December 2008 New Specialty Toys — General Games

Grand Corral allows players to learn about the wonderful world of horses, while answering challenging and interesting multiple choice or true/false trivia questions. Each time a player correctly answers a question, he claims one of 25 horse play figures from the beautifully-illustrated corral, and proudly display it in his own paddock. A player must collect the most horses to win. Kids and adults will enjoy learning about the various horse breeds, where they live, how they develop, how they’re cared for and how they are ridden. "Grand Corral is one of the only board games in existence that focuses entirely on horse lovers," Nicole Tiedemann, PR account executive for International Playthings, Inc., told TDmonthly. Launch date: February 2008.

Bob them as they pop! Using the space rocket boppers, two players try to capture the Crazy Mixed-up Manic Martians as they peep out from craters in the “planet” game base. "iPlay Crazy Mixed-Up Manic Martians is a fun, two-player, scaled-down alternative to the popular game Whack-A-Mole. Kids will love bopping the surprise pop-up martians!" Nicole Tiedemann, PR account executive for International Playthings, Inc., told TDmonthly. Launch date: February 2008.

Two to four players defend their goal area using fast-action flippers from one of four adorable Jungle Animals — all while a mixed-up monkey “referee” wobbles around and gets in the way. The five colorful balls bounce around the game and off of the monkey, adding to the challenge and wackiness of this fast-paced game. Each score is rewarded with a special scoring banana. "iPlay Jungle Animal Pinball resembles the age-old classic eat-up pinball games, but includes a new twist. Instead of gathering pinballs, players are required to keep the pinballs out!" Nicole Tiedemann, PR account executive for International Playthings, Inc., told TDmonthly. Launch date: February 2008.

Players roll the dice and hit a single, double, triple or Home Run and win, just like real baseball. Each time the dice are rolled, the tokens will move according to the outcome of the total on the dice. Depending on the outcome, the tokens will make a move based on the commonly known rules of baseball. The object of the game is to score the highest number or runs possible to beat one or more competitors. It includes instructions, two dice, a baseball diamond, nine playing pieces per player, a scoreboard card, a statistical sheet per team, two dry-erase markers, an official Baseball's Board Game sticker and a Baseball's Board Game Cup. Players "will feel the passion of playing baseball in winter, summer and all the seasons," Aurelio Rodriguez, marketing director for Fun Games, told TDmonthly. Launch date: July 2008.

These retro classics will take you back to your childhood! There are four All American Boy Classics to choose from: Marbles, Knot Tying, Yo & Hardwood Throwing Top. And there are four All American Girl Pastimes to choose from: Jumbo Jacks, Skip Rope, Hopscotch and the Wonderball. Each comes with a 20-page handbook full of history, instructions and game techniques packaged in a recycled gift box. "All of our products are made in the USA," Jon Hogue, vice president of Channel Craft, told TDmonthly. Launch date: October 2008.

The Megatop is a perimeter-weighted, precision-built, high-performance throw top invented by Alan Adler, the famous inventor of Aerobie flying rings and other Aerobie high-performance sports toys. Using its quick launch accelerator, a skilled player can achieve 3,000+ RPM spin rates. Creative tricks and challenging games provide hours of fun. The Megatop is made in the USA. Launch date: October 2008.

The Kanoodle case holds two solitaire games that challenge the player to build colorful 2D puzzles and 3D pyramids. Once a child picks a design from the included puzzle book, he or she puts some of the pieces into place as shown, then fills the empty spots with the remaining pieces. Only one of hundreds of possible combinations actually completes the puzzle.
— Three of 68 specialty retailers named Kanoodle when asked about their top-selling toy or game in October 2008.
— Dean Smith, co-owner of JaZams in Pennington, N.J., told TDmonthly in October 2008 his store sells about 24 units of Kanoodle each month.

You and your opponents become the ultimate Battle Brawlers and must save the Bakugan that are trapped in Vestroia! Catch the Bakugan as they plummet to Earth. Be the first player to build your Gate Card puzzle and win! Includes game tower, 2 scoops, 4 gate card puzzles, 6 non-morphing Bakugan balls and more. 2 to 4 players.

This version of the classic bingo game is played using gift items. On each pre-printed card there are gift items such as "bootie," "cute outfit," "teething ring," etc. One person acts as the caller and pulls the chips out one by one until BINGO is called. Original set of 50 Bingo cards (approx 5" x 7" large), instructions, and a caller chip sheet are included. Bingo markers not included.

This Deluxe version of Bride Bingo accommodates for 40 players with 40 unique bingo cards. Markers for the cards are supplied by the bridal shower host; be it food or stickers, etc. The same features from the original Bride Bingo is available, including the love- and wedding-themed pictures on the colorful cards and the 3 reserved squares on each card for the bride, groom, and the wedding date.

Baby Bingo involves handing guests colorful cards with baby-themed pictures: a crib, a birth certificate, stroller, baby blocks, etc. The hostess acts as the "caller," and guests mark off corresponding items on their cards. The first person to get five in a row and yell "BABY BINGO" wins. There are 2 squares on each card which allow each guest to write in the name of the mom-to-be and her (expected) due date.

A full-color twist on classic bingo for bridal showers. In this version, guests are handed colorful cards with love- and wedding-themed pictures: a sunset, a diamond ring, a bouquet, and more. One bridesmaid is the "caller," and guests mark off corresponding items on their cards. The first person to get five in a row and yell "BRIDE BINGO" wins! There are 3 squares on each card which allow each guest to write in the name of the bride, the groom and their wedding date.

Ultimate Spinner consists of 12 games, some of which help children learn alphabets and letter recognition, numbers, math, and how to tell time. Others promote active play, such as running or dancing.
— TDmonthly's Roundtable appreciated the fun, quality and educational appeal of this game. "It was fun to see them folding paper into shapes, drawing, acting things out, and interacting with each other," reviewer Sue Christensen said of her 7- and 11-year-old sons.

Past Videos: Toy Fair 2009

The object of this game is to toss -- or lob -- the most Lobster Bags into the Lobster Pot Target being the player or team of players to score the most points.  Be sure to catch the Rare Blue Lobster to score additional points. Each player or team of players starts with 3 bags -- 2 of the same color and 1 rare colored lobster.  Determine and measure the distance away from the target that is appropriate to the players age and ability and mark the toss line.  Take turns tossing 1 lobster at a time behind the toss line.  Collect lobsters and determine the points scored until a player or team reaches the winning score.

In this challenging game for two or more players, each participant is given five words on a card and must form a story using them in just a minute and a half. The first player to get to 300 points wins. Launch date: 2008.

After the potion dice are rolled, it is the goal of the two to four players/apprentices to be the first to create the potion as instructed. They must be careful, though, as some apprentices may steal ingredients, change the recipe altogether or even spill the cauldron. The game comes with 52 cards, four dice, 20 token, a token bag and a cauldron. Launch date: 2008.

Four are more players can play this game in which four clues are given to help each team guess a famous name. Points earned decrease depending on how many clues are given before the answer is guessed. The first team to earn 300 points wins. Launch date: 2008.

Designed to fuel kids' passion for produce, players learn to group 95 fruits and veggies by color, identify the health benefits linked to the colors and how fruits and veggies keep your body growing strong and healthy. Bonus features: How to make green smoothies using green veggies and fruits, user-friendly charts and resources, information sheets and a coloring activity. For 2-30 players.

This nutrition game is SmartPicks' top selling game for over 12 years. This updated version makes learning about basic food groups and healthy alternatives a treat for players of all ages and appetites. Based on the new MyPyramid, this game provides a variety of food choices that will improve the quality of an average American diet. Winner of the Learning® Magazine 2008 Teachers' Choice Award. For 2-30 players.

Are You Smarter Than A 5th Grader? Tabletop Game is an electronic tabletop game based on the top-rated TV game show, Are You Smarter Than A 5th Grader? Just like the TV show, the object is to answer 11 questions in a row, from 1st through 5th grade school subjects, in order to win one million dollars.

Square Up! offers a new twist on the slider puzzle – playing an opponent! The object of the game is to slide the squares to match the cube shaker before your opponent finishes. It’s a fast, two-player, visual thinking game. Each board measures about 8” square.
— This game was listed as a best seller by Michele and Ken Gietz of Where’d You Get That!? in Williamstown, Mass., in fall 2008. “It’s great for travel or restaurants,” they said. “It’s two-player, but each gets their own sliding squares board and special shaker. We’ve sold many for a small store in the last six months.”
— Brooke Andrews, owner of Millers Toy Store in Mamoroneck, N.J., told TDmonthly in late 2009 her store sells about 12 units per week of this game. Two of 44 retailers named it as one of their top-three best sellers.

With five games for play with cards featuring favorite horse breeds, this is a perfect choice for horse lovers of all ages. "There are many horse lovers who would appreciate their own card game with photos of each type of horse on each card," Nicole Tiedemann, Public Relations Account Executive, International Playthings. Launch date: 2/1/2008.

Bluff your way to victory by having two to four players take turns laying matching animal cards face down. Since you can't see them, are you sure they match? Can you trick your opponents into believing you? If you can, you can get rid of your cards quickly. Don't get caught, or you'll be skunked.  "This fun card game challenges kids with an extra element of 'dramatics.' It will be hard to win without having that extra element of slyness," warned Nicole Tiedemann, Public Relations Account Executive, International Playthings. "Whoever has the most, will be sure to win. It's a fun game for slightly older kids." Launch date: 2/1/2008.

This adorable first counting-card game is really 5 games in one: Penguin Pick-Up, Penguin Race, Countin' Penguins, No more Penguins and Penguin Memory. "This unique card games uses cute penguins to help children learn to count, while playing one of five fun games," explained  Nicole Tiedemann, Public Relations Account Executive, International Playthings. "Up to four children can play together." Launch date: 2/1/2008.