We’re taking a small break from San Diego Comic-Con exclusive reviews to bring you this review of Hasbro’s G.I. Joe 50th Anniversary Low Light vs. Night Viper 2-Pack exclusive that is currently available at Toys “R” Us stores as well as some online retailers.
Earlier in August 2014, I was at Toys “R” Us with some of the 2-packs in my hands, and looking at Hasbro’s Star Wars offerings while a child around 10 years old was with his father looking at the G.I. Joe Retaliation movie figures. I could tell that the kid was not interested in the Retailiation movie figures, and pointed out that the new G.I. Joe figures were right next to the Retaliation figures. The kid ended up picking up one of these sets, and the father thanked me as they left the aisle. I found it impressive that even without an animated series, a movie franchise that’s just ok, and the kid having a father that was most likely not a collector was interested in G.I. Joe, and didn’t appear to be looking at anything else including Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. This got me thinking that if one 10 year old boy out there was a fan of G.I. Joe despite not having a TV show on, there has got to be more. Hasbro needs to remember that adults are not the only people buying G.I. Joe’s, and to please not give up on the franchise.
Having said that, this is a very exciting 2-pack as it brings both G.I. Joe’s marksman Low Light and the Night Viper are back. Night Viper is much easier to find compared to the green version released in Retaliation. The set does have its complications such as it is hard to army build with Night Viper while having to also buy Low Light each time, but the good news is that the set is priced roughly at $14.99, $5 off compared to individual figures. Hasbro gave fans a bargain on this set and other sets like it, and we hope to see more 2-packs, 3-packs, and vehicle sets continue in the coming years compared to overpriced individual figures.
Availability: July 2014
Sculpt & Paint:
Low Light is a reissue from the Pursuit of Cobra line from 2011 and from what we can tell there are no paint differences between the two figures. The only real difference is that this new version comes with a figure stand with gold text, compared to black text. He also comes with almost all of the same accessories as the first release, as shown below. On the sides of his pants are a sheath for his knife and a place to store his scope. His goggles are removable and his carrying case can store his sniper rifle and scope.
Night Viper is also a reissue and repainted red and black compared to 2013’s green and black release. His accessories are almost all the same as his first release and he has a gold Cobra logo painted on his figure stand.
Articulation:
Standard for modern G.I. Joe figures.
Accessories:
Low Light – goggles, vest, backpack, rifle/sniper case, scope, suppressor, bipod, submachine gun, knife, field telephone, antenna, spotting scope, tripod, ammo case and one bullet that’s removable, GPS locator, figure stand.
Night Viper – helmet, visor, webgear, backpack, satchel, sniper rifle, rifle, shotgun, pistol, flashlight, machete, and figure stand.
Overall:
This is a fantastic 2-pack and we are truly greatful to Hasbro for reissuing the Night Viper.
Highly Recommended.
Purchase:
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