The Toy Guy on Live With Regis & Kelly

Did you tune into Live With Regis & Kelly today (Monday)? If you did, then you saw Chris Byrne with some of the coolest outdoor toys for the summer.

Here's the list of all the toys Chris had with him today. Tune in to Live on Thursday when Chris will be back with some great toys for rainy days, car trips and more.



In order of appearance:

Gazillion Bubble BBQ
Funrise
Ages: 3 – 6
$19.99

Mookie Swingball
Spin Master
Ages: 8 – 12
$29.99


Super Soakers
Hasbro
Ages: 5 and up
$7.99 - $14.99

Slide and Fish Frenzy Pool
Little Tikes
Ages: 3 and up
$49.99

Banzai Cyclone Twist Water Slide
Toy Quest
Ages: 5 and up
$500

For more information, including pictures of these toys, please visit our web site, www.theToyGuy.com

Westminster Inc. Recalls Remote-Controlled Helicopter Toys

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with Westminster Inc., announced a voluntary recall of the “Thunder Wolf” Remote Controlled Indoor Helicopters due to a fire hazard. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately.

The “Thunder Wolf” remote-controlled indoor helicopter is made of foam and plastic, and measures about 7 inches by 3 inches. “TW0996” is printed on the tail of the helicopter and was sold in multiple accent colors. The helicopter comes with a controller and a separate charger. Only helicopters that do not have “Made in China” stamped on the underside of the helicopter are subject to the recall. These items were sold at retail stores nationwide from June 2007 through December 2007 for about $20.

Consumers should immediately stop playing with the recalled helicopters and contact Westminster Inc. for a refund. Retailers will not accept returns or provide a refund. For additional information, contact Westminster Inc. at (800) 618-0023 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET Monday through Thursday and from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. ET Friday; visit the company’s Web site at www.thunderwolfhelicopter.com; or send an e-mail to info@thunderwolfhelicopter.com

Ice Discovered On Mars

Last week, the Mars Phoenix Lander's Twitter feed contained the following juicy nugget:

"Are you ready to celebrate? Well, get ready: We have ICE!!!!! Yes, ICE, *WATER ICE* on Mars! w00t!!! Best day ever!!"

Who knew that robots had Twitter accounts? You can keep up to date with the Phoenix Lander's Twitter feed on twitter.com/MarsPhoenix.

New Video Games Due This Week

MAC
Battlestations: Midway

Nintendo DS
Cake Mania 2: Jill's Next Adventure!
Final Fantasy Tactics A2: Grimoire of the Rift
Gourmet Chef: Cook Your Way to Fame
Mega Man Star Force 2: Zerker X Ninja
Mega Man Star Force 2: Zerker X Saurian
Midnight Play Pack
My Weight Loss Coach
Purr Pals Wii
Smart Kids
WALL-E

Nintendo Wii
Big Beach Sports
Cocoto Kart Racer
Myth Makers: Trixie in Toyland
WALL-E

PC
Deadliest Catch: Alaskan Storm
Happy Tree Friends: False Alarm
Insecticide Episode 1
Roogoo
WALL-E

PS2
Code Lyoko: Quest for Infinity
Falling Stars
Jeep Thrills
WALL-E

PS3
Hail To The Chimp
Hellboy: The Science of Evil
WALL-E

PSP
Fading Shadows
Hellboy: The Science of Evil
Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Heroes 2: The Phantom Fortress
WALL-E

Xbox 360
Hail to the Chimp
Hellboy: The Science of Evil
Operation Darkness
WALL-E

Children’s Merry-Go-Rounds Recalled by Pacific Cycle

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with Pacific Cycle Inc., announced a voluntary recall of the Playsafe Spinning Quad Merry-Go-Rounds due to a potential fall hazard. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

The Playsafe Spinning Quad Merry-Go-Round has four yellow plastic seats and black and silver metal bars. These items were sold exclusively at Toys R Us nationwide between January 2008 through March 2008 for between $80 and $100.

Consumers should immediately take the merry-go-round away from children and return it to Toys R Us for a full refund, or contact Pacific Cycle to receive a free retrofit kit. For additional information, contact Pacific Cycle toll free at (877) 564-2261 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.pacific-cycle.com

The Toy Guy Teams Up With Kids For The Lydia's Toy Chest Charity Drive

Over the weekend, our own Chris Byrne, aka The Toy Guy, joined students from Aronimink Elementary School in Drexel Hill, Pa to provide more than 250 new toys, games, crafts and books for pediatric cancer patients at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP).  The donation is the inaugural toy drive effort of Lydia's Toy Chest to help make life a littel brighter for hospitalized children.

Aronimink students Amy Byrne, 7 and Jennie Byrne, 9 along with Debbie Frederick (Lydia's mother) presented the gifts to Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Child Life Specialist Katrina Mingos.  Mingos says the toys, games, crafts and books make a big difference in the lives of young patients and their families.  Because of health concerns, it's nearly impossible for patients to share toys.  Therefore there's always a need for new items.  The inaugural Lydia's Toy Chest drive was timed to help CHOP at a time of year when such donations are needed most.


Lydia’s Toy Chest was inspired by Lydia Frederick, who was a patient at CHOP.  She spent more than a year at CHOP being treated for cancer. Sadly, Lydia passed away in September 2007, one month before her third birthday.  Lydia’s Toy Chest was started by her friends to honor her memory and help other children.  For more information, please visit http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/lydiaf.

New Video Games Due This Week

MAC
Spore Creature Creator

Nintendo DS
Arkanoid DS
Black Sigil: Blade of the Exiled
Code Lyoko: Fall of X.A.N.A
Etrian Odyssey II: Heroes of Lagaard
Guitar Hero: On Tour
Imagine: Rock Star
Petz: Dogz Fashion
Pocket Pets
Space Invaders Extreme
Tamagotchi Connection: Corner Shop 3
Wacky Races: Crash & Dash

Nintendo Wii
Rock Band
Puzzler Collection
Wacky Races: Crash & Dash

PC
Spore Creature Creator
Supreme Ruler 2020
Crazy Machines 2
Insecticide Episode 1
Sudden Strike 3: Arms for Victory--Ardennes Offensive

PS2
Code Lyoko: Quest for Infinity
Falling Stars

PS3
Fatal Inertia EX

PSP
Fading Shadows
Secret Agent Clank
Space Invaders Extreme
Legends Of Norrath: Oathbreaker

Xbox 360
Deadliest Catch: Alaskan Storm
Guilty Gear X2 #Reload [Xbox Originals]
The Legend of Spyro: A New Beginning [Xbox Originals]

The Toy Guy, A.K.A Chris Byrne, Quoted in the New York Times

How cool is this? Chris was quoted in a recent article in the New York Times! The article, Beloved Characters as Reimagined for the 21st Century, written by Brooks Barnes, takes a look at the large number of classic cartoon characters that are being re-imagined and reintroduced this year.

You can read the full article here.

Summer Blockbuster Season - Get Smart

The Summer big budget blockbuster season is now happening! We continue our look at the summer's explosion-laden films with our next trailer installment. Today we bring you Get Smart, the movie. In theaters June 20.

Enjoy!

Kids Station Toys Recalls Little Tikes Toy Cell Phones

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with Kids Station Toys International Ltd., announced a voluntary recall of the Little Tikes Chit ‘N Chat Toy Cell Phones due to a choking hazard. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

The Little Tikes brand Chit ‘N Chat Toy Cell Phone resembles a flip-phone style cell phone and has a 10-key numeric button pad and three buttons with pictures of animals. All of the buttons make a sound when pressed. The toy phones are multi-colored and have a sticker on the back with model number KSL4010 (sold separately) or KSL8032, KSL8033, or KSL8051 (sold with other items). “Designed and Licensed by Kids Station Toys International Ltd.” is printed on the back of the toy phones. Toy phones with a screw visible on the hinge cover are not subject to the recall. These toys were sold at department, juvenile product, and drug stores nationwide from June 2006 through March 2008 for about $8 (individually) or about $20 (set).

Consumers should take these toy phones away from young children immediately and contact the firm for instructions on obtaining a free replacement. For additional information, contact Kids Station toll-free at (888) 620-0930 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.kidsstationtoys.com

Apple's New 3G iPhone

Yesterday, Apple unveiled the new iPhone 3G, which will go on sale July 11th. This new edition will run on a 3G, or third-generation, network that will allow for much faster Internet browsing wherever a cell phone signal is available. In addition to the faster speeds, the new model also comes with built-in GPS, longer battery life (10 hours of talk time on 2G networks and 5 hours using 3G), support for Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync, new downloadable applications available through iTunes, and a flush headphone jack.

The iPhone 3G also sports a new (and slightly thinner) glossy case in black or white, however, if you want white, you will have to step up to the 16GB model. You might think that all of these new goodies packed into a slimmer phone would mean a higher price but you would be wrong. The 3G iPhone will retail for $199 for the 8GB model and $299 for the 16GB.

This latest, cheaper and faster version could be just what people who have been on the fence about buying an iPhone have been waiting for to take the dive. However, with the current price of gas, we should also ask ourselves, how many times can I fill my tank for $199"

New Video Games Due This Week

MAC
The Princess Bride Game

Nintendo DS
Jake Hunter: Detective Chronicles
Looney Tunes: Cartoon Concerto
My Fashion Studio

Nintendo Wii
Backyard Baseball '09

PC
Backyard Baseball '09
The Incredible Hulk
Snood Deluxe
Trainz: The Complete Collection
Build in Time
Sudden Strike 3: Arms for Victory--Ardennes Offensive

PS2
Backyard Baseball '09
Jeep Thrills
NASCAR 09

PS3
Dragon Ball Z: Burst Limit
NASCAR 09
Fatal Inertia EX
Metal Gear Online
Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots

Xbox 360
Don King Presents: Prizefighter
Dragon Ball Z: Burst Limit
NASCAR 09
Wolf of the Battlefield: Commando 3

Summer Blockbuster Season - Hancock

The Summer big budget blockbuster season is now happening! We continue our look at the summer's explosion-laden films with our next trailer installment. Today we bring you Hancock. In theaters July 2.

Enjoy!

theToyGuy Reviews: Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull

Last night I saw Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, the fourth installment in this series that I have grown up with. I was a little nervous heading into the theater since it's been almost 20 years since the last Indy flick. Would Spielberg and Lucas still have what it takes to produce a great action adventure movie or would Crystal Skull become the Phantom Menace of the Jones series?

I'm happy to report that Crystal Skull is a great addition to the previous three films. This latest film takes place in 1957 and finds an older and more cantankerous Dr. Jones (Harrison Ford) still traveling the world in search of artifacts and adventure. Crystal Skull has all the action, excitement, and humor of the previous movies and is definitely the most far fetched, however, you could argue that all these films are complete fantasy. In Crystal Skull, Indy is reunited with Marion Ravenwood (Karen Allen), his love interest from the first film, Raiders of the Lost Ark, and the two, along with Marion's son (Shia LaBeouf) and a pack of evil Russians set out on a quest to discover a golden kingdom and unlock the secrets of a crystal skull.

The movie is packed with action, explosions, and typical Indy fight scenes. All in all, this is a great summer flick for audiences of all ages.

- J. McKinney

Remote-Controlled Helicopter Toys Sold Exclusively in Walgreens Recalled

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with TWIE, also known as Tradewinds International Enterprises Inc., announced a voluntary recall of the “Sky Champion” Wireless Indoor Helicopters due to fire and burn hazards. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

The helicopter is made of foam and plastic and measures about 7 inches by 3 inches. The transmitter measures about 6 inches by 4 inches. “BH26047” is printed on the tail of the helicopter. “WIC 551777” and the UPC code is 630990006005 are printed on the packaging. These items were sold at Walgreens stores nationwide from June 2007 through November 2007 for about $20.

Consumers should immediately stop playing with the recalled helicopters and contact TWIE for a full refund. Returns will be accepted by TWIE. Walgreens will not accept returns or provide a refund. For additional information, contact TWIE toll free at (888) 583-4908 anytime or send an email to returncopters@aol.com.

New Video Games Due This Week

Nintendo DS
Paws & Claws Pet Vet 2
The Incredible Hulk
Kung Fu Panda
LEGO Indiana Jones: The Original Adventures
Summon Night: Twin Age

Nintendo Wii
The Incredible Hulk
Kung Fu Panda
LEGO Indiana Jones: The Original Adventures

PC
Grid PC
Kung Fu Panda
LEGO Indiana Jones: The Original Adventures
Roogoo

PS2
Chaos Wars
The Incredible Hulk
Kung Fu Panda
LEGO Indiana Jones: The Original Adventures

PS3
Grid PS3
The Incredible Hulk
Kung Fu Panda
LEGO Indiana Jones: The Original Adventures
Robert Ludlum's The Bourne Conspiracy
Fatal Inertia EX

PSP
Hot Shots Golf: Open Tee 2
LEGO Indiana Jones: The Original Adventures

Xbox 360
Grid X360
The Incredible Hulk
Kung Fu Panda
LEGO Indiana Jones: The Original Adventures
Ninja Gaiden II
Robert Ludlum's The Bourne Conspiracy