Jurassic Park: Dinosaurs Toys

Production:
Kenner, 1999-2000 (Series I)
Hasbro, 2004-2005 (Series II)
Hasbro, 2005-2006 (Series III)
Hasbro, 2009-2010 (Series IV)
Hasbro, 2013 (Series V)

Distribution:
Hasbro, 1999-2000 (Series I)
Hasbro, 2004-2005 (Series II)
Hasbro, 2005-2006 (Series III)
Hasbro, 2009-2010 (Series IV)
Hasbro, 2013 (Series V)

Lines

Series I
Series II
Series III
Series IV
Series V

Canceled

2011 Unreleased

Introduction

Kenner Parker introduced their new Jurassic Park toyline in 1999, which spanned through most of 2000. These were simply called “Dinosaurs”, “Jurassic Park: Dinosaurs” to be exact. To call this toyline “new” is an oversimplification in a literal sense, and perhaps garners more credit than the series actually deserves. Not to say that the toys were not impressive, they are, they just aren’t very original. That’s mainly because they are all repaints. Whether that is good or bad in your book, no one can deny the quality of the toys themselves. Much like the original toyline, these maintained a classic simplicity that made them hard to resist.

Hard to resist for most people, that is. Unlike the casual toy enthusiast, many serious Jurassic Park collectors were hardly impressed. It’s true that there is very little to find in this toyline if you are looking for originality. In fact, a common theory that has its share of supporters claims these toys were released for no other reason than to promote Universal Studios Islands of Adventure theme park. That speculation is not remarkably difficult to accept as the back of nearly all Jurassic Park: Dinosaurs packages included a large promotional sticker…not to mention that all of the toys were merely uninspired reproductions.

Initially the first series was only available at Wal-Mart as an exclusive line, but as more toys were released more retailers were included. Unfortunately, Jurassic Park: Dinosaurs never saw light in Europe. For people not living in the US this was another slap in the face, as it had been so many times before. It certainly had soured many fans’ dreams of completing their collection. Thankfully, eBay was their friend, and due to the online auction website it was not impossible.

Now fast forward four years. The year is 2004, and Hasbro, which has already closed Kenner’s Cincinnati operations, seemingly decides out of no where to release series II of Jurassic Park: Dinosaurs and would later after the success of the 2004 line would release the 2005-2006 line. With no one really knowing what the deal is news is hastily reported, but with little textual content. Quickly it becomes known that reminiscent of series I, series II is another exclusive toyline. The only difference(s) being that instead of Wal-Mart, KBToys is now the favored retailer, selling the merchandise under a slightly altered Jurassic Park: Dinosaurs logo. Throughout late summer and early fall the toys are released, continuing to make respectable sales. Hasbro, Inc. also puts off allegations that the company had previously lost license to manufacture additional Jurassic Park toylines.

In 2005, yet another Jurassic Park: Dinosaurs line was released (series 3). This line would only feature dinosaurs and not specifically any human figure. As with the previous 2004 line this line is only exclusive to KB Toy stores.

Launched by surprise in 2009 after much doubt whether or not Hasbro still retained the Jurassic Park toy license once again, the 2009 line was exclusive to Toys R Us and features a re-tooled version of the Bull T.rex from The Lost World: Jurassic Park toyline. Also it dropped the “Dinosaurs” monokier of the first three series.
Continuing the 2009 line and to co-incide with the release of Jurassic Park: 3D as part of the 20th anniversary of the film were two new figures of an Allosaurus and Pachyrhinosaurus from the scrapped Jurassic Park 2011 line. There was a third dinosaur planned, a Stegosaurus pack, but it was ultimately canceled. The line itself consists of the same sculpts and paint jobs used by the 2009 line. One figure was changed for the release. Dr. Grant’s head was put on a Billy Brennan body to be made into an entirely new figure.

Figures
The figures were only included as a pack with other dinosaur toys, never being individually sold, but this was to be expected. Luckily the craftsmanship was first-rate, with likeness and realism worked to a good degree. This made these nothing short of gems compared to Hasbro’s proportionally incorrect Jurassic Park 3 toyline. About five figures were released for series I, an additional four in series II, humans were absent from the series III line, five more figures in the 2009 Series IV line, and five figures were released in the 2013 series V line. That is counting the showdown packs that had humans with dinosaurs.

Dinosaurs
Undeniably the main focus of this line was its dinosaurs. It appears Hasbro had decided to choose a good number of the popular toys from previous Jurassic Park toylines, and re-release them as repaints. Fans constantly wish for a Gallimimus or a re-release of the harder to find toys from the original “Jurassic Park” toyline. With the factor of originality eliminated from the get-go, the only thing the toys had going for them was the Jurassic Park name, and the paintjobs. Fortunately, they proved to be worthy in overall quality (for the most part), and thus were not entirely eliminated from collectors’ interest. Series I consisted of nineteen released toys. Four were electronic, having the ability to produce various dinosaur sounds. Ten came as single figures, and rest were packaged with an included figure. Series II, on the other hand, is considerably smaller, consisting of only ten toys. Most of these came as packs, with only two being sold individually. It is alleged that Hasbro plans to release two additional toys, but this is merely a rumor and therefore unconfirmed. Series 3 featured one new sculpt, which was repainted in the same line and it was in infant Triceratops, which possibly had it’s roots in the JP3 toyline.

A re-tooled version of the Bull T.rex from The Lost World: Jurassic Park toyline appeared in Series IV’s line in 2009. While in 2013’s Series V line two sculpts were reused from the Jurassic Park 2011 line that was canceled of an Allosaurus and Pachyrhinosaurus that were dubbed “Dino Showdown” sets.

Vehicles and Playsets
The entire Jurassic Park: Dinosaurs toyline never included a single vehicle or playset; however, in 2009 the toy line for this JP:Dinosaurs features a cardboard cut-out vehicle with the Bull T-Rex retool.

Prototypes/2011 Line
Because all of these toys are repaints, but 2011 has numerous new sculpts and many unpainted prototypes that were unreleased with the exception of the Pachyrhinosaurus and Allosaurus for the 2013 line. That said the 2011 line, is unique due to the fact the dinosaurs featured were going to have entirely new sculpts with as much articulation as the GI Joe repaint/retool figures Hasbro was intending on using for the series. The figures would also feature realistic weapons and the dinosaurs would feature the much loved coverable dino-damage. Unfortunately this line was canceled before it could further see the light of day beyond the prototyping phase. Some of the figures and vehicles were finished and some never made it past the unpainted prototype stage altogether sadly.

Jurassic Park Dinosaurs 1999 (Series 1)

Baryonyx
Jaws snap and thrash while head moves!
Baryonyx with Dinosaur Tracker
With slashing action machete
Chasmosaurus
Electronic Attack Roar
Dilophosaurus
Electronic Attack Roar
Dimetradon
Chomping, snapping, biting jaws!
Lynx
Jaws snap and chomp
Ornithosuchus
Thrashes its snapping jaws
Ornithosuchus with Dino Trapper (Unreleased)
Thrashes its snapping jaws
Pachycephalosaurus with Dinosaur Trainer
Head-Ramming Action!
Pteranodon
Jaws snap and wings flap!
Two Baby Pteranodons are included
Spinosaurus
Electronic Attack Roar!
Stegosaurus with Dinosaur Hunter
Whipping Tail Action!
Dino-Damage wound!
Tanystropheus
Bending neck and tail to break free of restraint gear!
Triceratops
Breaks free of head restraints
Tyrannosaurus Rex with Dinosaur Hunter
Crunching Jaws! Dino-Damage Wound!
Velociraptor (I)
Breaks free of restraint gear!
Velociraptor (II)
Jaws snap and thrash!
Velociraptor (III)
Electronic Attack Roar!
Young T-Rex
Repair Broken leg with healing cast
Young T-Rex with Dinosaur Trainer
Repair broken leg with healing cast

Jurassic Park Dinosaurs 2004 (Series 2)

Brachiosaurus
With Micro Stegosaurus
Dimetrodon
With Military Diver
Electronic Tyrannosaur
With Electronic Dinosaur Sounds
Electronic Pteranodon
With Electronic Dinosaur Sounds
Spinosaurus & Tyrannosaurus Rex
2-Pack
Stegosaurus with Dinosaur Hunter (Unreleased)
Whipping Tail Action!
Dino-Damage wound!
Note: There is a doubt on this figure’s authenticity as being part of the line.
Triceratops
With Dino Wrangler
Tyrannosaurus
With Dino Tracker
Tyrannosaurus Rex with Dinosaur General (Unreleased)
Crunching Jaws!
Dino-Damage Wound!
Note: There is a doubt on this figure’s authenticity as being part of the line.
T-Rex
With Micro Tyrannosaurus
Velociraptor (I)
With Dino Trooper
Velociraptor (II)
With Micro Velociraptor
Velociraptor & Spinosaurus
2-Pack
Velociraptor & Tyrannosaurus Rex
2-Pack

Jurassic Park Dinosaurs 2005 (Series 3)

Electronic Tyrannosaurus Rex
With Electronic Dinosaur Sounds
Electronic Pteranodon
With Electronic Dinosaur Sounds
Pteranodon & Compsognathus
2-Pack
Spinosaurus & Tyrannosaurus Rex
2-Pack
Triceratops
With Micro Velociraptor
Triceratops & Tyrannosaurus Rex
2-Pack
Tyrannosaurus Rex
With Micro Triceratops
Velociraptor
With Micro Pteranodon
Velociraptor & Stegosaurus
2-Pack

Variant packages have Stegosaurus incorrectly labeled as Spinosaurus

Jurassic Park 2009 (JP: Dinosaurs Series 4)

Desert Tracker Alan Grant vs. Velociraptor
Repainted version of the Jurassic Park 3 Dr. Alan Grant, “Dino Claw”, and Velociraptor.
Dilophosaurus
Repainted version of the Jurassic Park 3 Re-Ak A-Tak Dilophosaurus.
Dino-Glide Billy Brennan vs. Pteranodon
Repainted version of the Jurassic Park 3 Billy Brennan figure, glider, and Pteranodon hatchling.
Dino Diver vs. Spinosaurus
Repainted version of the Jurassic Park 3 Military Diver, weapon, and Spinosaurus hatchling.

Series 5 “Marine Patrol” Release

Forest Hunter General vs. Tyrannosaurus Rex
Repainted version of the Jurassic Park 3 Military General, and Tyrannosaurus. Only difference to that of its JP3 predecessor is that it has Dr. Grant’s “Dino Claw” weapon instead of the General’s usual weapon.

Series 5 “Ground Patrol” Release

Spinosaurus & Tyrannosaurus Rex
Repainted versions of the Jurassic Park 3 hatchling T-Rex and Spinosaurus.

Series 5 Release

Spinosaurus & Velociraptor
Repainted versions of the Jurassic Park 3 hatchling Aqua Spinosaurus and Velociraptor.

Series 5 Release

Spinosaurus & Velociraptor (II) (Unreleased)
Repainted versions of the Jurassic Park 3 hatchling Aqua Spinosaurus and Velociraptor.
Triceratops
Repainted version of the Jurassic Park 3 Re-Ak A-Tak Triceratops. It’s packages differs mildly from the other Dino Growlers.

Canceled Series 5 Release

Triceratops & Tyrannosaurus Rex
Repainted versions of the Jurassic Park 3 hatchling T-Rex, and the Jurassic Park Dinosaurs Series 2 and 3 “Micro” Triceratops.

Series 5 Release

Tyrannosaurus Rex
Repainted version of the Jurassic Park 3 Re-Ak A-Tak Tyrannosaurus Rex.

Series 5 Release

Tyrannosaurus Rex
Repainted and Re-tooled version of the Bull T-Rex from TLW line. Includes Military General figure and cut-out Jurassic Park Tour Explorer vehicle.
Velociraptor
Repainted version of the Jurassic Park 3 (series 1) Re-Ak A-Tak Velociraptor.

Series 5 Release

Velociraptor & Tyrannosaurus Rex
2-Pack – Repainted versions of the Jurassic Park 3 hatchling Velociraptor and T-Rex.

Series 5 Release

Jurassic Park 2013 (JP: Dinosaurs Series 5)

Consisting of mostly repackages, this section details what’s new for the line. Please see the 2009 section for what was re-released and repackaged.
Allosaurus Assault
Dino-Damage with head thrash action feature! Comes with Ash Skullstriker figure
Dino Tracker – Pteranodon vs Sky Patrol
Kit-bashed Jurassic Park 3 Alan Grant’s head on Jurassic Park 3 Billy Brennan’s Body.
Pachyrhinosaurus Clash
Head-Ramming Action and Dino-Damage! Comes with Gunner Gordon action figure.
Stegosaurus Strike (Unreleased)
Dino-Damage with tail thrashing action feature! Comes with human figure

Canceled – Jurassic Park 2011 (“Joe-Rassic-Park”)

Allosaurus
Featuring possible action feature (jaws), multiple points of articulation and “Dino-Damage” removable piece.
Carnotaurus
Featuring possible action feature (jaws), multiple points of articulation and “Dino-Damage” removable piece.
Pachyrhinosaurus
Possible action feature (head), multiple points of articulation and possible “Dino-Damage” removable piece.
Stegosaurus
Possible action feature (tail), multiple points of articulation and possible “Dino-Damage” removable piece.
Mercenary
Re-tool of GI Joe’s Resolute Roadblock body with Duke’s head. Featuring realistic weaponry.
Jungle/Desert A.W.E Striker with Trooper and Velociraptor

Both of these are varianted to include a human figure and a Velociraptor either for the Jungle or Desert color scheme. The vehicle itself is a repaint of a GI Joe vehicle, that was also featured in the original Stargate toyline. The Velociraptor is a repaint of the Jurassic Park 3 hatchling that came with Dr. Alan Grant. The human is a repaint of a Resolute Cobra Trooper.
Helicopter with Pilot
The Helicopter is entirely new, the pilot is a repaint/re-tool of GI Joe Airborne with a different head and comes with GI Joe Scrap-Iron’s vest. JPToys speculated this comes with a JP3 Raptor Hatchling repaint.
Hummer

This Hummer Sculpt emulates the “Snagger” from The Lost World Jurassic Park line and film to an extent. Further information is unknown.
Images courtesy of ActionFigs.Com, Gallimimus, and: