Zoids 2 - Prerelease

"This article focuses on the 1998 prerelease Zoids2 line sold in Asia. For information on the original Zoids2 line sold in Europe, see Zoids2."

In 1998 Tomy began testing the market to gauge possible interest in a re-introduction of the Zoids line. They began in March by offering re-releases of Darkhorn and Deadborder but in October they went a step further and re-issued select models from Europe's Zoids2 line at the Tokyo Hobby Show. Though packaged in boxes identical to those of their predecessors, the re-issued Zoids2 kits all show subtle differences in colouration and as such are easy to tell apart.

The Models

The Red Team has been cut to 5 models:
* Slither (Molga)
*Hellrunner (Marder)
*Stego (Gorhecks)
*Demon Lizard (Heldigunner)
*Raptor (Arosaurer - unconfirmed release)

The Gold Team has been cut to 5 models:
*Aquazoid (Aquadon)
*Tarantulon (Gargantulus)
*Redhorn (Black Rhimos)
*Red Wing (Reddra)
*Cruncher (Bear Fighter - unconfirmed release)

The Differences

SlitherNon-chromed armour is silver on the original but flat gray on the reissue. It can be found with a silver, black or (more unusually) translucent smoke-coloured head.

AquazoidThe original has a turquoise body and orange cockpit glass while the reissue has a blue body and maroon cockpit glass.

TarantulonCockpit glass is translucent grey on the original but translucent maroon on the reissue.

HellrunnerThe original has either a black or silver head but the reissue only has flat gray.

Raptor (unconfirmed release)The original has silver arms and legs while the reissue is believed to have gray arms and legs.

Demon LizardLegs/tail are gray on the original but black on the reissue.

RedhornThe original has a pinkish-red body and silver guns while the reissue has a blood-red body and flat gray guns.

RedwingThe original has a dark grey inner body and silver legs while the reissue has a black inner body and flat gray legs.

StegoStrips of armour are silver on the original but flat gray on the reissue.

Cruncher (Unconfirmed release)No visible differences.

External links

Official Sites

* [http://www.tomy.co.jp/zoids/ Tomy's Zoids Page]
* [http://zoids.hasbro.com/ Hasbro's Zoids Page]

Information

* [http://www.bloodforthebaron.com/Blood/Zoids/Index.html Blood For The Baron!!!] Marvel UK Zoids comic scans
* [http://kryptotoyz.com/goj/ Gojulas' Lair (Fan site with vintage collection photos)]
* [http://www.creativeinsanity.net/zoids Tilly's Zoids Page]
* [http://perso.orange.fr/Ultrasaurus.Red/index.html Lionel's website, info and pics of rare and unreleased items]