G.I. Joe Classified Series – Retro Snake Eyes review

Hasbro has made some strong versions of the character already, but Retro Snake Eyes is the definitive version of the Joe commando in G.I. Joe Classified Series form.

The wild thing is I was perfectly fine with the Alpha Commandos set, but then Hasbro went even more classic Real American Hero style with the Retro Snake Eyes version. This one fits in perfectly with the Original 13 lineup Hasbro keeps building up.

It was seeming like I was gonna be short on getting Retro Snake Eyes until one of the longtime friends of the Lyles Figure Files YouTube channel, Jamilyn Parks, sent him along to me. Big thank you for the help my friend!

Let’s see if this nostalgia trip version of Snake Eyes pushes all the right Joe’s logo gets as memorable and exciting a figure.

Package: Hasbro’s Joe team underestimated the need for a sturdy card back and it’s quite flimsy. Assuming you can find a MOC version, it would make for a pretty nice wall display.

The package setup is cool as it’s a very reminiscent of the original card with subtle changes reflecting the adjustments of the Classified Series figure like boots instead of the footpad set up like Flash and the holsters/sheath on the legs.

With the Retro line, the bubble setup is different set up as a long cylinder instead of a separate, smaller one for the weapons. The older version looks better and less clunky, but it’s not a big deal. I do miss the role and code name section on the front.

Hasbro opted to put five languages on the file card, so the text is too small to be especially useful.

The Retro figures lack the skill charts of the modern figures, but it’s probably safe to assume Snake Eyes didn’t lose any of his top marks in covert ops, bladed weapons, stealth and ninjitsu.

Likeness: Snake Eyes largely uses the Stalker base and the irony of Joes sharing parts is not lost on me. I do wish Flash were already in rotation so Hasbro could have used his unique boot covering pants for Snake Eyes like his RAH figure.

The Stalker base is perfect for Retro Snake Eyes though since it has the ribbed collar and sleeve cuffs. New additions of course are the kneepads and boots as well as the holster on the right leg and sheath on the left leg.

Of course, I love the head sculpt, which channels that hockey mask with sunglasses look of the original figure. That’s still an incredibly cool design element. The mask is more form fitting so you can make out his nose though the lower section covering his damaged mouth isn’t as prominent.

His harness is also similar to Stalker’s with the grenade on the right side and non-removable knife on the left side. My figure’s right arm isn’t completely flush in the arm joint so it tends to create a gap, which is a little annoying.

Paint: While he’s sporting an all-black outfit, Hasbro did mix it up at points to break up that look. The grenades and sheath on his harness are painted dark green, which is also used on the belt and leg gear buckles.

I’m not a fan of this change up and wish Hasbro stuck with all black or at least switched it to silver.

I do like that the sunglasses/goggles have a nice reflective sheen to them, which makes them stand out more.

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Scale:  The Stalker body is ideal for the regular size Joe — not too tall and not too short. It allows for clear distinction for shorter characters like Tunnel Rat and taller ones like Roadblock. Retro Snake Eyes fits in just right with his fellow Joes.

Articulation: In his commando phase, Snake Eyes wasn’t busting out all of his ninja training moves preferring to operate as more of a regular soldier with some unique skills.

That didn’t mean he was a statue, which is just fine for a line like the Classified Series, which provides Snake Eyes plenty of poseability options.

With no outfit restrictions like the clunky backpack on the first one and the chest armor for the Alpha Commandoes version, Retro Snake Eyes is the best articulated Snake Eyes figures yet.

 

Retro Snake Eyes has:

• head
• neck
• shoulders (butterfly)
• elbow (double-jointed)
• wrist
• wrist hinge
• mid-torso
• torso
• waist
• hips (ball-jointed)
• drop down hips
• knees (double-jointed)
• ankles

Accessories: As usual for a Classified Series figure, Retro Snake Eyes is loading with accessories.

He’s got his classic Uzi and the satchel full of explosives like his original figure. He also comes with a stand though the Classified Series figures tend to hold poses on their own just fine.

New accessories include a smaller pistol that fits snugly into the holster.

He’s also got a knife for the left leg sheath and two small grenades. Impressively, they’ve got a good amount of paint detail on them from lettering and a red stripe along the upper portion.

There was a fun running joke in the comic series that Snake Eyes always went a little excessive with the use of explosions.

Worth It?  Like all the other Retro figures, Snake Eyes is the standard retail price of $24.99. The Joe line tends to add enough accessories that it doesn’t feel like a rip off compared to similarly priced figures.

Rating: 9.5 out of 10

Arm issues and random dark green paint accents aside, this is along overdue classic version of Snake Eyes to help further flesh out the original team.

Where to get it?  Snake Eyes is an exclusive to Walmart with a few smatterings occasionally showing up on Hasbro Pulse. The best bet is to casually stalk Walmart’s site as they will randomly get them back in stock at the regular $24.99 price.