RIPPED:
The 16 Toys That Will Top Holiday Lists
NEW YORK, NY - October 1, 2008 - During a toy industry press conference in New York City today, Time to Play , an informative, multi-media resource for parents and caregivers, launched its first venture
www.TimetoPlayMag.com. The playful destination website provides adults with information, entertainment, and services on what's fun for children and their families. Hosted by Jim Silver, editor in chief, and Chris Byrne (A.K.A. The Toy Guy®), content director, the event also featured the debut of the Time to Play 'Most Wanted' list, the 16 products predicted by the editors to top holiday wish lists.
In addition to the website launch and the 'Most Wanted' announcement, Silver and Byrne discussed the impact of the economy on holiday toy sales, the overarching trends in design and innovation, and the toys that will be in demand over the next ten weeks leading up to the Christmas holiday.
Anticipated to become one of this season's most highly trafficked family-friendly websites, TimetoPlayMag.com offers parents and gift givers much more than just the 'Most Wanted' list. Its comprehensive content features hundreds of toy reviews and recommendations; hot toy lists and editors' picks; a product/gift finder; informative and amusing blog entries from leading toy, family entertainment and parenting experts; seasonal stories; safety tips and recall information; daily giveaways of in demand toys and more.
"TimetoPlayMag.com is the first of its kind," said Jim Silver. "We live in a web based world, yet there wasn't a comprehensive, third party resource online about the world of play. Our site has all the information about toys and children's products that parents and gift givers are looking for."
"One of the factors that's undeniably shaping this season and generating questions is economic uncertainty," says Chris Byrne. "In times like these, however, consumers still buy toys. They are seen as affordable luxuries, but more importantly as a way to add magic to children's holidays, they contribute to the spirit of the season, which can provide a brief-and needed-respite from everyday concerns. Our goal is to help parents gift-givers and kids find the toys that will enhance their lives and give kids a memorable, rewarding and play-full holiday."
The Time to Play editorial team has more than 100 years of combined experience in the toy industry. Over the past ten years, Silver, Byrne and their seasoned editorial team, have accurately predicted each season's hottest, best-selling toys and identified the industry's most prevalent trends.
Predicted to be the most popular and best selling products of Holiday 2008, the Time to Play 'Most Wanted' list is organized by age. Following is a detailed description of each of the 16 products named to the list accompanied by the editors' views on why the item will be among the 'Most Wanted.'
Laugh & Learn Smart Bounce and Spin Pony
(Fisher-Price/Age: 12-36 months/Approximate Retail Price: $69.99)
What It Is: This cheerful, brightly colored pony is ideal for little ones. It works like a bouncer that responds to baby's every action. But there's lots more. Connect it wirelessly to the television and kids will find all kinds of age appropriate content that will engage little minds while setting the stage for learning and reinforcing things kids learn interacting with parents.
Why It Made The List: This offers a full range of play experiences for toddlers. Virtually everything a child does results in an experience that can either directly or indirectly support learning and exploration while promoting movement. Kids aren't static as they play. Great design, easy-to-watch graphics and solid learning activities provide excellent play and excellent value.
Elmo Live!
(Fisher-Price/Age: 18 months and up/Approximate Retail Price: $59.99)
What It Is: Never before have technology, character and play come together so effectively and entertainingly. Elmo Live will have you doing double takes, he's so lifelike and realistic. His mouth is perfectly synchronized with his speech as he tells sidesplitting jokes, recounts stories, sings songs, and plays games. His mannerisms are spot-on-his head even bobbles as he speaks. He also waves his arms, sits and crosses his legs, and stands.
Why It Made The List: Technology, design and creativity come together in this industry-changing toy. Yes, he's got amazing movements that have impressed even the most skeptical adults, but the content is perfect for the target group of Elmo fans. He's appealing, hilarious and encourages kids to play with him, not just watch him.
V-Motion Active Learning System
(VTECH/Age: 3-7 years/Approximate Retail Price: $69.99)
What It Is: V-Motion takes educational video gaming to a whole new level with a motion-activated gaming system that engages both active minds and bodies. V-Motion plugs directly into the TV to provide kids with a high-tech gaming experience using age-appropriate learning games and a motion-activated, intuitive wireless controller. V-Motion also includes the V.Link(TM) (USB drive) that connects kids to VTech's secure online site to unlock bonus games and track their scores against other gamers.
Why It Made The List: This is a major innovation in educational video gaming, a category VTECH helped establish. The motion-activated system makes kids feel like they're more grown up, and gets them up and moving. The library of titles is extensive, and the gameplay is exceptionally good.
TAG Reading System
(LeapFrog/Age: 4-8 years/Approximate Retail Price: $49.99)
What It Is: The centerpiece of the TAG Reading System is a touch-and-talk, pen-like device that brings books to life. Touch the tip of the reader to the specially printed pages, and a small camera in the tip "reads" the pages and allows the books to come to life. Virtually everywhere a child touches in the books, something happens, immersing kids more deeply in the reading experience and encouraging reading as an exciting and rewarding activity. The reader connects to a PC or Mac and holds up to 5 books' worth of content. Content is easily managed online, and when consumers purchase a book, they can immediately download the appropriate software. More than 20 books are included in the library right now, with more to come.
Why It Made The List: TAG makes reading fun and interactive. It's easy and intuitive for parents and kids alike. Kids were completely engrossed in the play and loved the process of discovery and fun that it fostered. The diversity of available titles is impressive, and the ability to monitor children's learning progress through LeapFrog's online Learning Path adds a new level of substantive feedback for parents.
Hot Wheels Turbo Driver
(Mattel/Age: 4 years & up/Approximate Retail Price: $20.99)
What It Is: This is a plug-and-play game controller that has everything boys love about Hot Wheels-competition, racing and vehicle play. The controller (familiar to anyone who has used a 5-button controller) connects to the computer via the USB port. Load one of 8 Car-Tridges (their word, not ours), into the controller and unlock special gaming on HotWheels.com. Each has a different style of racing, so kids can try them out in the different online racing environments.
Why It Made The List: This is a perfect extension of Hot Wheels play for contemporary kids who are as at home with dimensional cars on tracks as they are with virtual worlds. Mattel has translated archetypal vehicle play into the online world while still leaving plenty of room for imagination and fantasy. This is a great value for families who want the excitement of a sophisticated-yet age appropriate-racing game without the investment in a console and with the power of the Hot Wheels brand.
Star Wars The Clone Wars Clone Trooper Voice Changer Helmet
(Hasbro/Age: 4 years & up/Approximate Retail Price: $29.99)
What It Is: This is authentic-looking Clone Trooper headgear with realistic sound effects and clone trooper battle commentary! It offers creative role-play action with three different modes of play! Speak with realistic radio static sound effects or hear clone trooper commands from the frontline! Press the phrases button for battle commentary and clone trooper phrases. Easy-to-adjust straps allow a customized fit.
Why It Made The List: Star Wars is one of the all-time classic properties for role-play. Its popularity is stronger than ever. Star Wars: The Cone Wars is George Lucas' first foray into mainstream entertainment, and both the look and content have generated huge, enthusiastic and loyal followings. And, building on the success of other role-play helmets, the Star Trooper version allows kids to immerse themselves imaginatively into the world and revel in open-ended play.
Bakugan
(Spin Master/Age: 5 years & up/Approximate Retail Price: $4.99-$24.99)
What It Is: Bakugan is a collectible game that is one of the hottest things on the market right now. The centerpieces of the line are the Battle Brawlers, spheres with built-in magnets that transform into Bakugan warriors when rolled across the metal Gate Cards. The characters all have different powers, and the gameplay marries marbles, transforming toys and collectible card games into a unique collecting and playing experience. Bakugan comes to life on a TV show on Cartoon Network, and the whole line of toys includes figures, cards, a game arena and accessories.
Why It Made The List: This is classic boys' play with an original twist. The transforming action is fun, and kids like the collectability. The game is easy to learn and engrossing, and kids have quickly adopted Bakugan and integrated it into their social networks.
Furreal Friends Biscuit, My Lovin' Pup
(Hasbro/Ages 5 years & up/Approximate Retail Price: $179.99)
What It Is: Biscuit is a life-size Golden Retriever puppy who moves like a real dog and responds to six different voice commands. He has sensors throughout his body so he "knows" when he's being petted. He'll move his ears, blink his eyes and wag his tail. You'll hardly believe how realistic he is.
Why It Made The List: Sheer technological innovation meets classic nurturing play. We haven't seen anyone who can stop touching or playing with him. This is definitely one of those toys that packs a lot of "wow," but it's also irresistibly adorable.
MagNext
(MEGA Brands/Ages: 6 years & up/Approximate Retail Price: $4.99-$59.99)
What It Is: This new magnetic building system features beautifully designed pieces that have multiple interlocking points and allow bigger, stronger, faster builds and provide a platform for open-ended creativity. The system exceeds all industry safety standards, contains no small magnetic parts, and the magnets are molded into the pieces. The pieces are in bold, translucent colors and are very tactile and easy to work with. The system includes a variety of sets with varying numbers of pieces, and all the pieces work together.
Why It Made The List: This is real innovation in the construction category. Magnet play has always had an appeal to kids because they create what seems like magic. The sturdy, satisfying builds and the varieties of play experiences kids can have make this a true stand-out.
Clickables
(Techno Source/Age: 7 years & up/Approximate Retail Price: $12.99-$29.99)
What It Is: This is a completely unique toy line that seamlessly marries online and offline play. The charms, gems and more connect to the computer via a USB connection. Then, girls sign on to DisneyFairies.com and create their fairies, interact and immerse themselves in the beautiful online world. But then in the offline world, they can share their fairies, fashions and more by transferring their outfits and more as data to their clicking bracelets or charms. Clicking bracelets or trading charms allows the transfer of data so girls can build their online worlds. The Clickables unlock many special and exclusive areas of the Fairies web site.
Why It Made The List: This is essentially doll play, social play and imaginative play at its most classic, but then with the addition of breakthrough technology, itperfectly reflects the way girls play now and the central role of the computer and online interaction in their lives, inspiring girls to collect, socialize and interact in ways that are time-honored but completely contemporary.
Eye-Clops Night Vision Goggles
(Jakks Pacific/Age: 8 years & up/Approximate Retail Price: $79.99)
What It Is: This is truly one of the most exciting toys of the year. Jakks has managed to take sophisticated infrared technology and pack it into night vision goggles that really work. The battery-operated goggles let you see clearly and with remarkable detail up to 50 feet. You probably never expected to hear anyone tell you to go out in the dark and play, but these have to be seen to be believed. Adult supervision is recommended for young children playing at night.
Why It Made The List: Sure, this is a brilliant application of technology, and that's terrifically exciting in and of itself, but this product also has the ability to inspire all kinds of open-ended play, limited only by the creativity of the players.
LEGO Star Wars: The Clone Wars
(LEGO /Ages: 8 years & up/Approximate Retail Price: $49.99-$119.99)
What It Is: Four incredible sets that bring the excitement of the new animated TV series Star Wars: The Clone Wars to life. The line includes the V-19 Torrent ($44.99), MangaGuard Starfighter ($54.99), AT-TE Walker ($89.99) and the Republic Gunship ($119.99). Beautiful models offer hours of building and creative fun for kids as well as a complete collection of all-new Star Wars characters and minifigures. Star Wars was the first licensed property for LEGO in 1999, and it continues to be one of the best-selling lines for LEGO and in the industry overall.
Why It Made The List: The classic, open-ended and imaginative play of LEGO meets the timeless adventures of the newest installment in the Star Wars saga. Exceptional design and creativity inspire kids and collectors alike.
U-Dance
(Hasbro/Age: 8 years & up/Approximate Retail Price: $74.99)
What It Is: U-Dance is a motion-based dance game that connects to the TV. The mat-free system reads the Motion Tags that slip over any shoes (or bare feet). Turn it on, and step into the fun. Players follow real dance moves as they watch their feet show up on the screen. Play at three levels of difficulty, and bop along to 12 classic and current dance hits.
Why It Made The List: Dancing has never been more popular. From games to reality shows, it's a passion shared by people of all ages. This toy gives people a chance to get in on the trend in a fun way that can be enjoyed no matter what the individual level of proficiency. Following in the footsteps (pun intended) of hot dance games, this remarkable technology reads motion but it doesn't require a game system. It's great for the entire family and has the added advantage of getting kids active.
Girl Gourmet Cupcake Maker
(Jakks Pacific/Age: 8 years & up/Approximate Retail Price: $29.99)
What It Is: From the schoolroom to adult parties, cupcakes are the "it" snack of the year. Now girls can make their own homemade cupcakes in 30 seconds. Girl Gourmet is the beginning of a new line of cooking toys that lets kids be creative, trendy and make outstanding, great-tasting cupcakes easily, with little mess and no baking. The treats "bake" in the microwave in 30 seconds. But that's when the real fun starts. There's a frosting press that allows you to make the perfect swirled icing and all kinds of amazing decorations. You'll be amazed at how easy it is to make these cupcakes--and astonished at how great they taste.
Why It Made The List: Imagination, innovation and completely on-trend. Wonderful design meets open-ended creativity and a classic play pattern. Plus the cupcakes taste really good.
Guitar Hero World Tour
(Activision/ Rated: T/Approximate Retail Price: $59.99)
What It Is: It's the next big (Or shall we say, "Huge" or even "Humongous") thing in the Guitar Hero franchise. This new game has advanced modes, options and tolls for a full-on rock experience. Customize characters, compose, record, edit and share. More downloads, multi-player options, voice and drum options and much more. Plus, the selection of music is wider than ever before.
Why It Made The List: The phenomenon keeps growing. The new version adds more play value, more music and more interactivity, plus the developers seem to know that they have an ever-broadening audience, which is reflected in the diverse choice of music.
Rock Band 2
(Harmonix/ Rated: T/Approximate Retail Price: $59.99)
What It Is: The original Rock Band was one of the hottest party games of the past year, as players got together to play. The basic software is just the beginning, however, you need to add the various wireless drums, guitars and other instruments to get the full effect. The new version significantly expands the playlist and eliminates beginners from flunking out, so the party lasts longer.
Why It Made The List: If amazing popularity weren't enough, this game has a broad appeal to many types of players. The new version improves on the original significantly, and the "No-Fail" feature is a big plus for the novices. There's also an online Battle of the Bands that adds real-time competition to the mix.
About Time to Play
Jim Silver, editor-in-chief at aNb Media and Chris Byrne, renowned toy and children's lifestyle expert (A.K.A. The Toy Guy®), have partnered to introduce Time to Playï. Time to Play is an informative, multi-faceted resource for parents and caregivers powered by aNb Media, TheToyGuy.com, and a team of leading, well-known toy, family entertainment, and parenting experts. The group's first venture is a playful destination website,
www.TimetoPlayMag.com, which will launch October 1 and provide adults with information, entertainment, and services on what's fun for children and their families.
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Toys R Us... It took me a while to get it too 
