Checking Out the New G.I. JOE: RETALIATION Toy Line From Hasbro {Review}

Disclosure: I was sent products to review in exchange for my honest opinion.

When I was younger, I remember my brothers playing with their G.I. JOE toys for hours.  Then the first movie came out and my husband started reminicing about his G.I. JOE days.  Well thanks to Hasbro my boys have gotten their first sets of G.I. JOE toys!  Just in time for the new movie, G.I. JOE:  Retaliation, which came out on March 29th.  If you haven’t seen the previews, the new movie stars Dwayne Johnson, Channing Tatum, Bruce Willis, Adrianne Palicki and more!  With the new movie, a new line of toys created from Hasbro was released ranging from different sized action figures to vehicles to role playing accessories.

G.I. JOE: RETALIATION Toy Line

ACTION FIGURES

G.I. JOE MOVIE NINJA COMMANDOS – 10-INCH FIGURES
(Approximate retail price: $19.99; Ages: 5 & up)
Get ready for the next phase in G.I. JOE action figure evolution with the G.I. JOE NINJA COMMANDO figures! The NINJA COMMANDO figures are 10-inch large-scale figures that feature quick-draw BATTLE-KATA and Ninja action. With the press of a button, figures magically “grab” weapons to arm themselves for battle. Figures also feature electronic sound effects and phrases available for in pack “Try Me.” Choose from the iconic Ninja SNAKE EYES and BATTLE-KATA skilled ROADBLOCK. Figures sold separately.

G.I. JOE MOVIE 3.75-INCH ACTION FIGURES Assortment
(Approximate retail price: $9.99; Ages: 4 & up)
The live-action G.I. JOE movie, G.I. JOE: Retaliation, won’t hit theaters until March 2013, but you don’t need to wait to see the stars from the movie cast as G.I. JOE characters. The G.I. JOE brand invented the action figure category more than 45 years ago, and the G.I. JOE MOVIE 3.75-INCH action figures continue this great legacy. Figures are sculpted to match their on-screen counterparts, including Dwayne Johnson as ROADBLOCK, Channing Tatum as DUKE, and Bruce Willis as Joe Colton. Each figure comes with off-the-floor play such as ninja zip lines and projectile launchers. Multiple waves are set to be released throughout the spring and fall 2013. Figures each sold separately.

G.I. JOE NINJA SHOWDOWN Set
(Approximate retail price: $19.99; Ages: 4 & up)
Kids can recreate the action-packed Ninja sequences of the upcoming live-action G.I. JOE movie, G.I. JOE: Retaliation or create their own adventures with these G.I. JOE sets. Each three-pack includes a three 3.75-inch action figures with off-the-floor action features. Each sold separately.

G.I. JOE MOVIE 12” FIGURES
(Approximate retail price: $9.99; Ages: 5 & up)
New this fall, these highly-detailed 12” movie action figures are the largest-scale figures in the 2013 line. Choose from the iconic SNAKE EYES, ROADBLOCK or STORM SHADOW. Figures sold separately.

VEHICLES

G.I. JOE ALPHA VEHICLES Assortment
(Approximate retail price: $12.99; Ages: 4 & up)
The G.I. JOE ALPHA VEHICLES assortment is the smallest and most covert of the G.I. JOE vehicles made for the 3.75-inch movie figures. These stealth vehicles are outfitted with universal projectiles, launchers, a surprise attack feature, and also come with a realistic articulated ride-on action figure that will help guide you through your action-packed adventures. Vehicles each sold separately.

G.I. JOE BRAVO VEHICLES Assortment
(Approximate retail price: $14.99; Ages: 4 & up)
The G.I. JOE MOVIE BRAVO VEHICLES collection is mid-size vehicles inspired by the upcoming live-action G.I. JOE movie, G.I. JOE: Retaliation. Each represents the most technologically advanced vehicles in the G.I. JOE vs. COBRA arsenal, including the NINJA COMMANDO 4X4 WITH SNAKE EYES and COBRA FANG BOAT WITH SWAMP VIPER. Each vehicle comes with an action figure to help steer your squadron to victory. Vehicles each sold separately.

G.I. JOE MOVIE DELTA VEHICLES Assortment
(Approximate retail price: $19.99; Ages: 4 & up)
The G.I. JOE MOVIE DELTA VEHICLES collection includes the largest hero and villain vehicles inspired by the live-action G.I. JOE movie, G. I. JOE: Retaliation. Each represents the most technologically advanced vehicles in the G.I. JOE vs. COBRA arsenal, including the G.I. JOE GHOST HAWK II and the COBRA H.I.S.S. TANK. Each vehicle comes with an action figure to help steer your squadron to victory. Vehicles each sold separately.

G.I. JOE EAGLEHAWK ASSAULT CHOPPER
(Approximate retail price: $39.99; Ages: 4 & up)
Inspired by the live-action G.I. JOE movie, G. I. JOE: Retaliation, this EAGLEHAWK ASSAULT CHOPPER is the most dominating vehicle to transport your squadrons to battle. Each camouflaged chopper comes equipped with an action figure to pilot your most critical missions.

ROLE-PLAY

G.I. JOE SNAKE EYES NINJA GEAR
(Approximate retail price: $24.99; Ages: 5 & up)
Gear up and get ready to take on the role of iconic Ninja-Commando SNAKE EYES from the G.I. JOE team. With the G.I. JOE SNAKE EYES NINJA GEAR set, kids can wield an electronic sword with authentic ARASHIKAGE design, which features special lights and ninja battle sounds, a SNAKE EYES role-play mask, and two NINJA THROWING STARS allowing them to play the part of their favorite Ninja hero.

G.I. JOE BATTLE-KATA BLASTER
(Approximate retail price: $14.99; Ages: 6 & up)
Kids will love to role-play the ROADBLOCK character’s unique fighting style with the G.I. JOE BATTLE-KATA BLASTER toy. Featuring a 2-in-1 battle combo with interchangeable BATTLE-KATA blaster and ‘blade’ modes—kids can defend their heroic team against the vile enemy insurgents of COBRA. Includes three dart projectiles.

G.I. JOE NINJA COMMANDO BLASTER
(Approximate retail price: $24.99; Ages: 6 & up)
Enjoy the latest in G.I. JOE role-play technology with the G.I. JOE NINJA COMMANDO blaster! Defeat the COBRA enemies with this multi-dart, pump-action blaster which features a targeting lens to spy the enemy and helps you aim the projectiles like the very best snipers the G.I. JOE team has ever seen! Includes ten dart projectiles and targeting screen.

G.I. JOE BLADE OF JUSTICE
(Approximate retail price: $14.99; Ages: 5 & up)
Replicate your favorite Ninja moves with the highly detailed, ARASHIKAGE-authentic G.I. JOE MOVIE BLADE OF JUSTICE sword used by two of the most iconic ninjas ever, SNAKE EYES and STORM SHADOW, in G.I. JOE RETALIATION.

G.I. JOE NINJA-CHUCKS
(Approximate retail price: $9.99; Ages: 5 & up)
Kids can master their Ninja skills with the G.I. JOE MOVIE NINJA-CHUCKS toy.

G.I. JOE MASKS Assortment
(Approximate retail price: $9.99; Ages: 5 & up)
Look just like your favorite G.I. JOE Ninja-Commando characters with this collection of cool G.I. JOE masks. Choose from SNAKE EYES, STORM SHADOW or G.I. JOE Helmet. Each sold separately.

G.I. JOE MICRO FORCE
(Approximate retail price: $2.99-$5.99; Ages: 4 & up)
Micro heroes, mega battles! Iconic G.I. JOE characters get a collectible new battle twist, as players use MICRO FORCE figures for extra small battling fun! 43 G.I. JOE MICRO FORCE figures will be available in 2013 and will feature a unique new style based on classic G.I. JOE vs. COBRA characters including SNAKE EYES, STORM SHADOW, COBRA COMMANDER, SCARLETT and more! Collect them, set them up on their included stands, and knock them down in head-to-head battling play! Each set sold separately.

Here are some products that we checked out:

The G.I. JOE Mask , while its the mask of a bad guy, my boys thought it was so silly to wear.  My 4 year old wears his mask and runs around like a little ninja!  It is a durable mask that my boys have yet to destroy, which in my book is a pretty dang good toy.  It is also padded inside so its comfortable and not digging into your child’s face, but yes it is adjustable with an elastic Velcro strap so even adults can wear it!  Perfect for playtime or even Halloween!

The G.I. JOE Ninja Commander action figure is first off bigger than regular action figures, at about 10 inches tall.  He is pretty interactive too as he plays sounds and when you push a button his arms fling back to grab both swords!  My 4 year old was amazed by that and kept doing it over and over.  Now its not perfect and does miss every now and then, but it is pretty dang neat!

The G.I. JOE Red Ninja Figure is a little action figure but packs a lot of punch.  He comes with a zip line, yes a zip line, that your child can hook wherever they want and have him zip around.  My boys thought it was fun to watch him “fly” through the air.

(Sorry I can’t find the pictures I took of this guy in action, and of course now this little guy is M.I.A.)

Overall, my boys really liked their new G.I. JOE toys and thought it was so fun to pretend they were both good and bad guys.  Yes the toys have weapons and represent violence, but they are pretty innocent and I taught them how they are just toys and nothing more.  They are great toys though to get kids (and adults) excited about the movie and maybe even bring back some childhood memories.

BUY IT:  Look for the new G.I. JOE toys at your local mass retailer.