Review: G.I. Joe Classified Series Shipwreck

Although Hasbro has announced that windowed packaging will be returning sometime within the next year, it’s too late to save some of the G.I. Joe Classified Series figures from the windowless fate. One such figure is Shipwreck, which we found in the wild this week.

So, is Hasbro hiding cost-cutting measures from customers who can’t view the figures before buying them? Let’s take a look at G.I. Joe Classified Series Shipwreck and see.

Photo Credit: Mike Phalin

Photo Credit: Mike Phalin

Photo Credit: Mike Phalin

Photo Credit: Mike Phalin

We first noticed the lackluster paint application on Shipwreck’s clothing. There’s zero paint in the areas where his biceps meet his shirt sleeves, leaving the shirt itself flesh-colored. When rotating the bicep swivel, more of the flesh-tone plastic is visible. There are also noticeable paint chips on his other sleeve.

For whatever reason, Hasbro didn’t bother to put a dull coat on Shipwreck’s shirt, so it’s gleaming. I had to move the lights in my studio because the plastic was coming off too reflective in the pictures. Compare that to Destro’s clothing. The only parts on him that are shiny are those bits that are meant to be metallic. Even the Tiger Force Bazooka, with his white jersey, isn’t as reflective.

Photo Credit: Mike Phalin

Photo Credit: Mike Phalin

Photo Credit: Mike Phalin

Photo Credit: Mike Phalin

As we mentioned in the D-Rezzed Podcast, Hasbro is cutting corners and hiding behind the “plastic-free” packaging veil. Oh, and they want you to know that these boxes are light on plastic because the proclamation is printed in giant letters on the front of the packaging. That’s what I want to see when displaying this thing with my other G.I. Joe Classified figures.

Another cheap move is including swappable hair rather than multiple heads. On paper, this sounds like an OK idea, but in execution, it’s terrible. Both the hat and hairpiece are not snuggly plugged into Shipwreck’s head. This results in him losing his wig every time he is moved. Said engineering inadequacy could result in losing the critical accessory quite quickly.

The best aspects of Shipwreck are its accessories. Polly may need a little fine-tuning regarding paint application, but the parrot does plug into Shipwreck’s wrist. However, the sailor’s pet cannot sit on his should unless you use the rope bandolier.

His sidearms are also nicely detailed, with his smaller black pistol showing an intricate rope and anchor design that I’d suggest painting silver so it shows up better. Or, if you don’t want to mess around with paint, use a welder’s pencil.

Photo Credit: Mike Phalin

Photo Credit: Mike Phalin

Photo Credit: Mike Phalin

The grappling hook is a bit too soft and pliable for my liking. It can be easily warped and was originally somewhat flattened when I took it out of the footlocker.

An unintended accessory comes from paper ties used to secure the figure inside the packaging. The ties’ width and length are perfect for the grappling hook.

It’s sad when the best aspects of a $20+ action figure are a few small accessories. I cannot recommend that G.I. Joe Classified Series collectors spend money on this figure until Hasbro fixes the quality control issues and bring back display-friendly packaging.

If you’re a fan of Shipwreck and want to pick the figure up regardless of Hasbro’s dubious quality, he’s currently $21.88 if ordered from Walmart.