Article Number

RV0034

Author

Mechaworx

Toy Line

D.I.C.E. DNA Integrated Cybernetic Enterprises.

Manufacturer

Bandai America

Once again, thanks to Bandai America for sending us the very cool Motoraptor! A Machine Runner vehicle from the second wave of D.I.C.E. toys scheduled for release in June 2005. The Machine Runner Motoraptor is one of 3 Machine Runner vehicles in the DICE F-99 lineup and are part of the Dinobreakers arsenal. The others are Motostinger and Mototyranno.

I will assume that these three vehicles are known as Machine Runner vehicles because they walk on two legs while in dino mode. Other Dinobreaker vehicles include the Machine Attacker Vehicles and Machine Defender Vehicles making nine vehicles total.

The D.I.C.E. Story

D.I.C.E. stands for DNA Integrated Cybernetic Enterprises and is a large organization assigned the task of protecting the Sarbylion galaxy. DICE F-99 is made up almost entirely of children and when there is a problem, when evil needs to be vanquished then it's D.I.C.E. to the rescue!! If they can't solve the problems themselves then they can rely on their Dinobreakers, dinosaur-type vehicles to help out. These Dinobreakers can transform from vehicle to dino mode and are pilotted by the D.I.C.E. members.

The Packaging

As in the packaging for the 4.5 inch D.I.C.E. figures, Motoraptor comes in the same style bubble packaging already transformed into dino mode. The card backing features other vehicles (or Dinobreakers) from the second wave of toys. All the Dinobreakers are designed to work with the 4.5 inch D.I.C.E. action figures.

The Figure in Dino-Mode

Motoraptor's overall length from the tip of the nose to the tip of the tail is approximately 12 - 14 inches long. While entirely constructed of plastic, I am happy to say that it is of good quality and the figure actually has some heft to it. Motoraptor can actually be positioned in a number of different poses due to very cool points of articulation in the head, jaws, neck, small arms, hip joints and ankle joints. Not only that but most of the joints are "clicky-joints" which allow Motoraptor to hold it's position.

There are very nice painted details throughout the figure especially the fine details in the head with painted teeth and eyes. There's even - for lack of a better word - a "crest" that can be pulled out of the top of the head that's on a hinge. The tail is in two sections which allow you to lengthen or shorten the tail to your liking.

But what's a vehicle without a pilot? Fortunately, I just so happen to have the Gild Hero Tak Carter figure which Bandai America supplied for a previous review and is also scheduled for release in June 2005. Unfortunately Motoraptor is not Tak Carter's Dinobreaker. Tak's Dinobreaker is Dimetrover, a Dimbetrodon dinosaur. Motoraptor's pilot is Jet Seigel but since we are in a pinch and Tak is a 4.5 inch D.I.C.E. action figure, he will have to do.

Playability

When the figure is added to Motoraptor it seems that the two were made for each other. I assumed that Motoraptor would have a hard time staying balanced and upright when the figure is added but this isn't the case. Even with Tak riding in the seat, I was pleased to see that Motoraptor could still be posed in many different positions without falling over.

Since I'm using Tak Carter, I wanted to pose Motoraptor not only with the action figure but also with the figure's accessories. As you can see, this adds an extra level of play to both toys. One can imagine Motoraptor makng a mighty roar as he and pilot rush off to battle evil in the far off Sarbylion Galaxy.

Vehicle Mode

Transformation of Motoraptor from dino mode to vehicle mode is quite easy. Even if you get stuck there are detailed instructions for step-by-step transformation. Motoraptor can transform into a motorcycle which a 4.5 inch figure can also ride upon. The tires are just fat enough for the Motoraptor in vehicle mode to stay upright in order for you to roll it across the floor. In addition the handlebars swivel slightly both in dino and vehicle modes.

Conclusions

The only downside I see is that there should be a place on the vehicle to position or store the 4.5 inch action figure's accessories. If one plays with the vehicle and a figure together there may come a time where the figure's accessories may go missing. Despite this, these toys are very impressive.

Motoraptor is just one of 9 Dinobreakers for the D.I.C.E. toy line. In addition to Motoraptor for this review, we've reviewed one 4.5 inch D.I.C.E. action figure and I gotta say that these are very substantial toys. They are made of good quality stuff. It says on the packaging "For Ages 4 and Up". Well, I can tell you I feel that these toys are definately worthy of my toy collection and I'm a grown-up!!

You can view D.I.C.E. on the Cartoon Network at 6:00 am on Saturdays. To view more toys scheduled for the June 2005 release check D.I.C.E. in the toy database.

Gerry