December 2009 Notable Toys — Remote Controlled

This large, hairy spider comes with a remote control to direct its movement. For a realistic effect, each leg moves separately. It requires two AAA batteries.
— Fred Rosenberg, owner of On the Park in Kingwood, Texas, said in fall 2009 that these R/C Tarantulas are popular at his store.
— Two of 40 retailers mentioned International Playthings when answering a TDmonthly survey about best-selling R/C and hobby items.

At 6” long, this tiny helicopter features a V-Wing design and can fly up to four or five minutes on a 20-minute charge. It has dual rotors and can be steered right or left while hovering. The charger/infrared controller requires six AA batteries (not included).
— Kazoo & Co. in Denver sells two dozen per month of Kid Galaxy’s helicopter, Owner Diana Nelson told TDmonthly in fall 2009.
— Two of 40 specialty retailers pinpointed Kid Galaxy’s helicopter as a hot-selling R/C item.
Per a March 15, 2010, letter from Feldman Law Group, P.C., of New York, N.Y., Interactive Toys claims this product infringes on U.S. Patent 7,204,453.

Doors and hoods dislodge and trunks open when these remote-controlled vehicles are smashed and crashed together. The unhinged parts can simply be pressed back into place. The cars require 2 AAA batteries and the remotes take 3 AAA batteries (not included).
— “We sell dozens and dozens of Kid Galaxy’s R/Cs,” Owner Joe Berardoni Sr. of Pun’s Toys in Bryn Mawr, Pa., told TDmonthly in fall 2009.
— Patti Tepper-Rasmussen, owner of Learning Tree Toys, Books & Games in Oklahoma City, told TDmonthly in fall 2009 that her store sells about four Demolition Derby items per month.
— Two of 40 specialty retailers pinpointed Demolition Derby as a hot-selling R/C item.

This four-wheel drive, remote-controlled vehicle can be navigated over land and on water. It has working headlights. The vehicle takes three AA batteries and the controller takes two AAA batteries (not included).
— J. Christopher Toys in Jonesboro, Ark., sold 68 Morphibians since August, Owner Mary Horne told TDmonthly in October 2009.
— Five of 40 retailers specifically named Morphibians as a best-selling R/C item in fall 2009.

The NKOK TMNT line puts kids in the middle of the action with a collection of R/C vehicles and Race Sets. With the ATV Rider sets, Leo and Raph can settle their sibling rivalries with a fast-paced race through the sewers. Each ATV Rider comes with one ATV and either Raphael or Leonardo. Running on different frequencies, the ATV Riders are designed to make for an exciting race each time. Launch date: October 2009.

Raphael is the most assured martial artist of the group and this R/C vehicle follows in the same tradition. It is a full function R/C vehicle that is able to stop, turn and spin on a dime. It also features removable weapons and cool spinning action. "It is part of the only line of R/C vehicles featuring the ever-popular Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles," Andrew Eugenio, intern at Productivity PR Inc., told TDmonthly. Launch date: October 2009.

First seen in Halo 3, the AV-14 Attack VTOL Hornet is an indoor flying helicopter lifted by a pair of gyroscopic propellers. It features stability and precision speed control. Operated by a Tri-band infrared control selector, the Hornet can be switched from A to B to C bands to fly with two other Hornets simultaneously. The remote control is powered by six AA batteries and the Hornet itself runs on a rechargeable Li-Poly battery. "The Halo 3 R/C Hornet is faithful representation of the AV-14 Attack VTOL Hornet found in Microsoft's Halo Universe," Anthony Pinkett, account executive at Productivity PR, told TDmonthly. Launch date: October 2009.

The M274 Mongoose is a representation of the ATV used by the UNSC forces in Halo 3. Also included is a Master Chief figurine. A top speed of approximately 6 mph and receiving at 49 MHz will provide entertaining races with the Warthog. The Mongoose takes six batteries — four for the Mongoose itself and two for the remote control. Launch date: October 2009.

The Warthog R/C car comes with a Master Chief and Blue Spartan figurine. The rear-mounted M41 Light Anti-Aircraft Gun turret is fully moveable and has a place to position one of the figurines. With a top speed of approximately 7 mph, the Warthog is the fastest R/C vehicle in the Halo collection, ideal for recreating the action from those late night Team Capture the Flag (CTF) matches. It receives signals at 27 MHz and is powered by a total of six AA batteries; four for the Warthog itself and two for the controller. "The Halo 3 R/C Warthog is a faithful representation of the M12 Warthog LRV found in Microsoft's Halo Universe," Anthony Pinkett, account executive at Productivity PR, told TDmonthly. Launch date: September 2009.