Review: Mega Bloks Magnext Magna Bones Magna Pterodaktyl and Magna Tri Tops

I am quickly coming the conclusion that Mega Bloks may be the strangest toy company in existence.
Seriously, as I collect toys, I keep coming across products they've made that defy any rational explanation. Why do I keep buying them? Because they're cheap. Really, really cheap. I've started grabbing Mega Bloks toys that look out of place at Toys R Us just to scan them and find out. Take today's review: these weren't labeled as being clearanced. In fact, there was no sign I could find about them at all. But... I don't know. I just had a feeling they'd be marked down to next to nothing.
I was wrong: they were cheaper. These are actually playsets, after a fashion. The idea, if I understand correctly, is that they're suppose to simulate a dinosaur excavation. You dump the bones in an included plastic crate, then pour dirt (also included) over the top. Then you can dig out the magnetic bones and put them together. I assume the dirt gets dumped on your floor or something.
I'm not making any of this up.
You can most likely find these at Toys R Us if you're interested. As with any Mega Bloks merchandise: consult a price scanner before making up your mind.
Seriously, as I collect toys, I keep coming across products they've made that defy any rational explanation. Why do I keep buying them? Because they're cheap. Really, really cheap. I've started grabbing Mega Bloks toys that look out of place at Toys R Us just to scan them and find out. Take today's review: these weren't labeled as being clearanced. In fact, there was no sign I could find about them at all. But... I don't know. I just had a feeling they'd be marked down to next to nothing.
I was wrong: they were cheaper. These are actually playsets, after a fashion. The idea, if I understand correctly, is that they're suppose to simulate a dinosaur excavation. You dump the bones in an included plastic crate, then pour dirt (also included) over the top. Then you can dig out the magnetic bones and put them together. I assume the dirt gets dumped on your floor or something.
I'm not making any of this up.
You can most likely find these at Toys R Us if you're interested. As with any Mega Bloks merchandise: consult a price scanner before making up your mind.
Appearance and Construction:

Pterodaktyl: 3/10
Tri Tops: 5/10
Maybe it's just me, but I kind of think the "Tri Tops" (technically Magna Tri Tops) is cute. He's kind of like a prehistoric puppy. The Magna Pterodaktyl (so named, I presume, because "Pterodactyl" can't be copyrighted), on the other hand, is just butt ugly.
Neither of these are winning any awards, though. While the faux fossilized bone has a good color and texture, the sculpt work is fairly pitiful. In addition, the complex look of the plastic just doesn't work with the simplistic sculpt. The end result on the Tri Tops looks kind of like a weird rock; on the Pterodaktyl (sorry: I mean MAGNA Pterodaktyl), it's more like a weird rock with torn fabric glued on.
Seriously, while there are NUMEROUS issues with how dumb these look, nothing can begin to compete with those "skeletal" wings. On the other hand, the feet and skulls are passable.
Tri Tops: 5/10
Maybe it's just me, but I kind of think the "Tri Tops" (technically Magna Tri Tops) is cute. He's kind of like a prehistoric puppy. The Magna Pterodaktyl (so named, I presume, because "Pterodactyl" can't be copyrighted), on the other hand, is just butt ugly.
Neither of these are winning any awards, though. While the faux fossilized bone has a good color and texture, the sculpt work is fairly pitiful. In addition, the complex look of the plastic just doesn't work with the simplistic sculpt. The end result on the Tri Tops looks kind of like a weird rock; on the Pterodaktyl (sorry: I mean MAGNA Pterodaktyl), it's more like a weird rock with torn fabric glued on.
Seriously, while there are NUMEROUS issues with how dumb these look, nothing can begin to compete with those "skeletal" wings. On the other hand, the feet and skulls are passable.
Packaging and Extras: +1
The packaging looks far more intense and interesting than the toys inside. Here are some photos:
Now, I want to draw your attention to the top of the boxes, where you can see some of the dirt (or sand) these come with, shown displayed proudly over some of the bones. I presume the intent of this was to excite kids at the prospect of digging for dinosaur bones.
I presume what this REALLY did was terrify parents at the idea of this all over their carpets. In fact, I groaned when I first saw this, because, while you can tell that the dirt is separated from the bones by a layer of plastic, I assumed extraction wouldn't be clean or easy. In the end, it turned out I was worried about nothing: they actually did a good job separating the bones from the dirt. |
Besides the worthless dirt contained in the top of the box, you get a bag of the stuff. I want to be clear, though, that this is nowhere near enough to fill the crate or completely bury the bones. Depending on your perspective, that could be a good thing or a bad thing.
Okay, if you know me, you know I wouldn't hand out any bonus points for a bag of dirt. You also probably know I don't buy anything - no matter how cheap - without some sort of reason: a stupid reason, perhaps, but a reason nonetheless. So, here it is: each pack comes with a plastic crate. I don't care about the figures, I originally didn't even want the sand (though it turns out my wife has a use for it in a custom project she's planning: who knew?), but I DID want the crates. I mean, come on: these have unlimited potential. Well, maybe not unlimited, but I can use them in a display. Or a doll can sit on them. The lids, of course, are removable. |
I'm awarding a bonus point for the crates. Even though the "figures" really need something (they are, after all, small and pitiful), the crates are fairly large and well made. I wish they'd left off the stamp on the bottom (see below), but other than that they're pretty cool.
Play and Display:
Pterodaktyl: -1
Tri Tops: -2
Tri Tops: -2
When you make a building set which uses magnets to hold the pieces of a figure together, you do so for one reason and one reason only: because magnets offer an unparalleled range of articulation. Because it's held through the power of magnetism, there's no limit to how the joints can turn.
Why then give us pieces that lock into place? These are barely building sets, containing only a handful of pieces. The packs specify these shouldn't go any kid under 6. I don't think most 6 year-olds are going to feel challenged by a six piece puzzle. |
The Tri tops really has one articulated joint: the head rotates. The Pterodaktyl does a bit better: the wings connect with ball joints, which don't give you much for posing, but they offer a little. In addition, the jaw can open and close, and, like the Tri Tops, the head turns.
Still, the legs are stuck in place (you can pull them off and attach them a sixth of a turn around, but, frankly, there's no point). In addition, while SOME of the pieces are interchangeable, the joints aren't standardized. So, while the legs can be moved between the Tri Tops and Pterodaktyl, the heads can't. Also, believe it or not, the crates have an action feature. Each has a stamp at the bottom, which can be pressed into the sand. You may call it stupid, but I say it's par for the course. I suppose digging through sand counts as a play feature, too. As does vacuuming up the mess. I'm deducting points for the lack of articulation and the fact the pieces aren't interchangeable. They get nothing for the stamps or the dirt. |
Price Tag and Final Analysis:

Pterodaktyl: 3/10
Tri Tops: 4/10
Unless you're in the market for toy crates, I'm afraid I can't offer a glowing recommendation for these things. If, however, you are in the market for a crate - say, for use with Indiana Jones figures or something - then you might just want to head to your local Toys R Us, see if there are any left, and check them using the scanner.
Because, while these may have started around ten or twelve bucks (I don't know for sure: that's extrapolated from Amazon's numbers), I found these going for one dollar each. Plus tax.
I'd say those crates are worth about a buck.
Tri Tops: 4/10
Unless you're in the market for toy crates, I'm afraid I can't offer a glowing recommendation for these things. If, however, you are in the market for a crate - say, for use with Indiana Jones figures or something - then you might just want to head to your local Toys R Us, see if there are any left, and check them using the scanner.
Because, while these may have started around ten or twelve bucks (I don't know for sure: that's extrapolated from Amazon's numbers), I found these going for one dollar each. Plus tax.
I'd say those crates are worth about a buck.
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