The Switch & Go 3-in-1 Rescue Rex Combines Robots, Rescue, and Roar-some Fun

What’s better than a dinosaur toy? How about a dinosaur toy that is also a transforming robot … and can turn into three separate rescue vehicles?

That’s the idea behind VTech’s new 3-in-1 Rescue Rex, the latest addition to its line of Switch & Go transforming toys. Designed for kids ages 4 and up, this toy gets its name because it includes three rescue vehicles: a police car, a helicopter, and a fire truck. With a few steps, each of these vehicles also transforms into a part of a dinosaur. The police car becomes the head, the helicopter becomes the body, and the fire truck becomes the legs.

While the vehicles each have some distinct dinosaur features in their vehicle forms (most police cars don’t have mouths and teeth), this adds a fun element to their imaginative play potential. The multi-vehicle situation is ideal for creating more elaborate play scenarios, or for multiple kids to enjoy playing together. When in its dino form, though, this toy is truly its most impressive. It measures in at 20 inches when assembled, sure to tower above most of the other playroom offerings.

I also haven’t touched on the lights and sounds, housed in the police car-slash-dino-head. This piece features a square screen that displays a driver when it’s a car and dinosaur eyes when it’s part of the fearsome T. rex. It also emits a wide assortment of corresponding sound effects, and lights when kids press the siren buttons, adding another level of fun and interactivity. The piece automatically detects which mode it’s in, and there’s even an off switch for quieter play!

The process of transforming and combining the pieces is a bit complex, and the included instructions, which are fairly small, black-and-white line drawings, definitely feel like they are more geared toward adults than children. Parents should expect to play an active role in helping take the toys from vehicle to dino and back, especially for younger kids and especially the first few times kids play. However, encouraging kids to help with steps in the transformation process is a great way to help develop their fine motor skills.

Combining the three pieces into one dino was, in my experience, a bit difficult to figure out the first time. The instructions give a general sense of where they should interlock, but it took me a bit longer than I expected. The trick to easily combine the three pieces to create the massive T. rex is finding the small set of points (sort of like pegs) and corresponding hinges. Lining those up and snapping them together will ensure a quick assembly.

Overall, this toy is sure to be a hit with kids who love to pretend dinosaurs are attacking, are ready to save the day from a dinosaur attack, or both!