Friday, February 27, 2009

Tweet The Night Away With Us

Join our partners in fun, Time To Play Mag, tonight, Friday, Feb. 27th as we officially kick off the return of Time To Play Mag's new Family Game Night with a Site Warming Twitter Party!

From 9:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. EST, Jim Silver, toy expert and editor in chief of Time to Play Mag will be answering questions on his Twitter page at http://twitter.com/jimsilver. You can RSVP for the party at ResourcefulMommy.blogspot.com.

Thursday, February 26, 2009

Deal Digger: Children's Book Deal at Barnes & Noble

You can buy three Children's Classics Books for $10 during the 3 for $10 sale at Barnes & Noble's website, BarnesAndNoble.com.

There are 40 classic kid's titles to choose from including; The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, Little Women, Anne of Green Gables, Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Treasure Island, Oliver Twist, Secret Garden, Heidi, and many more.

Shipping is free for these items when you spend more than $25. This offer is available on purchases through March 4. Click here for more details.

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

G.I. JOE Pit, Finally!

by Jeff

For the first time in the history of G.I. Joe toys, the Joe's secret base, known as The Pit, is getting a play set. The Pit will be part of of Hasbro's line of toys for this Summer's live-action flick and will recreate scenes and sets from the movie in 3-3/4 style.

This multi-level play set features the Joe's training facility, living quarters and transforms from a base to a giant vehicle (for reasons I'm hoping will be explained in the movie). The playset also features sounds and comes with an exclusive General Hawk figure that won't be available anywhere else.

The Pit will be in stores this Summer for a suggested retail price of $99.99

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Mind Control Going Mainstream

by Jeff

Two of the coolest toys we saw last week at Toy Fair were Mattel's Mind Flex and Uncle Milton's Star Wars: The Force Trainer. Both items require you to control an object with your mind. Yes, for real.

Mattel's Mind Flex is an obstacle course game in which you use your mind to control a ball floating in air as you try to navigate the ball through the course. You advance the ball around the course by turning a knob but it's your mind that causes the ball to rise or lower on the air current allowing it to pass over, under or through the different obstacles. The Mind Flex harnesses your brain's power through a headband dohicky that includes clasps that are clipped onto your ear lobes.

Uncle Milton's Star Wars: The Force Trainer also features a ball and air current but here the object is to use your mind to effectively control the ball and it's height inside a tube. There are multiple levels and each level requires greater concentration as you try to raise the ball to a certain height. Similar to the Mind Flex, Star Wars: The Force Trainer also requires you to wear a piece of headgear, however, this one has nodules that have to rest behind your ears. 

Monday, February 23, 2009

This Week's New Video Games

Its a great week for older gamers as several of the games on our list are rated Mature titles. Here are our picks for this week's best and/or most popular games due in stores this week.

Blue Dragon Plus (DS, rated Everyone)
This is the only rated E game to make our list this week. The DS sequel is set one year after the original Xbox 360 title and returns players to the story of Shu and his companions. At first glance, you might mistakenly believe Blue Dragon Plus to be a strategy game in the style of Final Fantasy Tactics but once the fight begins, everything starts happening in real time and you must feverishly put together your plan of attack, because those enemies aren't waiting for your turn.

50 Cent: Blood on the Sand (PS3, Xbox 360, rated Mature)
This isn't exactly our area of expertise but it's probably going to be a successful game, in terms of sales, and some of the kids in your life might be asking for it. Please be aware that this game is rated M for mature due to for Blood, Drug Reference, Intense Violence, Strong Language, and Suggestive Themes. In other words, this game is not suitable for kids.

Puzzle Quest: Galactrix (DS, PC, PS3, Xbox 360, rated Everyone 10+)
Battle across the galaxies with over 50 customizable spaceships, while trying to increase the size of your empire! An innovative hexagonal puzzle board allows for a wide range of strategic depth as it heeds to gravity according to your location in the game universe. A rich and detailed storyline and fresh game play elements make the world of Puzzle Quest: Galactrix a captivating new adventure to explore and conquer.

Star Ocean: The Last Hope (Xbox 360, rated Teen)
Star Ocean: The Last Hope is the fourth entry in the long-awaited continuation of the celebrated science fiction and fantasy RPG series. This prequel set during the aftermath of World War III combines sci-fi and fantasy elements spanning multiple planets and the vastness of space itself to recount the origins of the Star Ocean Universe.

Dead Rising: Chop Til You Drop (Wii, rated Mature)
Yes, this is another rated M game but it's a good one. In Dead Rising, you are battling zombies who have overrun a small suburban town. You can grab objects like umbrellas and benches to use as improvised weapons and if your health meter is running low, just stop by the food court for bite to eat and watch your health revive.

Friday, February 20, 2009

Live With Regis & Kelly Toy List


It's been an exciting week for all of us here at Toy Guy HQ. We spent most of the week at Toy Fair and will dedicate time next week to talking more about some of the coolest toys we saw. Today we wrapped our busy week up with an appearance on Live With Regis & Kelly. Chris Byrne had a blast, as always, with Kelly and today's guest host, American Idol's, Randy Jackson.

Here are the toys that Chris had on the show in order of appearance.

GI Joe Accelerator Suit Duke
Hasbro
$69.99
5 and up

Razor Spark Kick Scooter
Razor Scooters
$69.99
8 and up

Barbie Golden Anniversary Doll
$50.00
Barbie Glamour Camper
$79.99
Mattel
6 and up

Printies Design Studio
Techno Source
$9.99 - $19.99
6 and up

Disney On Stage
Jakks Pacific
$69.99
4 and up

Sky Ball
Maui Toys
$8.99
6 and up

R.Doggee
Zizzle
$49.99
4 and up

Battle Strikers
Mega
$4.99 - $34.99
6 and up

Color Wonder Finger Paints & Paper
Crayola
$6.99
3 and up

Etch-a-Sketch Freestyle
Ohio Art
$14.99
3 and up

Girafalaff Limbo
Hasbro
$29.99
4 and up

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Toy Fair 2009 New York City

It's Toy Fair time for all of us here at Toy Guy HQ. Below is a video Chris Byrne did from the show. Check back tomorrow for our show recaps.




For more great toy and game videos, Toy Fair info and fun, visit us online at time to play mag.com

Friday, February 13, 2009

The Latest Toy Reviews on theToyGuy.com

We have just added two new toy reviews to theToyGuy.com.

Click on the images below to read the reviews:



Thursday, February 12, 2009

Barbie Digital Fingernail Printer

Mattel unveiled several of their new techy toys at last month's CES show in Las Vegas. One item was the Barbie Digital Fingernail Printer and it is really cool. The printer, and the included software, lets kids create and design their own fingernail decals and then prints them directly on the nail.

The software comes loaded with 1000’s of designs including flowers, patterns, seasonal icons and, of course, plenty of Barbie images. There is also the ability to upload your own images to use with the printer, which means you can print just about anything you want on your nails. All of the printing is done with cosmetic grade ink and the designs can be rubbed off immediately or coated with clear polish to last for several days.

The Barbie Digital Fingernail Printer should be in stores this Fall. Stay tuned for more information including price and where to buy when it becomes available.

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Deal Digger: NBA Street: Homecourt (Xbox) $9.99


NBA Street: Homecourt for Xbox 360 by EA Games (rated Everyone) is on sale right now at newegg.com for just $9.99 plus free shipping! That's an a amazing deal.

Check it out now, here at newegg.com

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

How Cool Is This?! WowWee Spyball

WowWee, the company behind Robosapien, continues to, um, wow us with innovative robotic devices. One of their latest inventions is the Spyball Spy-Cam, a small rolling robotic ball capable of shooting still images or video and sending them back to you wirelessly. The Spyball can be controlled from any Wi-Fi-enabled device including a PC, laptop, video game console or even a cell phone.

Look for the Spyball in stores later this year for around $170.

Monday, February 09, 2009

This Week's New Video Game Releases

Looking for something new to play this week? Here are our top picks for this week's new game releases.

F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin (PC, PS3, Xbox 360, rated Mature)
Just in time for Friday the 13th,
F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin is a frightening shooter that will have you on the edge of your seat. The game is appropriately rated M (mature) so keep it out of the hands of the youngsters in your home.

The House of the Dead: Overkill (Wii, rated Mature)
This is a great week for fans of scary shooter games.
House of the Dead: Overkill takes you to a small town in Louisiana where you will come face to face with all sorts of creepy ghouls. Again, this is a Mature rated game so put the kids to bed before you jump in.

Flower (PS3, rated pending)
And now for something completely different, Flower, a PS3 exclusive game takes you back to nature with stunning landscapes and a truly unique concept. In the game, you are the wind and you will guide a swarm of pedals by interacting with other flowers and the surrounding environment.

My DoItAll (DS, rated Everyone)
Social networking comes to the DS in this clever game. Users connect wirelessly with up to six friends to participate in questionnaires, plan social activities, and play mini-games. There is also a scheduling tool, journal, and reference tools such as a calculator and world map.

Sonic's Ultimate Genesis Collection (PS3, Xbox 360, rated Everyone 10+)
This Sonic compilation features the best first-party games from SEGA's Genesis years as well as bonus content from the classic 8-bit System and 1980’s arcade era games.

USA Today Puzzle Craze (DS, rated pending)
The perfect game for casual gamers. Puzzle Craze is a compilation of popular newspaper hits including Crosswords, Hidato, Up and Down Words, and Word Roundup.

Friday, February 06, 2009

Real Transformers

You have to see this to believe it.

Thursday, February 05, 2009

Deal Digger: Get 40 Free Tokens When You Buy 60 at Chuck E. Cheese's


Pizza, singing robots and games! Sounds like fun to us. If you are planning a trip to Chuck E. Cheese's make sure to stop by their printable coupon page for great deals including 40 free tokens when you buy 60.

You can get details on this deal plus more by clicking here.

Wednesday, February 04, 2009

Playmobil Inventor Dies At 79


Hans Beck, the founder of the German toy manufacturer Playmobil, has passed away at the age of 79. Beck, who lived in Germany, died on Friday, January 30, due to "a serious illness".

Born in Thuringia, in 1929, Beck grew up in the town of Zirndorf, and began his toymaking career as a creator of little vehicles and figures for his younger siblings. Beck received training as a cabinetmaker but worked simultaneously on model airplanes, a product he pitched to the company Geobra Brandstätter. The owner of the company, Horst Brandstätter, asked him to develop toy figures for children instead.

Beck spent 3 years developing what became Playmobil, which was launched in 1974. Horst Brandstätter was not initially convinced of the viability of Beck’s idea, but allowed the inventor to continue developing the product. Eventually, the company grew to a payroll of nearly 3,000 and had sales last year of $588 million.

Tuesday, February 03, 2009

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen Official Trailer

One of the highlights of Sunday's Super Bowl was the official trailer for the next Transformers movie, Revenge of the Fallen. Check it out now.

Monday, February 02, 2009

This Week's New Video Game Releases

Looking for something new to play this week? Here are our top picks for this week's new game releases.

Imagine: Cheerleader (DS, rated Everyone)
This game places gamers in the title role of a cheerleader where they will make a difference at school by leading the team to victory through an inspiring show of support. Go Team!

Petz: Horseshoe Ranch (DS, rated Everyone)
Adopt your favorite horse from some of the most well-known breeds and watch your horse grow in three stages - baby, child and adult.

Rygar: The Battle of Argus (Wii, rated Teen)
Polish up your shield and prepare yourself for battle because the action of the Rygar saga is about to continue. Picking up where the original Rygar for NES and Rygar: The Legendary Adventure for PS2 left off, Rygar: The Battle of Argus promises a whole new adventure in the Greco-Roman world, with a new hero, a new stable of enemies and intense shield-wielding functionality based on the Wii Remote.

Burnout Paradise: The Ultimate Box
(PC, rated Everyone10+)
The fifth entry in this no holds barred racing series, Burnout Paradise gives players license to wreak havoc in Paradise City, the ultimate racing battleground, with a massive infrastructure of traffic-heavy roads to abuse.