No one knows G.I. Joe toys like CJ Stunkard of Stunk’s Stage. Luckily, CJ has taken an in-depth look at the new line of toys based on G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra and you can read the articles right here at Pop Culture Zoo. Check back each day to read about what you’ll want to pick up and avoid in order to re-create the movie in your own home. Thank you, CJ!
For those kids who can hold onto their allowance money a little longer than their buddies and save for more than a single figure, the Alpha Class vehicles will be a dream come true. At an affordable $14.99 – $16.99 price point, these small vehicles with shooting weapons and a driver are a steal at the same cost as 2 single-carded figures. I am certain that they’ll be a big seller among the young market.
The initial wave of alpha class vehicles includes 4 vehicles—2 Joe and 2 Cobra. On the Joe team we have the Armadillo and the Rockslide; on Cobra’s side are the Snake Trax ATV and the Mole Pod. All 4 vehicles have pro’s and con’s; but overall, each of them is a fun toy and, as I mentioned previously, an incredible value.
All four vehicles are packed in a full window box, allowing buyers to see exactly what they’re getting for their cash. Each includes its driver’s filecard, found at the bottom of the box. The drivers do not include stands, nor weapons; but one could argue that each vehicle itself is a weapon. Let’s look at each individually.
The Armored Panther Tank is similar to the recent 25th anniversary release of the Armadillo, but Hasbro has increased the vehicle’s firepower substantially with the addition of two spring-loaded missile launchers, one on each side of the vehicle. It’s included driver, Sgt. Thunderblast fits comfortably inside, with room for additional Joe forces on the back. The vehicle deco would make it seem to be based for Ddesert warfare, so the Duke figure released recently would serve well as an additional rider.
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The other Joe vehicle, the Rockslide, is a newly designed snow vehicle with firing weapons and a rising tread (though why it has the latter, I do not know). The vehicle features an opening canopy in which its included driver, Snow Job, can be comfortably seated. The Color scheme for the vehicle matches the Joe team uniforms very well; and overall, the vehicle set is great.
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The Snake Trax ATV, with Scrap Iron, is an equally fun vehicle, and the inclusion of Scrap-Iron into the movie line will be very exciting for some fans. The vehicle looks good in the new deco, and it maintains the functionality of the original Ferret, with the addition of a firing missile cannon, which is obtrusive but still fun. Frankly, I think this set benefits most from the inclusion of Scrap Iron, a character who I am sure adult fans will like as much as the kids.
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The final Alpha Class vehicle is the Mole Pod, which is a wholly new addition to the G.I. Joe mythos (as far as I know, anyway); and it’s a lot of fun. The vehicle features a rotating drill that moves when the vehicle is pushed forward, as well as a spring-loaded missile launcher at the front. Its driver is the Terra Viper, a new addition to the Cobra army. I like this soldier a lot, and the pieces they used make him appear slighter larger and more menacing than the other characters in the line. I think of the 4, this odd vehicle, a glorified-drill-bit-with-driver, is my favorite. I just dig it.
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I am big fan of these small-scale vehicles, and if more are released, I hope I’ll be able to pick up all of them. If the vehicle isn’t amazing, I tend to really like the figure. If the figure is lacking, the vehicle makes up for it. These sets are balanced, well done, and a lot of fun—especially at the great under $20 price point.
Besureto come back as I look at two of the larger vehicle realeases, the Bravo Class Ice Dagger and the Echo Class Night Raven.