Mattel’s Masters of the Universe Origins Snake Mountain Is a Hot Property

A little more than two years ago, Mattel put a prime piece of Eternian real estate back on the market when Castle Grayskull became available for the first time in decades.

Released as the cornerstone of the retro-inspired Masters of the Universe Origins collection, I questioned whether or not another not-so-humble abode from the less desirable side of Eternia: Snake Mountain would eventually join He-Man’s iconic residence. After all, Skeletor and his minions need a Mojo Dojo Casa House of their own, and since the faceless one only managed to capture Castle Grayskull once — in 1987, the year he learned to cross-stitch — it felt like the time was right.

Turns out it was, but Snake Mountain was undergoing some minor remodeling for a new generation of adventure.

Snake Mountain, “Evil Stronghold of Skeletor,” is back on the market as a new playset for kids ages 6 and up (and “kidults,” too)! Inspired by the iconic playset from the 1980s, Snake Mountain looks like, at first glance, the one that played host to countless adventures for the millions of kids that once saw He-Man and Skeletor battle it out alongside She-Ra and Hordak during the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. But there are new features, and this playset is packed with play value that will keep kids engaged for quite some time. 

Snake Mountain folds and opens for 360 degrees of play space that includes a coil bridge and a secret tunnel that kids can use to explore and sneak into the stronghold with their 5.5-inch scale Masters of the Universe Origins action figures. A “striking snake” looms above Snake Mountain, ready to swing into action and deter any would-be intruders. Inside, Skeletor’s minions can toss He-Man and his friends into the stronghold dungeon or the acid pit, if they make it past the trap door, of course.

And, the evil one has a new piece of furniture that no good ruler can be without — a throne, specifically, the “Bone Throne” that was a staple in the Filmation Masters of the Universe cartoon series.

With any renovation comes some change, and alongside the upgrades to Snake Mountain for 2023, there is one big omission that kids of the ‘80s will be quick to notice: There is no longer a microphone to transform kids’ voices into the scary spirit of the stronghold.

That said, the omission of electronics likely keeps costs down and is more than made up for by the design upgrades and additional accessories. 

One thing my kids and I love is how the “acid pit” — once represented by a flat sticker — is presented as an accessory featuring pegs that you can place the torsos of Masters of the Universe Origins action figures upon to create the illusion of “sinking.”

The “demon” face has a jaw that moves up and down for chomping action, and the included weapons rack and creepy creatures (a spider and a couple of “friends”) are a nice touch. And the rotating wolf’s head is a perfect callback to the look of the microphone on the set from the ‘80s.

Overall, it’s great to see Snake Mountain back on the market at a time when housing prices on Earth and Eternia are at a premium. So what other properties could soon hit the block?

Word on the street is that Mattel will mount a crowdfunding campaign for a Snake Lair playset for King Hiss next year, but it seems to me that Hordak is waiting in the wings wondering when his Fright Zone might get an upgrade. Rumor has it there’s a nice Slime Pit in the garden.