G.I. Joe Kre-O Collection 3 Review with Codes

I finally found some time to look at these super cool Kre-O GI Joes Collection 3 packs, that I found in full a few months back. It was pretty killer, as all 12 packs, and only those 12, were on the shelf for the taking. Given how hard it is to find these in my area, I snagged them all!

Now its pretty much established that Kreon figures suck pretty bad in the function category. They fall apart, hard to stand, hands suck, heads sometimes look funny, blah blah... I am just glad that G.I. Joe a pretty obscure license these days, gets such a generous treatment, making it to a full collection 3.

Not only do we get classic characters, but some really obscure characters like Atomic Man. Each figure also usually has some pretty specific weapons, and usually more pieces than a Lego Minifigure would have. Both the Cobra Jet Trooper and Scrap-Iron come with many good build pieces.

I also like these blocks, as the size is so small, I can build a huge GI Joe collection with little storage space. Of course that giant looking Terrordrome might change all that.

So in short, I will take as many of these as I can get and play hard!

Oh, the codes if you are looking for just one...

Swing Set Fail and a Portland Haul

I just got back from a nice (but way too short) trip to the Oregon Coast.  More awesome weather shots are posted on the IDstormtroopers page. Fall is a great time to get out and overturn rocks and stuff.

I also got sometime in at Toys R Us Jantzen Beach Portland, where they actually restock their toys regularly. I went a little overboard it seems. I have only jumped into the Scooby Doo packs so far, and hope to hit the GI Joes soon!!!

Also found one of those rumored to exist Stargat SG•1 Best Lock sets at Target. I only picked it up due to its extreme, never been seen, existence. It was on sale for $2.99, and was the last one. It makes no sense!!!

And also A Papa Smurf Micro Village piece with moving snail car!

G.I. Joe Retaliation Review and Thoughts by me

Went and saw G.I. Joe Retaliation last Friday and here are some thoughts. A pretty darn good movie overall, I would recommend if you are into the toys.

G.I. Joe Kre-O Battle Platform Attack! Attack!

The Toys R Us exclusive Kre-O G.I. Joe Battle Platform Attack is now my declared favorite set of the Kre-O Joe series. It contains the most bang for your army warfare needs. The Battle Platform has always been a neat playset idea, as it can really function anywhere. There are two good sized pivoting weapon weapons up front, one with launching missiles. There is a small helipad, repair bay, and pretty spiffy covered command station. There is also 2 GI Joe labeled Cola cans to protect, with red mini fridge.

I am okay with Dukes bike, but the jail cell is the weaker part of the set. It would have been nice to have those pieces integrated into the main Battle Platform instead. I guess since its building blocks, I could maybe do that part.

Also cometh with the set are a Cobra Trouble Bubble and Cobra Fang, two of the best mini fighters of the classic cartoon era. Cobra Commander has a shiny face plate which is also a nice touch.

The 386 piece play set took a couple hours to build, and has lots of future enjoyment. Available at Toys R Us as an exclusive, I got mine for $39.99, but with an extra deal the next set was half off, so don't forget and wait for a sale!

Cobra Black Dragon VTOL

A Cobra Black Dragon VTOL surprised me and landed on my back patio today. I was expecting it to be a third of its size, and maybe a little glossier. Still a pretty sleek little weapon. It features two opening bomb compartments, moving wings and props, action figure, landing gear, and handle on tail fin for cheap ticket rides. The only flaw on this one is a double paint Cobra symbol on left wing (doh, should a got the other box). I will try and show off more in a video one of these days...

Cantina Holidays St. Patricks Day! What will happen next?!

The Toy Museum brings you today the second installment in my Cantina Holidays series! Lots of antics a happening at the Cantina. It's amazing what you can see when you sneak your camera droid inside. Have fun watching, and please share if you find amusing!

Cobra Pogo Ballistic Battle Ball!

One of my all time favorite Cobra vehicles is the Cobra Pogo. Nothing would strike more fear on the battlefield than bouncing enemy battle pods. I would imagine it would be quite striking to see, say an army of 1000, Cobra Pogos coming at you at full bounce. I would hop by the time G.I. Joe 3 hits theaters, they will include this weapon. For now, I will have to use it in my imagination before bedtime.

The toy version from 1987 (Series 6) does an okay job for a smaller class vehicle buy. It seats one, has a couple missiles (not shown), and tries to stand on three plastic non spring-ed stands. It is too bad they never equipped one with actual shocks, because that, would be one hell of a lot of fun to play with. The plastic legs are too easily fall-offable too, which hampers heavy play. What? I didn't try bouncing this down a flight of stairs, really!

The cockpit control station is pretty intricate, with left and right control sticks, mini view screen, and other related buttons. The canopy closes crap-tastic with those top pinchers, but not a big deal.

I think Cobra Commander with battle armor goes well with this vehicle, but he did not come with it. He was pictured driving it on the box though.

Here is hoping for someday a re-issue with better springing legs. And maybe just maybe Chevy or Ford will someday make a car that bounces too.

G.I. Joe Micro force - Timber the Wolf

Several other toy bloggers kept their keen eyes out and alerted the world about Micro Force Multipacks. This gives me a perfect chance to get Timber the Wolf, and a few others that blind bagging would not deliver.

Five figures for about $4.99 in price. Knowing what is in the pack is half the battle. One of the better micro's is Battle Damaged Mask Cobra Commander Z. I prefer his face identity to always be concealed, but I am fine with a little damage peek. Makes him all the more creepy.

Low-Light is another top ten of the Micro Force. Since many of these have basic paint apps, Low-Light's red features take advantage. He can be placed in infinite locations for snipping.

The Dark Ninja Brawler might not be in the best of poses, but he sure looks cool.

Since I have already picked up several Steel Brigades, here is a Leatherneck from another pack. Leatherneck is a good example of their basic paint apps, as they missed painting his trademark mustache. That is too bad. Anyone know what kind of paint would work well on these, for me to fix??? Maybe just a black sharpie...

Kre-O G.I. Joe Checkpoint Alpha and Cobra Armored Assault

Ha-ha, it didn't take me long to cave on the bigger GI Joe Kre-O sets. Two reasons; I found that they are only "Toys R Us Exclusives", making them probably never a reduced thing. And two, a buy one get one half off sale, sold me on the Cobra Armored Assault and the Battle Platform Attack set. These are fun alternate reality building sets. Yes, I found some construction inefficiencies that Lego would never produce with their polished sets, but to have G.I Joe in a block form has been so much fun so far. I actually can't stop playing with them.

G.I. Joe Kre-O Figures Collection 1

Kre-O GI Joe's are looking better and better than their Transformer counterparts. It almost makes more sense for GI Joe to be blockized than Transformers. I picked up 6 out of 12 (the rest were not available), and now I can't stop thinking more. They are not as solid as a Lego Minifigure, yet a little more customized. It's pretty cool to see some of the classic characters being used from so long ago. I also picked up the small Checkpoint Alpha set, and will show off that later. I will wait on the bigger sets though, as sadly, they probably will be reduced in price shortly.

Saturday Assortment

I took a trip out today to look for a Cantina band player. I know exactly the set I want, available through ebay, but I don't think I will get it in time for the antics of this week. I was hoping to find one in town to hold me over, but it looks like it was a little more rare than normal. I did pick up this assortment at our local reseller Time Zone Toys.

First off, an older Star Wars Power of the Force collection, Ponda Baba. I hope to get the fancy one sometime soon, but this one will be fine for the short term. I like how the previous collector kept the card.

Second, a G.I. Joe 25th "New" Cobra Commander. I purchased most of the 25th line, but for somehow reason, missed this one. CC in Battle Armor is one of my favorites. Not really because he is Cobra Commander, but more as it's a really ass kicking costume!

Thirdly three, at the very end I noticed some loose Blue Rangers in the Power Ranger bin. I collect Blue Rangers, and was floored to find a really nice Blue Dino Thunder Ranger. Also a somewhat loose  Blue Space Ranger, in which I will have to get a battery to see if the helmet light up feature will still work. A Space Police ranger with the big number "2" on the suit is the last one (one of my favorite Ranger designs btw). He is missing his hand, I wonder what horrible accident befell him?

Fourthly and finally a Rainbow Dash for my kiddo, or at least I like to say it that way.

G.I. Joe Micro Force Series 1 - Cobra Commanders

Oh boy, this is a problem...

Last week Micro Force were buy 2 packs get 1 pack free, with another 10 percent off.  Not a bad deal, so I went overboard. But, as you can see I am dealing with significant repeats.

A few new good ones found like Lady Jaye, Lt. Stone (who looks like Falcon to me), and Grunt.

Two Steel Brigades, which makes me ask if I want to bother with troop building, or just give away/sell lots on Ebay.

Finally a generic Cobra Trooper (for some reason called Spin 'N Smash). I would have liked to see a lot more Cobra Troopers. Almost makes me wish these were three packs, with a common Cobra or Joe trooper in every pack. The Gold Ninja Assassin, is not as shiny gold as he is on the collection sheet.

The Red Ninja S1-15 is striking! There is another Red Ninja out there with swords down, and another with antlers called Arashikage Samurai.

So yeah... I hope I can resist. I really really want Timber the Wolf or a Viper, but its just not happening :(

GI Joe Micro Force - Joe Colton

I picked up a few more Micro Force packs, as I have only seen a few around town, and didn't want to have to wait in case they sold out quickly. Joe Colton here, I believe, used to date Malibu Stacey?

Beachhead vs. Beast Ninja Commander

Ghost Ninja Henchman

GI Joe Micro Force Series 1 Blind Bags

G.I. Joe Micro force is the next stage in a million scale sizes for this historic line. If you are burned out on 12", 8", 3 3/4", and 2", now is your chance to start a new with 1".   In hand these guys are really nice, and with 40 to hunt for, its going to be a challenge. I hope to get at least half of the characters available before I call it good. The display stands, make for a polished mini toy. Keep your eye out for another crazy army builder toy.

G.I. Joe Steel Brigade Special Forces

I have made the mistake on passing on this Steel Brigade guy here many times. I don't recall the guy from the old show, in which all my main collecting goals come from. Then I read the back of the card...

OH, so the guy is a trooper like guy? Like the Vipers are to Cobra. If I knew that earlier, I would have bought more to troop build. On the other hand, maybe G.I. Joe shouldn't have troops and be left at individual specialized abilities (There is a long debate there) Regardless it would be fun to a have more of these (oh wait, I think I have one more in stock overflow).

This figure line has pretty much run its course out of stores by now. I still see a few at Toys R Us, and I got this from a small grocer in town, who is behind. It was funny because even the old lady at the register knew these were rare. She asked me if I was going to sell it on Amazon for $100 bucks.

SO many weapons to choose!

I was surprised, but shouldn't be, that there was a masked face under the helmet. I thought the helmet was it. Never underestimate this line. There are little grenades to even fit into the launcher, however they might fit in too far, and get stuck? I did not want to try.

So yeah, now I have a common adversary for the Viper to fight.

Top bad for Steel Brigade guy that he has a handle on his back for the Viper to grab.

If I can just find one more...

G.I. Joe Battle Corps Mudbuster

Aqua and Purple Battle SUV anyone? Anyone?

The Mudbuster has been on my short list for some time, as I have a couple long time corresponding toys to match to it. I had my choice over a mint in sealed box, mint in open box, and loose, at a toy reseller, and I picked the middle.

If you can get over the 1993ish colors, then its a pretty rad vehicle. Key features being its 360˚ rotating missile launcher, and "Smash 'N Bash" Action bumper (which is going to need a new rubber band soon)

My first reason for kind of wanting the Mudbuster, was that since '93 or so, I had the Battle Corps Duke (v4). He has been stored away most of his life, but has been upgraded to the Duke shelf for most of the summer. I think there is a kicking Scarlet around here too, that would like a ride.

The second reason for kind of wanting the Mudbuster, was the Mudbuster digital watch I have had since about, well '93.  Every time I wore the watch, I though, I should look into getting the toy vehicle for the action figures.

The watch was epic of course, with sound effects and bumper attack. Out of batteries now though :(

So now that I have a Mudbuster, it's not as exciting as I would have hoped. It feels a little more "basic" than the vehicles before, and the vehicles of now. Something feels off with its construction, a little light weight plastic or something. Maybe its a vehicle that is meant only for its time of '93. 

Mudbuster!

GI Joe Pursuit of Cobra Jungle B.A.T.

I sat up all last night debating with myself if I liked the Cobra Jungle B.A.T. or not.  I am a huge fan of the campy classic Cobra B.A.T., with its black and yellow body and lenticular chest, it is one of the all time Cobra greats. The 25th anniversary B.A.T. was a pretty good update too (missing lenticular and all). The latest is a Jungle version, a part camo repaint, part accessory dress up. 

I want to say he is more of a last years toy, as I found one yesterday at a Paul's Supermarket, a store that is never current on popular toys. I had to pay a little more, $10.49, which is ridiculous, but I guess beats online prices. That price is getting to be the norm anyway, which will end my GI Joe collecting habits pretty soon.

That Jungle B.A.T. comes with a pretty heavy gatling gun, but its very clumsy in use, hard to hold. The ammo clip feeds into that back pack, which barely fits on the back. (Firing effects are my imagination).

The Jungle B.A.T. still comes with those neat interchangeable arm pieces, my favorite in this situation is the flame thrower.  (Firing effects are my imagination).

What sold me on the toy was the battle damaged chest plate (Old lenticular location), and interchangeable head. That just looks brutal, if that wasn't included I would have passed on the figure.

So did I decide to like it?

The final verdict is...

Nope, I hate it. Its too much. What makes the classic B.A.T. go is its ability to go anywhere in its standard suit. It would be scary to see the black and yellow army in the jungle, forest, tundra, ocean etc. I just don't see Dr. Mindbender asking the B.A.T.s to put on camo pants for their Jungle assignment. I bought merely for the battle damage, and on the fly decision.

I will say though, if its a single B.A.T., with more character then an army, I don't mind the camo look for a small Cobra Jungle Team. That way you can play it as the emotionless robot character opposite the jokester leafy guy, and grumpy faced Predator.