REVIEW: Retaliation Snake Eyes Ninja Commando 4x4 driver (pic heavy!)

[This I Command!]

Thanks to the extreme generosity of fellow Tanker tycondrius, I believe I may be the first person in the US to get their hands on one of the much-talked about limited articulation driver figures from the upcoming Retaliation line. So I thought why not throw a little review on here for everyone.

To see the vehicle he comes with make sure to check out tycondrius' in hand pics here: http://www.hisstank.com/forum/g-i-joe-toys-modern-general-discussion/231825-ninja-commando-4x4-hand-pics.html

and now on to the review!
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7214/7223769780_9ec18c14b9_b.jpg
So the elephant in the room...yes these new driver figures have limited paint apps, no stands, and only have 5 points of articulation: neck, arms, legs, period, the end, that's it. So does that ruin the overall figure? At least in this case, my honest opinion is, no it doesn't.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7230/7223768478_ea74137c98_b.jpghttp://farm6.staticflickr.com/5194/7223767404_458dd1d445_b.jpg
However small it may be, there is actually an upside to these somewhat static figures, that being that the articulation doesn't hinder the detail of the sculpt. While it is certainly true the figures have improved considerably over the years, at hiding their articulation, with the exception of the front view of SE's hips, you can't see any of his joints. This really allows the detail of the sculpt to show through and be featured without a leaning torso, a separation running down the thighs, or a giant screw in his leg, he is almost more like a mini statue.
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5343/7223766422_a30e13e1b8_b.jpg
Of course, with the good does come some bad, which in this case also revolved around the sculpt. Had this figure been positioned in a slightly more naturally standing pose with his arms and legs a little spread, and not so rigidly in line with his torso, he would at least fit in better amongst other figures you may have displayed on stands and not stick out as badly for being so stiff looking. Though, I'm sure if they had done that, he likely wouldn't fit as well in the driver's seat of the 4x4 thus defeating the point of the limited articulation, but from an aesthetic standpoint it would have been nice.
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5160/7223765152_8116318011_b.jpg
Snake Eyes features extremely limited paint apps, though it's hard to judge him too harshly since that is a hallmark of the character. In the case of this particular version, he is molded in a medium gloss black, and although it is hard to capture in the photos he has paint apps in a high gloss black on his visor, torso, shoulder pads, gloves, leg straps, knee pads, and boots. Which helps to separate and accentuate some of his details.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7245/7223762810_5666109ba9_b.jpg
Final analysis: If you are anything like me and are a loose, completist collector, then I think it goes without saying buying a vehicle strictly for a figure of this quality is likely not going to be worth the retail price to you, and I would wait until a vehicle collector offers to sell his off, for a fair price separate from the vehicle. However, if you are a vehicle collector and intend on buying the Ninja 4x4 already, then this figure will make a nice display piece to drive it. While he is clearly not in the league of a figure like PoC wave 3 SE, he is still a nicely detailed version of the character given the context.

[Lantern_Lad]

Definite step in the right direction... if it were 1977.

[Gatilho]

Sorry, I still can't see any redeeming points in this figure...

[Tman]

I doubt any fans of 4" Joes have ever had a problem with visible points of articulation or 'a separation running down the thighs, or a giant screw in his leg'. No sir, I think we must all oppose this move vehemently. Please refrain from praising Hasbro's efforts here.

[grunt0341]

It's SnakeEyes' mannequin to dress in gear he's not using or it's a training dummy for Cobra...:)

[This I Command!]

I doubt any fans of 4" Joes have ever had a problem with visible points of articulation or 'a separation running down the thighs, or a giant screw in his leg'. No sir, I think we must all oppose this move vehemently. Please refrain from praising Hasbro's efforts here.

Oh trust me there is no praise coming from me, this is a direction I completely oppose them going in. I just think in the case of this particular version of SE the lack of articulation didn't hurt him much because even if he was well articulated he wouldn't have held much interest for me.

[luigi]

how is the neck? ball jointed?

[MLos1]

"It's sooo black!!!"

[This I Command!]

how is the neck? ball jointed?

Yep.

[Indiana Joe]

I kind of dig it for the retro look to it.

The perfect idea is to make a custom star wars style backer card with G. I. Joe logo on it and put him in a bubble. That would make for a cool retro display peice. The guy who make it owes me one for the idea.

[whitefox360]

I swear theres some kind of toy company conspiracy to put the best heads on figure bodies no one wants.

Genius. But i hate it.

[KrymsynGardImmoral]

Wow, even the hand position reminds me of the old Fisher Price Adventure People. They are primitive, too.

[poddie]

<vomit>

I have nearly every RoC vehicle released.

The only Retaliation vehicle I am buying is the new VAMP Ninja Jeep. Without the incentive of a competent figure, none of the other vehicles holds up.

[Buzzetta]

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7214/7223769780_9ec18c14b9_b.jpg

Look at the sculpt of the head. Now look at the angles of the mask and the way they arc toward the nose and mouth and down.

Boba Fett anyone?

[Ford]

Y'know, if I had that figure when I was seven years old, I would have played the hell out of it. Every Snake Eyes figure should be this black. Enough with the grey.

Even now, it's the second best looking figure in that picture (the other Retaliation one is the best). How does that head look on the POC Ultimate Snake Eyes?

[CrimsonGuard101]

If your into statues or figure busts this figure might be for you...you know...those static things that can never be played with, pose changed, or enjoyed beyond looking at a bronzed set of babies sneekers...

If you take all of the drivers they have made for thi sline and melted them backn into re-usable plastic...I bet you could re-surface the highways from LA to NYcity... with nice glossy plastic sheet...they saved nothing by doing this...absufrekinglutley nothing..

[M_renegade]

NO

Sorry, but still no.
There are other ways to lower the price, and not messing with the figure.

For example, they could have give him MU hip joints, which would work the same on shoulders, and knees and elbows. No accesories, fine. Simple, but still useful.
Then reduce the amount of pieces of the vehicle. I never really cared as a kid for what was inside the damned AWE. I just cared it had wheels, and my Joes could fit and roam around on it.

But this brick of figure, has no hope. It's no innovation of SE (opposed to the artbox, which has camoed pants...at least a different SE)...damn, it's SE! Of all teh driver, the pull the most oversused character on the most overused vehicle! The sculpt seems fine, yes. But as Crimsyngardimmoral said, it's kinda primitive, look at the big hands.

A pathetic move.

.

[CrimsonGuard101]

NO

Sorry, but still no.
There are other ways to lower the price, and not messing with the figure.

For example, they could have give him MU hip joints, which would work the same on shoulders, and knees and elbows. Simple, but still useful.
Then reduce the amount of pieces of the vehicle. I never really cared as a kid for what was inside the damned AWE. I just cared it had wheels, and my Joes could fit and roam around on it.

Dont give them ideas lol..the next AWE striker will have no figure space (just a plastic/carboard insert that shows to 2d figures sitting in it with reduced articualtion on the vehicle its self (ie wheels do not even roll lol)

[killerloon]

GREAT... More shitty TRON toys...

[GI abe444]

Dont give them ideas lol..the next AWE striker will have no figure space (just a plastic/carboard insert that shows to 2d figures sitting in it with reduced articualtion on the vehicle its self (ie wheels do not even roll lol)

Lmao

[jmlawn]

HASBRO JACKASS'S COULD SAVED MONEY BY NOT ADDING FIGURES TO THE VEHICLES AT ALL. & WHY DOES EVERYTHING HAVE TO BE NINJA NOW??? How do you mess up your own property like this

[dmizrok]

http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/dd103/dementiax666x/thCAPY8QB8-1.jpg

[CrimsonGuard101]

http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/dd103/dementiax666x/thCAPY8QB8.jpg

Thanks Simon! He would so pwn Hasbro's current lead designer...it would be like when that Wong guy got up there and sang "She Bang" bad...

[drew2kew]

I would of expected this from Dollar General joes....but not this. Not like this.

[Dolemite]

This Snake Eyes figure looks like shit sculpted into humanoid form.

[dmizrok]

it REALLY reminds me of a Fn BURGER KING toy....its pretty sad... Steps BACKWARDS dont work...its got the same articulation as my 5 year old daughters POLLY FN POCKETS.

[BCDX97]

That statue would be awesome if it didn't have those 5 points of articulation screwing it up.

C'mon, Hasbro, running change?

[Lion]

I am not a vehicle person, or even big on a lot of drivers, but even this is irritating. Why do this, other than to later card these for dollar stores. This looked like it may have been death star guard #3 in the original star wars. If this figure was in star trek, it would be wearing a red shirt on a landing party. Nerd rage done.

[Fox]

I'd buy him only to use him to create a Snake Eyes Jello mold.

[Syn3sthesia]

Well that was impressive.

[IIIzoeIII]

wow what horrible fucking thing is this?
not even sculpted good..

[blackbarn]

Disgusting. Hasbro should literally be ashamed to put the GI Joe logo on something like this. GI Joe sets the standard for articulation at this scale! They are harming the quality and reputation of the brand with crap like this.

[Big IV]

If his arms would move he'd be cool. I could try subbing in arms from the Dark Knight Rises movie line of 4" characters...but they don't move either.

Is this driver supposed to be Snake Eyes? He looks more like the elite viper driver that came with the Cobra Street Tiger.

[boomer77]

Terrible Figure!
G.I. Joe Action Figures Are Supposed To Be The Ultimate In Articulation And Detail.
This Is Completely Opposite, Especially After The POC Line.
Hasbro, I'm Passing.

[tycondrius]

nice pics yeah my half-assed attempt on him while I still had him in hand fails . glad to see ya got him and it didn't take that long considering I posted him bog standard post on monday ;)

[Nogamusprime]

looks like a tron legacy figure

[MeLikeJinx]

Yuck. He reminds me of the guy from Pulp Fiction... yah, you know what guy I'm talking about.

[Troops of Doom]

What a useless figure. It's like Hasbro wanted to make "Prequil Joes" that would have come out before 1982.

[tycondrius]

What a useless figure. It's like Hasbro wanted to make "Prequil Joes" that would have come out before 1982.

yup that could be their next marketing gimmick . btw I sent both yours and This I commands guys out same day did your figure turn up too ?

[M_renegade]

Dont give them ideas lol..the next AWE striker will have no figure space (just a plastic/carboard insert that shows to 2d figures sitting in it with reduced articualtion on the vehicle its self (ie wheels do not even roll lol)

LFMAO!!!

Now seriously, if this is the kind of figures we can expect...i'd rather see no figures at all for lower price (thus allowing to buy a single carded fig), or raise the price but keep quality.

Besides, i don't care about the damned motor being a bulky, separate piece!
Keep the detail of a close and up, but just make the motor a detail of the chassis. Don't give the AWE a lot of removable details and parts, i'd buy a model kit for that.

besides, even if the sculpt is nice (fine, at best actually), i'd buy Mc Farlane statues, dammit

[composhop]

Nice review on a piece of s#h@i&t%.

[A.V.A.C.]

Enjoyable read man, good stuff!

[Steelgrave]

Ya know? This looks like a GI Joe version of a 1977 Star Wars figure. Made me think for a minute, what if all the vintage GI Joe figures were made the same way as the Star Wars figures? That would have sucked big time! We were really lucky they went with the O-ring style figures. This piece of shit makes me appreciate the vintage figures more.

[DR.Sin]

Wow! A review on a craptacular figure. Thanks for taking the time to give your opinion on figure I wasn't looking forward to. I am not trying to be sarcastic about taking your time for us, but I just hate the five points of articulation given to these vehicle figures. These are not Star Wars vintage figures. At least joes had good articulation back when.

[MonkeyBoyZ]

I understand the logic behind the figure. It saves money so the vehicle can sell for less and "testing" proves that vehicles sell better with drivers, even lower quality ones. Even though this figure is the opposite of what we have seen up until Retaliation, my son, who is 5, would love it. I think that is direction Hasbro was going for, to attract kids. The adult community that buys GI Joes will buy realistic figures with tiny scopes, bullets and silencers and love it but a small child might not care. If you add in a giant oversided spring loaded zip line and package it in a brightly colored box with The ROCK doing ninja moves on it, that is something special. It is a business decision for Hasbro to get their toys into the hands of the toy buying demographic they need to attract to keep the line going. Unfortunately.

[07GT500 COBRA]

I understand the logic behind the figure. It saves money so the vehicle can sell for less and "testing" proves that vehicles sell better with drivers, even lower quality ones. Even though this figure is the opposite of what we have seen up until Retaliation, my son, who is 5, would love it. I think that is direction Hasbro was going for, to attract kids. The adult community that buys GI Joes will buy realistic figures with tiny scopes, bullets and silencers and love it but a small child might not care. If you add in a giant oversided spring loaded zip line and package it in a brightly colored box with The ROCK doing ninja moves on it, that is something special. It is a business decision for Hasbro to get their toys into the hands of the toy buying demographic they need to attract to keep the line going. Unfortunately.

And that's the exact reason they should be running two lines. One for kids like this crap and one for adult collectors.

I guess they sort of are with the Dollar General figures which are selling like mad. I predict the Retaliation line will shelf rot worse than ROC ever did further showing where the core of Joe sales lies.

[CrimsonGuard101]

I understand the logic behind the figure. It saves money so the vehicle can sell for less and "testing" proves that vehicles sell better with drivers, even lower quality ones. Even though this figure is the opposite of what we have seen up until Retaliation, my son, who is 5, would love it. I think that is direction Hasbro was going for, to attract kids. The adult community that buys GI Joes will buy realistic figures with tiny scopes, bullets and silencers and love it but a small child might not care. If you add in a giant oversided spring loaded zip line and package it in a brightly colored box with The ROCK doing ninja moves on it, that is something special. It is a business decision for Hasbro to get their toys into the hands of the toy buying demographic they need to attract to keep the line going. Unfortunately.

The issue is how many of those who like POC Joes and have bought them for the past 4 years sine the 25th started for thier kids and those Kids today are older and want the same quality? Parents buy the vehicles for thier kids, the kids don't get to choose what mommy gives em at the end of the day (and when that is limited at the store level like this will cause they have no choice in thier purchase, why tehre should be 2 vehilces, or at least add the unarticulated vehicle drivers as single carded ones for everyone else and leave them outta of the vehicle), but i pretty much garuntee you that most kids will want what they have already gotten from GI JOE for the last 4 years...articulated highly detailed figures...thats one of the biggest thigns that separated GI JOE back in the 80s from the competition...artiuclation and details...

[Dem_Yoe'z!]

My dog will be so happy to get a new Snake Eyes chew toy!!

[Big IV]

I could snarkily say "every other Snake Eyes," but I'll pass on the cheap shots. Actually, I was thinking that Snake Fries (http://www.hisstank.com/gi-joe-news/gi-joe-movie-2/gi-joe-movie-rise-of-cobra-snake-fries-mr-potato-head-8055/) looked more like Joe's top ninja operative than this non-mobile S&M driver.

[Ford]

If I ran Hasbro, I'd make sure that for whatever follows the Retaliation line, I'd have the vehicle drivers MOLDED TO THE FRIGGIN' SEAT IN ONE SOLID CHUNK just to piss off the whiners.

And maybe make it come with a little can of cranberry juice.

[TheRealDubya]

I want all of these 5 POA figures. I don't know why I do, but I do.

Anyone who doesn't want them, PM me.

[CrimsonGuard101]

I want all of these 5 POA figures. I don't know why I do, but I do.

Anyone who doesn't want them, PM me.

Might wanna go ahead and hook up with major retail as an outlet when these wont sell for the year lol..Ross may even contact you at some point...

I want all of these 5 POA figures. I don't know why I do, but I do.

Anyone who doesn't want them, PM me.

If I ran Hasbro, I'd make sure that for whatever follows the Retaliation line, I'd have the vehicle drivers MOLDED TO THE FRIGGIN' SEAT IN ONE SOLID CHUNK just to piss off the whiners.

And maybe make it come with a little can of cranberry juice.

Cool, we can blame you for giving them the idea :)

[tycondrius]

heres an interesting fact that new SS head sculpt is available on another retaliation figure !! and that one is Zartan !! does that mean it's actually zartan driving the ninja 4x4 ;p

[Ruin]

I doubt any fans of 4" Joes have ever had a problem with visible points of articulation or 'a separation running down the thighs, or a giant screw in his leg'. No sir, I think we must all oppose this move vehemently. Please refrain from praising Hasbro's efforts here.

I think it's been pretty well established that these articulation limitations are a substantial cost saver for Hasbro. While I think there is plenty of room for criticizing Hasbro over saving a few pennies while screwing up something substantial, I simply fail to see where the moral imperitive is in raging against this Snake Eyes and the Ghost Hawk Duke.

Unless we were really expecting these vehicle drivers to otherwise be the pinnacle figure for their respective character (which would be a ridiculous expectation), why even bother with the outrage? We have like fifty Dukes and sixty Snake Eyes. If costs have to be cut somewhere so accessories or quality can be added elsewhere, then having a less usefull Snake Eyes and a slightly more useless Duke is a good trade-off.

It would be far different if they did this with something like a modern Lift Ticket

[Griff]

This thing is pure and utter garbage along with all the other vehicle drivers....they should ahve just released the vehicles with no figures...woulda made it easier to swallow!

[fireflyguy]

Thanks for the review. It's not all bad.

[minstrelboy]

The problem I have is that Hasbro is cutting corners to save money, but the retail price point is higher than ever - how is this beneficial in any way to us, the collectors?

These might be better for kids who found the more articulated figures too fragile. But still, they're too expensive. I saw the Snake Eyes and Firefly bike riders out at TRU last night, and there is no way I'm going to pick up any of these. I might get some of the single-carded figures that appear to have some better articulation, but not at $9.99 a piece.

Things just keep looking bad for this line, and since this is the only line of toys I collect, I wonder how much longer I'll have new things to add to my collection.

[Dragasses]

Boba Fett anyone?
exactly.

nothing says snake eyes to me, and I deplore hasbro doing this with their figures. if big H is in such dire straights with their profit margin then why not go all the way and cut the drivers all together?, as opposed to throwing us these bastardized bones?

but having said that it's still a good review and This I Command! has certainly done us a favor by giving us a up close and personal look at this figure, and should be commended for it. I think his stance was one less of praise but more so making lemonade with this big black statuesque lemon.

thanks buddy, at least some of us appreciate your efforts.

[Ravage101]

Wow...the new green behind the ears team running the GI JOe brand are so clueless. To save money they need to not include drivers at all on vehicles smaller than a hiss and yes on vehicles that have drivers you give your fans full on figures.

The GI Joe branding has been a constant failure because Hasbros team just refuses to go back to the basics. The transformers team seems to have their shit together abate a few problems with their prime toys but at least they have had toys on the pegs CONSISTENTLY! What helps make that happen is the have a cartoon CONSISTENTLY! End renegades was the biggest Fuck Up ever made in the Joe department of hasbro; so what if the cartoon has nothing to do with the film, some people love the cartoons like me and other will take to the film because of the Rock. But the ones who care least are the kiddies...they just want the toons. Maybe if Hasbro used the same writers of Renegades and same exact development you would have a better film...but what ever. Batman cartoons have never followed the films, Transformers Prime does not follow the movies either. Now I am just flying off topic.

Anyhow this new direction in figures was tried and failed in star wars (joe department should talk to star wars department for that history lesson) and it will fail here.

Really what I would like to see is (but will never happen) are the toys be like the snap together model sets they were back in the day. "You had to actually build your hiss tank and thunder machine when I was a kid".

Joe team Hasbro needs to go back to basics...

[Dropkick]

pass on it

[CrimsonGuard101]

Wow...the new green behind the ears team running the GI JOe brand are so clueless. To save money they need to not include drivers at all on vehicles smaller than a hiss and yes on vehicles that have drivers you give your fans full on figures.

The GI Joe branding has been a constant failure because Hasbros team just refuses to go back to the basics. The transformers team seems to have their shit together abate a few problems with their prime toys but at least they have had toys on the pegs CONSISTENTLY! What helps make that happen is the have a cartoon CONSISTENTLY! End renegades was the biggest Fuck Up ever made in the Joe department of hasbro; so what if the cartoon has nothing to do with the film, some people love the cartoons like me and other will take to the film because of the Rock. But the ones who care least are the kiddies...they just want the toons. Maybe if Hasbro used the same writers of Renegades and same exact development you would have a better film...but what ever. Batman cartoons have never followed the films, Transformers Prime does not follow the movies either. Now I am just flying off topic.

Anyhow this new direction in figures was tried and failed in star wars (joe department should talk to star wars department for that history lesson) and it will fail here.

Really what I would like to see is (but will never happen) are the toys be like the snap together model sets they were back in the day. "You had to actually build your hiss tank and thunder machine when I was a kid".

Joe team Hasbro needs to go back to basics...

They say on the the other threads that Hasbro has done an extensive and exhaustive research program into the buyers of thier products that proves that the parents will be more likley to purchase the vehicle if it comes with a "figure"(yeah right, maybe 10 minutes spent with one subject) so in this case they designed a bad figure with cost saving features built in so they could lower the price point just a few pennies and still offer the parents a similar product. Its like selling pink slime beef to shcools...hey the parents wont know the difference and its a little cheaper!

[KingBiohazerd]

Wow this figure looks like a piece of crap what a waste of plastic. I know I know the driver only sits in the seat but if i buy this I won't even bother pulling him out of the box.

[hotmitts]

A shit figure and Simon Fucking Cowell in the same thread. Please no.

[orezona]

Come on, be truthful: You posed him like this because you knew someone would do this:

[polyphenus]

Why not save some money and just not include a driver?

[Black Llama]

Why not save some money and just not include a driver?

Because 7 year old little Jimmy (whom this toy was designed for) will feel a lot better if he has a Snake Eyes, who he just watched in the movie, to roll around in a vehicle that really has no on-screen connection (that we know of). it's a way for Hasbro to bridge the gap between movie tie-in and existing product.

[Xsoldier]

the head reminds me of something cobra....I can't quite place my finger on it though

[Black Llama]

the head reminds me of something cobra....I can't quite place my finger on it though

http://www.yojoe.com/images/resize/h/375/action/88/88images/ferret.jpg

[Xsoldier]

http://www.yojoe.com/images/resize/h/375/action/88/88images/ferret.jpg

Maybe. not quite what I was imagining though.

[Medcom77]

I'm conflicted with both sides of the argument here. As for this being Hasbro's big money saving solution, whatever, we the fans buy whatever they put out and they rake in the profits regardless. I, personally, hate this new 5 points of articulation cause that is not G.I. Joe. Never has been, even back to the straight arm figures, ninja force, and return of G.I. Joe vs. Cobra figures, they still had articulation. This is a shun to it's major buyers that proves we will buy anything because of the logo. Will they be wrong, probably. But, on the other side of the argument, these POA figures do give a great oppurtunity for parents wanting to bring kids in on it. I bought my nephews lots of transformer toys only to watch them distraught and upset because of how flimsy and easily they fell apart and became lost or broken. Because of that, I never introduced them to G.I. Joe because these parts are smaller, somewhat flimsy and what not. These cheap POS figures though make it easier and since it's with vehicles, why not, the bulk of what collectors buy are the single carded/multipack sets, vehicles here and there because who really has room? So, that's just my opinion on that....

[This I Command!]

Come on, be truthful: You posed him like this because you knew someone would do this:

hahaha...not really, I posed him like that to show the "capability" of his articulation. But I definitely think you gave the image an upgrade for sure.