Hasbro's Ultimate FX Lightsaber

Overview

Hasbro’s Ultimate FX Lightsaber is well-designed for its targeted users. The hilt and “blade” of the Ultimate FX are smaller than other models, crafted specifically for young padawan learners and Jedis age six and up. The blades are available in either Jedi blue or Sith red, so no matter which side of the force you prefer, there’s a weapon so suit. The three AA batteries are included, and the lightsaber is reasonably priced around $29.99.

Ultimate FX Lightsaber Features

The price also includes a “Force Tech Training” DVD. Much like a video game, this DVD has an animated Jedi demonstrating moves and battle strategies that viewers can copy and practice. This is a nice extra with the lightsaber.

Force Tech Training Instructional DVD

Freed From Packaging and Ready for Play

Once it’s out of the box, the Ultimate FX Lightsaber provides the most authentic Jedi experience we’ve had to date. The lightsaber comes in “Try Me” mode, so you’ll need to flip the switch to “On” to experience the full list of exciting features.

Power Switch . . . I wonder what Yoda would say about the "Try Me" setting?

As you turn it on, LED lights progressively illuminate, giving it the look of a real lightsaber growing out of the handle. Of course, the lights are accompanied by the classic sound of powering up a lightsaber (very cool).

Ultimate FX Lightsaber Ready for Action

The sound and light effects are just as convincing when you power down. Add to that the clashing, clanging, and flashing lights when the blade hits something, and the effect is remarkably close to that seen in the movies.

I will admit that initially I was more than a bit disappointed that the blade doesn’t retract into the hilt. However, this was more than made up for by the cool effects. Frankly, I didn’t miss the retraction feature that so many other lightsabers have. Furthermore, the rigid blade seemed to be more durable than many of the telescoping options.

With regard to durability, while we don’t try to break the toys we review at KTR, we treat toys as they would be by the appropriate audience. And, I have to say, this lightsaber was put through the paces . . . ALL of them . . . repeatedly.  The result? You can’t even tell, and I’m talking about some epic back yard battles with nary a scratch on the weapon. So, there’s reason to believe that, short of dropping it in a lake or molten lava, the Ultimate FX Lightsaber can stand up to play.

Here’s an example of one battle between a telescoping lightsaber and the Ultimate FX. The difference is clear, visibly and audibly.

Another feature worth noting is the loop on the hilt, presumably provided so that you can hang the lightsaber from your belt.

Transport Loop or Wall Hanger . . . You Decide

Because of the size of the weapon and the fact that it doesn’t collapse, we found the loop to be ineffective for transport. However, it was great for storage. I mean, such an “elegant weapon” can double as wall art when it’s not required for defense, right? I think so. And, there’s at least 2000 years of tradition to back me up on this.

As for the training DVD, the only downside is finding enough space to imitate the moves while holding the lightsaber and not crashing into houseplants, stepping on animals, or falling through tables. However, with adequate space, the DVD was a lot of fun to “work through” while training to save the world from evil. And, several of the moves came in very handy during backyard battles (see above).

Tester Response

Around here, testers are king (or queen or princess or spy or Jedi), and their comments shape our reviews. So, here are the stats for the Ultimate FX Lightsaber:

See the Comments for Yourself

In a Nutshell

OK, so it’s not a real lightsaber, but until the technology exists which allows us to create a glowing sword made of energy and still safe for your average six-year-old, the Ultimate FX Lightsaber is a good stop-gap.

We give it:

5 out of 5 stars

• Night vision goggles
• Digital helmet/bike cam
• Pocket DVR
• 2.1 and 5.1 MP digital cameras that contain social networking software
• 2GB flash drive shaped like a mini Nerf blaster
• 2GB MP3 player
• Walkie talkies boasting a 1000 foot range
• Multi-function flashlight

Starting with Toys R Us, these items will be on store shelves in November and will retail between $19.99 and $59.99, depending on the item.

According to Margie Chan-Yip, Hasbro VP of Global Publishing, “The ‘My Little Pony: Twilight Sparkle, Teacher for a Day’ storybook application brings the beloved My Little Pony brand and characters to fans in a whole new way. We are thrilled to offer an interactive experience that engages and entertains, yet also helps young readers develop important skills.”

Hasbro and Ruckus Media interactive storybooks are available for iPad, iPhone and iPod touch through iTunes. Cooler still: “My Little Pony: Twilight Sparkle, Teacher for a Day” will set you back only $0.99, for a limited time. (Other books in the series retail for $3.99.)

Games include twisting your body to match an opponent’s silhouette, knocking over blocks to beat the clock and filling in crazy shapes.

This new twist on an old favorite looks like it is going to be fun!

Prices have not been released, yet, but most other Kinect games retail between $25 and $50.

Targeted to young and early readers, the app includes an original story that’s over 70 “pages” long and is accompanied by activities that enhance the adventure and encourage basic problem solving. The children are helped along as words light up, reinforcing comprehension, word and letter recognition, and picture/word association. One of the coolest features is randomized activity content which provide different experiences each time the child plays the app.

Hasbro and Ruckus Media hope that families on the go will enjoy this educational and entertaining app, and they are already planning the release of new stories featuring My Little Pony and Transformers Prime.

Ji Ga Zo follows a fun and simple premise. Kids, or adults, use the included software to select and crop any image. It could be a nice portrait of one of the kids, or even the family pet. The key in getting started though is to use a photo with a good amount of contrast, using the included software to crop in tight around the face. The software is pretty good, though as is common with things like this, it leaves a little to be desired in terms of usability. Frankly, a web-based program would have been better and less hassle. Either way though, a few times through the process though and most will get the hang of it with little issue.

The end result is a color-coded puzzle map that can be printed out. While it’s best to print on a color printer, you can manage, though it’s much more difficult, with black and white. What’s kind of fun in the configuration process too, is you can either print the original image, or not. We preferred not to print it, so kids were excited to discover the end result, without knowing what it was supposed to be.

If it’s your first time through, you also have to remove the Ji Ga Zo pieces from the cardboard backing. This is definitely a parent’s job, and the most frustrating part of the entire process. The instructions to peel the board apart aren’t terribly clear and while we didn’t damage any pieces, it’s pretty clear that over-excited kids could. Each piece has a Sepia-colored side and a pastel colored side, both with an icon to aid in assembly.

Hasbro recommends using your puzzle map to find each piece, assembling Sepia-side up. We actually found it much easier, and faster to work upside down, assembling with the pastel colors up. This also ads to the excitement since kids have no clue what they’re assembling until its complete. The puzzle is only 10” x 13.25” when complete, so it’s pretty easy to use the lid or some such to flip it face up. The other fun benefit of working on the pastel side first is that if more than one person is working the puzzle, it’s easy to assign colors to work it in tandem.

During assembly, pieces go together well, they all fit the same way. Each one features an identification icon, which can be fun in themselves. Kids enjoyed placing the cake for instance, or the horse, dog, umbrella, etc. A couple were tough for kids to understand, but that did little to lessen their enjoyment. The only issues we had during assembly were early on, it’s easy to bump the pieces and shift them off the grid. But once a few larger chunks get assembled, it’s less of an issue. It would also be less problematic if you assemble in order, either left to right or top to bottom, but we never found an audience who would work in such a linear fashion.

The net result of the completed Ji Ga Zo is fun. The picture itself came out well each time we tried it, people who didn’t participate at all in the puzzle were able to identify the picture at the end. That may not always be the case though, you really need to start with a quality photo that frames the face well, with plenty of contrast. But it wasn’t so much the end result as the getting there that kids really enjoyed.

Conclusion

Ji Ga Zo has so many uses – from an indoor rainy day project, to being a great gift for all ages. It’s also pretty cost effective at $25 MSRP. If you do a great Ji Ga Zo too, they make for fun wall art, especially in a kid’s room. Our only complaints are minor, the software could be better, or web-based and the task of removing the pieces the first time could be easier. Overall though, kids and adults had a lot of fun with Ji Ga Zo and at the MSRP, we find it to be a good value.

Rating 4.5 out of 5 stars

Designed and built for mobile devices, these content-rich apps will incorporate the latest touch-screen technology and will be easy to update with new features as they become available. Additionally, the apps will be designed to work across all digital platforms, and will be available worldwide. So, say you’re stuck in an airport in Dublin, awaiting a flight that has been delayed for the fifth time and your 6-year-old is screaming and you’re pulling your hair out . . . but I digress. The apps will also be available if you’re stuck in a doctor’s office or in a grocery store check-out line.

First on deck is Tonka’s Chuck and Friends, due out in May 2011. Next in line are Transformers Prime and My Little Pony.

“We look forward to teaming with Ruckus to jointly create innovative, content-rich children’s storybook apps based on some of our most popular properties, kids and parents can enjoy Hasbro-branded children’s storybook apps anytime, anywhere,” said Simon Waters, Senior Vice President of Global Brand Licensing and Publishing at Hasbro in the April 7, 2011 press release.

Here at KidsTechReview, we’re just looking forward to less painful visits to the DMV and Pharmacy.

Count 'N Crunch Cookie Monster

Cookie Monster comes with three cookies which he counts out loud before “Om, nom, nom!” gobbling them up with his classic sounds. After being “eaten,” the cookies fall into his backpack which children can open and start the process over again.

Count 'N Crunch Cookie Monster With His Backpack

Despite his mechanics, Cookie Monster is soft enough for some snuggling, and he will giggle and squirm if you tickle his foot.

Appropriate for ages 18 months and up, Count ‘N Crunch Cookie Monster will be available in fall 2011 for and MSRP of $29.99. Thoughtfully, Hasbro has included the four “AA” batteries to keep Cookie munching.

Elmo comes ready to preform with a tambourine that slides into his hands and a drum set that fits under his feet. One of the coolest features of Let’s Rock Elmo is that his actions will change depending on the instrument he’s holding. So, when you slip the tambourine into his hands, the high tech doll recognizes it, and he shakes and taps the tambourine to the music. Similarly, he pounds the drums to the beat while he sings.

Elmo also rocks the vocals. When we him at Toy Fair, we were impressed that when we put the microphone in his hand, Elmo not only sang along, but he moved to the music, singing into the mic and dancing to the beat in true rock star fashion.

Let's Rock Elmo Gets Down

Let’s Rock Elmo will be available for kids 18 months and up in fall 2011. Retailing for $69.99, Elmo will run on six AA batteries, which Hasbro has included.

Let’s Rock Instruments for Kids

Hasbro has also announced kid-sized instruments branded with Let’s Rock Elmo or one of his band members so that children can play along. When kids use their Let’s Rock guitar, keyboard or microphone, Elmo knows which one they’re playing, and he groves along with the child.

Let's Rock Elmo Kid's Instruments

Let’s Rock Elmo Guitar

• Features three preschool songs, light up keys and whammy bar
• Recognized by Let’s Rock Elmo who plays the “Elmo’s World” theme song along with the guitar
• Requires three “AA” batteries (included)
• Appropriate for ages 18 months and up
• Retails for $19.99
• Available fall 2011

Let’s Rock Cookie Monster Keyboard

• Features three preschool songs and light up keys
• Recognized by Let’s Rock Elmo who plays “The ABC Song” along with the keyboard
• Requires three “AA” batteries (included)
• Appropriate for ages 18 months and up
• Retails for $19.99
• Available fall 2011

Let’s Rock Grover Microphone

• Features three preschool songs and a button to amplify your voice, just like a real mic
• Recognized by Let’s Rock Elmo who will sing along with you
• Requires three “AA” batteries (included)
• Appropriate for ages 18 months and up
• Retails for $14.99
• Available fall 2011

Furreal Friends: Cookie, My Playful Pup

But, don’t let her soft, fuzzy exterior fool you, this sweet friend incorporates some very cool technology. Cookie uses voice recognition technology to respond when you talk to her. She’ll move her head, blink or bark in response to voices. She also makes happy puppy sounds when you rub her head or cheeks, and she’ll track her squeaky toy with her eyes if you move it in front of her.

Complete with a collar and bone and the four “C” batteries required to run her, Cookie will be available in the fall for kids four and up with an MSRP of $59.99.