TDmonthly's Top 10 Most Wanted Electronic Handheld Games

This all-knowing handheld features “artificial intelligence” and can read minds. Players simply think of something, and then answer a series of questions. If the machine guesses within 20 questions, it wins. “20Q is an artificial intelligence, an electronic toy, a website and a phenomenon. Teachers everywhere…tell us how much fun it is to use 20Q with early readers in their classrooms, and as a motivator and reward for older kids,” Radica USA told TDmonthly.
— "A travel game we have for older children is 20 Questions. … the whole family can enjoy this one," said Peter, owner of Mr. Toad’s Toy Company in Naples, Fla.
— “The most perfect gift imaginable,” said DeeDee McMillen, co-owner of McMillen’s Magic in Trenton, N.J.
— Retailers have told TDmonthly that 20Q answers this pertinent question: What toy with wide appeal will boost my monthly totals? Since 20Q seems poised to do it again in 4Q, it’s been honored with a TDmonthly Top Seller 2007 award.

This large-screen game features two different types of poker and a two-player option for added challenge.
-- This game was listed as a top seller on Wal-mart.com in April 2005.
-- As of April 2005, this popular game was currently out of stock on such sites as Amazon.com and UnclesGames.com.
-- Poker continues to be a growing trend, adding to the popularity of this game.

This game takes Solitaire anywhere – without the need for a deck of cards or a computer. It offers Klondike or Vegas-style, and features a timer and automatic scorekeeping.
-- Fans like the fact that an earlier version of this game has been updated, including a different design and a bigger screen.
-- Consumers like the fact that the sound can be turned off on this game, which means they can play for hours without disturbing anyone else.
-- This game was a top seller on Amazon.com as of April 2005.

This electronic version of the classic word game offers four different games and varying skill levels.
-- This game was listed as a top seller on sites such as ToysRus.com and UnclesGames.com as of April 2005.
-- One Amazon reviewer said, “…a lot of fun, but can also eat up a lot of time because it’s so addictive.”
-- Parents like the fact that this game is educational, plus it has retro value for them.

This popular game features a bigger screen and three variations of game play.
-- This game appeals to consumers of various ages. One shopper said, “I know two people who got this game for Christmas last year – one was 12 and one was 22.”
-- According to Wal-mart.com, where it was a top seller in April 2005, “Tetris has been a huge success in every game format, and this handheld will be no different.”
-- Consumers appreciate that a popular game has been updated – they like to try things that are new and improved.

This game is described as the speed-injected version of charades, with the added bonus of talking.
-- This handheld was a top seller on Wal-mart.com and Amazon.com as of April 2005.
-- Unlike some other handhelds, this game appeals to, and was designed for, an older age group, requiring the ability to think quickly and follow clues.
-- Scott Rabe, marketing manager for adult games at Hasbro, says, “This product started as a game with multiple elements…Creating the game in the electronic format allows it to be more portable and easy to set up. These features provide the convenience for a quick round of game play and accommodate current lifestyle trends as people try to do more with less time.”

This version of the original Bop-It features two additional tasks for a total of five, and has more sounds as well.
— “They sell as well as ever,” explained Mary Miller, owner of Miller’s Toys in Los Angeles. “But after awhile, I pity the poor parents. Some kids can go hours on these things.
— “With Bop-It and Bop-It Extreme, many kids love the physical nature of the game play, while others enjoy the challenge involved in concentration and beating the best score,” said Wanda Sanchez-Miller, Hasbro’s senior marketing manager in the tween category.
— This game was a featured best seller on Wal-mart.com in 2005.

-- One reviewer at Amazon.com said, “As a homeschooling family, we look for toys that will reinforce skills that we are teaching, challenge our children, and that are fun. This toy has it all!”
-- This toy is on the top seller list of such sites as Amazon.com in April 2005.
-- “Introduced in 1978, Simon was a pioneer of the electronic games category and helped start the electronic games craze that continues today,” says Wanda Sanchez-Miller, Sr. Marketing Manager at Hasbro for the tween category. “While the…lenses and classic game play remain the same, Simon 2 features the added benefit of offering families the ability to play ‘head-to-head’ with its ‘other side.’”