Zoids Index

Zoids was a Tomy toy product line first produced in the 1980s, and later the line made a comeback in the late 1990s and early 2000s. They are best described as monstrous combat machines in the guise of animals, dinosaurs, or insects. They are represented in toy form as motorized (windup or battery powered) scale models that you assemble yourself. Typically no glue or paint is required, and parts are held in place by friction clamps or Tomy's ingenious rubber caps.

I first encountered Zoids in 1994, at my local Toys R Us. I remember seeing a number of Techno-Zoids imported and repackaged 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 (then) 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 kitbash or "darth") which added a whole new dimension to the hobby. Here are my customs in order of start date:

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.

This is a list of my Zoids, including customs (updated August 2024): 

OJR = Original Japanese Release  (mid to late 1980s)

OER = Original European Release  (mid to late 1980s)

NJR = New Japanese Release    (late 1990s to mid 2000s)

NAR = North American Release   (early to mid 2000s)

RZ = Republic Zoid

EZ = Empire Zoid

Zi = independent Zoid

BZ = Blox (usually non-motorized)

plain text = own but not assembled

italicized bold blue = assembled

underlined = link to detail page 

• • NAR RZ-002 Guysack

• • NJR RZ-008 Gordos     (w/ CP-10 upgrade and custom mount)

• • NAR EZ-011 Hel Digunner

• • NJR EZ-016 Saber Tiger (red body)

• • NJR RZ-019 Double Sworder  

• • NJR Zi-025 Gustav "Moonbay Version"     (green parts painted tan)

• • NAR EZ-044 Zabat

• • NAR RZ-052 Gunblaster (w/ painted spikes and feet)

• • NAR RZ-058 Megaleon

• • NJR EZ-069 Seismosaurus

• • NJR FZ-018 Gairyuki Shin

• • NJR GZ-014 Deadly Kong w/ PowerUp Part B upgrade

• • NJR BZ-MD Matrix Dragon