Dino Zord Set

Review by EVA_Unit_4A

As part of the experiments secretly performed years earlier by Dr. Tommy Oliver and Dr. Anton Mercer to create fusion-powered replicants of dinosaurs using their DNA, the Parasaur Zord and Anklyo Zord serve well in the battle against the evil dinosaur-mutant Mesogog.

In 2002, when Ninpuu Sentai Hurricanger introduced the special Karakuri Ball series of collectable transforming weapons in separate sell-alone sets, they were released into the Power Rangers Ninja Storm line included as bonus pieces with the Deluxe transformable robots. But even then, not all of them came over. Well, Bandai America has done it once again with 2003's Bakuryuu Sentai AbaRanger. Now, instead of releasing the 5 Bakuryuu Action Series in their separate sets of Bakuryuu & Dino Plate, English audiences will be treated to only three of them- the Dimetro Zord included with the Deluxe Dino Stegazord (sold separately), and the Anklyo Zord & Parasaur Zord included in this 'special edition' Dino Zord Set.

Because the Cephalo Zord was not brought over, the Triceramax Megazord toy combo cannot be formed, so it will not review it here.

The Dino Zord Set includes an Anklyo Zord and its back shield, a Parasaur Zord, two single-color saddles, an extra Triassic Ranger figure, and a sheet of black-&-white instructions. All of the pieces are displayed in a cardboard box featuring a clear plastic window.

The two saddles are single-piece add-ons used with the Triassic Ranger figure to allow him to ride atop each Auxiliary Zord. The orange saddle goes on the Anklyo Zord with its back shield removed, and the green one gores on top of the Parasaur Zord. The Parasaur's saddle must have been redesigned after the instructions came out because it no longer snaps into place as the instructions say it should, so it will not stay on. The Anklyo's saddle, on the other hand, fits quite snugly on top of the black rotating joint, and allows its back shield to be snapped onto it as well.

• Parasaur Zord is the same as the Bakuryuu Parasaurokkiru from AbaRanger, and is based on the dinosaur called parasaurolophus. The Parasaur Zord is a graceful machine featuring a long crest on the back of its head, and scissor-like claws on its small forearms.
  This Auxiliary Zord functions as the left arm of any megazord combination, and has a scissor-like cutting attack when activated. It also serves as part of the left leg of the Triceramax Megazord.
  

  

• Anklyo Zord is the same as the Bakuryuu Anklyoveilus from AbaRanger, and is based on the dinosaur called anklyosaurus. Walking on four squat legs, and covered in silver spikes, the Anklyo Zord is a fierce little ally with a powerful tail missile.
  This Auxiliary Zord functions as the right arm of any megazord combination, and features a spinning drill attack and a spinning reflective shield when activated. It also serves as part of the left arm of the Triceramax Megazord.

The action features of the two Auxiliary Zords are simple to use even when they're not combined with a megazord.

On the Parasaur Zord, there's an indent between the large back legs that,
when pressed down on, opens its tail. When released, a spring on the inside snaps the tail together again. The small arms are made of soft PVC, and snap at 90º increments only, though the shoulders can rotate a full 360º. The legs also have limited poseability and only snap backwards in 15º increments. It has a movable jaw, and the head can point up and down a little. The crest on the back of the head is also made of soft PVC. No parts are removable, so once it's off, it's off for good!

The Anklyo Zord has the same limitations of action. When the back shield is
attached and spun by hand, the large tail spins as well at the same time. The jaw has limited movement, and the four legs snap at 45º increments. The bronze-colored tip of the tail can be removed by pressing on a small button towards the end of the tail. Reconnecting it again just by snapping it back in place. The tail as a whole can be removed and reattached as well.

Transformation is extremely simple for both Auxiliary Zords, and really requires only closing the jaws, rotating the legs out of the way into position, and, on the Parasaur Zord, rotating the head around 180º. Really, this is the most disappointing thing about all of the Bakuryuu / Auxiliary Zords. Not much thought was put into transformation, and they were designed as if all that mattered was that they attached to a larger robot without interference.

Anklyo Zord forms a left arm with a spinning tail drill, and a shield. When the electronic feature is turned on, the tail and shield spin around. Parasaur Zord forms a right arm with a large claw-like scissor. When the electronic feature is turned on, the tail starts to open and snap shut about 20 times every half-minute. However, this is about half the speed seen from the series.

They can be either attached separately or together to a Deluxe Thundersaurus Megazord (sold separately), Deluxe Dino Stegazord (sold separately), or Deluxe Blizzard Force Megazord (sold separately). And since the Anklyo Zord & Parasaur Zords occupy different sides of the robots, they can be used at the same time.

For those of you wondering what the differences are between the Parasaur Zord and Anklyo Zord from Power Rangers Dino Thunder, and their original Japanese counterparts- the Bakuryuu Parasaurokkiru and Bakuryuu Anklyoveilus from Bakuryuu Sentai AbaRanger- it's a relief of sorts:

• The only modification found is in the Anklyo Zord, where the spring-firing
  feature on the tail missile was removed, and left empty. This is probably
  due to US Toy regulations. (Grr...) But otherwise, both toys were untouched
  during their transition to English-speaking countries. The only new thing
  is the small black copyright stamp on the belly of each.
• The special Dino Plate accessories used for the electronic transformation devices were not included with the Dino Zord Set, while they are present in the separate Bakuryuu Action Series sets in Japan.
• As opposed to being sold separately like they are in Japan, the Anklyo Zord and Parasaur Zord are sold in this combined Dino Zord Set. The two saddles were never seen in Japanese boxes, and the 4" Triassic Ranger figure is the same as ones found in other Dino Thunder toy sets.

Because they are virtual copies of their original Japanese counterparts, the
Parasaur Zord and Anklyo Zord are cross compatible with their brethren Bakuryuu from AbaRanger, and can use the Bakuryuu Joints just as easily.

Aside from the additional unnecessary Triassic Ranger & saddles (which I don't even bother using), these are some fun toys. The action features they add to each megazord are fun ideas, and it's nice to be able to use them separately as well. My loudest complaint would be either that the spring was removed from the Anklyo Zord's tail, the associative Dino Plates were not included, or the limits on poseability. Otherwise, I love'em, and they're just as good as the originals!