March 2012 Notable Toys — General Games

The aim is to reach the other end first. The problem is that each opponent puts up fences to slow the other down. Not to worry, there's always a way out. But who will find the shortest route? Created by Gigamic; exclusively distributed through Back Alley Traders in the USA.
Awards: May 2012 TDmonthly Top Toy Award. Why it won: This beautifully designed wooden strategy game has won several prestigious awards already in the US and in Europe. It also has great user reviews on Amazon.com. TDmonthly staff who saw the game demoed at Toy Fest West 2012 were impressed. Other awards: 1997 Mensa Select Top 5 Best Games; Games Magazine Game of the Year 1997; Best Bet of the Toy Testing Council 1997; Prix d’Excellence des Consommateurs; Consumer’s Toy Award 1997 Quebec; Spelgut 1997; Grand Prix du Jouet 1997; Games Magazine “Games 100 Selection” 1998; Games Magazine “Best Games.”
— As of 4/10/2012 this product had 4.8 out of 5 stars from 25 reviews on Amazon.com.

Each of the 16 pieces has 4 different attributes. The aim is to line up 4 pieces which share the same attribute. The problem is players can't choose which piece they're going to play - their opponent chooses for them.

Another stone building set from Anker Blocks, made of natural ingredients, these shapes of stones will allow kids to create endless forms. It contains 20 sample cards to fire kids' imaginations. With 36 stone building bricks made from the original Anker stone material kids can construct creative buildings and let their imagination run riot. There are countless possibilities to build mosaics, aesthetically appealing puzzles and edifices using the stones of the New Stone Age. Made in Germany of chalk, quartz sand, pigments and linseed oil.

Rhino Hero is out and about again. The super hero from the animal world fearlessly scales the highest houses looking for burglars and rogues. He is as strong as a lion and as smart as a fox but also as heavy as a rhinoceros. So even the most robust multi-story buildings may start to wobble. Kids must try to help Rhino Hero accomplish his wobbly mission and build a skyscraper as tall and solid as possible. A heroic 3D-stacking game for 2-5 super heroes ages 5-99. Available with English packaging.

A classic memory game made only the way Sevi could. Beautiful hand-painted daisies are the prize for uncovering matching pictures found beneath. The hardwood base of the game holds 5 templates, so players choose a game, place the cover on top and begin. With five levels of difficulty and different configurations, kids may never remember if they played the same game twice. Did we forget to tell you that Sevi is Europe’s’ oldest wooden toy maker? Oh, sorry if we did. Then you probably remember that they use only vegetable-based paints and smooth hardwoods, right?  We have a feeling you are going to be very good at this game.

Our classic "Orchard" for the youngest ones. Can the children harvest the fruit into the basket before the raven reaches the Orchard? Cooperative game.

SPIN and SEEK On-The-Go hidden-object games are a must have for any road trip. Spin the wheel then find the 3 objects hidden within thousands of squiggly lines. Play with a friend to see who can find the objects first. Launch date: 2012.

The Void is puzzling to comprehend because there’s a hole right in the middle of it. Consumers can literally put their finger right through the center of the Void. The object is to solve each side, much like one would a standard Rubik’s Cube, but that’s where the similarities end. The Void has different colors, rounded edges, and requires a different solution. Launch date: February 2012.
Awards: 2012 ASTRA Best Toys For Kids Nominee

iPieces are accessories that accompany iPad app games- they provide an extra dimension to traditional group games. The pieces activate astonishing animations and special effects on the iPad, which literally bring the game to life. For 2 to 6 players, Ages 4 and up. Launch date: 2012.

World of Warcraft Collector's Edition Monopoly features a custom game board with iconic locations from the World of Warcraft virtual world! Also included in this edition are 6 collectible Warcraft-themed tokens voted on by the fans, 'Treasure Chest' and 'WOW Chance' cards replacing classic Community Chest and Chance Cards, and Custom Towns and Cities replacing traditional Houses and Hotels.

A lively mix of party game fun and trivia challenge. It’s the game about putting famous and fun events into a timeline – though players don’t need to know any specific dates. Think mayonnaise was invented after the telephone - But was it before or after Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address? Was Seinfeld’s series finale before or after Dolly the sheep was cloned? Guess right about where the event falls and the timeline grows, but a bigger timeline means it’s tougher to correctly place the next event. It’s a simple premise that’s deviously challenging. The first player to create a timeline of 10 event cards wins, and with more than 850 events and facts, the combinations are endless. Launch date: June 30, 2012.

Master the art of 3 object juggling with the colorful and addictive Funtrix Juggling Balls from Eolo Sport. Follow the instructions on the DVD and kids will soon be able to juggle and to execute great tricks. Launch date: March 2012.
— Kim Emigh, VP of e-commerce at Growing Tree Toys in State College, Penn., told TDmonthly in a late Summer 2012 survey that juggling balls were one of their bestselling novelty items.

Explore the infinite juggling possibilities with the Funtrix Devil Sticks from Eolo Sport. Spin, twist and throw. "Thanks to the specific materials it is made out of, and to the included instructional DVD, it will be easier and funnier to master the Devil Stick," Sophia Georgeo, US Domestic Sale Executive at Eolo Sport, told TDmonthly. Launch date: March 2012.

The HO scale Liberty Bell Special train set celebrates our cherished Liberty Bell’s historic train travels. This ready-to-run electric train set includes 2-6-0 steam locomotive and tender with operating headlight, 1860-1880 combine “Philadelphia,” 1860-1880 coach “Boston,” flat car with Liberty Bell and flags, body-mounted E-Z Mate® couplers, 47" x 38" oval of snap-fit E-Z Track®, power pack, speed controller, and illustrated instruction manual. We are proud to present the Liberty Bell Special, and through railroading, let you share in the Bell’s rich history. Launch date: 2012.

Watch how quickly this bamboo forest grows. Kids take turns planting it by putting the colored bamboo rings on the shoots to connect four rings of the same color. They want to connect their rings, but they need to block their opponent at the same time. Quattro is a strategy game.

Our super friendly moose has shed his antlers. Players help him regrow new ones by adding one branch at a time. Be careful! If he tips over, they'll have to begin again. Super Moose is a building and balancing game that requires a steady hand. It can be played solo, by a group, or one-on-one.

Jumbo Bananagrams features 144 waterproof, three-inch square tiles packaged in a funky giant yellow banana-shaped tote bag. Requiring no pencil, paper or board, Jumbo Bananagrams is addictive fun and educational play for kids age five to 105. Players race against each other to build giant crossword grids and use all their letter tiles. Launch date: Summer 2012.

Bag-O-Loot Junior is designed for 2-6 players ages 6 and up. Players compete to make as many Bags-O-Loot (five matching cards) as they can. The problem is, other players keep stealing your cards. Of course you are doing the same thing to them so the groans and laughter never stop as sets of cards are constantly shifting from one player to another. Very easy to learn. "Bag-O-Loot Junior is the only game on the market where players take turns making and stealing sets of matching cards from each other," John Shelley, president of Bag-O-Loot, LLC, told TDmonthly. Launch date: June 2012.
Awards: 2012 Dr.Toy Best 20 for $20

Can you help the dotty dinosaurs to find their missing spots? Throw the dice to match shapes or colors and be the first to cover your dinosaur board in this fun game for young players. Two games in one. For 2-4 players ages 3-6 years.

Play with your food! Join the chefs in the crazy kitchen and collect everything they need to make a meal. Then grab your plate and wait for your dish to cook! Will  you be the first to serve up a tasty treat? For 2-5 players ages 3-7.

Race to fill your trolley! Be the first to fill your trolley with all of the items on your shopping list, in our best-selling memory game. For 2-4 players, ages 3-7.

Design lots of different road layout using the 20 chunky interchangeable puzzle pieces. Add to the fun with your favorite toy cars! 20 pieces. 38"x38" average size.

Our classic Pop Up Toys have a rich tradition of history. Each Pop Up Toy features 4 figures with spring loaded action, and are ideal for developing hand/eye coordination and fine motor skills. Toy styles offer additional wheel movement. All Pop up Toys are constructed of hardwood and are in retail packaging. Pop Up Farm is 6 1/2"L x 2"W x 5 1/2"H.

Fishing Camp is a game where both children & adults can play & learn fun facts about Fishing. The game is designed to grow with the player, starting at level one questions, which are primarily identification of fish and fishing tackle. As the players increase in their knowledge about Fishing, they grow into the higher level questions. A fun & educational game where parents & children can play to see who catches the first fish and gets back to the docks. Game includes: 1 game board, 200 game cards(400 questions, and 100 fun facts), 1 decoder, 8 game characters, 1 die, 16 level cards, and 1 GPS card. Launch date: 2012.