Dinosaur Train Extreme InterAction Alvin Allosaurus Figure

I was browsing through the online site of Smyth's toy store a while ago for Walking with Dinosaurs toys, but unfortunately to no luck. So I resorted to picking up Troodon and Scowler from Amazon, and luckily finding Gorgon and Patchi as half price in Toys R Us. They've been reviewed previously. Upon looking through my search, I did see they had the Dinosaur Train Extreme InetrAction Alvin Allosaurus figure on sale as well. I was thrilled to bits. A new Dinosaur Train toy released in the UK! And it's one I've been really wanting, too! I waited eagerly like a kid on Christmas day for Alvin to arrive, and as expected, he did not disappoint.

Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you, the first review on the Friendly Barghest toy blog to also have a video demonstration! I hope you'll enjoy! Please scroll to the end of the review to watch the video.

Alvin is an Allosaurus, a theropod dinosaur from the Jurassic time period. When I was little, I always had the impression that Allosaurus was like a sidekick to the bigger, more powerful Tyrannosaurus rex. In reality, Allosaurus was the T. rex of the Jurassic and the top predator of the time. Definitely no wimpy sidekick like I thought as a child.

Alvin is the first UK release in the Dinosaur Train InterAction series to be an 'Extreme' InterAction figure. These figures are somewhat different to the regular InterAction figures in the fact that the Extreme InterAction figures can move on their own. In this case, press a button on Alvin's back for him to crouch down and jump. It's a simple, but very cool feature! Just a warning, when he talks and interacts with other figures, he sometimes decides to jump on his own, without you pressing the button! Make sure he has plenty of room to jump and isn't on the edge of a table, or stairs as I discovered! (The stairs have the best lighting in my house, hence why pretty much all my reviews are made there.)

Alvin, like the last Dinosaur Train toy I reviewed (Mr. Conductor Troodon) has a hinged jaw which adds an extra bit of fun, great for a little puppetry to match the words when he talks! Pressing the button on his head, as well as opening his jaw, also makes him talk. He says over 50 different phrases according to the box. Below is a list of phrases I've experienced him saying: (Note: more will be added soon as I squeeze more phrases out of him.)

"Hi! I'm Alvin! Press any of my Dinosaur Train friends to hear us talk!"
"I'm an Allosaurus!"
"I'm going to protect my territory! ROAR!"
"I weigh two and a half tons!
"Watch your ole' tail, Mr. Spikes!" (He's talking about Morris Stegosaurus!)

Unlike other Dinosaur Train InterAction figures that were previously released in the UK, Alvin has no 'off' button or a demo mode. For a moment I got worried that he might randomly talk when I don't want him to, like when I'm trying to sleep. Fear not, Alvin goes to sleep after a while and will not bother you. He can be reactivated again by pressing the button on his neck. Instead of demo mode and the off button, these have been replaced by a Spanish speaking option, and an option for just SFX sound effects, no talking. Just roaring. A decent alternative for young children or children who do not speak neither English nor Spanish.

Apart from the hinged jaw and the ability to jump, my favourite thing about Alvin Allosaurus is his crazily awesome colour scheme. Purple, blue, orange and yellow! It's just brilliant and unique. Some people may find it unnatural, but this is what makes the InterAction figures to me special. The unique and colourful paint schemes. I personally love it. Not to mention Alvin is also flawlessly painted and excellent quality. Something to please the collectors. And something else to please parents, Alvin is also very durable.

I love Alvin Allosaurus, and I hope you will too. He's my absolute favourite InterAction figure. Even surpassing my previous favourite Mr. Conductor Troodon. He's a brilliant toy and I know many children are going to adore him this Christmas. I know it's early, but trust me. He'll be a big hit! Well done to TOMY for making yet another impressive toy!

Alvin Allosaurus can currently be bought in Smyth's and Argos as well as online. I expect him to be stocked in other UK toy shops soon as well.

Enjoy the demonstration with Alvin Allosaurus interacting with Mr. Conductor Troodon, Buddy T Rex, Tiny Pteranodon, Tank Triceratops, Morris Stegosaurus, Ned Brachiosaurus and Boris Tyrannosaurus! Since this video, I also now own King Cryolophosaurus and soon to be Mr. Quetzalcoatlus. Check out the blog again soon for more Dinosaur Train toy reviews as well as other toys and models! Thank you! :)