So I have finally got my Ultimate Battle Pack ($27.00)
in it I received my first 7 25th figures ,
I never really wanted to purchase the 25th figures because they looked odd to me
but the first thing I noticed about them was the feel in comparison to the old figures ,
the 25th figures although taller feel very light and frail like they aren't really meant for play
I plan on grabbing some more this weekend however ,
what are you guys feelings about the 25th figures ?

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I like 'em. I think they've got way better proportions that the old figures. I just get a little annoyed at the lack of movement in some of the elbows.

I've never understood what it is that people think feels flimsy about these guys. They've got so much soft PVC on them, that they can absorb all kinds of abuse. That stuff's resilient.

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I had the exact same opinions as you in the start. My sollution was to keep them moc/mib, and now I love them. They looks so happy in their plastic prisons

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I find the 25th stuff no less frail than the ARAH stuff. Sure the hand sockets are a little flimsy on the 25th's but when you take into account the eggshell like properties of ARAH thumbs and crotches, 25th's are probably better. At least if a hand pops off a 25th I can put it back on. Once a thumb shatters on an ARAH, it's pretty much useless.

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My very first impression a couple years ago was negative. I scarfed up a bunch of 25th figures one day, but when I opened up my first figure (Cobra Officer) and was placing the rifle in his hand, the hand snapped off at the wrist. I was so dissapointed with the quality, I took all the figures back and returned them.

Then they started releasing the vehicles, which I had to have. After playing with the figures that came with the vehicles, I started to like the 25th stuff after all, and now I wish I hadn't returned all those figures from a couple years ago.

Overall the 25th figures are great for play or diostory. The legs and hands are a lot more poseable than the ARAH figures, however there are a lot of 25th figures that have difficulty bending their arms at the elbows whereas all ARAH figures could always bend 90 degrees. There are still some fragility issues with the 25th figures, but then again they don't break thumbs or crotches nearly as bad as the old ARAH figures.

I think my favorite thing about the 25th figures is the nostalgia factor. I just love seeing those figures in the original style packaging sitting on the shelves in the toy aisle. I've never been one to buy or keep the original figures MOC, but I must admit I love keeping my 25th figures in their packaging, especially the single carded ones.

Hope you enjoy collecting the 25th Anniversarry line!

The Battle Pack is a good starting point for jumping on to the 25th figures. However, you have to rmember most of those figures are some of the earliest designs. The Hiss Driver and Destro in that set are probably the sturdiest feeling figures included in the set and both came from later waves of figures then the rest. This line truly has gotten better as it has progressed. There are some really cool figures in this line.

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I have grown to like them, but I still am disgruntled by three things: For the NEPA folks - I'm Walter Nepasky and today I'm gonna talk about tree tings: G...I...Joes

1. they are too tall compared to RAH and everything up to an including most of VvV and thus not very compatible. And they are too tall to work with many other 3 - 3/4" lines and even some 1:18 lines.
2. many of them are far too skinny and/or have pin heads. Its almost as if the designers intended for them to 3 3/4" tall but everything got stretched out to 4". Specific examples include Cobra Commander (long skinny legs), Crimson Guard (see above plus skinny arms and small oddly shaped helmet), Duke (pinhead), and Viper (too tall). The skinny leg and arm syndrome combined with pinheads make some of these guys look like they are 7' basketball players.
3. the awful mid chest joint. Sure, its covered by webgear on lots of figures but its just plain ugly. A regular waist joint would work much better aesthetically.

I like them for what they are - updated versions of the Real American Hero days. I keep them separate from my other Joes and probably always will.

They just can't hold their weapons in a meaningful way. Otherwise I'd have the whole set. Now I just buy a few must have characters.

Plenty of them can. I partially blame the fans, on this one. Hasbro gave us the best two handed rifle grip the scale has ever seen with the Viper, and the fandom complained about the "Viper wrists."

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Haven't really indulged at all, but I do marvel at their accessories. Even as an ARAH customizer mostly, I have to admit the versatility of some of the parts, if used with other lines. When I see what some of you guys and gals have done mixing the several lines, I have to admit, 25th is a bit versatile. I still believe they'd be better served with an actual neck, chin, and head one-piece, but for now, some of them are getting better.

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