June 2008 New Toys — General Games

Ticket to Ride - The Card Game by DAYS OF WONDER

Based on the Ticket to Ride board game, this card game version includes new game twists. Players collect sets of illustrated Train cards, attempting to complete Destination Tickets while watching out for “train-robbing.” The game is intended for two to four players and includes 96 Train cards, six Big Cities Bonus cards, 46 Destination Tickets and a rules booklet.  Launch date: May 2008. 3/12/2008 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Word Wall Words for Second Grade by MRM CLASSROOM CONNECTIONS LLC

The educational activity kit helps kids practice and learn high frequency words for reading and writing. Children color a graphically designed sight word and “find” the hidden word. “This product is packaged with a handle so children can bring it [and be entertained] on road trips, or to restaurants or fast food places—even to grandma’s for the weekend stay,” Maria Rios-Marrero of MRM Classroom Connections told TDmonthly. This product is a 2008 iParenting Media Best Product of the Year Award winner. Launch date: September 2007. 3/12/2008 (Price: $19.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Word Wall Words for First Grade by MRM CLASSROOM CONNECTIONS LLC

The educational activity kit helps kids practice and learn sight words for reading and writing. Children color a graphically designed sight word and “find” the hidden word. “The product is creative and artistic,” Maria Rios-Marrero of MRM Classroom Connections told TDmonthly. “Children who love to color or create an artistic product will love this kit. Children who are having trouble reading will interact with words in a fun manner.” This product is a 2008 iParenting Media Best Product of the Year Award winner. Launch date: September 2007. 3/12/2008 (Price: $19.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Bicycle Playing Cards – Take the Train™ by THE UNITED STATES PLAYING CARD CO.

The fast-paced sequencing card game, has players plan and strategize patterns and sequences. The deck includes wild cards such as End of Line, Transfer and Free Ride. The game comes with a deck of cards, 100 train fare tokens and a storage tray. Launch date: January 2008. 3/10/2008 (Price: $6.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Bicycle Playing Cards – 4-Mation™ by THE UNITED STATES PLAYING CARD CO.

The rummy-style card game requires players to plan strategically, creating sequences and matching sets. The deck includes “power cards” such as Imposter, Sabotage, Double-Cross and Revenge. Launch date: January 2008. 3/10/2008 (Price: $6.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

MyLife Console by PLAYMATES TOYS INC.

The full-color, hand held console allows girls to create characters and have a rich, virtual life. Girls can dress their characters, purchase pets for their characters, take their characters on shopping trips and more. Launch date: 2008. 3/10/2008 (Price: $59.99)

Sport-Themed Bag Toss Game – Football by TANGIBLE THOUGHTS INC.

The bag toss game allows players to compete just like they would in an actual game of football. All game boards are interchangeable by peeling off one game and sticking the other on using included hook and loop fasteners. Other games available include auto racing, basketball, golf, fishing and more. Launch date: February 16, 2008. 3/10/2008 (Price: $120.00)

U-Dance by TIGER ELECTRONICS

The electronic dance game requires no game console or dance mat controller. Simply plug the included U-Dance console to a television and then attach motion tags to shoes. The motion tags allow users to use moves that are outside the scope of a typical dance mat. Launch date: Fall 2008. 3/10/2008 (Price: $74.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Bakugan Battle Brawlers by SPIN MASTER TOYS

The toy accompanies the Bakugan television series, which debuted on February 24, 2008. The Bakugan characters pop open into battle-action figures and requires players to incorporate elements of skill and strategy adding to the excitement of the game. Launch date: February 2008.
— Three of 32 specialty retailers said in October 2008 they expect Bakugan Battle Brawlers to be a top holiday seller.
— "We've already been selling a lot of them and I think it's going to pick up," Owner Kerry Horn of Learning Express in Glen Ellyn, Ill., told TDmonthly. "They are going to be hard to get."
― Two of 49 retailers told TDmonthly in summer 2009 that Bakugan is their top-selling action figure. 3/3/2008 (Price: $29.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Mountaineering by FAMILY PASTIMES

Players in the game share equipment, plan strategies and deal with problems as a collective, as they try to reach the summit. Easy card symbols allow younger players to join older players, while complicated maneuvers challenge older players. Use picks, ropes and crampons while watching out for snow slides, snow blindness and frostbite. The family game comes with a 9” x 18” mountain game board, a trouble chart, a team move, climbing equipment and mover cards. 3/3/2008 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Secret Door by FAMILY PASTIMES

Thieves have stolen valuables for a mansion, and now the valuables and thieves must be returned and captured by midnight. Players must cooperate, discussing ideas and strategies in order to capture the thieves, reclaim the valuables and figure out what is behind the Secret Door. Each game plays out differently. The game is intended for one to eight players and comes with a 12” x 12” game board, clock cards, a set of play valuables and the Secret Door. 3/3/2008 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Zen Blocks by FAMILY PASTIMES

The cube game involves matching symbols on the blocks to form a cube — like dominoes, but in 3D. There are multiple solutions, with the game unfolding differently each time it is played. The multi-player game comes with 28 clear-finish, silk-screened blocks, a play pad and illustrated instructions. 3/3/2008 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]