"Dino-Riders" was a series of toys manufactured by Tyco Industries, Inc. and accompanying cartoon series that focused on the battle between the heroic Valorians and evil Rulons on prehistoric Earth. The Valorians befriended dinosaurs whilst the Rulons brain-washed them. Produced beginning in 1988, there were four series of Dino-Riders toys: Series 1 (released in 1988), Series 2 (released in 1989), Series 3 and Ice Age (both released in 1990). The larger toys in the line had motorized walking action w/the dinosaurs head swaying from side to side. Each Rulon faction toy came w/a different self-automated trap. The dinosaurs were acclaimed for their highly detailed bodies/color and impressed the Smithsonian Institution who contacted Tyco to reproduce the dinosaurs for their "Dinosaur And Other Prehistoric Reptile Collection." The first series of toys consisted of five Valorian and six Rulon toys and eight two-figure packs. A sixth Valorian toy, Torosaurus, was released at the end of the first series. Offered here is Tyrannosaurus Rex, the biggest dinosaur toy produced in the first series. Battery-operated, it walks forward and its fearsome jaws open and close. The toy comes w/figures of Krulos (the Rulon leader), Bitor and Cobrus as well as "Full Battle Accessories" that consisted of armor and weapons that could be placed on the dinosaur, effectively turning it into a walking battle station. This toy was the highlight of the first series of toys. Toy comes sealed in its original 14x22x10" deep box, which in turn remains packaged in its original cardboard shipping sleeve. Sleeve has some writing on it. Box remains Exc. w/contents Mint as sealed. From the personal collection of Lee
Volpe, Tyco Toy’s Manager, Director, and VP of New Product Development (1982
–1994) who was involved from the beginning of the development of Dino-Riders,
Garfield telephones and several other Tyco toys.