ARCHIVE: Wild Republic "Choose Your Own Adventure" Steve Irwin

Article originally published 12/17/2007 at figures.com

The legacy of the "Crocodile Hunter" lives on thanks to the folks at Wild Republic. This year saw the unveiling of the Steve Irwin Wildlife Adventure Series, an array of interactive toys and action figures. The centerpiece to this collection is the Steve Irwin "Choose Your Own Adventure" action figure. The 6" figure features an electronic voice chip with lines recorded by Irwin. In this review, I take a quick look at both the good and the bad of this plastic tribute to the late Australian icon.

PACKAGING: Considering that this figure was designed as more of a toy than a collector’s item (i.e. torn open and played with), the window box looks pretty nifty on its own. The clear plastic front provides a nice view of the figure and its mega-sized croc accessory. A hole in the window and "try me" advertisement gives you a chance to hear a sample of the Irwin’s voice chip before buying. The back of the box sports full-color photos of the figure and a rundown of the interactive "Choose Your Own Adventure" game.

SCULPT AND CHARACTER LIKENESS: In reality, this figure is designed for a much younger generation than the average collector. Kids aren’t going to care much about the sculpt or overall look of the figure. What matters most is that it is fun to play with.

The figure does look a bit like Steve Irwin, at least from a short distance away. The head sculpt is close, if not for the eerily blank expression on Mr. Irwin’s face. The coolest part of this set is actually the 6” crocodile, which features enough detail (especially around the eyes and mouth) that it would probably be a better fit next to a Captain Hook figure.

ACCESSORIES: Like I mentioned above, the croc accessory is perhaps the niftiest element to this set. Aside from that, the electronic voice chip and "Choose Your Own Adventure" interactive feature will be a big draw for kids and parents alike. Wild Kingdom designed this figure to bring the educational world of Steve Irwin to a new generation of kids and the set’s interactive features certainly accomplish this.

ARTICULATION: Steve features articulated arms, shoulders, neck and legs while the crock sports a hinge jaw. However, there isn’t much one can accomplish by posing these figures in any other way than what is shown on the packaging. I made several vain attempts to get Steve to hold the croc, but the bugger was just too dang heavy.

OVERALL IMPRESSION: Clearly, this is an action figure for kids who love to learn about wildlife and nature. This is not one for the average collector, unless you dig the novelty of having the world’s only talking "Crocodile Hunter" figure on a shelf next to your Marvel Legends.

The Steve Irwin "Choose Your Own Adventure" figure is available in stores now for around $15. Not a bad price considering the playability of the figure and the fact that it comes with a pretty cool crocodile accessory. Kids will definitely dig this one... adults probably not so much, unless they were big fans of the "Crocodile Hunter" television series.