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 [...]
Review: Fisher Price 3-in-1 Smart Sports
Written on Nov 23, 2009 by Brian and filed under Fisher Price, Reviews
3-in-1 Smart Sports is an extension of Fisher Price’s line of TV games intended to help kids get active while they learn. Designed for kids ages 3-7, the motion-based games follow sports genres of tennis, baseball and golf while teaching skills like numbers, counting, addition/subtraction, uppercase/lowercase letters, spelling, shapes and motor skills.
Mattel Xtractaurs Secret Lab Contest
Written on Nov 23, 2009 by Brian and filed under Mattel
In case you missed our Xtractaurs review, read up, we love these online/offline dinos. Now Mattel has launched the Xtractaurs Secret Lab, complete with a contest. Kids, and parents I suppose, are invited to send in screen captures of their favorite hybrid creations. If your hybrid gets selected, you’ll be entered for a drawing which includes Xtractaur figurines.
Review: Swinxs
Written on Nov 20, 2009 by RuthJS and filed under Reviews, Swinxs
Swinxs is a new interactive game console that is designed to get any number of children and adults up, moving, and thinking. And, in this reviewer’s opinion, it truly deserves all the accolades it has received since it was introduced in the United States (including those from National Parenting Publications Awards, Creative Child Magazine toy of the year and the National Parenting Center seal of approval).
Star Wars The Clone Wars Indoor Flying R/C [Republic Gunship]
Written on Nov 18, 2009 by Brian and filed under Hasbro, Reviews
We were able to see early designs of the Star Wars: The Clone Wars indoor flying R/C vehicles at Toy Fair this year and were pretty excited about the opportunity to fly Star Wars ships. The foam-bodied flyers come in two versions, a Republic Gunship and Jedi Starfighter. We’ve been putting our review unit of the Gunship through its paces the last few weeks – making kid’s Clone Wars dreams come true.
Review: Thomas Wooden Talking Railway [Farewell at the Docks]
Written on Nov 14, 2009 by Brian and filed under Learning Curve, Reviews
Right, so technology and classic wooden Thomas trains don’t go together right? If you’re a regular reader, you’ll know that’s not true, as we brought you the news of RFID integration coming to Thomas at this year’s Toy Fair. We have our first hands on one of the new Talking Railway sets from Learning Curve featuring Cranky, Thomas and Spencer. If you have a child who loves Thomas, then this new lineup will have them “Peep Peep-ing” with excitement.
Review: FAMPs
Written on Nov 12, 2009 by RuthJS and filed under Mattel, Reviews
Short for feelings, attitudes, moods and personalities, FAMPs allows users to customize their computer’s look based on their mood, play games and meet up with friends online. Coming from Mattel, it’s no surprise that everything about this toy appeals to the age 6+ target audience. I reviewed the FAMPs starter kit.
Review: Xtractaurs
Written on Nov 10, 2009 by Brian and filed under Mattel, Reviews
Mattel showed off Xtractaurs at CES back in January. Now the dinosaurs are available, another entry in Mattel’s line of merged physical and online play set of toys.Xtractaurs combine the offline world of dinosaur play with an online world filled with adventure games and perhaps most important, the ability to mix and match dinosaur parts to make unique hybrids ready for battle.
Review: Tonka Chuck My Talking Truck
Written on Nov 8, 2009 by Brian and filed under Hasbro, Reviews
Any parent with a young boy invariably will end up with a collection of trucks and related vehicles, many of them with the Tonka brand. In our house, my son still plays with his first Tonka dump truck that he received as a gift nearly 5 years ago. With Chuck My Talking Truck, Tonka has fused their classic dump truck durability and design with technology, to give kids 2 and older an entirely new truck experience.
Review: UCreate Music
Written on Nov 6, 2009 by RuthJS and filed under Mattel, Reviews
Ok, so is there anything cooler to an 8-year-old than creating his or her own dance music? Well, video games are big, but jamming with the UCreate Music ranks pretty high with my testers.
Review: Super Why Touch & Learn Super Duper Computer
Written on Nov 4, 2009 by Brian and filed under Learning Curve, Reviews
It doesn’t take long for kids to want their own computers. And while the idea of a 3-year-old running around with Mom or Dad’s laptop isn’t the best plan, there are alternatives. Learning Curve has recently released one such “computer” complete with touch screen interface. The Super Why Touch & Learn Super Duper Computer gives kids access to their favorite Super Why characters and games, in a fun and portable form factor.