Review – Masters of the Universe Classics Snake Men
The Masters Of The Universe Classics Snake Men* set was one of the few Masters of the Universe Classics releases last year where I was all set to go through whatever hell was required to make sure I secured the pack. I was excited about the figures when they were first released, and once the First Look at The Fwoosh went online then I just had to grab the set. And I’m glad I did; these figures look every bit as neat in-hand as they do in photos on the web.
Parts Reuse
One of the ways in which Mattel has managed to produce the Masters of the Universe Classics series as an online exclusive — selling fewer toys than if these were in stores — is by reusing and mix-n-matching parts across the line, and the Snake Men are an example of when that parts reuse works wonderfully. As both The Fwoosh review and the review at It’s All True point out, the reuse is from multiple figures . . . not really surprising since we’ve got two different-looking Snake Men action figures in a single pack.
And I’ve got zero complaints with how Mattel used parts to create the Masters Of The Universe Classics Snake Men* set. And even the figure that is closest in construction to another character — Rattlor*, which was released the month after the Snake Men — looks quite different because of the change in colors and all of the accessories that were included with the set.
Accessories
Mattel didn’t skimp on the accessories when they assembled the Masters Of The Universe Classics Snake Men* set, and it is truly those accessories that make these two action figures so very much more than simple repaints/parts reuse Frankenstein monsters of toy design. In the pack you get:
- Armor – Two different armor designs that fit on over the torsos . . . and can be removed to design other snakes or to armor other Masters of the Universe Classics action figures. And since the armor not only changes the look of the base bodies but also adds color to the toys, I’m thinking the armor is the most important of the accessories included in the set.
- Weapons – Three new weapons, and all three are fun additions.
- Shield – And, to help change the look of one of the figures even more, Mattel included a triangular-shaped shield that’s decorated with a snake pattern. It clips on over the wrist of the figure and looks great once the toy’s displayed . . . and especially once it is displayed with other Snake Men action figures.
Paint
The Masters Of The Universe Classics Snake Men* action figures have some minor paint blemishes here and there, but nothing so nasty or terrible to make me unhappy. As I mentioned, the armor adds color to the designs and even that is relatively-nicely painted. If you’re a paint fanatic you will likely be unhappy with some slop over in spots on the armor, but for mass-produced action figures the paint’s just fine.
Extra Heads
Arguably, I should have listed these under the accessories, but since the extra heads do so much to help create new designs I wanted to mention the heads separately. Both figures come with two heads — one closed mouth, one open mouth — and you can see both in the photos. I prefer the open mouth heads and display the toys like that, but if I were army building these guys I know I would seriously appreciate that Mattel included extra heads.
(Though, if I were really into army building I would have rather Mattel released a variant set with the snakes in completely different colors rather than just the extra heads. I should be thankful that didn’t happen; I would have wanted both versions if an alternate paint design had been produced.)
Closing Thoughts
The Masters Of The Universe Classics Snake Men* set may just be two action figures made of reused parts and new accessories (and heads, can’t forget the new heads), but the two were designed wonderfully and I’m very happy with the end product. Hell, I’m so happy with the snakes — and so much want more snakes — that I would buy basically the same pack again if Mattel produced a version in new colors. A blue snake and a green or red snake would be awesome!
Or, and this would be even cooler, Mattel could go for my adventure set concept — see Wanted: Adventure Sets for Masters of the Universe Classics and Wanted: More Adventure Sets for Masters of the Universe Classics — and produce a pack with one new snake man, a diorama piece, and some assorted extras (like a bunch of snakes!) and I would be very happy.
Anyway, definitely a recommended pack of action figures if you’re at all collecting the Masters of the Universe Classics series.
Great review! One thing Mattel has done very right is both of the “army builder” two-packs. They always seem to pack them with the right amount of heads and accessories. I find myself tinkering and switching out parts, similar to if I have a Transformer on my desk I will find myself transforming it back and forth.
The figures in MOTUC that give you options are by far the best figures in the line because it isn’t them saying “here have this character how we want to see it,” but instead letting you decide how you want to display them.
I do really hope that they do a recolored snake pack, of all the easy cashins it seems like a no brainer. I would buy this exact set in a different color, that would be all they would have to do and I’d be in for two.
@Jon – Thank you! So if Mattel is listening then that now makes two of us ready to buy recolored Snake Men. Maybe it’s time someone try to launch one of those online petitions and see how many others want such a set of Masters of the Universe figures.
Great review – I’d definitely go for a set of recolored Snake Men. (Though I prefer the closed mouth heads – my kids think they’re friendlier that way.)
@Yakkotank – That makes three! Okay, Mattel, make three sets for us!
I love that your kids even pay attention to these. Too bad the toys aren’t in stores for more kids to find.