Dino-Riders is an action, adventure, fantasy, science-fiction, animated television series that Ray Lee and Steven Hahn directed. The animated television series premiered in 1988 and ran for just a season, consisting of 14 episodes. The television series, Dino-Riders, was a promotional show to create a backstory for Tyco’s Toys. It also introduced the new line of toys that Tyco was about to launch.
The Dino-Riders animated television series is a show that is based on the war between a race of well-meaning superhumans called the Valorians, and the race of evil humanoids called the Rulons. These two races had co-existed separately in the future until the Rulons attacked the Valorians on their home planet. To escape the Rulons attack, the Valorians tried to escape in a space-time ship which inadvertently sent them back in time to prehistoric earth with their invaders. The animated television series then documented the Valorians and Rulons’ encounters with primeval animals like Dinosaurs.
Tyco began the release and distribution of the Dino-Riders toy line in 1988. Tyco also planned to release their toys coinciding with the premiere of the Dino-Riders animated television series. Then, Tyco released their Dino-Riders toys in four series. The first series came out in 1988. Then, the second arrived in 1989, which also consists of the commandos. Following, the third series debuted in 1990. Finally, the Ice Age series arrived in 1990.
The prominent figures in this range featured motorized walking action that small wheels attached to their feet enabled. The Rulons came with distinct self-automated traps. Fans revered the dinosaur replicas produced by Tyco and very much appreciated them for their highly detailed bodies. They also loved the designs which Tyco claimed were replicas and scaled-down versions of museum-quality dinosaurs.
Presenting our top ten Dino-Riders toys that dinosaurs, Valorians and Rulons characters, and Commandos.
10. Dedeye & Yungstar (1989)
Tyco produced the Deadeye and Yungstar action figures in 1989 as part of the second series of Dino-Riders toys. They packaged action figures together as a 2-figure-in-1-pack toy.
The animated series brought these 3-inch action figures to life, where Deadeye was a Viper group member. These groups consist of humanoids with snake-like characteristics and countenance. The second figure in the pack is the Valorian Yungstar, a young warrior who sometimes lets his ego get in his way of success. He rides a Deinonychus, which he later switched out with a Quetzalcoatlus in subsequent episodes of the series.
9. Bomba (1989)
Tyco released the Bomba action figure in 1989 as part of the Commando Series, part of the second series of the Dino-Riders toys. The Bomba action figure is a fully articulated toy that comes with a very detailed paint job. The action figure came with full protective gear, land mine, and bomb detection gear.
The animated series depicted the 3 inches action figure as the Dino-Rider commando Bomba, the bomb and explosives experts who clear the groups’ path for explosives and removes obstacles.
8. Skwirm & Serena (1989)
Tyco released the Squirm and Serena action figures as a 2-figures-in-1-pack in 1989 by Tyco in the second series of the Dino-Riders toys. Both the Squirm and Serena action figures feature full articulation with excellent and bright paint jobs.
The animated series depicted Squirm as part of the evil Rulons, the snake-like humanoids, and a Viper Group member. Meanwhile, Serena was an integral part of the Valorians. Being the granddaughter of the great Mind Zei and her superhuman ability to heal other individuals, accompanied by the ability to sense when others are in danger, makes her an important part of the group.
7. Wooly Mammoth (1990)
Tyco released the Wooly Mammoth action figure, a gigantic figure, in 1990 as a part of the Ice Age series of the Dino-Riders toys. This colossal figure features motorized walking action that small wheels attached to its feet enable. Then, the action figure comes with pivoting laser cannons and side-mounted rocket launchers. The action figure also comes with a weapon pack that contains a psyche blade, a double-barrel rifle, a chest shield, infrared night scope, an A.M.P (Amplified Mental Projector), and a rifle harness.
The figure comes with a fully articulated Grom, a Neanderthal caveman who is the Mammoth’s rider. Finally, a mini-comic and mini catalog accompany the Wooly Mammoth in the packaging.
6. Astra (1989)
Tyco released the Astra action figure in 1989 as part of the Commando series released within the second series of the Dino-Riders toys. The figure comes with an extraordinary paint job. It comes with weapon accessories that consist of body armor, a helmet, a hand missile launcher, and a rifle. These weapons are all poseable with the Astra action figure.
The animated series brought this action figure to life as the Valorian warrior Astra, the Commandos’ leader. Astra was a university teacher on Valor before the war, but after the invasion of the Rulons, he became the leader of the Commandos, using his past military experience to guide the group.
5. Sludj & Mind Zei (1989)
Tyco released the Sludj and Mind Zei action figure in 1989 as part of the second series of Dino-Riders toys. They released these 3 inches, fully articulated action figures in a 2-figures-in-1-pack with awesome paint jobs and the keen attention to details on the action figures, including the grey hair on Mind Zei and how it captured Sludj’s Manta ray-like nature.
The animated series brought these action figures to life. Sludj was an evil Manta ray-like humanoid and part of the Rulon army. Mind Zei, on the other hand, was an older man who had lost his eyes but possessed a sixth sense that enabled him to be aware of people. Mind Zei is also an excellent hand-to-hand combat fighter. He is also Serena’s grandfather who usually counsels Questar.
4. Pachyrhinosaurus (1990)
Tyco released the Pachyrhinosaurus action figure in 1990 as part of Tyco’s third series of Dino-Riders toys. This action figure is a very rare piece due to its limited production. Unlike the other Dinosaurs from the previous series, the Pachyrhinosaurus came with a limited number of equipment and pieces, with only a command module with rotating laser cannons. The action figure still possesses the motorized walking action, and the Pachyrhinosaurus’ head sways from side to side as it walked.
The action figure’s packaging contains a weapon pack which includes a psyche blade, double barrel rifle, a chest shield, infrared night scope, A.M.P (Amplified Mental Projector), and a rifle harness. This prominent action figure comes with a mini-comic book, a mini catalog, and a fully articulated Atlas (a heroic Dino-Rider) that serves as its driver.
3. Krulos & Questar (1989)
Tyco released the Krulos and Questar action figures in 1989 as part of the second series of Dino-Riders toys. These action figures are a 2-figures-in-1-pack figure. Although these action figures featured full articulation, exceptional paint jobs, and great attention to detail, they are these high on the list because of their roles in the animated television series.
The animated series depicted Emperor Krulos as the cruel leader of the Rulons who rules them with an iron fist. On the other hand, Questar is the courageous leader of the Valorians who is brave and strong-willed. The opposing characters are perfect embodiments of their races, with Krulos adamant about the world’s domination while Questar just wants to keep his people safe.
2. Tyrannosaurus Rex (1988)
Tyco released the Tyrannosaurus Rex action figure in 1988 as part of the first series of the Dino-Riders toys. This large action figure consists of numerous pieces that would take a lot of time to fix together, and a weapon set that includes an electronic whip, a bazooka, a ladder, a crossbow, a chest shield, and a pair of binoculars. The Tyrannosaurus Rex action figure possesses motorized walking action and a real jaw that opens and closes. The packaging includes a Rulon brain box with a laser gun and Gatling gun laser cannon. The action figure also comes with three fully articulated Rulon evil characters, namely, Krulos, Bitor, and Cobrus, with matching-colored outfits.
The Tyrannosaurus Rex is a Rulon war machine in the animated television series.
1. Brontosaurus (1989)
Tyco released the Brontosaurus action figure in 1989 as part of the second series of the Dino-Riders toys. The 34 inches action figure features motorized walking action and armed with rolling land mines, a working winch with changeable hooks, laser cannons attached to its legs, and a weapon rack that consists of a psyche blade, double barrel rifle, a chest shield, infrared night scope, A.M.P (Amplified Mental Projector), and a rifle harness.
The action figure came with three fully articulated Valorians in Serena, Ayce, and Ion and three prehistoric Rhamphorhynchus Pterosaurs that occupy the landing gears on the Brontosaurus. Also, a mini-comic book accompanies the Brontosaurus in the packaging.
Final Thoughts
The late ’80s and the early 90s proved to be when dinosaurs and prehistoric animals took over the toy market. To join this bandwagon, Tyco successfully created a toy line that merged incredible replicas of Dinosaurs with futuristic humans and humanoids fighting in our past. This toy line and the television series is every kid’s fantasy during the late 80s and early 90s, making for the success this toy line endured.
Do you have old and used Dino-Riders toys?
If you have a collection of old and used toys, you can turn those toys into cash. There is no reason to let those old toys collect dust. Contact us today to sell your Dino-Riders toy collection.
About the author
Author: Chris Ingledue
Contact: email
Bio: I am the founder and owner of Wheeljack’s Lab pop Culture and Toy Shop. My vision has always been to reunite customers with their favorite childhood toys and pop culture, triggering fond memories, and reigniting their imaginations. Every day, I work in the “lab” where it’s Christmas 365 days a year. I scour the internet, like when we had the Sears Catalog of yesteryear, for the next great treasure. Then, I await the arrival of the postman as if he were Santa Claus himself and helping collectors worldwide with their own versions of Christmas. Every day as a vintage toy buyer is an absolute joy!