Each of the figures stands 5.5 inches tall and features proprietary wire coil activation in the arms and legs that triggers heroic battle phrases. The longer kids pull back that limb, the longer the sound is activated, and will not end until released. Launch date: 2012.

Darth Maul has undergone years of demanding and brutal training under his master Darth Sidious to become an incredible Sith warrior. He demonstrates his skill by expertly spinning his double-bladed Lightsaber. He attacks with precision and ferocity, twirling the twin blades to strike his Jedi opponent.  This fierce DARTH MAUL figure is rendered in careful detail to look just like the character in the Star Wars: The Phantom Menace movie. He comes with his trademark double-bladed lightsaber. When the adventure is over for the day, set him on his battle base. Figure comes with weapon accessories, Galactic Battle Game card, battle base and die. Launch date: 2012.
— In a Summer 2012 survey, two out of 10 retailers said Star Wars characters were their best selling action figures.
— In a August 2014 survey, Charles, manager of Miller's Toys in Mamaroneck, N.Y., told TDmonthly that "Star Wars is finally coming back," and Star Wars toys are among their best-selling action figures.

Micro heroes, mega battles! Iconic STAR WARS characters get a collectible new gaming twist, as players use Fighter Pods to knock down as many figures as possible. Spin, Launch or Roll the Pod into battle…even connect the Pods together or place the figures on top or inside of them for extra “power.”More than 100 STAR WARS FIGHTER PODS figures available in a unique new style from all six STAR WARS films and The Clone Wars animated series. Each set sold separately. Launch date: 2012.

Twenty designs featuring feathered friends and their swine foes. Each pack comes with high gloss finish dog tag, ball chain and two Angry Birds sticker sets. Launch date: March 2012.

The Build-a-Bear experience in an all new mini format. A dozen BABW favorites come packed with T-shirt, customizer sticker set, heart and ceremony, trading cards and collector's activity guide with online code for items on bearville.com.

Spread sweetness to any room with these super soft plush blanket and shams. These candy themed blankets and shams are 100% poly plush and are machine washable. Blanket measures 60" x 60". Sham fits a standard pillow size 26" x 20 and has an envelope closure. Launch date: January 2012.

Domo, the loveable strange creature who hatched from an egg, is now a bobble head. Fresh from his underground cave, Domo stands 6inches tall and features a sturdy spring that will provide years of bobbling fun. Launch date: June 2012.

As Batman heads toward the bank in his Batmobile, he spots Two-Face and his evil henchmen zooming off with a huge safe in tow. Help Batman put a stop to Two-Face's antics and return the safe to where it belongs. Includes 5 minifigures: Batman, Two-Face, 2 henchmen and a guard. Batmobile features dual flick missiles; TwoFace's car features dual flick missiles, shooting function and lifting crane.

Superman's arch enemy Lex Luthor has built a kryptonite-powered robot and has captured Wonder Woman. Can Superman dodge the strength-sapping power of Luthor's kryptonite gun and make light work of his evil nemesis? Includes 3 minifigures: Superman, Wonder Woman and Lex Luthor.

From the makers of UNO. Based on the on the best-selling phone app game, Angry Birds. The survival of the Angry Birds is at stake. Be the first person to strategically topple the structure cards by rolling the right bird on the die. Then knock out the pigs with the flick of a die to win in this quick-play game based on the popular phone app. Includes Angry Birds playing cards and Dice. For 2 to 5 players.
— As of 01/05/2012 this product had 4.4 out of 5 stars from 14 reviews on Amazon.com.

These highly detailed 3-Inch figures have over 12 points of articulation and capture all the signature characteristics of all three characters. The Super Pack also comes complete with 7 Chaos Emeralds.
— As of 12/30/2011 this product had 4.2 out of 5 stars from 37 reviews on ToysRUs.com. Pros: Unique; detailed; comes with seven emerald accessories. Cons: Not durable (better as a collectible than a playable toy).

This set comes with Strawberry Shortcake, Blueberry Muffin, Lemon Meringue, Orange Blossom and Plum Pudding, each with her very own pair of shoes and leggings. With five dolls, five pairs of shoes, five dresses and five pairs of leggings, kids can mix and match outfits to suit their sense of style.
— As of 12/30/2011 this product had 4.4 out of 5 stars from 14 reviews on ToysRUs.com.

Dark magic has been performed at Hogwarts! A fellow student has vanished from the famous School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and it is up to the players to solve the mysterious disappearance. Play as Harry, Ron, Hermione, Ginny, Luna or Neville and try to discover WHO did it, WHAT spell or item they used, and WHERE the student was attacked. Was it Draco Malfoy with a Sleeping Draught in the Owlery? Move around Hogwarts making suggestions- but watch out! Wheels on the board actually move to reveal secret passages, hidden staircases, and even the Dark Mark! When players think they've gathered all the facts they need, they go to Dumbledore's office to make their final accusation to win the game.
— As of 12/30/2011 this product had 4.3 out of 5 stars from 15 reviews on ToysRUs.com. Pros: More in depth than original Clue; fun for Harry Potter fans. Cons: Instructions are a bit confusing.

Quad-style 4-wheel Barbie roller skates make learning to skate as easy as 1, 2 and 3. Wheels lock for Stage 1, so beginners can “skate-walk” on wheels that don’t roll. As confidence, ability and balance increase, advance to Stage 2, where a quick and easy adjustment allows the wheels to roll forward, but not back. Then it’s on to Stage 3 for “freewheeling” fun, forward and back. Size adjustable to fit child shoe sizes 6-12.
— As of 12/13/2011 this product had 4.7 out of 5 stars from 13 reviews on Amazon.com.

Spot It NHL edition is great for die-hard hockey fans. Hockey themed symbols give Spot It its cool edge. The logo of every NHL team appears on the cards.

What happens when America’s favorite pastime and the best-selling card game in the country collide? The official MLB™ edition of Spot It! Whether the logo of a favorite team, a bitter rival, or another baseball related image, spot it and players will be running the bases to victory.
— In a May 2012 survey about licensed products, Elmer  Carranza, manager of Doodlehopper 4 Kids in Springfield, Va., named Spot It as their best seller. They sell 24 copies each month.

Harry, Ron and Hermione often visit Hagrid in his hut on the Hogwarts grounds. Sometimes their visits are uneventful – but other times, a visit to Hagrid can lead to adventure. Includes 6 characters: Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger, Hagrid, Norbert and Aragog. Hagrid's Hut features light up fire place. Furnishings, such as chairs, a table, a stove, and pots and pans also included. 442 LEGO pieces.
— As of 12/16/2011 this product had 4.5 out of 5 stars from 28 reviews on Amazon.com. Pros: Lots of great details inside the hut; a great selection of mini-figs; detailed instructions. Cons: Not very durable once it is built; a bit small.

Wearing a familiar cap and armed with his trusty snowplow, Thomas hauls two festively decorated cars to deliver BIG winter fun to one and all. Our new Large Scale Thomas’ Christmas Delivery ready-to-run electric train set includes Thomas the Tank Engine™ (with hat, snowplow and moving eyes), cargo car, coach, track, speed controller, power pack, and DVD video instructions. "This is the only Large Scale Thomas & Friends ready-to-run electric train set with a holiday theme," Debra Schiff, mommunications manager for Bachmann Trains, told TDmonthly. Launch date: January 2012.

"It's a Pillow, It's a Pet" is more than just a jingle, it has branded the name Pillow Pets™ in millions of households. With a strap that closes underneath to transform the pillow into a friendly pet, Pillow Pets plush are an ideal travel pal, naptime buddy and all-around cuddly friend. The iconic stuffed animal is just one part of the Pillow Pets family of products which also includes books, games and video games, hats, blankets, and slippers. Launch date: September 2011.

Ms. Frizzle and her students take Young Scientists on a wild ride with The Magic School Bus GROW AMAZING POLYMERS group pack. This kit provides enough materials for 30 students and is great for the classroom, after-school programs, science enrichment, boys and girls scouts, camps, and a Magic School Bus birthday Party. Young Scientists grow super balls, snow, rainbow beads, crystal gels, and polymer flowers while learning about the importance and science of super-absorbent polymers. This kit comes with 30 colorful manuals that are based on the popular Magic School Bus tv and book series. "This is the first Magic School Bus themed group pack on the market, and has enough materials and manuals for 30 children," Esther Novis, president of The Young Scientists Club, told TDmonthly. Launch date: February 2012.

Ms. Frizzle and her students take Young Scientists on a wild ride with The Magic School Bus as they explore slime and polymers. Young Scientists take polymers out of milk, make slime, create goop, produce a snow eruption, melt snow, grow super-absorbent flowers, germinate seeds in polymers, perform a polymer trick, dehydrate polymers, and more. This gooey bus-shaped kit comes packed with science components, 20 colorful experiment cards, a data notebook to record observations, and 10 containers of polymers including super balls, rainbow beads, snow, and gel crystals. "The bus-shaped packaging is unique and comes packed with lots of polymers and activity cards," Esther Novis, president of The Young Scientists Club, told TDmonthly. Launch date: February 2012.

Preschoolers can put on a rockin' performance with the Let's Rock Elmo Guitar. Packed with fun features, the Guitar includes three preschool tunes, three modes of play, light-up keys and a fun whammy bar. For even more rockin' fun, the Let's Rock Elmo Guitar also interacts with the Let's Rock Elmo character, which is sold separately, who magically knows when you have the Let's Rock Elmo Guitar and plays along with you to the Elmo's World song. The guitar comes with instructions. It includes 3 AA batteries.

Creating fun scenes with Disney characters is easy. Light Up surface makes tracing a snap. Comes with 20 tracing sheets, 10 scenes stickers and coloring pencils.

Bullseye is ready for Woody's next rootin' tootin' western adventure. But he's so excited he's ready to bolt at any second. Load him up with all the gear the gang needs but do it gently. Players will never know when he's going to jump up and take off.
— As of 11/14/2011 this product had 2 out of 5 stars from 8 reviews on ToysRUs.com. Cons: The main piece of the game would not stay in place for many users; the game was not interesting.

The Olivia 2 in 1 Real World Playset Dollhouse magically transforms from Olivia's house to her pirate ship. Open the set and play with Olivia in her house - it's just like her real house on the show. 3 different play areas include her bedroom, kitchen and living room. When kids are ready to go on a pirate adventure, simply close the set and by opening it from the opposite side, they can transform her house into her pirate ship.
— As of 11/14/2011 this product had 3.9 out of 5 stars from 28 reviews on Amazon.com. Pros: Easy to assemble; smaller size is good for younger kids. Cons: not very durable;  the latch that keeps the house closed is flimsy.