TDmonthly's ToyFair 2006 Preview--Video Games Product Category

Project Gotham Racing 4 by MICROSOFT

“Project Gotham Racing 4” is the highly anticipated next installment of the blockbuster “Project Gotham Racing” (PGR®) franchise, developed by Bizarre Creations exclusively for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system. With a dramatic new weather system, revamped career mode, revised Kudos system, and new tracks and locations as well as the world’s most iconic vehicles, “PGR 4” takes racing to a new level of thrill and excitement. “Drivers must perform with style and flair, not just race against competitors and the clock, as the game is based around an emotionally charged racing experience where players become attached to their careers profiles and vehicles,” Tina Yu of Edelman told TDmonthly. Launch date: October 2, 2007. 11/9/2007 (Price: $59.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Piano Wizard by ALLEGRO RAINBOW

This video game allows the player to learn to play piano and read music, all with an expandable library of popular MIDI tunes. Players can download their favorite songs, thus making the music library fully customizable. 10/19/2007 (Price: $149.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Harry Potter: Hogwarts Challenge by WARNER HOME VIDEO

The interactive DVD game allows players of different skill levels to experience the world of “Harry Potter”. The DVD is based primarily on the first three “Harry Potter” films and includes scenes from the fourth and fifth films. Launch date: December 11, 2007.
— Boys across the US named video games as their #2 gift choice, according to Reuters. TDmonthly predicts that this particular game will do Harry proud this Christmas! 10/19/2007 (Price: $24.98) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Jurassic Park Explorer DVD Game by BRIGHTER MINDS MEDIA

Brighter Minds Media, LLC joins Universal Pictures Digital Platforms Group to introduce this DVD board game. The game consists of a game board, a game DVD, 25 dinosaur fact cards, four playing pieces and a six-sided die. The interactive DVD features over 300 dinosaur trivia questions, seven activities, clips from all three Jurassic Park movies, hours of all-new 3-D animation and more. Three distinct skill levels allow players of different abilities to play together. 9/18/2007 (Price: $24.95)

It's a Big Game Charlie Brown by VIVA MEDIA

Good Grief! Charlie Brown hasn’t got anyone on his team and it’s up to you to help him! Join Americans favorite blockhead on an unforgettable sports adventure.  Enjoy hours of classic Peanuts fun as you explore the neighborhood, meet the peanuts gang, and discover the puzzles and challenges that lead to the Big Game. 9/5/2007 (Price: $19.99)

Marvel Heroes Breakout DVD Game by BRIGHTER MINDS MEDIA

Intended for the whole family, this game, starring Marvel favorites such as Spider-Man, The Hulk, The X-Men and more, features footage from Marvel TV shows as well as hours of brand-new animation, hundreds of trivia questions, and seven interactive DVD activities. Each game comes with a game board, a game DVD, 25 villain fact cards, four playing pieces and a six-sided die. Players can select from three skill levels for each player and can select how long they want the game to be. This product is a winner of the 2007 Creative Child Preferred Choice Award. 8/24/2007 (Price: $24.95)

Laser Dance Matrix by APPLIED SCIENCES

We've all seen the “Dance Dance Revolution” craze and the myriad plastic floor pad knockoffs. Now, Applied Sciences, a company with real scientists, is introducing a laser-triggered "pad" that works with no moving parts (except feet), and only floor to dance on. The player dances between laser beams to any type of DDR game: “Stepmania,” “In the Groove” and “Dance Dance Revolution” itself. A. Smyth (a real scientist) said the reaction to the prototype — from retailers, schools, kids, college students and old fogies — has been overwhelming: "We totally underestimated the response." The first human to test the completed prototype, Smyth explained that the coolest thing about playing it was "the fact that the floor had become the controller. For most people, though, the coolest things are the lasers." 5/25/2007

Tony Hawk's Downhill Jam by ACTIVISION

For the first time, Tony Hawk’s Downhill Jam lets players experience the breakneck speed of downhill skateboard racing as they tear up the steepest terrains in the world while performing tricks and outmaneuvering opponents in locations such as the crowded streets of San Francisco and rocky terrain of Machu Picchu. “Gamers utilize an innovative and intuitive control system as they … compete in specific time-based challenges in one of three game play modes including race, trick and slalom,” Jr. Publicist Kelvin Liu of Activision Games told TDmonthly. This product received a spring 2007 Parents’ Choice Recommended Award. Launch date: October 24, 2006 (NDS); November 14, 2006 (Wii). 5/23/2007

Plug 'n Play 16bit Wireless Table Tennis by DREAM GEAR

dreamGEAR's Plug 'n Play 16bit Wireless Table Tennis puts players in the game like never before, using motion sensing technology to bring the feeling of real Table Tennis to the TV. One or two players physically swing the wireless paddle at the screen for interactive entertainment. It also features 16 additional games — action, adventure, racing and more — that can be played using the included Game Pad. “dreamGEAR’s Plug ‘N Play games do not require the user to purchase a  stand-alone video game console and the associated  video games … which can easily add up to hundreds of dollars,” Paula Lecossois, director of operations and marketing for dreamGEAR LLC, told TDmonthly. 5/21/2007 (Price: $39.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Golden Tee Live 2007 Home Edition by TLC INDUSTRIES INC.

The most amazing courses in the history of Golden Tee golf are here. Golden Tee Live 2007 Home Edition will dazzle players’ senses and challenge their skills with new courses, new features and new fun. The game has a 27” flat-panel monitor that displays quality graphics. Home game rooms will never be the same. This product is distributed by Allied Distributing. 4/24/2007 (Price: $5645)

Crazy Machines 1.5: More Gizmos, Gadgets, & Whatchamacallits by VIVA MEDIA

Kids can go crazy with more than 200 brand new gizmo-twistin’ levels, enjoying all new elements, music, backgrounds and more. They start off in the Inventor’s Training Camp to sharpen their skills, and then experience explosive action and building fun using 100 awesome and wacky parts, including bottle rockets, cannons, bombs and robots. It’s the ultimate brain-teasing puzzle game. Launch date: March 2007. 4/23/2007 (Price: $19.99)

Gary Gadget: Building Cars by VIVA MEDIA

Children can design, build and drive with this set, putting together engines, gadgets, doors, wheels, lights and tons more. It’s up to them to recycle wacky old parts from Gary’s junkyard into amazing vehicles in the workshop. There are 16 missions and activities, and more than 127 parts to create endless car part combinations. Participants can earn certificates and medals, race their cars, and create a photo album of their favorites. This product “provides quality education while also being entertaining and fun for kids,” Project Manager Beatrice LaBarge of Viva Media told TDmonthly. It has won iParenting Media and ALA awards and received a spring 2007 Parents' Choice Award. Launch date: January 2007. 4/23/2007 (Price: $29.99)

Smart Cycle by FISHER-PRICE INC.

Using plug-and-play technology, parents simply plug this kid-sized stationary bike into their television’s A/V jacks to bring the arcade experience home to enable kids to be active while learning. Kids pedal and steer to play fun learning games right on the TV. Launch date: March 5, 2008. 3/15/2007 (Price: $99.99)

Piano Wizard Mac Version by ALLEGRO RAINBOW

This Mac-based video game teaches anyone how to play piano in minutes. It uses a proprietary computer game engine along with a color-coded piano keyboard (bundled with the software) allowing the user to simply hit the correct note at the correct time. The software is compatible with electronic music files, allowing users to import their favorite song and play along with a completely new music game. Launch date: January 8, 2007. 3/1/2007 (Price: $199.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Scene It? Movie 2nd Edition Deluxe DVD Game by SCREENLIFE

The second edition of this DVD game is loaded with all-new movie clips, trivia questions and puzzlers from Hollywood’s finest films, including “Walk the Line,” “Dodgeball” and “The Devil Wears Prada.” The game tests players’ powers of observation and puzzle-solving skills through a variety of on-screen challenges. According to Nancy Jenkins, director of public relations at Screenlife, the Scene It? game “started the DVD game craze and revolutionized the board game industry.” Launch date: July 2007.  ( Watch Video) 2/19/2007 (Price: $49.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

The Game Chamber™ by DAZE PRODUCTS INC.

The Game Chamber is an innovative locking storage unit for games, movies or videos. These models, for Nintendo Gameboy Advance, Gameboy Advance SP, Nintendo DS, and DS Lite come in blue, pink and silver shades.
— The product “prevents kids from losing or damaging their games, because they have to put the game cartridge or CD/DVD they are playing with away if they want to play with another,” Sherri Sklar, VP of sales and marketing at Daze Products, told TDmonthly. “There is currently nothing else out there in the market that singlehandedly organizes the games, protects [them] from being lost or damaged, and teaches children personal responsibility.” For price, contact Daze. Launch date: February 11, 2007. ( Watch Video) 1/12/2007 (Price: $14.95)

The Land Before Time™ DVD Game by PRESSMAN TOY CORP.

This DVD game for 2 to 4 players includes clips from Cartoon Network’s new “The Land Before Time” TV series.  Mini-games, including matching games, memory challenges and more, keep the game different each time it is played on-screen. 1/11/2007 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Wii by NINTENDO OF AMERICA INC.

Nintendo’s Wii is distinct from other video game consoles because it has the wireless Wii Remote. This device detects motion, so that game-players can simulate the movement of their game rather than just press buttons. Players whose game character is swinging a sword, for example, make swinging motions to get their character to act. With a BM PowerPC-based CPU, a Wii Optical Disc, 512MB Internal flash memory, and online services such as Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection, WiiConnect24, Virtual Console and Wii Channels, Wii also delivers great performance. Launch Date: November 19, 2006. 12/28/2006 (Price: $250.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Xbox 360 by MICROSOFT

Xbox 360 delivers high definition gaming and entertainment experiences for the whole family, with games such as the classic "Pac-Man" and the new generation blockbuster "Halo 2."  With a 3.2 GHz PPC Tri-Core Xenon CPU and 500 MHz ATI Xenos GPU, the Xbox 360 provides great graphics and audio for realistic games. Xbox 360 also features high definition downloads on Xbox LIVE, access to digital music and pictures stored on a PC and voice and video chat capability via the Vision camera.  Xbox 360 is available in three models: Xbox 360 Core, Xbox 360 (with a 20 GB hard drive) and the new Xbox 360 Elite (with a 120 GB hard drive and black finish). Launch Date: November 22, 2005. 12/28/2006 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

PlayStation 3 by SONY ELECTRONICS

PlayStation 3 is a seventh-generation video game console. The console has a powerful 3.2 GHz Cell Broadband Engine with 1 PPE and 7 SPEs. Users can buy games such as the popular "Resistance: Fall of Man" and can also use the PlayStation Network to play interactive games with others. The console supports BD-ROM, DVD-ROM, CD-ROM and Super Audio CD technology. Most PlayStation and PlayStation 2 games also can be played on this new console. Launch Date: November 17, 2006. 12/28/2006 (Price: $499.00)

Pirates of the Caribbean DVD Treasure Hunt by IMAGINATION ENTERTAINMENT

"Pirates of the Caribbean II: Dead Man's Chest" was the biggest movie of the year and this game features clips from both films starring Johnny Depp as the swashbuckling Captain Jack Sparrow. By entering codes with a TV or DVD player remote control, players are led to pirate riddles, booty cards and hidden treasures for the taking. The game board is cleverly fashioned in the shape of a treasure map. The package also includes four pirate ship player tokens and is designed for 2 to 4 pirate players. Launch Date: Summer 2006. 12/11/2006 (Price: $29.99)

Brain Quest DVD Game - Ages 8-10 by BRIGHTER MINDS MEDIA

This edition of the educational DVD game is geared toward grades 3 to 5, and although the kids can play by themselves or with friends, mom and dad can also take part to turn it into a family game of knowledge. The fun quiz questions are supplemented with logic, text and audio games to keep children interested as they learn. Exciting action games are offered as a reward, motivating kids to advance. Launch date: Fall 2006. 12/11/2006 (Price: $24.95)

Hyperscan by MATTEL INC.

This hybrid gaming system blends strategic trading card play with video game play. Intellicards scanned into the console base bring characters to life on screen. Add and store new powers through challenges and upgrades. 12/8/2006 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Zoo Tycoon 2: Marine Mania by BLUE FANG GAMES

This expansion pack introduces 20 new marine animals, including green sea turtles, black tip reef sharks and West Indian manatees, into the “Zoo Tycoon 2” experience. Players can watch an orca breach the surface of its tank while dolphins teach each other new tricks. In addition to building new tanks, gamers can customize their own aquatic shows, teaching animals to entertain guests and increase zoo ratings. “Marine Mania lets you train your aquatic animals to perform amazing shows to the delight of your zoo guests,” Jason Ing of Blue Fang Games told TDmonthly. This product received a 2007 Parents' Choice Approved award. Launch date: October 17, 2006. 12/6/2006 (Price: $29.99)

Strawberry Shortcake: The Sweet Dreams Game by THE GAME FACTORY

Based on the Strawberry Shortcake: Sweet Dreams movie, this PS2 game asks players to help build new dreams for Strawberry Shortcake’s four friends. The platform style game incorporates eight exploration levels and six mini-games. Players learn about friendship, and as they obtain powers and knowledge, difficulty increases for replay value. “The Game Factory has been dedicated to creating non-violent, age-appropriate video games for children as young as 5 years old,” Flashpoint PR account coordinator Karen Lynch told TDmonthly. This game gives children “a chance to use their imagination to unlock dreams and explore different environments.” Launch date: Oct. 24, 2006. 10/25/2006 (Price: $29.99)