Aurora seemed to be quite an interesting line. Though showing most of the dinosaurs and other prehistoric creatures in the form of movie monsters, they still provide great figures with articulation and scenery to match. Their models were later reissued by Revell, allowing people to get a selection of their models again.
Author: Indohyus
Growing up in the late 1990s and early 2000s was great for moulding me into a dino fan. Jurassic park films were fresh, and even better, the ‘Walking With’ trilogy was produced. I watched ‘Dinosaurs’ and then ‘Beasts’. Especially ‘Beasts’. From there, I went on digs across the U.K., and eventually got my degree in palaeontology from Portsmouth university. I am (at the time of writing this) doing my masters in anthropology and museum studies, hoping to become a curator. My love of plastic extinct animals is as strong as ever, and I dare say it will only get stronger!All reviews by this author
Review: Eternal lost breeds, Extinct animal (Takara Tomy A.R.T.S)
5 (6 votes)
Despite the progress we have made as a species, there is one fact we cannot change: extinction is forever. As a result of our hubris, many spectacular species have been wiped from the face of the earth. Takara have created quite an exquisite set, showing a selection of the species that have been lost of the centuries, each with a stand stating scientific names and year of extinction.
Review: Dimetrodon (Lindberg)
2.3 (6 votes)
When people talk of dinosaurs, a few will always spring instantly to mind. Tyrannosaurus, Triceratops, Stegosaurus and Diplodocus are usually mentioned, along with Dimetrodon. However, Dimetrodon is not a dinosaur, but a synapsid, a mammal-like reptile, that died out 40 million years before the first dinosaurs.
Review: Titanis (Jurassic/Primal Clash!)
2.5 (6 votes)
The idea of humans riding on the backs of prehistoric creatures is certainly an appealing one. Indeed, the Dino Riders line of Tyco made this a success, by not only having people and aliens ride them, but use them in battle (note: I do not condone weaponizing animals in any way).
Review: Megatherium (Jurassic Hunters by Geoworld)
4 (8 votes)
Since it’s first discovery in 1788, Megatherium has garnered much attention, not just from scientists but by the general public, it’s large size and fearsome claws drawing in many. In spite of the discovery of larger creatures over the centuries, this gargantuan xenarthran still has it’s fair share of art and models dedicated to it.
Review: Thylacosmilus (Jurassic Hunters by Geoworld)
3.7 (7 votes)
Animals can adapt to their environment in many different ways, resulting in many interesting species. but the more interesting case is when two distinctly different species, not even closely related, evolve similar or the same adaptation, known as convergent evolution. Such is the example whit this review: Thylacosmilus, which may look like a sabre toothed cat, but is in fact a sprassodont, a marsupial from South America.
Review: Machairodus (Bullyland)
4.4 (7 votes)
When most hear the words “sabre tooth”, they would think of Smilodon and no others. But no species gains anything as unique as sabre teeth that large over night. It takes millennia of evolution from one species to another, and many of the steps can be found in the fossil record.
Review: Macrauchenia (Jurassic Hunters by Geoworld)
4 (6 votes)
The isolation of South America during much of the Cenozoic era resulted in the evolution of many odd and unique creatures, like the Liptotern Macrauchenia. This odd ungulate has fascinated many since it’s discovery by Charles Darwin, and has been the subject of many art peices and toys.
Review: Megatherium (Tyco)
3.7 (7 votes)
Dino riders is a much cherished series by many, who eagerly looked to get all the figures of the line. The first two lines are large, full of various dinosaurs, while the latter two lines are smaller and often rarer than the first two. The last line featured ice age mammals, four recognisable animals from the Pleistocene (and a bit before).
Review: Pterygotus (Dinotales series 7 by Kaiyodo)
5 (6 votes)
Kaiyodo has to be one of the best prehistoric animal lines out there. At a small size, they gave us a wide spread of species from across earth history in glorious detail and beautiful paint schemes. Today’s review shows just this: Pterygotus, a Silurian Sea Scorpion, one of the largest arthropods ever known, reaching a body length of 5.7 ft.
Review: Hyneria (Paleo-Creatures)
4.5 (6 votes)
Ancient fish, with the exception of sharks, are a rarity in toy lines. Perhaps most believe they are all small and aren’t noteworthy. This is far from the case, as many ancient fish were large and bizarre enough to contend with dinosaurs. Fortunately, our own Jetoar has been able to prove they are worth making with figures like this: Hyneria, a Devonian Sarcopterygian from Pennsylvania, a 12 ft fish that would have terrorised all creatures smaller than it.
Review: Mastodonsaurus (Starlux)
3.7 (9 votes)
In spite of the discoveries since Starlux closed down, I feel that the old line could be fantastically varied in comparison to some modern line, producing vast numbers of species, not just familiar dinosaurs, but those that existed alongside them. Here, for example, the giant amphibian Mastodonsaurus from the late Triassic, which reached lengths of 13-20 feet long.
Review: Plateosaurus (DinoWaurs Survival)
2.8 (9 votes)
Greetings DinoWaurriors! I imagine it’s very easy for creators of toy lines to stick to the Jurassic and Cretaceous period dinosaurs for their line, as this is where many were at their biggest and strangest. Let’s not forget, however, that the Triassic saw the rise of these animals, and have interesting species that began this dynasty.
Review: Redondasaurus vs. Coelophysis (Favorite Co. Ltd.)
4.7 (6 votes)
Morning sun rises over the Pangean plains of the Late Triassic. The wet season has just ended, and it is a time of plenty for herbivores across the scrub land. This means the predators do well too. A lone Coelophysis wonders the land, searching for water to wash down a recent meal.
Review: Sarcosuchus (Wild Safari by Safari Ltd.)
4.9 (18 votes)
Crocodilians have always garnered a special interest to me, modern or extinct. From the powerful predators we know today, with up to one tonne bites, to the oddities of the past. This includes giants like this review’s subject, Sarcosuchus, one of the largest crocodilians ever known, known to feed on dinosaurs.