REVIEW: GI Joe: The Rise of Cobra - Rip Attack Jet Storm Cycle with Snake Eyes

Rip Attack Jet Storm Cycle with Snake Eyes | Produced by Hasbro | Released January 2010

Snake Eyes is a Ninja Master and military commando who trains the GI Joe team in hand-to-hand combat. He received Martial Arts training in the Arashikage Clan, and is the enemy of Cobra Ninja Storm Shadow. Silent and mysterious this skilled Ninja wears a visor that conceals his face.

Packaging Shots

It should be noted that this packaging is virtually impossible to open without damaging it.

Snake Eyes
Let's start with the vehicle's rider, Snake Eyes.

The sculpt isn't bad but there's very little going on here. He's clad in fatigues with a few pouches, straps and details but as a stand-alone figure this wouldn't really be on the top of anybody's must-have list. The musculature is nicely rendered and the fatigues look like real clothes, but beyond that there's not much to say.

The head sculpt is similarly under-detailed. I believe this could be a retool/recycle of the Paris Pursuit Snake Eyes, although I can't be sure (after all, Snake Eyes tends to wear a lot of similar outfits.)

There's also a (removable) harness with holster (sadly with no removable weapon) and a hook on his back, the purpose of which is a mystery.

Articulation is fine and there's nothing really here that surprises. What is nice though is that the bike (see below) is shaped to accommodate the figure well and he sits nicely upon the cycle's seat.

There's not a great deal of paint on the figure but what is here is applied cleanly, with a few buckles and wrist bands picked-out nicely in silver paint. He also has the Arashikage symbol on his arm, which is nicely applied.

Jet Storm Cycle

The Jet Storm Cycle may not be the best-looking of toys but it's a lot of fun. 

The basic design is, well, basic. But that's fine, because this results in the cycle being a solid construction and it's very robust - you could easily bounce this down the stairs and it wouldn't break (although if you do and it does, don't blame us!) Although quite bulky and angular in places, it also looks quite sleek.

The wheels - which are wrapped in rubber tyres - roll very well. Even on what appear flat surfaces, the vehicle rolls freely and there's a really nice motion to the axles. On the downside, the steering is locked in position but this is fine, as the vehicle is designed to go in a straight line. The two yellow missiles on either side work well as stabilisers, even if they do look a little out of place against the olive drab and black of the cycle.

So what about this ''Rip Attack'' business?

The Jet Storm Cycle comes with its own launcher, a gun-like unit into which the cycle can be loaded. Once it's in position, inserting the rip cord and pulling it charges the engine. Pull the trigger and the bike is launched. This is actually a very cool, fun little feature and although it compromises the design a little (such as locking the bike's forks in place) it's worth it.

Extras

The pack includes Snake Eyes' clip and collect card within the box. There are no weapons or extra equipment pieces and Snake Eyes has no stand.

Final Thoughts

An OK-looking bike and an OK-looking figure, saddled with a stupidly childish ''Rip Attack'' feature, the Jet Storm Cycle with Snake Eyes is utterly, utterly brilliant. So maybe as a display piece it's not the best-looking GI Joe toy out there, but it's no worse-looking as a design than, say, the RAM Cycle.

Frankly I don't care that it's a kids' toy and neither does it. It revels in its toy nature and does a great job of it, too. The bike is remarkably stable, quite speedy and - most refreshingly of all - a lot of fun to play with.

Scores
Snake Eyes

Sculpt	B-
Paint	B-
Articulation	B
Production Quality	B-
Final Score	B

Jet Storm Cycle

Sculpt	B
Paint	B
Articulation	A-
Production Quality	B+
Final Score	B+

Overall

Final Score

B+

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