Review: G.I. Joe Classified Steeler & Short-Fuze (Target Exclusive 2-Pack)

Packaging and First Impressions
Right out of the box, the Steeler and Short-Fuze 2-pack looks solid, if a bit no-frills. The packaging does a lot to sell the figures. The sideart looks great as does the promo photos on the back. The price point might sting a little but there’s still a decent amount packed inside for what you get.

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Blast Effects
The included blast effects are a nice touch — flexible, well-sculpted, and surprisingly versatile. You can use them across various weapons in the line, from shotguns to machine guns. Some even have painted smoke effects, while others can be stacked for layered explosions. It’s a fun way to add dynamic posing options, especially for display setups.

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Steeler Review

Accessories
Steeler comes with a good mix of gear: a helmet with his signature translucent visor, and two knives (one curved, one straight). His Uzi includes a removable suppressor that can also attach to his pistol — an excellent bit of design synergy. The Beretta-style sidearm lacks a blast effect port, but still looks solid.

Figure Details & Articulation
Steeler’s got a sharp sculpt — slicked-back hair, a subtle five o’clock shadow, and a confident expression that suits his tank commander persona. The layered jacket with a textured turtleneck looks great, and the chest harness with attached belt system helps his accessories stay put (something that’s been hit or miss in the line).

Articulation is standard for Classified: double-jointed elbows and knees, drop-down hips, ab crunch, and ankle rockers. The butterfly joints don’t offer much forward range, but overall, posing is fluid. 

Overall, a solid albeit bland figure.  The main draw here is getting another member of the original 13 lineup. If we ever get a Haslab Mobat, I could easily see Hasbro including a retro version of this figure.  In the meantime, Ramen Toy’s RAV01 Hunter tank is still currently available.

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Short-Fuze Review

Accessories
Short-Fuze comes loaded. You get his lime-green helmet with an articulated visor, a mount, brown pouch, and removable glasses (which look great but can be kind of tricky to get to fit under the helmet). The set also includes a pistol with light attachment and a taped-grip rifle borrowed from Ricondo. Both weapons have removable magazines and ports for blast effects — a small but appreciated touch.

Mortar & Backpack
This is where Short-Fuze shines. His mortar setup is surprisingly well-executed, with a removable base plate, bipod, adjustable angles, and even an aiming viewer. It includes a single mortar round that can be used with blast effects for firing poses. The foldable backpack is another highlight — it opens up to store the mortar and accessories.

Figure Details & Articulation
Short-Fuze’s sculpt features a fade haircut, clean part, and a youthful face that gives him a fresh look among the OG13 ranks. His web gear includes metallic buckles, a radio pouch with antenna, and fingerless gloves — though the hard plastic hands make gripping weapons tricky. He wears the same BDU-style uniform used on previous Joes but the updated gear helps him stand out. As do the glasses.

Articulation matches Steeler’s, with solid posing throughout. The drop-leg holster, knife sheath, and thigh swivels all function well, though the knife sheath tends to slide down over time.

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Final Thoughts

Two more OG13 members down — and that alone makes this set worth a look. Neither Steeler nor Short-Fuze are the flashiest releases, but both carry just enough Classified flair to feel modern without losing that classic ‘80s military charm.

For completionists, these are must-haves to round out the original team lineup. For casual collectors, they’re solid troop builders if you catch them on sale. The sculpt work, articulation, and accessory loadouts are strong overall — even if the absence of Steeler’s Mobat leaves a tank-sized hole in the lineup.

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Pros:

• Great blast effect variety
  
• Excellent accessory loadouts (especially Short-Fuze’s mortar setup)
  
• Strong sculpt and detailing
  
• Faithful modern updates of classic designs
  

Cons:

• Short-Fuze glasses can be kind of tricky to put
  
• Although modernized, some may find the designs still too generic
  
• Slightly high price for a two-pack

Verdict:

⭐ 8/10 — Solid additions for OG13 collectors. Functional, detailed, and display-worthy, even if they don’t reinvent the wheel.

Looking to complete your OG13? You can still find Colonel Hawk (with M.M.S) for sale and Zap on pre-order.