May 2009 Notable Toys — All

This remote-controlled gadget offers five different fart sounds that are said to be very realistic.

Turn My Pal Scout into a true best friend by personalizing the learning online. With 14 fun activities built-in and more than 30 melodies to choose from, this snuggly custom pal is a lasting learning companion. WIth a USB cord, you can program Scout to say a child's name and refer to his or her favorite foods or colors. Launch date: 2009.
— LeapFrog informed TDmonthly in June 2009 that My Pal Scout was recalled due to potential removal of its paw decals. A redesigned My Pal Scout, available August 2009, replaces the decals with embroidered paws.

Little learners play in a grown-up way with Text and Learn. The pretend browser and play text messages with Scout the dog lead to real-life skills as children explore letters and QWERTY keyboarding in fun on-the-go games. Launch date: 2009.

Mr. Kasoogi is a treasure hunter. He's had a lot of practice hunting for smaller items like candy, donuts, and even fruit. Now he's ready to take on the big challenges...But he needs a partner. Someone he can trust. Or maybe someone like you. Are you up for it? Will you be there when Mrs. Kasoogi turns the kitchen lights on and you're caught with your hand in the cookie jar? Yes? Good! You take the blame! Mr. Kasoogi doesn't mess with Mrs. Kasoogi. Launch date: Spring 2009.

This game boasts a huge roster of playable characters among the heroic Autobots and evil Decepticons as they battle across the globe. Players can transform from robot to vehicle in an instant and run, drive or fly around the enemy. It features multiplayer online modes and is available on Xbox 360, Playstation 3, Playstation Portable, PC, Nintendo DS, and Wii.  Launch date: June 15, 2009.

This game follows the plot of “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince,” as Harry and his pals prepare for dark sorcery from without (the rise of Voldemort) and from within (just who is “the Half-Blood Prince?”) Players duel with wizards, mix potions, fly on a broom in a Quidditch match, and even take a detour into romantic subplots. It is available on Wii, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, PC and Macintosh. Launch date: Sept. 30, 2009.

Attempting to make players feel they are the future X-Man, everything about Wolverine is right there: the razor-sharp claws, his healing factor, and his moves. Supported by a big screen release and countless comic books, the game is available on Wii, Nintendo DS, PC, PlayStation 3, and PlayStation Portable. Launch date: Late Spring 2009.

This 6” scale remote control R2-D2 replicates the spunky droid from “The Clone Wars” series. Using a remote with a “Star Wars” theme, kids can move R2-D2 forward or reverse, turn him around, spin his head and make his trademark beeps and whistles. Launch date: Fall 2009.

There are hundreds of different Star Wars action figures, but the Droid Factory line lets kids make their own. Kids can use 12 action figures per wave to make their own distinctive droids to add to their stories. Launch date: Fall 2009.

The two-toys-in-one Transformers change from robot to vehicle or beast. The characters from “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen” are available in three scales. The Deluxe scale includes 24 figures. The next largest size is Voyager, with 11. There are three Leader class figures, which also have lights and sounds. Pictured is the Deluxe Soundwave. Launch date: Summer 2009.

Bumblebee was first Transformer kids got to know in the 2007 movie, and now they can act his part with this helmet. The toy mixes a child's voice to make it sound like it's coming through a car stereo, just as Bumblebee communicated. It features realistic robotic battle sounds and “radio tune-in” phrases to add more fun. Launch date: May 30, 2009.

Kids can pretend to be fan-favorite Snake Eyes, a ninja who plays a prominent role in 2009's “G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra.” The kit includes a mask. It also has a katana-style sword that lights up, makes sounds and has a secret dart launcher in the handle. Launch date: Summer 2009.

This vehicle features the iconic design of the Cobra Night Raven. Playing a large role in the G.I. Joe movie, this is the largest of the G.I. Joe vehicles Hasbro made for 2009. It's equipped with an array of weapons, lights and sounds. It features a pump action “Lock and Load” system that reloads missiles for attack and is piloted by a 3.75” Air Viper figure. Launch date: Summer 2009.

Two different vehicles help Batman keep Gotham City safe. The Sky Shift Batmobile transforms from stylish car to blazing jet. The Batjet fires projectiles to fight off evildoers. Launch date: June 2009.

During each episode of the “Batman: The Brave and the Bold” cartoon, the Dark Knight teams up with a fellow hero, such as Blue Beetle or Aquaman. These figures come with interchangeable accessories so boys can “build up” the figures and “battle up” the bad guys. They can also “change up” the figures by snapping and switching parts. Launch date: Spring 2009.

Girls can relive the magic of the Disney animated feature “The Princess and the Frog.” Just as in the story, Tiana wears a beautiful ball gown. When girls bring the frog, Prince Naveen, to Tiana for a kiss, Tiana will turn her head away and say one of the phrases from the movie. The fourth time, Tiana finally agrees and her dress comes alive with firefly lights and magical sounds. Launch date: October 2009.

This motorized race track comes with Lightning McQueen and his trailer, Mack. Holding down a button lets McQueen switch lanes and zoom up Mack's loading ramp, launching him onto the track and into the lead. Launch date: June 2009.

Thirteen characters from the hit movie “Cars” are brought to life at 1:55 scale. Favorites including Lightning McQueen, Sally, Mater and Doc Hudson are featured. Also included is a ticket with a special code that can unlock features on WorldofCars.com. Launch date: June 2009.

Suitable for ages 18 months and up, this product features Elmo, Grover, Oscar and Cookie Monster cooking up some fun. Sound effects, a spinning turntable and lights add to the experience. When kids put the five included play food items into the microwave, they change and come out “cooked.” It comes with 3 AA batteries. Launch date: June 2009.

Elmo loves dancing and tickling. With Elmo Tickle Hands, children wear soft, furry red gloves with Elmo's face on them. When they touch objects, they hear silly sound effects and Elmo saying several phrases and laughing. If they tickle, Elmo cracks up even more. A dance mode is activated by touching Elmo's nose. Motion sensors allow Elmo to guide kids through his latest dance. This product is suitable for ages 18 months and up. Launch date: August 2009.

Suitable for ages 18 months and up, this toy builds on the success of the 2008 Elmo Live. The encore version has new jokes, a new story and more interactive features. It will also sing the Sesame Street theme song “Sunny Days,” as well as “Somebody Come and Play” and “Elmo's World.” Launch date: October 2009.

With plenty of traditional wood 'logs' and bright colored accessories, children can build a charming dairy farm with a main house for the character figurines, a barn, and corral space for the included black and white cow.  A nostalgic and creative building toy, Lincoln Logs can be used to assemble their suggested models into a quaint prairie town, or built into different structures to suit a child's imagination.
— “Lincoln Logs are still selling well,” said Terry Myers, owner of Kaleidoscope Toys in Round Rock, Texas. During an April 2009 survey of 49 retailers, she reported sales of about eight sets per month.

This 15-piece set contains a mixture of favorite Wedgits pieces, as well as new angled and straight Wedgits Building Stix. The distinctive pieces allow for even more building possibilities, and the set integrates fully with other Wedgits sets so children can take the complex geometry, balance and stability of this building system to new heights.
— “Wedgits are doing very well. We sell them weekly,” Cathy Albrow, owner of Creative Learning Toys, told TDmonthly in spring 2009 of the construction toy best sellers in her store in Grand Rapids, Mich. 
— Diana Nelson, owner of Kazoo & Company in Denver, Colo., named Wedgits as a best seller in an April 2009 survey about construction toys, remarking, “We sell a few sets a day.”