June 2009 Notable Toys — All

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.”

Third in the series of K'Nex amusement park rides, the Octopus Whirl is a 454-piece set that builds an expansive 2’-wide thrill ride.  Swiveling seats dangle from the long spokes, attached to the center carousel, which spins on an included motor for a realistic model.  Children can build an entire carnival with the other three Amusement Park models. The motor requires two AA batteries; not included.
— “K’nex is great,” stated Sheryl Guidera, owner of Kaleidoscope the Parent Teacher Store in Capitola, Calif., in response to a spring 2009 TDmonthly survey on top-selling construction products.
— Three of 49 retailers named K'nex as a best-selling construction toy in April 2009. 

Founded on the idea of a modular construction set that integrates with many other popular systems such as K'Nex and Lego, Uberstix is also intended for use with whatever recycled materials one might have lying around. Mixing Uberstix pieces such as the 60 contained in this set with found materials yields numerous possibilities. This model set is designed to yield a large bat that can really flap its wings. The kit also includes a 40-page book of Uberstix basics.
— “They are flying off the shelves,” said Janet Hoo, owner of Hoomade Toys in Phoenix, Ariz., who named Uberstix in response to TDmonthly's April 2009 survey of best selling construction toys. “Once the customer learns they are compatible with Legos and other sets they want them.”
— “I put some out to show how they work with Legos and others,” said Jacque Flagg, owner of Jacque's Educational Supplies in Bryan, Texas, on what makes Uberstix a best-selling toy in the construction department.

Who knows what 500 pieces of poseable, snap-together Zoob could stir in the imagination? Geometric structures, funky creatures, buildings and whimsical characters can be built and rebuilt easily with the simple ball-and-socket joints that connect Zoob pieces. The set comes packed in a sturdy, reusable storage case complete with four removable play pads that fit into the lid to act as foundations for the creations. 
— “Up until now, Zoob has been best,” Jeff Oslick, owner of The Enchanted Toy Store in Fullerton, Calif., told TDmonthly during an April 2009 survey about best-selling construction toys. 
— “I have a good run on Zoob year round,” said Amy Barrett, owner of Lasso the Moon Wonderful Toys in Helena, Mont., of her top selling construction items.
— Four of 49 retailers listed Zoob as a best-selling construction item in spring 2009.

Standing 3.5” tall and complete with flick-firing missiles, the Clone Walker packs a powerful punch as children use imagination and building skills to relive or reinvent their favorite parts of the Star Wars saga. Once complete, the posable model stands on two legs and carries two of the four included characters.
— “Legos are still king,” said Patti Tepper-Rasmussen when asked in spring 2009 about best-selling construction toys in her Oklahoma City, Okla., store, Learning Tree Toys, Books and Games.
— “Everyone wants Legos,” Ron Kutchik, owner of Grand Slam Toys in Kodiak, Alaska, told TDmonthly in April 2009 during a survey concerning best-selling construction items.
— More than 40 percent of 49 retailers pointed out Lego as a best-selling construction brand in their stores in spring 2009.

This behavorial modification device is designed to teach children acceptable sleep patterns by displaying a sun face for day and a moon face for night. It can be preset to any times, depending upon the schedule that parents set for their children. The sun caricature brightens the room in the morning, letting kids know it is time to get out of bed; the moon signifies that it is "time to rest." The programmable light measures 6" in diameter.

These colorful mugs are available in various names so that children can have their own special cup.
— “John Hinde name mugs and sippy cups are a consistent reorder,” said Steve Melody, owner of Melody’s Choices in Fayetteville, Ark., in spring 2009.

These colorful, non-toxic crayons do not need sharpening as they simply twist from the bottom to expose more crayon. The package measures 5.5” x 3” x 1”.
— The Hello Kitty brand is a consistent top seller at Melody’s Choices in Fayetteville, Ark., Owner Steve Melody told TDmonthly in April 2009.