A Real American Hero G.I. Joe Entertainment Battle Pack

[Shogi]

The first DVD set is the "A Real American Hero" Miniseries also known as "The MASS Device" Miniseries. This set comes with 4 figures, a small accessory, a part of the Mass Device and a DVD of the miniseries itself!

The DVD is a bare-bones version of the series in a slim case. No extras, I don't even think they used the old Rhino masters here as the cartoon itself is brighter and seems to have a little bit of film grain that un-remastered movies have. There are two options from the main menu, Movie or Episodes. You can either watch the whole miniseries as one whole movie or you can watch an individual episode. There are no commercial breaks declaring GI Joe will be right back and the only times you see the opening sequence or the end credits is at the beginning of the first episode and at the end of the last episode, respectfully. I do not know about the sound (If it's 5.0 surround or whatever) as I don't really pay that much attention to that. As long as I can hear it well, I'm happy. I have no problems with the DVD being as bland as it is because I view it as a freebie anyway. $20 for 4 figures is a deal already, now we get a movie too!

[Shogi]

Snake-Eyes and Timber are recreating their fateful meeting in these figures. Snake-Eyes has a few parts made out of orange translucent plastic with a bluish-grey paintjob to simulate his appearance in the cartoon when he had radiation poisoning. The effect is pretty cool IMO, but I'm a sucker for translucent plastic. His hands are all new sculpts and no longer suffer from the folds the gloves had on the back of the hand. The only problem with this is that the left hand is made to look like Snake-Eyes is carrying the canister of radioactive crystals so it's permanently cocked at an angle that makes the Viper hands look acceptable. The canister is also made of the same translucent plastic and has some silver paint on it. Timber is the same mold we've had since the 2005 with version 23 of Snake-Eyes and I still think he looks great. Snake-Eyes comes with Timber, The canister of Radioactive Crystals, a brown Snow Job rifle and a GI Joe stand with his name on it.

The figure is still a classic and the "glowing radiation" is nice. The new hands are great, but that left hand ruins it. The figure will look good in a diorama but that's about it.


Figure Rating: 6 Out of 10

[Shogi]

Stalker wearing a Jump Jet Pack is an iconic vision from the cartoon and this figure looks just like that. It's the same Stalker we've already gotten but with a new camo pattern that is exactly like the cartoon. Unfortunately the colors of this figure are a few shades too light. So now we have another yellow Stalker, but without the high price tag. All the webgear and details are the same light tan from the cartoon. The Jump Jet Pack is silver like in the cartoon and Stalker has the brown Snow Job rifle to finish off the cartoon look here. Stalker comes with the Jump Jet Pack, Snow Job rifle and a Gijoe Stand with his name on it.

Stalker is an ok figure. I feel he would have been miles better had they used some darker colors on him that closer matched the cartoon. If they had, this would have definitely been my default Stalker.


Figure Rating: 5 out of 10

[Shogi]

Scuba Baroness is a figure I never expected to see. Hasbro surprised us with it and even though it has a lot of reused parts, they work out great.

The torso, arms and legs are all from Scarlett. Typically, this would be bad for the figure as it would look more like Scarlett with a Baroness head or something, but with the addition of a few parts, this becomes Scuba Baroness. The head is all new and until I was just writing this, I didn't realize that the air hose comes out of the mouth piece. The hands look to be Baroness hands with shortened wrists. The feet are completely new and the fins are molded on. Since the Scarlett torso has that shoulder pad on the right shoulder, the webgear has a left shoulder pad molded on it to make it even. This also hides the hole where the grenade used to plug into. The only drawback with this figure is the limited leg movement because the Scarlett waist is one that hasn't been retooled. The accessories are what make this figure though. The Heavy Water collector and new pistol look like they were pulled right out of the TV! Baroness comes with Clear removable Goggles, Backpack Air Tank, Laser Pistol, Heavy Water Collector and a Cobra Stand with her name on it.

The figure is a great reuse of parts with new additions and wicked cool accessories. It'll be a great part of an underwater diorama or hanging off the side of a boat.


Figure Rating: 7 out of 10

[Shogi]

Seems we can only get a red sigil blue shirt in multipacks and this one is no exception. The Cobra Trooper the same figure we've gotten many times over. The paint job is made to look more accurate to the cartoon but it just comes off a little too much to me. I think it may be the white pocket on the left leg, it draws the attention away from everything, even the huge Cobra sigil that takes up most of his chest. Something different I noticed was that the helmet has been retooled for the inside. Now it's thicker in the back to allow a more solid fit on the bald head.. The Cobra Trooper comes with Tomax and Xamot's gun, knife and Cobra Stand with his name on it.

Construction wise, this Trooper is solid, the mod to the helmet is a great new addition, but the paint job sorta kills it for me.


Figure Rating: 5 out of 10

[Shogi]

Now we come to the push cart with the 3 boxes of Catalytic Element on it for the MASS Device. This is a great accessory that will look awesome in any diorama. The cart has 3 recessed areas in it to put the Catalytic Elements on. The only minor problem with the cart is the lack of movable wheels, but I can let that go easily.

The MASS Device part that comes with this set is the Console. Every detail about this part looks just like it does in the cartoon, complete with three removable Element Containers. These can be replaced with Element Containers that have the elements in them. The first of which we got with the Wave 8 Cobra Commander.

Overall, this set had a couple of dud figures but the other figures make up for them a bit and the set is chock full of great accessories and a classic miniseries on DVD. For the price of the set, this is a great value!

[Monkeywrench]

great review. I'm getting my set from BBTS sometime this week!

[Bernit69]

Snake eyes doing the crips sign...he's going gangsta.

[Cannon Fodder]

No knife for Stalker, huh. Way to go Hasbro! Thanks for the review Shogi. Really appreciate man!

[RUNAMUCK]

try a cool pose of snake eyes dragin someone from the neck with that crooked hand.

[MLos1]

I just saw a whole shelf of these at Target in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. They did a nice job with them, packaging and connecting the DVD to the box etc. etc.

I never expected to see Scuba Baroness as well. But I like the fact that it's not some repacked sculpt. It's a brand new edition. NO wacky comic colors. A totally new figure.

I like the "glowing" effect SE, and looks better in hand. But the drawback is that (you're right Shogi) it really only functions in the diorama.

It'll be awesome in the winter though, to take some snapshots of the irradiated SE in the snow. I'm looking forward to that.

[Amberbratt]

shit man... the big red logo kills it for me :(

I dig the white paint... I would trade my BIG LOGO for a small RED LOGO 5 pack any takers? :P

[Agent-GHQ]

So who has the blue and orange substances?

[Snow cat]

I love the set. We watched the DVD lastnight and i felt like i was 11 again. And my girl seeing it for the fist time could not stop laughing at the jokes and the remarks. But loved it.

[Gung.Heaux]

i love this set....much more than set 2.

snake eyes is great, i love transluscent figures too. in a rare move, left the rubberband around the canister, so mine is permanently holding the canister. also gave him baroness' gun, cuz it looks like the one he drops when the bear surprises him.

stalker is nice....never thought id own a stalker repaint, but he and his JUMP are permanently sitting on the RAM. looks great. (as great as it can seeing the handlebars on the new RAM, force the figure to sit much more upright than the old RAM. looks more like hes just cruising around base, rather than charging into battle)

baroness is great....i made her a mini diorama where she is swimming (hanging) over the heavy water. i also had to paint the goggles so i wouldnt see those horribly painted glasses that make her look like a racoon. (painted silver, on the inside....came out pretty good) i thank hasbro for doing that figure...they couldve taken an easier route and given us destro with that comic pack stormshadow cloak....but they really made a pretty nice figure.

cobra trooper will probably end up in a vehicle.

the accessories are above and beyond too...the elements didnt have to be removable from the cart, but they are, and its a great feature. the texture of the elements is great too. hasbro couldve gone the cheap route and did colored decals. the cart is nice too and to my surprise---the wheels all sit flat!

if the first two parts of the MASS is any indication of the completed piece, were in for a real sweet treat! what a great addition to our collections!

i thank hasbro for a great set. i really do. but i have to cite this set as a great example of how hasbro somtimes runs with the ball...yet other times drops it.

come on hasbro, times are tough, yet we hang on....run, hasbro run!

[Zefram]

Ehhh... given how well Torpedo was done, and the Eels are looking, I was expecting a lot more from the Baroness figure.

Has Hasbro given any indication when we might see figures with the other two elements?

[Shogi]

Has Hasbro given any indication when we might see figures with the other two elements?

These two figures were found in a Wal-Mart computer (I believe) and are thus far unconfirmed rumors but it's thoght that the Diver comes with the Heavy Water Element and Tripwire comes with the Meteor Element (Possibly called desert because it's yellow and looks like sand)

Cobra Diver w/ WA UPC = 0065356937428

Tripwire w/ Desert UPC = 0065356937431

These are all rumors though. We haven't heard any official word about this

[xhairs]

very cool review man.

[morgana08]

Great review. I didn't mind the lack of some accessories as it's less to lose while moving the figures from one location to another. I'm not keen on this push-cart as those cubes keep falling out but I plan on fixing that.
Overall, it's a good set and well worth the $20.

[Monkeywrench]

good review. when is set 2 going to be reviewed? I can't wait to see your view on the new LJ and the cartoon Destro

[Gung.Heaux]

Ehhh... given how well Torpedo was done, and the Eels are looking, I was expecting a lot more from the Baroness figure.

Has Hasbro given any indication when we might see figures with the other two elements?

torpedo and eels are $5...i mean $6....i mean $7 figures....if you figure in the MASS piece and new accessories....id say these figures are roughly $4 each.

thats not to say if baroness was on a card, shedve been any better, but for $4 i think we should be happy she was even in scuba gear.

sometimes you shouldnt ask for the moon when they offer the stars.

[Nemesis_Enforcer]

Nice review. I should be getting the set later this week or next week.

[darthdrew13]

The Cobra Trooper's right hand is by far the worst I have ever seen! I actually like the big logo on his chest, but hate the hand. I had to carefully pop out the hand, use one of the rubberbands from the packaging, and strap the gun in his hand (then carefully pop the hand back in place). Now he looks better.

I had the DVD playing while doing this and liked the fact he matches the TV show colors. This was the reason for this battle pack. I do hope, however, that Hasbro re-releases the Cobra Trooper soon again on single card, with a red logo and black harness, etc. That would make a bunch of people happy.

[Banshee]

This set is rather nice. I don't care for cartoon Stalker, but 3 out of 4 figures, + MASS part + DVD is well worth the 20 bucks.

[Crimson Rage]

I have no idea how that Snake Eyes will be useful to me, but he's still cool.
Scuba Baroness: Again excellent, but limited use. May have her as a nameless "Eel Commander" (they can be females I suppose).

Thanks for the review once again!

[Bernit69]

Just got me set today and I love everything about it. The price is great for what I get. But if I could complain about anything it would be only two things. 1) I wish the flatbed cart came with rolling wheels and 2) Stalker and Snakes Eyes should of came with their guns for their vest and knives for their leg holster. Luckly I have extras for each to make them complete. But that sucks HASBRO.

[Tomahawk]

thanks for the great review

[Monkeywrench]

This set is rather nice. I don't care for cartoon Stalker, but 3 out of 4 figures, + MASS part + DVD is well worth the 20 bucks.

I don't either but he looks better displayed next to Roadblock from the other set

[unclejoey]

The Cobra Trooper's right hand is by far the worst I have ever seen! I actually like the big logo on his chest, but hate the hand. I had to carefully pop out the hand, use one of the rubberbands from the packaging, and strap the gun in his hand (then carefully pop the hand back in place). Now he looks better.

Is this the same right hand as all of the previous 25th troopers? Can he even hold a weapon in it without a rubber band?

[Shogi]

Is this the same right hand as all of the previous 25th troopers? Can he even hold a weapon in it without a rubber band?

I think the main drawbacks are that A. the trigger finger isn't seperated & B. the handle of the gun is too thick for this hand

[fred V]

thanks for the details you give in your reviews!!very in depth,great job.

[MrClean]

Not sure if it was mentioned in the thread or not (too lazy to read through), but isn't this the first "Scarlet" body with the backpack hole? I also noticed the Cobra Trooper has a fixed crotch. has that been done before? I don't remember if the PP version was fixed or not.

[Shogi]

Not sure if it was mentioned in the thread or not (too lazy to read through), but isn't this the first "Scarlet" body with the backpack hole? I also noticed the Cobra Trooper has a fixed crotch. has that been done before? I don't remember if the PP version was fixed or not.

PP Trooper does have a fixed crotch. I thought the Wv 4 Scarlett had a backpack hole but I can't remember now

[Crimson Rage]

One little point to add for 'foreign' collectors which I don't think has been mentioned yet. The DVD in these sets are not region-coded and can be played anywhere on the world. Definately a plus...

[Xerofall]

I actually like the Stalker in the DVD pack better than the carded version. I was bummed he didn't have any weapons to go in his webgear, but Marauders fixes that pretty easily.

Snake-Eyes is pretty cool for display... that's what I'm doing with the figures anyway, so I do not mind that limitation.

I'm diggin the Baroness, very cartoon accurate. So is the trooper.

But my favorite is Stalker... I just gave his JUMP to Grand-Slam.

[Shogi]

One little point to add for 'foreign' collectors which I don't think has been mentioned yet. The DVD in these sets are not region-coded and can be played anywhere on the world. Definately a plus...

That is a great bit of info I didn't know! I don't even know how you would find that out other than trying it out on a foreign player

[Zefram]

I finally got my set on the weekend. Just a few thoughts.

The accessories are weeeeak. I know, at $4 a fig, I shouldn't complain, but still. An extra couple plastic knifes wouldn't have hurt. Snake Eyes is awesome. If they'd expanded the effect to his chest and maybe knees, it would have been epic, but again, it was a pleasent surprise.

As for the DVD, yeah, considering it was almost a free extra, I wasn't expecting much, but anyone who has Rhino's release of the first two stories should hold on to them, as it's obvious Hasbro didn't have the rights to Rhino's remastered material. The colors are washed out and grainy in places, and where the Rhino DVDs had the sound of Skystrikers filling the entire room, my rear-speakers and subwoofer with this disc got the night off.

Again, it's a perfectly good DVD as a free pack-in, and the movie feature makes it move nicely, but if they rereleased the series with that level of quality, they'd have to make it really affordable to make me want to spend money on it.