Sonic Mini Cable Guys Holdem Review

Two packaged Sonic the Hedgehog figures, "Sliding Sonic" in blue and "Super Sonic" in yellow, designed as earpod and phone holders.

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In a change from our review of the Squid Game version, we have something a little faster. That’s right we’re back with the speedy hedgehog himself, Sonic. In plastic form. So let’s take a look at the Sonic Mini Cable Guys Holdem shall we?

Slide To The Left

Just as with other products within the Holdem range the Sonic Mini Cable Guys Holdem stand at approximately 4″ tall, meaning they can easily fit on a shelf or your desk. Whilst marketed as holders for earbuds, phones or other small gadgets, I still am very much of the viewpoint that these are more like collectible figures with the bonus of being able to hold things. Rather then that being their primary function. And for retailing around £18 on the EGX Pro website, they’re not going to break the bank either.

Looking at the packaging you can tell this is an officially licensed by Sega product. The background of the box, which doubles as a display stand, pays perfect homage to the nostalgia of the original games. Although I’m still not sold on anyone actually using these display stands as they take up more space then the actual figure. Plus the base of the actual figure is deliberately shaped to interlock with other figures in the Holdem line, so really the cardboard is quite redundant.

I realise a lot the reviews for Exg Pro Cable Guys products often include the same sort of devices to show off what they can hold i.e. phones and earbud cases. So because I’m whimsical and fun, I’ve decided to go for something a little different this time. Give it up for my partner’s inhaler he constantly loses, and LEGO Sonic. Proving the Sliding Sonic Mini Cable Guys Holdem truly can hold it all! And for those who don’t enjoy whimsy, there is a couple of earbud case pictures for you too.

A blue Sonic the Hedgehog figurine on a green base, with a colorful box featuring palm trees in the background. — Look where you’re going not where you’ve been

A Sonic the Hedgehog figurine holds an inhaler, standing on a green base, with a vibrant, tropical-themed backdrop.

A Sonic the Hedgehog holdem figurine holds a smaller Sonic lego minifgure, set on a green base with a colourful box featuring palm trees in the background.

Side view of a Sonic the Hedgehog figurine holding a earbuds case, set on a green base with a colourful box featuring palm trees in the background.

Back view of a Sonic the Hedgehog figurine holding a earbuds case, set on a green base with a colourful box featuring palm trees in the background.

Not So Super

It’s not all Gold Rings with these figures though. When unboxing the Super Sonic Mini Cable Guys Holdem I did run into an issue. That issue being he broke when trying to actually unbox him. Never in my life have I been more thankful I was not doing an unboxing video!

The body of a yellow Super Sonic Holdem figurine is propped up next to red shoes on a green base and an Apple AirPods case, with a colourful Sonic-themed box in the background. — “I’m still useful, I promise”

The issue is entirely in the box itself. Whilst there is no doubt it is a solid packaging, it’s almost too solid. I understand it is also meant to double up as a display stand, but something isn’t working. Regular readers may remember me touching upon this issue when reviewing the Squid Game Holdem too.

It was really hard to get the Sliding Sonic out the package and I really was worried about breakage but thankfully it was unscathed…aside the box. Then came Super Sonic. I took the outer sleeve off as usual, opened it up, set about to tear away the pull away section enclosing the figure in, and it wouldn’t budge. The shape of Super Sonic didn’t help when trying to get a grip on the tabs either. Then it happened. As I pulled the tear here cardboard out flew Super Sonic. Or most of him.

A round box interior features a green play area with pixelated palm trees and flowers, holding a pair of red and white shoes. — No doubt Super Sonic is light on his feet.

One Time Thing?

I’ll even let you into, well, not quite a secret, but this wasn’t even my first Super Sonic Mini Cable Guys Holdem. The one pictured above was actually the second sent from the lovely PR. The first arrived with Sliding Sonic, and was completely snapped in the box. I actually found his hand at the bottom of the padded packaging! I thought this may have been due to a particularly rough rugby playing postie. However, interestingly enough, both of these Super Sonic figures are broken in exactly the same place. Hands aside. Which speaks to me about a potential product line issue. Or even that there is too much strain on the legs of this figure. It’s quite possible with those big head spikes!

A collectible Super Sonic figure beside its packaging; the figure features bright yellow and red colors, styled as an earbud phone holder. — What’s better then one broken Super Sonic?

Final Thoughts

I’ve grown quite accustom in reviewing these little things. And whilst on the surface all of of the Cable Guys Holdem have the same specifications in terms of height, bases etc. I found when handling these Sonic Mini Cable Guys Holdem that not all are created equal. The Squid Game and Minecraft Piglin counterparts were hard to get out the box, but this was something else. You would think that the product would be able to survive it’s packaging! Which is a shame because the designs themselves are really quite good. I also think the paintwork on both the Super Sonic and Sliding Sonic figures are not as high quality as usual. You can see on my photos of Sliding Sonic where paint didn’t quite match and had gone tacky when drying.

For this reason the Sonic Mini Cable Guys Holdem get the Thumb Culture Silver Award. Just handle them with care. Or leave them in the box!