I first encountered Zoids in 1994, in my local Toys R Us. I remember seeing a number of Techno-Zoids by Kenner, including Evil Scorpion, Armored Gator, Iron Kong, and Battlesaurus. The colors on most of them were garish, however I bought the black and blue Evil Scorpion because it caught my eye and was affordable. After I built it I wanted more. I went back to get the Battlesaurus but all the Techno-Zoids were gone. I would not see another Zoid for many years...
In late 1998 (before Zoids were being re-issued) I was looking in Jerry Dreiss's "Zoids: The Coolest Toys Ever!" web page in the Trading Post section. For my 40th birthday I was able to secure a Zoids 2 Ultrasaurus, shipped all the way from Singapore to California.
I also recall looking wistfully in the Customs area and seeing the winged Centaur Zoid made up from a Gojulas, Ultrasaurus, Gordos, and Pteramander. I remember thinking to myself, "Who would be crazy enough to cut up such hard-to-find (and expensive) masterpieces of engineering?".
I eventually receive my Zoids 2 Ultrasaurus and casually inspect it, then pack it away to save it for a special occasion. A little later I discovered eBay and got a few more hard-won Zoids.
In late 1999 Tomy begins to re-release some old designs and plans some new designs as well. Over the next few years we see many favorites and some new ones as well. Some are even available in the United States via Hasbro. My meager Zoids collection swells to over 40 items and continues to grow. My nine year old son acquires my fascination with Zoids.
In June of 2003 I decided it was time to treat myself and assemble my 40th birthday present, albeit 4 years late. I found it was missing a sprue of parts, so my Zoids 2 Ultrasaurus eventually became the basis for my first custom (or "darth") which added a whole new dimension to the hobby. Here are my customs in order of successful completion:
In late 2005 I was able to install insulation and wallboard
in the
storage loft of my house, which allowed me to add shelves to better
store my family's accumulated stuff. This also opened up some space for
display shelves. In mid 2006 I was able to take my Zoids out of storage
and display them.
shelf 1, shelf 2, shelf 3, shelf 4, shelf 5, shelf 6, shelf 7 |
This is a list of my Zoids, including customs (updated June 30,
2007):
(CP-03
included)
(with
custom CPC)
(chrome parts painted)
(w/ CP-10 and custom mount)
(green parts painted tan)
(w/ painted spikes and feet)
(motorized)
(w/ CP-10)
(w/ CP-09)
(yellow parts painted satin red)
on Liger Zero X w/ modified missile/gun
mount
(w/ custom CP-15)
(painted and modified)
(from Japanese Zoids Fan Mag)
(modified) (from Japanese Zoids
Fan Mag)