“BTR building sets combine construction and action-packed play! With action features and cool detailed pieces, BTR is BUILT TO RULE!” –Hasbro Inc.

Subject: COBRA H.I.S.S. w/ Cobra Commander

Driver: BTR Cobra Commander is basically the same mold as the current Valor Vs Venom mold, only tweaked with the peg connectors added and the cape hole filled in. He has a lighter blue hue than the first version of this mold, but silver accents instead of gold. The plastic used is much more pliable on the BTR version, however its still difficult to place CC in an upright sitting position. The gun holster on his right thigh is hollowed so a small handgun can be placed inside. The peg connectors are not very prominent and if you missed the Spy Troops version of this mold, the BTR version is a very close replacement.

Vehicle design: If you’re a fan of the 80’s Joes, you’ll recognize this design right away. Probably the closest design to the mainline, the BTR H.I.S.S. tank has the basic shape, colors, even decals as the original. It’s not perfect, but it’s pretty damn close. The gun turret features a rotating dual cannon just like the original. The angle of the sides and drivers station matches the original as best as blocks can. The very front end is a little sloppy, and doesn’t much resemble its predecessor, but overall the BTR did a fine job mimicking Cobra’s high-speed sentinels.

Features: Here’s where this bad boy really shines. Not only do the cannons fire, but the turret swivels on a geared post that can be rotated beneath the gunner’s feet. This allows for a COBRA to man the gun, and you can rotate it while pushing the vehicle along. The cockpit glass now opens back to front as opposed to the originals straight up lift. The best part though has to be the moving tank treads. They don’t stay on perfect, but they stay on good enough to roll over most small surface rises. All toy tanks should have actual tank treads. This feature really makes this toy stand above the first H.I.S.S. as far as realism goes.

Colors and graphics: A huge COBRA symbol adorns the rear sides just like the original. Also, the numbers found on the front ends match as well. I’m not sure if this number represents the serial number, the tank division or what, but its there. The H.I.S.S. is black as night, with a grey under belly and maroon accents. Additional text and symbols are printed on the sides adding even more realism. Color-wise, the BTR H.I.S.S. matches the 80’s version closer than the overall shape does, and shape was almost exactly the same.

Play value: Compared to the first series, the bricks stay together a lot better. You still have to angle some bricks for them to connect just right, and apply a lot of pressure. Little kids will like this tank for its features, especially the ability to run over helpless Joe pedestrians. The gun turret seems to pop off the easiest and CC doesn’t sit well up front. He might be better placed at the gunners post and a substitute driver used. All in all it’s a sturdy vehicle and a lot of fun to pretend blow up. In the comics and cartoons, these tanks are used for a lot of cannon fodder and re-enacting them exploding is a lot of fun. That’s really what’s great about this line. You can break them and just rebuild them.

Value to GI Joe collector: If you’re an army builder who collects every COBRA vehicle you can find at thrift stores, conventions or eBay, you might like this. If you’re an 80’s fan you’ll definitely like it. If you like to shoot diorama stories, the BTR tank will stick out like a sore thumb if placed with the originals. However, using one as a destroyed tank would be a lot better than actually wrecking an older version. If the block pegs bug you, they’re mostly noticeable on the top, and Lego’s provide flat pieces that can be used to smooth out the pegs. If this is you’re only H.I.S.S. than you’re lucky, because the working treads and firing missiles really make this a better tank than the first model.

Recap:

Figure: 9 out of 10

Vehicle design: 7.5 out of 10

Features: 10 out of 10

Play aesthetics: 8.5 out of 10

Overall value: 8.5 out of 10