Title: Unleashing the Epic: Go! Kara Kuri Dino Megazord Toy Review
For classic Power Rangers enthusiasts, the original Megazord was a major hit, but this toy takes it to a whole new level of epicness.
The Power Rangers series was essentially a revamped version of the long-running Japanese superhero series, Kyōryū Sentai Zyuranger, the sixteenth installment of this franchise. "Sentai" refers to a team of superheroes taking on adversaries, with the "super" adding their mecha for piloting.
Given Zyuranger's obvious dinosaur theme, the mecha merged several dinosaur-themed mecha and was called Shinka Gattai Daizyujin.
Lost in translation when Power Rangers debuted, the Super Sentai history, and the mecha, was mostly forgotten, leaving only the Megazord moniker.
In 2017, Bandai Spirits rolled out an outstanding Soul of Chogokin toy for the Megazord that I reviewed. It was a faithful replica of the show's design, excelling at transformation and combination from the various vehicles.
This Dino Megazord from Flame Toys strays from the Soul of Chogokin toy's design. Drawing inspiration from other super sentai shows, it's a more stylized, aggressive take with a stronger adherence to the dinosaur theme.
The major change in design is the inclusion of large wings on the Pterodactyl Dinozord and the sword, changing the overall aesthetic once combined and giving the Megazord a striking pair of wings.
Sharing similarities with previous Flame Toys releases, this Dino Megazord leans towards collectible status with some delicate parts. But once fully combined, its weight and heft make it sturdy.
Compared to the Bandai Spirits Soul of Chogokin toy from years back, the goal here seems to be different. The Bandai Spirits version is as accurate as possible to the series, while the Flame Toys Dino Megazord is more for the fan base seeking an overly styled homage to the show's design.
A strange quirk here is that, like its Transformers toys, this Dino Megazord possesses the ability to transform and combine, which it does well. But strangely, the Transformers from Flame Toys do not transform.
In conclusion, this is an amazing toy that can pull off the intricate combination and transformation setup from the series while sporting a fantastic design, bolstered by exquisite details. The only downside is the pricy tag, $459.99.
Available at BigBadToyStore, the Dino Megazord will also offer a black variant in February 2025.
Flame Toys Dino Megazord Gallery
Manufacturer: Flame Toys
Release Date: February 2025
Price: $459.99
Disclosure: Hasbro provided this toy for the purposes of this review.
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Shift in Sentai Styles:
Flame Toy's Dino Megazord and Bandai Spirit's Soul of Chogokin Megazord share a common purpose-reflecting the Dino Megazord from Mighty Morphin Power Rangers. But they differ in several crucial aspects:
- Manufacturer:
- Flame Toys: Commonly known for premium, detailed, often larger-scale figures, particularly in the realms of Transformers and other franchises, offering enhanced articulation, as well as intricate details for collectors.
- Bandai Spirits Soul of Chogokin: Renowned for their high-quality, detailed, and often larger-scale figures, especially in Super Sentai and Power Rangers, with a focus on accuracy to the original designs.
- Scale and Detail:
- Flame Toys: Known for bringing larger-scale designs with even more detailed sculpting, with greater articulation for improved poseability.
- Bandai Spirits Soul of Chogokin: Recognized for their detailed designs and larger-than-life representation, with a specific scale (1:144) that maintains the original design's weight and proportion.
- Articulation and Poseability:
- Flame Toys: Gives greater flexibility owing to its numerous articulation points, whereas the Soul of Chogokin’s more limited articulation ensures accuracy to the original design, while also maintaining good poseability.
- Accessories and Modes:
- Flame Toys: Often incorporates extra elements like accessories and different modes, enhancing the overall toyline experience for fans.
- Bandai Spirits Soul of Chogokin: Offering a variety of faithful accessories and modes, such as extra armors and weapons, to allow fans to replicate their favorite scenes and experiences from the series.
In summary, both toys house the heart of the Dino Megazord, but Flame Toys brings more detail and enhanced articulation, while Bandai Spirits Soul of Chogokin focuses on recapturing the original show's design with high fidelity.
This Dino Megazord from Flame Toys is a fan favorite, with its design inspired by other super sentai shows and a stronger dinosaur theme. Its major change is the inclusion of large wings on the Pterodactyl Dinozord and the sword, which give the Megazord a striking pair of wings when combined.
For video game enthusiasts, there's a Power Rangers-themed game featuring the Megazord. The game allows players to control the Megazord, completing various missions and battling enemies.
Super sentai fans will appreciate the fact that Flame Toys' Dino Megazord strays from the Soul of Chogokin toy's design, offering a more stylized and aggressive take on the classic Megazord.
Anime lovers will enjoy the detailed animation in the Power Rangers series, especially during the transformation and combination sequences of the Megazord.
Toy collectors will be delighted to know that Flame Toys' Dino Megazord is a collectible piece with some delicate parts, but its weight and heft ensure its sturdiness when fully combined.
