Toys - Dinosaurs (Knock-Offs)

Over the past several years, imitation Dino-Rider toys have surfaced. Unlike a lot of other toy imitations, these knock-offs look remarkably similar to the real versions. However, some of them show poor craftsmanship that separates them from the real ones. For example, on some of the knock-offs, the screws that attach the legs to the body are clearly visible. Another distinguishing feature of the knock-offs is that they did not come with any accessories or figures. They do however, have battery operated features like the real ones. The knock-offs walk, roar and their eyes light up red. When I first put this section together, not much was known about the knock-offs. But as time went on, people started contributing information and I was able to acquire most of them on the internet. There are several different varieties, each under a different "brand" name. Thanks to your contributions, here are the known knock-offs:

Stegosaurus	Torosaurus	Brontosaurus

* * * *

"Tek Toys" Line

The knock-offs made by "Tek Toys" are not as detailed and don't look as close to the real toys as the other knock-offs. These pieces look a little more childish overall and not really up to the "scientifically accurate" standard set by the original Dino-Rider toys and closely imitated by the above knock-offs. Unlike the other knock-offs, these toys only use one AA battery. They do not give off a roaring sound but they do walk and their eyes blink. Their mouths also move while they walk.

* * * *

Motorized "Epoch" Dinosaurs

There are a lot of motorized dinosaur toys in the "Epoch" toy series. Most of the toys are knock-offs of Jurassic Park. However, some of them are knock-offs of the characters in Disney's "Dinosaur" movie and a case can be made that some of them imitate Dino-Riders. This is especially the case with Epoch's Brachiosaurus, which has a very similar look to the Dino-Rider Diplodocus. All of the dinosaurs in the Epoch series walk, roar, and their eyes light up just like the other knock-offs. Most of the toys are cheaply made and therefore don't really look accurate enough to fit in with the real Dino-Riders, except for maybe the Parasaurolophus.

Brachiosaurus

If you own any knock-offs or see them somewhere or have any other information, please send me an e-mail.