Tuesday, April 29, 2008

Little Builder Children’s Board Book Sets Recalled

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with Dalmatian Press LLC, announced a voluntary recall of the Little Builder Children’s Board Book Sets with Toys due to a choking hazard to young children. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

This recall involves Little Builder Children’s Board Book sets with ISBN 1-49373-215-9. The sets include four concept board books (colors, tools, 123, shapes) and two toy trucks (dump truck and concrete mixer truck). These items were sold at Wal-Mart, Levy Home Entertainment, Lion Sales of NW Brunswick, Farris Wholesale Outlet, Crane Book Sales, Ingram Book Co., BPDI Corp., Books A Million and Christmas Tree Shop stores nationwide and on the Internet at Amazon.com and Barnes&Noble.com from August 2007 through February 2008 for about $9.

For additional information, contact Dalmatian Press toll-free at (866) 418-2572 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. CT Monday through Friday or visit the firm’s Web site at www.Dalmatianpress.com

Monday, April 28, 2008

New Video Games Due This Week

With Iron Man the movie soaring into theaters on Friday, the video game version is set to invade our homes as well. Look for Iron Man (T, Many Platforms) in stores this Friday. This week's other notable new game is Grand Theft Auto IV (M, PS3/Xbox360). This latest installment of the very popular and very violent game features improved graphics, new features, and new game play. While not sounding as if we are putting this game down, because after all it is a lot of fun to play, we can't stress enough how deserving of the M (Mature) rating Grand Theft Auto is.

Here are some other notable games expected in stores this week:

Nintendo DS
Corvette Evolution GT
Brain Voyage
Iron Man
Let's Pilates
Let's Yoga
River King: Mystic Valley
Toy Shop
Winx Club: Mission Enchantix

Nintendo Wii
Iron Man

PC
Polar Games 2
Galactic Civilizations II: Twilight of the Arnor
Great War Nations: The Spartans
Strategic Command 2: Blitzkrieg: Patton Drives East

PSP
Chameleon
SNK Arcade Classics: Volume 1
Iron Man

PS2
Riding Star
SNK Arcade Classics: Volume 1
Iron Man

PS3
Grand Theft Auto IV
Iron Man

Xbox360
Grand Theft Auto IV
Official Xbox Magazine Demo Disc 83
Iron Man

- J. McKinney

Friday, April 25, 2008

Counting Down To Summer Blockbuster Season - The Incredible Hulk

The start of the Summer big budget blockbuster season is quickly approaching.Today we bring you the trailer for the new, The Incredible Hulk, Staring Edward Norton and Liv Tyler. In theaters June 13.

Enjoy!

Thursday, April 24, 2008

Still Looking For a Wii? Head to Toys "R" Us This Sunday


It's hard to believe that a year and a half after the Nintendo Wii launched that people are still having a hard time finding them in stores. If you are one of those people, we have some good news and bad news for you. First, the good news, Toys "R" Us is getting a big shipment of Wii's this weekend and they will be on the shelves on Sunday. You can pre-order a Wii by stopping by a store before Sunday and leaving a $200 deposit.

Now for the bad news, with the Wii Fit due in stores next month, this new batch of Wii's at Toy "R" Us and any available at other stores may get snatched up pretty quickly.

Wednesday, April 23, 2008

Wiimote Cufflinks

How cool are these Wiimote Cufflinks?


You could really class up your Wii gatherings with these flashy accessories. They can be yours now for $150 from CuffLinks.com.

Tuesday, April 22, 2008

Toys “R” Us Environmentally Friendly Toys

Last month Toys “R” Us, announced the launch of a new exclusive line of environmentally friendly toys designed for kids and families looking for more organic and natural products. The first toys in the collection are Natural Wooden Toys, Natural Cotton plush animals and Organic Cotton Dolls.

But what makes these toys environmentally friendly? According to Toys "R" Us, the Natural Wooden Toys are made from wood that comes from well-managed forests and are decorated using a unique wood-burning technique, which offers a classic look. The Natural Cotton plush animals and Organic Cotton Dolls are colored using natural or water-based dyes and are made with unprocessed, unbleached and untreated cotton. The packaging itself will be made from at least 70 percent recycled materials.

These products should be available now at Toys "R" Us stores nationwide and online at www.Toysrus.com. Additional items in the line will be introduced later this year.

Happy Earth Day!

Monday, April 21, 2008

New Video Games Due This Week

I'm biding my time until Sunday when Mario Kart (Wii, E) makes it's Wii debut. For anyone unfamiliar with Mario Kart, it is one of the most fun racing games that has been a Nintendo staple for every system since the SNES (Super Nintendo Entertainment System). While waiting for Sunday, I'll be playing Wild Earth: African Safari (Wii, E), which arrives in stores tomorrow. Wild Earth puts players in the role of a photo journalist sent on an adventure through Africa's Serengeti National Park.

Here is a look at some of the other games arriving this week:

Nintendo DS
Dream Pinball 3D
River King: Mystic Valley
The World Ends With You

Nintendo Wii
Battle of the Bands
Heavenly Guardian
Mario Kart Wii
River City Ransom [Virtual Console]
Target: Terror
Wild Earth: African Safari

PC
Turok
Galactic Civilizations II: Twilight of the Arnor
Lineage II 4th Anniversary Edition
Sword of the Stars Collector's Edition

PS3
NBA Ballers: Chosen One

PSP
Chameleon

Xbox 360
Metal Arms: Glitch in the System
NBA Ballers: Chosen One
Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell Chaos Theory

- J. McKinney

Friday, April 18, 2008

High School Musical: Summer Session Auditions

What's better than watching High School Musical for the zillionth time, experiencing the action and excitement of the movies brought to life on ice, or decorating your bedroom in everything HSM? How about staring in Disney's new reality series, "High School Musical: Summer Session."

That's right! If you (or your kids) are between the ages of 16 and 22, and have always dreamed of answering the call of the stage, then head to one of the two open auditions for this new Summer series. West coast auditions will take place Sunday, April 27, at the Long Beach Arena in Long Beach, California. East coast auditions will be on Wednesday, May 7, at the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida. The exact location is the Champion Stadium at Disney's Wide World of Sports complex.

The series debuts on ABC on Sunday, July 20 (8:00-9:00 p.m., ET) and runs Sundays and Mondays (8:00-9:00 p.m., ET) for three weeks, then continues Mondays at 8:00 p.m., ET through mid-September. The two auditions will become part of the early episodes of the show (ala American Idol) and the finalists will participate in a summer music program with the ultimate prize of joining the "High School Musical" gang.

Don't worry if you can't make it to one of these two auditions. According to ABC.com, casting scouts are searching the country looking for undiscovered talent who they think deserve a chance to try out. The scouts will select some of these individuals to be brought to the final auditions, before a panel of judges, which will be held as the final phases of the open calls. The information leaves out exactly where these scouts will be looking so you might want to play it safe and break into song and dance any time you are in a crowded area.

For more information, including the audition application form, Visit ABC.com or click here

Thursday, April 17, 2008

Counting Down To Summer Blockbuster Season - Kung Fu Panda

The start of the Summer big budget blockbuster season is quickly approaching.Today we bring you the trailer for this summer's DreamWorks' animated film, Kung Fu Panda. In theaters June 6.

Enjoy!







Wednesday, April 16, 2008

Induct Your Favorite G.I. JOE Figures into the Hall of Heroes Line

In 1982, Hasbro launched a radically different line of G.I. JOE action figures, which were scaled down from 12" to 3-3/4". G.I. JOE went from being a single character (with many iterations) to a team of elite forces with an equally matched enemy led by Cobra Commander. Last year marked the 25th Anniversary of what has become known as G.I. JOE VS. COBRA and Hasbro released 25 collectible 3 3/4" action figures to celebrate the milestone.

That celebration continues this year and now fans and collectors are being invited to participate. Starting yesterday, April 15th, All 62 single-carded 3-3/4-inch figures released through 2008 are listed on GIJOE.com, where fans are asked to vote for their favorite. The ten figures with the most votes will be announced at the G.I. JOE Convention in Dallas (June 27-29), and will then be released in spring 2009 as the Hall of Heroes Line with unique deco and commemorative packaging!

Voting is open through May 12th. To see the list of figures and vote for your favorite, visit Hasbro.com/gijoe.

Tuesday, April 15, 2008

Michaels Stores Recalls Seasonal Writing Pens

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with Michaels Stores Inc., announced a voluntary recall of the Flower Writers; Christmas Writers; Easter Writers; and Spooky Writers Seasonal Writing Pens for a violation of lead standards. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

The recalled pens were sold individually as one of four-series pens including Flower Writer; Christmas Writer; Easter Writer and Spooky Writer. Each pen has themed decorations including flowers, Christmas, Easter and Halloween ornamentation and were sold exclusively at Michaels retail stores nationwide from August 2007 through March 2008 for about $1.

For additional information, contact Michaels’ customer service at (800) 642-4235/(800) MICHAELS between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.michaels.com

Monday, April 14, 2008

New Video Games Due This Week

High School Musical fans will be dancing in the isles tomorrow as High School Musical 2: Work This Out (DS, E) arrives in stores. Gamers who are looking for something a little edgier will likely flock to Gran Turismo 5 Prologue (PS3, E) and Warhawk -- Operation: Broken Mirror (PS3, T). Two new Sims titles will give gamers the ability to flex their creative muscles. Check out The Sims 2: Kitchen & Bath Interior Design Stuff (PC, T), which features tons of furniture and accessories to spruce up your Sims homes. Last but far from least, two new Pokemon games arrive at the end of the week. Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Darkness and Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time (both DS, E), will give gamers the ability to play as a Pokemon monster.

Nintendo DS
Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Darkness
Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time
Major League Baseball 2K8 Fantasy All-Stars
Cory in the House
High School Musical 2: Work This Out
Rondo of Swords
Teenage Zombies: Invasion of the Alien Brain Thingys!

Nintendo Wii
Emergency Mayhem
Okami
Summer Sports: Paradise Island

PC
Sherlock Holmes: Nemesis
Crazy Machines 2
Dancing with the Stars: The PC Game
Europa Universalis: Rome
Final Fantasy XI: Vana'diel Collection 2008
Jack Keane
The Sims 2: Double Deluxe
The Sims 2: Kitchen & Bath Interior Design Stuff
Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Vegas 2
Magic Online III
TrackMania: Nations Forever

PS3
Gran Turismo 5 Prologue
Warhawk -- Operation: Broken Mirror

Xbox360
Halo 3 Legendary Map Pack

Friday, April 11, 2008

Crayola Celebrates the 64 Box's 50th Anniversary


The iconic Crayola 64 Box of Crayons, which debuted in 1958, celebrates its 50th anniversary this year and Crayola threw a party to celebrate that milestone earlier this week at Toys R Us, Times Square in New York City.

The colorful celebration included a giant cake replica of the 64 box, created by celebrity chef Duff Goldman from Food Network's "Ace of Cakes" and the unveiling of eight new Kid's Choice Colors. Crayola invited kids to participate in an online survey to help select and name a collection of hot hues for 2008. the chosen colors and names reflect today's kids values and include Best Friends (purple), Giving Tree (green), Famous (magenta), and Super Happy (yellow). Look for these and the rest of the new colors in the new 50th Anniversary 64 Box.

Thursday, April 10, 2008

Counting Down To Summer Blockbuster Season - Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull

The start of the Summer big budget blockbuster season is quickly approaching.Today we bring you the trailer for Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull

Enjoy!

Wednesday, April 09, 2008

Our First Guest Post - Politics 101: How to Get Elected to Office by Jim Silver

Washington Governor Chirs Gregoire last week signed the most rigorous toy safety law in the U.S.. While, protecting children's safety must be a top concern of anyone purchasing products, we believe that this is misguided legislation that has been rammed through the legislature on emotionalism and in direct opposition to established science.

Our friend and colleague Jim Silver of ANB Media is one of the few people willing to take a stand on this legislation and call it what it really is: election year grandstanding designed to create the illusion that things are really being accomplished to ensure greater safety for children.

He makes many good points, and we encourage you to read and seriously consider his views:

Politics 101: How to Get Elected to Office
By Jim Silver

Governor Chris Gregoire recently signed a bill for the state of Washington that will ban about 33% of all toys. The bill, to commence in July 2009 will outlaw toys with batteries because they will exceed the lead content the state will allow in toys. The amount of lead they’re allowing in toys is only 20% of the federal regulations.

The purpose of this bill? Toy safety? No, but to win elections. How do you win an election? You take a hot topic, like children’s safety. You yell about lead, how unsafe it is, and stir up your legislature and the people into a frenzy. You scare the public and talk about how you will make their children safer. You talk about the lead in toys, and how you will get rid of the lead. You impose strict regulations on lead in toys, 7x stricter than the federal guidelines. Guidelines so strict, that toys with internal batteries won’t pass the permissible amount of lead allowed. Then, you make exemptions for Video Games. We all know kids don’t play with video games, that they never have the wireless controllers in their hands. Exempt, because Microsoft and Nintendo are two of the biggest companies in Washington (and I am a huge fan of Wii and Xbox, consider them 100% safe, and tons of fun.) But you can’t hurt two of your state’s largest corporations.

And you then exempt BB and pellet guns, because guns aren’t dangerous like toys. iPods and cell phones are also exempt, because we all know kids don’t use these either.

Does this sound like a total fiction? I only wish.

Dr Garry Gardner, the chairman of the American Academy of Pediatrics committee on injury, violence and poison prevention has been quoted saying “I think people don’t always worry about the right things." The facts are the real dangers to children are small choking hazards, balloons, marbles and magnets that can become dislodged. These small choking hazards have lead to over 95% of all child related deaths the past ten years. As for lead...0%.

There are numerous scientific studies to show that lead paint in houses has been the greatest danger to lead poisoning. But that won’t win elections. Governor Gregoire said she will revisit the toy category after the 2008 election. How convenient!

State by State regulation will create chaos. Toy stores will open in Oregon on the state line. In order to get the hot toys, you will have to “cross the border”. What about amazon.com, who is based in Washington. Will they now be prohibited to sell in state? How about out of state? Or will they also get a special exemption? A black market will be created and the consumer will suffer.

We are going through tough economic times. People are fighting to pay their bills and put food on the table. Gas prices are hurting all aspects of businesses. We have serious problems for the serious politicians to resolve. I just hope some of these politicians will stand up this year and address the real issues this country has to face.

Tuesday, April 08, 2008

Imaginarium Activity Centers Recalled

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with Toys "R" Us Inc., announced a voluntary recall of the Imaginarium Multi-Sided Activity Centers and Jungle Activity Centers due to a chocking hazard. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

This recall involves the Imaginarium Multi-Sided and Jungle activity centers. The multi-sided activity center has moveable block letters, clock face, sliding shapes and gears. The jungle activity centers have peg jumping monkeys, sliding fish, abacus beads, bead mazes and other animal-themed activities. “Imaginarium” and the name of the activity center are printed on the packaging. Item numbers 69042 (multi-sided) and 69083 (jungle) are printed on the back of the box, near the bar code. The recalled items were sold exclusively at Toys “R” Us stores nationwide and www.toysrus.com from August 2007 through February 2008 for between $20 and $50.

Consumers should immediately take the activity centers from children and return the toys to the nearest Toys “R” Us for a refund or store credit. Consumers can go to http://www.toysrus.com/safety/safetyFAQ.cfm for more information. For additional information, contact Toys “R” Us at (800) 869-7787 between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. ET Monday through Saturday and between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. Sunday, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.toysrus.com.


Totally Mindless, Totally Entertaining - You Have To Burn The Rope


There is a new game burning up the Internet called You Have To Burn The Rope. Developed by a Swedish programming student named Kian, the game takes about 60 seconds to beat and rewards you with an awesome little diddy. In order to win the game, you have to run through a short tunnel then confront a boss at the end, which can only be destroyed by burning the rope. You can play it now by clicking here.

Monday, April 07, 2008

New Video Games Due This Week

For a second week in a row, it's great to be a PC gamer. Unfortunately for the rest of us, the pickings this week are slim. One title that looks very interesting is Baroque (Wii, PS2/T). In this post-apocalyptic RPG, you awake to a devastated world in which you will have to battle your way through a mysterious tower to unlock the secrets of this land.

Nintendo DS
Corvette Evolution GT
Fab 5 Soccer
Plushees

Nintendo Wii
Baroque
MiniCopter: Adventure Flight

PC
Assassin's Creed: Director's Cut Edition
Half-Life 2: Episode Pack
Imagine: Animal Doctor
Lineage II 4th Anniversary Edition
Sherlock Holmes: Nemesis
Sam & Max -- Season 2 Episode #5: What's New, Beelzebub?
Overclocked: A History of Violence
Panzer Command: Kharkov

PS2
Arcana Heart
Baroque
Fatal Fury: Battle Archives Volume 2

PSP
World Championship Cards

Thursday, April 03, 2008

Space Invaders Invading Our Lives for 30 Years Now

Hard to believe it but the original arcade game, Space Invaders, is 30 years old this year. Japan's Taito corporation and Yahoo Japan are making a big deal of this anniversary. You can play the original game online for free here. Surprisingly, this game is just as much fun to play now as it was 30 years ago. Although now that I think about it, I wasn't even playing video games 30 years ago.

Enjoy!

- J. McKinney

Hot Wheels Pop Surrealist Exhibit Opens in LA

"Toys," a new gallery art exhibit, opened this week in LA's Gallery 1988. The exhibit features the work of pop surrealist artists who were asked to interpret classic toy brands, such as Hot Wheels, into their artistic language.

From the press release:

"TOYS, a pop surrealist exhibit featuring a collection of artwork inspired by classic toy brands, opens today and includes a collection of artwork that pays tribute to the 40th anniversary of Hot Wheels® cars. More than 40 of the most famous pop surrealist artists from around the globe created customized 1:18 scale Hot Wheels® Volkswagen buses. Along with the Hot Wheels® inspired pieces, the exhibit also features canvas paintings and other artwork inspired by generations of children's classic toys".


Each Hot Wheels Volkswagen bus will be individually displayed and priced between $300 and $5,500 with a portion of the sales going to the Children Affected by AIDS Foundation. The exhibit is open to the public and will run until April 25, 2008 at Gallery 1988.

For more information, including directions to the gallery, visit www.nineteeneightyeight.com

Wednesday, April 02, 2008

Counting Down To Summer Blockbuster Season - The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian

The start of the Summer big budget blockbuster season is quickly approaching.Today we bring you the trailer for The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian.

Enjoy!

April's Poll - Summer Movies

Our new monthly poll is now open! Next month the Summer blockbuster season kicks off and we want to know which movie you are most excited about. Check out the poll to the right and let us know what you think.

Tuesday, April 01, 2008

New Video Games Due This Week

It's a great week for PC gamers, who have a plethora of new release to choose from this week. Unfortunately, that's not the case for console and hand-held owners. Nintendo DS users are lucky because they have the game Toy Shop (DS, E) heading to shops this week. We mentioned Toy Shop recently and can highly recommend it to gamers of all levels and ages.

Nintendo DS
Double Sequence
Toy Shop

Nintendo Wii
The Monkey King: The Legend Begins

PC
Overclocked: A History of Violence
Riddle of the Tomb
Sudden Strike 3: Arms for Victory
Women's Murder Club
Galactic Civilizations II: Twilight of the Arnor
Magic Online III
Requiem: Bloodymare

PS2
Mana Khemia: Alchemists of Al-Revis
RC Mini Chopper

Xbox360
Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare -- Game of The Year Edition