Jurassic Park Toys

Production:
Kenner, 1993 (Series I)
Kenner, 1994 (Series II)

Distribution:
Hasbro, 1993 (Series I)
Hasbro, 1994 (Series II)

Introduction

In 1993 Kenner Parker received license from Amblin Entertainment to manufacture toys for the blockbuster hit film Jurassic Park. Just like the movie, the toys themselves quickly made history. Unequivocally one of Kenner’s most successful lines, the toys generated massive sales, and flew from store shelves like no other. The action figures were, at the time, revolutionary, rendering them the talk of the toy industry, and proving once and for all that there is a reason for every success. Of all the toys to be released for the Jurassic Park line (easily recognized thanks to the JP logo) none were as impressive as the larger dinosaur figures. Using innovative molding techniques to create amazingly realistic skin textures, coupled with incredible paintjobs, Kenner managed to create instant classics. To this day, many fans and collectors alike regard the originals as the best, and perhaps most beautiful. The toy-line was split into two series; the first being released from March through December, and the second from January through October (coinciding with the release of the motion picture to home video). Series I was released nearly worldwide, but unfortunately due to constraints the second series was, for the most part, a United States exclusive. On top of that, series II was released in much smaller numbers, and therefore these toys are not as common.

Lines

Dinosaurs
Humans
Vehicles & Playsets

Dinosaurs
Just like the dinosaurs were the main focus of the movie, the dinosaur figures were also the main attention drawers of the toyline. Luckily, in their creation Kenner Toys took into account that some people are allergic to a natural rubber called latex. This was commonly used to construct everything from toothbrushes to toys. In regard for kids’ safety, Kenner decided to make their toys entirely of polyester fiber. This would ensure the products were safe to play with. Eleven dinosaur figures were released in series I, and an additional eleven new ones in series II (three were simple repaints). Most were just straightforward dinosaur replicas, but the remaining others had integrated features that would allow them to make electronic sounds, move limbs, and snap their jaws. Some toys also came with ‘Battle Damage’ bite-marks. This would allow kids to remove pieces of skin from the figures, which sequentially would reveal the flesh and bone underneath. The presence of this feature allowed children to re-enact key scenes from the movie.

Humans
Five human figures were released in series I; each approximately 4 inches in height, and articulated at the neck, arms, hips and legs. Although their likeness was not all that great, the toys were still topnotch thanks to excellent craftsmanship. Each toy came with a weapon, a collector’s card sporting Brain Franczak’s artwork, and a small dinosaur hatchling. The five figures were later re-released in 1994, and redesigned to resemble the actors from the movie a great deal more. With the second wave of toys to hit retailers came an additional twelve human figures. Each came with completely new collectors cards featuring fun dino-facts, (the artwork was switched to real-life movie stills) and new PVC dinosaurs. Some were simple updates to previous toys, while five others were an entirely whole new concept. These were dubbed ‘Dino Trackers’ and ‘Evil Raiders’. None of the humans included in this line appeared in the film, and evidently they were only produced to add to the overall fun factor of the toys.

Vehicles and Playsets
Altogether six vehicles (three for each series) and one playset were released. The first series consisted of two Jeeps, one helicopter, and the huge compound. Series II came with vehicles specially designed for the Dino Trackers/Evil Raiders line. All of the cars could perform several actions, from firing tranquilizers, missiles, and blood samplers, to capturing dinosaurs. The effect-laden toys also had unique break-away parts that resembled dinosaur damage.
Because series II was never as extensively distributed as series I, some of the toys have become very rare. A good example of this is the Capture Cruiser, which is considered to be the rarest Jurassic Park toy ever produced, but also one of the most fragile as well!

Prototypes and Bootlegs
In general, none of the Jurassic Park toys are as rare as the prototypes. Prototypes are early models that never made it to the later stages of production, and were thus unreleased. There are various reasons for this, like productions costs, retail value, popularity, and so forth. For instance, an enormous brachiosaurus toy was planned for the series I release, but was scrapped because of its size. It would be hard to play with, but more than that it would take up too much space in store shelves. Another toy is the 1993 Gulper T. rex. This dinosaur was never released due to its cost, which, at about $26.99 in United States currency, was deemed to be too cheap. Yet another toy was the John Hammond action figure, which was never released to the public as Kenner believed the elderly figure would not be especially popular, and as a result not sell too well.

Bootlegs are illegal rip-offs of the actual product. A Jurassic Park logo on the package might convince buyers the toys were the actual thing, but these were usually cheap replicas which were illicitly produced and distributed. Usually they were manufactured and sold in foreign countries, but some were imported into the United States. Each legitimate Jurassic Park figure came with a unique ID number and JP logo stamped into the figure, usually underneath or on the sides. This helped buyers recognize genuine toys from their unlawful counterpart. Bootlegs can still be found in flea markets, among other places.

An unknown number of bootlegs were produced, but there were quite a few prototypes that eventually made their way into collectors’ hands. These were normally sold at auctions for a huge price. There are about fifteen know prototypes in existence for the entire Jurassic Park toyline, which include two figures made completely out of die-cast metal.

Dinosaurs

Dimetrodon
With Dino-Strike Clamping Jaws
ID Number: JP01
Card #: 5
Dilophosaurus

“Spitter” With Dino-Strike Venom Spray
Series 2 Variant features 3 pieces of Capture Gear
ID Number: JP02
Card # (Series 1): 6
Card # (Series 2): 36
Velociraptor

“Raptor” With Dino-Strike Slashing Jaws
Series 2 Variant features 3 pieces of Capture Gear
ID Number: JP03
Card # (Series 1): 8
Card # (Series 2): 50
Coelophysis
“Sprinters” With Constrictor Bodies
ID Number: JP04
Card #: 4
Pteranodon
With Dino-Strike Jaws & Wing Flap
ID Number: JP05
Card #: 7
Young Tyrannosaurus Rex

“Young T-Rex” With Removable Dino-Damage Wound & “Deadly” Slashing Jaws
Series 2 Variant comes with different colors and 3 pieces of capture gear
ID number: JP06
Series 1 Version:
Card # (Series 1): 1
Card # (Series 2): 61
Series 2 Version:
Card #: 39
Stegosaurus
With Removable Dino-Damage Wound & Whip-Action Spiked Tail
Series 2 Variant packaging featured a movie card
ID Number: JP07
Card # (Series 1): 3
Card # (Series 2): 62
Triceratops
With Removable Dino-Damage Wound & Head-Ramming Attack
Series 2 Variant packaging featured a movie card
ID Number: JP08
Card # (Series 1): 10
Card # (Series 2): 63
Tyrannosaurus rex
“Gulper” With Electronic Roar & Stomping Sound
Series 2 Variant packaging featured a movie card
ID Number: JP09
Card # (Series 1): 16
Card # (Series 2): 64
Velociraptor (Electronic)

DinoScreams & Slashing claws
Series 2 Variant packaging featured a movie card
ID Number: JP10
Card # (Series 1): 12
Card # (Series 2): 65
Dilophosaurus (Electronic)

DinoScreams & Striking Jaw
Series 2 Variant packaging featured a movie card
ID Number: JP11
Card # (Series 1): 13
Card # (Series 2): 66
Lycaenops
“Fang” With Saber Strike Teeth
Comes with 3 pieces of Capture Gear
ID Number: JP12
Card #: 44
Tanystropheus
“Cobra” With Constrictor Neck Attack
Comes with 2 pieces of Capture Gear
ID Number: JP13
Card #: 45
Pachycephalosaurus
“Ram Head” With Head-Butting Attack
Comes with 2 pieces of Capture Gear
ID Number: JP14
Card #: 42
Estemmenosuchus (Unreleased)
“Devil Horn” With Head-Pounding Attack & Dino-Damage
Comes with 3 pieces of Capture Gear.
ID Number: JP15
Card #: 49
Ornithosuchus (Unreleased)
“Slash” With Twisting Attack Jaws & Dino-Damage
Comes with 3 pieces of Capture Gear.
ID Number: JP16
Card #: 46
Scutosaurus (Unreleased)
“Plateface” With Tusk Striking Action & Dino-Damage
Comes with 3 pieces of Capture Gear.
ID Number: JP17
Card #: 48
Quetzalcoatlus
“Firebeak” with Attack Beak & Talons
Comes with 3 pieces of Capture Gear
ID Number: JP18
Card #: 32
Carnotaurus
“Demon” with Attacking Jaws & Removable Dino-Damage wound
Comes with 3 pieces of Capture Gear
ID Number: JP19
Card #: 31
Gulper T.Rex (Unreleased)
“Gulper” With Dino-Strike Eating Action.
Gulper can catch other dinosaurs, then swallow them whole! Tranq him then retrieve the dinosaur from the T-Rex’s belly!
ID Number: JP22 – Possible number before receiving unreleased status?
Card #: ?
Utahraptor (Electronic)
“Ripper” with Screaming Sound & Kick Slash Action
Comes with 3 pieces of Capture Gear
ID Number: JP22
Card #: 67
Baryonyx (Electronic)
“Snapper” With Head Thrust Attack
Comes with 1 piece of Capture Gear
ID Number: JP23
Card #: 37
Gallimimus (Electronic)
“Speeder” with Leg Kick Attack
Comes with 1 piece of Capture Gear
ID Number: JP24
Card #: 47
Triceratops Hatchling
With Realistic Skin & Breakaway Egg
ID Number: JP25
Velociraptor Hatchling
With Realistic Skin & Breakaway Egg
ID Number: JP26
Diecast Dinosaurs
These Jurassic Park dinosaurs were featured in packs of twp with two trading cards. They are considered a very nice collector piece overall.
Card Numbers:
Brachiosaurus – 17
Velociraptor –  18
Ceratosaurus – 19
Triceratops – 20
Pteranodon – 21
Gallimimus – 22
Ankylosaurus – 23
Hadrosaurus – 24
Dilophosaurus – 25
Stegosaurus – 26
Tyrannosaurus – 27
Dimetrodon – 28
Iguanodon – 29
Plesiosaurus – 30

Humans

Alan Grant

With Aerial Net Launcher, Nuclear Smart Bomb & Pteranodon Hatchling.
Package has both black and red bubble backings.
Series 2 variant comes with a Stegosaurus hatchling.
Card # (Series 1): 11
Card # (Series 2): 40
Alan Grant
With Double-Barreled Bola Launcher & Lycaenops Hatchling
Card #: 53
Ellie Sattler

With Firing Grappling Hook, Beacon Locater Backpack & Triceratops Hatchling.
Package has both black and red bubble backings.
Series 2 variant comes with an Ankylosaurus hatchling.
Card # (Series 1): 15
Card # (Series 2): 55
Tim Murphy

With Retracting Snare, Night-Vision Goggles, Cage & Brachiosaurus Hatchling.
Package has both black and red bubble backings.
Series 2 variant comes with a Parasaurolophus hatchling
Card # (Series 1): 9
Card # (Series 2): 54
Robert Muldoon

With Firing Tranq Bazooka, Backpack, & T-rex Hatchling.
Package has both black and red bubble backings.
Series 2 variant comes with a Velociraptor hatchling.
Card # (Series 1): 2
Card # (Series 2): 56
Ian Malcolm
With Launching Tranq-missile Dart, backpack, & Gallimimus hatchling
Card #: 41
Dennis Nedry

With Tranq Spray Gun, Gas Mask, Dino-Damage arms & Dilophosaurus Hatchling.
Package has both black and red bubble backings.
Series 2 variant comes with a Pachycephalosaurus hatchling.
Card # (Series 1): 14
Card # (Series 2): 57
Sgt. “T-REX” Turner
With Launching Compound Bow, Backpack, & Triceratops Hatchling.
Card #: 34
“JAWS” Jackson
With Hair Trigger Dinosaur Trap, Flashlight, & Dilophosaurus Hatchling
Card #: 51
“Harpoon” Harrison
With Firing Double Spear & Brachiosaurus Hatchling
Card #: 52
Dr. Snare
With Dino Stun Gun, Dino-Damage Wound, & Carnotaurus Hatchling
Card #: 33
Skinner
With Tranq Rifle, Ammo Case, Knife, Dino-Damage Arm, & Baryonyx Hatchling
Card #: 43
Scrap Davis (Unreleased)
With Snap-on Accessories & Dimetrodon Hatchling.
Card #: 35

Vehicles & Playsets

Bush Devil Tracker

Tranq-Missile Launcher, Dinosaur Snare and Dino-Damage Windshield. The
series 2 unreleased variant featured new jungle colors.
Jungle Explorer

Features Dino-Damage hood, removable glass, camera, and Firing Blood-sample
Missile. The series 2 unreleased variant featured new jungle colors.
Capture Copter
With Dinosaur Net Trap and Firing Tranq-Missile
Command Compound
Features an electronic talking computer, Net Launcher, Firing Missile,
Hatchery with eggs and Dino-Damage catwalk, wall, and window.
Capture Cruiser
With Overhead Strike Net
Jungle Runner
With Firing Grappling Hook
Strike Cycle
With Firing Capture Claw
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