Toy Review: Snake Eyes with Timber

Snake Eyes with Timber

All in all, there have been 45 versions of Snake Eyes in the 3.75″ scale. This is of course understandable, considering among all the characters from the original toyline slash cartoon series, he is the most fondly remembered. I’m sure the majority of boys who grew up in the 80’s will remember several things, includng Michael Jackson, Pacman (no, not the boxer), Optimus Prime, the advent of AIDS, the fall of the Berlin Wall and Snake Eyes. Of course this list also includes fond memories of Princess Allura of Voltron, Teela of He-man, Cheetara of Thunder Cats, Baroness and Scarlett of GI Joe, and (though I’m sure many won’t admit it) Arcee of the Transformers. We were dumb kids.

This popularity is weird considering that he wasn’t in a hell of a lot of the episodes of the original TV series or in the animated movie. Since he was mute, it’d be hard going for writers of a kids show to give him big parts. Despite the lack of exposure during that time, there was a ton of demand for Snake Eyes. To date, there are those 45 little guys mentioned on the YoJoe.com page, 11 8″ figures, countless statues and a catalog of related merchandise. The new Movie line has more 3.75″, big figures, small figures, and medium figures.

I told myself I wouldn’t give into the newer 25th anniversary line since I’d already given up the older classic joes in my collection. My only Snake Eye’s figure back in the day was a 1989 version with the silver gear molded all over him. He was so loved, when I finally sold him, his silver paint had tons of playwear. Right after I’d sold the last of my classic figures and vehicles, I heard about the 25th anniversary line. Naturally, I did a headdesk (a step up from a headpalm).

Then I bought one of those overrun Baroness figures for a song, and started thinking, “If Hasbro is putting out product like this… maybe it’d be worth getting in on it”. But by this time, the GI Joe frenzy was in full swing. It was almost impossible to find the more popular characters unless you were willing to pay up to 3 or 4 times retail, and there was that infamous “Orange shirt” incident at on of the Hasbro/Toy Kingdom events. I figured it wasn’t worth the hassle.

Case in point; the elusive Hall of Heroes Snake Eyes with Timber. This guy was released a few months ago and was incredibly hard to find on shelves. I had no luck whatsoever, despite trolling around local toy stores in efforts to catch Play Kit reps shelving new deliveries. I eventually gave up. Then I went to the GI Joe toy launch and found a veritable smorgasbord of re-stocks. I could believe it. All those Snake Eyes and Storm Shadows I’d been putting off were right her in one place!

This was the result:

In addition to the Hall of Heroes figures, I found the carded Snake Eyes with Timber as well. The first release was selling at p1500.00 at some stores and here he was at retail! I had a geekgasm on the spot.

Comparing the packaging of the two, I like the look of the Hall of Heroes better. It basically a gold foil version of the standard Joe card wrapped up in nice display box. If you have the original loose, this is a nice addition to add to your display and keep mint in the box. Me of course, I open EVERYTHING. The boxed version lacks the card that is found on the back of the carded version (though it does have the little thumbnails of the figure’s wavemates), but happily, when I opened it, I fould out that the card inside has the same file card. Nice thinking.

The problem with the package is that essentially, you need to destroy it to open it. It’s no biggie for me since I throw all of it away now, but for guys you like to store things in the original packaging, it’s an issue.

Outside of the box, both Snake Eyes (Snake Eyeses?) looks gorgeous.

The gimp suit is complete and looks as if it’s based on the 1986 version (the second) where he was more ninja than commando. It’s probably one of the most well know versions, though not my favorite. He’s sleeker and has a toon of gadgetry hanging off him. He kind of reminds me of a Rob Liefeld character.

The carded version is lighter, and has a lot more going on with his web harness. There are extra pockets, a sheath for his knife (a separate, removable knife!), and some grenades with some paint sloshed on.

As for accessories neither have a great assortment, though they all look pretty good. His sword is by far the best one. Both versions have a unique sword (and this apparently holds true for the other versions I’ve gotten), that fits very nicely into his hand. Both also come with what look to be identical machine guns and a knife. The Hall of Heroes version wins on the sword since it looks much nastier than the generic katana the carded version carries, but the carded one has a sheath for his knife so he wins in that regard. Unfortunately, the web belts don’t seem to be removable, though they are a seperately sculpted piece.

For a wonder, the Timbers aren’t just the same piece. Their both unique molds, so if you get both, you’ll have two poses. Next best thing to an actual poseble Timer, which when you remember the Sigma 6 version, didn’t work out all that well.

Paint wise, the carded version has more applications, but just barely. The aforementioned grenades are about the extent of things. They’re mostly just colored cast plastic. The Hall of Heroes version does come with a golden stand rather than a boring black one though.

Sculpt wise, I’d have to go for the carded version again. He just looks more like an actual soldier with more details in his web gear; buckles and pockets you don’t see on the other one’s and that great sheath. As for Timber, it’s a toss up. Both look great and either one looks nice in a display.

For less than p400.00, these guys are a great toy anyway you slice it. I don’t think they’re for kids though. The old ones had tiny accessories which made their suitability a question, but this new lines weapons are even tinyer. I keep thinking I’m going to lose the weapons. If you’ve gotta get just one from this pair, I’d go for the carded version. The bosed version looks like he’s late for his call time on Black Cock Down.