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THE HOT DOZEN
The hottest toys for this holiday season
Another year, another collection of incredible toys that are sure to rock kids’ worlds. And our 9th annual list is a terrific reflection of the best of the toy industry, including classic play, the coolest characters and technological innovations that wouldn’t have been possible just a few years ago—well, perhaps in rocket science, but certainly not in toys.
These are the toys that everyone will be talking about. They’re innovative and new, cool and loaded with play value. But remember the most important thing: When it comes to hot toys, you’re the best judge of what’s hot for you. After all, it’s your play time. That’s why we always say, “The hot toy is only hot if it’s hot for an individual kid.”
For our money, here’s what we think are the hottest toys of 2007 (in alphabetical order):
American Idol Talent Challenge
Think you’ve got what it takes to make it on American Idol? Well, now you can give it a try without ever leaving your home. Connect the unit to your TV, pop in the DVD and give it a whirl. The unit comes with a working microphone and mixer and 12 songs to test your talent. Use it in Karaoke mode. Try the echo effects. Compete with friends who’ll rate you using the DVD remote. And then face the judges. You’ll hear reactions to your performance from Randy, Paula and Simon. From Tech2Go. 8+ $49.99
Aqua Dots Super Studio
This is one of the most innovative activity sets we’ve seen in a long time! Use the translucent, multicolored beads to create all kinds of cool designs. Follow the included templates, or create your own. When your creation is picture perfect, give it a spray with water, and the dots magically adhere. Make all kinds of decorations, light catchers and almost anything you can imagine. From Spin Master. 4+ $24.99
Barbie Girls
It’s one of the hottest trends today—toys that interact with online worlds. The Barbie Girls unit is an MP3 player that looks super cool. Connect it to your computer and unlock a whole virtual world with your very own avatar in a colorful and action-filled world of fun, fashion and friends. There’s even online chat in a safe, secure and totally rocking environment. Add-on packs let you unlock even more online fun. From Mattel. 6+ Device: $59.99. Fashion Pack: $9.99. Deco Pack: $9.99.
Eye-Clops
Ever wondered what a bug looks like magnified 200 times? How about a hair, or a dollar bill? Well, wonder no more. The Eye-Clops is the ultimate electronic magnifier that plugs into your TV and gives you a whole new perspective on virtually anything you want to explore. From Jakks Pacific. 6+ $49.99
Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock
The latest in the series of hard-rocking video games that were among the first to use established video game platforms in a whole new way. Hook up the guitar peripheral to your PlayStation, Xbox or Wii and get rocking. The new version includes tracks from Alice Cooper, Beastie Boys, Smashing Pumpkins, Heart, Kiss and many more. From Red Octane. Rating Pending $99.99
Hannah Montana Singing Dolls and Pop Star Stage
She’s just about the hottest act out there, and kids can’t get enough of Hannah Montana. Now they can bring all the fun to life right at home. The Hannah doll really sings actual songs from the teen sensation, and when it’s time to put on a concert, the fold-out Pop Star Stage is the perfect setting. Hook up any music player, and the whole place starts rocking! From Play Along. 6+ Doll: $19.99. Pop Star Stage: $59.99.
Nerf N-Strike Disc Shot
It’s the ultimate target game—and an instant classic. Load the foam discs into the disc launcher and load your blaster foam darts. A wireless remote that attaches to your blaster lets you control when to send foam discs sailing at different heights and angles to create all kinds of challenges. Test your speed, distance and accuracy—again and again. Everyone is going to want a turn. From Hasbro. 8+ $49.99
Rubik’s Revolution
The original Rubik’s cube puzzled the world. Now, one of the first puzzles since to earn the endorsement of Professor Erno Rubik brings new challenges to a new generation. Six addictive electronic games will keep you and your family busy. It gets tough, but it’s not impossible, as each level you complete unlocks a new one. It’s fast-paced, grab-and-go fun for everyone. From Techno Source. 5+ $19.99
Smart Cycle
Now kids can work out their brains while they work out their bodies with this incredible new system from Fisher-Price. Plug it into the TV and start pedaling. There are different levels of games, all developed to help active, curious preschoolers reinforce learning and have a great time doing it. Three levels of play ensure engaging entertainment around important preschool concepts like letters and numbers. It comes with one software package, and others are sold separately. From Fisher-Price. 3-6 Unit: $99.99. Additional programs: $19.99 each.
Spotz
Make ’em, trade ’em, express your style! This super-hot new activity toy is just the thing for creative tween girls. Pick a picture, put it in the Spotz Maker, and you’ll get a cool collectible to show and share your style. This is one of the first activity toys that leverages the Internet as a source of creativity. And you’ll be seeing Spotz at most of your favorite online destinations this fall, as well. Refills and accessory kits are available too. When it comes to creative play, Spotz are spot on! From Zizzle. 6+ $29.99
SwypeOut Online Battle Racing
We’ve all seen toys that tap into the power of the Internet, but you’ve never seen anything like this. Swypeout is a total breakthrough in action, adventure, excitement and fun. Connect the USB scanner, go to the secure website and swipe your collectible trading cards to power up for all kinds of thrilling races. Play with friends around the corner or around the country. From Spin Master. 8+ $19.99
Transformers Arm Blasters & Transformers Movie Ultimate Bumblebee
They’re this year’s super-hot action property. Transformers have raced back to the top of the toy heap with a full line of innovative and extraordinary products. The Transformers Movie Ultimate Bumblebee is half Camaro, half robot. Electronic wizardry makes it work. The Transformers Arm Blasters convert right on your arm from Autobot or Decepticon into full-force, soft-dart blaster. From Hasbro. 5+ Bumblebee: $89.99. Blasters: $29.99.
The hottest toys for this holiday season
Another year, another collection of incredible toys that are sure to rock kids’ worlds. And our 9th annual list is a terrific reflection of the best of the toy industry, including classic play, the coolest characters and technological innovations that wouldn’t have been possible just a few years ago—well, perhaps in rocket science, but certainly not in toys.
These are the toys that everyone will be talking about. They’re innovative and new, cool and loaded with play value. But remember the most important thing: When it comes to hot toys, you’re the best judge of what’s hot for you. After all, it’s your play time. That’s why we always say, “The hot toy is only hot if it’s hot for an individual kid.”
For our money, here’s what we think are the hottest toys of 2007 (in alphabetical order):
American Idol Talent Challenge
Think you’ve got what it takes to make it on American Idol? Well, now you can give it a try without ever leaving your home. Connect the unit to your TV, pop in the DVD and give it a whirl. The unit comes with a working microphone and mixer and 12 songs to test your talent. Use it in Karaoke mode. Try the echo effects. Compete with friends who’ll rate you using the DVD remote. And then face the judges. You’ll hear reactions to your performance from Randy, Paula and Simon. From Tech2Go. 8+ $49.99
Aqua Dots Super Studio
This is one of the most innovative activity sets we’ve seen in a long time! Use the translucent, multicolored beads to create all kinds of cool designs. Follow the included templates, or create your own. When your creation is picture perfect, give it a spray with water, and the dots magically adhere. Make all kinds of decorations, light catchers and almost anything you can imagine. From Spin Master. 4+ $24.99
Barbie Girls
It’s one of the hottest trends today—toys that interact with online worlds. The Barbie Girls unit is an MP3 player that looks super cool. Connect it to your computer and unlock a whole virtual world with your very own avatar in a colorful and action-filled world of fun, fashion and friends. There’s even online chat in a safe, secure and totally rocking environment. Add-on packs let you unlock even more online fun. From Mattel. 6+ Device: $59.99. Fashion Pack: $9.99. Deco Pack: $9.99.
Eye-Clops
Ever wondered what a bug looks like magnified 200 times? How about a hair, or a dollar bill? Well, wonder no more. The Eye-Clops is the ultimate electronic magnifier that plugs into your TV and gives you a whole new perspective on virtually anything you want to explore. From Jakks Pacific. 6+ $49.99
Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock
The latest in the series of hard-rocking video games that were among the first to use established video game platforms in a whole new way. Hook up the guitar peripheral to your PlayStation, Xbox or Wii and get rocking. The new version includes tracks from Alice Cooper, Beastie Boys, Smashing Pumpkins, Heart, Kiss and many more. From Red Octane. Rating Pending $99.99
Hannah Montana Singing Dolls and Pop Star Stage
She’s just about the hottest act out there, and kids can’t get enough of Hannah Montana. Now they can bring all the fun to life right at home. The Hannah doll really sings actual songs from the teen sensation, and when it’s time to put on a concert, the fold-out Pop Star Stage is the perfect setting. Hook up any music player, and the whole place starts rocking! From Play Along. 6+ Doll: $19.99. Pop Star Stage: $59.99.
Nerf N-Strike Disc Shot
It’s the ultimate target game—and an instant classic. Load the foam discs into the disc launcher and load your blaster foam darts. A wireless remote that attaches to your blaster lets you control when to send foam discs sailing at different heights and angles to create all kinds of challenges. Test your speed, distance and accuracy—again and again. Everyone is going to want a turn. From Hasbro. 8+ $49.99
Rubik’s Revolution
The original Rubik’s cube puzzled the world. Now, one of the first puzzles since to earn the endorsement of Professor Erno Rubik brings new challenges to a new generation. Six addictive electronic games will keep you and your family busy. It gets tough, but it’s not impossible, as each level you complete unlocks a new one. It’s fast-paced, grab-and-go fun for everyone. From Techno Source. 5+ $19.99
Smart Cycle
Now kids can work out their brains while they work out their bodies with this incredible new system from Fisher-Price. Plug it into the TV and start pedaling. There are different levels of games, all developed to help active, curious preschoolers reinforce learning and have a great time doing it. Three levels of play ensure engaging entertainment around important preschool concepts like letters and numbers. It comes with one software package, and others are sold separately. From Fisher-Price. 3-6 Unit: $99.99. Additional programs: $19.99 each.
Spotz
Make ’em, trade ’em, express your style! This super-hot new activity toy is just the thing for creative tween girls. Pick a picture, put it in the Spotz Maker, and you’ll get a cool collectible to show and share your style. This is one of the first activity toys that leverages the Internet as a source of creativity. And you’ll be seeing Spotz at most of your favorite online destinations this fall, as well. Refills and accessory kits are available too. When it comes to creative play, Spotz are spot on! From Zizzle. 6+ $29.99
SwypeOut Online Battle Racing
We’ve all seen toys that tap into the power of the Internet, but you’ve never seen anything like this. Swypeout is a total breakthrough in action, adventure, excitement and fun. Connect the USB scanner, go to the secure website and swipe your collectible trading cards to power up for all kinds of thrilling races. Play with friends around the corner or around the country. From Spin Master. 8+ $19.99
Transformers Arm Blasters & Transformers Movie Ultimate Bumblebee
They’re this year’s super-hot action property. Transformers have raced back to the top of the toy heap with a full line of innovative and extraordinary products. The Transformers Movie Ultimate Bumblebee is half Camaro, half robot. Electronic wizardry makes it work. The Transformers Arm Blasters convert right on your arm from Autobot or Decepticon into full-force, soft-dart blaster. From Hasbro. 5+ Bumblebee: $89.99. Blasters: $29.99.
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Buy! Buy! 2007 'Hot Dozen' holiday toys
Toy Wishes magazine picks Barbie Girls MP3 player, Fisher-Price's Smart Cycle and Rubik's Revolution among toys of the year.
By Parija B. Kavilanz, CNNMoney.com senior writer
October 22 2007: 11:46 AM EDT
NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- Despite the recent rash of toy recalls, industry expert Jim Silver predicts that parents will snap up the hottest must-have items during the upcoming holiday season.
Silver, editor of Toy Wishes magazine, released his annual "Hot Dozen" list on Tuesday, forecasting the most popular toys for fourth-quarter holiday shopping.
Photo Gallery
This year's candidates include the Barbie Girls MP3 player from Mattel (Charts, Fortune 500), Smart Cycle by Fisher-Price, Revolution by Rubik's and Eye-Clops electronic magnifier from Jakks Pacific (Charts).
Wal-Mart chops toy prices extra early
One trend in this year's "Hot Dozen" list: Toymakers are trying to keep up with the popularity of consumer electronics products like videogame consoles and Apple's iPod and IPhone. Silver noted that seven of the 12 toys his magazine selected "have a screen or a monitor" - compared to only two last year.
"Toymakers know that kids at a younger and younger age are gravitating towards electronics - they're born and they're on a computer," Silver said. "It's exciting that toymakers are now more in tune with how kids are playing today."
He also noted that toy prices have moderated compared to last year. "The average price of a high-end toy is between $40 to $55 this year, versus $60 to $80 last year," Silver said.
Will recalls hurt holiday sales?
Silver and other toy industry insiders said they are optimistic that this summer's recall of millions of Chinese-made toys over lead contamination or defective design won't threaten critical holiday sales.
In fact, November and December account for as much as two-thirds of the U.S. toy sales, which totaled $22 billion last year.
The toy industry is still reeling from a string of recalls since Mattel and RC2 Corp. (Charts) pulled back millions of popular items found to contain lead, a substance that if ingested can poison young children.
In late September, RC2 announced an additional recall of 200,000 of its Thomas & Friends wooden railway toys over lead paint concerns.
Mattel CEO Robert Eckert testified before a Senate panel in September that the company had tightened its manufacturing, testing and safety processes in China.
"I think the majority of parents realize that lead contamination isn't the major safety issue with toys. The biggest concern is choking hazard and we haven't gotten a lot of toy recalls for choking risk," Silver said.
Søren Torp Laursen, president of LEGO Americas, told CNNMoney.com that he's not too worried about the fallout on sales from the recent recalls.
"From our perspective, we think there's some concern among consumers but not for parents," Laursen said. "Parents know what type of toys to buy for their children. But with the less experienced toy buyers like aunts and uncles, I think they may choose to give gift cards instead."
He added that he thought the recalls will result in safer toys. "This Christmas season could be the safest season to buy toys, because companies are doing so much more testing and taken more precautions," Laursen said.
Shortages of hot toys?
At the same time, Silver cautioned that the additional testing could put a crimp in holiday-season inventory.
"Things will get slowed down at the ports, and it could take longer for toys to get to shelves in time for Christmas," Silver said. "I think there'll be a shortage of the top 100 toys in December."
Isaac Larian, founder and CEO of MGA Entertainment, which makes the Bratz dolls, also foresees a shortage because of the heightened testing and the decision by retailers to cut back on inventory.
Overall, he is less sanguine about the market's prospects this year. "I think the whole [toys] business will be down for the year because of the recall concerns," he said. Top of page
