Battlestar Galactica: The Complete Series Now Available

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

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

Chris Byrne on The Early Show

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

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

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

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

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?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Toy Guy on TV

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Hannah Montana: The Movie | Product Review | Lego Games & Toy Reviews | Hot Wheels Set | Fisher Price Games | Barbie Games | Learning Kids Toys | Toy Reviews | Game Reviews | Toy Safety | Time to Play Magazine

Posted using ShareThis

iPhone Apps That Kids Will Love

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Deal Digger: Ultimate Easter Basket Giveaway

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.

Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Decoded

Here is your chance to watch the first season of Star Wars: The Clone Wars, again or for the first time, and learn something new about the Star Wars universe.

Clone Wars Decoded is the entire first season -- 22 episodes of the CG-animated series from George Lucas and Lucasfilm Animation -- with enhanced pop-up facts and insights. The pop-ups will include trivia and background information on the characters and storylines from the series' creators themselves.

Star Wars: The Clone Wars: Decoded premieres Friday, May 1 at 9 p.m. on Cartoon Network.

This Week's New Video Game Releases

We don't usually talk about Mature rated games here but two new ones in store this week deserve mention. Both are highly entertaining games created for adults only! Please, don't let kids play or watch someone else play games that are designed for adults. There are also several family-friendly and kid-approved games in store this week.

Here is a look at our picks for the best new games coming out this week.


The Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena (PC, PS3, Xbox 360, rated Mature)
Vin Diesel is back as Riddick, the criminal hero, and it's up to you to break out of the galaxy's most deadly prison in this 1st person action game.
This game is not suitable for kids!

Dragonball: Evolution (PSP, rated Teen)
In this fighting game players match up against their favorite characters from the upcoming movie and battle for control of the seven sacred Dragon Balls that have the power to grant any wish.

The Godfather II (PC, PS3, Xbox 360)
The Godfather II, the action game, goes beyond the film's story by setting players in the world of organized crime in 1960’s Florida, Cuba and New York. Your mission is to build up your family through extorting businesses, monopolizing illegal crime rings and defeating new families in an effort to become the most powerful mob family in America.
This game is not suitable for kids!

Hannah Montana: The Movie (DS, PS3, Xbox 360, Wii, rated Everyone)
Hannah Montana The Movie, join Hannah Montana and live the rock star life while you get to know Miley Stewart and explore the world she left back in Tennessee. Perform as Hannah Montana to raise funds or play as Miley Stewart and explore Crowley Corners. Rock out at 6 different concert venues and perform to 12 Hannah hit-songs.

Professor Heinz Wolff's Gravity (DS, Wii, rated Everyone)
In this clever puzzle game, players must master the correct placement of objects in order to solve each puzzle and advance to the next level.

posted by Jeff

How Cool Is This?!

Believe it or not, but that video is not of an actual space shuttle blast off. It's all Legos. 65,000 Lego bricks were used to construct this replica, which was then creatively lit and filmed to simulate an actual launch.

This impressive model is the work of two Japanese guys and Part of the "Nasu Space Center," which appeared as a scene in Nasu Highland Park, a Japanese amusement park.

Robot Cast Of Transformers 2 Revealed

Yesterday's USA Today (I think that's a news paper) featured an early look at this Summer's Transformers movie sequel. The article includes some in-depth info on which Transformers robots will appear in the movie and how they differ from the original 80's animated and toy versions.

You can read the article now by clicking here.

posted by Jeff

My Little Star Wars Ponies

These awesome Star Wars themed My Little Ponies are the creations of artist Mari Kasurinen, who modifies her own My Little Ponies. Other Pony mods in the artist's collection include characters from the movies Batman and Pirates of the Caribbean. You can see more of Kasurinen's work at her Deviant Art page.

Deal Digger: Hasbro Board Games Up To 50% Off

Looking to add a new game to your Family Game Night line-up? Then check out the great deals on games at ToysRUs.com.  

For a limited time only, ToysRUs.com is offering up to 50% off a wide range of popular games for the whole family. Games included in the sale are Scrabble Junior: Dora the Explorer Edition, Monopoly Here and Now World Edition, Trivial Pursuit Disney Edition and i-List Music Party just to name a few.

You can view the entire list and buy the games now at ToysRUs.com by clicking here. 

This Week's New Video Games

It looks like a great week for Nintendo gamers with several notable new releases due for the Wii and DS. Don't worry Xbox and PS players, you've got a few gems coming soon, which we will tell you all about next week.

Until then, here are our picks from this week's crop;

Backyard Baseball '10 (Wii, rated Everyone)
Combining all the elements of a realistic sports title with the thrilling action of a crazy arcade game, Backyard Baseball '10, is the ultimate kids' baseball experience with new fields, detailed graphics, precise game controls, and a beefed up MLB roster.

Bejeweled 2 Jewel Case Edition (Mac, rated Everyone)
The classic game of gem-swapping is now available for MAC gamers. Bejeweled 2 features four unique ways to play. Solve handcrafted brain teasers in puzzle mode while up against the clock or kick back, relax, and enjoy endless mode. With awe-inspiring planetary backdrops, explosive new gems, and dazzling special effects.

Dance Dance Revolution: Disney Grooves (Wii, rated Everyone)
Dance Dance Revolution features classic Disney characters and 40 Disney songs that we all know and love. Dance Dance Revolution: Disney Grooves combines the mega-popular Dance Dance Revolution dancing phenomenon with content that is cool and relevant with today's youth.

Don King Boxing (DS, Wii, rated Teen)
Don King Boxing is equal parts sports simulation and true boxing drama that takes place both inside and outside the ring. The action within the squared-circle accurately mimics the sport’s tactics and hard knocks by allowing players to create angles and openings using a full arsenal of true 3D motion captured movement and punch mechanics.

Fashion Studio: Paris Collection (DS, rated Everyone)
Open your own studio in the heart of Paris, the capital of high fashion. Now you can create complete high-end fashion designs – from couture gowns to accessories – and display them in your very own boutique. Whether you are designing for the store window or the Paris runway, you’ll mix colors, textures, and motifs to meet fashion challenges, expand your design house, and make your mark in the world of fashion.

Gardening Mama (DS, rated Everyone)
Gardening Mama transforms the DS stylus into a universal gardening tool that players will use to plant, nurture and harvest flowers, fruits and vegetables. Gamers can manage their garden through the seeding, blooming and maturation phases, and then produce items from the plants they've grown (i.e. grow strawberries to make jam or raise pumpkins and then carve a jack-`o-lantern).

Say It Ain't So, Joe?!

The new face of Cobra Commander has finally been revealed and I cried a little after seeing it. Unfortunately, they weren't tears of joy.

Based on the image from the Hasbro figure, this is what Cobra Commander is going to look like in this Summer's film adaptation of the popular comic book and cartoon.


I grew up with the comics and cartoons and had high hopes for this movie. Unfortunately, every thing I've seen so far has led me to think the movie is going to be a huge disappointment for all us Joe fans. I'll continue to hope for the best but totally expect the worst.

On the bright side, everything Hasbro has shown for this movie looks amazing. The Joe's base, The Pit, is one of the coolest action figure playsets I have ever seen. I just wish the movie was going to be more true to the 80s cartoon. I guess the same could have been said back in the 80s when GI Joe went from a 12-inch doll to the 3 3/4-inch figures that I grew up with.

What are your thoughts on the new Cobra Commander?


posted by Jeff

An Early Look at Where The Wild Things Are

Check out the first trailer for the Spike Jonze film adaptation of Maurice Sendak's Where The Wild Things Are.

It looks like this is going to be a great movie. What do you think?

Deal Digger: $10 Off Nintendo DS Games

In celebration of the release of Pokemon Platinum, Toys "R" Us is offering several great deals on Pokemon items and Nintendo DS games and accessories. Deals include a free Pokemon Single Booster pack of cards with the purchase of other card items and 30% off Pokemon Game accessories and $10 off a Nintendo DS game when you purchase a DS game at full price.

These deals are only good now through March 28. You can get all the details on these Pokemon deals online at ToysRUs.com by clicking here.

This Week's New Video Games

Here's a look at our top picks for this week's new video games.

Escape the Museum (Wii, rated Everyone)
After an earthquake hits the National Museum of History it's up to you to search through the museum for survivors, save priceless archaeological artifacts and escape the crumbling building. Players wander through a maze of obstacles with 12 different hunt and find areas and 25 action-packed adventure scenes.


Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Echoes of Time (Wii, DS, rated Everyone 10+)
A triumphant return from a monster-infested forest marks the completion of the 16-year-old hero's coming-of-age ceremony, however, a new adventure is waiting at home. Echoes of Time is an innovative new concept in multiplayer gaming that enables Wii and DS users to play side by side for the first time in the fantasy-based, action RPG world of the Final Fantasy.


Guitar Hero: Metallica (Wii, PS3, Xbox 360, 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

Monsters vs. Aliens (All platforms, rated Everyone10+)
Based on the movie, Monsters vs Aliens captures the fun and action of the movie. You'll get to choose among your favorite monsters from the movie as you use each of their distinct skills to battle alien robots and save the world.


WWE Legends of WrestleMania (PS3, Xbox360, rated Teen)
Experience the entertaining lives of 40 larger-than-life legends with WWE Legends' grapple-based fighting system. The game captures the high-energy action and drama seen in vintage WWE matches, while a historically accurate representation of past WWE telecasts will set the stage.

Deal Digger: Motorola Headset for Xbox 360

HandHeldItems.com is currently selling the Motorola X205 Gaming Headset for Xbox 360 for $18.99. But wait, there's more! DealNews.com is giving us a code to bring that price down to $13.99. Just add the coupon code "motoxbox360live" to your cart at checkout.

Prodcut description from HandHeldItems.com:

"Experience football gaming like never before. The perfect accessory for serious football video gamers, the Motorola Gaming Headset X205 blends enhanced capabilities such as voice command technology to re-define play time."

Check it out now by clicking here.

Time To Play Easter Egg Hunt

From now until the end of the month, March 30th at 11:55pm to be exact, TimetoPlayMag.com is hosting an Easter Egg Hunt. 12 Easter eggs are hidden throughout the Toy Category Pages and anyone who finds all 12, will be entered into a daily drawing to win a set of 4 "Hide 'em & Find 'em Eggs" from Technosource.

To participate, sign in to your Time To Play account when you visit the site then just click on any eggs you find scattered about the site. You only have to find the eggs once to be entered in the daily drawing every day.

Start your hunt now by clicking here.

I Can't Wait For July 2011!

Despite the fact that the second Transformers movie, Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, won't be in theaters for another three months (June 24th to be exact), Paramount has already announced the release date for the third Transformers movie and that date is July 1, 2011. As of now, Michael Bay (director of the first and second Transformers movies) has not been signed on to have anything to do with the third film. Neither have any of the actors, robots or writers for that matter.

Stay tuned for more info as it becomes available.

Posted by Jeff

This Week's New Video Game Releases

Parents, just because a game is available for Nintendo's DS does not mean that it's appropriate for kids. Case in point, this week's Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars. As with all Grand Theft games, this one is rated Mature for for blood, gore, drug references, sexual content, strong language, and violence. Despite that list of lasciviousness, this is a fun game but it is not for kids. Make sure to check the rating of any game, regardless of what game system it is for, before buying a game for kids.

Here are our picks for this week's best new games:

Crayola Colorful Journey (Wii, rated Everyone)
Turn your TV into a virtual coloring book when you join Filup, Violet, and Spot on a journey through Crayola Land. Players will explore this colorful world through challenges and obstacles that require the Wii Remote to solve.

Totally Spies! Totally Party (PS2, Wii, rated Everyone)
In Totally Spies! Totally Party, you can help Alex, Clover, and Sam (three Beverly Hills teens by day and secret agents by night) balance their sleuthing and homework assignments. The game consists mainly of mini-games played on 10 game boards and a showroom based on the daily life of the spies.

Scrabble (DS. PSP, rated Everyone)
Take on the challenge of becoming the great word wizard that you have always wanted to be with this update of Scrabble. In addition to the single player and wireless multi-player game modes, Scrabble includes training exercises that strengthen your vocabulary, pattern recognition, and point strategies that can be applied to the baord and digital games.

Hasbro Family Game Night (Xbox360, rated Everyone)
Join your host Mr. Potato Head for fun and games in Hasbro Family Game Night, a package that allows you to play classic games that you know and love, such as Connect Four, Battleship, Yahtzee, Boggle, Sorry! and Sorry! Sliders. Or get into your favorite games in a brand new way, with new games such as Connect 4 Power Chips, Boggle Portal Cubes, Reverse Yahtzee and Battleship Barrage!

Posted by Jeff

New Star Trek Trailer

I've had my doubts about this movie but with each new bit of footage we are shown, it keeps getting better.

Here is the latest trailer for the Summer movie.

Deal Digger: Barbie 50th Girl Souvenir Doll

In honor of Barbie's 50th birthday this week, Mattel has created an anniversary doll that is a remake of the original 1959 doll, re-designed for 2009. The Anniversary Barbie doll wears her classic ponytail and striped swimsuit in a two-piece style, and includes a "cell phone" and sunglasses!

The anniversary doll is being sold today at participating retailers for the 1959 price of $3. Supplies are going fast and are already out of stock on ToysRUs.com but you can sign up to receive an email from Toys R Us when the doll is back in stock. For more information and to sign up for the email, visit ToysRUs.com or click here for the exact page.

This Week's New Video Games

This is the week gamers have been waiting for as one of the most anticipated games of the year, Resident Evil 5, arrives in stores on the 13th. RE5 is rated Mature and definitely not for kids. That doesn't mean kids and families don't also have some great new games to choose from. Check out our list of our favorite games due in stores this week.

Animal Planet: Emergency Vets (DS, rated Everyone)
From the popular Animal Planet series Emergency Vets, play as an up-and-coming veterinarian that helps the other vets at the Alameda East Hospital perform veterinary procedures on a variety of different animals.

MySims Party (Wii, rated Everyone)
Up to 4 players can test their wits, quickness and skill in 50 mini-games, each hosted by a different MySim. Each of your friends and you can select a custom team of 4 characters to play the huge variety MySims Party has to offer.

My Pet Shop (DS, rated Everyone)
From the people who brought you Cooking Mama! Raise, train, and care for pets as you manage your own pet shop. Adventure into the wilderness in search of rare and unusual pets like pandas and penguins. Play minigames with your pets, and enter them in contests and competitions. Over 40 types of animals, with over 126 color and pattern variations to collect!

Trivial Pursuit (X360, rated Everyone)
The Trivial Pursuit video game from EA builds on the original gameplay with stunning visual presentation, new categories of questions, all-new never before seen questions, and the innovative Facts & Friends game mode. The quick-playing Facts & Friends mode adds a whole new social dynamic to the game that keeps everyone involved by encouraging players to guess whether their opponents will answer their questions correctly.

From The Play Forum, New Options for Used Video Games

Yesterday our sister blog, The Play Forum, reported on two new options for your used video games.

Toys “R” Us is currently testing a new video game buy-back service that will allow you to trade in your used games for store credit. The repurchased games will then make up the store’s used game section, allowing shoppers to buy the games at highly discounted prices (as compared to new versions). In order for games to be accepted they must be in good condition, in the original cases, with covers and game manuals. Currently this test run is only available in New York City area stores and at present, there is no additional information as to if and when this service will arrive at other stores.

For everyone outside of the Toys “R” Us test zone, DonateGames.org is a new charity initiative where you can donate your used games for a tax-deductible receipt and give the charity games to sell to other gamers. DonateGames will then use the proceeds from the sold games to help people afflicted with orphan diseases, which are often fatal diseases that individually afflict only a small percentage of the population, but taken as a whole, are devastating to many victims and their families.

Currently the charity is only accepting game donations but the “Buy Games” option should be active when enough games have been donated. Non-gamers can also make a donation via a PayPal account. For more information or to make a donation, visit DonateGames.org

Finally, there is a rumor that Best Buy might be examining a buy-back policy also. Stay tuned for more info on that and the Toys “R” Us program as it becomes available.

Free Colossal Pokemon Download at Toys R Us

Starting this Sunday (March 8), Toys "R" Us will offer a free download of the Colossal Pokemon, Regigigas. To catch this Pokemon, just bring your Nintendo DS with either the Pokemon Diamond or Pokemon Pearl game into a Toys "R" Us store from March 8 through March 21. You will need to have the Pokedex in your game and you can't have more than two Wonder Cards.

This Week's New Video Game Releases

Chances are pretty good that the kids have completed or are getting bored playing the games they received over the holidays. So it's a good thing that the game makers have so many great options for us in stores this week.

Here is a look at our favorite games coming out this week.

Halo Wars (Xbox 360, rated Teen)
Halo Wars is sort of a prequel to the first Halo game. You will find yourself traveling back in time to an early period in which you will take part in events leading up to the first Halo title. Unlike the other Halo games, Halo Wars is not a first-person shooter. It's a strategy based game in which you build bases, lead armies and battle foes with a bird's eye view of the action.
In stores Tuesday, March 3

Imagine: Ice Champions (DS, rated Everyone)
Take on the role of a young figure skater who dreams of becoming a world champion! Learn moves and design routines as you train for competitions all over the world. Then skate your way to the Grand Championship Finals.
In stores Tuesday, March 3

Littlest Pet Shop Spring (DS, rated Everyone)
Littlest Pet Shop Spring bounces you right into the middle of all the fun in the Littlest Pet Shop world. Add to your Littlest Pet Shop video game collection with the fourth game for the Nintendo DS! With more mini-games, accessories, and playsets, the fun keeps on growing!
In stores Tuesday, March 3

Major League Baseball 2K9 (DS, Wii, PC, PS2, PS3, Xbox 360, rated Everyone)
Major League Baseball 2K9 captures animations such as batting stances, pitching windups, and signature swings. Game play enhancements include pitching, batting, fielding, and base running are user-friendly and enjoyable for both rookies and veterans. Major League Baseball 2K9 includes new commentary and presentation features.
In stores Tuesday, March 3

SBK: Superbike World Championship (PS2, PS3, PSP, Xbox 360, rated Everyone10+)
Fast and furious races,break-neck speeds and spectacular crashes are all aspects of Superbike Racing. It takes all the riders nerve to rocket through tight corners and avoid their speeding opponents with the slightest margins of error.
In stores Tuesday, March 3

Six Flags Fun Park (Wii, rated Everyone10+)
Take a stroll through a familiar world filled with your favorite amusement park games all re-imagined and within a colossal park environment that is sure to keep gamers challenged. Along the way, players will be able to explore the expansive park, customize their characters and play against friends and family with 40 mini games.
In stores Tuesday, March 3

Sonic & The Black Knight (Wii, rated Everyone10+)
Sonic’s storybook series continues in a fast-paced, sword-filled action adventure! In Sonic and the Black Knight, Sonic is drawn into the rich, colorful world of King Arthur’s Camelot by the granddaughter of the legendary wizard Merlin who asks him to harness the power of a sacred sword.
In stores Tuesday, March 3

SpongeBob vs. The Big One: Beach Party Cook-Off (DS, rated Everyone)
In SpongeBob vs. The Big One: Beach Party Cook-Off, Mr. Krabs has signed up to compete in the cooking contest that will determine who will cater Jack Kahuna Laguna`s Big Beach Party. Players will be tasked with assisting SpongeBob, Patrick and friends in running the Krusty Krab and training Plankton's cousins in the creation of the best deep-sea dishes.
In stores Tuesday, March 3