Mainframe has always held a special place for me. As a longtime tech guy, I’ve always gravitated toward characters who work behind the scenes making impossible missions possible. He’s been one of my all-time favorite Joes since I was a kid, so getting him in the Classified Series was something I’ve been waiting on for a long time.

And yes — he is one of the shortest figures in the line. That’s not an issue for me. His smaller stature doesn’t take away from the character at all, even if it does technically make him shorter than Zarana, his cartoon-era fling. I actually think the scaled-down height makes him look more like a grounded tech specialist rather than another frontline bruiser.

What really impressed me is that Hasbro didn’t phone this one in. Instead of giving him the Techno-Viper’s loadout or generic reused gear, Mainframe comes packed with unique, well-thought-out tech accessories that fit his role perfectly.

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Accessories – A Tech Trove

Mainframe is absolutely stacked with gear, and it all feels thoughtfully tailored to him.

Backpack

His backpack is one of the standouts. It’s covered with sculpted details like binary code, “connection active” readouts, a cooling fan, multiple ports, and a short antenna. There’s even a place for a hose and a secondary device to plug in, giving it a modular, field-tech feel.

Warning Device / Radio Unit

A small handheld device with a warning icon, arrow indicators, sculpted texture, and its own antenna. It can tether to the backpack via cable, creating a full field communication setup.

Signal Device

This little piece looks like a field encryption/communication tool. It has a “calling” display and a back clip so he can carry it on his belt. 

Laptop & Tablet

The laptop opens and closes, features sculpted keys, connection readouts, and attaches directly to the backpack. The tablet slides out and includes digital prompts like “access,” binary code, GI Joe insignias, and more. Easily the best “tech kit” loadout we’ve seen in the line so far.

Weapons

He isn’t loaded down with guns, but what he gets works:

• Pistol – A clean, reused sculpt but still one of the better Classified pistols.
  
• Knife – Silver blade, black handle, flexible but sturdy, and fits smoothly into his leg sheath.
  

Mainframe is a support specialist — the gear sells the character far more than another rifle ever would.

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Head Sculpts & Gear

He includes two distinct and very well-executed heads:

Helmeted Head

A black helmet featuring the classified-version Marine logo. It looks sharp, fits well, and gives him a more classic ’80s tech operator vibe.

Ball Cap Head

This might possibly be my more preferred look. The ball cap sculpt is fantastic with a red patch, the logo, and a molded headset with a perfectly shaped mic. The face sculpt has great personality and crisp detail. As a whole, this makes for a very modern interpretation of the character.

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Figure Details & Articulation

Mainframe’s design leans into the idea of an everyday soldier with specialized training. He doesn’t have the exaggerated musculature many Classified figures have — instead, he looks like a realistic tech specialist.

Some standout design choices:

• Crisp haircut with a defined part and fade.
  
• Silver detailing on pockets and devices.
  
• Multiple sculpted tech tools on his shirt and gear.
  
• New belt sculpt with a classified Marine logo.
  
• Drop-down holster for his phone/multi-device.
  

Articulation is what you’d expect from Classified: pinless double elbows and knees, butterfly joints, great hip range, and strong ankle rockers. His only limitation is slightly reduced head movement due to the sculpt and head shape.

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The Elephant in the Room — Height

So let’s address it.

Yes, Mainframe uses the Tunnel Rat legs.
Yes, this makes him noticeably shorter than characters like Grunt, Leatherneck, Zanya, and others.

For some characters this reuse would be a problem — but for Mainframe? Ultimately, I’m fine with it. It fits his archetype. He’s not meant to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the heavy hitters. He’s the guy typing furiously on a portable computer while the firefight rages outside.

Would I have preferred new tooling? Sure. But in this specific case, it doesn’t hurt the figure for me at all.

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Final Thoughts

Mainframe turned out to be a fantastic addition to the Classified line. He’s loaded with unique gear, packed with character-driven details, and offers one of the best “tech operator” loadouts we’ve seen from Hasbro so far. The height issue isn’t a dealbreaker, and in my eyes, it actually enhances his identity as the team’s computer specialist.

For longtime fans, tech-heads, or anyone building out the support side of their Joe roster, Mainframe is absolutely worth picking up.