Dino Run takes place during the Mesozoic era (presumably the end of the Cretaceous period), and as a result, there are no humans and early mammals were still rat sized. Instead the cast of playable and non-playable characters consists of dinosaurs and other prehistoric animals. Note that many of the creatures in Dino Run never coexisted in real life (you're not going to find a T-rex and a Stegosaurus in the same rock layers since both genera were separated by about 80 million years). This anachronism can be ignored however as Dino Run is a fictional game in which an indeterminate dromaeosaur can outrun a pyroclastic flow.
Dinosaurs[]
The dinosaurs/prehistoric reptiles in Dino Run include but are not limited to:
Raptor - This is you, an indeterminate genus of dromaeosaur that is controlled by the player. It's unknown what the raptor actually is, but chances are, it's a generic Velociraptor (hence the nickname "raptor", which was popularized by the Velociraptors of Jurassic Park). All of them are cunning, agile. voracious fast predators with sharp claws, serrated teeth and especially their distinctive large toe-claw used to inflict serious puncture wounds on prey or rivals in combat. The Velociraptor is confirmed to have feathered bodies.
While there are other Raptor NPCs they only appear at the end of levels as non-interactive background sprites.
It is a possibility that the Raptor could be a similar species like the Deinonychus or the larger Utahraptor- if you count the accurate size by comparing it to their other dinos in-game, for example. The real life Velociraptor grew to 4-6 feet in length (1-2 meters), and their name translates to "fast thief".
Stegosaurus - A genus of thyreophoran dinosaur, distantly related to the Ankylosaurus. In-game, they act as a mild obstacle to the player and a clumsy nuisance, supported that they have the smallest brain among dinosaurs. If you were wondering, their spiky tails can't poke you. They are 23 feet in length (7 meters), and their name means "roof-lizard".
Parasaurolophus - A genus of ornithopod and hadrosaurid (both bird-footed and duck bills) dinosaur, and one of the 3 ornithopods in Dino Run (the others being Iguanodon and Olorotitan even though they only appears as super eggs). They can be an obstacle for the player depending on spawn rate or difficulty, but can be ridden for several seconds if the player jumps onto their backs, granting them a speed boost and double-jump ability. Riding them for too long or too fast will make them kick you off. Be very cautious when they come in large numbers as enough of them may bury you in a hole just for the Wall of Doom to take you. They are 31 feet in length (9.4 meters), and their name means "near crested lizard".
Triceratops - The only genus of ceratopsian (horned dinosaur) in Dino Run. These bulky herbivores act as a mild obstacle for the player, and will charge if provoked. Thankfully their horns won't hurt you like a red pterodactyl. A herd of them can be found manifesting in a long partially dried up river. They are 26-30 feet in length (8-9 meters), and their name means "three-horned face".
T.rex skeleton.
Tyrannosaurus Rex - A genus of large theropod (beast-footed dinosaur); it is only seen in-game as a skeleton from which the player can gain points. A T-Rex superegg can be found in the game. A living Tyrannosaurus briefly appears at the end of the Dino Run 2 trailer. Like the Raptor, T-Rex is also one of the most famous dinosaurs, earning it's position as apex predator of North America and had a bone crushing bite that shattered even the thickest sauropod bones. These mighty giant carnivores are 40 feet in length (12.3 meters), and their name unmistakably means "tyrant-lizard king".
Sauropod(s) - Multi genus of sauropods (long-necked dinosaurs) appear in Dino Run. None of them have been officially identified, but due to Dino Run's anachronism, the sauropod roster probably features sauropods from the Jurassic period, such as Diplodocus and Brachiosaurus. A gigantic sauropod skeleton appears in the "Meteor Meltdown" level, however it's identity is unknown.
Pterodactyls (generic pterosaurs) - An indeterminate genus of pterosaur that flies over each level. Normal ones can grab the player with their feet (which is inaccurate) and transport them for a few seconds before dropping them (the "Dactyl Chain" achievement can be obtained by jumping from one pterosaur to another). They also drop eggs that have more value than regulars but these are tricky to catch as they drop them high above the ground, offscreen. Red Hot/Burning Dactyls will fly low to the ground and towards the player. These are a real threat to players. Unless the player jumps over or crouches underneath them (or have rage active), the player will be repeatedly knocked back until they either get out of the way, or are pushed into the Wall of Doom. This punishment can be negated with the strength power up. They have a wingspan of 3.5 feet (1 meter) and their name translates to "winged finger".
Ankylosaurus - A genus of thyreophoran dinosaur, distantly related to the Stegosaurus, covered in very hard plated skin and a huge tail club for protection. They primarily act as a background character in Dino Run in a rocky pit, and are incapable of moving. This living tank grows to 20-26 feet in length (6-8 meters) and their name means "fused-lizard".
Critters[]
Critters give your Dino points when eaten. They also give you Bones, DNA (1 for every 8 Lizards) and a small speed boost, birds give a slight bit more.
Runners - 50pts
Green Lizards - 100pts
Brown Lizards -150pts
Purple Lizards - 250pts
Birds - 200pts
Fish - 50pts
Worms - 50pts
Lizards[]
Lizards are fairly common and can be brown, green, or purple. They can also be tricky to catch if you are slow, as they can jump and are more fast-paced than runners.
A swarm of lizards in a dino sanctuary.
Runners[]
Runners are the main food source of the game. They are small, brown, and box-shaped. Runners can also jump.
A Runner swarm in a dino sanctuary.
Fish[]
These aquatic critters are found in ponds and shallow pools. They will occasionally leap out of the water.
Birds[]
White birds can be found on top on many things such as cliffs, boulders, branches, etc. They will fly away when you come near, so the player usually has to jump to catch one. Eating one gives you a slightly faster boost than other critters.
Worms[]
A surfaced worm.
Worms can often be found tunneling in the ground. They will surface every few seconds, during which time they can be eaten.
Other Creatures[]
Pterodactylus[]
The player can jump up and be carried by these flying creatures. You can eat critters while in the air, but hitting a meteor, any loose object or a dino will make you fall. Dactyl Chaining is required to get all gold trophies. Again from earlier, they have a chance to drop an egg with more value than normal ones. The name means "winged tooth".
Red-Hot Pterodactylus[]
These Pterodactyls fly low, and towards the player. They are red hot, so when you hit one it will force you back. You need to jump or duck to avoid them.
PixelJam Mascot[]
A close-up of the PixelJam mascot as seen in-game.
The PixelJam mascot, referred to in-game as the "Little Green Dude", can be found in Apocalypse (on Easy difficulty) or Level 6 (on Medium on higher) down inside a magma pocket (the part right before you encounter the sauropod skeleton). Collecting him will earn the player a trophy, and a Steam achievement in Dino Run DX.
Gallery[]
