Mattel - New for 2024

[Prehistory Resurrection]

[Blade-of-the-Moon]

Spoiler

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As promised, extra photos of my new HC figures. I'm yet to open the Therizinosaurus but the Giganotosaurus gets my seal of approval!

See those eyes are even better than what Spiral Studios was putting in their 1000.00+ statue. At least they don't look black and empty from multiple angles.

I ordered one from Mattel and another from Target yesterday ( on sale) hopefully one comes defect free. lol

[Faelrin]

If it weren't for the fact I spent all my hobby funds for this month already, I would be picking these up (if available). Granted when I did check, neither Target store had any of the CT stuff out. The local Walmart on the other hand was surprisingly on time for once.

That said at least I finally got my hands on the Carnotaurus. Have yet to open this dude, but I plan to eventually down the road. It even featured in my dream last night for some reason (in some Ark styled battle thing, alongside the ED Allosaurus), lol.

[Prehistory Resurrection]

[Dilopho]

I put in an order for the HC Giganotosaurus on the Mattel Creation's website a week ago now, and they took my money, but I'm still without an email about my order being shipped or ready to ship. I wonder what's up with that...
Hopefully they haven't cancelled it or anything. I wish stores were as transparent as possible with everything.

[Flaffy]

Is the head a soft rubbery material like the Pentaceratops?

[Faelrin]

@Flaffy Got one in hand. It is, but slightly harder then the softer material the Pentaceratops used (which I also have on hand). Like I can fold it along the middle part of the frill if I really wanted to.

[Flaffy]

@Flaffy Got one in hand. It is, but slightly harder then the softer material the Pentaceratops used (which I also have on hand). Like I can fold it along the middle part of the frill if I really wanted to.

That's good to hear. The Pentaceratops is just a bit too soft for my liking, not sure how the material will hold up over the years.

Such a shame the hornlets were left unpainted on the figure though, the paint scheme looks unfinished.

[Faelrin]

@Flaffy Yeah that's basically my biggest issue with it, which I'll be sure to point out in the review. Seems a lot of figures coming out these are far more cost cutting then some of the earlier figures. Like compare it with the 2019 Dino Rivals Styracosaurus, in the same type of price point. All spikes are painted, and several colors on the body and frill. This figure only has paint on the back and a little on the frill, the horns, and the beak. Still I'd rather have a paint barren Chasmosaurus then nothing I guess, especially since the sculpt is rather nice, although stylized. Maybe tomorrow I can grab a quick comparison of the two.

[Flaffy]

@Flaffy Yeah that's basically my biggest issue with it, which I'll be sure to point out in the review. Seems a lot of figures coming out these are far more cost cutting then some of the earlier figures. Like compare it with the 2019 Dino Rivals Styracosaurus, in the same type of price point. All spikes are painted, and several colors on the body and frill. This figure only has paint on the back and a little on the frill, the horns, and the beak. Still I'd rather have a paint barren Chasmosaurus then nothing I guess, especially since the sculpt is rather nice, although stylized. Maybe tomorrow I can grab a quick comparison of the two.

The paint skimping is a damn shame indeed. I do wish there was more paint on the Chasmo's frill, but given how lazy Mattel's been getting with the mainline figs I reckon the results would be a sloppy airbrush on the hornlets as seen here. Not ideal but I'd much rather a blank slate to do paint touch-ups on.


Did a bit of digging and this artwork is probably what inspired the Mattel colour scheme. Should be an easy enough repaint job given the figure is practically a blank canvas.

[Prehistory Resurrection]

[andrewsaurus rex]

i'm not minding that Gastonia.  Looks to be a decent size for 1/18 too.   Maybe a bit leggy..  Might make a nice companion for the BOTM Utahraptor.

Is the release date known?

[Faelrin]

A @andrewsaurus rex Already available at some walmarts now, like my local one for example. No idea when it will show up online though.

[Eatmycar]

I don't hate this Gastonia but, after Borealopelta it feels like a step backwards when it comes to sculpt quality.

[Gwangi]

I got the HC Giga. I'm going to write a review of it for the blog soon but some initial thoughts.

Pros: It's a beautiful and epic toy, no matter what you think of the JW Giga design. I'm not a big fan of the design but it looks great as a toy. Aesthetically, this is Mattel at its best.

Cons: The articulation isn't great. Head articulation is limited, thanks in part to things like osteoderms on the neck. Not a great range of motion. The smaller feet look great but the toy is not as stable as the T. rex. So far I haven't been able to make it stand on one leg and other poses besides a static one are difficult to execute.

The ankles on mine were too stiff to move. If I had tried to force them I would have broken the leg along the seam, no doubt about it. I'm seeing a lot of these with broken calves and I have to assume it's because the ankle joints were being forced. Warm water got the ankles moving but I won't move them without also clasping the calves so that they don't come apart. 

[andrewsaurus rex]

Because i'm not a fan of the design either, i thought i might use it as some other carch., maybe Tyrannotitan.  I already have a preconceived notion of what Giga looked like, but not so for Tyrannotitan.