March 2012 Notable Toys — All

Plotting to reclaim The One Ring, Gollum lures Frodo into the lair of the ancient giant spider, Shelob. Will Shelob cast her web and capture Frodo or can Samwise Gamgee rescue him in time? Includes 3 minifigures: Frodo, Samwise Gamgee, Gollum. 227 pieces. Launch date: June 2012.

Under attack by the evil Uruk-hai Army, the ancient fortress of helm's Deep is the last refund for the people of Rohan. As the Uruk-hai draw near, they fire hooks from the armored hook shooter and try to scale the fortress walls. Can Éomer and the Rohan soldier hold back the Uruk-hai and save the day? Includes 6 minifigures: Éomer, Rohan soldier and 4 Uruk-hai.  257 pieces. Launch date: June 2012.

The walled fortress of Helm's Deep is under attack by the mighty Uruk-hai army and the forces of men, elves, and a dwarf must do everything they can to stop them from breaching the fortress walls. Includes 8 minifigures: Aragorn, Gimli, Haldir, King Théoden, Berserker Uruk-hai and 3 Uruk-hai.1368 pieces. Launch date: June 2012.

On their epic journey across the lands of Middle-earth, the heroic Fellowship of the Ring travels through the abandoned Mines of Moria. Pursued by the evil Moria orcs and a giant Cave Troll, Pippin, Boromir, Gimli, and Legolas make a stand in Balin's Tomb. Includes 6 minifigures: Pippin, Boromir, Gimli, Legolas, and 2 Moria orcs along with a giant cave troll and 2 skeletons. 776 pieces. Launch date: June 2012.

Collectible myth and monster cards can be played with on their own, but also added to an app for gameplay with 3-D figures. Each card has information about its subject, including unicorns, sea serpents and Cyclops based on the Ology book series. Tap the card to the screen of an iPad, iPod Touch or iPhone, and that monster appears in the game. Launch date: March 2012.

A line of collectible toys that interacts with free downloadable apps. Six choices include Foam Fighters, ZombieBurbz, Alien Jailbreak and more. Foam Fighters, for instance, comes with two planes the size of paper airplanes that can be flown by themselves or attached to a smartphone device by an arm with a suction cup. The smart device scans the chosen plane into the app's playing field for air battle. Launch date: April 2012.

Each 5-inch plush fruit features splat sound effects, includes a Fruit Ninja bandanna and has a mouth that is slightly sliced. Choices include Green Apple, Strawberry and Pineapple plush. There's even a Bomb. Other Fruit Ninja items include smaller plush and tablet covers. Launch date: Spring 2012.

Angry Birds fans will be able to build obstacles from the app and knock them down with these construction toys. Sets will include the most popular Angry Birds characters, launchers and other recognizable elements from the game. Launch date: Fall 2012.

The Kurio is a 7 inch children's tablet that runs on an Android OS. Techno Source has developed a kid-friendly user interface for the tablet, which boasts HD video playback capabilities, 4 GB of storage, Wi-Fi, and comes with apps like games, an e-book reader, a music player, and more. Launch date: 2012.

Cars 2 AppMATes toy vehicles use patent-pending capacitive recognition technology to let children play interactively on your iPad. Simply place the AppMATes cars right on the iPad screen and start exploring the world of Radiator Springs. Kids can also race, customize their experience by collecting virtual items and much more. To get started, just download the free Cars 2 AppMATes App from the App Store in iTunes.

Pillow Pets held a contest for kids to write about their Pillow Pets. They chose a winner, and this set includes her original, published story, along with a cozy elephant Pillow Pet. Launch date: 2012.

The world-famous Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey® Circus has partnered with Bachmann Trains to let kids experience all the excitement of The Greatest Show On Earth® as it travels by rail with this vintage Large Scale ready-to-run electric train set (Item No. 90083) that comes complete with a 4-6-0 steam locomotive (with operating headlight, smoke, and speed-synchronized sound), coal tender, advertising car with lighted interior, elephant stock car, flat car with lion in cage wagon and tiger in cage wagon, 8' 2" x 4' 3" oval of track, and DVD-format video instructions. Launch date: February 2012.

The set contains a ghost train with three ghosts, and a red plane with four flick-fire missiles for the two Monster Fighters. When the train moves, the ghost train wings move too. All the ghosts glow in the dark. 422 Pieces. Launch date: 2012.

Relive the opening scene of "The Fellowship of the Ring" in LEGO form. As Gandalf the Grey makes his way through the Shire on his horse and cart, he meets an excited young hobbit, Frodo Baggins. Includes 2 minifigures: Gandalf the Grey and Frodo Baggins. 83 pieces. Launch date: June 2012.

The newest Perplexus model requires a player to twist, turn, and realign the tracks within to escape traps, dead ends, and cliffhangers. A captivating new dimension for the Perplexus family of toys. Thirty transition points.
Awards: 2012 ASTRA Best Toys for Kids – Gameplay/Brainteasers

Pillow Pets Gives Back line was inspired by pediatric cancer patient Jacob McConahay. He received a plush Pillow Pet as a gift, and decided that he wanted to provide his friends undergoing cancer treatment at the center with him a pillow pet, too. This comforting and cozy St. Bernard preserves his memory, and comes along with a heartwarming story book. Launch date: 2012.

This set consists of a large model of the Batcave, and is the second set to be based off of this location, the first being 7783 The Batcave: The Penguin and Mr. Freeze's Invasion. The Batcave playset is comprised of three sections, two vehicles - the Batcycle and Bane's drill - , as well as five redesigned minifigures, three of which are exclusive to the set; Batman in his blue Super Heroes suit with a cape, Robin, Bruce Wayne, Bane, and Poison Ivy. Launch date: 2012.

The Malevolence is Genereral Grieveous' flagship and one of the Separatist military's most feared weapons. Unbeknownst to Grievous and his crew, Anakin and Padme have entered the giant craft in an attempt to rid the galaxy of this deadly curse. The Malevolence features a cargo bay with transport train, detailed interior with removable-opening sections for easy access and twin quick-fire missile launchers. Includes LEGO minifigures: Anakin Skywalker, Padme Amidala, General Grievous, Count Dooku , Battle Droid Commander and Battle Droid. Launch date: June 2012.

This plush item is based on the real life Boo, a Westminster Dog Show champion who has more than 3 million Facebook fans. Launch date: April 2012.
— In a May 2012 survey, Joe Berardoni, owner of Pun's Toys in Bryn Mawr, Pa., told TDmonthly that "Normally I would tell you a line of plush sells well rather than an item but this past month there has been a standout. We quickly sold out of a dozen of 'Boo' from Gund, the Westminster Dog Show winner. I have more on order."
— Greg Larson, owner of Larson's Toys and Games in Columbus, Ohio, told TDmonthly in a late Summer 2012 survey that Boo from Gund is one of their top-two bestselling novelty items.

SNAKE EYES is a Ninja Commando on the G.I. JOE team and a martial arts master trained in the mysterious ARASHIKAGE ninja clan. As he battles COBRA ninja STORM SHADOW, he expertly swings his nunchaku and crescent blade, then slams his enemy to the jungle floor with a tornado kick. Engage in combat that feels larger than life with this fierce SNAKE EYES action figure. Throw this mighty fighter into the battle, engage his tornado kick action and see if he has what it takes to thoroughly crush his opponents. Figure comes with weapon accessories and display stand.

Centuries ago in Japan, a dark force threatened our universe, bringing a civilization to its knees, until a clan of brave warriors were called upon to destroy this ancient evil Samurai warriors defeated them with power symbols passed down from parent to child. But now this darkness has returned and plans to flood the Earth, and the future of mankind rest in the hands of five ordinary teens with one extraordinary destiny They are the Samurai Rangers. Led by the fearless Red Ranger, this team was summoned to train as Samurais under the teachings of Mentor Ji, armed with high powered weapons and mighty Megazords. They have one mission to defeat the sinister Master Xandred and his army of Nighloks and make our universe safe from evil once and for all.

Using a free app, users mount their iPhones into a plastic laser shooter and can begin playing a game of laser tag with up to 24 other players. Each blaster has a range of up to 250 feet. Players can also play the game solo. Launch date: August 2012.

Loki is up to no good and is planning to destroy the earth. As he flies into battle on board his chariot, help the Avenger's defeat their nemesis using the supersonic Quinjet! Fire the missiles, release the mini-jet and imprison Loki in the prison pod. With the high-tech Quinjet, the Avengers can't fail. Includes Thor, Iron Man, Black Widow, Loki and more minifigures. Launch date: May 2012.

The Hulk and Thor have Loki captured on board the Avengers' awesome Helicarrier. Using his powers of trickery and illusion Loki makes Hawkeye lose control of his function-packed jet fighter. Help Hulk bring down the malfunctioning jet fighter and its flick-missiles by smashing the fuel canisters to hit the jet fighter! Then jump onto the jet fighter and rescue Hawkeye from the cockpit with the cockpit blast function! Includes 4 minifigures: Hulk, Thor, Hawkeye and Loki. Launch date: May 2012.