Ninja Force was a martial arts-themed sub-line released in the early 1990s. The toys featured built-in spring-loaded “Real Ninja Action” that allowed them to perform kicks or chopping attacks. The toys also featured bright colours and divided fans at the time as it moved away from more realistic military style toys.
Name: Snake Eyes
Line: Ninja Force
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Released: 1993
Price: Then: $4.99 USD, Now: $30 – $100 USD
Scale: 3.75 Inches in height.
Accessories: Multiple weapons
When I was growing up, I didn’t get any GI Joe figures until about 1992/1993. Considered the “worst” years by most GI Joe collectors. I also didn’t get a lot of figures from these two years either. I didn’t have too many characters besides Firefly V2, Night Creeper V2 and Astro Viper V2 that I remember and a few vehicles.
But I did enjoy their small size and articulation. Fast forward to later in life, and my fondness for the Ninja Force figures has grown, so I wanted to collect the whole line and buy a lot of the toys I didn’t have.
Thankfully at the time, these toys were still very cheap and unloved, making it not too hard to buy and complete the series.
SCULPTING
This is at least the fifth version of Snake Eyes that had been released up until that point. Overall, it’s not a badly sculpted toy in my opinion. He’s not entirely covered in all black for once. This makes it easier to see all the sculpted details on the toy.
Snake Eyes doesn’t come with the standard GI Joe legs either as the legs he does have make it easier to perform his “Ninja Action” feature. I’m curious as to if he came with the standard legs if this would make a lot of difference or not. Other than making it more difficult to use his action feature.
Comparing him to previous releases, I don’t think any of them strike me as definitive, sculpting-wise. With the exception of V2 Snake Eyes.
PAINT
There’s a little bit of blue and silver paint to break up the black plastic and highlight some details on the toy. I think it looks alright, but perhaps a darker shade of blue might suit the toy instead. However, I’m well aware that these particular GI Joe toys around this time went for brighter, the better colour schemes.
ARTICULATION
Snake Eyes has pretty much the standard GI Joe articulation with the exception of his legs. He’s still pretty easy to pose and I enjoyed playing around with him when taking photos. His “Ninja Action” feature is a “ Basami Slice” where you squeeze his legs together and his arms will move.
ACCESSORIES
You get a number of swords and other weapons for Snake Eyes and a stand for him too. The weapons mostly fit into his hands without too much trouble, but, sometimes won’t always stay there when played with. For example, the claws don’t really like to stay on.
POTENTIAL PROBLEMS
I don’t think you will have too many issues with Snake Eyes. Unless you are buying a loose version and either he is not complete or his action feature could be broken.
PRICE
I got my Snake Eyes for a reasonable price off eBay, MOC and promptly freed him from his plastic prison. Just pay a price you are happy with.
OVERALL
This is a good figure, but unfortunately could have been better without a “Ninja Action” feature gimmick. I really think it takes away from the play value instead of adding to it. It’s still a very nice Snake Eyes toy, and I wish they had released it in all black at some point, too. I would say not essential to your GI Joe collection, unless you are collecting Ninja Force toys like me.
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