Species from the earliest parts of life on earth, the Palaeozoic, are very rare in toy form. Oh yes, there are plenty of Dimetrodon, Dunkleosteus and even Anomalocaris, but any of the smaller, crucial creatures to the story of life on earth are scarce.
Review: Z-Cardz Prehistoric Series 2 (California Creations)
2.1 (7 votes)
Despite only featuring dinosaurs, this set still offers an interesting variety of genera; but how well do the designs hold up?
Welcome to the fourth and final review for the Z-Cardz dinosaur figurines, part of the larger Z-Cardz line that began in 2001. Produced by a small company named California Creations, Z-Cardz were a pioneer brand in what are now commonly known as Constructible Card/Strategy games, involving punch-out card figures which can be bought in a variety of different packs and sets.
Review: Nanotyrannus (PNSO)
3.6 (58 votes)
A violent fight is underway. Deafening growls, screams, and grunts pierce the air shattering this once tranquil part of the forest and bringing chaos for those animals who live within its periphery. A sudden rustling from behind the bushes followed by the sound of an animal hurt accompanied by loud thud indicates something is thrown on the ground.
Review: Smilodon (2021)(Mojo Fun)
4.4 (18 votes)
Snarling contemptuously, the enormous lion slams his paw against Bellona’s face and rakes it down from her forehead to her nose to leave a series of deep claw marks, including one directly across her left eye. She staggers backward, yelping in pain and dripping blood. Emboldened, the lion rises to his full height and roars right in her face.
Review: Ouranosaurus (Jurassic World Dino-Escape, Roar Attack by Mattel)
3.5 (22 votes)
With its tall neural spines similar to those of Spinosaurus, Ouranosaurus is one of the most unique and visually distinct species of ornithopods, and yet has remained relatively obscure. Many figures of the genus do exist with notable ones by Recur, CollectA, Schleich, and Starlux but they aren’t of particularly high quality or accuracy.
Review: Opabinia (Soft Model by Favorite co.)
4.4 (11 votes)
This model is reconstructed with ample attention to detail for this alien-looking wonder from the Cambrian.
I’ve had a soft spot for the weirdos in nature since my early childhood, so Opabinia has always been a favorite of mine. This 3 inch long stem arthropod was a denizen of the ocean floors during the middle of the Cambrian Period, about 505 million years ago.
Review: Tethyshadros (Wild Past)
4.9 (11 votes)
Insular dwarfism is an interesting evolutionary phenomenon where a population of animal that find themselves marooned, separated from main landmass, start evolving progressively into smaller forms or size than what is seen on their ancestors in the mainland to adapt to their newfound restricted reality.This adaptation ensures that these population of animals did not outstrip the limited available food and territory renounces.
Review: Archelon (Dinotales Series 2 by Kaiyodo)
4.9 (7 votes)
Review and photos by Charles Peckham, edited by Suspsy
Sea turtles. Seeing them majestically soar through the water with their stoic yet playful expression can inspire awe in any observer. Who doesn’t love them? Well, I suppose jellyfish don’t. And some crustaceans. And seagrass. You get it.
Review: Tyrannosaurus (Marx)
4.4 (17 votes)
With the recent release (and review) of Rebor’s Charles R. Knight inspired Mesozoic Rhapsody I thought it would be a fitting time to look at the very first Charles Knight inspired Tyrannosaurus toy, and one of the first Tyrannosaurus toys ever produced. I’m talking of course about the Marx Tyrannosaurus, a toy that isn’t just retro in appearance, but so vintage that it was produced at a time when it would have been considered reasonably accurate too.
Review: Megalograptus (Oumcraft)
4.7 (3 votes)
Fans of prehistoric creatures have made some remarkable things over the years, including the members of this forum. In recent times, forum member Oammararak showed a kickstarter for their own game LIFE: evolution of life in earth, the series, to which many of us backed, given the vast number of intriguing species that have never been made by any company.
Review: Carcharodontosaurus (Jurassic World Dino-Escape, Mega Destroyers by Mattel)
3.3 (25 votes)
It has been a good year for Carchorodontosaurus, as I mentioned in my review of the figure by PNSO. The PNSO figure, along with the one by GR toys, gave sophisticated collectors a fantastic, updated pair of “shark toothed lizards” to display and admire whilst sipping brandy by the fireside.
Review: Tyrannosaurus “Retrosaurus” (Rebor)
4.8 (51 votes)
A long waiting time ended, but eventually another King joined the collection.
According to Rebor, Tyrannosaurus rex figures are the bread and butter for any dinosaur toy producing company. Basically every company has this species in their portfolio (well, with the exception of Eofauna as of yet), ofttimes with multiple figures.