Hasbro

Everything old is new again — just with a different spin on them. Tops, the classic toys that have occupied tots for hundreds of years received a 21st century makeover with the introduction of Beyblades. Using a "launcher," or a rip cord, the tops then spin on the floor or in an arena where they battle to see which can spin the longest. The sleeper-hit holiday toy of the season, Beyblades were one of the most requested toys among kindergarten to fifth-grade boys last month.

Now Hasbro is set to put a decidedly girlie spin (pun intended) on the age-old toy. In March, the company (which also distributes Beyblades) will expand the FurReal Friends line with the introduction of Dizzy Dancers ($9) — a collection of "twirling, dancing pets." Using the familiar rip cord (now called a Dizzy Cord), the stuffed animal-topped toys can be launched to spin their way around the home. The cute characters are interchangeable, so they can be mixed and matched to create custom pets. Each package will also come with a "Twistin' Tricks Card" to teach lil ones new ways to spin.

Similar to Lego's recent launch of girl-friendly Lego Friends, how do you feel about female versions of popular toys?

In the 15 years since Tickle Me Elmo was introduced to the market, adults and kids alike have been taken with the lil red monster's infectious laugh. With each additional version of the toy, Elmo's increasingly more complex movements and sounds have continued to make it one of the hottest toys each holiday season. Now, with Hasbro taking over the Sesame Street toy line, the company is introducing Let's Rock Elmo ($59), the latest, most complex Elmo to hit store shelves. The toy has already been named the hot toy of the year by Toys R Us, but should it top your holiday shopping list? Keep reading to see what I thought.

Who is this product designed for? Made for tots over 2 years old, Let's Rock Elmo is fun for kids up to 5 years old or really any age that is still taken with Elmo's charm.

What sets it apart? More than simply a doll that sings and tells stories, Let's Rock Elmo actually plays two instruments — drums and tambourine — and sings into a microphone, "recognizing" them as they are placed in his hands or under his feet each time. When Elmo's not using one of the included instruments, lil one's can play with them or join in with him on one of the six songs in his repertoire. Three additional instruments that are all sold separately — a guitar ($35), a keyboard ($20), and a working microphone ($15) — are also recognized by Elmo, so when kids pick them up and play them in Elmo's vicinity, he'll join in the new song.

Keep reading to see what could be better and if I would buy it.

Ask today's moms about their favorite childhood toys, and there's a good chance they'll mention the Easy-Bake Oven. The iconic toy oven — first introduced in 1963 with two 100-watt light bulbs to bake premade mixes and food — has undergone 11 redesigns over the years. The latest incarnation may be the most dramatic yet.

After 48 years, the light's gone off in the Easy-Bake Oven! The new Easy-Bake Ultimate Oven forgoes the incandescent light bulb (like many families these days) and uses a new heating element similar to the ones used in traditional ovens. That's not all, the new oven has a sleeker, more-curved look and a deep purple color to appeal to today's tots. All of these modifications come at a cost though — while the first turquoise version cost a mere $16 and more recent versions hovered around $30, the Ultimate Oven will cost $50 when it hits stores in time for the holidays.

What do you think of the new model?

To celebrate the game's 75th anniversary, this Fall Hasbro will unveil a circular Monopoly board, "Monopoly: Revolution Edition." The game, which will sell for $35, will feature an electronic pod and pin credit cards to keep track of players' finances digitally — and prevent cheating! Hasbro has also adjusted monetary amounts to account for 75 years of inflation, so when you pass Go, you'll earn $2 million, instead of $200. It'll also feature sound effects relevant to events in the game, like a jail door closing and even Elton John songs.

I definitely think the round board shape will be a step forward for entertaining purposes, but I'm curious to see how the electronic console affects the "house rules" (snake-eyes, free parking cash, etc.) we've all come to know and love. I wonder if Monopoly considered adding these to the game. I'd love to try my hand at this new edition, but considering that after 75 years Monopoly is still one of the most popular board games, I don't really think it needs any adjustments!

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The beloved '80s toy turned movie turned TV show, My Little Pony, is getting resurrected with a series set to air on the new Discovery-Hasbro kids channel.

Makes sense since My Little Pony is a Hasbro creation, but I have mixed feelings over this news. I was nutty for the toys growing up — I even had a tiny plastic pony tent that I used to pitch in my living room. And while I'm glad to see an old familiar friend make a comeback, I hope they don't turn it into some newfangled 2.0 version meant to look more slick, like so many other cartoons nowadays. Don't mess with a classic, people!

What's your take on My Little Pony's TV update? Were you a fan of the original?