theToyGuy

Time To Play!

2010-03-19T13:52:00.000-04:00

For a little over a year now, we have been working hard on our new site, TimetoPlayMag.com. We've also launched a new blog called The Play Forum, and hope you join us there as we cease posting here on theToyGuy.blogspot.com.

At The Play Forum, you will find all the great toy, video game and fun content that you have come to expect here but way more of it!

So please join us at The Play Forum!

Fun In The Sun at Atlantis

2010-02-02T10:58:00.002-05:00

Shannon Eis and The Toy Guy race down one of the eight water slides at the Atlantis Paradise Island resort in The Bahamas. Check it out to see who wins!

This Week's New Video Games

2010-01-25T10:31:00.000-05:00

by Jeff McKinney (follow me on Twitter)

The traditional January drought of new games continues but things are looking up for February with a bevy of new games slated for release. Until then, I'm continuing to catch up with all the games from 2009 that I didn't get to spend enough time with and keeping an eye out for the occasional new game in the rough. Following is just such a game.

Fast Food Panic (Wii. rated Everyone)
Game Description:
Create the best restaurant in the world by cooking up yummy dishes, making your customers happy, greeting them when they stop by, and keeping your restaurant squeaky clean in this vibrant and fast-paced restaurant simulation game.

Keeping a top-quality restaurant takes a lot of work, and your waitress will need help-keep the place clean, make deliveries, ring up customers, and more.

Also features three difficulty levels, over 10 additional cooking mini-games, and Free Mode to replay completed levels and try for the top score. Unlock fun cooking mini-games to further hone your skills Three levels of difficulty for beginners and master chefs alike

New Time To Play Video: Minotaurus

2010-01-19T11:35:00.004-05:00

Our buddy, Jim Silver, has a new video over at TimetoPlayMag.com that tells you all about Lego's new game, Minotaurus.

Watch the video here.

For more videos like the one above, please visit the Video Center at www.TimetoPlayMag.com

This Week's New Video Games

2010-01-11T11:55:00.003-05:00

by Jeff McKinney (follow me on Twitter)

Now that the holidays are over, the gaming industry takes a little breather and only releases a handful of new games each week. That's ok because it gives us a chance to spend some quality game time with the games we received for the holidays or never got around to finishing last year. This doesn't mean that there aren't any new games worth checking out. In fact, this week brings the release of a game that I have been very excited about since I first got a demo of it last year.

Vancouver 2010: The Official Videogame of the Winter Olympic Games (Mac, PC, PS3, Xbox360. Rated Everyone)
Get ready for the Winter Olympics by participating in some of the most popular winter sport events without leaving the warmth of your home. Sega's Vancouver 2010 features 14 events, including giant slalom, snowboard cross, downhill and bobsleigh.
Look for Vancouver 2010 in stores and Online January 12, 2010

Don't Go Down Shore Without a Lifeguard

2010-01-05T10:08:00.000-05:00

By Christopher Byrne (Follow me on twitter)

If you’ve got teens, or even pre-teens in the house, it’s hard not to ignore the reality show “Jersey Shore” now on MTV. Kathy Griffin mentioned it on CNN New Year’s Eve with Anderson Cooper, who claimed to know nothing about the show. Though typically late to the party, the New York Times has become aware of the show’s popularity and its potential impact on the culture.

I became aware of the show when a group of 12-year-old girls were talking about it at an extended family gathering in early December. I was a little taken aback about the language and lifestyle they were discussing, so of course I tuned in.

Yes, these characters are laughable, cartoons of reality. Like so much of the TV of this genre, we know that it is provoked and edited to be as sensational as possible. We’re supposed to loathe these people and look down on them, and the producers have no qualms about showing these young people in the worst possible light—trumpeting ignorance, narcissism and sexuality in about as degrading a way as possible. And it sells, or it wouldn’t be on.

Now I’m no prude, and I believe in freedom of the media. If MTV wants to put that on the air, then by all means they have a right to do so. We can’t stop them, and I wouldn’t want to.

However, it does point out one of the relatively recent challenges of parenting and raising kids in the rapidly evolving media marketplace—playing gatekeeper on a daily or even hourly basis. Because kids have so many different channels to watch, online destinations to surf and access 24/7, it can be a full time job just to monitor what kids are watching. Yet it’s an important one. As parents and caregivers, we can’t control what’s on TV, but we can control the context in which the kids in our lives perceive the material.

Limiting screen time is good. Parental controls on computers are good. Keeping TVs and computers in public areas of the home is good. But at the end of the day, simply banning or preventing potentially objectionable material will only work for so long. Shows and web sites you might ban will inevitably be part of the conversation in your kids’ peer groups. And don’t make the mistake one parent did, thinking that in forbidding her 12-year-old to watch “Gossip Girl,” she was being protected. This young lady knew every plot and designer name. She got if from her friends and saw it at their houses. She simply didn’t tell her mom.

While a steady diet of “Jersey Shore” or most reality shows could make you worry for the future of the human race if it doesn’t bore you to death with its sameness and predictability first, the best idea is not to ban it but discuss it. Watch it with your kids, if they’ll let you, or record it and watch it later. It can be a great teaching tool. It’s not just that you can let your kids know how ridiculous it is for someone to give themselves a nickname like “The Situation” or talk about themselves in the third person; it’s that you can listen to your kids and get their responses to this. In fact, listening, particularly with Tweens and young teens is a good habit to get into. This is one time when teaching can go both ways.

You may discover, as I did with my 12-year-old friends, that they think the kids of “Jersey Shore” are worse than I did. While adults look back and are saying, “How could anyone be like that?” Young people tend to look forward, and say, “I would never want to be like that.” It actually kind of scared them.

Good.

To read more blog posts and articles like this, please visit our sister site, ThePlayForum.com

Happy New Year!!

2010-01-04T11:15:00.002-05:00

We are slowly getting back into the groove after a wonderful holiday break. We hope you had the happiest and safest of holidays and we all look forward to another fun year of toys, games and good times!

Holiday Schedule

2009-12-23T10:25:00.000-05:00

Everyone at theToyGuy.com and TimetoPlayMag.com will be heading home over the next few days to visit family, friends and celebrate the holidays. Posting here on the blog and our websites will be a little light but we will check in with the occasional update.

Happy Holidays from all of us here at theToyGuy.com and TimetoPlayMag.com and thank you for joining us in 2009. We look forward to a great 2010!

The Toy Guy on Tour

2009-12-22T10:23:00.000-05:00

This Week's New Video Games

2009-12-21T09:56:00.000-05:00

It's just a few days until Christmas so you won't see too many new games in the stores this week. Of the handful arriving, one worth mentioning is Guitar Hero: Van Halen (PS2, PS3, Xbox360, Wii. Rated Teen), In Guitar Hero: Van Halen, you can live out the experience of performing as one of the biggest rock bands of all time. See if you have what it takes to keep up with Eddie Van Halen's revolutionary guitar playing or David Lee Roth's unique performance style as you savor all the hot licks and scissor kicks that have helped this band achieve legendary status.

The Toy Guy on Live With Regis & Kelly

2009-12-15T10:38:00.009-05:00

Chris Byrne, The Toy Guy, was on Live With Regis & Kelly this morning, sharing some great toys that all cost $20 or less. You can check out the list below (in order of appearance) and all the toys should still be available in stores and online.

HOST CHAT- The item Kelly and Anderson were playing with:

Cadaco Boom Ball Sling Shot
12.99
6 and up
Cadaco

FIRST SEGMENT:

Fisher Price Chatter Phone
12.99
12 months and up
Basic Fun

Classic Mr. Potato Head
9.99
2 and up
Playskool

The Princess and the Frog Kissing Frog Dolls
19.99
3 and up
Disney Store

FurReal Friends Newborns
14.99
4 and up
Hasbro

Giant Pipe Cleaner Party
16.99
4 and up
Alex Toys

GloDoodle
19.99
4 and up
Spin Master

Etch-A-Sketch Freestyle
14.99
3 and up
Ohio Art

Connect 4X4
19.99
8 and up
Hasbro

Splashy The Whale
19.99
5 and up
Pressman Toys

SECOND SEGMENT

GX Racers Super Jump
19.99
6 and up
Jakks Pacific

Tracksters
14.99
6 and up
10 Vox Entertainment

Battle Strikers
14.99
6 and up
Mega Brands

Dolls
11.99- 19.99

EA Sports Sweet Spot Baseball
14.99
5 and up
Toy Island

Maui Holiday Balls
7.99-9.99
6 and up
Maui Toys

Nerf N-Force Marauder Long Swords
17.99
8 and up
Hasbro

Want To Win A Zhu-Zhu Pet?

2009-12-11T11:38:00.002-05:00

Chris Byrne, aka The Toy Guy, is giving away his very own Zhu-Zhu Pet today on MomTV. Tune into Time To Play With Jim & Chris on MomTV at 1pm (EST) and join the chat for your chance to win Chris' Zhu-Zhu Pet and more!

To watch MomTV, just click here or visit Momtv.com/TimetoPlay.html

The Toy Guy on MamaCheaps.com!

2009-12-10T11:01:00.003-05:00

Chris Byrne, the Toy Guy, wrote a guest blog post on MamaCheaps.com, "a little something for everyone".

Here's an excerpt from Chris's post, titled "Only Got A Sawbuck? Go Shopping! Great Gift Ideas For $10 and Under":

"Okay, the $10 bill probably hasn’t been called a “sawbuck” for a long time, but that’s what my grandfather always used to call them when he’d slip me one. Seemed like a fortune at the time.

When it comes to buying toys, $10 still goes a long way. In fact, the average toy in the U.S. is only about $10 still. When you factor in all the $0.99 Hot Wheels Cars, boxes of crayons and more, you’ll see that ten bucks can go a long way."

You can read the entire post with a list of some great toys for $10 and less by visiting MamaCheaps.com or by clicking here!

The People's Play Awards

2009-12-03T11:24:00.005-05:00

If American families were given the chance to create their own ’Wish List’ of toys and games for the holiday season, which playthings would make the cut? TimetoPlayMag.com answers that question by revealing the winners of the 2009 People’s Play Awards! Following is the list of toys and games that made ’America's Wish List’ for the 2009 holiday season.

The People's Play Awards gave the public a forum to select the toys and games they are hoping to receive this holiday season. Nominees in the fourteen categories were carefully reviewed and selected by the Time to Play editorial team headed by Jim Silver, editor in chief, and Chris Byrne, content director aka The Toy Guy®. Visitors to the website were encouraged to vote throughout October and November of this year.

And the winners are!

Activity Toys: Girl Gourmet Sweets Candy Jewelry Factory - Jakks Pacific

Boy's Action: Bakugan 7-in-1 Maxus Dragonoid - Spinmaster

Cars, Trucks, Trains: Hot Wheels Super Jump Raceway - Mattel

Construction Toys: LEGO Star Wars - LEGO

Dolls: Barbie Fashionistas - Mattel

Educational Toys: Tag Junior - LeapFrog

Electronics: Disney Netpal - Disney and ASUS

Games: Mindflex - Mattel

Girl's Toys: Zhu Zhu Pets - Cepia

Preschool/Infant Toys: Manny's Repair Shop - Fisher-Price

Radio Control: Air Hogs Laser Zero Gravity - Spin Master

Sports/Active Toys: Nerf N-Strike Raider Rapid Fire CS-35 - Hasbro

Tech Toys: EyeClops Night Vision Goggles - Jakks Pacific

Video Games: Wii Sports Resort - Nintendo

To see the list with pictures as well as all the nominees, please visit the official People's Play Awards page at TimetoPlayMag.com/PeoplesPlayAwards.

The Toy Guy on Seattle Mom On The Go

2009-12-03T10:22:00.004-05:00

Chris Byrne, the Toy Guy, wrote a guest blog post on Seattle Mom On The Go, a blog about being a "green" mom in Seattle.

Here's an excerpt from Chris's post, titled "Green Toys For Eco-Conscious Families"

"Green is one of the traditional Christmas colors, but“green” in the eco-sense is not something always instantly associated with the holiday. Parents and gift givers who have committed themselves to living green often approach the holiday with frustration. From plastic to packaging, they look at the amount of stuff that comes along with the holidays, and shudder."

You can read the entire post with some great "green" toy suggestions at Seattle Mom On The Go by clicking here.

Review: Tracksters

2009-12-02T09:59:00.003-05:00

Manufacturer: 10 Vox Entertainment

Brand: Tracksters

Age Recommendation: 6 and up

MSRP: $14.99

Intro Year: 2009

No question, web-enhanced toys are major players in the toy box. And while they're not, strictly speaking, new, these toys are becoming more sophisticated - and delivering better play - with each passing year.

That's one of the reasons we're so excited about Tracksters. In the package you get a very high quality 1:46 scale die-cast metal car. They have a substantial weight and well-deigned fast axles that make them superior for play and collecting.

But that's just the beginning. Each car also comes with a unique code that allows players to unlock the world of Tracksters.com. There, players can customize the online versions of their cars and race them.

The web site is truly remarkable. Excellent graphics, fast loading, exciting tracks and hours of interactive play, in a completely safe environment for kids. (COPA compliant) At the same time, they can race other cars through the online connection in a variety of environments.

There are also Track Packs that can be purchased separately. Each includes 7 cards that can add special features to the cars to improve performance or open up other parts of the world.

There are many things that are truly positive about this. First, kids are engaging in two complementary but distinct modes of play. There's the collection and play with die-cast cars that kids will really enjoy. That's classic play that no amount of technology is ever going to displace.

The online component is rich and engaging with many features that are designed for the kids (and older guys) who love cars and racing. The graphics are superior for this kind of play, and it truly reflects the investment of the developers.

More importantly, the universe of Tracksters is growing all the time, and nobody had done a better site for vehicle play that encompasses such diverse activities.

There are a couple of things to be aware of. You can buy a die-cast car for about a buck, and nearly every boy has a bucket of them. However, these cars (made for the Tracksters folks by Jada) are really high quality. Also, you're unlocking the entire world of the web, and when you compare the richness of the gameplay to any basic video game (PS 1 and handhelds, for example), you'll be impressed by the quality.

Secondly, though this site does work with Macs, you have to boot your Mac in Windows mode. It's a little clumsy the first time, but not terribly difficult. We got the best performance using it in a PC. The better your graphics card, the better you'll see all the action, too.

This company has been flying a little bit under the radar, but we're predicting that you're going to be hearing a lot about them in very short order, especially if you've got kids who love this kind of thing... or you do.

For more great toy and game reviews, please visit us at TimeToPlaymag.com.

Review: Elmo Tickle Hands

2009-11-30T10:50:00.003-05:00

Manufacturer: Fisher-Price

Brand: Sesame Street

Age Recommendation: 2 and up

MSRP: $29.99

Intro Year: 2009

Put Elmo's Tickle Power in your childs hands with Elmo Tickle Hands from Fisher-Price!

These big, furry, red Elmo hands (featuring Elmo's friendly face on one side) allow your kids to tickle and dance just like Elmo does! The Tickle Hand gloves easily slide on to little hands and when Elmo's nose is pressed, the fun begins! When your child touches a surface to tickle, the Tickle Hands start to vibrate and move allowing your child to feel like he can tickle just like Elmo! But thats not all! Touch Elmo's nose again and its time to dance! Elmo will give instructions on how to do his brand new dance called, "The Tickle Hand Groove!" This new dance encourages kids to get moving and grooving!

The hands also come with an instructional DVD that teaches kids how to do the new dance step by step! The DVD features Elmo and his mystery friend! Your child will be tickling, wiggling and giggling in no time at all!

This Week's New Video Games

2009-11-30T09:39:00.001-05:00

compiled by Jeff McKinney (follow me on Twitter)

Alvin and The Chipmunks: The Squeakquel (Nintendo DS, Wii. rated Everyone)
In Alvin and The Chipmunks: The Squeakquel, players can play as Alvin and The Chipmunks (Alvin, Simon, Theodore) or The Chipettes (Brittany, Jeanette, Eleanor). Musical sparks ignite as they jet around the world, rock the house in 25 concert locations on Wii and 11 in the Nintendo DS version, and perform together in the ultimate concert finale. Featuring songs from the Grammy and American Music Award-winning Alvin and The Chipmunks library, the game lets players use the Wii Remote and Nunchuk or Nintendo DS stylus to keep the rhythm in the main game and in three mini-games.

Avatar: The Game (All game systems. rated Teen)
Step into a dazzling world from the imagination of James Cameron and take your stand in the battle to determine the fate of a civilization. James Cameron's Avatar: The Game allows you to step inside the world of the feature film and go deep into the heart of Pandora and its people. Choose to fight for either RDA or the Na'vi, arming yourself with any of dozens of customizable weapons and a variety of clan-specific skills. Acquire new skills as you advance through the game, giving your all in the epic battle for a planet and a people.

Space Station Tycoon (Nintendo Wii. rated Everyone 10+)
Follow the adventures of Shawn and Tam on an intergalactic journey through Pirate infested space, meteor fields, supernovas, and countless dangers as they seek out fame and fortune in the high-stakes world of Space Station management Station Tycoon is a fast paced, simulation game focusing on character interaction and humor, light puzzle solving, and customization in a free form, non-linear world.

Review: Trio Building Set with Storage

2009-11-25T09:22:00.002-05:00

Manufacturer: Fisher-Price

Brand: Trio

Age Recommendation: 3 and up

MSRP: $29.99

Intro Year: 2009

Fisher-Price's Trio building system is specially designed to make building easier for even the smallest of hands. Three "grow with me" building levels make building a snap. Kids can feel and hear the click when they've connected the building pieces and the pieces will stay together throughout play, only coming apart when kids are ready to take them apart. Each set can be built and rebuilt in a variety of ways, letting kids build whatever they can imagine! And the pieces from the different sets can be mixed and matched for even more imaginative building.

The Trio Building Set with Storage comes with bricks, sticks, and panels that click and hold together for big building play. The set comes in bright colors and includes custom parts such as figures, wheels and chassis, and a durable tub for convenient storage and portability. The storage bin lid also doubles as a building base! Kids can build suggested designs or use their imaginations to create something all their own! This 100-piece set is a great way to get kids started with the Trio building system.

Review: Shred Sled

2009-11-24T11:12:00.003-05:00

Manufacturer: Shred Sled

Brand: Shred Sled

Age Recommendation: 8 and up

MSRP: $119.99

Intro Year: 2009

Are you ready to SHRED!? Start shredding in no time with the Shred Sled, the next generation caster board. The first 4-wheel, dual-deck inline caster board, the Shred Sled makes it smoother and easier to start carving up the streets. How it works: Shred Sled's two boards and flexible connector allow both boards to rotate around the vertical and horizontal axes so it's easy to maneuver the board. The best part is you don't even have to push off! For better control and traction, each deck has a grip surface to maximize traction and stability while the concave decks make for better foot control. The 4 x 80mm polyurethane wheels and ABEC-5 bearings are smoother and stronger than standard hardware and unlike other boards, rarely need to be replaced. Riding the Shred Sled feels like a combination of snowboarding, skateboarding and surfing and it's much easier to control than older 2-wheel generation boards. Great for strengthening the legs and waist muscles, Shred Sled encourages kids to get off the couch and get active outdoors. Available in black, blue or red. Weight: 8.7 lbs; Dimensions: 9.055"W x 32.87"L x 4.72". Be sure to wear a helmet and safety gear when using the Shred Sled.

Toys R Us Holiday Express

2009-11-23T09:40:00.000-05:00

Here is the ad for the new Toys 'R' Us Holiday Express. Has anyone seen this in their mall yet?

Reviews: EyeClops Night Vision Goggles

2009-11-20T09:19:00.000-05:00

Manufacturer: Jakks Pacific

Brand: EyeClops

Age Recommendation: 8 and up

MSRP: $59.99

Intro Year: 2009

For fans of the original EyeClops Night Vision Goggles, get ready for an improved, action-styled handheld design and the power to see with both eyes! Go into stealth mode as you sneak around in the dark, but still have the ability to see where you're going! The new handheld Night Vision Goggles allows visibility up to 50 feet in completely dark environments. Covert operations, nocturnal maneuvers-with EyeClops Night Vision Goggles, kids rule the night!

Thanks to advances in technology, Jakks has been able to redesign one of the coolest toys of 2008 into this new format that delivers all the play value, but costs $20 less. If you waited to buy this product last year, you're in luck. This is still one of the most fun items we've found for after-dark play.
Naturally, you'll want to set ground rules with your kids for how they use these and when and where they play.

Review: Ride & Learn Giraffe Bike

2009-11-18T13:02:00.000-05:00

Manufacturer: VTech

Brand: Jungle Gym

Age Recommendation: 1.5 and up

MSRP: $49.99

Intro Year: 2009

Refresh the jungle of toys in your child's playroom with VTECH's Jungle Gym line. Products in this line are a smart way to give rambunctious toddlers active play because they provide an engaging experience with colorful animals and interactive features sure to tame any wild child. Inspired by mom's own exercise equipment, kids can get moving with these active toys small enough for their growing bodies.

Young learners can pedal their way to smart play with the Ride & Learn Giraffe Bike. Kids can ride the stationary bike through a safari of letters, objects, numbers, animals, and melodies. The more kids pedal and bounce, the more they learn! The bike features five rewarding modes of active play including racing, ABCs, numbers, music, and animals. Children can learn letters and word association by cycling on the giraffe's pedals and watching the built-in LCD screen as they chase their favorite animal friends. The adjustable grow-with-me bouncy seat adapts to three different positions with a wide, stable base for lots of riding fun. This is a great way for kids to learn, have fun, and get active!

Review: Super WHY! Touch and Learn Super Duper Computer

2009-11-17T09:30:00.000-05:00

Manufacturer: Learning Curve

Brand: Super WHY!

Age Recommendation: 3 and up

MSRP: $39.99

Intro Year: 2009

It seems like everyone has a touch-screen these days and kids are no different. The Touch and Learn Super Duper Learning Computer, features a fully interactive touch screen and keyboard in a laptop-like design. It comes loaded with storybook adventures and more than 35 learning games that teach alphabet skills, reading comprehension, word families, rhyming, letter sounds, spelling, phonics, problem solving, and fine & gross motor skills. This laptop also features a grow-with-me curriculum, which makes it appropriate for all skill levels!

Because so many kids are on their parents' laptops and home computers from an early age, toy computers are really only relevant to kids who are too young to use those and who want to engage in role play as much as in learning play. That's why this is such a good choice for families. It combines the Super WHY! curriculum of reading and exploration with a laptop that mimics what mom and dad do.

The learning games are appropriate for the 3-4 year olds who love the TV show, and the touch screen is easy to use.

This Week's New Video Games

2009-11-16T10:40:00.000-05:00

Chaotic: Shadow Warriors (DS, Wii, PS3, Xbox360 rated Everyone 10+)
Battle to Victory in a World where Might Equals Right! Enter the realm of Chaotic and assume the role of one of its Creatures in this turn-based arena combat fighting game. Engage in explosive animated onslaughts that combine brutal melee attacks with vicious ranged assaults.

Hot Wheels: Battle Force 5 (DS, Wii rated Everyone 10+)
Play as all five Battle Force 5 characters in unique battle and racing zones featuring locations and settings from the hit Hot Wheels: Battle Force 5 TV show.

Lego Indiana Jones 2. The Adventure Continues (DS, Wii, PC, PSP, PS3, Xbox360 rated Everyone10+)
LEGO Indiana Jones 2: The Adventure Continues combines the fun and creative construction of LEGO bricks with the wits, daring and non-stop action of one of cinema’s most beloved adventure heroes. With a unique, tongue-in-cheek take on all the Indiana Jones films – including for the first time ever Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull – LEGO Indiana Jones 2 follows Dr. Jones’ escapades from the jungles of South America to the Peruvian Ruins and beyond.

Naruto Shippuden: Clash of Ninja Revolution III (Wii rated Teen)
Now you can face off against competitors from all across North America over the internet. Featuring an all-new storyline and updated cast of characters from the NARUTO Shippuden series, NARUTO Shippuden: Clash of Ninja Revolution 3 is sure to re-ignite your passion for an ultra competitive, ninja fighting experience.

Planet 51 (DS, Wii, PS3, Xbox360 rated Everyone)
Based on the new animated movie from the writer of "Shrek" and "Shrek 2", Planet 51 revolves around astronaut Captain Charles "Chuck" Baker who lands on Planet 51 thinking he's the first person to step foot there. The game will allow players to test their skills in a series of action-filled adventures that are out of this world. Try to outrun and outwit the Planet 51 Police and Army, find Chuck's spaceship and help Chuck return home to Earth.

The Princess and the Frog (DS, Wii, PC rated Everyone)
Join Tiana on an exciting journey through jazz-infused 1920s New Orleans with the official video game for Wii, inspired by the upcoming Walt Disney Pictures release of The Princess and the Frog.

Scene It? Bright Lights! Big Screen! (PS3, Wii, Xbox360 rated Teen)
Scene It? Bright Lights! Big Screen! is the ultimate movie trivia game for the trivia masters and casual gamers alike.

Tony Hawk: Ride (PS3, Wii, Xbox360 rated Everyone10+)
Experience the true thrill of skateboarding as never before through the revolutionary new skateboard controller in Tony Hawk: Ride. Bundled with the Ride game, the unique motion-sensitive board controller redefines the action-sports genre by translating your body motions into the game. No buttons, no thumbs, no analog sticks, just you on the board. For the first time in video game history, anyone can jump on a skateboard and feel the freedom, creativity, and accomplishment of skateboarding.

Toy Review: Crayola Crayon Maker

2009-11-13T11:32:00.001-05:00

Manufacturer: Crayola

Brand: Crayola

Age Recommendation: 8 and up

MSRP: $29.99

Intro Year: 2009

Did you know that the average kid will wear down more than 750 crayons by the age of 10? The Crayola Crayon Maker is the perfect solution for what to do with all those crayon bits that kids accumulate. And it's a great way to get creative.

Just place the crayon bits (with all paper labels removed) in the covered melting tray, turn the Crayon Maker on, and then pour the melted material into the crayon mold. The end result is a brand new crayon mix of whatever colors you choose to use. The Crayon Maker requires a 60w candelabra bulb to produce the heat.

This maker is a reintroduction of a very popular toy from 1999. It's been designed so the cover won't open until the wax is cool to the touch.

The whole process takes about 20 minutes or so, and we found that kids were engaged both in watching the melting and then loved pouring the melted wax into the molds. We found that it works best for them if they're coloring and creating while the molded crayons cool. We also found that this is something they like doing again and again and they even liked using fresh crayons because a huge part of the fun is making the swirled and mixed colors.

Because the crayons that come out of the molds are slightly shorter than a traditional crayon, Crayola has included an ingenious clip that allows two of the freshly made crayons to be put together to create something that's easy to draw with.

Toy Review: Battle Strikers

2009-11-11T09:30:00.003-05:00

Manufacturer: MEGA Brands

Brand: MagNext

Age Recommendation: 6 and up

MSRP: $14.99

Intro Year: 2009

This is a classic play pattern revved up for a new generation of kids.

Say goodbye to the strings and ripcords of traditional tops. Now kids can experience turbo-powered battling. Here come Battle Strikers, the ultimate kid-controlled spinning top battling system!

The Battle Strikers tops attach to a handheld unit-aka the Turbo Launcher. With the push of a button they spin and are revved up. Learning just the right amount of power to give them is a key strategy. When the tops are spinning, a quick flick of the wrist drops them-and they're ready to take on all comers.

But that's not all. Once the tops are spinning, a magnetic finger cover, featuring MEGA Brands' MagNext technology, lets kids guide their tops into attack mode -or dodge an oncoming opponent. As always, the last top standing is the winner.

With the Battle Strikers Starter Pack, kids can power up the Battle Strikers Turbo Launcher, load it with a themed Striker, and get ready to battle! As the Striker accelerates to 7,500 RPM, kids will feel the magnetic power as they use the controller to command the Striker to do battle. The Starter Pack includes the Turbo Launcher, a controller, and one exclusive Striker.

This is classic play-competitive, collectible, creative and absorbing. It's an excellent value, and collections are easily extended to add play value.

This Week's New Video Games

2009-11-09T10:18:00.002-05:00

Jonas (DS. rated Everyone)
Inspired by the latest hit Disney Channel Original Series, JONAS allows fans to play as the Jonas brothers and band members, Nick, Joe and Kevin in a non-stop, hilarious adventure. Play as any one of the Jonas brothers and help them tear up the stage, juggle school and friends and still make it home in time for dinner.

NBA 2K10 (Wii. rated Everyone)
The #1 selling NBA video game set the standard for all basketball video games, and NBA 2K10 aims to surpass that that by delivering an even better basketball experience this year with all-new gameplay components, out-of-this-world graphics, even more realistic Signature Style animations, all-new presentation elements and an unrivaled online system -- this season you won’t just play the NBA, you’ll live it.

New Super Mario Bros. (Wii. rated Everyone)
Taking advantage of the flexibility and power of the Wii and Wii Remote, New Super Mario Bros. Wii manages to preserve the retro experience that fans love about the series, while adding new game features. Notable additions among these include, expansive play levels and new powerups and characters, but by far the most important, and in fact game-defining new feature is simultaneous multiplayer. At the end of each stage during the simultaneous multiplayer mode, you are ranked based on your score, the coins collected and the number of enemies defeated

Toy Review: Dr. Seuss Super Stretchy ABCs

2009-11-05T10:46:00.002-05:00

Manufacturer: I Can Do That! Games

Brand: Dr. Seuss

Age Recommendation: 3 and up

MSRP: $19.99

Intro Year: 2009

I Can Do That! Games has done it again with another zany and hilarious children's game that keeps kids active and helps reinforce basic learning.

In Dr. Seuss Super Stretchy ABCs, kids will twist, turn and stretch as they try to touch spaces on an over-sized and colorful floor mat with their feet, hands and ears. Thing 1 and Thing 2 get in on the fun with the "toy-nado" tube, a clever spinner that deals out the letter to body part challenges. Kids earn tiles when they successfully complete challenges that are both physical and instructional as they help develop word-building and early letter and picture recognition skills.

Adults may realize how super stretchy they are NOT, but kids delighted in playing this and in challenging themselves. They were very proud when they were able to do things and thought it was hilarious when they or their friends couldn't quite reach. This is an engaging game that children wanted to play again and again-always a sign of a good game.

Star Wars: The Clone Wars The Complete Season One

2009-11-04T10:08:00.000-05:00

Star Wars: The Clone Wars The Complete Season One is now available on DVD and high-definition Blu-ray Disc from Lucasfilm Ltd. and Warner Home Video.

This four disc set contains all 22 episodes including seven extended Director's Cuts and companion featurettes for each episode. Expect to pay $44.98 for DVD and $59.99 for Blu-ray.

Toy Review: AniMagic: Honey My Baby Pony, Dotty My Cute Puppy, Snowflake My Cute Kitty

2009-11-03T10:41:00.000-05:00

Manufacturer: Vivid Imaginations

Age Recommendation: 3 and up

MSRP: $49.99

Intro Year: 2009

We don't often describe a toy as cute AND hi-tech but that is just what the AniMagic pets are-some of the cutest stuffed animals you will ever see that happen to be stuffed with some incredibly cool robotics. Each lap-sized pet interacts with you and features multiple movements such as Honey's blinking eyes, Dottie's wagging tail, and Snowflake's clapping paws. These adorable pets also feature realistic, life-like sounds and come with a favorite snack for you to feed them.

What makes these unique in a crowded field is that they are larger than many other animatronic pets, have more functionality, and are actually cuddly to play with.

This Week's New Video Games

2009-11-02T10:44:00.007-05:00

Band Hero (DS, Wii, PS2, PS3, Xbox360. rated Everyone 10+)
Brought to you by the makers of Guitar Hero, one of the best-selling video game franchises of all time, Band Hero features the hottest chart-topping hits from everyone’s favorite acts including Taylor Swift, Lily Allen, The All-American Rejects and Jackson 5. Band Hero allows fans to create the band they always dreamed of using any combination of guitar or drum controllers and vocals, providing rockers and performers of all ages the chance to experience and interact with their favorite music.

Barbie And The Three Musketeers (DS, Wii, PC. rated Everyone)
It’s “All for one and one for all” as Barbie and her friends star together in Barbie and the Three Musketeers, a classic story with a girl power twist! Join Barbie on the adventure of a lifetime! Play as Corinne, a girl from the French countryside who dreams of becoming a musketeer.

LEGO Rock Band (DS, Wii, PS3, Xbox360. rated Everyone 10+)
LEGO style and humor take Rock Band to an all-new level; experience fun for the whole family on a wild journey to rock stardom culminating in the ultimate rock gig that will take you out of this world! Songs You Know and Love rock out to everything from current radio hits to past favorites the whole family will enjoy.

My Baby First Steps (DS, Wii. rated Everyone)
Take care of your baby from his 1st birthday until they'll be 3 years old. Your baby will discover its environment and learn from it, they will walk, babble and speak, try to catch every object they can, and put everything in their mouth ... Your baby will be the apple of your eye!

Ni Hao, Kai-lan: New Year's Celebration (DS. Rated Everyone)

Ni Hao! Get ready to enjoy the greatest Chinese New year celebration ever with Kai-lan and her friends! Join in the fun with Kai-lan, Rintoo, Tolee, HoHo, LuLu and YeYe as you help them craft paper lanters, cook Chinese dumplings, march in a parade, play in a band and much, much more!

Star Wars Battlefront: Elite Squadron (DS, PSP. rated Teen)

Star Wars Battlefront: Elite Squadron is the deepest and most action-packed Star Wars Battlefront game ever. Experience battlefronts that span ground, space and capital starships, a robust original storyline and expanded gameplay features that deliver endless replayability.

Reviews: Liv Dolls

2009-10-27T11:04:00.002-04:00

Manufacturer: Spin Master

Age Recommendation: 5 and up

MSRP: $19.99

Intro Year: 2009

There's a dramatic new introduction in the fashion doll arena-one that's targeted to pre-teens who may be too old to play dolls in a traditional way, but who are into fashion, collecting and online communication.

The new Liv line is a collection of four dolls, each with a unique personality. The dolls have been designed to represent "real" girls, or at least idealized versions of attainable goals that pre-teens can relate to, rather than a total fantasy world. (After all for a pre-teen, that magical day when they become teenagers is a very real fantasy!)

Sophie, Katie, Alexis, and Daniela are fun, bold, funny, and have their own personalities. Sophie loves trying out new hairstyles on her friends because she wants to be a celeb stylist one day. Daniela loves to sing and randomly breaks into song wherever she gets the urge. Alexis hopes to launch her very own fashion line someday. Katie can totally grind on her skateboard, but trips just crossing the street. The beauty of Liv girls is that they embody real girls through their hobbies and fashion.

And just like real girls, the Liv girls love playing online. Their owners can join in the online fun at livworld.com. When you purchase a doll, you will also receive a secret access code that unlocks the Liv world. In this safe online play area, you can read Liv girls' super secret diaries, watch videos, play games, try on virtual outfits, and take photos of Liv girls having fun!

The dolls are just as much fun to play with offline as online. Each Liv girls doll comes with awesome outfits and two hairstyles, but this is no ordinary hair play. With Liv dolls, girls can really change a doll's hair through the use of wigs! Does Sophie want to go from blonde to green? How about giving Daniela super straight hair? There are two wig assortments, bold and sleek (sold separately), featuring exciting, colorful, and stylish new hairstyles for girls to try out on their dolls. Girls can even create the new looks in a salon setting with the Salon Set, which comes with a styling chair, two wigs, hair extensions, and extra accessories.

Once the hair is changed, Liv dolls will need new outfits to go with it! Girls can update their dolls' looks through Fashion Accessories Assortments, which come with a variety of items, such as scarves, boots, and sunglasses, or Fashion Assortments, which come with six fashion pieces and two pairs of shoes. These fashions are super trendy, while at the same time staying age-appropriate.

For on-the-go fun, the My Room Foldout Playset is the perfect 2-in-1 storage and play environment. Fold out the playset for a bedroom environment with armoire, dresser with drawers that really open, and a pull-down bed! This is the perfect place to store a Liv doll and her accessories-fold it up and take it with you!

These beautiful dolls will inspire play and interaction. The combination of real world and online play has been well developed and the world of the dolls is very nicely done and rich for play.

This Week's New Video Games

2009-10-26T12:30:00.000-04:00

Ben 10: Alien Force Vilgax Attacks (DS, Wii, PS2, PSP, Xbox360. rated Everyone)
BEN 10 ALIEN FORCE: Vilgax Attacks is the latest game in the multi-million unit selling videogame franchise based on Cartoon Network's hit television series, BEN 10 ALIEN FORCE. Players will experience an action packed adventure in the vast ALIEN FORCE universe, as they take Ben and the Omnitrix into outer space and alien home planets for the first time ever in the series.

Dance Dance Revolution: Hottest Party 3 (Wii. rated Everyone 10+)
Hottest Party 3 is a dance/party game for Wii that takes the long-running DDR party to the next level. Bundled with the game's iconic floor peripheral, and including controller support for the Wii Remote/nunchuck controller configuration, and for the first time the Wii Balance Board, it is sure to be the life of the party and get you into shape. Game also include local 2-4 player multiplayer support, a diverse 60-song soundtrack, entirely new modes and more. Some of the song include the following:
"Disturbia", Rihanna
"I'm Coming Out", Diana Ross
"Ice Ice Baby", Vanilla Ice
"Just Dance", Lady Gaga
"Let's Get It Started", Black Eyed Peas
"Praise You", Fatboy Slim
"So What", Pink

DJ Hero (PS2, PS3, Xbox360, Wii. rated Teen)
The makers of Guitar Hero introduce an entirely fresh and innovative way to experience music and rhythm gameplay. DJ Hero features an amazing variety of music across genres – tracks that you love and reflect who you are. Using an authentic turntable controller, you will spin and scratch more than 100 songs into unique mixes and become the life of the party.

Dora the Explorer: Dora Saves the Crystal Kingdom (Wii. rated Everyone)
A greedy King as taken all of the crystals that make Crystal Kingdom colorful, and without them the Crystal Kingdom is starting to lose its color! Join Dora, Boots and Allie on an adventrue through storybook lands to recover crystals and save the Crystal Kingdom!

Hasbro Family Game Night 2 (Wii. rated Everyone)
All the excitement of a prime time TV game show in your very own living room! With Mr. Potato Head, himself, as your host, you are guaranteed to have a thrilling night of family-friendly fun. Hasbro Family Game Night 2 lets up to four players become contestants with a wide variety of fun and engaging party games. Win and collect parts for the coveted Golden Potato to become the ultimate game show champion! Pictureka Play with your Mii in the Hasbro Family Game Show!

Madagascar Kartz (DS, Wii, PS3, Xbox360. rated Everyone)
Madagascar Kartz is a kart/racing game set against the backdrop of the popular DreamWorks animated franchise of the same name. Experience the zany characters and unique locations of the Madagascar movies wrapped in the over the top fun of arcade style kart racing. Put the pedal to the metal Madagascar style with wacky karts, wild tracks, tons of power-ups and crazy kart racing action.

SpongeBob's Truth or Square (DS, Wii, PSP, Xbox360. rated Everyone)
SpongeBob SquarePants has gotten himself into quite a predicament. After being entrusted by Mr. Krabs to keep the Krabby Patty formula safe, he is overcome with grief for losing the recipe. He then relies on the help of the most unlikely companion, Plankton, who wants the secret Krabby Patty recipe to himself. With the help of his friend, SpongeBob must use Plankton's memory machine to retrace the happiest moments of his life to find the Krabby Patty formula in time for the Krusty Krab's Eleventy Seventh anniversary.

This Week's New Video Games

2009-10-20T10:23:00.000-04:00

Astro Boy: The Video Game (DS, PS2, PSP, Wii. rated Everyone 10+)
Based on the movie, Astro Boy, the game is set in the futuristic Metro City, home of Astro Boy, a young robot with incredible powers. Astro Boy heads out on a journey in search of adventure in a world of robot gladiators, before he returns to Metro City where he finds his place in the world.

Backyard Football 10 (PS2. Xbox360, Wii. Rated Everyone)
Backyard Football is the best selling kids’ football video game of all time. The game features top NFL Superstars including Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, LaDainian Tomlinson, Michael Turner, Tony Romo, Brady Quinn and more as kids.

Bakugan: Battle Brawlers (DS, PS2, PS3, Xbox360, Wii. rated Everyone)
Based on the wildly popular card game and television show, Bakugan: Battle Brawlers, is a video game experience requiring skill, strategy and imagination. Featuring a fierce assortment monsters, uncanny powers and amazing environments in an alternate dimension called Vestroia, the game lets you and your own unique Bakugan join forces with Dan and his fellow Brawlers as they battle to save Vestroia and ultimately, Earth from destruction.

Charm Girls Club: My Fashion Mall (DS. rated Everyone)
Charm Girls Club My Fashion Mall takes girls through a series of mini-games and mall drama" that allows them to make it the most fashionable mall ever! Emilie's uncle just opened the new Teen mega-mall but it's so not cool. As the experts on what's in", you and your BFFs are called in to transform the mall from drab to fab! Over 50 virtual charms to earn throughout game play.

Cooking Mama 3: Shop & Chop (DS. rated Everyone)
Mama’s heading back to her culinary roots with Cooking Mama 3: Shop and Chop. Packed with six game modes--including two new to the game franchise--all new recipes, ingredient shopping, dish combinations and multiplayer cooking challenges, Cooking Mama 3: Shop and Chop lets players explore their inner creative chef with everyone’s favorite kitchen cutie at their side.

FIFA Soccer 10 (DS, PC, PS2. PS3, PSP, Xbox360, Wii. rated Everyone)
The seventeenth overall release in Electronic Arts' popular FIFA Soccer franchise, FIFA Soccer 10 enables gamers and soccer fans alike to enjoy the nonstop action and fun of the #1 soccer game simulation, regardless of their skill on a real or virtual pitch. With FIFA Soccer 10, players can create themselves in game, join a club and compete against gamers around the world in online competition.

Littlest Pet SHop Friends (Wii. rated Everyone)
The second edition of the Littlest Pet Shop video game brings the party to you with a new cast of quirky pets and their best friends. Play tons of new mini-games and explore new towns with your favorite pets. With enhanced multiplayer features, you can even double your fun by playing with your best friend.

Marvel Super Hero Squad (DS, PS2, PSP, Wii. rated Everyone 10+)
Assemble your squad and fight your way to victory to save the citizens of Super Hero City from evil schemes of Dr. Doom and the Lethal Legion in this multi-player adventure game inspired by Marvel's animated, kid-friendly series.

The Toy Guy on MomTV

2009-10-16T10:02:00.000-04:00

Today (Friday, October 16), The Toy Guy, Chris Byrne, will be on MomTV! Tune in at 1pm (Eastern) to see Chris along with Jim Silver.

To watch, just go to http://www.momtv.com/toyguys.html

An Early Look at LEGO Rock Band

2009-10-15T10:17:00.000-04:00

by Jeff McKinney (follow me on Twitter)

The Rock Band hits keep on coming with the latest installment in the franchises' popular music-experience video game, LEGO Rock Band. Hot on the heels of one of the most successful video game launches of the year--The Beatles: Rock Band--LEGO Rock Band combines the familiar Rock Band play pattern with the world of LEGO to create a comical, band-building, music-jamming game. In the game, players will build a band using the iconic LEGO people and then take the band on the road, sea and off the planet as they rock out to current and classic rock songs.

The songs included in the game should ensure that everyone playing can find a favorite, including: "Free Fallin" by Tom Petty, "So What" by Pink, "Ghostbusters" by Ray Parker Jr, "You Give Love A Bad Name" by Bon Jovi and "Song 2" by Blur.

Unlike other Rock Band and Guitar Hero games, LEGO RB is the first to appeal directly to families, kids and tweens and includes a new Super Easy difficulty level for beginners of all ages.

The game is sold alone and there are no plastic instruments like the ones The Beatles and Rock Band 2 came with. Those instruments as well as most Guitar Hero and other music game instruments will work with LEGO Rock Band. The game will be available for Microsoft Xbox 360, Nintendo DS and Wii, Sony PS3 on November 3.

Check out our Video Game Review section on TimeToPlaymag.com for a full review when the game arrives in stores.

This Week's New Video Games

2009-10-05T10:37:00.001-04:00

Disney Sing It: Pop Hits (PS2, PS3, Wii. rated Everyone)
The third game in the video-based karaoke video game franchise from Disney Interactive Studios, Pop Hits features songs and videos from Miley Cyrus, Taylor Swift, The Jonas Brothers, Demi Lovato and Hannah Montana. Fans can also sing to chart-topping tunes from Colbie Caillat, Coldplay and One Republic.

NBA 2K10 (PC, PS2, PS2, PSP, Xbox 360, Wii. rated Everyone)
NBA 2K10 is ready to tip off another championship season. NBA 2K9, the #1 selling NBA video game set the standard for all basketball video games, and NBA 2K10 aims to surpass that that by delivering an even better basketball experience this year with all-new gameplay components, out-of-this-world graphics, even more realistic Signature Style animations, all-new presentation elements and an unrivaled online system -- this season you won’t just play the NBA, you’ll live it.

Star Wars: The Clone Wars -- Republic Heroes (DS, PC, PS2. PS3, PSP, Xbox 360, Wii. rated Teen)
For the first time ever, players can fight as their favorite Jedi and clone troopers from the animated television series in a brand-new storyline, which bridges the gap between season one and two. Built around two-player cooperative action, the accessible controls and family-friendly gameplay bring Star Wars fans across generations together like never before to fight the evil Separatists and restore peace to the galaxy.

The Time To Play Holiday 2009 Most Wanted

2009-10-02T13:08:00.000-04:00

Predicted to be the most popular and best selling products of Holiday 2009, the Time to Play Most Wanted list is organized in ascending age order. Following is a detailed description of each of the 16 products named to the list. Would you like to see the items and find out why the editors selected each one? Then, check out the official Most Wanted page on TimeToPlayMag.com by clicking here!

BARBIE FASHIONISTAS

(Mattel; Ages 3 years & up; Approximate Retail Price: basic dolls: $11.99)

Barbie has a whole new look-and it's all fashion all the time. Every girl can express her fashion personality with the Barbie Fashionistas. Each doll has 12 points of articulation, more than 100 different poses, and a distinct personality (Glam, Cutie, Girly, Wild, Sassy, and Artsy) reflected in her clothes and accessories. These dolls are really gorgeous and reflect today's girls' awareness and appreciation of fashion. The Barbie designers have gone all out to create dolls that work as play dolls and even as entry level collectibles. Plus, the lower price delivers great value without cutting corners on high style.

CRAYOLA CRAYON TOWN

(Wild Planet; Ages 3 years & up; Approximate Retail Price: $9.99 & up)

Color, build, and play in the world you create with Crayola Crayon Town where kids create an entire town, complete with three-dimensional structures to color and build. There are five themed collections, and each set includes Crayola crayons, coloring sheets, corrugate pop-up buildings, and accessories. Once the environments are colored and constructed, kids use the accompanying figures and vehicles to engage in their own imaginative scenarios.

But there's new use and life for the crayons, too. Use them to build different characters or pieces such as trees, animals, and other objects to populate your town. It's a perfect use for old or broken crayons, too.

ROCKY THE ROBOT TRUCK

(Mattel; Ages 3 years & up; Approximate Retail Price: $59.99)

The classic dump truck just got a burst of personality! Meet Rocky the Robot Truck, a bright yellow and black, fully functional dump truck. Rocky is a free-wheeling dump truck, but he’ll have kids laughing and dancing as he stands up, squats, shakes, tells jokes, and even dances. Kids will delight as Rocky says, "Shake what your mama gave you!" and wiggles and jiggles to his own fun music.

Activated by interactive sensors and featuring motorized movement, his headlights flash and he says more than 100 phrases such as "Rocky reporting for duty" and "Let's get to work." His rugged design and full-tilting bed add to the great play value. Boys will be fully engaged as they get ready to load 'em up and move 'em out with real hauling and dumping action.

CANDY LAND SWEET CELEBRATION GAME

(Hasbro; Ages 4 years & up; Approximate Retail Price: $29.99)

Design your own path to King Kandy's party in the Candy Land Sweet Celebration Game. Players link together individual paths to make up the freestanding game board, allowing players to shorten or lengthen the game depending on the time allotted. (This is a great asset for parents who can adjust the game based on their kids and the time they want to spend).

Game play is similar to the original Candy Land game, using color matching, counting and other basic preschool skills to create a colorful adventure. Players race through a variety of 3-D locations, and outwit Lord Licorice, to win the game.

ZHU ZHU PETS

(Cepia; Ages 4 years & up; Approximate Retail Price: $7.99 & up)

Zhu Zhu Pets are innovative, interactive battery-operated hamsters. Kids will spend hours watching the hamsters talk and move around in specially designed playsets that kids can customize. The hamsters include two play modes: nurturing mode where the hamsters coo and purr and adventure mode where the hamsters explore their habitat with intelligent audio and mechanical responses to various habitat stimuli. It sounds high-tech, but these cute hamsters are easy for all ages to play with. One of the things we love about this is that the technology is virtually invisible. All kids see is a cute pet they'll love playing with.

BAKUGAN 7-IN-1 MAXUS DRAGONOID

(Spin Master; Ages 5 years & up; Approximate Retail Price: $39.99)

Bakugan, a collectible game combining cards and dimensional transforming playing pieces has been a major hit among boys for the past two years, and the momentum shows no sign of slowing down. The next evolution of the game takes the popular pieces and allows seven of them to interconnect, creating the largest Bakugan character yet, Maxus Dragonoid. The pieces can also be used individually in the game. Your boys can follow the story; you just need to know they’re cool and in high demand.

DORA’S EXPLORER GIRLS

(Mattel; Ages 5 years & up; Approximate Retail Price: Dora Links Doll: $59.99, Dora Fashion Doll: $19.99)

Dora the Explorer is growing up! She's moved to the big city, attends middle school, and has a whole new fashionable look. What's more, she now has a rich online world in which girls can explore, play games, customize, and solve mysteries with Dora and her new friends.

The line includes two dolls - fashionable interpretations of Dora as a tween. The first, the Dora Links doll, plugs into the computer and opens up an interactive, online world. As girls are playing online, they can customize their doll and watch as it magically transforms right before their eyes! Plus, as girls explore and solve mysteries online, the doll's speech will change to correspond with their play.

The Dora Fashion Doll is a basic fashion doll has the great look and fashions of the new, older Dora and inspires basic, open-ended play with a newly “grown up” friend.

TRANSFORMERS MOVIE CONSTRUCTICON DEVASTATOR

(Hasbro; Ages 5 years & up; Approximate Retail Price: $99.99)

The top-of the line Transformers toy is really five amazing vehicles in one. It was featured in the battle-fueled climax of the blockbuster movie, Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen. Devastator is actually several vehicles (called the Constructicons) - Scavenger, Scrapper, Hightower, Overload, Longhaul, Rampage, and Mixmaster-in one giant robot. This is the must-have toy for Transformers fans who want to recreate the film's awesome action sequences or create their own.

BATTLE STRIKERS

(MEGA Brands; Ages 6 years & up; Approximate Retail Price: $9.99-$34.99)

Battle Strikers are the ultimate kid-controlled spinning top battling system! The advanced design allows kids to customize their tops for ultimate performance - speed, power or strength. When the top is assembled, attach it to the handheld Turbo Launcher, push the button, and they power up. When the tops are spinning, a quick flick of the wrist drops them and they're ready to take on all comers. Plus, magnetized finger covers let you control your tops’ movements as they battle. The last top standing wins.

NERF N-STRIKE RAIDER RAPID FIRE CS 35 BLASTER

(Hasbro; Ages 6 years & up; Approximate Retail Price: $34.99)

This is the highest dart capacity Nerf blaster yet, the next big thing from Nerf's popular N-Strike line of dart blasters. It features a collapsible stock and a new drum magazine that holds 35 darts and is interchangeable with other Nerf N-Strike blasters.

By holding the trigger and pumping, players can instantly transition between single fire and slam fire mode, unleashing a rapid stream of 35 darts! The removable shoulder stock and Tactical Rail System allows players to customize their blaster for each mission.

PRINTIES

(Techno Source; Ages 6 years & up; Approximate Retail Price: $19.99)

This creative activity toy leverages technology already in the home (computer and printer) to give kids hours of creative play. Design online at MyPrinties.com (a safe, secure COPPA compliant site), print on both sides of the Printies fabric sheets using any inkjet printer, tear along the perforated shape, and pop out the Printies design! Then stuff it and put it on display. The MyPrinties.com online studio features thousands of design tools and art elements to help kids design their Printies. The site includes quick-start templates, a sketch book, design inspiration, online tutorials, and more! It's so easy for kids to use and get creative!

AIR HOGS SWITCHBLADE

(Spin Master; Ages 8 years & up; Approximate Retail Price: $69.99)

Believe it or not, it’s the 10^th anniversary of Spin Master’s Air Hogs. The new Air Hogs Switchblade is a two-in-one flyer unlike anything ever seen before in remote-control action. Hover like a UFO or fly like a plane - the Switchblade can do both through a magical in-air transformation using the latest in-flight technology. The incredible flyer takes off like a UFO and transforms in the air into a high-powered aircraft.

EYECLOPS NIGHT VISION GOGGLES

(JAKKS Pacific; Ages 8 years & up; Approximate Retail Price: $59.99)

First launched in 2008, the Eyeclops Night Vision Goggles, have been improved with a better design that lets users see with both eyes instead of just one and a major drop in cost. The new handheld Night Vision Goggles allows visibility up to 50 feet in completely dark environments. This is real technology that really works, and provides a unique and versatile play experience for kids. Naturally, parents and caregivers will want to set ground rules with kids for how they use these and when and where they play.

GIRL GOURMET SWEETS CANDY JEWELRY FACTORY

(JAKKS Pacific; Ages 8 years & up; Approximate Retail Price: $29.99)

Look deliciously sweet and stylish with your own unique, candy jewelry creations! The Girl Gourmet Sweets Candy Jewelry Factory allows girls to design, bake, wear, and eat scrumptious candy jewelry such as necklaces, bracelets, and rings! The set features a small baking oven and a variety of molds to create jewelry charms and sweet gems. The Sweets Candy Jewelry Factory includes a baking oven, molds, accessories, and more.

LEGO STAR WARS

(LEGO; Ages 8 years & up; Approximate Retail Price: $12.99 and up)

It’s rare that we would acknowledge an entire product line, or, as one might say, a universe of product. But LEGO Star Wars truly ranks among the best of the best. Celebrating 10 years and as one of the all-time top-selling construction toys, these models and sets allow kids (and many grown ups) to replicate key items from the movies and create their own Star Wars worlds and adventures. There are lots of different sets at different complexities and various price points to delight the hardcore fan or the casual player.

THE BEATLES ROCK BAND

(Harmonix Systems; Rated E for Everyone; Approximate Retail Price: $59.99-$249.99)

Who could have guessed that the band our parents listened to on vinyl records 40 years ago would become one of the most talked about video games of 2009? The Beatles: Rock Band is the latest Rock Band game and gives players the ability to jam along with the Fab Four or, at least, digitally animated versions, through a collection of songs that span the band’s career. Songs include hits from the early small club days in 1963 Liverpool such as “Twist And Shout” and “I Saw Her Standing There” to that famous final performance on the Apple Corps rooftop of “Don’t Let Me Down”. Plus, this will introduce a whole new generation to the music of The Beatles.

This Week's New Video Games

2009-09-28T10:29:00.001-04:00

Family Party: 30 Great Games Outdoor Fun (Wii. rated Everyone 10+)
Family Party: 30 Great Games Outdoor Fun delivers dozens of unique outdoor activities for hours of all ages fun. An unbeatable combination of variety and value, it lets anyone become a martial arts, track & field, or recess superstar!

Deca Sports 2 (Wii. rated Everyone)
Deca Sports, the hit sports compilation game is back with exciting multi-sport competition across 10 new sporting events in Deca Sports 2. With its easy-to pick up and play controls, Deca Sports 2 will make everyone in your family experts in a wide range of new sports.

Family Feud: 2010 Edition (DS, PC, Wii. rated Everyone)
The Family Feud games features all of the favorite elements of the show as played on television, with two families playing against each other in a contest to name the most popular answers to survey questions posed to 100 people.

Safari Adventures Africa (DS, Wii. rated Everyone)
Safari Adventures is a collection of 3D adventure games dedicated to children from 6 to 9 years old. The game includes five 3D games mixing discovery & exploration on each continent, where the child discovers the various planet ecosystems and resolves the problems linked to the environmental degradation.

Wii Fit Plus (Wii. rated Everyone)
Now Wii Fit Plus offers a range of new features and enhancements to help players reinvigorate their workouts, along with exercises and balance games designed to keep them fun. Players will find a new dimension to the Wii Fit experience as they easily set their own customized workout routines, or choose 20-, 30- or 40-minute workouts based on how much time they have available.

Deal Digger: Babies "R" Us Sale

2009-09-24T11:30:00.002-04:00

Babies "R" Us is holding a Fall fashion event now through October 4, 2009. During the sale, you can take 30% off your entire clothing and shoe order on sizes newborn up to 48 months old. This sale is in stores only.

This Week's New Video Games

2009-09-21T11:58:00.001-04:00

Halo 3:ODST (Xbox360. rated Mature)

This isn't a typical Toy Guy game pick but we know it's going to be a huge hit and parents might want to know what it is. Halo 3: ODST is a new, stand-alone expansion to the Halo series that lets players experience the events leading up to the story told in Halo 3 through the eyes of an entirely new character the ODST (Orbital Drop Shock Trooper). The game is rated Mature because of the violence, language, blood and general gore. This is definitely not a game for kids, however, older male teens and adults will love it.

Katamari Forever (PS3. rated Everyone)

This is the first Katamari game for the PS3 and retains the light-hearted, slightly bizarr play-pattern of the other Katamari games. Players will take on a character and roll through levels picking up everything they roll into creating a constantly growing ball of stuff. That stuff can include anything from thumb tacks to ocean liners.

Scooby-Doo! First Frights (DS, PS2, Wii. rated Everyone 10+)

Play through one of Mystery Inc's first mysteries in this new Scooby-Doo! game. Players can play as all five of the main characters--Scooby, Shaggy, Velma, Fred and Daphne--in this comic, mystery adventure game. The game is rated Everyone 10+ but kids as young as five will enjoy playing this game with a little help from a grownup.

Where's Waldo? The Fantastic Journey (DS, PC, Wii. rated Everyone)
Where’s Waldo?: The Fantastic Journey video game brings Martin Handford’s classic book to life in a spectacular new way, allowing kids to discover this popular fanchise as an original interactive adventure for the whole family. Search for the one and only Waldo and his cast of friends.

Deal Digger: Toys "R" Us Trade-In Event

2009-09-17T09:26:00.000-04:00

From Friday, August 28 through Sunday, September 20, Babies"R"Us and Toys"R"Us stores nationwide are holding the "Great Trade-In" event, providing customers the opportunity to trade-in any used cribs, car seats, bassinets, strollers, travel systems, playards or high chairs in exchange for a 20% savings on the purchase of any new baby item, in any of these product categories, from select manufacturers.

This Week's New Video Games

2009-09-14T11:14:00.003-04:00

Typically, over the Summer months, we see a slowdown in the number of games released each week. However, as Fall arrives so do the number of games hitting the store shelves. There are close to 40 new games arriving in stores this week and following are our picks of the best family-friendly and youth oriented games for you to keep a eye out for.

Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs (DS, PC, PSP, PS3, Xbox 360, Wii. rated Everyone)
Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs the video game is based on the Sony Pictures Animation movie, and on the best-selling children’s book about food falling from the sky. Gameplay is a fun-filled adventure where kids can engage in a hilarious food fights and have fun with food in a way that they can’t in real life.

Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story (DS. rated Everyone)
Enter the belly of the beast with the Mario Brothers! In his evil plot to take over the Mushroom Kingdom, Fawful tricks Bowser into eating a magic mushroom. The mushroom causes Bowser to begin inhaling everything around him, including Mario, Luigi and Princess Peach! Do the Mario Bros. have the guts to rescue Peach and escape?

Marvel: Ultimate Alliance 2 (DS, PC, PS2, PS3, Xbox 360, Wii. rated Teen)
The highly anticipated sequel to 2006’s Marvel:Ultimate Alliance—heralded as the best Marvel Super Hero game of all time, and selling more than 4 million units worldwide—is finally here with Marvel: Ultimate Alliance 2. Inspired by the acclaimed Marvel Civil War storyline, this action-RPG delivers once again on a colossal cast of characters, thrilling gameplay and impassioned alliances.

Naruto Shippuden: Ninja Destiny 2 (DS. rated Teen)
With 34 playable characters, this year's Naruto roster has seen a completely new upgrade, including all-new attacks and character specific cinematic jutsu moves. The game also introduces Quest Mode, allowing players to take on the role of their favorite ninja and travel through tough mazes to battle and defeat opponents to improve character performance and level up.

NHL 10 (PS3, Xbox 360. rated Everyone 10+)
The 18th version of EA Sports' popular NHL video game, NHL 10 is loaded with features sure to please both established fans of the series and its community, as well as those coming to it for the first time.

NHL 2K10 (PS2, PS3, Xbox 350, Wii. rated Everyone 10+)
NHL 2K10 redefines the sports gaming experience with a new emphasis on social gaming. Whether you're a die-hard NHL fan or a casual player, NHL 2K10's combination of pick-up-and-play controls ensuring accessibility, the game's true-to-life professional hockey authenticity and its variety of on and off-line multiplayer modes promise hours of entertainment for every gamer, regardless of experience level.

Scribblenauts (DS. rated Everyone 10+)
In Scribblenauts, players use the Nintendo DS touch-screen to help their character Maxwell acquire the Starite in each level by solving a series of puzzles armed with their stylus, notepad and imagination. Players jot down the word for any object that comes to mind in order to reach the goal. Every object behaves as it would in the real world, and the game contains tens of thousands of words that can be used to solve puzzles.

Toy Story Mania (Wii. rated Everyone)
Inspired by the Disney/Pixar feature film Toy Story and the 4D Toy Story Mania! attraction that launched at Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort last year. Join all the classic Toy Story characters in Toy Story Mania! as Woody, Buzz and the gang stage their own zany, fun-filled carnival. Toy Story Mania! allows players to participate in familiar and all-new carnival-inspired shooting galleries and win top prizes in mini-games. The game features multiplayer competitive and cooperative modes supporting up to two players, providing hours of fun.

Chris Byrne Nominated for a Relly Award!

2009-09-03T10:13:00.000-04:00

Our own, Chris Byrne, aka, The Toy Guy has been nominated for a Relly Award! the Relly Awards are presented annually by the Live! With Regis and Kelly Show honoring the wildest, funniest and best segments of the year.

This year, Chris has been nominated as "Favorite Expert" for his summer toy segment with Kelly Rippa and guest host, Jimmy Kimmel.

Chris needs your vote to win so please vote today (voting is only open today) by visiting www.rellyawards.com. Once there, after the intro, select the "Vote Now" button, which will display all the nominees. Chris is the first option (on the left) in the top row.

Thanks for your support!
theToyGuy.com Team

This Week's New Video Games

2009-08-31T09:41:00.000-04:00

This week, two new games arrive in stores and we are very excited about both of them. The first is the latest Guitar Hero game, which will have everyone rocking out and second, one of the most imaginative, kid-friendly games we have seen yet, Mini Ninjas is in stores tomorrow.

Guitar Hero 5 (PS2, PS3, Xbox360, Wii, rated Teen)
The insanely successful rock video game is back with more of today's most popular artists and classic rock legends including Tom Petty, Kings of Leon, The White Stripes, Santana, Johnny Cash, The Rolling Stones and Bob Dylan. The game disc includes 85 master tracks for players to rock out on plus downloadable content and, for the first time ever, players can customize the make-up of their band by rocking with any combination of instruments in-game: whether it be two guitars and two drums, or three guitars and a microphone, any combination is possible, allowing players to experience music their own way.

Mini Ninjas (PC, PS3, Xbox360, Wii, rated Everyone 10+)
A single player action/adventure game, Mini Ninjas puts a new spin on the video game favorite, ninja action genre. A kid-friendly game featuring no killing and an engrossing storyline, which players explore via six playable ninja characters, players take on the role of Hiro and the fellow members of his improbable ninja clan as they face an ancient evil that has returned to impose itself on the world. Each ninja utilizes authentic ninja weapons and moves, and possesses his/her own individual skill set, including mysterious "kuji magic" abilities.

Want To Know What The Hottest Selling Toys Are?

2009-08-27T11:17:00.000-04:00

TimetoPlayMag.com went directly to the source and surveyed offline and online retailers to find out what the hottest-selling items in the toy industry are right now.

Here is what they found:

Apples to Apples
from Mattel
Recommended for Boys and Girls ages 8 and up

Bakugan Trap
from Spin Master
Recommended for Boys ages 5 and up

Bumblebee Voice Mixer Helmet
from Hasbro
Recommended for Boys ages 5 and up

G.I. JOE Action Figures
from Hasbro
Recommended for Boys ages 4 and up

Halo Wars
from MEGA Brands
Recommended for Boys ages 8 and up

Hyper Dash
from Wild Planet
Recommended for Boys and Girls ages 6 and up

LEGO Star Wars
from LEGO
Recommended for Boys ages 7 and up

Liv
from Spin Master
Recommended for Girls ages 5 and up

Tag Reading System
from LeapFrog
Recommended for Boys and Girls ages 4 and up

Transformers Movie Figures
from Hasbro
Recommended for Boys ages 5 and up

You can view pictures and read reviews of all of these products at Time To Play by clicking here!

8 Bit Trip

2009-08-25T10:28:00.004-04:00

Take a techno-infused classic video game journey through the world of LEGO in this imaginative and incredibly talented video.

This Week's New Video Games

2009-08-24T11:07:00.000-04:00

Metroid Prime Trilogy (Wii, rated Teen)
Metroid Prime Trilogy is a new collection of three previously released Metroid Prime games that bundles all three games onto one disc and revamps the first two installments with intuitive Wii Remote controls, wide-screen presentation, and other enhancements. This is a must-have for Metroid Prime fans!

Professor Layton and The Diabolical Box (DS, rated Everyone 10+)
The sequel to Professor Layton and the Mysterious Village, focuses on a box which kills anyone who opens it. Layton goes in to investigate and solve the mystery before it's too late. Once again, it's up to Professor Layton and his apprentice, Luke, to unravel the mystery and they need your puzzle-solving help to do it. Players will tackle more than 150 new brain teasers, riddles and logic puzzles as they attempt to puzzle out the mystery behind the Diabolical Box.

Batman: Arkham Asylum (PC, PS3, Xbox 360, rated Teen)
In this download only game, players take on the role of Batman as he is delivering The Joker to Arkham Asylum, where his greatest foes are waiting with a trap.

The Clique: Diss and Make Up (DS, rated Everyone 10+)
Based on the best-selling young adult book series by author Lisi Harrison, The Clique: Diss and Make Up, players assume the role of the new girl at school, taking on the challenges of climbing the social ladder to join the ultimate clique, the Pretty Committee. Player will use gossip, fashion and wit to make friends, join cliques, attend classes, and even work after school “jobbies” with a variety of exciting mini-games.

Wizards of Waverly Place (DS, rated Everyone)
Wizards of Waverly Place allows fans to experience the magical mishaps of Alex Russo, with the help of her brothers, Max and Justin. Players can experience five unique and exciting episodes while learning how to cast new magic spells ensuing in hours of hilarious and mischievous fun! Fans will visit recognizable locations from the show, and hang out with familiar friends from the hit Disney Channel TV series.

Spider-Man 5 and 6 in The Works!

2009-08-20T10:51:00.001-04:00

Filming on Spider-Man 4 hasn't even begun yet and already plans are in the works for the 5th and 6th films in the Spidey series. Apparently, many of the ideas that were cut from Spider-man 4 will be used in 5 and 6, which are scheduled to be filmed back-to-back as part of a two-part film series (ala the Lord Of The Rings trilogy).

Most of the details on 5 and 6 are still sketchy, including whether or not Tobey Maguire will play the web-slinger or not. We will keep you posted as details become available. Filming on Spider-Man 4 is set to begin next year.

This Week's New Video Games

2009-08-17T10:37:00.001-04:00

It may be National County Fair month but that doesn't mean you can't still find some fun in your video game isle this week. Following are our picks for this week's best new games arriving in stores this week.

Spectrobes: Origins (Wii, rated Everyone 10+)
Spectrobes: Origins brings the successful series known from its previous DS releases to the Wii for the first time. The game is an action/adventure game mixing real-time battles, science fiction and monster collection with an exciting new story. Origins challenges players to prevent a galactic threat by utilizing speed, strategy and of course, Spectrobes.

Midnight Mysteries: The Edgar Allan Poe Conspiracy (PC, rated Pending)
Take on the persona of a famed writer who is known for solving cold cases in this adventure game that takes you through some of the author’s most famous works.

Paws & Claws Pet Vet Australian Adventure (DS, rated Everyone)
Work as a doctor and care for 6 fun loving animals such as koala bears, wombats, dingos and kangaroos in the Pet Sim Adventure game. You will also hop in your very Jeep and use your map to locate all the sick animals in the, eucalyptus forest, the vast plains or the mountains.

Wolfenstein (PC, PS3, Xbox 360, rated Mature)
Wolfenstein brings the Nazi’s dark obsession with the occult to life with epic action and harrowing shooter combat. Use a powerful arsenal of both definitive and occult-enhanced Axis & Allied weapons to beat back a supernatural Nazi force that is full of surprises. You play as BJ Blazkowicz, a highly decorated member of the Office of Secret Actions (OSA).

Posted by Jeff

New Video Games Due This Week

2009-08-10T10:16:00.000-04:00

by Jeff McKinney (follow me on Twitter)

We have something for everyone in this week's picks of the best new games arriving in stores. Kids and Pokemon fans will love Fossil Fighters while anyone looking for an active challenge will enjoy Active Life. Finally, are you ready for some football because the latest Madden game is here!

Fossil Fighters (DS, rated Everyone)
Welcome to Vivosaur Island, home of the world-famous Fossil Stadium, where dinosaurs revived from ancient fossils fight in thrilling battles! As a Fossil Fighter, you'll dig up dinosaur fossils, clean them, and revive them into powerful "vivosaurs," ready to battle. In your adventures, you'll delve into ancient ruins, explore sunken pirate ships, and uncover secrets that will shake the planet to its core!

Active Life: Extreme Challenge (Wii, rated Everyone)
Showcasing more than a dozen unique activities, from wakeboarding to rock climbing and base jumping, Active Life: Extreme Challenge promises to keep players pulses pounding and hearts pumping with each new event. Combining the exclusive mat controller with a Wii Remote not only provides active and fun gameplay but also an experience that burns calories.

Madden NFL 10 (PS2, PS3, PSP, Xbox360, Wii, rated Everyone)
In Madden NFL 10, you will join the fight and experience firsthand what it is like to fight for every yard. With the all-new Pro-Tak animation technology you will have more control over the outcome of every play than ever before. Whether driving your receiver towards the first down, or battling for a fumble at the bottom of a pile, the play won't be over until the whistle blows.

Chris Byrne on Live With Regis & Kelly

2009-08-07T12:38:00.003-04:00

Did you miss Chris Byrne on Live With Regis & Kelly yesterday? No problem because we have the video from yesterday's show.

Enjoy!

Scroll down to yesterday's post for a list of the toys.

Chris Byrne on Live With Regis & Kelly

2009-08-06T10:04:00.002-04:00

It's been a rainy summer for many of us this year so today Chris Byrne, The Toy Guy, stopped by Live With Regis & Kelly with some of the best toys for a rainy day.

Following is a list of the toys Chris had with him on the show in order of appearance. You should be able to find all of these items at toy and retail shops nationwide as well as online shopping sites.

1-2-3 Stomp!

From Wild Planet

$29.99

Ages 3+

Crayola Color Town

From Wild Planet

Ages 3+

$19.99

Play-Doh Burger Builder

From Hasbro

Ages 3+

$14.99

Ready Set School

From Alex

Ages 3+

$24.99

Nerf N-Strike Tech Target

From Hasbro

$24.99

Ages 6+

Dr. Seuss Super Stretchy ABC Game

From I Can Do That! Games

$29.99

Ages 3+

Spy Gear Evidence Kit

From Wild Planet

$15.00

Ages 6+

Tag Jr.

From LeapFrog

$24.99 Additional books $10.00

Ages 2-4 Years

Polly Pocket Roller Coaster Resort Playset

From Mattel

$49.99

Ages 4+

Unfortunately, we couldn't show everything we wanted to so following are some more great toys for rainy days.

Crayola Pip Squeaks
From Crayola
Ages 5+
$4.99

Crayola Color Switchers
From Crayola
Ages 3+
$4.99

Crayola Telescoping Crayon Tower
From Crayola
Ages 5+
$14.99

Paperoni Deluxe Stuio
From Spin Master
Ages 6+
$19.99

Alphabet Soup
From VTECH
$29.99
Ages 3+

Nitro Web Notebook
From VTECH
$49.99
Ages 5-8

Super Why Zap & Learn Why Writer
From Learning Curve
$19.99
Ages 3-5

Trio Basic Tub Set
From Fisher Price
$29.99
3-6

Mickey’s Magic Choo Choo
From Fisher Price Friends
$49.99
Ages 3+

Ticket to Ride
From Games of Wonder
$49.99
Ages 8+

For more toys and fun, check out Chris' blog on Live With Regis & Kelly by clicking here.

This Week's New Video Games

2009-08-03T10:04:00.000-04:00

by Jeff McKinney (follow me on Twitter)

It's finally here! G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra arrives in theaters on Friday (August 7, 2009). If you can't wait until the end of the week for your Joe fix, then pick up the video game based on the movie, in stores tomorrow. We've got a few more suggestions for great games due in stores this week and here they are:

G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra (All platforms, rated Teen (DS rated E10+)
Based on the upcoming film from Paramount Pictures, the GI Joe video game picks up where the movie leaves off, allowing players both in single player mode, as well as a local co-op multiplayer mode, to re-create and relive the greatest moments from the blockbuster film, classic cartoon and action figure toy line.

Hannah Montana: Rock Out the Show (PSP, rated Everyone)
Hannah Montana is bringing her tour to the PSP, and you've got a backstage pass! In the first ever Hannah Montana game for PSP, fans will not only star in the show, they will also design a custom concert in each city they visit and rock the stage as Hannah Montana with 11 hit songs.

Singstar: Queen (PS2, PS3, rated Teen)
This new release features 20 full songs and 25 authentic music videos from the iconic British band's prodigious musical catalog, letting you and others channel Freddie Mercury, Brian May, Roger Taylor and John Deacon as you perform like rock stars from a bygone era.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Turtles in Time Re-Shelled (PS3, Xbox 360 Download, rated Everyone 10+)
This exclusive downloadable game is a remake of TMNT 4: Turtles in Time, in which the turtles travel backwards and forwards through history in an attempt to restore peace to the city. To download this game, you will need to have your game system connected to the internet with an online account enabled.

Death Star Cookie Jar

2009-07-30T10:54:00.001-04:00

This has got to be the coolest cookie jar in the world. It's available through the Star Wars Shop at Shop.StarWars.com for $50. I guess Republic Credits aren't accepted.

Click here for more info or to purchase.

Tron 2 Trailer

2009-07-28T09:00:00.000-04:00

The first official trailer for Tron 2: Legacy, the sequel to the original Tron film, is now online and it looks amazing. Jeff Bridges is back for the sequel, which will be presented in 3D by Disney.

Here it is:

We Always Thought Star Wars Belonged In A Museum

2009-07-22T08:14:00.000-04:00

Check out this Star Wars painting mash-up.

It's part of a collection of similar images that re-imagines classic paintings with Star Wars characters. You can see more by visiting Gizmodo.

Reader Reviews: Mario Kart

2009-07-21T08:14:00.003-04:00

We always love hearing what you think about stuff so drop us a line and let us know. You might just find your thoughts published here.

Today, Teddy tells us what he thinks about Mario Kart. Thanks Teddy!

Mario Kart has come from the Super Nintendo, Nintendo 64, GameCube, and the DS (DSi) to the Wii! Now go go go to Yoshi Falls, Luigi Curcuit, the Mario Raceway, and even more! New characters, Karts, and your Mii. It is very hard at first because of the controller. If you had the GameCube version you can have a bit of help from your classic controller/gamecube controller. So if you want any help or cheating steps go to www.youtube.com but rember make your homepage either www.thetoyguy.com or www.timetoplaymag.com for all your toy and video game needs
-Teddy Byrne
Wii, Wii, Teddy

Send your reader reviews to mail@thetoyguy.com

Harry Potter Breaking Records

2009-07-16T10:25:00.000-04:00

The Transformers almost did it but it took a little magic to finally break The Dark Night's Midnight screening record of $18.5 million. Last night, Harry Potter and The Half-Blood Prince opened on 3,003 screens nationwide at midnight and took in $22.2 million.

Have you seen it yet?

Battlestar Galactica: The Complete Series Now Available

2009-07-14T11:14:00.000-04:00

Whether you missed this amazing series when it was on TV or loved every minute of it and need to see it again, this new box-set is for you. The collection features every episode with extended and deleted scenes, the original miniseries, behind-the-scenes antics and the "Razor" spinoff webisodes.

Battlestar Galactica: The Complete Series is available now on DVD and Blu-ray disc.

This Week's New Video Game Releases

2009-07-13T10:29:00.001-04:00

posted by Jeff McKinney (follow me on Twitter)

Summer is often a slow time for new releases but good games are still arriving in stores every week. Here are our picks for this week's best new games.

Tales of Monkey Island -- Episode 1 (Wii, rated Pending)
This pirate adventure is just one of a five-part saga with an intriguing storyline that becomes deeper and more entangled as it unfolds. Players will experience the humor, romance, and swashbuckling action the Monkey Island games are famous for and unravel an insidious plot which is revealed across the course of the series.

Birthday Party Bash (Wii, rated Everyone)
It's My Birthday gives savvy moms and dads a complete "Party-in-a-Box' to throw the best next-generation birthday party for their kids, including themed games, invitations, banners, coloring sheets and a birthday crown -- blue for boys, pink for girls!

NCAA Football 10 (PS2, PS3, PSP, Xbox360, rated Everyone)
NCAA Football 10 brings the excitement of college football to fans across the nation like never before with its newest feature, Season Showdown: in this new mode, every game counts as fans declare their loyalty to a favorite school and give the ultimate show of support in a nationwide competition.

The Latest TV Spot For G.I. Joe, The Rise Of Cobra

2009-07-09T10:58:00.000-04:00

Chris Byrne on The Early Show

2009-07-06T10:24:00.000-04:00

Chris Byrne was on The Early Show this past Saturday (July 4) with some of the Summer's coolest toys. Here is the list of toys in case you missed it.

Banzai Titan Blast Rocket
By Toy Quest
Ages 8 and up / $60
This behemoth, inflatable rocket stands over seven feet tall and can reach unbelievable heights of over 100 feet. Powered by a pressurized water tank, the lightweight BANZAI Titan Blast Rocket is easy to use and handle. Just follow three simple steps. ONE … Fill the water tank, TWO … Use the included air pump to pressurize the rocket, and THREE … Blast off!

Sky Ball
By Maui Toys
Ages 6 and up / $9
A complete new twist on one of the most classic toys of all time - the basic ball. It's about 5-inches in diameter and comes in a variety of transparent, gem-like colors (red, blue, green and orange) and bounces up to 75 feet in the air. We're not sure how the physics of it works, but the bounce is way out of proportion to the force exerted by the player. In plain English, that means that a little kid can really get it to sail with just a "regular" amount of bouncing.

CB 2 Stinger Boss Bow
By Prime Time
Ages 8 and up / $30
Become an archery ace! The supreme bow for speed and accuracy! Stinger's wingspan expands to 28" wide. Launches foam arrows! Pull back to load and pull trigger to send mega foam arrows flying - up to 40 feet! Bow measures 28" W x 19" H x 2.5" D with (3) 8" foam arrows.

Handtrux Backhoe
By Ten Ton Toys -- handtruxtoys.com
Ages 4 and up / $18
Digging toys that are operated like puppets. Kids put their hands inside and then manipulate the grip to dig. With all the rain we've been getting there's plenty of mud that needs to be moved.

Nerf N-Force Swords
By Nerf
Ages 6 and Up / $10
The excitement and adventure of power and conflict play, but with the soft, safe fun that is characteristic Nerf.

Banzai Twin Barrel Blaster
By Toy Quest
Ages 5 and up / $27
Maximize your blasting action with twice the firing power with the BANZAI Twin Barrel Blaster. These alternating double barrels blast two powerful streams of water at your opponent. The ergonomic grip and rapid fire pump trigger makes soaking your friends so easy. You'll play all day long with this unique and one-of-a-kind water blaster.

Super Soaker Quick Blast
By Hasbro
Ages 5 years & up / $15
Harness the hydro-powered performance of a SUPER SOAKER blaster … without all the pumping. Simply slide back the handle on the SUPER SOAKER QUICK BLAST blaster and unleash a deluge of water on your opponent. This fast-action blaster carries a removable 32-ounce water tank for easy filling and blasts up to 30 feet! Available at most major toy retailers nationwide and on HasbroToyShop.com.

Gazillion Bubble Rocket
By Funrise
Ages 6 and Up / $25
This high-flying rocket is one of our the launcher and STOMP! The rocket soars into the sky and leaves a trail of bubbles in the launcher and STOMP! The rocket soars into the sky and leaves a trail of bubbles in its wake. No batteries required.

Star Wars Tie-Fighter Playset

2009-06-30T10:49:00.001-04:00

I would have loved to have one of these Star Wars Tie-Fighter Playsets when I was a kid. Now that I think about it, I'd love to have one right now.

It is available now at Play.com (a UK-based site). Click here to visit.

posted by Jeff

Vote Now For Your Favorite Home Made Toy Commercial

2009-06-26T10:10:00.002-04:00

TimeToPlayMag.com is holding it's first Make Your Own Commercial and it's time to vote for a winner. The six finalist can be viewed here. Check them out and vote for your favorite.

Click here to visit the Make Your Own Commercial contest finalists.

Transformers 2, Revenge of the Fallen is a Hit

2009-06-25T10:53:00.001-04:00

Not that this should come as a surprise to anyone but the Transformers sequel, Transformers Revenge of the Fallen, took in a record $16 million dollars in it's midnight screenings alone. That figure does not include anything after 3am Wednesday morning.

This is is the third-biggest midnight box office take after Star Wars—Episode III: Revenge of the Sith ($16.5 million) and The Dark Knight ($18.5 million).

Since those midnight screenings, the movie has gone on to rake in more than $55 million.

We will be keeping an eye on the box office over the weekend for you.

Chris Byrne on The View From The Bay

2009-06-19T09:27:00.002-04:00

Chris was in beautiful San Francisco on Monday with more cool toys for the Summer. You can watch this segment now by clicking here.

Indiana Jones #5?

2009-06-17T10:55:00.000-04:00

The rumors of a fifth Indiana Jones film are circulating around the Internet after an interview Shia LaBeouf gave to the BBC in which he supposedly said Steven Spielberg is at work on the film. We have no idea if Shia will reprise his role as Mutt from the last Indiana Jones flick or if Indy himself, Harrison Ford, will star.

Stay tuned to theToyGuy.blogspot for more info when it becomes available.

This Week's New Video Game Releases

2009-06-15T10:15:00.000-04:00

It's been a rainy summer so far for those of us in the North East so it's a good thing that we have so many games to keep us occupied indoors. Here are our top picks for this week's new releases.

Big League Sports: Summer Sports (DS, Wii, rated Everyone)
Enjoy your favorite summers sports, including beach vollyball, tennis, baseball, football, soccer and golf. Check out the Pro Center, where Coach will guide you through intense drills to test your athletic skills. Push yourself to the max as you compete against your rivals to become the ultimate Sports Champion.

Discovery Kids: Parrot Pals (DS, rated Everyone)
Parrot Pals is the newest title in the Discovery Kids games line-up. Choose your favorite breed, give it a name, and start to take care of it. You can train your parrot and teach it new tricks. You can even speak to your parrot and it will repeat your words back to you.

Diva Girls: Divas On Ice (DS, Wii, rated Everyone)
The first in a brand new series of games designed for young girls, Divas on Ice introduces you to Kelly, Gabrielle, Alyssa, and Madison, four young girls skating for glory in the Miracle Ice Festival. Dress your favorite skater in thousands of combinations of customizable outfits, then train hard to upgrade your skating skills so you can wow the crowd, impress the judges and be crowned the Ultimate Diva on Ice.

Ghostbusters The Video Game (DS, Wii, PC, PS2, PS3, Xbox360, rated Teen)
When Manhattan is once again overrun by ghosts and other supernatural creatures, players will take on the role of a new recruit joining the famous Ghostbusters team. Ghostbusters: The Video Game features the original film cast from the classic Ghostbusters films, including Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Harold Ramis and Ernie Hudson.

Guitar Hero Smash Hits (PS2, PS3, Xbox360, Wii, rated Teen)
The Best of Guitar Hero now for the Full Band. Includes tracks from Guitar Hero, Guitar Hero II, Guitar Hero Encore: Rocks the 80s and Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock. For newer Guitar Hero fans, this is a great chance to catch up and play the best of Guitar Hero, and older Guitar Hero fans have a new reason to expand to the full band.

The Toy Guy on ABC7 Chicago

2009-06-09T10:52:00.000-04:00

The Toy Guy, Chris Byrne, recently stopped by ABC7 in Chicago to share some ideas for cool summer-time toys sure to entertain the kids.

You can watch the video now by clicking here.

Comic Books on iTunes

2009-06-04T10:35:00.003-04:00

Comics publisher, IDW, has an application that will allow you to read all your favorite Tranformers comics on your iPhone or iPod-Touch. You can get both Revenge of the Fallen prequel series now via the IDW iPhone application.

Comics are just $0.99 an issue!

You can check out these plus other IDW comic books on iTunes by clicking here.

E3 Coverage on The Play Forum

2009-06-03T09:31:00.001-04:00

It's a busy week on the road for us with E3 taking place in LA and the Licensing Show going on in Vegas.

Check out Jeff McKinney's E3 coverage starting today on the play forum by clicking here.

New Reviews: Help Wanted, 50 Wacky Jobs

2009-05-28T09:53:00.002-04:00

by Jeff McKinney (Follow me on Twitter)

My generation is the first to grow up with video games in our homes and we are now having kids of our own who are playing video games at much younger ages - you should see my four-year old nephew with the Wii. So I'm always interested in games that adults can play with kids and both age groups will actually have fun playing together. Help Wanted: 50 Wacky Jobs is the perfect example of such a game.

Click here to continue reading

The Toy Guy on Live

2009-05-26T10:01:00.000-04:00

Did you catch Chris Byrne on Live With Regis & Kelly yesterday? Here is the list of toys Chris had with him for what turned out to be an all-out water battle on the streets of NYC.

The Toys:

Tyco R/C Star Trek Quick Charge Flier
U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701
By Tyco
Ages 8 and up
$19.99

Twin Prop Flyer
By Prime Time
Ages 4 and up
$19.99

NERF N-Force Swords
By Hasbro
Ages 6 and up
$12.99

CB 2 Stinger Boss Bow
By Prime Time
Ages 8 and up
$29.99

Gazillion Bubbles Bubble Rocket
By Funrise
Ages 6 and up
$24.99

Wave Hoop & Cosmic Hoop
Maui Toys
Ages 3 and Up
$6.99 & 7.99

Ringers
By Recreation Sports
Ages 8 and Up
Approx. Retail Price $89.99

Jarts
By Recreation Sports
Ages 8 and Up
Approx. Retail Price $19.99

Banzai Titan Blast Rocket
By Toy Quest
Ages 8 and up
$59.99

Super Soaker 50
By Hasbro
Ages 6 and Up.
$14.99

Super Soaker Quick Blast
By Hasbro
Ages 5 and Up.
$14.99

Turbo Fill Blaster
by Fisher-Price
Ages 3 and Up
$34.99

SwimWays Spring Pool
By SwimWays
Ages 3 and up.
$49.99

Submergency
By SwimWays
Ages 6 years and up
Approx. Retail Price: $17.99-$19.99

Fishbites Soft Swimmies
By SwimWays
Ages 3 – 5
$7.99 – 9.99

Max Liquidator
By Prime Time
Ages 6 and Up
$9.99

Splash Bombs
By Prime Time
Ages 4 and up
$2.99 – 3.99

Trampoline Bats
By Prime Time
Ages 4 and up
$16.99

Zipper Splasher
By Prime Time
Ages 4 and Up
$7.99

Memorial Day

2009-05-25T09:03:00.000-04:00

The Toy Guy on TV

2009-05-22T09:46:00.000-04:00

While the rest of us are looking forward to scooting out of work early for the long holiday weekend, The Toy Guy, aka Chris Byrne, is going coast to coast with some of the latest and greatest toys.

You can see Chris today in the LA area on KTLA with Gayle Anderson and the rest of the country can catch Chris on Live With Regis & Kelly on Monday, Memorial Day.

From everyone here at Toy Guy headquarters, have a great and safe weekend and please remember the brave U.S. men and women who have died in military service.

R2-D2's Cameo In Star Trek

2009-05-20T11:00:00.000-04:00

Apparently, R2-D2 makes a "Where's Waldo" style cameo in the new Star Trek movie and you can win a prize for correctly identifying the scene in which he appears.

If you've seen the movie and think you spotted everyone's favorite little astromech droid then you should enter the "STAR TREK Easter Egg Sweepstakes" on Facebook for your chance to win a prop from the film.

The Toy Guy on Live's Blog

2009-05-14T10:12:00.000-04:00

Looking for more great blog posts about toys, games and play? Chris Byrne occasionally guest blogs for Live With Regis & Kelly. You can read Chris' latest entry and scroll through past posts by visiting his page on the Live blog here!

First Transformers Movie Toys Arriving at Target

2009-05-13T11:12:00.002-04:00

Good news for Transformers fans. According to Seibertron.com, the first figures for the new Transformers movie, Revenge Of The Fallen, should be arriving in Target stores this Friday! The figures are of Soundwave (awesome!) and Bumblebee.

The Toy Guy's Report from the Easy Bake Baker of the Year Competition

2009-05-12T10:15:00.005-04:00

Last week, The Toy Guy, Chris Byrne took a trip to Walt Disney World in Florida to be a judge for the Easy Bake Baker of the Year Contest! Seven finalists competed for the top prize, baking up delicious treats like Strawberry PB&J, Pineapple Upside-down, and Queen of Hearts Strawberry Tart!

Check out more videos on our video page on TimeToPlayMag.com.

This Week's New Video Games

2009-05-11T10:50:00.000-04:00

Just one more week until Punch-Out!! arrives for the Wii. Until then, here is a look at our picks for the top new games in stores this week.

Help Wanted: 50 Wacky Jobs (Wii, rated Everyone 10+)
Help Wanted is a fun, comedic game created for families to play together. You will choose from over fifty odd jobs, including: Body Builder, Action Hero, Make-up Artist, Haunted House Monster, Clown, Pizza Chef, Sumo Referee and Sushi Master as you compete against your friends and family.

Girl Time (DS, rated Everyone)
Girl Time is everything a girl needs right at her fingertips. From fashion tips, dating advice and horoscopes to a social calendar, friendship book, quizzes, mini games and more. This game is jam-packed with the essentials that every girl needs for her busy, busy life.

Pirates vs. Ninjas Dodgeball (Wii, Xbox 360, rated Everyone 10+)
We can finally answer the age old question, who would win a game of dodgeball when pirates face off against ninjas. The game allows for up to eight players and offers a total of seven teams, including pirates, ninjas, robots, zombies and three other secret groups.

Review of the Nintendo DSi

2009-05-08T08:49:00.000-04:00

Our gaming guru, Jeff McKinney, reviewed the new Nintendo DSi for Time To Play. Here is an exert from that review;

"20 years ago this month, Nintendo introduced the world to Game Boy, the company's first handheld gaming system. That first chunky, black and white, Game Boy would go on to receive a lot of upgrades over the years - color screen, improved graphics, longer battery life, smaller and lighter size, and better sound - as new models were introduced until it was replaced by the DS in 2004. This month, the latest version of the DS, the DSi, arrived in stores and while it's appearance hasn't changed much on the outside from the more recent DS Lite, the upgrades under the hood make this one of the coolest gadgets I've ever played with. "

You can read Jeff's review now by clicking here.

Breaking News: Easy Bake Baker of the Year Named in Orlando

2009-05-07T14:08:00.000-04:00

Catherine Ralston from New Albany, OH was named the 2009 Easy Bake Baker of the Year at the National finals in Orlando today.

Ralston's winning recipe was the Queen of Hearts Strawberry Tart. Seven finalists from around the U.S. participated in the bake off at Disney's Grand Floridian resort.

Stay tuned for a video report from the competition.

Hannah Montana: The Movie, Video Game Review

2009-05-06T15:55:00.000-04:00

iPhone Apps That Kids Will Love

2009-05-05T11:05:00.000-04:00

Dvice, the SciFi Channel's tech and gadget blog, has a great post today about 10 iPhone apps that kids will love.

Here is an exerpt;

"9. I Hear Ewe: Animal Sounds for Toddlers
Kind of like a See 'n Say for the iPhone, this app features 12 animal sounds that are activated when their corresponding picture is touched. The interface is animated and the illustrations are cute. It's also a good chance to see what animals your kid knows and share interaction by telling them what animal to press."

You can read the entire list now by clicking here.

This Week's New Video Games

2009-05-04T10:12:00.001-04:00

posted by Jeff McKinney (follow me on Twitter)

It's a quiet week for new game releases but there are still a few worth checking out. Following are our favorite pics of the new games arriving in stores this week.

New Play Control! Donkey Kong Jungle Beat (Wii, rated Everyone)
Part of Nintendo's New Play Control! series that takes classic Nintendo games and remakes them for the motion-sensing control system of the Wii Donkey Kong Jungle Beat puts you in Donkey Kong's, uh, fur as you swing through the jungle on a banana-grabbing adventure.

History's Great Empires: Rome (DS, rated Everyone 10+)
Rome is part of a series of Pocket History games designed with The History Channel to bring history to a wider audience. this is an action-packed, strategy game filled with elements of resource management, diplomacy, strategy and tactical warfare.

Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian (DS, Wii, Xbox360, rated Everyone 10+)
This adventure game based on the movie features 14 levels that take place is such locations as The Smithsonian, the Air and Space Museum, the Lincoln Memorial and many more.

The Toy Guy's Latest TimeToPlay Video

2009-04-30T09:11:00.000-04:00

The Toy Guy, AKA Chris Byrne, recently hit the streets of New York City with Cadaco's EnviroBLOX for an afternoon of fun and play.

To see more videos like this, check out our video page on TimeToPlayMag.com.

The Latest Transformers 2 Trailer

2009-04-29T10:19:00.000-04:00

We apologize for the bootleg quality of this trailer. Someone filmed it in a theater and posted to YouTube. Despite that, the quality is pretty good and this trailer makes us even more excited for the movie than anything we have seen so far.

Here you go!

Apple Sells 1,000,000,000th App Store Download

2009-04-28T10:52:00.003-04:00

Apple sold its one-billionth App store download on Friday, April 24, 2009. That's extremely impressive considering the app store has only been open for nine months.

The one billionth app was Bump, created by Bump Technologies, and was downloaded by Connor Mulcahey, age 13, of Weston, CT. Connor was the grand prize winner of Apple’s one billion app countdown contest and will receive a $10,000 iTunes gift card, an iPod touch, a Time Capsule and a MacBook Pro. Not bad considering the app was a free download.

This Week's New Video Games

2009-04-27T11:21:00.001-04:00

Here are our picks for the best new games arriving this week.

MLB Dugout Heroes (PC, rated Unknown)
MLB Dugout Heroes is the first fully licensed and online-based PC baseball game that features all Major League Baseball players and stadiums from the past and present. Players can expect a casual baseball gaming experience with cartoonish, 3-D graphics and intuitive mouse controls.

Backyard Baseball '10 (PS2, rated Everyone)
The #1 kids' baseball video game is back for a ninth season and is packed with realistic baseball action and crazy arcade fun. Backyard Baseball 10, features all 32 MLB teams along with a roster of current pros as kids.

Crazy Chicken: Atlantis Quest (DS, rated Everyone)
Crazy Chicken's thirst for adventure and thrill of treasure hunting now takes our feathered hero on a journey under the sea in search of the lost kingdom of Atlantis. Battle monks and guards, get chased by mummies and dodge the octopuses, as you travel through the sunken lost kingdom in your quest to find the legendary treasure.

Johnny Bravo in The Hukka-Mega-Mighty-Ultra-Extreme Date-O-Rama (DS, rated Everyone)
Based on Cartoon Network's animated series, Johnny Bravo. You'll play narcissistic Johnny Bravo in his quest to compete with other guys to get a girl for the big dance. Compete in eight wacky games to impress the chick, including Strike A Pose, Food Fight and Disco Dance-Off!

X-Men Origins: Wolverine (DS, Wii, PSP, PS2, Rated Teen)
Uncage Wolverine's tragic past and discover how the ultimate weapon was created in this action-adventure fighting game based on the movie. The PC, PS3 and Xbox 360 version of the game, the "Uncaged Edition" is rated Mature.

Transform And Roll Out With The Original Robots

2009-04-23T09:13:00.000-04:00

There's no shortage of articles, info and images covering this Summer's new Transformers movie sequel, Revenge Of The Fallen. But today, I've got great news for Transformers fans, who like myself, grew up with the original animated Optimus and Megatron.

A week before the movie's release, the 1980's animated Transformers series will be getting the super duper DVD treatment in Transformers: The Complete First Season 25th Anniversary Edition. The DVD will include extras like commercials for the toys, scripts, concept art and much more.

Look for this DVD in stores on June 16th and the new movie, Revenge Of The Fallen, in theaters on June 24.

posted by Jeff

Celebrate Earth Day With The Jane Goodall Institute

2009-04-22T09:26:00.003-04:00

In an effort to raise environmental awareness and help kids become good green citizens, Toys "R" Us has partnered with The Jane Goodall Institute's Roots and Shoots youth program. The program connects young people who share a desire to create a better world through service projects, youth-led campaigns, and an interactive website that provides a list of Earth-friendly activities. To support the Jane Goodall Institute, the Toys "R" Us Children's Fund awarded the Institute with a $10,000 grant.

Additionally, Toys "R" Us and Roots and Shoots developed the following list of Earth-friendly tips. Click anywhere on the list to enlarge in a new window.

To learn more about The Jane Goodall Institute and Roots and Shoots, please visit www.janegoodall.org and www.rootsandshoots.org.

New Animated GI Joe Series, Resolute, Online Now

2009-04-21T10:00:00.000-04:00

GI Joe: Resolute is a new animated series following the adventures of the Joe gang as they fight to keep Cobra from taking over the world. While that description could also be used to sum up the original 1980's animated series, the action and imagery in Resolute is much more mature and realistic than the the original. In other words - it's geared more toward die-hard Joe fans rather than little kids.

You can view the first four webisodes of Resolute with additional mini-episodes to follow online now. The whole collection plus the 10 minute conclusion will be shown in it's entirety during its broadcast premiere on Cartoon Network next week.

Head over to AdultSwim.com to view GI Joe: Resolute

This Week's New Video Game Releases

2009-04-20T11:19:00.001-04:00

It's a great week for casual gamers with several new mini-game based games due in stores. For the more serious gamers, the new Dynasty Warriors arrives tomorrow.

Here are our picks for the best new games arriving this week;

Excitebots: Trick Racing (Wii, rated Everyone)
The fourth game in the Excitebike series, Excitebots: Trick Racing features players racing around the world in vehicles that look like bugs, amphibians or mammals that transform throughout the race.

101-in-1 Explosive Megamix (DS, rating pending)
As the name implies, this is a collection of 101 mini-games in 1 package. The games are varied enough to provide something for everyone.

Burger Island (Wii, rated Everyone)
Fast Food takes on new meaning in this casual gaming experience with 30 recipes and 60 levels of burger-flipping fun!

Dynasty Warriors: Gundam 2 (PS2, PS3, Xbox 360, rated Teen)
Hop into your Mobile Suit and enter the Gundam universe in this popular giant-battling-robot-suit game.

I Love Horses (DS, rated Everyone)
Train, play with and care for your horses in 20 mini-games.

Party Pigs Farmyard Games (Wii, rated Everyone)
1 - 4 players compete in wacky versions of classic outdoor games including Soccer, Racing, Hurdles, Diving, Long Jump, High Jump and Swimming.

LeapFrog Leaps into the Present

2009-04-16T13:34:00.000-04:00

From our sister blog, the play forum:

By Christopher Byrne (Follow Chris on Twitter)

I was thrilled to find out this week that LeapFrog has unveiled its first game for the iPod Touch and the iPhone that it will sell through the Apple App Store.

Why?

Well, this is where kids are going, and I’ve been saying for a while that the handheld platform wars are over, and the winners are Nintendo and Apple. But that doesn’t mean there isn’t a lot of opportunity because the content wars are just heating up, particularly in the educational category where Leap’s only credible competitor is VTECH.

Everyone who knows me—and listens to me go on and on—knows that I love LeapFrog. They’ve done an incredible job and even with their recent business challenges they have never compromised their reputation with consumers. Ask any parent—and I ask hundreds of them all the time—about LeapFrog, and they know it’s synonymous with quality product. And here’s the kicker: They think that even if they don’t have kids who are LeapFrog age. It’s a textbook case of brand building that has, way more often than not, fulfilled on the brand promise.

According to surveys, more and more iPod Touch units are being sold for kids in the 8-11 year old range, and there are pockets of the country where kids have iPhones. Those that don’t own one but who have parents that do love to play on them.

I have consistently been blown away first by Leapster and then Leapster2 for the younger kids, but the handheld game for older kids, Didj hasn’t caught on quite as much. As kids get older, they want what their peers have, and that has meant Nintendo DS—and now the fantastic DSi—and iPods. The important issue with these platforms is to remember that having them is what makes kids part of their peer group. The content is going to change from kid to kid—just like the iPod in the population at large. I promise you the songs on my iPod (musicals, classical, some classic rock) would bore you silly and have you make fun of me, but I’m betting that I don’t want to listen to yours. However, we still have the iPod experience in common and that’s where we identify ourselves within the context of the contemporary culture.

Okay, so I ponied up my $2.99 for Number Rumble and had a blast. The game has three modes-learning, quizzing and random quizzing. It enhances memorization of math problems and testing of what’s been learned. Plus, it uses the cool spinning technology that is part of the whole iPod/iPhone interface. It also uses the built-in accelerometer in the random quiz mode.

But here’s where the real genius in this game comes into play. LeapFrog has now taken one of the most arduous challenges of many third and fourth graders—learning times tables basic equations and so forth—and turned it into a game that is not just fun in itself, but uses the hottest platform out there.

Somehow, learning and drilling the times tables isn’t so tough when it’s on the iPhone, even if it really belongs to mom or dad. Plus, you get all the creativity and educational expertise of LeapFrog for only $2.99. When has that happened before?

LeapFrog says that this is the first of a series of casual style games that it’s launching for this platform. I say, hooray. And I’m predicting that as they continue to grow and expand, time on the iPhone or iPod Touch will have to be negotiated within the family, just as in the early days of the home computer when there was only one in the house—and it used two floppy disks. We didn’t think there would be a time when every member of the family would have their own computer, but we’re moving there very quickly.

I would be remiss, however, if I didn’t acknowledge that a $50 Leapster 2 or a $169 Nintendo DSI is a far cry from the $200-$300 you’ll spend for an iPhone or the $229 for the basic iPod Touch, but if you have them already, then the LeapFrog programs are a steal.

And then there’s our favorite practice—justification for buying something you already want. “Well, the kids can learn with it…” Face it, you want this thing, and it’s great. It’s not justification to say that LeapFrog just made it better.

Deal Digger: Babies "R" Us Online and In-Store Coupon

2009-04-15T09:51:00.000-04:00

From now until May 2, 2009, you can save $5 off any purchase of $25 or more when you shop at babiesRus.com or in stores.

Click here to get the coupon (printer needed) or online coupon code.

This Week's New Video Game Releases

2009-04-13T11:11:00.000-04:00

It's a slow week for new game releases. Maybe it's a plot to make sure we are getting our taxes done on time.

Here is a look at our picks for the best new games arriving this week;

Escape the Museum (Wii, rated Everyone)
In Escape the Museum, a devastating earthquake has rocked the foundations of the National Museum of History and players must help Susan Anderson, who was knocked unconscious by falling debris while searching the museum for survivors, escape from the crumbling building to the safety outside.

Guitar Hero: Metallica (PS2, rated Teen)
Guitar Hero: Metallica will focus on the career and songs of Metallica. With 28 Metallica songs and 21 other songs that influenced the band, fans will love playing guitars, drums, and singing vocals alongside Kirk Hammett, Lars Ulrich, James Hetfield, and Robert Trujillo.

Tournament Pool (Wii, rated Everyone)
The most popular pool games: Tournament Pool features all the most popular billard games, each with official rules. Choose from 8-ball, 9-ball, Snooker, and more. No matter how you like to play, Tournament Pool has you covered.

Puzzle Quest: Galactrix (PS3, rated Everyone 10+)
An innovative hexagonal puzzle board allows for a wide range of strategic depth as it heeds to gravity according to a player's location in the game universe.

Happy Holidays

2009-04-10T09:58:00.000-04:00

From everyone at theToyGuy.com, have an enjoyable and happy Passover or Easter.

Deal Digger: Ultimate Easter Basket Giveaway

2009-04-09T10:52:00.003-04:00

Toys "R" Us is giving away a super-stuffed Easter basket in their Ultimate Easter Basket Giveaway.

There are four different baskets, which are not actually baskets but groupings of toys that were too large to fit into a basket. Winners choose from one of these four baskets, each filled with a different theme of toys and valued somewhere between $200 and $260.

The giveaway is open until April 11, so enter now by clicking here.