Jurassic Park: Chaos Effect

Production:
Kenner, 1998

Distribution:
Hasbro, 1998-1999

Lines

Humans, Vehicles, and Playsets
Dinosaurs

Canceled

Night Hunter

Introduction

In July of 1998, shortly after the release of ‘The Lost World’ toyline, a new wave of Jurassic Park toys hit retailers. Kenner Parker’s new creation was named ‘Chaos Effect’, and as the action figures packed store shelves it became obvious the name wasn’t the only thing unusual about this release.

As the story behind the toyline elucidates, the formula that brought Jurassic Park’s original creatures to life has since mysteriously vanished. Now, a handful of desperate researchers attempt to piece together the missing genetic puzzle. With virtually no idea as to where to begin, they have decided to cross-breed InGen’s existing animals, and mix their genes with that of modern day beasts.

As quoted from the back of Chaos Effect packages, the result of this careless DNA tempering was “ultra-ferocious, hybrid dinosaurs – the most aggressive predators ever-wreaking chaos on an unsuspecting world!” According to the rest of the story, these mutations escape from captivity soon after, and as a result humankind is put in a position of great peril.

The concept of mutated dinosaurs evidently didn’t flow too well with scores of Jurassic Park fans. Unlike Kenner’s other releases, which received rave reviews, this line was, and generally still is, considered to be a failure. As testimony to the toylines vast unpopularity, the Chaos Effect paintjobs were voted to be the ugliest of all existing Jurassic Park toylines.

Yet not all fans believe Chaos Effect to be an utter disappointment. Some consider these to be the coolest Jurassic Park toys ever made. Regardless of that fact, the toys themselves did not market well, and Kenner quickly canceled the second series before it was released. Series II was rumored to primarily focus on the ‘Night Hunter’ line, with a full thirteen new figures planned.

Humans, Vehicles, and Playsets

Only two human figures were ever released for the entire Chaos Effect toyline. One was a peculiar version of Ian Malcolm, and the other an apparent Roland Tembo figure. Unfortunately, the likeness for either of the toys was simply awful. Aside from that, they resembled typical Kenner action figures.

Four vehicles were released as part of the Chaos Effect toyline. The largest of the group was the repaint of the Mobile Command Center. This is the enormous trailer that can be seen in the second Jurassic Park film, and for unknown reasons it was painted in multiple colors. Two other vehicles belong to the SABRE group, while the last one is a relatively bulky triceratops dozer. Regrettably, these four vehicles are not very detailed, and like the dinosaurs, the vehicle paint jobs make no sense whatsoever.

Dinosaurs

In total, ten dinosaurs were released. A few of these were simple repaints of The Lost World toys, while the remaining others were completely new sculpts. The brand new figures were genetic mutations and hybrids, with names such as Paradeinonychus and Velocirapterx. These were meant to be the spotlight of the new series, but which such whacky paintjobs their look was, for many, hard to appreciate.

A number of the Chaos Effect repaints are now particularly rare toys. The Lost World’s triceratops repaint has only been seen on one occasion, during the 1998 Toy Fair. Another rarity is the Omega T. rex. Both were produced in small numbers due to other Chaos Effect toys not selling well.

Prototypes

About eight Chaos Effect toys were never released to the public. This was due to marketing failures, and the toys’ inability to garner much profit. Two of those eight unreleased figures were prototypes, and the rest were canceled before their production ever started. These are known only through concept art. It was later found a second series called “Night Hunter” was to be released, but it was unceremoniously canceled by Hasbro in the end.

 

Humans, Vehicles, & Playsets Figures

Ian Malcolm
Includes Dino-Mech armor claw and T-Rex hatchling
Roland Tembo
Includes Gatling Missile Launcher and Ultimasaurus Hatchling
Roland Tembo II (Unreleased)
This is an unreleased figure. It included a Dilaphospinus. Possibly this animal was full-sized, but it’s possible it was a hatchling.
Power Suit (Unreleased)
Firing Tranq-Missle and Gripping Arm! Comes with Ian Malcolm Figure
This figure is Unreleased.
Air S.A.B.R.E. with Dieter Stark
Solo Armored Battle Ready Equipment
Launching Rocket and Heli-blade action
Includes exclusive Dieter Stark figure
Land S.A.B.R.E. with Eddie Carr
Solo Armored Battle Ready Equipment
With Dino Grappling Arms
Includes exclusive Eddie Carr figure
Trike Dozer
Giant Grappling Claw and Capture Crane
Mobile Command Center
With Electronic Lights and Sounds

Dinosaurs

Amargospinus
With Attack Jaws & Ultra Defense Neck Spikes
Ankyloranodon
With Vicious Tail-Pounding Attack
Ceratosaurus (Unreleased)
This is an unreleased figure
Compstegnathus
With Lashing Assault Tounge
Deinonycanis (Unreleased)
This is an unreleased figure
Dilaphospinus (Unreleased)
This is an unreleased figure. It may have included a new Roland Tembo sculpt. Possibly this animal was only a hatchling.
Euoplocephalus (Unreleased)
This is an unreleased figure
Omega T-Rex
Gulps Down Survival Pod! With Roaring Action!
Pachysaurolophus (Unreleased)
This is an unreleased figure
Paradeinonychus
Electronic Attack Roar With Dino-Strike Action
Raptor Alpha
With Attack Jaw and Capture Gear
Stegospinus (Unreleased)
This is an unreleased figure
Tanaconda
With Constrictor Neck Action
Thrasher T-Rex
With Dino-Strike Thrashing Action
Triceratops (Unreleased)
Repaint of the unreleased large TLW Triceratops figure.
Tyrannonops
With Saber Strike fans
Ultimasaurus (Unreleased)
This is an unreleased figure
Velocirapteryx
With Electronic Attack Shriek and Slashing claws
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Night Hunter Series (Unreleased)

Night Hunters Group 1
This set was a sub-set of the Chaos Effect that were believe to have the
ability to have a cool glow in the dark effect. This sub-set is unfortunately
unreleased.
Night Hunters Group 2
This set was a sub-set of the Chaos Effect that were believe to have the
ability to have a cool glow in the dark effect. This sub-set is unfortunately
unreleased.
Night Hunters Group 3
This set was a sub-set of the Chaos Effect that were believe to have the
ability to have a cool glow in the dark effect. This sub-set is unfortunately
unreleased.
Night Hunters Group 4
This set was a sub-set of the Chaos Effect that were believe to have the
ability to have a cool glow in the dark effect. This sub-set is unfortunately
unreleased.
Night Hunters Packaged Shots
This set was a sub-set of the Chaos Effect that were believe to have the
ability to have a cool glow in the dark effect. This sub-set is unfortunately
unreleased. This picture shows us what the packaged shots would have looked
like.
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Images courtesy of Gallimimus in association with: