October 2008 Notable Toys — All

Jedi Master Shaak Ti was an exotic, alien female with colorful patterning decorating her flexible lekku, or head-tails. She defended the Republic and died in the effort. Shaak Ti is remembered and faithfully represented in this spectacular resin bust that stands 8" tall and includes a certificate of authenticity. This is a limited edition of 4,000 pieces. Launch date: October 2008.

Collectors can relive all the fun and laughter from The Big Lebowski with these cool action figures, which are not sold in mass-market stores. It "makes a great gift for adults that love pop culture. The retail price point makes it an affordable gift item," a representative for Entertainment Earth told TDmonthly. Launch date: October 2008.

Over 1.5 Million of these unique,Trademarked collectibles have been sold since their introduction in the year 2000. The colorful bears have a "see through" pocket that holds the state coin. The color of the bear reflects the geographic or historical background of the state. The year the coin was issued, the year the colony became a state and an exact replica of the state flag are embroidered on the bear. The years 1999 through 2006 are available at special prices. This product received a Dr. Toy award for most unique collectible toy in 2001. "It is the only collectible that combines the appeal of a teddy bear, a bean bag and a coin in one product," CEO Harold Nizamian of Timeless Toys Inc. told TDmonthly. Launch date: October 22, 2008.

New to Bearington’s Fall/Winter 2008 Collection, Andy and Sandi Sweetooth are Santa’s best little helpers this year. Both wear adorable candy cane elf outfits and matching stocking hats. Sweetie McSqueaky is their little mouse friend. He can also be an ornament. The line offers "outstanding quality and collectibility at the most amazing prices," Alicia Ariza, marketing associate for the Bearington Collection, told TDmonthly. Launch date: June 2008.

Top Race promises hours of racecar thrills. Players send the racing cars down the track, ready for anything in their quest to get to the top of the podium, and use the advanced rules to thwart their opponents. They go on to win if they bet on the right drivers. The easy-to-learn game was created by German designer Wolfgang Kramer. Launch date: September 2008.

Each player receives a card that lists three secret challenges to be carried out during the play period in front of other players without getting caught. With family or during a party, players then try to expose other players in order to win. The small box takes up little counter space and is easy to take along. Launch date: March 2008.

Clay-Mates are a great value gift and make perfect stocking stuffers. These handmade miniatures are crafted in Thailand of porcelain clay. The 20-piece Starter Set is a perfect way to start a new collector. "Clay-Mates consist of a variety of whimsical, real and imaginary animals, birds and sea life. Each tiny character is meticulously detailed with delightful and charming features. Although very similar, no two are ever identical," Lisa Ramus, president of Clay-Mates USA, told "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.. Launch date: 2008.

Strategy skills get stepped up a notch when space runs out on the board. The game continues on top of the previously played pieces. Following specific layering laws, each player tries to cover up their opponent's pieces. In the end, the more exposed player comes out the winner. It's "a strategy game that's fun for the whole family," Jackie Aubut, director of sales for Family Games, Inc., told TDmonthly. Launch date: November 20, 2008.

Collectors can finish their diorama display with their favorite model car in 1:18 scale with the latest set of fantastic figurines from the imagination of Motorhead Miniatures. This is the couple you see every weekend showing off their car and mixing it up with freinds and fellow motorheads. The hand-painted, cold-cast resin figures include metal-framed chairs, a floor sign and, of course, the dog. The product is also available in 24-scale for model kits, die cast and garden railroads. "Motorhead Minitures is the market leader in limited-edition figurines to complete displays of die cast, model cars and garden railroads. The Car Show is just the latest in themed sets of figurines and accessories for the model or train enthusiast," Drew Heitner, president of Motorhead Miniatures LLC, told TDmonthly. Launch date: April 2009.

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.

ROCKIT 100 - The 80's Edition "One Track At A Time" is a deck of 100 rock and roll trivia cards each dedicated to one of the top-100 rock and roll songs of the '80s. There are five clues on the card. The player who guesses the song and artist in the fewest number of clues earns the points. The first player to rock and roll their way to 20 points wins the round. This product is a "price-sensitive Impulse Buy at the POP (something unique and affordable for the adults on the list while waiting to pay for the kids' stuff)," CEO Brett McAteer of Arteeno Entertainment Company Ltd. told TDmonthly. Launch date: September 2, 2006.

This award-winning chess teaching tool is now in a zippered cloth bag and ready to take along at a moments notice. The board has been redesigned to hold the pieces not in play at either side. This game received a Dr. Toy Top 10 Games Award in 1997 and an EDUSOURCE Top 10 Games Award in 1999, and a National Parenting Publications Award (NAPPA) in 2003. Launch date: October 2008.

In this classic strategy game, players hop around the pond with their frog friends. It allows children to explore the boggy pond with their colorful and funny frogs. Players move their game pieces across the pond to win the game. "Our clever twist with magnets makes this game great for small hands; the magnets stack up high and the winner can clearly be seen. The magnetic pieces also help to make this game great for travel," Jessica McCulligh, in marketing at Dowling Magnets, told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2008.

Excalibur Electronics presents Phantom Force, a powerful chess set with one incredible trick–it moves pieces all on its own. Utilizing the latest in micro motor and magnet technology, Phantom Force brings chess computing into the 21st century. Phantom Force will play Knights, Pawns and other pieces, sliding them into position as if an invisible hand were controlling it. "Phantom Force Chess offers a wide variety of features, including sound effects, voice vocabulary in three languages, hint button, coaching mode, teaching mode for new players, time control, built-in dual chess clock display, in-game memory, adjustable LCD contrast, [and] auto-shut off, and [it] is designed with a storage compartment to hold your chessmen," Meg Sahdala, senior product manager at Excalibur Electronics Inc., told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2008.
— As of 1.06.2011 this product was listed as a bestseller in the Games & Puzzle category on Toysrus.com. Pros: Helps hone logic skills; can be played alone.

This holiday dress-up Sassy Pet Sak is a tote style and comes with a black lab puppy that is removeable. The bag measures 7" wide. "The design and unique choice of fashionable materials" set this item apart, Erika Radich, marketing manager for Douglas Company, told TDmonthly. "It is a toy and an accessory all in one!" Launch date: September 20, 2008.

This is the first minigolf course to take away and play anywhere, indoor or outdoor. It was a finalist for the Golf Europe product award in 2008. The set includes 13 obstacles, one club, two balls and a scorepad. The game can be played on grass, tarmac, carpet, wood floors or ice. Launch date: 2008.

The Beverly Hills Puppy Club© plush line of products is ready to be spoiled by little girls. The “toy” toy dogs are a realistic–looking group of four popular pampered pups — Pug, Shih-tzu, Yorkie and Chihuahua — that are designed for ultimate cuddling, coddling and unconditionally limitless imaginative play. Fashion outfits and accessories are sold separately. Launch date: September 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 Fuzion Electron is great for cruising the neighborhood or going big in the park, and it's perfect for all ages. The Electron features an innovative new folding mechanism and ultra-light, compact design so it can be taken anywhere with ease. Although it is a new model, the Fuzion Electron still uses the same Fuzion Steering Technology (FST) as the original Fuzion scooters for maximum carving. "Fuzion scooters are the only four-wheeled carving scooter[s] on the market," Akiko Ezuka, marketing coordinator for Nextsport Inc., told TDmonthly. Launch date: September 2008.

Ms. Frizzle and her students take Young Scientists diving into slime, gel and goop with fabulous experiments. Young Scientists discover oobleck, produce glue from milk, grow jiggly marbles, make snow from super-absorbent crystals, form a bouncy ball, create slime, expand super-absorbent gel crystals, melt fake snow, learn about polymers, and much, much more. This polymeric kit includes extra super-absorbent crystals, gels and marbles to repeat the fun. "This series has won multiple awards, has been on TV shows, and has appeared in many articles. This great exposure makes this series a great addition to any specialty retail store," CEO Esther Novis of The Young Scientists Club told TDmonthly. February 2, 2009.

Each Snugaboo polyester fleece blanket is 30" x 30" and is trimmed in triple-stitched soft satin edging that will help it last through many adventures. The blankets even have two convenient silky satin pockets for little hands to snuggle in or to use to fly around. Six designs are available: Zeek, Daisy, Frankie, Boots, Noodles and Princess Aladreena. "Each Snugaboo hooded blanket matches a specific Snugaboo cartoon character and comes bundled with a package of temporary tattoo Freckle Rewards to promote good behavior in children," Sheila Oberaigner, CEO and Boo Master Select of Crushtown, told TDmonthly. Launch date: September 7, 2008.

These waterproof coveralls offer toddlers full-body coverage and protection from the rain and elements. The lightweight, breathable coveralls can be worn outdoors in the rain and dirt or worn indoors for messy arts and crafts. They keep kids dry, clean and comfortable, and come with handy waterproof bag for travel. The product has dual front zippers for quick changes, a generous fit for easy movement, extra-heavyweight nylon reinforcement on the seat and knees, sealed seams for waterproof coverage, elasticized wrist and ankle cuffs that fit over mitts and boots, and an elasticized hood with a brim to shed water. Launch date: 2007.

These 12" plush tooth fairy dolls are shaped as little fairies and come in boy and girl styles. The dolls hold a child's tooth in their shiny pouch, waiting for the tooth fairy to come. Launch date: September 6, 2008.

Jolly Jett celebrates the festivities of the winter season. Jett wears a darling cocktail dress with matching headband and shoes (the perfect attire for attending tons of holiday parties) and a pale, dove-gray faux fur jacket to keep her warm as she heads out in the snow. Each Jolly Jett doll comes with a perfectly scaled jingle bell wreath ornament. The doll is approximately 12" tall, articulated for movement, and comes with removeable hands for easy redressing. "Jolly Jett is a fantastic holiday collectible that is appropriate for any aged collector," Carol Roth, business development and PR director for Integrity Toys, told TDmonthly. Launch date: October 15, 2008. THIS LIMITED EDITION DOLL SOLD OUT IN 2008.