One of the more unusual G.I. Joe lines to debut this year is the Kre-O series featuring our favorite Real American Heroes. Exclusive to Toys R Us, Kre-O looks Lego square in the eye and says “bring it!” Featuring characters from both the classic Generation 1 ARAH era and the earlier Adventure Team, Kre-O is a bold new direction for G.I. Joe.
Here’s the official word from Hasbro:
KRE-O G.I. JOE 2013 PRODUCT INFORMATION
A new line of KRE-O G.I. JOE building sets will be available exclusively at Toys “R” Us retail locations and www.Toysrus.com beginning in February 2013. The addition of KRE-O G.I. JOE sets to the brand’s portfolio will offer the opportunity to build environments and vehicles to play out the G.I. JOE vs. COBRA fantasy and will feature KREON figures based on popular characters from both the heroic G.I. JOE team like DUKE and SNAKE EYES as well as the villainous COBRA organization like FIREFLY and STORM SHADOW.
Beginning with the single packs:
KRE-O G.I. JOE KREON FIGURE PACKS
(Approximate retail price: $3.19; Ages: 6-12; Available: Spring 2013)
Start your KRE-O G.I. JOE collection with these iconic G.I. JOE and COBRA characters! Each G.I. JOE KREON figure comes with a unique weapon and cool accessories, and is sold blind-bagged. The first wave of characters includes CRAIG “ROCK N’ ROLL” MCCONNEL, KIM ARASHIKAGE, COBRA TROOPER, CRIMSON GUARD, SCARLETT, COBRA AXE NINJA, COBRA NINJA VIPER, QUICK KICK, ALLEY VIPER, EDWARD “TORPEDO” LEILOHA, and ADVENTURE TEAM COMMANDER. Each sold separately.
Wave 1:
Wave 2:
Also included in the line are the “action sets”:
KRE-O G.I. JOE CHECKPOINT ALPHA Set
(Approximate retail price: $9.99; Ages: 6-12; Available: Spring 2013)
Help defend the G.I. JOE base at Checkpoint Alpha from the villainous forces of COBRA! Build the checkpoint tower with push-fire missile as well as FIREFLY’S motorcycle in this 82-brick set, which comes with a FIREFLY KREON character, LAW & ORDER KREON character and a KREON dog.
KRE-O G.I. JOE NINJA TEMPLE BATTLE Set
(Approximate retail price: $14.99; Ages: 6-12; Available: Spring 2013)
Can SNAKE EYES save the G.I. JOE Dojo from COBRA’s ninja attackers? Build the Dojo, a weapons rack and a spinning blade training unit in this 100-piece building set, which also includes four KREON figures — SNAKE EYES, STORM SHADOW and two COBRA RED NINJAS!
KRE-O G.I. JOE SERPENT ARMOR STRIKE Set
(Approximate retail price: $21.99; Ages:7-14 ; Available: Spring 2013)
When COBRA attacks with its new SERPENT ARMOR MECH SUIT, it’s up to the G.I. JOE team to ride into battle in the VAMP 4X4! Build both mighty vehicles with this 175-piece building set, including an opening cockpit and opening and closing claw on the SERPENT ARMOR, and rotating wheels and opening doors on the VAMP. Also comes with two KREON figures — DOUBLE CLUTCH and COBRA MECH SUIT TROOPER.KRE-O G.I. JOE DRAGONFLY XH-1 Set
(Approximate retail price: $19.99; Ages: 7-14; Available: Spring 2013)
COBRA has stolen the plans to the G.I. JOE team’s base and they’re flying away with them in the COBRA CLAW GLIDER. The only thing that can save the G.I. JOE team is the iconic G.I. JOE DRAGONFLY helicopter! The 152-piece building set builds a helicopter with opening hatch, push-fire projectiles and a propeller that spins with the push of a button! Also comes with two KREON figures — a COBRA TROOPER and WILD BILL.
KRE-O G.I. JOE COBRA ARMORED ASSAULT Set
(Approximate retail price: $29.99; Ages: 7-14; Available: Spring 2013)
Build the ultimate COBRA assault vehicle to battle the G.I. JOE team in their BATTLE QUAD with push-fire projectile. The COBRA ASSAULT VEHICLE features a rotating turret with two spring-loaded projectiles, six rotating wheels, an opening front hatch and an opening back to store weapons. The 246- piece building set also comes with three KREON figures — FLINT and two COBRA TROOPERS.KRE-O G.I. JOE THUNDERWAVE JET BOAT Set
(Approximate retail price: $34.99; Ages: 7-14; Available: Spring 2013)
The battle between G.I. JOE and COBRA takes to the open water as the G.I. JOE THUNDERWAVE JET BOAT goes up against the new COBRA STING RAIDER. The THUNDERWAVE JET boat features a command center for interior play, spring-loaded firing weapon and a small land vehicle that can roll off the ship and down the opening ramp in the back. The 218- piece building set also includes three KREON figures— two G.I. JOE characters (LT. CUTTER and SGT. STALKER) and one COBRA character. Set is not intended for use in water.
KRE-O G.I. JOE BATTLE PLATFORM ATTACK Set
(Approximate retail price: $39.99; Ages: 7-14; Available: Spring 2013)
Yo, JOE! Build the G.I. JOE team’s battle platform base as it comes under attack from COBRA TROOPERS looking to spring COBRA COMMANDER out of jail! The 372- piece building set allows you to build the base and two COBRA vehicles, the TROUBLE BUBBLE and FANG, as well as a G.I. JOE RAM CYCLE. The base includes a command center for interior play, rotating flick-fire missiles and an opening jail cell. Also includes five KREON figures — CONRAD “DUKE” HAUSER, ROADBLOCK, COBRA COMMANDER and two COBRA TROOPERS, each with unique weapons and accessories!
KRE-O G.I. JOE Ghoststriker X-16 Building Set
(Approximate retail price: $24.99; Ages: 7-14; Available: Fall 2013)
The struggle continues between G.I. JOE and COBRA! Build the G.I. JOE Ghoststriker X-16 Jet but keep it out of range from the COBRA attack unit, also part of this KRE-O building set! The jet features rolling wheels and two spring fire missiles as well as a hatch that opens to allow the included Ace KREON figure to sit in the pilot’s seat. The COBRA A.S.P features two push fire missiles, rotating turret and a seat for the included COBRA TROOPER KREON figure.
KRE-O G.I. JOE Arashikage Dojo Building Set
(Approximate retail price: $69.99; Ages: 7-14; Available: Fall 2013)Build the G.I. JOE Arashikage Dojo building set and act out the ultimate ninja battle against COBRA at the G.I. JOE DOJO! The three-level KRE-O G.I.JOE DOJO Playset with approximately 700 pieces, features an interior play area with a training dummy KREON figure, a weapons rack and the ultimate gold ninja sword with a light brick! Open the front doors of the dojo to find firing cross bows and a swinging double axe! Also included in the Playset for kids and fans to build are the HISS TANK COBRA Vehicle with firing projectiles and seats for two KREON figures, and the SNAKE EYES Motorcycle with ninja swords! Six collectible KREON figures with ninja weapons and accessories are included.
For me, the jury is still out on these little guys. They’re fun and they’re different but I don’t know if I really need them in my G.I. Joe collection. Okay, they’re making it hard to resist with the inclusion of the Adventure Team Commander and Kamakura but I’m not seeing a Gung-Ho ANYWHERE in the line-up. C’mon– if they can produce Snow Job then we can get a Gung-Ho!