X-Men Age of Apocalypse is one of my favorite comic book stories of all-time and Gambit is among my favorite X-Men characters ever, so it stands to reason the new X-Men Marvel Legends Age of Apocalypse figure that just started shipping should be one of my favorite action figures, right? To my surprise, I instead feel rather ambivalent toward Hasbro’s X-Men Legends AOA Gambit. Here’s my review…

Way back in the 1990s, Age of Apocalypse Gambit was shown but not released as part of Toybiz’s X-Men AOA series (and later got released in a Famous Couples 2-pack with a kitbashed AOA Rogue), so it feels sort of apropos that Hasbro left Gambit out of both full waves of Age of Apocalypse X-Men Legends that they did as well (and are now releasing him in a very mixed assortment).

I had that 1997 Toybiz Gambit AOA figure, and I actually thought it was a really good figure for that time period (though the Emma-Frost-repainted-as-Rogue he came with was a monstrosity). Toybiz’s release had a nice smirk, a staff he could hold pretty well, a purple energy effect to throw and a unique hand with throwing knives held between the fingers.

The hand with throwing knives was an important and awesome detail, as Gambit used knives instead of cards as projectiles in the AOA.

Unfortunately, Hasbro’s Gambit somehow falls far short of Toybiz’s as far as accessories go.

There’s no energy effects at all, the throwing knives are completely unrepresented and the reused bo staff still easily slides out of Gambit’s hands.

His expression is more neutral and lacking personality, even. This is straight-up not a fun action figure to pose and display. Along with the Nemesis BAF right leg, there is a pair of swap-out fists included (because punching is what Gambit is famous for, right?).It’s a real shame that Hasbro forgot the “fun” element, because this is otherwise a very technically well-done figure. Remy’s hair is suitably wavy and the detailing on his costume is superb. The loops on his boots and pouches on the belt are excellent touches, and the cape looks accurate to its comic book appearance.

Articulation-wise, I’m also very pleased. Short of toes, every articulation point you’d hope for is incorporated—even butterfly swivel shoulders to enable smooth throwing poses (not that this Gambit has anything to throw, mind you).

The full articulation set for AOA Gambit includes a ball-hinge head, ball-hinge shoulders with butterfly swivels, swivel waist/biceps/thighs, swivel-hinge wrists, ab crunch, ball hips, double-hinge knees/elbows and hinged feet with rockers.

All the joints on my Gambit have a free range of motion with no stickiness or looseness. There is a paint scratch on the chest of mine, which I don’t accept at this price-point, so I’m exchanging the defective one for a fresh one.

Overall: the lack of interesting accessories really kills this AOA Gambit figure for me. The sculpt and articulation are great, but there’s really not much you can do to pose him interestingly. Being outdone in anyway by a 28-year-old Toybiz figure is shocking, even if it’s just a hand featuring an essential accessory. Let me be clear: this is technically a very well-done figure; but it is a pretty bland one. This is a solid release for the shelf that I don’t think many collectors will get too hyped about.

GRADE: C+