Dinosaur lovers have been blessed with an abundance of new ceratopsians out of North America lately and among them is the increasingly popular Nasutoceratops or “large-nosed horn face”. While the nose is indeed large, the pair of “Texas long-horns” on the head also helps make this a unique looking dinosaur. As for its popularity, it’s certainly a rising star! We’re being treated with not one but three new toys representing this animal this year. There is the Wild Safari model we’re discussing today but also a CollectA on the way (surprise, surprise) and even a Battat model later this year! So without further ado, let’s get to the business of reviewing not only one of the first new Wild Safari models of the year but also the first Nasutoceratops!
I must confess that this review will be rather predictable. For the last four years now we’ve been treated with a ceratopsian from Wild Safari, all sculpted by the talented Doug Watson. Doug has really shined with his ceratopsians and with regular releases like these the dinosaur toy community is always wondering what ceratopsian Doug will tackle next. Surprisingly, Doug has managed to outdo himself year after year. Just when you think they couldn’t get better, they do! This is in my opinion his best sculpted ceratopsian to date. The level of detail and accuracy here is honestly a bit ridiculous, much better than you would expect from a $10 toy. I can’t find any accuracy issues here but when the man who wrote the master’s thesis on the animal is the advisor, I wouldn’t expect to. That’s right, recently Doug Watson let it out that Eric Lund of The University of Utah was the advisor on this model. Suffice it to say, the skull matches very closely to the diagrams I’ve seen of the actual skull; no doubt they served as a reference source.
It’s easy for me to say that at least where ceratopsians are concerned not even Papo can compete with the level of detail and of course accuracy presented on these recent WS figures. Pebbly scales are sculpted throughout with larger feature scales sculpted sporadically all over the body. This of course is in keeping with what we know of ceratopsian scales in general, even if we don’t have skin impressions from Nasutoceratops directly. Small hornlets run up the ridge of the nose and up the center of the crest, consistent with the diagrams I’ve seen of the actual skull. A row of raised scales runs down the center of the back. One of my favorite details is the inclusion of wrinkles and folds along the tail, on the leg joints, and abdominal area. It’s these little details that really helps make this model feel all the more lifelike.
Paint jobs and patterning are often hit and miss even with well sculpted toys but I must say that I quite like what’s been done here with the Nasutoceratops. The coloration is both eye catching and naturalistic with a grey color overall and yellowish patterning on the underside, along the legs, and on the head and crest. Although the colors chosen don’t sound exciting the contrast and pattern created here really make them pop. The tiny eyes are painted shiny black and the horns and claws are grey. The paint application is very good for a toy, hardly any detail is amiss.
This is, in my opinion, the best Wild Safari ceratopsian to date and a must have in any collection. Not only is it among my favorite Wild Safari models but it’s also among my favorites in my entire collection! You’re looking at a high quality piece masquerading as a toy here. With an expert sculpting talent, aided by top advisors, the future for Wild Safari looks bright indeed. In fact, it actually makes these reviews harder to write when all you can do is swoon over the model. Can CollectA and Battat possibly match up? We’ll have to wait and see but they’re going to be hard pressed to compete with the Wild Safari 2015 Nasutoceratops!
Available from Amazon.com here.
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Finally acquired this gem – absolutely stunning detail. Can’t believe that I waited this long.
Love this model. I have it displayed next to the Safari Diabloceratops, and I must say, the two make an awesome pair. The scales on these models make them look alive. Bravo, Doug Watson, for a job well done! Now bring out the Centrosaurus, or Monoclonius, whatever it’s called now. I want one please!!
Worth noting that the paint job appears to be inspired by the art of Raul Martin: http://phenomena.nationalgeographic.com/files/2013/07/Nasutoceratops-swamp-martin.jpg
Oh yes, so it would seem. Good eye! I suppose that’s also why the paint job on the figure is so eye catching.
I understand your position, the Nasutoceratops of Collecta is also magnificent in style.
But I’ll stick with Safari if you look at the skull of wikipedia is accurate to the replica of Safari.
On the other hand if you look closely matches the paleoilustraciones Raul Martin, Andrey Atuchin or Lukas Panzarin to give three examples.
Anyway I like the Nasutoceratops of Collecta.
Together with the Sauropelta, this is the best Safari figure of 2015 and one their best achievement. A must have. Simply put: stunning.
Great review and pictures, thankyou! Just going on the photos, the skin texture on these new safai ceratopisans seems very deep and “warty”, which seems a little out of scale to me (no pun intended). Granted, if you were standing within inches of the animal the skin might look like that, but from a distance would the pebbly effect not be more understated? Does anyone else feel this looks a little odd? Perhaps the effect is not so overpowering when you have the model in hand?
Thank you for addressing that, it’s something I should have mentioned. A lot of people have suggested that the scales on the model are sculpted too large and that at that scale, you probably shouldn’t even see them. I’m not well versed enough in ceratopsian skin impressions to know how out of scale they are but at the end of the day it’s just artistic license being used to make the model more detailed and interesting to look at. Some people dig it, some don’t. Personally I’m not bothered by it but am curious to know just how out of scale the scales are.
I dealt with this in some detail on the forum on the Safari Ltd – New for 2015 reply # 569, today I have added an image of one of the Chasmosaurus skin casts that I own that I use for reference. I don’t think I can post the image here so that is why I direct you to the forum. I did a follow up in reply # 601.
Great review & figure. CollectA and Battat are doomed to playing second fiddle, if for no other reason than their signature paint application. Pity, that.
Wild Safari just keeps hitting on all cylinders. Great review and Great sculpt. With that being said, my only issue would have been a little different color for the horns as they almost dissappear on the figure. Of course, why am I complaing about something as trival as horn color? This figure is truly awesome.
I agree with all the criticism of that figure is excellent. Moreover matches rebuilding his head with the original skull found.
It is a fantastic figure but I prefer the collecta version only just but it has a better paint job and slightly preferable pose
I understand your position, the Nasutoceratops of Collecta is also magnificent in style.
But I’ll stick with Safari if you look at the skull of wikipedia is accurate to the replica of Safari.
On the other hand if you look closely matches the paleoilustraciones Raul Martin, Andrey Atuchin or Lukas Panzarin to give three examples.
Anyway I like the Nasutoceratops of Collecta.