Image Gallery :

Press Release :

SKYLANDERS SWAP FORCETM “MIXES IT UP” AT TOY FAIR 2013

From the Innovators who Brought “Toys to Life” Comes an Entirely New Innovation – Swapability

16 New Characters With Swappable Top and Bottom Halves Can Be Customized into More Than 250
Unique Combinations, Taking Skylanders and the “Toys to Life” Category to a New Level

Stellar HD Graphics Deliver Cinema-Quality Visuals and Storytelling, Immersing Players
in Gameplay Like Never Before

Santa Monica, CA – February 5, 2013 – In just over a year, the novel concept of bringing toys to life has made Skylanders one of the most beloved and successful children’s video game franchises of all time1, establishing a new category in family entertainment. Today, Activision Publishing, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Activision Blizzard, Inc. (NASDAQ: ATVI), revealed Skylanders SWAP Force, the next installment in the popular franchise, which will be featured at Toy Fair 2013, February 10-13 at the Javits Center in New York City, in booth 3061.

SWAP Force builds upon the success of the franchise’s signature gameplay with an all-new innovative play pattern — swapability — that gives kids more choice than ever before by letting them swap the top and bottom halves of the toys to create their own characters. The game lets Portal Masters reconfigure 16 SWAP Force characters into more than 250 unique combinations. Kids can mix and match characters’ powers and moves, and then bring them to life in the game. Fans of the franchise also can play Skylanders SWAP Force with their entire collection of characters from both Skylanders Spyro’s Adventure® and Skylanders GiantsTM, now with the added capability of jumping.

“With Skylanders, we didn’t just create a beloved new franchise, we actually created an entirely new category that brings the world of physical toys and video games together like never before. And now with Skylanders SWAP Force, we are pushing the genre we created forward with another big innovation: customization,” said Eric Hirshberg, CEO of Activision Publishing, Inc. “The idea that kids can customize their own characters in the physical world, and have their unique combinations recognized in the virtual world, is an idea as big as the concept of bringing toys to life itself.”

In Skylanders SWAP Force, Portal Masters embark on an all-new adventure in the mysterious Cloudbreak Islands, home to a mystical volcano that erupts every hundred years to replenish the magic in Skylands. During an epic battle, a brave group of Skylanders were caught in the volcano’s eruption, which blasted them apart and sent them to earth. But, the magic of the volcano gave these heroes a remarkable new power — the ability to swap halves – turning them into a special team known as the SWAP Force. Meanwhile, Kaos is back with a new evil plan. And now, Portal Masters everywhere must reassemble the SWAP Force — in their original form or in new combinations — and send them back to Cloudbreak to save Skylands!

Skylanders SWAP Force features 16 new SWAP Force characters, along with 32 core Skylanders characters (16 completely new Skylanders and 16 new versions of fan favorite characters from previous games) and eight new LightCore™ characters. Skylanders SWAP Force also delivers high-resolution graphics that bring the game’s detailed characters and rich environments to life, immersing players in the gameplay like never before.

“Skylanders Giants was named to our 2012 Holiday Hot Toy List for good reason – it extended the franchise’s breakthrough gameplay and its performance at retail has been incredible. We’re continually impressed by the originality that Activision delivers in bringing toys to life,” said Jerry Storch, Chairman and CEO, Toys”R”Us, Inc. “The innovation of allowing kids to customize their toys in the real world and then send them into the Skylanders SWAP Force game is sure to raise the bar for the franchise.”

About Skylanders
In 2011, Skylanders Spyro’s Adventure originated a new play pattern that seamlessly bridged physical and virtual worlds across multiple platforms and became the top-selling kids’ videogame of the year2. In October of 2012, Skylanders Giants further evolved the genre and added the mega-sized Giants and LightCore™ characters to the collection of interaction figures that have helped the franchise achieve more than $500 million in U.S. retail sales, including accessories and figures, reaching the milestone faster than any other kids gaming property.3 Skylanders SWAP Force is being developed by Vicarious Visions, an Activision studio. The game has not yet been rated by the ESRB. For more information, visit www.skylanders.com.

About Activision Publishing, Inc.
Headquartered in Santa Monica, California, Activision Publishing, Inc. is a leading developer, publisher and distributor of interactive entertainment and leisure products.

Activision maintains operations in the U.S., Canada, Brazil, Mexico, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Sweden, Spain, Norway, Denmark, the Netherlands, Australia, mainland China and the region of Taiwan. More information about Activision and its products can be found on the company’s website, www.activision.com.

1 According to NPD data tracking of videogame sales since 1996
2 According to NPD, GfK Chart-track and Internal estimates
3 According to The NPD Group Data from October 2011 through December 2012, inclusive of accessory packs and figures

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-looking Statements: Information in this press release that involves Activision Publishing’s expectations, plans, intentions or strategies regarding the future, are forward-looking statements that are not facts and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Factors that could cause Activision Publishing’s actual future results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements set forth in this release include unanticipated product delays and other factors identified in the risk factors sections of Activision Blizzard’s most recent annual report on Form 10-K and any subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. The forward-looking statements in this release are based upon information available to Activision Publishing and Activision Blizzard as of the date of this release, and neither Activision Publishing nor Activision Blizzard assumes any obligation to update any such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements believed to be true when made may ultimately prove to be incorrect. These statements are not guarantees of the future performance of Activision Publishing or Activision Blizzard and are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, some of which are beyond its control and may cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations.

Expect lots of news and new toy information!

Here’s an event that is open to the public and kids!  Get there early enough and you can get a Ninjini – for free!

It’s a while “supplies last” offer so if you want to be amongst the first to get Ninjini in the states… Expect to have to get there early.

The event is in New York at the Toys R Us in Times Square on February the 5th.  The event starts at 4PM but expect people to start lining up beforehand to secure a place in line.

Here’s the full details :

CALLING YOUNG PORTAL MASTERS:

CELEBRATE NEW YORK TOY FAIR WITH SKYLANDERS GIANTS^TM

 

TOYS“R”US TIMES SQUARE INVITES KIDS TO BE AMONG THE FIRST IN THE WORLD TO RECEIVE A COMPLIMENTARY, HOTLY ANTICIPATED SKYLANDERS GIANTSCHARACTER, NINJINI

 

WHAT:         Months before the Skylanders Giants character, Ninjini, hits retail shelves, kids and their families are invited to The World’s Greatest Toy Store^™ to be among the first in the world to get their hands on the must-have Skylanders Giants character, while supplies last. To celebrate the annual International Toy Fair taking place in New York City this month, Activision Publishing Inc. and Toys“R”Us are partnering to host a special event at Toys“R”Us Times Square, the company’s international flagship store. The first fans to line up along Broadway for the event will have an opportunity to receive a complimentary Ninjini figure before it is officially available for purchase in North America.

Take advantage of one-day exclusive, Toys“R”Us Times Square store offers: $25 off Skylanders Giants Starter Pack; “buy 2, get 1 free” Giant Skylanders figures until store closing.

Also at the event, kids will have the unique opportunity to meet their favorite Skylanders characters, experience the year’s most popular game at in-store game kiosks and receive other funSkylanders Giants giveaways.

WHEN: Tuesday, February 5

Activities and giveaways begin promptly 4pm

Toys“R”Us Times Square will be open during normal business hours (10am – 10pm)

WHERE:1514 Broadway at 44^th Street

New York, NY

ACTIVITIES:             Gaming kiosks, displays and stations

Fun activities, games, giveaways and more!

(ok, boohoo. poor me. i get to check out all the cool new toys that are coming out this year. here, ill take that tissue. thanks.)

And, for those asking, what IS a Toy Fair? Many different things, but, if you are talking about “the” New York Toy Fair, this is what it is :

The 110^th annual American International Toy Fair® is the largest toy and youth product marketplace in the Western Hemisphere, bringing together more than 1,000 exhibiting manufacturers, distributors, importers and sales agents from around the globe to showcase their toy and entertainment products. From classic toys to interactive entertainment and everything in between, the Toy Fair playground includes: action figures and dolls, games and puzzles, construction toys, arts and creative activities, earth-friendly products, bicycles, tricycles and ride-ons, radio-controlled vehicles, infant and preschool toys, cars, trucks, and trains, puppets and plush, audio and video cassettes, computer software and video games, playground and sporting equipment, Halloween, Christmas, books, stationery, party supplies, and much more.

Registration is open to the trade only; Toy Fair is not open to the public. No one under the age of 18, including infants, will be admitted.

So, as I was getting together a running log of the companies I will be visiting and sharing with you, my wonderful readers/viewers/dogs on the Internet, I thought why not share it? It will help me — and, hopefully, it will help you.

This way, you dear readers will know where I will be. So, you’ll know when to tune in to the Twitter feed, or Facebook page of The Toy Spy to see some of the images and random thoughts I am seeing.

This year, I have some new features in place that will let me show you what I see – as it happens.  As long as I can get a good internet signal… You’ll be right there with me!  More on this soon!

Let’s get to the schedule. shall we?

Companies I am in the process of scheduling time with :

Mattel / Fisher-Price, Jazwares, Moose Toys, Goliath Games, JAKKS Pacific, Alexander Doll Company, Activision, VTech, TOMY and lots more that I am going through and juggling.  Lots!

Last Update : 02/07/12 (I have a lotttttttttttttttttttt to add.  doing this tonight!)

Pre Toy Fair

Tuesday 5th

Skylanders Event

Saturday 10th

Hasbro / Playskool

Toy Fair

Sunday 11th

JAKKS Pacific 11-11:30

Playhut 11:30-12:30

Activision 12:30-1:00

Mattel  2-3

VTech 5:00-4:30

Playmobil 4:00-4:30

Monday 12th

Jazwares

Moose Toys

Goliath Games

TOMY

Despicable Me 2  Toys Overview  5-6

Tuesday 13th

Are you not on my list yet?  Have something that we should know about?  Please let me know!

To quote Soundgarden… I’ve been away for too long.

So what have I been up to?

Turns out, I had a lot planned for the Toy Spy.  And I needed a testing ground away from The Toy Spy to make it happen.

I settled in on free Kindle books.

A month or so in, I was featured on Lifehacker and then things changed overnight.

I had toys lined up to review.  The kids were actively testing and plugging away… but something had to give.

The full plans I had mapped out for The Toy Spy started to not get the attention it deserved.  I started to drift away from where I wanted to take things.  And I became more of The Book Spy than The Toy Spy.

But I’ve always wanted to return to toys when the time was right.

The time is right.

You’ll probably remember that last year around this time, I went to the Toy Fair in NY and I took you along.  I told you about and showed you all of the incredible toys that would come out in 2012.  And I even nailed one of the big surprise hits.  TMNT.  I know many of you guys on Facebook will remember that… It was a wild prediction but it rang true.  Those little turtles were sold out everywhere.

I miss toys.

So I’m doing it again.  The Toy Spy is back!

Better yet, The Toy Spy is staying… back.  I’m going to overhaul and revamp things in a way that allows me to focus on what is really important and what I think people enjoyed – the interaction, the videos and tidbits about toys.

Basically, more of the same.

Who’s with me?

And beards are so right now.  So… I’ve got that going for me.

But — there is something you dear parent need to be aware of.  Savvy holiday shoppers start the Christmas toy buying now.  Seriously!  What you may find plentiful today may be picked apart and barren tomorrow.

One of the toys that I am seeing this happen to already are Fisher-Price Disney Little People.

These ridiculously cute toddler sized characters are selling like hotcakes.  Not only that, different stores such as Target have exclusive characters!  Let’s take a closer look.

Target exclusive Disney Little People Princess Pack :

Disney Little People Packs are on sale at TRU at the time of this writing for $4.98

If these look familiar to long time Toy Spy fans, it’s because we first showed them to you in a video from the 2012 New York Toy Fair which features the Fisher-Price Little People Disney Princess Songs Palace :

Yes, this is something you want to put on the list now if you have an interest.  It could be a hot one for the age group of 1 1/2 to 5 years old.

What do you think?  Am I nuts?  Am I the only one that has heard of this “Disney”?  (sarcasm mode detected)

The toy industry no longer wants to sit idly by.  This year, you’ll see entire sections of your local store dedicated to physical toys that interact with smart devices.  And guess what?  The device of choice will be the ones that Apple makes.

So guess what?  Your hand me down (you will be getting the new iPhone when on the rumored announcement date of  September 12th, yes?) still needs to be protected!  You don’t want to hear it smashing to bits when it falls to the floor do you?

Fisher-Price is making a move to offer attractive and gender specific colors to cover your loved ones.  And by loved ones, I mean your Apple devices.

I was able to spot them in the wild this week and I took some pictures.

Before we dig in, I want to let you in on a little secret.  Doing what I do, I’m often asked around this time of the year… What should I get NOW so I’m not frustrated to find it sold out later?  If this post strikes a chord, then, I’d say this is something for you to consider.  I feel very strong that the color specific (pink for girls and blue for boys) cases will be selling very well.  Case in point, Amazon is out of stock of pink as I write this.

If you want to get a head start, you can buy them online at a small discount :

Laugh & Learn Apptivity Case – iPad Edition - $29.97

Laugh & Learn Apptivity Case – iPhone/iPod Edition - $14.97

Kid-Tough Apptivity Case – Blue - $14.97

Kid-Tough Apptivity Case – Pink – $14.97

It was a tale of the tape of sorts for all of the latest versions of educational tablets and handhelds for the little ones.

Here’s what it says :

LeapPad 2 :

Power up personalized ways to learn

• A favorite with ages 3-9
• Front-facing camera with 4GB of memory and fast processor (NOTE : these are the two big improvements here … upgraded space and cameras)
• Auto-adjusting skill levels match learning pace

So, which one do you have your eye on this year?  Will the kids be getting an upgrade?  Or, are you going to wait for the rumored iPad 7 inch (which may be announced on an upcoming press event on September 12th)?

If you are not willing to wait, the Innotab 2 is available and ready to be shipped and the LeapPad 2 is immediately available as well for shipping.

Expect a video like last years very soon!  Here’s the rundown last year to jog your memory :

Many of you discovered The Toy Spy when I did this original shootout of the two leading kid tablet (toys) of the 2011 Holiday Season – the LeapFrog LeapPad and the VTech Innotab :

I also was able to find out early in 2012 that there would be a follow-up to the original Innotab, the Innotab 2.

Well, I’m happy to let everyone know it is real, and, it is coming.  Have a gander at the full image below to see the proof :

The big updates for the InnoTab 2 include a rotatable camera, microphone, AND wifi!  Did not see that one coming!  It doesn’t appear it will play into the device beyond the touted easier loading of content quite yet, but, it sounds intriguing for sure.  Making things easier is always a good thing.

Check out the press release for the full details below!

CHICAGO, June 12, 2012 /PRNewswire/ — Today VTech Electronics North America, LLC (www.vtechkids.com) announced that it will roll-out three exciting additions to its ever-expanding, high-quality platform toy line this Fall: NEW MobiGo® 2 Touch Learning System (MobiGo 2), NEW InnoTab® 2 Learning App Tablet (InnoTab 2) and NEW InnoTab® 2s Learning App Tablet (InnoTab 2s).

Built from the ground-up by experts with more than 30 years of experience in developing educational products designed for children, the new platform products put kids on the cutting edge of technology via multi-media learning devices that endlessly engage, entertain and educate. With hundreds of apps to download at VTech’s Learning Lodge Navigator™, your child will have so much fun, they won’t realize they are learning.

• MobiGo 2 is a multi-functional handheld touch learning system that comes equipped with two new ways to play: a NEW motion sensor and microphone for total game control
• InnoTab 2 gives kids their own touch-screen tablet, FREE onboard activities to get them started and features a new rotatable digital camera and video recorder to capture memories of all the fun they’re having
• The unique-to-its category InnoTab 2s offers secure W-Fi capabilities so parents are never more than a couple of clicks away from new educational games for their kids

“For more than 30 years, VTech has been providing parents and their kids’ with fun, educational toys that are on the forefront of technology,” said Tom McClure, Director of Marketing for VTech Electronics North America. “We are excited to continue this tradition by expanding our offerings in the learning toy aisle with MobiGo 2, InnoTab 2 and InnoTab 2s with secure Wi-Fi downloads – all built for little hands and big imaginations.”

MobiGo 2 – New Motion Control Play for On-the-Go Fun
MobiGo 2 is a multi-functional educational handheld system that allows kids ages 3-8 to enjoy on-the-go play and hone their creativity all while learning basic skills such as math, vocabulary, spelling, reading, logic, drawing and more. 

Key Product Features

• Two NEW ways to play: MobiGo 2 comes equipped with a NEW motion sensor and microphone in addition to the touchscreen:Pre-loaded with FREE games: MobiGo 2 also functions as an e-reader, photo album, photo viewer, art studio and coloring book, and comes pre-loaded with three great games that take advantage of the product’s many features
  • The NEW motion sensor provides total game control, allowing kids to create action movements within games and programs while playing
  • The NEW microphone provides different methods of game play. Blow into the microphone to move objects, blow off dust, or initiate other special effects. Or speak into it to give a command or trigger an action
• Numerous apps for download: The expanded onboard memory allows kids to store more fun. More than 80 other apps are available for download at the VTech Learning Lodge Navigator at www.VTechKids.com/Download
• QWERTY keyboard: The MobiGo 2 helps kids become familiar with a keyboard layout

MobiGo 2 will be available this summer at all major retailers and at www.VTechKids.com for a suggested retail price of $59.99.

InnoTab 2 – Multi-Functional for Endless Entertainment
InnoTab 2 is a multi-media tablet with a 5″ inch touch screen that keeps kids between the ages of 3 and 9 entertained and engaged while they learn. This sleek and durable toy comes equipped with tilt sensor, photo viewer, video player, MP3 music player, e-reader, art studio, microphone and more. Now kids can enjoy e-books, music, photos and videos on-the-go just like mom and dad!

Key Product Features

• Comes with FREE onboard activities: Receive built-in value with your InnoTab 2 purchase, including:  one tilt sensor game, one augmented reality game, one e-book, art studio app, notes app, friends list, calendar and calculator to get started. Additional downloadable content is sold separately at VTech’s Learning Lodge Navigator website: www.VTechKids.com/Download
• Expanded memory: With 2GB onboard memory and expandable SD card slot available to accommodate SD cards up to 32 GB, the InnoTab 2 will keep your child endlessly engaged
• Hundreds of apps for download: Kids can engage with their favorite licensed characters by downloading one of more than 200 apps, including games, e-books and much more that teach kids reading, logic and creativity; visit VTech’s Learning Lodge Navigator for more information
• *NEW* Rotatable camera for memory capture: Features a new rotatable digital camera and video recorder that allows kids to capture memories of themselves or their friends
• Customizable: Enables kids (up to four users) to personalize the InnoTab 2 by creating their own user name and avatar, a voice greeting, typed greeting and photo wallpaper

InnoTab 2 will be available this fall at all major retailers and at www.VTechKids.com for a suggested retail price of $79.99.

InnoTab 2s Learning App Tablet with Secure Wi-Fi Downloads
The InnoTab 2s Learning App Tablet with secure Wi-Fi downloads contains all the product features of the InnoTab 2, plus a secure wireless connection to VTech’s Learning Lodge Navigator for easy and secure download of games, e-books, music and more. 

Once users have downloaded a new app from the Learning Lodge Navigator, they can seamlessly sync the program to their InnoTab 2s wirelessly – no cord is needed – when they are in a Wi-Fi hotspot location.

The InnoTab 2s will be available this holiday season at Target, Wal-Mart, Toys R Us, all other major retailers and at www.VTechKids.com for a suggested retail price of $99.99.  More information coming soon!

About VTech
VTech, the creator of the Electronic Learning Products (ELP) category and the award-winning V.Smile TV Learning System, is a world leader of age-appropriate learning toys. Since 1980, VTech has been developing high-quality, innovative educational products that enrich children’s development, from birth to preteen, through fun and smart play.

VTech Electronics North America, LLC is based in Arlington Heights, Ill. VTech Electronics Ltd. is headquartered in Hong Kong with distribution throughout North America, Europe and Asia.

For more information on VTech’s additional product lines, visit www.vtechkids.com/, www.facebook.com/VTechtoys on Facebook, or follow @VTechToys on Twitter.

Source: PR Newswire (http://s.tt/1eca3)

You have been warned. (nyannyannyannyannyan….)

Yes, that is Nyan cat.  And, yes, that is Nyan cat in all of its plush goodness.  And, these toys are official.  This ain’t someones Etsy account.

So, what’s the deal?

If you’re not familiar with Nyan cat, I’m sorry to have to be the one to say that yes … you are out of the loop.  Nyan Cat was the 5th most watched YouTube video of 2011, won a Webby Award for Meme of the Year in 2012, and has been on the big screen and in cahoots with companies such as Nike, Vitamin Water, Back to the Future, and Sprint.  See?  Nyan’s kinda a big thing.  It’s ok.  You can tell everyone you knew about it.  Think of that splash of info as the crib sheet.  Print it out for reference.

JAKKS Pacific will be releasing a series of toys and collectables based on the creation of Chris Torres of LOL Comics fame.  There is a wide array of awesome stuff on the way (see the photos starring Marty the cat, the original inspiration for Nyan Cat) that will be released.  Chris was kind enough to talk to us about the upcoming lineup and share some personal pictures of the prototypes that you won’t see anywhere else.

One question that I had to ask to satisfy the needs of a hardcore fan was how the original Nyan Cat would be handled.  Will Kellogg’s hop on board and ride the rainbow?  Perhaps.  Only time will tell. But, for now, he is a much simpler kitty that’s quickly changed pop culture as we know it.  Well, one with a Japanese song and a rainbow shooting out the backside.  But, I digress…

The other burning point of interest is of course that famous Nyan song.  Will it be included?  I’m happy to report that yes, it will.  These cats will sing!  Push on the plush and be entertained by snippets of the song that challenges people to stick with it by “Nyaning“.  And, best of all, it’s all as you would hope – fully licensed and blessed.

The expected release date of the first wave of Nyan Cat toys is late Fall of 2012.

When I asked Chris what he sees for the future of Nyan Cat,  he hopes for the it to be “the retro 8-bit, yet new, Hello Kitty”.

I think it is already well on its way clocking in at over 76 million views on YouTube.

And, let it be known, under the licensing agreement, JAKKS Pacific has the worldwide rights to manufacture, distribute and market Nyan Cat inspired toys, games, playthings, novelties, plush, key chains, costumes and party supplies, such as the products pictured.  This legalese is a great indication LOTS more is to come!

JAKKS seems to get the license too.  Case in point, the press release :

Which one(s) will you be picking up and why? Let us know in the comments!

 

Going on tour, millions of tweens screaming your name, gracing the pages of Tigerbeat…These are all perks of being in a boy band. But how do you really know you’ve made it? When Hasbro decides you’re worthy of being a 12″ plastic doll!

All the best boy bands have done it! From New Kids on the Block to NSYNC and even some ladies. The Spice Girls, Victoria Justice and Britney Spears have all jumped on the mini me bandwagon!

So when can we expect these pint sized teen idols to make their debut? Just in time for Christmas of course! And don’t just be on the lookout for One Direction dolls. Hasbro also has plans to launch games based on the group!

So will your stockings be stuffed with Zayn, Niall, Harry, Louis and Liam?  Or are you hoping for a Big Time Rush (also known as BTR to people in the know) doll announcement?

One Direction fan sign courtesy of Nina Matthews Photography and Concert 1D Shot courtesy of DonkeyJacket45