Monday, September 8, 2025

Action Figure Review: Cobra Viper (Retro) from G.I. Joe: Classified Series by Hasbro

 

   I'm on a bit of a Cobra spree right now, aren't I? Today I'm checking out a retro take on one of the Cobra troops who has seen the most use and reuse in Hasbro's G.I. Joe: Classified Series: The Cobra Viper. The Cobra Viper first came out in the Classified Series in early 2021 in the Target exclusive Cobra Island subset. That was (and still is) an excellent figure and it's been the basis for a handful of variants over the past five years: The Cobra Viper Officer and Vipers set, the Python Patrol Cobra Viper, and the Crimson Viper. Now we have a Cobra Viper from the nostalgia infused Retro Series line and while you might initially just think this guy is a brighter repaint, it turns out he is almost completely different from the other Vipers. The 1986 Viper was one of my favorite figures as a kid and has always been a top G.I. Joe figure for me. While I usually prefer the designs of the modern, updated Classified Series to Retro releases, the Cobra Viper doesn't really feel much less modern than the Cobra Island Viper. Just different with more accessories. Yes, Hasbro could have just recolored the earlier figure, but they really increased the value of the figure this time as this guy has lots of nice extra including two rifles, six swappable hands, and a display stand. Let's check out a new (old) take on the Cobra Viper after the break...




The Facts:

Height: 6 1/2ths inches 

Articulation: Swivel/ hinge ankles, boot swivels, double hinged knees, swivel thighs, ball-jointed drop down hips, ball-jointed waist, hinged mid-torso, butterfly pecs, swivel/hinge shoulders, bicep swivels, double hinged elbows, swivel/hinge wrists, balljointed neck base, and a barbell jointed head.

Accessories: 6 swappable hands, two arm guards, goggles, two rifles, suppressor, pistol, backpack, and display stand.

Non-Scalper Price: $25 dollars






Comparison:


* Here's a look at a few different Vipers. On the left is the original Classified Series Cobra Island Viper, in the center is the Retro Series Cobra Viper I'm reviewing today, and on the right is my original childhood Viper from G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero. The flash suppressor is broken off of his rifle, but overall I think he's in pretty good shape considering the battles he's been through.




The Positives:

* The Viper is one of my all-time favorite G.I. Joe designs and I still think he looks great here. He still has a modern enough feel as to not look outdated and he doesn't look bad with the other Classified Series Vipers, either. He's a bit brighter, but you could easily pretend he's just part of a different squad. So far as I can tell, only the helmet/ headsculpts and goggles are shared. Everything else is different. This guy looks less bulky, maybe designed more for shorter operations or slightly warmer climates. His vest looks really nice with lots of sharp red highlights and the short sleeves (well, probably rolled up sleeves) give him a different feel. He also has more pouches built on his fatigues and on his belt.




* The tactical vest looks fantastic up close and I'm just loving those grenades. Not as fancy as the grenades that the CI Viper has, but still nothing too outdated. They still look like they'd word. 

* The Retro Viper is also sporting some excellent forearm guards. They are removable (just pop off his hands) and they stay on great, protecting his arms from the base of his elbow to the right past his knuckles. The padding design matches the padding on the sides of his pants and on the sides of his vest, so there's a nice, put together look.





* The helmeted head is the only thing that's really reused here from the previous Viper. I'm actually OK with that as it does keep some uniformity between the figures. The helmet doesn't get as many paint applications as the CI Viper has, but this Viper already has quite a bit of red on his uniform so the extra color isn't really missed.








* The goggles seem to be the same, too, but I do think they fit on the helmet much better. Hasbro seemed to improve these minutely with each release and I'm not noticing these falling off at all unless I'm actively trying to remove them. 











* The detail on the Viper's trousers are excellent, as are the cool little pouches on his belt. I also like the flashlight hanging from his belt. It's not removable, but it is a neat little extra with a painted lens.




* The articulation is all pinless here and everything works well. This guy is as smooth as butter and can take both one and two handed firing poses with ease. There's not a whole lot new to say about the articulation here as I've reviewed so many Classified Series figures lately, but it's clear that Hasbro's G.I. Joe team is absolutely nailing their engineering and designs and the factory/ factories they're using are producing quality work. This guy is just a blast to mess around with and pose.









* Hasbro through in five swappable hands, something I'm not sure any of the standard Cobra Vipers have included. They swap easily and give quite a few options that make posing these guys fun. There's a pointing right hand for signaling and gesturing, a cradling left hand for two handed poses, a pair of fists, and a pair of pistol grips for using any of the three included firearms. 








* The Viper doesn't come with the same backpack that the other Viper have come with. Instead, he comes with Recondo's backpack. It's solid black with no painted details, so it's not as impressive as the previous Viper backpacks, but it does work well with the figure and stays on quite securely.

* Rather than reuse the previous Viper rifle cast in grey, Hasbro included one of the SCAR inspired rifles that first came with the Cobra Viper Officer and Cobra Vipers set. I do like these sculpts, so I'm not unhappy with this. The light grey color (like the vintage toy) does look nice. This one looks like some variation of a SCAR designed for a marksman and has a removable suppressor attached.








* The magazine and suppressor are both removable. The suppressor can fit with either rifle included as well as with the pistol, so it's a nice, versatile piece.





* The second rifle is another SCAR inspired rifle, though this time with a grenade launcher mounted underneath the barrel. It's another reused accessory but it's been given a unique paintjob with brown in a few places.





* As is almost always the case with the Classified Series, the magazine is removable. It's interchangeable with the other rifle, too. 







* This pistol is really cool. We've seen it before as it originally came with the Cobra Viper Officer. It's a good looking combat pistol, though. I like it with the suppressor.












* There's a holster loop on the back left of the Viper's belt and the pistol fits inside securely. 



* I wish Hasbro would include these stands with all of the Classified Series figures. It's a simple base with the Cobra logo and it just looks really good with the figure. It adds a nice bit of value to the set.









   Not only is this an Epic figure of a Cobra Viper, it might be my favorite Cobra Viper in the Classified Series to date. The colors pop, the accessories are nice, and the design really works well, even in the more modern Classified Series. I've definitely skipped a few of the Retro Series releases here and there as some have been rather lackluster (some I've skipped and some I've waited for clearance or sales on, something I never do with the mainline figures), but this guy? This guy is an absolutely gem. There's some reuse here, especially with accessories, but it all blends together so nicely and feels new and exciting. 



   If you're looking for more Cobra Vipers check out my review of the G.I. Joe Classified Series Cobra Island Cobra Viper, the Cobra Viper (Python Patrol), the Crimson Viper, and and the Cobra Viper Officer & Vipers 3-pack.

For more G.I. Joe: Classified Series reviews check out the following:
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