Review: Ultimate FX LightSaber by Hasbro
Written on Oct 18, 2011 by RuthJS and filed under Brands, Featured, Hasbro, News
“An elegant weapon for a more civilized age,” is how Ben Kenobi describes a lightsaber in “A New Hope.” The Ultimate FX Lightsaber, new from Hasbro, is hands down closer to that description than any other toy lightsaber we’ve played with. And, agreed with us, our testers did. Overview Hasbro’s Ultimate FX Lightsaber is well-designed [...]
Mattel Announces Release Date of Dora Links
Written on Sep 6, 2009 by Brian and filed under Mattel, News
Mattel has officially announced a release date for the Dora links doll and online suite of tools – September 29th. Dora Links was first announced in February, then we got a secret first look at a prototypeof the Dora Links doll. As part of this announcement comes the ability to pre-order Dora Links at select retailers. Mattel is also showing a tiny piece of the online Dora Links world.
Mattel’s Holiday Lineup Getting Ready for Release
Written on May 26, 2009 by Brian and filed under Fisher Price, Matchbox, Mattel, News
Mattel used CES to announce and show off a bunch of new kid’s tech toys for the 2009 Holiday shopping season. Then at Toy Fair their other brands like Fisher Price and Matchbox got in on the action. Their toys look so good that the Mattel family of brands took over half the spots in our “Best of Toy Fair 2008″ roundup. As summer gets into full swing, it’s about time to start seeing some of these products slip into the market as we prepare for Holiday 2009 shopping.
Dora Links Preview and Tween Dora Update
Written on Mar 26, 2009 by Brian and filed under Mattel, News
By far the most popular story we’ve written this year, at least in terms of comments, is the Toy Fair announcement of Dora Links and the new Tween Dora line. Mattel is taking a big risk here, it’s quite uncommon for a kid’s icon like Dora to be “grown up” to appeal to an older audience. Perhaps Mattel’s biggest mistake though, or not, if you think any attention is good attention, was the release of the Tween Dora silhouette that made some think Dora looked a little too “pretty.” As one of the few people who have seen some of the new Tween Dora toys, including Dora Links, it seemed appropriate to get those interested on the same page.
Dora Links Tech Doll and New Tween Dora Coming This Fall
Written on Feb 15, 2009 by Brian and filed under Mattel, News
Dora is moving to the big city and that’s not all that’s changing; she’s older too and attending middle school. Mattel and Nickelodeon are upgrading Dora’s look and age to appeal to a new, older audience – the new tween Dora is designed to appeal to girls age 5 and up. Her full new look and product line will be revealed this fall, but we already know about an intriguing new tech-laden doll that stands to be a game changer.
First Thoughts: Barbie Digital Fingernail Printer
Written on Jan 20, 2009 by Brian and filed under Mattel, Reviews
Mattel announced the new Barbie digital fingernail printer at CES, which will be released this fall. We got to spend some hands-on time, well, fingernails-on time, with the printer. It’s surprisingly cool and actually our favorite toy from CES.
Mattel FAMPS Announced
Written on Jan 12, 2009 by Brian and filed under Mattel, News
When Mattel sent us an update on their CES announcements, they didn’t include FAMPS. But on the show floor we learned more about this combination of software and accessories that let kids express their emotions in their virtual space.
Mattel Announces New Kid’s Tech Products for Fall 2009
Written on Jan 5, 2009 by Brian and filed under Mattel, News
Mattel is formally announcing many of their kid’s tech-oriented Fall 2009 products at CES this week. The new products range from Mindflex, a mind control game, to the Barbie digital nail printer, which lets kids print designs straight onto their fingernails. There’s also a new Xtractaurus line which combines physical dinosaur toys with online components and Ucreate products that lets kids create their own music and games.
Two More Mattel MyMeebas Tubes Coming Soon
Written on Dec 2, 2008 by Brian and filed under Mattel, News
If you have girls, by now you might know about the Mattel MyMeebas product line. They’re essentially a locked tube with plush toy inside. To unlock the toy kids play an assortment of games on a small LCD display. Mattel is adding two more MyMeebas colors this winter, green for luck and pink for beauty.
Mattel D-REX Interactive Dinosaur Shipping
Written on Nov 10, 2008 by Brian and filed under Mattel, News
D-REX, Mattel’s less popular robot dinosaur, is shipping now for a retail price of $149.99. While a little more expensive than Fisher-Price’s Spike (also a Mattel company), D-REX is being discounted already.