Tanystropheus was one of evolution’s more bizarre concoctions: a carnivorous reptile from the Middle Triassic with a spindly neck longer than its body and tail combined. Like the Dimetrodon, it appeared several times in various JP lines. This particular version is from the 1999 JP: Dinosaurs line. While this isn’t a large toy, it certainly is a long one! From...
And now let’s tackle some Jurassic Park toys. First up is Dimetrodon. The famous finned ferocity first appeared in the original 1993 JP line. The humble toy must have been very popular indeed, as it would go on to be recoloured and re-released several times over the course of a decade. This one is from the 1999 ‘JP: Dinosaurs’ line....
Anyone that has read up on their dinosaurs knows who Coelophysis was. This small, lithe theropod is one of the oldest dinosaurs to have been described. Their massive late Triassic bone beds are among the most famous fossil sites in North America and the genera holds a special place in my heart as one of the only dinosaurs known to...
In the world of toy dinosaurs few have suffered like the Baryonyx. Despite repeated attempts to fashion a model of this spinosaurid, only one can be said to have been successful and it was the first ever produced, the Invicta 1989 figure. Since then numerous attempts have been made and most have failed. Even the Carnegie model falls short on...
Recently there’s been a string of ceratopsian (along with one abelisaurid) reviews here at the Dinosaur Toy Blog. However, any kid knows that the arch-nemesis of the ceratopsian is the tyrannosaur. There is no tyrannosaur more famous than the namesake of the family, Tyrannosaurus rex. One could pull anyone off of the street, and chances are that they would know...
Kenner’s first attempt at a Stegosaurus for the Jurassic Park line – released back in 1993 – turned out a little, well, ugly. The Lost World saw Stegosaurus‘ debut in the film franchise, and fortunately Kenner had a much, much better sculpt lined up, one that resembled closely the creatures as they appeared on screen. This is a big toy...
Since I reviewed both Jurassic Park Dilophosaurus figures (the electronic one here and the other one here) it seems only right that I take a gander at the standard JP Velociraptor now that I’ve got my sweaty mits on one. I’ve already embarked on a mini-rant over the JP raptor’s odious influence over people’s perceptions of dromaeosaurs when I reviewed...
Lock up your annoying grandchildren – it’s time to look at the Jurassic Park Velociraptor. Well, one of them – the electronic ‘Dino Screams’ version. Ah, the Jurassic Park Velociraptor – you have a lot to answer for. Unfortunately you made such a lasting childhood impression for a lot of people that when it was revealed that Velociraptor, their favouritest...
Following yesterday’s review of the electronic Jurassic Park Dilophosaurus, let’s look now at its more basic counterpart in the line – the classic ‘water pistol’ Dilophosaurus, among many people’s earliest and most fondly remembered dinosaur toys. It was the first JP toy I owned, actually. Mine won't stand up on its own. What is most striking when looking at this...
More Jurasic Park I’m afraid – although here we have a figure of an animal actually featured in the franchise. Dilophosaurus was last seen giving Wayne Knight a good seeing-to in the first movie, but proved so memorable that Hasbro were still releasing figures of it for the Jurassic Park 3 line. Two Dilophosaurus action figures were released alongside the...
Chasmosaurus is surely one of the strangest additions to the Jurassic Park toyline. Although it was at least a dinosaur (unlike Dimetrodon, Estemmenosuchus etc.) it was never mentioned in the books or movies, and isn’t the sort of dinosaur that your ordinary MOTGP (Member Of The General Public…nothing to do with the Moto GP, hail Rossi) could recall from memory....
Triceratops is easily one of the most iconic and recognizable dinosaurs ever discovered. Possessing three lance-like horns and a solid bone frill, this largest member of the ceratopsian group has been depicted in countless movies, books and other media involving dinosaurs all around the world. It lived at the very end of the Cretacious alongside the other iconic...
