General Information:
Release Date: July 2021
Price Point: $9.99 (depending on retailer)
Retailer: General Release (Amazon, Target, Walmart etc.)
Accessories: Tail/Sword
Official images and text below in italics are from Amazon.com:
- DISCOVER KINGDOM: Worlds collide when the Maximals and Predacons join the fight, coming together with the Autobots and Decepticons in an epic battle that will alter their destiny forever
- BEASTIFY THE BATTLEFIELD: Unleash the primal power of the beasts with this Maximal dracorex fossil character, called Dracodon! Figure features the skeletal form of a dracorex
- 3.5-INCH CORE CLASS SCALE: This Dracodon figure stands at Core Class scale! The 3.5-inch mini-figure allows fans to collect a mini dinosaur toy!
- EPIC BEAST MODE: This Core Class Maximal fossil toy converts between raptor fossil mode and robot fossil mode in 14 steps
- COOL BONE WEAPON: Pull off the tail in dracorex mode and use in robot mode as a cool bone weapon!
Beastify the battlefield! Worlds collide when the Maximals and Predacons join the fight, coming together with the Autobots and Decepticons in an epic battle that will alter their destiny forever. Primal power floods the battlefield as the fierce beast modes of the Maximals and Predacons are unleashed! Unleash the primal power of the beasts with this Maximal dracorex fossil character, called Dracodon! Figure features the skeletal form of a dracorex and stands at the new Core Class scale! The 3.5-inch mini-figure allows fans to collect a mini dinosaur toy! This Core Class Maximal fossil toy converts between dracorex fossil mode and robot fossil mode in 14 steps. Pull off the tail in dracorex mode and use in robot mode as a cool bone weapon! Transformers and all related characters are trademarks of Hasbro.
In Summer of 2021 a pair of new Core Class figures was released. Along with the awesome Soundwave figure, fans could also purchase Dracodon. Dracodon is a redeco of Vertebreak from the first wave of Kingdom figures. This review will focus on the changes made to the sculpt for this release.
Packaging:
The Core Class is now the only class of figures in Kingdom that are carded with a traditional clear bubble on top of a card. The card itself features gorgeous artwork showing Dracodon in beast mode. This is a repaint of Vertebreak's artwork. Dracodon's name is printed vertically on the left side while the now familiar vertical Transformers logo is on the right. The insert features the Kingdom logo set at an angle. Right under that is a small image of the Ark on top of an erupting volcano. The artwork is all in a beautiful painted style that evokes the G1/Beast Wars era of packaging.
The back of the card features Dracodon in both modes and a modern Maximal symbol towards the top. This one has a few more details added in compared to the 90's version. A Transformers logo is found at the top with the classic "More than Meets the Eye" tag line under it. Dracodon stands on top of graphics that look like a portal which likely plays a role in the story idea of having G1 and Beast Wars characters mix.
Robot Mode:
In heavy contrast to the dark tones of Vertebreak's color scheme, the folks at Hasbro decided to go wild with Dracodon. Instead of looking like a skeleton that has been dug up from the Earth, this looks like something that has been marinating in toxic waste! Dracodon is mostly a bright neon green color. Paint details are done in a nice bright, metallic gold color. I really love the way the gold is laid out on the figure going from the head to the chest to the waist panel. The gold pops really nicely against the green color (which was unexpected). Additional details include metallic blue on the eyes and a red Maximal symbol on the chest. The colors are simple but they look fantastic in a retro 90's sort of way.
All the joints on my copy of this figure are still nice and tight. No worries about quality control from my copy of this figure.
Transformation to Beast Mode:
- Detach the sword and set it aside for now.
- Straighten out the arms and legs.
- Swing the back panel out.
- Push the robot head back, which will push the beast mode head forward.
- Swing the beast mode head up and swing the chest panel piece back.
- Swing the back panel back into place.
- Swing the robot arms inward.
- Swing the legs up and bend them at the knees.
- Attach the tail to the back.
Beast Mode:
Like the robot mode this form is mostly a bright neon green color. The top of the head and the claws ont he feet are painted gold and that's it. Personally I would have loved a bit of gold paint brushed onto some of the other bones, but to be fair that would have been a bit much to expect for a Core Class figure.
Final Thoughts:
While Vertebreak leaned towards being a bit more "realistic" in color, this figure is a wonderful celebration of the sillier side of action figures. I really liked Vertebreak and I like this release as well. Recommended!
Pros:
- Very interesting and uncommon design in both modes.
- Beautiful sculpting.
- Good articulation.
- A really unusual and fun deco.
Cons:
- Could use a bit more paint here and there to help bring out the details.
