Transformers: Dinobots
In 2003, Wal*Mart stores got an exclusive Transformers sub-line named "Dinobots", consisting of six redecoed Beast Wars era molds, split into three two-packs. Each set contained a Deluxe-level toy and a Basic, but was sold for only $10, the price of a standard Deluxe. Every toy in the line was an Autobot by allegiance.
It is unknown what "universe", if any, the Dinobots line belongs to. Most fans place them in the "catch-all" Universe series, and 3H had plans to include them in the Universe comic series in future installments, but those never materialized. As such, the relationships between the Dinobots and their namesakes in other series is conjecture at best.
The Dinobots sets were...
- Grimlock and Terrantron
- Snarl and Sludge
- Triceradon and Slapper
Toy Specific Notes:
- Grimlock was a recolor of the original Beast Wars Dinobot mold, or to be more specific, the first recolor of that mold, also named Grimlock. This is evident from the indent left on the chest where the heat activated faction symbol was present on the first Grimlock recolor.
Also, the sword contained within the tail was shortened and made of rubbery plastic to comply with safety standards.
This mold has since been reused again for Beast Wars 10th Anniversary Dinobot.
- Terranotron was also released under the name Swoop, with the name change coming in the later waves that shipped. The toy itself is a recolor of the Lazorbeak mold, complete with indent from missing heat symbol and missing Terrorsaur's tabs to hold the gun in place behind the robot head.
The mold is presumed to be too degraded to be reused, given Terrorsaurs omission from the Beast Wars 10th Anniversary line.
- Snarl is a recolor of the Japanese Beast Wars Neo line's Saberback, as well as coming after the prior Beast Machines Dinobot recolor of the same mold titled Striker.
This mold was again recolored into the Transformers Universe figure Dinobot Striker.
- Sludge is the first Western release and recolor of the Japanese Beast Wars Neo figure Sling.
- It is a mystery as to why Triceradon was not named Slag, but there might have been the possibility of trademark problems, and Hasbro fell back on the Triceradon name used on an earlier recolor of the mold from Beast Machines Dinobots.
The figure's mold originally came from the Japanese Beast Wars Neo line, named Guiledart. The mold was reused once more for the Transformers Universe figure Dinobot Triceradon.
- Slapper is the second figure in this set to be the first Western release of its mold. It is recolor of the Beast Wars Neo figure Bazooka.
At first release, there was some mild displeasure at the name picked for this Dinobot, as it was previously held by a doofus frog in the Robots In Disguise/Car Robots series, and seemed out of place.
