We shared our South Bank fun in words last week when we attended the Monopoly 75th birthday bash, here’s a better idea of what we were up to…
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.
On August 31, 2010, In Uncategorized, by peter jenkinson
On August 31, 2010, In Toyologist Reviews, by peter jenkinson
First impressions
7/10
I was really excited when these arrived because I watch the TV programme whenever I can.
Easy to open
4/10
Boooooo – Very fiddly and hard to get into.
Time to get ready to play
8/10
Once the trains were out of the packaging, they were ready to play with, so no waiting – Brilliant.
Easy to understand
10/10
Very easy, I could fasten the trains together straight away.
Overall impression
I really like these toys, mum says they’re great for imaginative play…I agree, I had loads of fun making up my own mini-shows
Value for money
7/10
Jamies Mum – I think individually these aren’t bad value for money but when you start building up a collection it might get a little expensive.
On August 31, 2010, In Toyologist Reviews, by peter jenkinson
First impressions
9/10
I was very excited to get a Barbie
Easy to open -
5/10
I needed lots of help to remove the packaging to get to Barbie, it says the toy is made for everyone from 3 years old, I think that it maybe hard for a littler girl than me to open.
Time to get ready to play
8/10
I could play with Barbie straight away but needed help to make her dress move round the first time as it was stuck, Daddy helped me.
Easy to understand
10/10
I could see from the box what you could do with Barbie.
Play Time first time
10/10
I loved that Barbie lights up, it is really good in the dark, and the dress change was good too.
Overall impression
8/10
I loved Barbie but thought the necklace was easy to lose and no good for a smaller girl and the button that makes her light up fell off easily.
Value for money
10/10
Mummy says about right for this type of toy
On August 31, 2010, In Toyologist Reviews, by peter jenkinson
First impressions
10/10
I could hear Buzz inside the packaging so got very excited as I knew what was inside.
Easy to open
8/10
I got it open pretty quickly, apart from a couple of fiddly ties.
Time to get ready to play
9/10
Easy…..Mum read the instructions on how to make him talk or make flying noises and how to make the lights come on, then I took over and figured it all out myself!
Easy to understand
10/10
Easy to figure out and play with, part of the fun is trying the different buttons to see what he does.
Play Time first time
10/10
I like it because the laser sounds like a proper laser and lights up. You can make Buzz talk to you by saying hi buzz and you can make him sound like he is flying though the air as you play with him and the lights on his wings light up. It is really when Buzz moves his head around when he is talking to you. Be careful when you open the box too everyone, it turns into his spaceship.
Value for Money
9/10
Overall impression -
Mum say’s it is quite a lot of money and would have to be a special birthday or Christmas present but she says when you see how interactive the toy is with your kids you can definitely see how much they’ll play with it – I think he is brilliant.
On August 31, 2010, In Toyologist Reviews, by peter jenkinson
First impressions
9/10 – I Really liked the bright box.
Easy to open
9/10 – Very easy and quick to open, which is great when you’re excited ! There was the minimum amount of packaging inside the box too which is good news.
Time to get ready to play
10/10
Easy to understand
8/10
Instructions were easy to read and to see.
Play time first time
9/10
Really easy to play, every age group can join in. Great for learning about fractions, for example, cutting ¼ or 1/8 of the Bendaroo!
Overall impression
10 out of 10
Will definitely be buying some more Bendaroos, there should be a web site so more ideas can be shared and maybe even kids could upload their models, and share ideas.
Other comments
Elouise’s Mum – It would have been better if there had been a tweezer type tool to help “squeeze” the Bendaroo into shape. I had to give Elouise my make up tweezers.
On August 27, 2010, In Figures and Dolls, by Features Ed
Well, it’s not quite Ken’s Dream House with it’s very own dressing room from TS3, siiiiiiggggh… but who’s up for a weekend on the beach!
It’s bank holiday weekend, the forecast is well, it’s not good, but that would only stop the most feeble of imaginations. Live out your bank holiday fantasy in Lego’s very own Beach House.
Now, Lego claim that the interior has very ‘realistic’ details and whilst we remain sceptical on their realistic-factor, we’re easily won over by the bright colours and our very own (toy) barbecue and a rather special skylight on the second floor – because when in Rome of course..
The major plus to this set as well is that it include handy instructions for rebuilding it into a towering apartment building or a Parisian (our interpretation) café meaning it’s playability is high – and as ever with those guys at Lego Towers the attention to detail is magnificient with features including a doorbell, light fittings and a chimney.
So at least rest assured that the less than perfect weather will not be spoiling your imaginary holiday this year..
On August 26, 2010, In Family fun, Music Makers, by Features Ed
At first glance we really wanted this to be some kind of Hot Wheels contraption that fires tiny toy cars at unsuspecting passers by.. (can you see how that would work?)… it’s not.
But it is still pretty cool. Mattel have decided to take a daring-death-defying leap into the world of infra-red based modern gaming, with the Loopz. Infra-red beam sensors will detect when you place your hand through the semi circular rings opening up a world of seven gameplay modes to you.
Hand eye co-ordination (not our strong point) is an absolute necessity here as the Loopz combines the memory, movement and music of up to four people at a time. Loopz is possibly the offspring of a night of passion between Bop-it and a Dance Mat, but it’s got that addictive je ne sais quoi which will drive you mad!
They’re ba-accck
We loved the first set of Lego Minifigures – it was ludicriously exciting to have the opportunity to own individual miniature men (even if we did end up with what was quite literally an ARMY of archers in our quest to collect them all). But life just got even more exciting. The second batch are here. And they’re actually more impressive than the first…
With a surfer, a mexican, a witch and a mime artist all residents of this second posse which is launched on September 1st – the collectability-factor of these guys just sky rocketed (as if it wasn’t high enough already).
After Series 1 arrived in our lives back in May – so long ago already? – stores sold out as they leaped to number 1 in the toy charts and became the summer must-have. We like to imagine there were actual fights between grown men and young children for the little fella’s..
Still modestly priced at just £1.99, pick your favourite NOW and make sure you’re ready when September comes (at leas the kids will be back at shool soon so we’ll have a better chance at getting there first..)
On August 25, 2010, In Uncategorized, by peter jenkinson
As part of the 75th anniversary celebrations of Monopoly today Hasbro, working with Ordnance Survey, have revealed the real life location of GO on the iconic board game. Turns out, that the space, nesteled betwen Old Kent Road in South East London and posh Mayfair in the West End is in fact right next to the London Eye. Today will see Queen’s Walk transformed in to an area dedicated to Monopoly, offering fans the chance to try out the new board game, Monopoly: Revolution, or have a go in a money catching globe to win a copy of the game, catch a Monopoly-themed bus to travel around the city’s famous Monopoly landmarks, from Mayfair to Old Kent Road – Get down to Queens Walk quick.
On August 24, 2010, In Toyologist Reviews, by peter jenkinson
Name of Toy – Baby Born
First impressions – 9 OUT OF 10
Evie loves the Idea of feeding and changing her Nappies
EASY TO OPEN – 8 OUT OF 10
Very child friendly
TIME TO GET READY TO PLAY 9 out of 10
Since Evie won this toy she has not put it down and has loads of pleasure when playing with her buggy and taking Baby Born out in it
EASY TO UNDERSTAND 8 – 10
Evie understood how to use the toy as she has had plenty of experience with helping mummy and daddy with her little brother Max
PLAY TIME FIRST TIME 10 -10
Had a huge smile on her face when she opened it up – hasn’t put it down since
I WOULD MARK THIS TOY A 9 – 10 FOR VALUE FOR MONEY, NOT A ONE OFF AND IS ALWAYS WITH EVIE…her dad
