GI Joe Classified Series Cobra SNAKE review No. 162 (2025)
The Cobra SNAKE was one of my earliest Cobra vehicles. It was a fairly simple setup with a shell you could place a Cobra trooper in to provide a tougher problem for the GI Joes.
It also gained some early significance in the GI Joe: A Real American Hero comic line as legendary writer Larry Hama made the SNAKE a major component of the landmark issue #19. The Cobra SNAKE had a big moment in the first GI Joe cartoon mini-series as Snake Eyes, Snow Job, Scarlett, Flash and Tripwire had to contend with them to retrieve the crystals.
When the Classified Series team announced they would be updating the Cobra SNAKE for the Classified Series line, I was excited. In the CS squad’s hands this could be an excellent Cobra mini-vehicle to further supplement the Cobra attack. Let’s see if this snake is all set to strike or needs to get put back into the basket.
Packaging: The vehicle packaging is different from the normal deluxe presentation as the cool rendered art is on the front instead of the back. This one shows a trio of Cobra SNAKEs causing all kinds of destruction. Nothing Easter Egg-worthy here save the third Cobra trooper climbing out of his SNAKE to survey the damage.
Over on the left side is the QR Code to Nowhere and the skill stats, which are large enough to read in this scale. The right side has one Cobra SNAKE lumbering ahead.
In lieu of a file card, here’s the description from Hasbro Pulse: Designed by Destro and his scientists the Cobra S.N.A.K.E. is a powerful battle suit whose heavy armor plating protects Cobra troopers. When captured G.I. Joes are placed inside, its powerful sensors easily brainwash them into thinking and acting like Cobra.
Over on the back is the breakdown of special sections, accessories and full name of the SNAKE — System: Neutralizer Armed Kloaking Equipment — Battle Suit. The idea of the SNAKE having a cloaking device is wild.
For the skill sets, the Cobra SNAKE ranks a 4 in strength and armor and 3s in heavy weapons and ordinance.
Likeness: The original RAH version of the Cobra SNAKE was basically an exo-skeleton for a standard Cobra trooper with snap on parts. This updated Classified Series SNAKE is more of a full-on mech complete with a cockpit for a Cobra trooper to steer it. That makes it much wider, thicker and taller.
This is one of the more impressive updates in the line so far as the Cobra SNAKE has plenty of detailed paneling, plating, grates and gears while still retaining the lumbering battle suit visual of the original.
Maybe Flash and Tripwire couldn’t have this one shaking in its transistors with a few spins, but a Cobra operative would have trouble targeting a quick moving opponent.
I really dig the lower half as it looks like MARS has been getting some inspiration from the Transformers, which kinda falls in line with events in certain comic continuity. The cockpit area is also incredibly detailed with steps for a trooper to scale in order to sit down.
When it’s raised back up, the trooper can utilize the monitor and readout display, which is a nice touch.
The Cobra SNAKE also has steering controls on either side and the familiar V-type harness. These can be a bit of a pain to securely fasten a figure into, but at least with this cockpit there’s enough space to properly tab it in.
Scale: The vintage Cobra SNAKE was just slightly taller than a regular trooper, but the CS version is immensely plussed up size-wise. It’s taller than two regular sized figures with one standing on the shoulders of the other one. This really helps add to its menacing presence.
I’m really pleased with its massive scope as it helps to further expand the scale of Cobra vehicles and gear.
Paint: Hasbro opted to not make the SNAKE a stark white. It’s got more of a paper white hue with greys, black and red accents to break it up. There is also a little gold paint apps in the ‘head’ section.
The tampo details are cleanly printed. I really love that there’s some wear and tear on those parts of the paintjob to show the SNAKE has already seen plenty of combat.
Hasbro also added a dirty wash to help grime it up further. It’s a cool touch and helps make the SNAKE not look so pristine as it’s being used in battle.
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Articulation: The Cobra SNAKE is a big mech, so it doesn’t need to be able to do splits or any wrestling moves. The top portion rotates left and right a reasonable amount. This updated SNAKE doesn’t have the trooper’s arms or legs actually in the arm and leg sections, allowing for more dynamic posing with those areas.
The hips have enough range for the SNAKE to be able to kick straight ahead. It can’t support a one-legged stance, but it can be posed against a wall to do that kind of pose. Both the elbows and knees have ratchet joints that should prevent any loose joints. The arms have a ball joint allowing the SNAKE to flare the arms back for more dramatic poses. It can also hunch over forward enough so the pilot can look down at a Joe staring up at it.
For a huge vanguard vehicle, the Cobra SNAKE has better articulation than I expected.
The Cobra SNAKE has:
- shoulders (ball-jointed)
- elbows
- waist
- hips
- knees
- ankle
My only gripe is the cockpit section tends to pop up with minimal movement and posing. It fastens back in place easily enough, but it is mildly annoying having to fix so often.
Accessories: The Cobra SNAKE does include some accessories.
It has all of the vintage weapons of a machine gun/laser cannon, a missile, a flamethrower and power claw.
For the flamethrower, there are the three flame trails — the ignited burst, the small and larger flame trails. There are also two jet fuel packs that are removable, but not really something you’d take on and off.
Worth It? The Cobra SNAKE clocked in at $75. We’ve seen a decent amount of mid-sized vehicles like The Ferrett and the Trubble Bubble go for less and they included a figure. Given the large scale of the Cobra SNAKE, it doesn’t seem like a bad value, however.
Rating: 9.7 out of 10
The only minor issue with the SNAKE is the tabs not sticking in, but otherwise this is a fantastic vehicle/playset. I’ve got two and kinda think I want another one.
Where to Get It? The Cobra SNAKE was an exclusive to Hasbro Pulse. It’s been in and out of stock since Pulse orders have been cancelled so there is still a decent chance to get it.
Also, there’s a good chance that some allotment will be available at other Hasbro online retailers like Entertainment Earth and Big Bad Toy Store.
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