Toy Fair 2005: A to Z
By Staff -- Playthings, 2/20/2005 7:01:00 AM
A- D // E - H // I - L // M - Q // R - V // W- Z
R - V
Radical gaming
Radica Games, Dallas, has a bevy of electronic games to show for fall.
Electronic Spoons ($19.99), a bobblehead waitress presides over the gameboard as players try to get four of a kind and snap up a spoon. Along with Skannerz Racerz ($19.99) is to collect all 120 vehicles, including dragsters, hot rods, motorcycles and monster trucks, then trade, customize and race them.
Slots fans will think they are at the casino with Big Screen Slot ($19.99). The Vegas-style action includes five wheels, four games and a bonus round.
On tap with off-road
Scaled down for preteen off-road adventures, the Dirt Rocket MX350 Electric Motorcross Bike by Razor USA, Cerritos, Calif., can go more than 10 miles and up to 12 mph in controlled riding environments ($229.99).
For older riders the Super Chopper Electric Motorcycle is a souped up version of Razor’s Mini Chopper. It can go up to 17 mph with 45 minutes of drive time on a single charge ($229.99).
Experienced riders ages six and up can get their kicks with the Pro Model kick scooter, the aircraft grade aluminum scooter ($59.99).
Much in store
RC2, Oak Brook, Ill., building upon the success of Bob the Builder, is launching Take Along Bob the Builder Playsets and Take Along Bob the Builder Vehicles with faces in the likeness of Scoop, Lofty, Trix and other characters from the show.
To commemorate Thomas & Friends’ 60th anniversary, there will be new characters and destinations. Featured toys include Scented Culdee & Apple Orchard Cars, a special edition Henry engine and Smelting Yard (pictured), a new place on Sodor.
Taking things outdoors, the John Deere line will see the addition of new playsets—Shearing Shed and Dairy Farm, ride-ons—Sit ‘n’ Scooter Activity Tractor and All-Purpose Tricycle. A gardening line adds a kid-level planting table; Bug Exploration Gloves, for inspecting critters without having to touch them; and a gardening tool set.
Entering the fashion doll category, RC2 releases Earth 2 Jane doll and accessory collections, including a karaoke set.
Highlights in the Lamaze line include Flower Chimes and Play and Grow Giraffe. With the acquisition of The First Years brand, RC2 offers a line of Finding Nemo bath accessories and care/safety products, such as Hug & Heal Bunny and Soothies Pacifiers.
In the collectibles arena, the Johnny Lightning brand now includes C.A.R.S. (Classic Authentic Replicas), Street Freaks and Pop Culture diecast cars. Under the JoyRide Vehicles umbrella are Trends Custom Vehicles, Orange County Choppers and an extensive James Bond diecast program.
The Memory Lane brand features an assortment of figures and playsets from classic holiday television shows, including Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Santa Claus is Coming to Town, and Charlie Brown’s Christmas.
Finally, the Press Pass line of trading cards/sports memorabilia will include Chase for the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Collectible Tin, Fullmetal Alchemist card game and Yu-Gi-Oh! Orbz collectible marbles.
Bells are ringing
Rhythm Band Instruments, Fort Worth, Texas, lets kids make beautiful music with the combined 8-Note Handbells/Deskbells. A special mechanism not only lets the bells be played either by pushing the button or by hand ringing, but also helps to reduce the “double ringing” effect when playing melodies.
Prehistoric play
Safari, Miami, takes a trip back in time with the Oviraptor, a new addition to its Carnegie Institute Dinosaur Collection of replicas. Safari’s scale model is 7-inches long and is detailed with the collaboration of the paleontologists from the Carnegie Institute.
The company is also adding four new themes to its Real Life in Miniature TOOBS line. The replicas are packaged in reusable acetate tubes complete with a spinning world cap for added play value. The four new themes include: exotic birds, rainforest, pirates and Egyptian.
A whole lot of action
SaiZon, Montreal, the exclusive importers and distributors of Stikfas Action Figures in North America, will unveil several new action figures kits including a hockey player, fairy and pirate. Available in two new colors, fuchsia and teal, the Ice Hockey pack comes complete with G2 Alpha Male figure, body armor and hockey kit. The Pirate kit features a red Alpha Male figure together with a new body shape in the form of a skeleton. Accessories include a parrot, peg leg, pistol, hook hand and more. The Fairy kit features a Beta Female figure in beige and green and comes with wings, monster smashing hammer, alternative hair piece and wand.
Fit for a princess
Scratch Art Co., Avon, Mass., is introducing Scratch Magic Princess activity kits to help every little princess express her creative side. The collection includes: Princess Press & Paint Set, Princess Scratch & Sparkle Magic Drawing Kit, Princess Mini Notes, Princess Jewelry Box Kit, and Scratch & Sparkle Pink Glitter Board Kit. These products range in price from $1.39 to $14.99.
Comics come to life
Shocker Toys, Buffalo, N.Y., is launching the toy line for its newly acquired licenses such as Toxic Avenger, a mutant from Troma Films, and Kade, a comic book character from Arcana Studio. These new licensed characters are three inches tall with a fully poseable action figure body. Shockini is a 3-inch mini block style action figure featuring 18 points of articulation and snap-together action. Mutant Mania, a separate line of Shockinis, debut with cool monsters and mutants seen on the big screen, starting with the Toxic Avenger as a Shockini mini action figure.
Reading adventure
Silver Dolphin Books, San Diego, is adding two new titles to its Amazing Baby book series. Amazing Baby Peekaboo, Puppy includes photos of baby animals, rhyming text, and encourages interactive play and Amazing Baby Rattle, Rattle is full of colors and patterns and even features a built-in rattle for noise-making fun ($5.95).
Silver Dolphin will also release the first two installments of its new art-instruction series in Spring of 2005. Fine Studio Art Drawing ($18.95) and Fine Art Studio Painting, ($18.95) are designed to teach the techniques of famous artists like Monet and Frankenthaler. Each has a kit that includes everything needed to complete the projects in the books.
In the Robotic series, Robotic Hornet, the materials included let kids make a robotic hornet with light-up eyes and flapping wings ($17.95).
The Snappy Sounds series goes interactive with Snappy Sounds Vroom! and Snappy Sounds Woof!, Snappy Little Fairy Tales for preschoolers feature Little Red Riding Hood and Snow White in pop-up books retelling their stories in rhyme. Each Snappy book retails for $12.95.
Spacecraft: A Flight Test Lab ($17.95) features color illustrations, diagrams, and many facts about space. It explains the history of space exploration, how rockets work, and how a spacecraft’s engine accelerates to a speed of 25,000 mph to break Earth’s gravitational pull, and gives young scientists an opportunity to build five different spacecraft varieties and then watch them take flight.
Young readers will also learn about the seven Apollo missions, NASA’s two Mars rovers, and the first space station. With this fantastic hands-on tool, kids can apply their flight training to build their own rocket with launch pad and attach different payloads.
Stories in music
Magic Maestro Music/Kids brand from Simon & Simon, Washington, D.C., is introducing Stories in Music: Casey at the Bat. The CD features the London Philharmonic Orchestra performing the original score composed by Stephen Simon. Magic Maestro Music/Kids will also release Stephen and Bonnie Simon’s version of Juanita the Spanish Lobster.
Full of the fuzzies
SKM Enterprises, City of Industry, Calif., focuses its plush offerings on farm animals and dogs this year like a horse, lamb, cow and pig. Each 9-inch mohair animal has soft colors like its living counterpart.
Tail Wagger 9-inch plush dogs join Hound plush puppies with big paws and sad eyes. Shaggy Dogs measure 12-inches and have silky fur and big round eyes.
Belly Button Softies are 9-inch terry plush animals with tiny belly buttons. Young girls will be styling with new 12-inch plush purses are designed with colorful, velvet-soft dogs in fashion-forward hues of cerise, blue, orange, purple, green and brown.
Getting ‘krazy’
Start your engines and get ready to build new Krazy Kars kits featuring racing greats Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson.
Skullduggery, Tustin, Calif., unveils two stock car Cast & Paint kits. The Jeff Gordon 24 and Jimmie Johnson 48 kits include materials to build authentic looking 1:64 scale stock cars that can be raced on standardized plastic tracks. Krazy Kars kits can be constructed by children under eight years old with some adult supervision. Paints, Blopens and decals of the sponsors let the builder customize their cars ($16).
Skullduggery is also debuting Cast & Paint Hummer H2 and Corvette kits.
World of Puzzabilities
Puzzibilities puzzles from Small World Toys, Culver City, Calif., combine classic wooden puzzle technology with a new bilingual educational edge. Puzzibilites Level 2 Bilingual Shapes Puzzle ($14.99) gives kids a chance to learn the names of colors in both Spanish and English when the child places a piece in the correct place the puzzle electronically hears both the color and shape in both languages. The line also features puzzles that teach numbers, favorite foods, and favorite toys.
The World Living Line features a Sink and Stove Combo ($199.00), or a BBQ Grill ($139.00), which comes with a set of BBQ tools. The brightly colored wooden play stations can be complemented by one of Small World’s sets of ethnic-themed play food.
The Living Good Fortune set ($9.99) features 20 pieces including pretend chopsticks, a soy sauce bottle and a paper take-out box and more, giving kids a chance to “whip up” a Chinese feast. The line also features sushi and pasta sets.
cELLAbration of kids
Octogenarian children’s songwriter Ella Jenkins is paid tribute in cELLAbration!: A Tribute to Ella Jenkins, a CD from Smithsonian Folkways Recordings, Washington, D.C.
Artists such as Pete Seeger, Tom Chapin and Riders in the Sky sing new arrangements of some of Jenkins’ songs that represent a number of musical styles including folk, salsa, Dixieland, ragtime, mariachi and country western. Children’s voices can also be heard throughout the recording.
Games that are a Snap
Snap TV Games, Santa Monica, Calif., is adding to its line of DVD trivia games, which are played on a television set with a DVD player and remote control. In order to play, players watch footage and answer trivia questions. Snap has three product lines: sports, kids, and general entertainment. The company will be releasing NCAA Basketball and Trivideo: 20th Century for 2005 ($14.95–$19.99).
Pocket of pals
Slow but steady, three playful mollusks take a young boy on magical adventures with music and songs in the new Pocket Snails Letter Adventure DVD/CD series by Soaring Star Productions, LLC, Surprise, Ariz.
Each DVD introduces a topic and the companion CD features songs from the programs and other original songs related to the theme. The debut DVD retails for about $15.95; VHS, $12.95; and music CD, $14.95. Approximate running time for each is 35 minutes. Bonus extras on the DVD include interactive activities and Meet the Snails fun facts.
Future Pocket Snails topics for 2005 are Phonics, Shapes & Colors and Numbers.
Classic soft touch
Familiar faces highlight the cloth books from SoftPlay, Chicago.
SoftSounds books focus on early language skills in the Sesame Beginnings titles, What’s That Sound? and Elmo Is So Silly. Fisher Price Little People books encourage exploration of everyday places in Barnyard Sounds, Things That Go, and Circus Sounds.
SoftPlay Cloth Books are interactive with flaps for lifting and different textures for introducing independent play and imagination. Each washable book comes in a clear carrying case. New titles are Pooh’s Big Adventure: A First Words Book and Pooh Says Hello: A Manners Book.
Display & Play 3-D Felt Playset Books’ giant centerfold with 25 figures and pieces welcomes open-ended creations. Themes are Noah’s Ark and Elmo’s Big Day Playset.
Road trip not required
Just add ice to a favorite drink, push a button and with the Slurpee Maker by Spin Master, Toronto, the 7-Eleven treat can be made at home. The Slurpee Maker debuts this fall ($24.99).
It’s no smoke screen but a new way to make bubbles with Professor Magic Smokey Bubbles (pictured). This spring kids of all ages can dip the lever into the safe smoke solution and watch as the popped bubbles emit smoke into the air. New Aquadoodle Tote-a-Doodle for toddlers comes with accessories and licensed mats for coloring.
Mom may be climbing the walls but so is Wall Racer, a climbing, full function Humvee that can navigate vertical surfaces. The Wall Racer debuts this fall ($59.99).
Stuck on art
Follow the numbers and foam squares become art with Sticky Mosaic Kits by The Orb Factory, Nova Scotia, Canada.
By using any or all of over 5,000 sticky foam squares in 10 colors, children as young as first grade can quickly become first rate mosaic artists. Two beginner templates and six more advanced shapes, including a mermaid and dragon with colorful backgrounds, are in the kit.
A poster with information about mosaics and picture hangers for displaying the finished works of art complete the set.
Stuck on an idea
Swicherz, Santa Monica, Calif., founder Tom Viscount envisioned hood ornament-like interchangeable and detachable stickers that would not be obscured by the elements for snowboards, surfboards, skateboards or any flat surface.
With a quarter of a turn, a locking system fastens the characters, flags or three-dimensional icons to a base that can be adhered to surfaces and withstand several feet of snow, crashing waves or 65 mph rides. The Swicherz line includes about 50 characters from video games and cartoons and movies like the Terminator and Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure.
Wet ‘n’ Wild
Swim Ways, Virginia Beach, Va., gets in the swim of things with an assortment of playthings for the pool.
Rainbow Reef Fish is a “school” of battery-powered toys that can add a new element of fun to swim time. The water-activated Rainbow Reef Magic-Action Trigger Fish ($15.99) starts swimming as soon as they hit the pool. The Rainbow Reef Battle Shark ($22.99) offers faster swimming action.
The Water Dancer dolls ($12.99) are able to spin and twirl in the water. The dancing action can be adjusted with a small lever on the doll’s skirt that allows the dolls to spin in small or large circles.
The new Star Lite Water Dancers ($14.99) are twirling water nymphs that light up. Similar to the Water Dancers are the Mystical Mermaids ($19.99)—Princess Elaina and Princess Amber—dolls that swim with a hinged fin.
Finally, Toypedo Underwater Gliders ($15.99) are pool toys that reportedly glide up to 40 feet underwater. Also available in two other sizes: Toypedo Flash (lights up for night swimming—$12.99) and Toypedo Bandits (a smaller version designed for kiddie pools or bath tubs—$6.99).
A new tree house
Treena’s Treehouse by Takara, New York, is a play set that includes Treena, her friend Peanut (a squirrel) and 20 pieces of furniture and accessories. It has ten rooms, including a balcony, fantasy garden, a special bedroom just for Peanut, and a working elevator. Fruits and vegetables “grow” on the tree and are attached with Velcro and a special non-blade scissor “cuts” the velcro connection. Carrots and other vegetables are buried in the fantasy garden and can be harvested by simply tugging the tops to pull them out of the ground. Playrooms for Treena’s friends are sold separately and include Maya’s Mushroom Restaurant, Candy’s Apple House, and more.
Adding more to the plate
In the past, Tatutina Inc., Attleboro, Mass., has strictly created kid’s room accessories made from wood. For the first time, the company will be offering favorite designs on melamine dishware sets, complete with colorful gift packaging. The line consists of a wide array of products such as pegboards, bookends, footstools, clocks, alphabet wall letters, keepsake boxes and other functional items.
Cassic wood storage bins are a 2005 highlight. This set of three coordinated storage bins is functional for collecting toys, books and other fun things. When not in use, they nest in each other. Dimensions: small (10”x 9”x 6”), medium (12”x11”x7”) and large (13.5”x12-1/2”x8.5”).
Rock, roll … and ride
Tek Nek Toys International, Grapevine, Texas, is enhancing its line of electronic musical ride-ons with the CoolP3, a music player that plays and stores downloaded music for ages 4 and up.
It features three play lists with up to six songs each and includes the necessary software for parents to download songs from music Web sites and transfer songs from any CD or audio file.
Tek Nek will also debut the Batmobile Pedal Car—with electronic dashboard, button-activated sound effects, talking Batman phrases and lights—along with the Magical Adventure Ride-On, a plush dragon that has six talking buttons and fairytale graphics.
Earth as teacher
Thames & Kosmos, Portsmouth, R.I., is introducing a line of educational science products. The National Geographical Earthquakes & Volcanoes Experiment Kit ($30.00) lets kids do a number of activities that teach them about volcanoes, plate tectonics seismographs and more. The National Geographic Dinosaurs and Fossils Experiment Kit ($30.00) feature educational activities about dinosaurs, fossils, geological eras and more.
Perseverance lesson
The Straight Edge, Brooklyn, N.Y., introduces Abigail Ice-Skates the third book in the Abigail’s Adventures series. The story teaches a lesson in perseverance and not giving up in the face of adversity. A 7-inch doll comes with the book and is dressed in a sparkling skating costume. The village ice rink where Abigail practices is attached in 3-dimensional form to the back of the book encouraging interactive play ($12.99).
There will also be the new Middle East Read a Mat that clearly outlines the Middle East region on a 11-1/2-inch by 17-1/2-inch hand-silk-screened vinyl place mat. Other new Read a Mats for 2005 include: The Piano, Birds of North America, Insects of North America, and The Twelve Days of Christmas.
Games pegged
ThinkFun, Alexandria, Va., is known for its brainteasers and Subtrax is as mind challenging as it gets. Subtrax ($15.99) adds a new twist on the classic “peg solitaire” offering 40 new challenges. The new solitaire game pattern featuring a 16-sided polygon defines which way a player can jump, increasing the level of difficulty.
Charoodles ($24.99) is brand new and it’s just like the classic family favorite “charades” only with props as clues. There are more than 3,000 charades in 400 categories.
Thomas turns 60
The 60th Anniversary of Thomas’ Thomas & Friends Steam Engine Set from Tomy, Newport Beach, Calif., includes the Thomas Steam Engine with blue metallic paint, steam system, two carriages, Annie and Clarabel, a station, tunnel, bridge, trees and track. This set is compatible with all of the Thomas & Friends Motorized Road & Rail System sets and accessories.
An actual working engine emits puffs of steam as it moves along the track. This new technology produces steam that is reportedly cool to the touch and safe. Other products from Tomy include the Copter Command, which features two play sets, Rescue Force City and Police Force Bridge. Each set includes a working helicopter with an LED searchlight and realistic sounds that change as you take-off, land, lift and drop cargo. Shop ’Til You Drop is a stacking game where one false move makes the shopping cart collapse and the goods go flying. Fairytale Charms is a game of treasure and chance, as two to four players try to be the first to attach all six Lucky Charms to their bracelets.
Limited edition Microids: Battle Armor Series featuring Lideron, Norgen and Blireg in translucent armor. Each has a clear, see-through body that reveals the micro-mechanism that drives them and comes with a translucent, two-directional infrared controller to advance the Microid into battle.
Nohohon, based on four of the most popular children’s characters Winnie the Pooh, Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse and Hello Kitty, are solar-powered “feel-good” toys that softly bob their heads from side-to side in perpetual motion. Splashy the Penguin propels through the water singing a song and when turned on his belly makes gurgling noises. Octopals features a mother octopus surrounded by her eight babies. Each of the babies is numbered to match numbers on the base and can be lifted off their mother’s arms and used as squirters, or stuck to the sides of the bathtub by a suction cup. Mother comes off the floating base and can be used as a sieve.
Scent Stars dolls come with themed comb, two hair clips and scented lip-gloss with doll’s fragrance. The Scent Stars Candy Store series includes bubbly Trisha, cheeky Jamie and flirty Cindy, who smells of cinnamon. Scent City’s Scent Salon is a deluxe perfume bottle-shaped play set includes the exclusive pink-haired Bee-Bee doll that smells like baby powder.
Berry boxes
Following the introduction of Hot Wheels Toy Boxes for boys, Tootsietoy, Chicago, is adding Strawberry Shortcake Toy Boxes for girls ages 2 and up to its roster.
The Strawberry Shortcake HideAway Toy Box ($22.99) offers a play surface and ample storage space, plus it is on wheels so it can easily slide under a bed. The Full Size Toy Box ($29.99) is designed with Strawberry Shortcake graphics and holds more than 5 cubic feet of toys.
Fantastic!
The Fantasticar from Toy Biz, New York, is made up of four vehicles that each member of Marvel’s Fantastic Four characters can use separately. Each vehicle features battle action accessories and a sound module that produces four electronic sounds. Fit the vehicles and sound module together in a variety of ways to build one massive hovercraft. It includes an exclusive 6-inch Mr. Fantastic and fits any 6-inch Fantastic Four movie figure, and retails for $34.99.
The Mega Blast Web Shooter ($17.99) puts the blasting power of Spider-Man in the palm of kids’ hands with an authentic Spider-styled gauntlet. Pop in the 5 oz. can of web fluid to shoot three streams of webs at once or switch to the water tank and shoot three streams of water. The set comes complete with light-up Spider-Sense mask.
Toy Biz’s series of Marvel Legends includes a poseable, detailed, 6-inch version of a Marvel Legend and a character-dedicated comic or poster book. In addition, each figure in this series contains a piece of Galactus, the gargantuan arch–enemy of the Avengers. By collecting all figures in a series one can build a 16-inch version of the villain. Each retails at a suggested retail price of $6.99.
Make room for twins
Twins Maya and Miguel Santos of the PBS KIDS Go! animated situation comedy series cross over into toys starring as collectible and talking fashion dolls by Toy Play LLC, New York.
Along with the miniature Maya and Friends Collectible Figurine Set ($5.99), new Light Up Plush Maya doll, Poseable Maya doll and Signature Maya doll round out the line, ranging from $9.99 to $14.99. Maya and Miguel Play Environments are individual rooms that combine to create Maya’s house, featuring Maya as a party girl in “Fiesta Time” and getting ready for bed in “Siesta Time.”
IESO ES! Maya doll says English and Spanish phrases and sports her signature spinning ponytail. Play tents, bed and slumber bags featuring the Maya and Miguel logos make for sweet dreams.
Additional Maya & Miguel product include: puzzles and card game from BriarPatch, board games, 3-D word games, dominos, and bingo from Cardinal Industries, craft and activity kits from Roseart Industries, ornaments and holiday decorations from Seasonal Specialties and specialty plush from Sidekicks. All lines will begin rolling out this spring.
Quest for the new
Toy Quest, Los Angeles, is expanding its Minimoto line of electric vehicles with a Go-Kart, an ATV and a Maxii motorcycle. These powerful vehicles will ride on the heels of the Minimoto Sport Racer, which launched in February 2004. The Minimoto bikes feature rechargeable lead acid batteries, drum brakes, variable speed control, individual VIN numbers and certificates of title. Also in the Minimoto line, is the Hybrid Bike, which enables riders to switch between electric power and standard pedaling.
More new projects for this fall are Go Go TV, a console based gaming system that incorporates camera recognition technology with graphics and music. The goal is to get kids up and moving while they enjoy seeing themselves on screen in the center of the action.
Toy Quest is partnering with Disney to create the Disney Princess Music & Magic Instruments, all featuring animated effects that make playing music a magical experience. The instruments give the child the option to play freestyle or along with the Princess songs from the Disney motion pictures. The line includes unique instruments such as a flute, a harp and a violin.
A puzzling sport
The new line of Puzzling Pyramid Puzzles from Toysmith, Auburn, Wash., will have sports enthusiasts puzzled. The sports-themed puzzles challenge players to stack the sets of multicolored connected balls into a pyramid shape so that no balls of the same color are touching on the inside or outside of the pyramid.
Going ape
Grace Animation studios signed a licensing agreement with Toy Vault, Corbin, Ky., to distribute six mini-figurine toys based on the one–hour animated movie, The Avenging Apes of Africa. The movie is set to release this summer.
The figurines stand just short of 2 inches tall and feature Morocco, Zaire, Angola, Libya, Zambia and Algeria. Each ape is in five to seven segmented pieces that can be assembled and disassembled and stored in a ball-shaped plastic capsule.
New choices
Presidents Jimmy Carter, Richard Nixon, George H.W. Bush, Thomas Jefferson, George Washington and Franklin Roosevelt will join the original series of ToyPresidents from ToyPresidents, Houston. In addition, a second edition of ToyPresident Ronald Reagan is being added. The new second edition Reagan figure depicts the fashion-conscious 40th U.S. president. Mr. Reagan speaks in his own voice historical phrases from his years in office. For example: “We must act today in order to preserve tomorrow.”
Each 12-inch figure speaks 25 authentic phrases ($29.95). “First Lady” and “World Leaders” series are in the works.
New road king
Tree House Kids, Corona, Calif., signed a deal with International Truck and Engine Corporation to produce toys for the International CXT.
Tree House Kids will introduce two versions of the International CXT. With its entry into the light and sound category, they will offer a highly detailed version of the CXT including a battery operated dumping function, rock music and real engine and horn sounds. Additionally, Tree House Kids will add a free wheeling CXT to its successful Imagination Adventure Series line of vehicle play sets.
Phenomenon continues
Created and manufactured by Tucker Toys, Voorhees, N.J., the Phlat Ball brand has grown into a broad line of sports toys. Offered in foam and soft plastic versions, as well as new sizes and graphic styles, Phlat Ball is ideal for indoor and outdoor play. The following designs are new for 2005: The Phlat Ball XT (series 83000), Phlat Ball Jr. (series 94000), Mini Phlat Ball (series 93000) and Phlat Ball K9 (series 87000).
Getting control
Get ready to rumble with the Drift Kings radio control stunt cars by Tyco R/C, El Segundo, Calif. Based on today’s high performance vehicles, the Drift Kings ready-to-run Mazda RX7 and Nissan Silvia S15 have four-wheel drive, speed control and special “drift” and street tires to make power-sliding turns. Drift Kings’ SRP is $42.99.
Young racers can also get control of Morph Machines, Big Rides’ Ford Mustang GT and Toyota FTX pickup and Honda Mini Cycles.
Replicas of Monster Jam trucks featuring Grave Digger and Yu-Gi-Oh! have full function R/C capability, working suspension and air tires. Available in June, the Monster Truck Assortment ($26.99) requires a 6.0V rechargeable NiCd battery and 9V transmitter battery.
Back to basics
Uncle Milton, Westlake, Calif., has a new lineup of toys geared to pique curiosity and fuel imagination and learning. Hermit Crab Cove gives kids a chance to send away for and take care of their own pet hermit crab in a sandy beach environment.
Electronics enthusiasts will discover a twist on a classic idea. With the introduction of its new R/C Snake Uncle Milton is opening a new avenue of R/C opportunity. The 14-inch snake will slither both indoors and out regardless of whether the surface is hard or soft. In addition to the slithering action, the snake’s eyes light up and the tongue moves whenever it is moving.
Solar Racers are powered by the sun and can travel up to 10 feet in seconds. There are six different styles. A small solar cell and built in motor provide the power for these creations. Solar Racers Sun Screamer Set is an expandable track system.
T-Rex Battle pits dino against dino. Players duke it out by using the T-Rex grip controllers. Not so prehistoric, however, is the new Space Wonders Solar System Mobile. Kids can watch the sky above as the nine planets rotate around the light-up sun with kids at the control.
Also available is the P-Brains Series 2, born of the same mind-switching mania featured in the first series a success. These miniature action figures with “switchable” brains expand to a total of eight crazy characters—all with interchangeable personalities.
The Sonic Wing is the second in a series of high-flying outdoor planes. This air-powered glider features unibody construction and adjustable Flight Mode Control for maximum soaring and gliding.
Koala games
University Games, San Francisco, is adding The Koala Brothers to its Colorforms collection, and introducing an assortment of puzzles and games. Items will include: Colorforms Big Easy Game, Memo Card Game, Nesting Dolls, Colorforms Standard Play Set, Colorforms Fun Pocket, Colorfelts Play Board, Jigsaw Puzzle, Twirling Ribbons and Colorforms Floor Puzzle.
Palm-sized play
VTech, Arlington Heights, Ill., extends the V.Smile brand with the release of V.Smile Pocket ($89.99), a handheld video game system that uses licensed characters like SpongeBob SquarePants and Barbie to enhance educational content, including spelling and math.
V.Smile Pocket ($19.99) provides wireless game play on the system’s high-resolution LCD screen and enables kids to connect the handheld to the television, so they can play on a larger screen. When it’s time to go, kids can disconnect the Pocket from the TV without disrupting play.
The V.Smile Pocket comes with the Zayzoo My Alien Classmate Smartridge. Additional Smartridges will retail for approximately $19.99. The V.Smile Pocket ($14.99) carrying case holds the handheld system and three Smartridges.
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