Nintendo Gamer biography claimed NSAF's alter ego collected over 13,000 types of rice and missed three of his sisters' weddings due to playing Silent Hill: Shattered Memories on Wii.

The Wii U, the console NSAF was created to promote, sold only 13.56 million units and became Nintendo's lowest-selling home console.

Some fans suggested NSAF could work in a game similar to Skylanders, using the Wii U's NFC technology for a toy-to-life experience "with a unique Nintendo vibe".

Derivatives & Variations

Super Smash Bros. fan campaigns

— Multiple forum threads and online petitions pushed for NSAF's inclusion as a playable fighter in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U, with fans arguing the character deserved a spot alongside Nintendo's actual mascots[3][7].

Physical figure recreation

— A modder built a real-world NSAF using a wrestler action figure, paint, and attached wings, sharing a tutorial video in January 2013[1].

Satirical biography

— Nintendo Gamer published a full fake life story for the character under the name "Alfredo Russo," placing him at historical events including Charles and Diana's wedding and Lee Harvey Oswald's murder[9].

Dedicated Tumblr blog

— "F Yeah Non Specific Action Figure" aggregated fan content, jokes, and crossover comparisons, including a popular post comparing NSAF to Captain America[8].

Frequently Asked Questions

Non Specific Action Figure

2012Character meme / inside jokedead

Also known as: NSAF · Non-Specific Man

Non Specific Action Figure is a 2012 Nintendo meme from the Pre-E3 Direct video, featuring a featureless mascot with a red-white-and-blue color scheme that inspired fan campaigns for Super Smash Bros.

Non-Specific Action Figure is a fictional mascot character that appeared in Nintendo's Pre-E3 Nintendo Direct video on June 3, 2012, introduced as a tongue-in-cheek companion for the Wii U console. The featureless, generic-looking action figure with a big grin and red-white-and-blue color scheme instantly became a fan favorite, sparking campaigns to include it in Super Smash Bros. and generating a wave of fan art across DeviantArt, Tumblr, and gaming forums.

nintendo memes smash bros memes e3 memes fan art memes

Overview

Non-Specific Action Figure is a plain, smiling humanoid figure with no distinguishing characteristics beyond a vaguely superhero-like appearance. It has a blue body, red boots, white teeth, and small wings on its back. The joke is right there in the name: it's an action figure that is deliberately non-specific, a blank slate with zero backstory or purpose. Nintendo presented the character completely straight-faced during the Wii U reveal, describing it as "your companion while playing on the Wii U" that would give you a thumbs up and flash its "glowing teeth" when you did well.

The humor came from Nintendo treating this obviously disposable joke character with total sincerity, and the internet responded by treating it with even more sincerity.

Non-Specific Action Figure debuted during Nintendo's Pre-E3 Nintendo Direct broadcast on June 3, 2012. The character appeared between the 12:40 and 16:40 marks of the video, popping up during a promotional segment about the Wii U's Miiverse social network. Nintendo described NSAF as a brand new character that would be "an integral part of the Wii U experience," though the company was clearly being playful.

Vooks, an Australian Nintendo news outlet, played along with the bit, writing that NSAF "won't be included in the Wii U box but we think it should be" and expressing hope to "see him in his own game tomorrow at Nintendo's E3 Conference". The character was designed as a one-off gag for the presentation, but fans had other plans.

Origin & Background

Platform
Nintendo Direct (source video), Gaming forums and Tumblr (viral spread)
Key People
Nintendo
Date
2012

Non-Specific Action Figure debuted during Nintendo's Pre-E3 Nintendo Direct broadcast on June 3, 2012. The character appeared between the 12:40 and 16:40 marks of the video, popping up during a promotional segment about the Wii U's Miiverse social network. Nintendo described NSAF as a brand new character that would be "an integral part of the Wii U experience," though the company was clearly being playful.

Vooks, an Australian Nintendo news outlet, played along with the bit, writing that NSAF "won't be included in the Wii U box but we think it should be" and expressing hope to "see him in his own game tomorrow at Nintendo's E3 Conference". The character was designed as a one-off gag for the presentation, but fans had other plans.

How It Spread

The reaction was immediate. GoNintendo declared the Non-Specific Action Figure "the star of E3" and noted that a campaign to get the character into the next Super Smash Bros. game was "already picking up steam" within hours of the Nintendo Direct airing.

Fan communities picked up the character quickly across multiple platforms. A dedicated Tumblr blog, "F Yeah Non Specific Action Figure," launched and began collecting fan content, with users comparing NSAF to Captain America due to its red, white, and blue color scheme. On DeviantArt, artists created original illustrations, approval stamps featuring NSAF alongside Nintendo president Satoru Iwata, and crossover art with other Nintendo characters.

The Wii U Forums hosted polls asking whether the figure should be packaged with console hardware. On GameFAQs, a thread titled "Let's list 500 games non-specific action figure should star in" saw users proposing mock game titles like "Non-Specific Action Figure's Mansion 2" and "Non-Specific Action Figurebound," riffing on existing Nintendo franchises. Some users even speculated that NSAF might be the unnamed character in Shigeru Miyamoto's rumored new IP.

Nintendo Gamer published an elaborate satirical biography for the character, inventing a backstory about "Alfredo Russo," born in San Marino in 1943, who became a "small-claims superhero" and rice collector before landing his role in the Nintendo Direct video. The piece described how "Alfredo" met Reggie Fils-Aimé, who told him: "Kid, you've got natural acting ability and a great ass. You've got the gig".

By January 2013, a modder demonstrated how to create a physical Non-Specific Action Figure using a toy figure of wrestler Mark Coleman, some paint, and a pair of attached wings. The video tutorial gained attention on My Nintendo News, though commenters were more interested in debating the character's potential as a Super Smash Bros. fighter.

Media

How to Use This Meme

Non-Specific Action Figure works best in Nintendo fan discussions as a joke candidate or absurd suggestion. Common uses include:

- Proposing NSAF as a fighter in Super Smash Bros. roster wishlists, typically delivered deadpan - Creating fan art that treats the featureless character as a legitimate Nintendo hero - Using NSAF as a reaction image (particularly a thumbs-up) to express generic, non-specific approval - Inserting the character into mock game titles by replacing existing Nintendo characters with NSAF

The humor comes from the contrast between the character's intentional blandness and the passionate sincerity of the fan campaigns around it.

Fun Facts

NSAF's brief appearance in the Nintendo Direct lasted roughly four minutes, but it generated more fan enthusiasm than several actual Wii U game announcements from the same presentation.

The Nintendo Gamer biography claimed NSAF's alter ego collected over 13,000 types of rice and missed three of his sisters' weddings due to playing Silent Hill: Shattered Memories on Wii.

The Wii U, the console NSAF was created to promote, sold only 13.56 million units and became Nintendo's lowest-selling home console.

Some fans suggested NSAF could work in a game similar to Skylanders, using the Wii U's NFC technology for a toy-to-life experience "with a unique Nintendo vibe".

Derivatives & Variations

Super Smash Bros. fan campaigns

— Multiple forum threads and online petitions pushed for NSAF's inclusion as a playable fighter in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U, with fans arguing the character deserved a spot alongside Nintendo's actual mascots[3][7].

Physical figure recreation

— A modder built a real-world NSAF using a wrestler action figure, paint, and attached wings, sharing a tutorial video in January 2013[1].

Satirical biography

— Nintendo Gamer published a full fake life story for the character under the name "Alfredo Russo," placing him at historical events including Charles and Diana's wedding and Lee Harvey Oswald's murder[9].

Dedicated Tumblr blog

— "F Yeah Non Specific Action Figure" aggregated fan content, jokes, and crossover comparisons, including a popular post comparing NSAF to Captain America[8].

Frequently Asked Questions