G.I. Joe Headquarters Command Center Vintage Playset Review ARAH

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RetroBlasting looks back at the original G.I. Joe headquarters!
#RetroBlasting #GIJoe #headquarters

[@vagtav310]

Ryan passed away from a heart attack at age of 32!RIP my friend, i hope you are watching as from your childhood 'uss flagg'...

[@No1.OriginalTrilogyStarWarsFan]

So sorry about your mate. I lost my best friend 8 years ago next month to a heart related illness.

[@134zulureign]

First I’d like to say condolences for your loss. The part that you did with the voices though was hilarious 🤣

[@cybertronnation9247]

I'm sorry to hear that your friend passed away

[@yaboi5832]

vagtav310 my condolences to your friend

[@yaboi5832]

No1.OriginalTrilogyStarWarsFan my condolences toy your friend

[@TheWarflight]

When I was a kid, I saved my money for the GI Joe HQ... when I got it, I played with it like it was in the comics... I would disassemble it, and make cardboard crates for it... and when my cousin and I would play (he just passed away from cancer two months ago) we would "drop it' into the area where it was to be set up... then build it, and fight Cobra. (in those days, we had a fang, and two HISS tanks for Cobra... one was one, one was his... and a bunch of Cobra figures... out Star Wars figures were the various "civilians" that needed rescuing) Our play as children involved world building, and story telling... He never got to be the writer he wanted to be... but our stories still go on.

[@sneezythesquid]

One of my best Christmas presents ever.

[@jdbrown55]

Gi Joe is my all time favorite 80's toy line, so this has a special place in my heart. You really did a fantastic job on this. The playset can be a little annoying to put together sometimes, but when it is finished, awesomeness!

[@michaelshoemaker4399]

Love the review! The part with Rock 'n Roll complaining about getting the main cannon duty was awesome.Who wouldn't feel like that was a suicide mission?

[@72meng]

Another great video! I had this as a kid, and loved it! I was waiting for you to call out my favorite goof in this set, though, the view screen sticker whose image was lifted right from the comic book, including the sound effect word! Also, I totally agree with you on the great amount and variety of play sets in the 1980's.

[@art-n-filmsam3844]

Get 2 HQ's, back them against each other and boom GINOURMOUS BASE!

[@jasoncaldwell8199]

Heck yeah! I had that as a kid and a Secret Wars Tower of Doom in the dead center!

[@joystickjedi]

I got the HQ for Christmas in 83... it came in what was a HUGE box, and I remember being so stoked that I had a place to park the VAMP and the MOBAT... never had a Dragonfly tho, so COBRA took over the helipad for the FANG. It was rad.

[@stevenweller9413]

HQ made its first appearance in episode 19 of the comic books. They built it in the PIT and raised it into the Chaplain Assistants Aide School motorpool at Fort Wadsworth.

[@crushingalldeceivers]

Great videos, love them, you guys capture the 80's perfectly. The ending has better dialogue than the GI Joe cartoon! Subscribed!

[@brett8481]

I concur with the final sentiment. Sums it up beautifully. I really wish I got this, it was of a couple of items that we didn't get as I got older and was expected to stop collecting as I became a teenager, so the Christmas and birthday hals were getting light and lighter on Joes.

[@jboypacman]

Picked up one of these a month or so ago from some friends of mine who found it with a few other things in at a local yard sale. Missing one of the inner walls and the slide on wall guns but beyond that its great.

[@Sano1970]

Really fun to watch! Another well

[@StoneCold75]

As with many 80s kids, we would all bring our GI Joes and vehicles to the designated house of play that day, and separate into teams....My friend Jeremy had the HQ here, and one thing I remember is those plastic slats would break, and we would need to super glue the walls up permanently or tape them...which in a way, made for more playtime.

[@armoredknight8718]

One of my favorite and most used toys..my neighbor had one as well so we made them co-join each other on opposite ends, and voila a real base that could thwart the COBRA suprise rear attack problem :) I loved the Patriotic - America Strong feel of this toy line and this set, today it would probably be considered too agressive intolerant of other counties toy sets or something...ugh I digress

[@Boosmoney]

this toy was the greatest christmas memory i have.

[@davidtagilala5040]

bought this thanks to you and formbx real sad about ryan tho life is so short great photo of him great tribute cheers from new zealand

[@JohnnyButtons]

Loved GI Joe in the early ‘80s!

[@TurtleTrackin]

The first appearance of the HQ was not in Marvel GI Joe 24. It was actually introduced as a "decoy" HQ in issue 19. In that issue, it is assembled in tbe Pit, then raised up under the roof of rhe motor pool to make Cobra to conceal the actual HQ, which was the Pit. The HQ was subsequently destroyed, causing some damage to the Pit that took several issues to repair. Issue 19 was also notable for the deaths of General Flag,, Dr. Venom, Kwinn, and Scar Face.

[@silentrage8961]

What I get a kick out of, is that Clutch would have killed himself,and everyone in the VAMP, screaming into the motorpool garage. He would have hit the HQ/fortress' solid steel wall. It had no front access door. lmao!

[@TheWarflight]

In the bay you put the VAMP... it has "foot pads' for every vehicles that came out in '82-'83 except the MOBAT. There are pads for the FLAC... the HAL... the Polar Battle Bear"... even the JUMP pad... you will notice the wheel pads in the front are too wide for the VAMP... that's to accommodate the Twin Battle Gun (Whirlwind). There's even a pad for it's trailer hitch. This was totally a display case for figures and vehicles.

[@shannonedge9386]

The follies with the characters crack me up great video guys!!!!

[@barrygordon5148]

That was cool...Go Rock'n'Roll.

[@Cavillier1970]

Love the ending and in the credits its nice to see a pro at work. LOL

[@Cavillier1970]

I calls'em as I sees'em. LOL Happy Holidays guys.

[@rolent23]

Ma Bell!! Nice I bet ya unless your from the 70s/80s that flew right over your head

[@rickconsort2671]

Real Wraith77 Or a Beastie Boys fan

[@edrice2621]

I got it.

[@MarkDemeo]

this was a great vid,in my opinion i would put this at the top of my list of playsets,i would love to add it to my collection one day.

[@80sfreak42]

Yes...this man is the truth...he nailed it...80s...by far best playset base headquarters etcetc...love it..

[@betterthanu3148]

When I was younger (though not being too much older now) I always wanted the vehicles to fit in the playsets. Don"t know why though.

[@thegreathaven]

woah! :) awesome playset, and review! :)

[@dustybragg4011]

Man I love that skit LOL.

[@1701Tex]

Yet again, ANOTHER thing that slipped by the Southcoast of Mississippi ENTIRELY! Ah well. That's why I count on RetroBlasting to keep me in the retro-loop. Tex (tip of the Ovaltine mug to the memory of a fellow fan)

[@cursedmonkey1033]

I loved mine.

[@dinomonzon8853]

Nice touch- Michael as Colonel Hawk and Melinda as Scarlett- sure beats Flint and Lady J or Duke/Scarlett. I do agree that the original G. I. Joe HQ is lacking. Its essentially a group of walls- and you're required to get the MOBAT and VAMP- and it had NO rear walls. Btw, the original debut of the 1983 HQ in the comics in Marvel's G. I. Joe #19, not G. I. Joe #24. The Firebat was designed to be based inside the Terror Drome. The lack of external defense is a legit gripe. The headquarters of anime series like Voltus V and Danguard Ace were far heavily defended.

[@davidq.5488]

A couple of us wanted the HQ back then but then somebody said a friend of a friend had one and it's basically a wall. And you really need the tank to go with it. And if the tank leaves (for a mission) you're screwed.

[@gukgluyguig61]

Great dialogue.

[@zackfredrick4980]

Michael & Melinda ......., I love your reviews. Can u do reviews of the Robocop, Toxic Crusader, Inspector Gadget, KISS & Back to The Future figures? That is if u have those or if u could get those. & also..... could u do a review of the My Buddy doll? I used to have one of those. He was my best friend. LOL. Those r just a few suggestions I had. Thank u.

[@lunacy05]

Awesome video and good points on the headquarters lol

[@80sfreak42]

Same thing happened to a buddy that I went to high school with...he had a heart attack at 35...died in his sleep...

[@jastheraz]

rip ryan

[@brianadams9535]

Great content!!!

[@Savage209er]

Awesome video!

[@HamsterK37]

And all I can think about is them saluting with their left hands

[@baron7755]

RIP Ryan

[@irongrenadier0177]

please make video for the corps!

[@SamGuthrie1977]

My poor Command Center is in many many pieces in the basement.

[@betulaobscura]

Cool!

[@Rubestar13]

I had it , it was cool.

[@TheMGSFan141]

the ending was really funny

[@Graytoke]

im still waiting on my Hiss tanks i ordered with a bunch of flag points way back in the day...dont think there gonna make it.

[@georgeowain]

You forgot to list Tombs in your list of playsets.

[@ReboottoysEllis]

Almost 100 K

[@Sano1970]

...done video!

[@Taraka1]

will u review the 1992 version sometime?

[@retroblasting]

+Taraka1 Don't own it.

[@Taraka1]

Hope someday you do. There's no reviews of it on youtube and it looks cool!

[@sneakyquick]

i would man that cannon if scarlett was also there.

[@dannygeerock8203]

LANARD CORPS 3:34 ACTION FIGURES SET WORLD FORCE RESPONSE TEAM THE CORPS

[@jboypacman]

Roger that. : )

[@rubbersausage344]

It’s sad that nowadays playsets really are scarce...

[@brianbarron9583]

they also had a headquarters that was also a tank with 3 levels

[@TheRussquatch]

awesome.... he never says anything LOL LOL

[@jhogrute]

the intro made me sad :-(

[@ShinKyuubi]

The ending conversation was so funny, I got a good laugh outta that "isn't this guy over here a commando AND a ninja?!? Let him do it! He can probably dodge the bullets too!"

[@DougPalumbo]

I had this playset in ‘83. Was thinking of it this morning and knew exactly where to go for a retro memory boost, RetroBlasting! I know this is an older video but they are still excellent and relevant. Yo Joe!

[@lafleurmgmtgrp]

that skit was hilarious.........love it

[@timothybarr6815]

So many good memories playing with this thing, highly underrated .... thanks for the video

[@No1.OriginalTrilogyStarWarsFan]

Thanks for the video Mike very interesting to watch. R.I.P. Ryan

[@DataCab1e]

The central cannon on the cartoon depiction made even less sense, as the thing didn't appear to be steerable AT ALL. But I did have this one as a kid, obtained second-hand. And it wasn't until recently that I discovered the motor pool section had "footprints" for not just the VAMP, but all of the then-available small weapon emplacements (FLAK, MMS, etc.) Genius design!

[@r.shanethompson7933]

That lil exchange between Joes at the end was pure comedy gold! If they ever make a parody cartoon I know who should be head writer. I liked and subbed just for that. Hope there is more.

[@mytzlplk]

Another excellent collector review. The end skit was a great bonus. Maybe Rock n Roll being a surfer would just "Zen" his way through the assignment...Also, it reminds me of the 'Apocalypse Now' character, Lance the Surfer, manning the forward .50 cals. Inspiration?

[@jimtilley1158]

It was first used much earlier in Cobras first attack on the Pitt. The same issue General Flagg was killed

[@surrealcereal603]

You’re right! That was issue #19. Amazing comic.

[@jonathanduplantis1403]

19. Scarface, Dr venom, Quinn and Flagg all died in that one

[@silentrage8961]

What I get a kick out of, is that Clutch would have killed himself,and everyone in the VAMP, screaming into the motorpool garage. He would have hit the HQ/fortress' solid steel wall. It had no front access door. lmao!

[@KJ-tz7vc]

What really worked about the Command Center for me was that it was a truly livable environment for the Joes. Not a lot of playsets were like that. It was easy to imagine them assembling, conversing and embarking on their adventures from there. And the jail cell was a nice touch. It was like having the stage set up for the cartoon right in your living room. Overall, it looked amazing.

[@thereisnosanctuary6184]

My absolute favourite toy sets were the Styrofoam packaging from electronics. I seem to remember a giant cardboard box with windows and doors cut out once. Like a Star Wars skyscraper.

[@billymusick]

Haha, I would kill to be at your place when you guys are recording your voiceovers

[@DavidMoore-eu3jv]

I remember seeing this at a Garage Sale when I was a kid. I thought it looked pretty cool back then and that was the only time I seen one.

[@Metlhd313]

How about a review of the Mobile Command Center? I loved that one.

[@80sfreak42]

Rip Ryan..I came full circle...I just bought this for 80 bucks with og box....

[@bombs8886]

I had this play set. What a great video and thank you for stirring up some fun memories. I liked the design of the base. I liked that it didn't come with tons of bells and whistles. Back then toys forced children to use their imagination and come up with their own adventures using the toy as a backdrop. Today children's entertainment is fully presented for them leaving nothing to the imagination. It fails to foster growth and creative development. I believe this will have long term consequences in our society. What a shame.

[@jdbrown55]

Did you notice the where you put the Vamp at. It has other slots where the HAL, FLAK, MMS, and other vehicles can go there as well. Nice video.

[@GilloKong]

I had the Action Force version of that, it had a better colour scheme and was camouflaged.

[@kassandraodessa2633]

That skit was hilarilarious! I had a chance to get this when I was a kid my neghibor was selling it for $10.00 with vehicles/ figures etc But my dad wouldn't get it for me one of the biggest regrets of my life

[@johnroche7541]

The European version of this toy was far superior as it was in green and black camouflage and also had some better features. It was part of Action Force which G.I. Joe was called in Europe. Check out "Analog Toys" for details on You Tube.

[@techos32]

I sold mine too for super cheap. Regret I did that. :(

[@TheJohno95]

I never had this toy as a kid, but a friend did. And thought it was one of the most awesome playsets, ever. It seemed like a real headquarters, not just a few random parts of a movie or cartoon stuck together.

[@RaymondRich]

I loved this playset as a kid. Put it back against the edge of the bed, and only Storm Shadow has the skills to scale that sheer cliff to sneak in.

[@robdrabkowski2708]

That bit at the end was some funny stuff! I wouldn't mind seeing more of that kind of thing!

[@DoktorKlaus666]

Nice review. I always liked the way that the HQ had play features geared towards using the line's various vehicles. That was something I loved about the old Starcom toys as well.

[@YodaPagoda]

I ended up with this three years after it was released, but it sure came in handy...you see, the previous GI Joe base I had used was a combination of the Death Star and some styrofoam boxes I had cleverly decorated. Once I had this base, I repurposed the Death Star elevators to take the Joes down to their underground base. Imagination is key!

[@MrRe-pg7fj]

Yoda Pagoda qqqqqq

[@blitzwarp808]

as a child of the 2010s i can agree it was better in your day

[@ryferguson9733]

Thank you. I just laughed my butt off with the talking points. I worked in financial services and we would "decompress" by using quotes from movies. It just brought back so many funny one liners we did. I love your channel.

[@brycevo]

This is a great fort. This is a really great playset and display

[@johnroche7541]

The European version of this toy was superior as it was in green and black camouflage and had some better features. It was part of Action Force which was what G.i. Joe was called in Europe. Check out "Analog Toys" for details on You Tube. The grey colour made it look like something from Star Wars. Our European version is better than the U.S. version.

[@Dragonrider1227]

You are so right about playsets today. On the rare occasion you DO get a playset now, they're pretty barebones and not well thought out. Did you see Bandai's idea of a Tower of Omens? >< Your comment about the back of the playset being wide open could technically be said about every playset ever made. (Except for maybe the Terrordrome) Seriously. Castle Grayskull technically only has two walls :P

[@chase_lyle]

That skit though, 😂

[@TrueSavage555]

at least you had a base from the start we Mega boks fan are barley getting one now. one was gonna come out in 2011 www.spartanbloks.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/unsc-firebase-halo-mega-bloks.jpg (which looks like the GI Joe head quarters) was cancelled cuz Mega brands realized walmart would put the price at $500

[@EDFCentral]

Rock n Roll was the first GIJoe I ever received. Bunghole neighbors ripped his legs off. RIP Rock n Roll

[@Sturmdude]

Set up some boxes/tables, or a platform, in the motor pools so Joes can shoot AT rockets and heavy machine guns from them, or set up a regular howitzer in them. Make sure Trip Wire has placed AT mines on the base perimeter, especially the flanks and far rear, with obstacles and machine gun nests just in case. Have AA rockets towards the rear. Get characters you don't like to man the front cannon. The biggest concern I would have with this base, would be incoming artillery, motors, and grenades.

[@patluvsvettes]

Love your videos, thanks for putting these on KZbin. I had this playset as a kid, and spent MANY hours having G.I.Joe vs. Cobra battles every night. Great video, but just one correction. The G.I.Joe Headquarters first appearance in the Marvel comic book was actually in issue #19 and not issue #24.

[@ChildePC]

I actually built my own cardboard version that had two stories and had a open slot for a the snow cat missile launcher. and original car and storage bay for motor cycle and prison with 2 cells. the computer room handled 8 joes. It was pretty kick ass. ALSO IT WAS TWO STORIES AND I OVER CAME THE CANON ISSUE BY BUILDING THAT COMPUTER ROOM UNDER THE SECOND FLOOR. YO JOE

[@dalek4463]

X Generation playsets: Multiple unique and interesting creations all of them made to be played and displayed Z Generation playsets: *EvErYtHiNg Is A hOuSe*

[@jakfuki]

This was my birthday priest in 1983. I’m thinking of dragging it out on storage when I grab the USS Flagg.

[@soterioncoil2163]

Beautiful, just beautiful. Would have loved it.

[@michaelb6729]

This reminds me of Papagallo's compound in Mad Max 2 ! Lord Humungus could have simply drove around the back which wasn't fortified ! lol

[@jm76vd]

I had all the OG G. I Joe’s...But never got the Headquarters. As a big fan of the Comics I wanted Hasbro to make a play set of the P.I.T.T headquarters as Kid,that would’ve been way cooler than the aircraft carrier and spacecraft . .

[@TheWarflight]

As kids, we (my cousin and me) understood right off that the GI Joe HQ was less a playset, and more a "Collector Case"... like the APC, but the APC was a collector case for figures, while the GI Joe HQ was for figures and vehicles. My cousin found a"generic" tank once... at a place called "Gemco"... it was a tank, but, it was like a "transformer" where it would transform into a figure carrying case that held several figures. Man, I'd love to find one of those again.

[@TheWarflight]

It WAS better back in my day. Action figures were for play. It was rare as a kid that I bought a carded figure... I bought vehicles that came with figures (the GI Joe HQ should have come with a figure named "Shooter" for obvious reasons) I only bought "carded" Joes, when the stores would sell them loose. All the rest of my Joes came with something... it didn't matter what. (well, except my first ever Joe, "Short Fuse"... I found a broken one under the bleachers at a 4-H event, so I had to buy one in card... I still have the broken one, that I used the carded one's swivel arms to replace those broken straight arms) As a kid, with Star Wars, and GI Joe alike, what was the figure, if you didn't have something to put it in... and vehicles were cool, but playsets... be it the Death Star, Aluminum Falcon, or GI Joe headquarters, was the goal. My prize possession is the Defiant playset. I wanted it so bad as a kid... finally got it as an adult. (about 15 years ago)