Toys R Us Exclusive "Animal Planet" Dinosaur Encounter Styracasaurus Set Review:
Every few years, Toys R Us refreshes their "Animal Planet" offerings. This new set replaces an earlier set consisting of a different, smaller tower and an Allosaurus. This set contains a brand new (to the US anyway) dinosaur, a new dinosaur hatchling, and a spectacular new (as far as I am aware of anyway) tower playset. The figure, helicopter and remaining accessories are all recycled from previous offerings.
The Styracasaurus is not a Styracasaurus, it more closely resembles a Xenoceratops, but the box says Styracasaurus. I found one of these last year while on vacation in London but really wanted more of them so having it released stateside is fantastic! This ceratopsian is smaller than previous electronic light and sound ceratopsians released by in the "Animal Planet" line but still maintains the great sculpting, deco and articulation of previous offerings. Pull back the front leg and the dino roars and the eyes and nose horn light up.
The T-Rex hatchling looks to be an all new sculpt that is reminiscent of, but much improved over, the old "Jurassic Park" hatchlings that came with the Kenner figures 2 decades ago.
The real star of this set is the new playset! I am not certain, but this may have been offered before or currently offered in Europe as part of the Chap Mei's "Soldier Force" line. I say this only because Chap Mei reuses molds across multiple lines, most European releases are more or less unknown here in the states, and there is a small hole in the front center of the tower's "windows" where is looks like a mounted machine gun (or spotlight if it is used in their animal safari line) is supposed to go. The tower barely fits in the confines of the box. The tower features an attached walkway that can be rotated to be on either side of the tower and features a tiny helipad and a ladder down to the ground. The tower's command center is undetailed inside but that is not a concern for most kids or for customizers like myself. There is a very nicely detailed, rotating, sensor dish on the roof as well. The tower has a flat, open back like every other tower (except the medieval fantasy ones) offered by Chap Mei over the last 2 decades plus. This is actually a nice feature as you can put a second one back-to-back with the first to make a complete tower if so desired (you bet your ass I bought 2 of them for this very reason
).
With everything you get in this box, the $21.99 price tag is a steal! The helicopter and figure are forgettable, but the awesome tower and 2 great dinosaurs will make this set very popular with collectors, customizers and kids!
