Toy news and Toy reviews

Hunger Games has legions taking up Archery

Heroine Katniss sports a bow and arrow, and does plenty of damage with her accuracy in the UK release of the blockbuster Hunger Games today. Since opening in the US kids (of all ages) have been signing up for lessons at Archery clubs, that's far too faddy for us, just pick up the finest toy bow/arrow kit around in the shape of the fine Z-Curve launcher and have yourself some grin inducing fun. A couple of round-nosed projectiles that easily reach 80 feet and a sucker dart that'll pretty much latch on to any flat surface (foreheads not included), we ...

Helium shortage is no laughing matter

We are, according to the Guardian, running low on Helium and one scientist in particular is putting the blame squarely on the party balloon industry and, that'll now include our favourite flyers the Air Swimmers. Pressure on stocks aren't likely to let up anytime soon from our end, we're eagerly awaiting the arrival of the Bass and Whale version of these surreal R/C's - Air Swimmers are the only brand that'll not have you trying to cancel your credit card transaction. Here's an Angry Bird version too (pictured) selling only in the US righ now, looking forward to a video ...

ARCHOS steps in to Kids Tablet market

ARCHOS have shown their hand in the Tablet market for kids this morning wading in with this, the Child Pad. It joins the MEEP and Kurio although it could well steal a lead as it is launching at the end of March, the others have a TBC date and late September. In the looks department all seems perfectly acceptable, it 'll run on the 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich software has 1GHz processor and 1GB of RAM - And it'll be just £99. Kids friendly features include access to the Kids App Store powered by AppsLib which is filtered down to ...

Angry Birds getting Flash

Yup, the licensing wagon rolls out once more for the Angry Birds mob and this time we're treated to a quadruplet of the crew, red bird, yellow bird, king piggy and white bird as USB flash drives. They're each able to carry around 4GB of your precious data and we think hat wanting to fling them into a structure of Jenga bricks or LEGO will be overwhelming, so buy one (or more) and get on with it. £14.99 a piece from FIREBOX

Angry Birds evolution continues, moves outdoors…

When Mattel took on the board game last year it was met with shrieks of delight from bird lobbing fans, within just a couple of months version two was amongst us, we eagerly await the next installment. From iPod docks, PC speakers, noise producing plushes and a raft of other beak based accessories nothing new or very exciting to see here, it is with unbridled enthuisiasm that we bring you Angry Birds, The Outdoor Action game from Tactic. From May and for about £25 you get the main game, that's a playmat, blocks, pair of Angry Birds, a pig and ...

Jubilee must-have

Lets face it, until just now you'd never realised how much you wanted a solar powered waving minature figure of Her Maj, did you? Pick yours from either pink or blue or buy both - Head THIS way for your purchase and to pick up some interesting facts about this great lady, our favourite is that she has opened 15 bridges in the UK!

keeping one amused

We're unlikely to see the veritable amount of tat that surrounded the Royal wedding last year, we're hoping that celebratory and commemorative kit will all attempt to be as classy as this chess set (over optimistic perhaps). Each piece is handpainted, it truly is a glorious piece of kit that's certain to find favour with those who refer to parts of their abodes with terms such as East and West wing. It'll set you back almost £300 HERE for those interested parties.

Star Wars slot sets – At last

We've been treated to a fair few Scalextric licences over the years, James bond ones were pretty good, Toy Story didn;t float our slot-car racing boat, this pair of beauties has us grinning from ear to ear. Why we've had to wait for so long to get Star Wars and Scalexctric to tema up Darth only knows, and frankly we don;t give a Yoda because it's finally happening - Exactly when we're no sure. So, we have the Micro 1:64 scale Death Star Attack set with a Lord Vader Tie Fighter battling a Luke Skywalker X-Wing, the spaceships have working ...

Team GB in the Lego Olympics

On May 17, 2012, In Collectables, by Amanda

Team GB Minifigs: Proudly posing

See Team GB at a John Lewis, Argos, Tesco, WH Smiths, Smyths or Toys R Us from July 1st!

The official Lego minifig team, that is! The new nine collectible Lego Olympic athletes are racing into shops to win gold in kids’ play rooms and commemorate the London 2012 Games.

The detailing is exquisite on the £1.99 figures. The Stealth Swimmer is wearing his medal with droplets still wet from the pool and the Relay Runner has sweat on his brow and a baton in his hand.

They join the Brawny Boxer, Judo Fighter, Tactical Tennis Player, Flexible Gymnast, Wondrous Weightlifter, Horseback Rider and Agile Archer.

Tagged with: lego • olympics • Team GB

Prepare for the return of Furby

On May 15, 2012, In Collectables, by peter jenkinson

Cast your minds back to the late 90′s, the first coming of this hamster/owl hybrid robotic toy with its very own launguage – Furbish. It was a bit of a breakthrough back then, learning, over time to replace its Furbish chatter with English words, that’s it, YOU talk the little cute critters to speaky the lingo. We’ve learnt that they’re making a return, the image suggests that the moving facial parts have been entirely replaced by and LCD screen, and that folks is all we have for you. We’re currently doing the rounds of Furby forums and liastening out for rumours and/or factual chatter from insiders which we’ll update on Twitter with #furbyreturns – follow us @toyologist

Tagged with: furbies • furby • furbys • hasbro

Because who doesn’t need a 3 foot robot?

On May 14, 2012, In Adults in mind, Boys Toys, Collectables, RC's and Robots, by Features Ed

Oh there really is nothing like a massive, exorbitantly priced robot is there. This is BB Metal. He is three feet tall. He costs £699.95. He is awesome. And you know it.

Rather coolly it is made out of recycled car and bike parts – so you can feel like you’re doing your bit of course, this is an eco-friendly type purchase with green credentials. Because of this of course he’s not brand spankingly new and shiny, so don’t be disappointed when you open the box and see a pile of dirty, old spare car parts – the beauty here is in the design and innovation friends. And the size. THREE FEET. That’s taller than our office minions!

In case you’re still wavering.. hovering over the purchase button here we’ve come up with a handy list of uses for ol’ BB:

1. Guard dog

2. Butler

3. Coat stand

4. Conversation starter

5. Robot model

See, the options really are endless.

Tagged with: bb metal art • news • red5 • reviews • robot • toy • toyology

Get real!

On May 12, 2012, In Board Games, Edutainment, Family fun, by Features Ed

The name ‘Realism’ doesn’t exactly spring off the Toys R Us (or another similar retailer, there are plenty of others you know) shelves, grab you and scream ‘FUN!’ in your face. When we reveal that this is a game based on finances and stocks and shares, that’s probably not going to do much to change that. But the object of the game is to become a millionaire Rodney, so it must be good!

It’s a little ‘Game of Life’-esque in that each player gets a job, can buy life insurance and the like, even mortgage actually. But added in is the purchasing of property and shares and the building up of assets. Billed as a game for age 10+ as a great way to learn the fundamentals of investment, which considering the y’know current fiscal sitch (situation) and the ongoing debate that children aren’t taught nowt about money in schools, is probably a pretty good idea.

We’ll be honest, at £34.99 here it’s a bit of an investment in itself, but the idea is good and we’re slightly dubious about the idea that you can “enjoy the thrill of the financial rollercoaster”, but what the hell, we were getting bored of Ker-Plunk anyway.

Tagged with: board game • investment • money • news • realism • reviews • toy • toyology

Angry antics

On May 11, 2012, In Board Games, Family fun, Get Involved, Outdoor Escapades, Playground Crazes, by Features Ed

Because there are not yet enough Angry Birds products, we thought we would bring to you on a somewhat murky Friday morn, the latest incarnation of the foul tempered fowls (see what we did there? Yes we know they’re not technically chickens, they are just non descript birds that are angry, but it’s Friday and we’re trying so leave it out).

So here is the Angry Birds Action Game, ta da! And it’s a whopper at a metre wide – check out that superimposed 100cm image for proof if you don’t believe us.

Still, despite the unnecessary sarcasm , this game does actually get the thumbs up from us and ten bonus points for attempting to recreate the actual premise of the much loved app. Play it indoors or out, you build you wooden shack and pelt the pig with your squidgy beanbag style birdy and score some points. Brilliant. Available to pre-order for £24.99 here

Still, there really are probably enough Angry Birds spin offs now..

Tagged with: action game • angry birds • news • reviews • toyology • toys

Sir, yes sir!

On May 4, 2012, In Adults in mind, Boys Toys, Figures and Dolls, by Features Ed

If, when you leave the house of a morning, you really want to feel confident that your books and/or doors are being well guarded.. we can’t think of a better reassurance than having your own little army guy on duty.

Reminiscent of the chaps out of the Toy Story films the ‘Home Guard’ book end/door stop is just the right amount of novelty for the home, we feel. And someone to salute to when you come in of an evening too, who doesn’t want that?

Standing at almost 19cm tall and weight in at a hefty 1.125kg they should be more than capable of propping up all your Dostoevsky and Tolstoy… Not badly priced either at £25 from here

Tagged with: army man • bookend • doorstop • homeguard • news • reviews • soldier • toy • toyology

Office ostriches

On May 4, 2012, In Adults in mind, by Features Ed

Ahhhh a bank holiday weekend. Three days of catching up on sleep and being annoyed that it’s raining outside when it’s supposed to be sunny, barbeque weather. If, like us, 5pm can’t come quick enough you might even consider beginning the all-important Zzz shaped catch up at your desk today…and how better to do so than with the ostrich pillow.
Simply place your head in the cosy, cubby hole and your arms in their designated nooks and let the sleeping begin. Granted, it may not be the most discreet of ways to catch forty winks in the office but for blocking out the glaring strip lighting and colleague’s chatter, you couldn’t want for anything more.

For those who want more information, it was designed by this guy here, and for those who just want a nap..well it’s probably safer to wait until home time

Tagged with: cushion • nap • news • office • ostrich pillow • reviews • toy toyology

Feel the Fourth Luke

On May 4, 2012, In Adults in mind, Boys Toys, Comps, Get Involved, by peter jenkinson

Amongst our favourite days of the year is this one that has been hijacked by Star Wars fans (and purveyors of all things Star Wars – who started it?). The Twittersphere is trending #starwarsday #starwars #maythefourth, fan boys and girls will be pulling sickies to stay home and watch boxsets, those going to work will be discussing their favourite moments from the series and those who have never watched a single Star Wars will be ridiculed all day with comments such as “never watched a Star Wars you have not”. To celebrate this major excuse to do anything Star Wars based we have a competition, we’re going to celebrate this May the 4^th or Star Wars day by giving away two sets of spanking new LEGO® Star Wars™ sets – To win, we want your best Star Wars joke, read on……

(more…)

Tagged with: may the fourth • star • star wars • tiw • warsdeath star

Carddies ain’t hard(ies)

On May 2, 2012, In Edutainment, Family fun, Girls Allowed, Pocket Money, by Features Ed

It’s almost like there are some kind of British and sport themed events ahead this year the way toys of these themes keep popping up… Still, we have a soft spot for retro simple toy Carddies anyway, so we forgive them.

If you’re not familiar with the award winning toy, it’s easy peasy: characters are printed onto card, littl’uns colour ‘em in, stand them up and presto – play time begins. As most parents will no doubt recognise, from Christmas mornings spend putting together horrible fiddly electronic crazy gizmo type toys before realising that their offspring prefers the box it came in, simplicity can often win out, and that is the secret of the success with this range.

With the new British and Sports themed sets released just in time for well, you know, new additions can play with old favourites and your child expands their Carddies collection, which already includes Cavemen, School and Knights sets among others. And as an added bonus they’re only £8.99 making them a pocket friendly treat for those extra bank holiday days off when it’s no doubt chucking it down with rain. Cynical, us? Never. You can get them here and also here.

Tagged with: carddies • jubilee • news • olympics • reviews • toy • toyology

Lego grows up

On April 30, 2012, In Adults in mind, Boys Toys, Collectables, by Features Ed

Looking like it rolled straight out of an Aardman Wallace and Gromit production, the Big Ben piece de resistance of the new Lego Architecture range is certainly a bit different to what we usually get from the block building experts.

Softer than usual, more delicate and more realistic the range focuses not just on the building but the story behind the iconic landmarks in its range. From the Empire State Building to the Sydney Opera House and the Brandenburg Gate, it’s like a round the world trip in a toy store and we are more than a bit taken with the collection.

While die hard Lego fans may not appreciate the deviation from Harry Potter franchises, ninjas and space aliens, this could be just exactly what is needed to the ageing Lego fan who still wants to enjoy the product but can no longer justify to the wife why the Millenium Falcon Lego series still gets to sit on the mantlepiece..

Tagged with: architecture • big ben • landmark • lego • news • reviews • toy • toyology

Previous Entries

Hunger Games has legions taking up Archery

Helium shortage is no laughing matter

ARCHOS steps in to Kids Tablet market

Angry Birds getting Flash

Angry Birds evolution continues, moves outdoors…

Jubilee must-have

keeping one amused

Star Wars slot sets – At last

Team GB in the Lego Olympics

Prepare for the return of Furby

Because who doesn’t need a 3 foot robot?

Get real!

Angry antics

Sir, yes sir!

Office ostriches

Feel the Fourth Luke

Carddies ain’t hard(ies)

Lego grows up

Toughest reviews from the

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Hunger Games has legions taking up Archery

Helium shortage is no laughing matter

ARCHOS steps in to Kids Tablet market

Angry Birds getting Flash

Angry Birds evolution continues, moves outdoors…

Jubilee must-have

keeping one amused

Star Wars slot sets – At last

Toughest reviews from the

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