2009 December

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 ...

Cherry picker is a sweet build

It took us a while getting around to building our LEGO Technic Bucket Truck, that’s cherry picker to most of us or elevated platform to those perhaps allergic to cherries or very posh indeed. It’s the machine used to rig up local Christmas lights or fix street lights, very clever vehicles they are too. Just like its real life ride this Bucket Truck has a set of gears to raise and rotate the platform on the back, two more gears let you deploy the outriggers at the side of the vehicle to keep it stable when the platform is fully ...

Off-screen action with Mario

In our scramble to put as many crossover category toys to the test this year (think Skylanders, Wappydog, Angry Bird plush etc) we'd somehow almost missed this plumber based box of racing good ness. The Mario Kart Battle pack features a Mario and Yoshi sat in their rides and an assortment of track accessories for you to establish where your hairpins and chicances should be placed. whilst you race the lights on the nift RC unit have lights which each represent an action you'd find on the console version, Mushroom: Gives a speed boost Green Shell: Sends your opponent hurtling backwards Lightning: Sends ...

Remember the posh Fox?

The upper class fox was at his very best in the eighties, close to the cuff humour for kids TV, often ridiculing his guests and co-hosts, quality Telly. Now you can own your own Basil Brush handpuppet, give him a squeeze and he'll let out his grin inducing laugh topped off with a legendary "Boom Boom" at the end. At just £12.99 seems like a no-brainer.

2010 in Toys – Whats hot for the next 12 months

On December 31, 2009, In Adults in mind, Boys Toys, Television, Toyology in the News, by peter jenkinson

With the next installment of Toy Story coming that merchandise is bounnd to fly of course, and a whole raft of other films are certain to have innovative licenced gear attached. That's all a bit too obvious of course, so too are the new kids TV programs so to other forecasts from our ball. Playmobil have a great new "Off to the beach" range due, LEGO launch the Atlantis range anda new addition to their board games range called Shave a Sheep. Football basedboard game Starplayer should fair well with the world cup in full swing mid summer as should the Zyclone Zing Ring Blaster. This is just a taste of whats coming up, it's certain to be one of the best years in toys to date and some real High Tech surprises we just can't mention yet too. We're itching to get started on 2010, for now we're off to crack open a couple of bottles and will be back on the 4th. Happy New Year Toy Fans.

Merry Christmas Everyone

On December 24, 2009, In Toyology in the News, by peter jenkinson

Well what a year it has been, the range of toys we've had the pleasure of testing has been about the best yet, and still the classics like LEGO continue to bring smiles to our faces. In the face of a recession the UK toy market has been resilient and hard at work innovating for the year ahead. We're off to Vegas for a few days in the New Year to see the latest tech toys in action then its back to ready ourselves for the Toy Fair season starting with the UK one at Olympia. We're sending some of the Toyology Team to the Nuremberg fair, New York show and also Hong Kong so we'll have the very latest news from Toyland. We've a few changes for the site next year, well overdue some might say, and are also looking forward to Toyology.tv – So watch this space. Thanks to all our readers for visisting this year, with over 250,000 of you popping by its been our biggest year yet, so cheers. Have a wonderful Christmas and a memorable (if possible) New Year celebration and we'll catch you in 2010.

Blown away by this Airfix set

On December 23, 2009, In Uncategorized, by peter jenkinson

One of the great stories from the Second World War was that of the Barnes Wallis designed bouncing bomb. Destroying two key sites these bombs were released from adapted Lancaster Bombers at high speeds and very low altitude making the operation an extremely dangerous one. Operation Chastise is recreated here with a build that includes the plane, lake and dam in a 125 piece build at level 2 difficulty. Complete with all the paints to complete this fine desktop display it'll cost you £29.99 HERE

Sackboy Toys brings gameplay to life

On December 18, 2009, In Figures and Dolls, by peter jenkinson

The cult hero from one of the best Playstation gams of 2009 is set to be immortalised in all manner of merchandise. Figureines, mugs, keyrings, t-shirts and plenty more besides, sackfuls of stuff you might say. FIREBOX have the first releases in the form of 3" and 6" posable figures.

Avatar toys – A new way to play

On December 17, 2009, In Boys Toys, Film Fun, by peter jenkinson

Mattel are the licencees for the mega million movie Avatar and have tapped into some of the on-screen technology to bring a range of toys that utilise some of the amazing, and expensive, 3D action. Complete with i-tag technology each toy lets you play with augmented reality on your PC screen,bringing characters to life for a unique experience. 3D tech has a way to go on TV but this range of kit, featuring a range of characters from the film, is a step in the direction of how toys are going to evolve this next decade.

Brainwashed with Brands?

On December 16, 2009, In Adults in mind, Board Games, by peter jenkinson

Put all that Advert watching to good use and grab a copy of The LOGO board game. Chocolate to Cereal, footy and flowers the logo's that have penetrated our brains is quite stagering, as you'll discover after a few roundsof play. Not just about matching imagery to brand names or testing your advert knowledge it is also packed with interesting facts and figures about those supermarket items we've plucked from the shelves and thought little about until they've run out. £22.19 at AMAZON

Snowball fight Success

On December 15, 2009, In Adults in mind, Board Games, Get Involved, by peter jenkinson

With snow forecast across the UK this week give yourself an advantage in the Snowball fight stakes with this semi-automatic ammunition maker. With one of these simple gadgets in your arsenal you'll be producing snowballs at a speed your opponents simply cannot match, so even if your shot is a little rusty you'll still have the advantage. Plan an inter-office affair at your nearest open space, and remember the first rule of snowball fight club, no one leaves dry. £9.45 HERE

Buzz Lightyear “Ultimate” edition has landed

On December 14, 2009, In Boys Toys, Collectables, Electronics, Figures and Dolls, Film Fun, RC's and Robots, by peter jenkinson

Blast your favourite Space Ranger to life with this Ultimate Buzz
Lightyear. After believing he has crash landed on our strange planet,
just as in the film, he has two personalities 'Space Ranger' and
'Toy'. This walking, talking and programmable Buzz Lightyear responds
to you telling him he is just a toy and changes his behaviour from
over eager Space Ranger with both modes offering over 100 phrases in the
original characters voice. Say 'Space Ranger' and Ultimate Buzz will
report to you as a member of the Universe Protection Unit, call him a Toy twice and he'll revert to his reality. Buzz
responds to your voice and talks back with synchronized lip movement, the
icing on the cake is the wireless infrared remote so you can guide
him around to scan your room. £200 at the Disney Store

Christmas Wishlist – Top Ten gifts for Big Kids

On December 11, 2009, In Adults in mind, by peter jenkinson

Same old story, you've got gifts for
everyone on your list except one person – that hard-to-buy-for,
has-it-all, yearly stress-causer. The 'Peter Pan solution' could
work wonders – something that appeals to their inner child, yet has a
practical purpose – It's like two gifts in one! Get set for your
popularity rating to Sky Rocket this Yuletide if you opt for one of
our Top Ten gifts for Big Kids :

(more…)

Tilting Train set

On December 11, 2009, In Boys Toys, Get Involved, by peter jenkinson

Set your own train timetable with this latest set from Hornby. Complete with a pair of Virgin Trains Class 390 Power Cars (one motorised), a Standard Buffet Coach (not stocked) and a Standard Open
Coach (no facilities). Put the realistic tilting mechanism along with working lights in action on the oval 1.5 metre track with its two sidings and all laid out on the scenic Trakmat. Now with it all set up, and your whistle at the ready, position yourself at the Digital Control Unit and let the journey begin. It'll set you back £199.99 from Hornby, check out the set in action HERE

Previous Entries

keeping one amused

Star Wars slot sets – At last

Cherry picker is a sweet build

Off-screen action with Mario

Remember the posh Fox?

2010 in Toys – Whats hot for the next 12 months

Merry Christmas Everyone

Blown away by this Airfix set

Sackboy Toys brings gameplay to life

Avatar toys – A new way to play

Brainwashed with Brands?

Snowball fight Success

Buzz Lightyear “Ultimate” edition has landed

Christmas Wishlist – Top Ten gifts for Big Kids

Tilting Train set

Toughest reviews from the

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keeping one amused

Star Wars slot sets – At last

Cherry picker is a sweet build

Off-screen action with Mario

Remember the posh Fox?

Toughest reviews from the

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