Toys R Us' Top 15 Holiday Toys for 2011: Part II

Nerf N-Strike Stampede ECS by Hasbro: Nerf blaster that can shoot Nerf darts up to 25 feet. Complete your N-Strike arsenal and prepare for the ultimate in battery-powered blasting! Launch an all-out assault with the fully automatic STAMPEDE ECS! Unleash a storm of darts from the extended 18-dart clip and reload in a hurry with the three spares! Includes a blast shield to deflect an incoming fire and a pop-out bipod for blaster stability! Ages 6 and up.

Blaster comes with blast shield, three 18-dart extended clips, one 6-dart clip, 60 Clip System darts, pop-out bipod and instructions. Requires 6 "D" batteries, not included.

Pillow Pets by Ontel Products Corp.: Plus stuffed animals that convert into a pillow by opening a Velcro strap. Few things compare to the comfort and companionship of a soft, cuddly plush stuffed animal. Pillow Pets plush folding stuffed animals add true function to that warm and wonderful feeling by combining the security of a stuffed animal with the functionality of a pillow. Made of high quality, super soft chenille, Pillow Pets plush folding stuffed animals make the most precious snuggle pals for you or your loved ones.

An ideal naptime companion – not to mention a comforting partner on road trips or airplane rides – Pillow Pets plush folding stuffed animals are anything but just another stuffed animal. Extremely versatile, these unique creations are the stuffed animal version of Transformers. Close the strap across their bellies and you have friendly, comforting pets. Open the strap and the pet becomes a comfortable pillow! Even more, Pillow Pets plush folding stuffed animals are so soft you’ll think you’re hugging a real fur coat! A pillow and a pet – all in one – Pillow Pets plush folding stuffed animals keep the companionship alive, even when your child sleeps.

Pillow Pets plush folding stuffed animals and other plush products are favorites for all ages --- from toddlers to teens, expectant mothers to grandmothers! Whether you choose a jungle animal, farm critter or sea creature – or all of the above – Pillow Pets plush products are so cute and cuddly, you won’t want to put them down!

Sing-a-ma-jigs by Mattel: Plush creatures that harmonize and sing together or apart. For kids, and kids at heart, the Sing-a-ma-jigs are free-spirited, offbeat characters that set off unexpected laugher and excitement with every interaction! Their zany looks are unique to them and when they sing you can't resist when their little mouths open wide for each note! Every Sing-a-ma-jig has three modes of play where they chatter, sing their own song, or sing in harmony with their other Sing-a-ma-jig friends! In chatter mode they speak their own language full of jibber and jabbers. For their own take on musical tunes just try song mode, where you control the pace of the song. But, the Sing-a-ma-jigs enjoy nothing more than singing together! In harmonizing mode, each Sing-a-ma-jig sings a scale in a pitch specific to that character (some high, some low) and will always harmonize with each other perfectly every time. The more you collect, the larger the chorus, the better they sound! Stand about 8-inches tall.

Squinkies Cupcake Surprise Bake Shop by Blip Toys: A play set that doubles as a toy vending machine for 9 included Squinkies, tiny toy people and animals. The world of Squinkies fits in the palm of your hand. Welcome to the Squinkies bakery. Place the coin in the slot, turn the dial and the fun begins. Open the cupcake to find the bake shop within. Your squishy friends are all it takes. Squinkies go back in their bubbles when play time is done. Refill the cupcake for lots of fun.

Tomica Hypercity Mega Station Set by Tomy: A Toys R Us exclusive train set. Giant track layout with lights and sounds and a never before seen fully automated station. Watch as the cars travel up the ramp and stop to let the train go through! complete with rail road, pavement, train, station, convenience store, 2 cars and a Tomika figure. Requires 4 x C batteries (not supplied). For ages 4 years and over. By Tomy. A must have toy this Christmas!

Toys R Us' Top 15 Holiday Toys for 2010: Part I

By The Associated Press

Here's a look at the top 15 toys that Toys R Us is betting will be holiday hits:

Cuponk by Hasbro Inc: A game that combines electronic cups and ping-pong-like balls.What exactly is CUPONK? The object: sink your ball into the cup and light it up. Get it in and you'll hear the sweet sounds of victory, YEAH! You rock. Miss the shot and your friends get the chance to one-up you. When playing CUPONK your entire home can become a legitimate playing field. Tables, walls, chairs – IT'S ON! Test out sick trick shots like Runny Nose, Head Trauma and Stool Sample. What you don't like the names? Okay tough guy, make up your own! Ages 9 and up.
Disney Princess and Me dolls by Jakks Pacific. Five 18-inch dolls of princesses from Disney movies, available exclusively at Toys R Us.

Disney/Pixar's "Toy Story 3" Imaginext Tri-County Landfill by Mattel's Fisher-Price. A playset that recreates the landfill scene from "Toy Story 3." This ultimate playset lets kids relive the final climactic scene in the Disney/Pixar film, Toy Story 3. Loaded with jumping, spinning, flipping and climbing action, each stunt triggers the next. This playset can be combined with other Action Links sets for hours of movie play fun! Comes with three 2-inch figures and works will all the other 2-inch Toy Story figures. Ages 4 and over. Order yours today!

Fast Lane Wild Fire RC by Toys R Us. A four-wheel remote control car over a foot tall.

Imaginext Bigfoot the Monster by Fisher-Price. A Bigfoot that moves around, stomps and throws tantrums.

Leapster Explorer by LeapFrog: Electronic handheld device that has a library of 40 games and activities and other features.

Loopz from Mattel: Electronic memory game in which users try to repeat patterns of light and music. Click link to read more about Loopz, covered in a previous post.




Minotaurus by Lego Systems Inc. A board game from Lego. Introducing LEGO® Games, the world’s first collection of games that you build, play and change. With the unique buildable LEGO Dice and changeable rules, LEGO Games is a great way of having fun together with family and friends. The mighty Minotaur, a mythical creature, protects a secret temple hidden deep inside a labyrinth. Be the first to lead your heroes to the temple, avoiding the Minotaur and cleverly placing walls to block your opponents. Clear and simple rules make this game great fun for the whole family (2 to 4 players).

Monster High Cleo DeNile and Deuce Gorgon doll set by Mattel: Dolls from Mattel's Monster High line. High school sweethearts Cleo De Nile and Deuce Gorgon are the most popular couple at Monster High and the most fashionable! And they have some very famous scary cool parents as well! Cleo De Nile is the daughter of the Mummy and Deuce Gorgon is the son of Medusa. The Deuce Gorgon doll comes with his pet rat, Perseus, and his cool shades. The Cleo De Nile doll has her pet snake, Hissette, and golden purse. Includes 2 dolls, 2 pets, 2 accessories, 2 diaries, a brush, and 2 doll stands. For ages 6 and over. Order yours today! Measure about 10 to 11-inches tall.

Nerf N-Strike Recon CS-6 Blaster

Nerf N-Strike Recon CS-6 Blaster:

• Includes 6 foam darts!
• Quick-reload ammo clip!
• Electronic targeting light!

Build your own blaster with five interchangeable parts that you can take apart and reassemble any way you want. Snap the parts in any configuration onto the Tactical Rail and gain the upper hand in any situation that calls for awesome dart-tag action. Other features include a flip-up sight for aiming precision and a dual-mode light beam with red-dot accuracy that's perfect for night missions! Use the shoulder stock to steady your shot and store an extra clip of ammo (sold separately). Get armed with the most exciting name in high-tech blasters: N-Strike power! Requires 2x "AAA" batteries (not included). Ages 6 and up. This product was recently recalled by the manufacturer. If you currently have one, see this link for informaiton on how to modify this item for safety.

Hasbro, HarperCollins Debut New "Sid the Science Kid" Lines

A number of new toys and books for The Jim Henson Company's preschool series "Sid the Science Kid" are hitting shelves.

Hasbro's Playskool brand is rolling out a 12-inch talking plush Sid the Science Kid ($19.99); the Gotta Know Microphone, modeled after the one Sid uses on the TV series with four sound effect buttons ($12.99); and a mini plush assortment, featuring Sid, Gabriela, Gerald and May ($6.99 each).

Four books from HarperCollins have also recently released; "Sid the Science Kid: Everybody, Move Your Feet!" "Sid the Science Kid: What's the Smell?" "Sid the Science Kid: The Trouble with Germs" and "Sid the Science Kid: A Cavity is a Hole in Your Tooth." The titles are geared toward kids ages 3 to 8.

Thousands Attend G.I. Joe Fest

May 2, 2010 (United Press International) -- Thousands of G.I. Joe fans and collectors assembled in Providence, R.I., this weekend for the 17th annual G.I. Joe Collectors Convention, organizers said.

For more serious collectors, the occasion was extra special because it was the first time the convention has been held in Providence, the headquarters of Hasbro (NYSE:HAS) , the company that introduced G.I. Joe to the toy market in 1964, The Providence Journal reported Sunday.

Forget Gold, Buy Toys Instead

Watch Hasbro, Mattel before movie releases with toy tie-ins

All companies with lagging share prices should consider launching toys to coincide with their other initiatives, given what a UBS analyst has discovered. Robert Carroll focused his research on Hasbro Inc. and Mattel Inc. - two U.S.-based toy marketers and manufacturers, on which he raised his target prices on Monday - but could a Goldman Sachs Lloyd Blankfein action doll now be in the works?

Iron Man 2 Sees Strong International Opening

This past weekend, Paramount Pictures' and Marvel Entertainment's Iron Man 2 posted $100.2 million in box office sales from its premieres in Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Australia and Latin America.

The numbers showed the Iron Man sequel earned more in its opening weekend than the 2008 original film, including 49 percent higher in the U.K., 79 percent more in South Korea and 89 percent stronger in Russia.

This Friday, Iron Man 2 opens in North America, China, India, Turkey and Germany. It hits Japan on June 11.

The licensing program for the film includes Hasbro (master toy licensee), Sakar (spy gear toys and video game accessories), Diesel (men's fragrance), VTech (electronic learning products), Mega Bloks (construction toys), Silverlit (radio-controlled vehicles), Diamond Select (minimate figures), Cardinal Games (classic games and puzzles), Monogram (desk and stationery items), Basic Fun/Good Stuff (amusement toys and party goods) and Sideshow (collectibles). Other promotional partners include Burger King, Hershey's/Reese's, Dr Pepper and 7-Eleven.

Marvel Entertainment is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Walt Disney Co.

(License Mag)

Scarlett Johansson: I Bring More Than Sex Appeal

by Jeanne Wolf

"When you have a girl swinging around by her ankles in a cat suit, that's innately sexy, but she's also intelligent, ambitious, motivated and calculated. I've never really seen a film of this genre where there's more than sex appeal to the female characters. I would find it boring to be just a pawn in a film about a whole bunch of men fighting it out and rolling around and getting down and dirty. I didn't want to just be the sensual vision in a tight outfit," said Johansson.

Hasbro Unveils Its Top Licensed Summer Toys

A number of new licensed toys from Hasbro have been listed as the toy maker's top summer picks, including those based on upcoming films Iron Man 2 and Toy Story 3.

This year's top summer entertainment-themed toys include:

• Iron Man 2 helmet with electronic lights and sounds ($34.99, available now)
• Iron Man 2 arc chest light with power-up sounds ($7.59, available now)
• Iron Man 2 movie action figures, including Iron Man and five supporting characters and villains with collectible cards ($7.99 each, available now)
• Toy Story 3 Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head ($9.99, fall 2010)
• Space Shooter Target Game: Toy Story 3 Edition ($19.99, available now)
• Operation: Toy Story 3 Edition ($19.99, available now)
• Littlest Pet Shop Paw-Powered Cruiser play set ($19.99, available now)
• My Little Pony family convertible ($24.99, May 2010)
• Strawberry Shortcake Splashin' Petal Pool play set ($18.99, available now)

"Hasbro is proud to offer a wonderful selection of innovative, new toys and games this spring and summer from brands that children and their families know and trust," says John Frascotti, Hasbro's global chief marketing officer. "We're providing consumers around the world with highly immersive and fun play experiences, and we're delivering these at a compelling value. We believe that our iconic line-up, including Monopoly, Nerf, Littlest Pet Shop, My Little Pony, Furreal Friends, Play-Doh and Iron Man—to name just a few—will provide kids and their families with truly memorable experiences this spring and summer."

Other summer releases from Hasbro include a variety of U-Build games (Monopoly, Connect 4 and Battleship), as well as Nerf toys such as the super soaker blast water blaster, weather blitz flag football set and curve pitch baseball set. In addition, Baby Alive Sips & Cuddles, Furreal Friends Snuggimals assortment, Play-Doh Spin 'N Story Fun Factory and Wheel Pals mini four-pack assortment are hitting stores.