Review I: Hot Toys G.I. Joe Retaliation: 1/6th scale Snake Eyes 12-inch Collectible Figure

IMHO This is by far the BEST 1/6 scale G.I. Joe Snake Eyes 12-inch figure EVER released! I just love the whole look and getup which of course is based on the latest incarnation of Snake Eyes as seen in the "G.I. Joe Retaliation" film released earlier this year (March 2013). A great design gets an equally great treatment by Hot Toys, proving once again that they are very good at what they do. Just wish they would stop raising their prices and charging so much for them.

Hot Toys Movie Masterpiece Series MMS192 G.I. Joe Retaliation: 1/6th scale Snake Eyes Collectible Figure specially features: Authentic and detailed fully realized likeness of Snake Eyes in his black “military ninja” bodysuit as seen in the movie; Is Approximately 30 cm tall; has TrueType body with over 30 points of articulations; Five (5) pairs of interchangeable gloved palms including: One (1) pair of fists, One (1) pair of palms for holding gun, One (1) pair of palms for holding swords, Two (2) pairs of relaxed palms

Snake Eyes' costume in the first movie "G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra" was a bit of a letdown. Snake Eyes wore something that looked like a full body rubber suit as his costume / outfit with pants over it and not much else. It looked like someone spray painted Ray Park's body with black paint and called it a costume. What's worse? He didn't have a mask on because you can actually see his face and lips. The only saving factor was the signature visor over his eyes which distinguishes him as Snake Eyes. You can check out the Hasbro 1/6 scale G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra 12-inch Snake Eyes (Ninja Commando) figure HERE

So I'm kind of glad that Hot Toys didn't get the license to make any of the characters from the first G.I. Joe movie (especially Snake Eyes) and ended up with the movie license for the second G.I. Joe film instead. Scroll down to see the pictures of an awesome figure that is Hot Toys G.I. Joe Retaliation: 1/6th scale Snake Eyes 12-inch Collectible Figure.

Hot Toys 1/6th scale G.I. Joe Retaliation: Snake Eyes 12-inch Ninja Collectible Figure Review II

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I am just loving this recently released Hot Toys Movie Masterpiece Series MMS192 G.I. Joe Retaliation: 1/6th scale Snake Eyes Collectible Figure and dare declare that this has to be the BEST Snake Eyes 12-inch ninja figure ever released :) I had earlier covered the box packaging and contents HERE so now I want to show Snake Eyes fully equipped with his weapons - Two (2) Japanese-styled metal swords, Two (2) daggers, One (1) submachine gun with removable magazine, One (1) pistol with removable magazine.

Snake Eyes history wasn't fully covered in the films released. We know he grew up with Storm Shadow under the tutelage of the Arashikage Clan but we are never told why he has to wear the full mask over his face. In the first movie "G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra", Snake Eyes had lips - see the pictures HERE. I just cannot get over that! The overly bulky and muscular suit that was featured in the G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra costume design just lacked that finesse or stealthy build that a ninja-commando should have. This latest version is much much better. Scroll down to see more :)

Part 2 of 2: Kitbash 1/6 scale G.I. Joe Snake Eyes Ninja Master 12-inch action figure

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More pictures of my attempt at bashing a 1/6 scale Snake Eyes 12-inch action figure from the G.I. Joe team, this time Snake Eyes has sheathed his sword / ninjato and opted to use his sub-machine gun instead, for those enemies that are beyond the reach of his edged weapon.

The year ended with a bang on Hot Toys announcement with preview pictures of their upcoming movie merchandise series "G.I. Joe Retaliation" 1/6th scale Snake Eyes 12-inch Collectible Figure (see the preview pictures HERE). That will be an awesome figure and I can't wait for it to come out. In the meantime, I had kitbashed this Snake Eyes 12-inch action figure after coming across a loose 1/6 scale Snake Eyes head. This version is based on the comics and not the movie ;p

Why do we do it? Because just like me, there are many 12-inch figure collectors who didn't like or care for the two versions of Snake Eyes put out by Sideshow Collectibles. So we all decided to bash our own instead. Scroll down to see more pictures.

Check out my kitbash 1/6 scale G.I. Joe Snake Eyes 12" figure (Part 1 of 2 - Poor man's version)

This is my attempt at kitbashing a 1/6 scale Snake Eyes 12-inch action figure from the G.I. Joe team, otherwise known as the poor man's version of Snake Eyes ;p I already had this figure bashed up just before Hot Toys announcement of their upcoming G.I. Joe Retaliation: 1/6th scale Snake Eyes 12-inch Collectible Figure (see the preview pictures HERE). Hot Toys version is based on the upcoming 2013 G.I. Joe film, which is a sequel to 2009's G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra. Snake Eyes is portrayed by Ray Park in the 2009 live-action film G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra, who will reprise his role in the upcoming 2013 sequel G.I. Joe: Retaliation.

Before Hot Toys announcement of their SNAKE EYES 12-inch figure, Sideshow Collectibles had released two versions of 1/6 scale Snake Eyes based on the G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero line. The first version released by Sideshow was way too expensive for my liking and certainly NOT value-for-money IMHO (check out the previews HERE). It caused me to skip the entire 12-inch G.I. Joe line altogether even though I am a big fan. The second version wasn't any better :( - check out the preview pictures HERE. You would have thought that Sideshow had learned their lesson the second time around based on feedback from collectors.

So when I came across a loose 1/6 scale Snake Eyes head sculpt (who else is this supposed to be?), I just had to get it and try my hand at kitbashing my own 12-inch version of Snake Eyes from the G.I. Joe team. Scroll down to see this poor man's version of Snake Eyes :) It's certainly NOT the movie version so I can base it loosely on the comics version which has many interpretations ;p

Hasbro GI Joe 12" Snake Eyes (Ninja Commando)

Snake Eyes is a full-fledged ninja master and military commando who trains the G.I. Joe team in hand-to-hand combat. He is stealthy, swift and deadly master of multiple martial arts. He is an expert in the use of the ninjato and trench knives. He is equally qualified with and willing to use standard weapons like firearms and explosives. Making him even more dangerous is that he rarely relies on one set of weapons to the exclusion of others.

This is the 1/6 scale 12" Hasbro Snake Eyes (Ninja Commando) from "G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra" and comes with battle sounds, including sword fighting action and sounds.

Snake Eyes out of box and mission ready - "Go Joe!"

Poster of Ray Park as Snake Eyes in the film adaptation "G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra". Ray Park was also excellent as Darth Maul in "Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace" (Sideshow Collectibles Darth Maul pictures HERE) but not so great as Toad in "X-Men".

The 12" figure is pretty accurate in its details. Snake Eyes usually wears what could perhaps best be described as a black "military ninja" bodysuit, along with a balaclava and visor to cover his face, which was disfigured in a helicopter explosion which also left him nearly completely mute.

Hasbro 1/6 scale 12-inch "G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra" Snake Eyes comes with his ninjato (which Hasbro incorrectly labeled as Hand-forged Steel Heirloom Katana Sword). The ninjato (special short swords created for ninjas which are smaller than katana but larger than wakizashi) was the ninja's weapon of choice while the samurai used the katana (check out the excellent 1/6 scale 12" Samurai Date Masamune released by DiD HERE). Snake Eyes is also armed with a pistol, an Uzi, a small combat knife and two grenades.


The button protruding out of his back is for you to press to make the arm move and hear sword-fighting sounds. Comes with 3 x 1.5V "A76" or LR44 size alkaline batteries.




One of the signature poses by Ray Park as Snake Eyes to promote the movie. Snake Eyes was definitely one of the first figures they showed to the world to sell the movie. Interestingly, SnakeEyes (Ray Park) and Breaker (Saïd Taghmaoui) used the FN Five-SeveN pistol in the movie. The FN Five-SeveN is not a very common pistol seen in movies.


Close-up of Snake Eyes with his visor. Unfortunately, instead of a black balaclava, you can actually see his lips in the movie - what's up with that!

Press the G.I. JOE (which now stands for Global Integrated Joint Operating Entity) badge / button on his chest to activate battle sounds i.e. pistol gunshot and Uzi machine gun firing sounds

Snake Eyes keeps the small combat knife close to his chest

And the pistol is holstered in a custom-made left-hand side drop-down holster

The sheath for his ninjato is carried on his back


Note the Arashikage Ninja Clan (where Snake Eyes mastered his ninja skills) symbol engraved at the base of his ninjato. In the movie, Snake Eyes' background is rebooted with him being an abandoned child who found his way to the home of Arashikage Clan, where he battled the young Thomas Arashikage (later to become Storm Shadow) when he attacked him for stealing food from them. However, the orphan's ability to fight impressed the Hard Master as he gave Snake Eyes his name while bringing him under his wing.

At a fraction of the price Sideshow Collectibles was charging for theirs, Hasbro "G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra" 12" Snake Eyes isn't too bad and I'm quite pleased with it :)

Other G.I. Joe 12" Snake Eyes figures:
1992 G.I. Joe Hall of Fame Snake Eyes - pictures HERE
"Spy Troops" movie Snake Eyes - post HERE

Previously posted:
Hasbro "G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra" 12" Baroness HERE
Hasbro "G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra" 12" Conrad "Duke" Hauser HERE

SNAKE EYES UPGRADED - version 2.0 with extra weapons and accessories - post HERE

Preview Sideshow Collectibles G.I. Joe 12-inch Snake Eyes And 1/6 scale Timber Figure Set

Commando, Ninja... Silent Master. The enigma who came to be known as Snake-Eyes is one of the G.I. Joe Team's most valuable and deadly weapons. Without uttering a sound, while utilizing his extensive military background and training at the hands of the Arashikage Clan, the Silent Master has served Cobra many setbacks in their endeavor of worldwide terror.

Before Snake-Eyes was recruited by the G.I. JOE team, he lived in isolation in a cabin located in the High Sierras, refining his skills while seeking solace from the tragedies in his past and the world which molded him. During this period of solitude he was befriended by a wild wolf that came to be known as Timber. Though never truly tamed in the conventional sense, Timber developed a sense of protectiveness toward his companion, as Snake-Eyes did toward him. When Snake-Eyes joined the JOE team in its global pursuit of the terrorist organization Cobra, Timber remained close at hand and served just as critical a role in vital missions as his companion. The two companions are a constant thorn in the plans of Cobra and through swift and deadly measures they continue to stand in Cobra's deadly path.

Sideshow Collectibles is proud to present the Snake Eyes and Timber Sixth Scale Figure set. Featuring a detailed TAD Gear costume and a full arsenal of weaponry, the famed GI Joe Commando is joined by his indispensable companion Timber in this exceptional figure set.

Review 1: Hasbro G.I. Joe Sigma 6 Ninja Commando Snake Eyes Action Figure

Remember how I mentioned that the world is just fascinated with ninjas (see earlier post) and how ninjas are on TV, in books and comics, and have even made it onto the big screen? There are even super ninjas and one of them belongs to the special team known as G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero!

"A Real American Hero" was brought about as a revival of the original 12 in (30 cm) G.I. Joe brand of the 1960s and '70s. After the 12" figure had been absent from toy shelves for a few years, G.I. Joe was re-introduced in a 3 3/4-inch (9.53 cm) action figure format following the success of the Star Wars and Micronauts 3 3/4" scale toylines.

This is Snake Eyes from the G.I. Joe: Sigma 6 line of military-themed action figures and toys produced by Hasbro, re-imagining the characters of the 1980s toyline, G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero. The Sigma 6 toy line allowed Hasbro to depart from the classic 3 ¾-inch format of the A Real American Hero series of the 1980s; most Sigma 6 action figures stand at approximately 8 inches (200 mm) and have more articulation.

Review II: Hasbro G.I. Joe Sigma 6 Ninja Commando Snake Eyes Action Figure

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More Sigma 6 Snake Eyes goodness :) Here's Hasbro G.I. Joe Sigma 6 Ninja Commando Snake Eyes Action Figure wearing the "visual data system with telescopic headgear" which I'd mentioned previously that it looks very much like the 'trifocal goggles' Sam Fisher wears in Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell. All you need to do is paint the middle lens a florescent green instead of black.

G.I. Joe: Sigma 6 is a line of military-themed action figures and toys produced by Hasbro, re-imagining the characters of the 1980s toyline, G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero. Back in 2005, Hasbro released a line of G.I. Joe: Sigma 6 toys based the "Sigma 6" animated series. Although similar in concept to the earlier G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero toyline, the Sigma 6 action figures were 8" in height rather than the smaller 3¾" scale figures of the A Real American Hero line.

Hasbro was "rebooting" the franchise with younger versions of the cast - similar but different to their 1980s namesakes - rendered in the popular anime style. Snake Eyes comes with three different masks so that you can gear up Snake Eyes for each different mission.

Arashikage Clan Warriors - Snake Eyes & Storm Shadow

This post is inspired by an illustration I came across of Snake Eyes and Storm Shadow standing back to back (scroll down to see the beautiful artwork I mentioned). Throughout their history in the comic books, the duo have been everything to one another from the bitterest of enemies, to the most loyal of friends (and blood brothers) who would fight and die for one another. The movie version is somewhat different. You don't see either of them fighting or dying for one another - it was kill or be killed!

Hasbro 12" GI Joe Snake Eyes v.2.0

Here's my version of "GI Joe: The Rise of Cobra" 12-inch Snake Eyes upgraded. I basically added stuff on him to beef him up - see my previous post for the original Hasbro version.











Never liked Hasbro's shiny body without clothes. When Hasbro originally produced 1/6 scale 12" action figures, they wore 1/6 scale uniforms or costumes and had accessories. I decided on put on something for Snake Eyes in case he catch a cold - Hasbro's original version had nipples! The outfit also added bulk to him and now his arms don't look scrawny.

I also added an extra belt with extra weapons and accessories. Had to change his pants and boots as Hasbro's original pants was too tight and the boots too small.


I also gave Snake Eyes a Heckler & Koch MP7A1, besides the Uzi he came with.


Close-up of the additional accessories Snake Eyes now carries



Other G.I. Joe 12" Snake Eyes figures:
1992 G.I. Joe Hall of Fame Snake Eyes - pictures HERE
"Spy Troops" movie Snake Eyes - post HERE
Hasbro "G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra" 12" Snake Eyes - original version posted HERE

Previously posted:
Hasbro "G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra" 12" Baroness HERE
Hasbro "G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra" 12" Conrad "Duke" Hauser HERE

"Fetch that Cobra!" Hot Toys 1/6 scale G.I. Joe Retaliation Snake Eyes figure & pet wolf Timber

Snake Eyes is one of the most prominent characters in the G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero franchise (which includes toyline, comic books and cartoon series), and has appeared in every series since its inception. He is portrayed by Ray Park in the 2009 live-action film "G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra", and the 2013 sequel "G.I. Joe: Retaliation". As part of his profile, Snake Eyes has a pet wolf named Timber that has appeared several times in toys, comics, and animation.

Having gotten the exceptional Hot Toys 1/6th scale G.I. Joe Retaliation: Snake Eyes 12-inch Ninja Collectible Figure (reviewed earlier HERE and HERE), I thought Snake Eyes would be incomplete without his pet wolf Timber so I added it to these pictures :) I had bought Timber wolf loose at a flea market, having seen it being included as part of the Sideshow Collectibles G.I. Joe 12-inch Snake Eyes And 1/6 scale Timber Figure Set (previewed HERE). I wasn't keen on Sidehow's version of Snake Eyes (never have been) so I was quite pleased to be able to just pick up Timber.

Timber comes with movable joints and its body is in three parts so that you are able to pose it. 1/6 scale Timber wolf is sculpted very well but he's also very heavy. How heavy? He's heavy like a brick which is odd because normally everything else in 1/6 scale that is not a statue doesn't weigh this much. He's heavier than most (if not all) of my 12-inch figures.

Hasbro / Threezero G.I. Joe 1/6 scale Snake Eyes 12-inch collectible figure Pre-order

Pre-order G.I. Joe Snake Eyes 1/6 Scale Collectible Figure at BBTS (link HERE)

Hasbro and Threezero are pleased to announce that they have teamed up for a series of 1/6 scale collectible figures redesigned by Threezero as inspired by Hasbro's retro G.I. Joe characters. The first of these releases will be 1/6 Snake Eyes!

Standing 12 inches tall, the 1/6 Snake Eyes collectible figure features our standard fully-articulated body with fabric hand-tailored costuming with a high attention to detail. Snake Eyes includes a full loadout of accessories including pistol, uzi, tactical knife, two katanas, three smoke grenades, three stun grenades, and a total of four pairs of interchangeable hands.

Snake Eyes outfit features a chest harness, utility armbands, utility belt, forearm bracer (left), thigh pouch (left), kneepads, and tactical boots.

Box Contents: Snake Eyes figure, | 4 Pairs of interchangeable hands: Pair of fists, Pair relaxed, Pair for holding firearms, Pair for holding other weapons | Pistol, Uzi, Tactical knife, 2 Katanas, 3 Smoke grenades, 3 Stun grenades

Scroll down to view all the pictures.
Click on them for bigger and better view.

Preview Hot Toys G.I. Joe Retaliation: 1/6th scale Snake Eyes 12-inch Collectible Figure

Finally: Ending the year with a bang! Hot Toys actually plans to release something NEW instead of releasing or re-releasing something from the overdone (done to death) lines like Batman, Iron Man, Predators and Terminator

In view of the popularity of the G.I. Joe series and the launch of the G.I. Joe Retaliation movie in early 2013, Hot Toys is proud to present the Snake Eyes Collectible Figure from the G.I. Joe Retaliation movie as the first collaboration with Hasbro. The movie-accurate collectible is specially crafted based on the image of Snake Eyes in his black “military ninja” bodysuit in the movie, highlighting the character’s image, highly detailed costume and weapons.

Hot Toys Movie Masterpiece Series MMS192 G.I. Joe Retaliation: 1/6th scale Snake Eyes Collectible Figure specially features: Authentic and detailed fully realized likeness of Snake Eyes in his black “military ninja” bodysuit in the movie; Is Approximately 30 cm tall; TrueType body with over 30 points of articulations; Five (5) pairs of interchangeable gloved palms including: One (1) pair of fists, One (1) pair of palms for holding gun, One (1) pair of palms for holding swords, Two (2) pairs of relaxed palms