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November 2026 | Vol. XXV - No. 11


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Hot Toys: Pikachu Puppetronic, Crunchinator, Gui Gui Slime Haul

Two are new Toy of the Year finalists; Amazon ranks, prices and stock checked Nov. 7


In short

  • Pokemon Pikachu Puppetronic is a new Toy of the Year Tech Toy finalist and was $47.99 on Amazon on Nov. 7, against a $79.99 list price.
  • CrunchLabs' Crunchinator, Mark Rober's hand-crank crusher, ranked No. 14 in Toys & Games and No. 1 in Science Kits on Amazon.
  • Gui Gui's Mega Slime Haul, also a TOTY finalist, was No. 1 in Slime & Putty Toys at $29.97.

Three toys climbing Amazon's charts on Nov. 7, 2026, two of which were named 2027 Toy of the Year (TOTY) finalists that same morning. Prices, ranks and stock were checked on Amazon on Nov. 7, and none of these toys appeared in our last hot-toys list.


1. Pokemon Pikachu Puppetronic by RealFX (Jazwares / WOW! Stuff)

Pokemon Pikachu Puppetronic by RealFX with its display case

Named a finalist for Tech Toy of the Year when The Toy Foundation revealed the 2027 TOTY finalists on Nov. 7, and No. 25 on Amazon's Toys & Games New Releases chart the same day (No. 9 in Plush Figures). It is a 16-inch hand puppet with electronics inside: as you move your hand, Pikachu's mouth, eyes and ears move and its cheeks light up, with more than 120 sounds and actions. Touch sensors in the head, nose and tummy trigger extra reactions, including an electric-attack effect, and it ships in a collectible case that doubles as a display stand. It needs three AAA batteries, which are not included. Jazwares' TOTY entry lists ages 8 and up and a $79.99 price; the Amazon listing says 3 and up.

Price: $47.99 on Amazon, sold by Amazon.com and in stock on Nov. 7 (an Amazon Resale offer was $43.67).

Pikachu Puppetronic nose sensor, light-up cheeks and body sensor callouts


Pokemon Pikachu Puppetronic by RealFX TV Commercial (Jazwares)

Pros: About $32 under its $79.99 list price on Nov. 7; works as a toy for kids and a shelf piece for adult Pokemon fans; a TOTY finalist.
Cons: Batteries not included; it only comes alive when someone is working it like a puppet; $48 is still a lot for a plush; age grades differ between the TOTY entry (8+) and Amazon (3+).

Sources: The Toy Foundation: 2027 TOTY finalists gallery; WOW! Stuff: Pikachu Puppetronic; Amazon listing (Nov. 7, 2026)


2. CrunchLabs The Crunchinator (Moose Toys)

CrunchLabs The Crunchinator hand-crank crusher in its box

No. 14 on Amazon's Toys & Games Best Sellers list and No. 1 in Science Kits & Toys on Nov. 7. Inspired by viral hydraulic-press videos, it is a hand-crank press that CrunchLabs says gives kids 30 times their own strength to crush everyday things like juice boxes, yogurt packs and bath bombs inside a closed chamber. Kids swap between interchangeable plates, and a built-in phone holder lets them film each crush. The box includes the Crunchinator, five accessories, two googly eyes, a wrench and a blueprint poster. CrunchLabs rates it ages 8 and up; Moose Toys makes the retail version. Mark Rober's own video, "Can Anything Survive My Crunchinator?", had passed 9.5 million views on YouTube by Nov. 7.

Price: $34.99 on Amazon, sold by Amazon.com and in stock on Nov. 7. On CrunchLabs.com, the $34.99 Crunchinator is sold to active subscribers.


Can Anything Survive My Crunchinator? (CrunchLabs / Mark Rober)

Pros: Under $35; very satisfying for kids who love Mark Rober's videos; it turns crushing things into a quick lesson in force and materials.
Cons: Crushing food packs and bath bombs is messy, so plan where they use it; kids will want a steady supply of things to crush; small extras like googly eyes are easy to lose.

Sources: CrunchLabs: The Crunchinator; Amazon listing (Nov. 7, 2026)


3. Gui Gui Mega Slime Haul (Moose Toys)

Gui Gui Mega Slime Haul pink carry case with slimes and tools

A Creative Toy of the Year finalist in the 2027 TOTY list released Nov. 7, and No. 27 in Toys & Games and No. 1 in Slime & Putty Toys on Amazon the same day. The 50-piece set comes in a carry case styled like a beauty organizer. Moose lists four slimes, each with a different texture (Fluffy Cloud, Clear, Butter and Jelli), plus a mini Crunch slime called Lil Flutter with a cherry-blossom scent. Kids "beautify" each slime with a Gua Sha tool or a 3-in-1 tool, then mix in boosts, charms and mini figures. Moose lists an MSRP of $32.99, and the TOTY entry says ages 6 and up.

Price: $29.97 on Amazon, sold by Amazon.com and in stock on Nov. 7.


GUI GUI MEGA SLIME HAUL unboxing (Creative Playhouse)

Pros: Five slimes, tools and charms in one case for about $30; a TOTY finalist; the case keeps everything together between play sessions.
Cons: Slime and carpet or clothes do not mix, so play at a table; 50 small pieces, including charms and figurines, mean cleanup; the beauty theme won't suit every kid.

Sources: The Toy Foundation: 2027 TOTY finalists gallery; Moose Toys: Gui Gui Mega Slime Haul; Amazon listing (Nov. 7, 2026)


How we checked: Chart positions come from Amazon's Toys & Games Best Sellers and New Releases pages, read on the morning of Nov. 7, 2026; prices and stock come from Amazon's product data the same morning. We searched the CPSC recall database for all three products and found no recalls. No brand paid to be here, and we received no samples. For board games named TOTY finalists, see today's board game news.

For the full weekly market brief: The ToyDirectory Intelligence Report

Sources:

#ad As an Amazon Associate, TDmonthly earns from qualifying purchases. Prices and availability are as of Nov. 7, 2026 and may change.


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