Controversial opinions on dinosaur toys

[Killekor]

-Papo is now worse than they used to be. Their prices have raised, yet the sheer quality of the newer sculpts isn't as good as they used to be in the past. Also the paint applications are sometimes a little bit sloppy. I used to have a freshly released Papo Allosaurus back in 2008/2009 and from what I can remember, it had better quality than the limited edition 2019 Spinosaurus. The older figures that are now sold also have less quality than by the time they were launched. I have a newer wave Dimetodon, I was gifted one this year. While it's one of my favorite figures in my collection (the Papo Dimetrodon is gorgeous), it feels less premium than another Papo Dimetrodon that I saw in a museum, back in 2014.
I think that Eofauna and PNSO have both surpassed Papo.

I completely agree too. I don't usually care if a model is inaccurate as long that it's aesthetically pleasing (in fact I like their new Giganotosaurus), but unacceptable quality WITH overpricing is something I don't like at all from any company of any kind. I'm getting the Limited edition Spinosaurus only because I love that species, and the Megaloceros only because I really like it and there aren't any other figures of it in the market but I'll wait to see the mass produced versions of the new models before getting them, and thinking at the price that they will probably have I find unlikely that I'll get them. If I have to decide if spend 35-40€ for a Papo giganotosaurus (the price I imagine it to have) or the same or an higher price for any REBOR dinosaur I would certainly choose to get the REBOR model.

In fact, and I think that this is another controversial opinion, I find REBOR the best dinosaur toy producer from the aesthetical point of view. All their dinosaur sculpts are stunning (for my point of view) and each time I see their new dinosaur offerings I get impressed by the level of detail on them (negatively in the case of their other models like aliens, corpses, dissections etc... I don't like that type of things).

That's also because I'm not going to get any BotM ceratopsian (the third controversial opinion in this post). I can't say I don't like them but I don't like them enough to get some of them instead of any figure from Safari, CollectA, Schleich, REBOR etc...
They are great for the scientific point of view, but (for me) their price is really high, and the figures are a bit too big for my tastes. Again, if I have to choose if spend 130$ for a BotM Torosaurus or to use the same amount of money for any high quality resin kit I would choose the second option. The quality of the figures will certainly be great, though.

Anyways, the thing that makes Papo's figures (for me) worst than all the other serious brands is the minor quality of the models compared to other brands with PNSO's, BotM's and REBOR's prices. The quality of a figure for me it's important, and Papo doesn't respect it enough for me to get all the figures I could get from them, especially with those high prices.

Killekor

[Shonisaurus]

I like the creatures (indominus and indoraptor) and dinosaurs of Nanmu Studio although I know they are not scientific. I really like his two new spinosaurus the limited version and the normal version. I like both Nanmu Studio spinosaurus and the scientific versions of PNSO, Rebor, Collecta or Papo to name a few examples, although I recognize that the best version for me is the Rebor spinosaurus.

Rebor spinosaurus are very detailed with the naked eye.

[Loon]

I like the creatures (indominus and indoraptor) and dinosaurs of Nanmu Studio although I know they are not scientific. I really like his two new spinosaurus the limited version and the normal version. I like both Nanmu Studio spinosaurus and the scientific versions of PNSO, Rebor, Collecta or Papo to name a few examples, although I recognize that the best version for me is the Rebor spinosaurus.

Rebor spinosaurus are very detailed with the naked eye.

I actually really like Nanmu as well, though, I don't care as much for the hybrids.

[stargatedalek]

Here's a seriously unpopular one, going by the past 24 hours at least:

I don't think Papo figures are any better or worse than they have always been (in a vacuum). They use the same style, same over-saturated textures, and I don't think their current batch of poses are any more out there or inconvenient than the ones they've always done.

The only reason their old figures don't look exactly as off as the new ones is because they look like Jurassic Park copies.

[Loon]

Here's a seriously unpopular one, going by the past 24 hours at least:

I don't think Papo figures are any better or worse than they have always been (in a vacuum). They use the same style, same over-saturated textures, and I don't think their current batch of poses are any more out there or inconvenient than the ones they've always done.

The only reason their old figures don't look exactly as off as the new ones is because they look like Jurassic Park copies.

Honestly after letting it stew for a bit, I've got to agree with you. Honestly, given how little I liked yesterday's reveals it's made me go back and examine why I have any Papo figures, and, honestly, I'm unsure. I'm seriously considering selling my Papos and not buying from them anymore. I legitimately don't like most of their stuff.

[PumperKrickel]

Here's a seriously unpopular one, going by the past 24 hours at least:

I don't think Papo figures are any better or worse than they have always been (in a vacuum). They use the same style, same over-saturated textures, and I don't think their current batch of poses are any more out there or inconvenient than the ones they've always done.

The only reason their old figures don't look exactly as off as the new ones is because they look like Jurassic Park copies.

I agree, the quality of their figures mostly stayed the same. However, they don´t exist in a vacuum and considering how many other companies now do what they do, only cheaper and better, the harsh criticisms they receive are unsurprising.

[Concavenator]

I think another problem with Papo is their unjustified raising prices. Like I said, back when I got the Papo Allosaurus (sadly I don't have it any more) in 2008/2009, it had much more quality than the 60$ limited edition Papo Spinosaurus. And that was a mass produced figure, that did cost me around 20€ by the time.

But now, I have seen some recent figures go for around 35-40€, and I really don't know why. It's not like the figures are better now, so a raise in price could be understood, more like the opposite. Now, it's not too rare to see Papo figures with sloppy paintjobs and a detail that, despite still being very apparent, is not the same as before. If you don't believe me, take a, for example, Papo Dilophosaurus and place it next to a freshly released Papo Triceratops from 2005 or thereabouts, and you'll see what I mean.

In my opinion, the raising of price in Papo's recent figures doesn't make sense.

To put an example, Apple has higher prices now than they used to have some years ago, but in this case, I think it's justified, as Apple's products are now much better than just a few years ago. Perhaps this drop in quality in some of Papo's more recent figures is due to their success. Perhaps they are so succesful and have managed to have very loyal clients that will buy anything they release, so they realize they can put less quality on the models and that the results are the same. I think something similar happened to Schleich too, because their "Replicasaurus" (the line that included the Parasaurolophus, Saichania...) line from some years ago was way better than Schleich's current non-sculpted by Vlad Konstantinov figures.

[Loon]

@Concavenator I think they just don't care any more. Papo's become lazy, and they know, despite all the complaints people will buy their figures. There's a level of "quality" associated with Papo that's carried on from their early years. Unfortunately that quality has not carried on with the figures themselves.

[stargatedalek]

Their modern animals are still top notch. I think it's just that either the sculptors style would need considerable adaptation for accurate dinosaurs, or Papo is requesting new dinosaurs look similar to their earlier successes.

[SidB]

I really believe that only declining sales at the level of the target of their mass marketing will compel them to change. In the meanwhile, no harm to us in doing a bit of wholesome venting.

[Loon]

I really believe that only declining sales at the level of the target of their mass marketing will compel them to change. In the meanwhile, no harm to us in doing a bit of wholesome venting.

They've got their fanbase, and I don't think thats ever going away. But, if their prices are only going to get more expensive, as they have, I don't know how strong the following will stay.

[Cretaceous Crab]

I am underwhelmed with Papo's Giganatosaurus. That pose. 

[Shonisaurus]

I sincerely wish that BoTM raptors were not so articulate. I like his sculpture like the new BoTM ceraptosides but I wish they were not articulated. I like BoTM articulated figures but I would prefer that they be made of solid PVC and not articulated while retaining their current genius.

On the other hand I am not a supporter and I think I have said it in other post of dinosaurs and other prehistoric animals with articulated body parts.

[SidB]

I really believe that only declining sales at the level of the target of their mass marketing will compel them to change. In the meanwhile, no harm to us in doing a bit of wholesome venting.

They've got their fanbase, and I don't think thats ever going away. But, if their prices are only going to get more expensive, as they have, I don't know how strong the following will stay.

We'll find out in time, no doubt. Fortunately, in the meantime there are a multiplicity of other positive options for our collecting community. What an opportune time to be a collector!

[EverEvolvingSaurian]

I probably would post some opinions of mine that might be considered "controversial", however after reading the thread (and a person or two have pointed out) the opinions here are so incredibly varied, that in not sure anything I would say would really be distinctive.

[EverEvolvingSaurian]

Here's another strong opinion I have:

I believe that, when it boils down to it, we're insanely spoiled to be getting all these prehistoric toys year after year after year, we complain way too much about ridiculously trivial details, we're often straight up rude and inconsiderate in our complaining, and we're nowhere near as grateful to the artists and the toy companies as we should be. I include myself in this judgment, and I think I'm going to try and change that in future. I'm sure I'll end up failing in the long term, as complaining comes as naturally as sitting on the toilet to our species, but I'm still going to make the effort. I think that if our childhood selves could meet our present selves, they'd all be kicking us in the shins and the butts for not saying thank you enough to Papo, Schleich, CollectA, Safari, Mojo, PNSO, Mattel, and all other companies currently making prehistoric toys.

I totally agree. Not only do we have an incredible variety of companies that also gives us a wide variety of styles and options to choose from, meaning there is always something for someone out there, many of them often do listen to what the community has to say, something that we all probably take for granted. Of coarse, we can still nitpick and constructively critique models and companies, but we should still probably keep in mind how lucky we are to have anything at all.

[Syndicate Bias]

I still like Papo but Papo is like fast food mostly. That Giga was honestly exactly whay I expected from them rather than a nornal pose which is what I dreamt of.

Looking at my figures I enjoy what I have I don't buy every Papo either I just think their brand is too illogical with their decisions when making these horrible poses and the pricing so bad that their ever so detiriorating quality has become apparent with their Spino being the biggest let down for the time and price for its quality to the Giga being so requested and ruined by the pose.

There's new companies that have made better products anyways, Eofauna, REBOR (They're getting better and also trying to be cheaper), PNSO and maybe Nanmu and W Dragon for those that like JW/JP stuff.

Really falling out of love for Papo just like TyrantQueen once did and turned to resin kits being the best options when it came to some dinosaurs.

[Loon]

I still like Papo but Papo is like fast food mostly.

Yeah, but no one tries to convince you that Jack in the Box is actually a Wolfgang Puck restaurant.

[Syndicate Bias]

I still like Papo but Papo is like fast food mostly.

Yeah, but no one tries to convince you that Jack in the Box is actually a Wolfgang Puck restaurant.

True true

[Halichoeres]

Yeah, I see Papo as a gateway drug. Their toys are visually impressive but under a little more scrutiny they don't hold up very well. I'm a biologist, I teach anatomy and evolution, and even so when I first saw them I was really smitten. The first 8 or 10 figures I bought were all Papos. Now I have fewer than 10 Papo figures overall, out of a pretty large collection. I'll buy the Chilesaurus because there isn't another one out there, but after that, for me, the next most tempting release from them this year is the cardboard cycad from the mini playset. Some people are only into dinosaur figures for the sculptural aspects, and that's fine, but for anyone who is remotely interested in paleobiology I think falling out of love with Papo is close to inevitable.