BuzzSugar

Tops Are Making a Resurgence, But You Won't Recognize Them!

Rebecca M Gruber — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 08:34:57 PST

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?

Let's Rock Elmo Sings and Dances Its Way Onto Holiday Hot Lists

Rebecca M Gruber — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 08:31:47 PDT

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.

The Easy Bake Oven's Come a Long Way, Baby!

Rebecca M Gruber — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 07:06:09 PDT

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?

Who's the Daddy?

LilSugar — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 11:00:32 PST

Which brat pack actor and dad tested out the new Iron Man 2 toys during Toy Fair this week?

Monopoly Goes Round with 75th Anniversary Edition

CasaSugar — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 12:00:21 PST

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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My Little Pony Trotting Back to TV

BuzzSugar — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 10:30:00 PST

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?

Enchanted Director to Take on Candyland Movie

BuzzSugar — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 10:30:53 PST

Maybe I'm still awestruck over the fantastical world brought to life in Coraline, but for whatever reason I'm actually kinda excited by the idea of a movie based on the Candyland game. Speaking strictly visuals (not, of course, how they'll make a story out of a board game), it seems like the time is right to try something like this, and it might turn out to be amazing.

The Candyland movie being developed by Universal will be live-action, but there's still much they could do with it. It makes me think of the live-action Grinch movie which, say what you will about how it never should have been made, etc. - I still think it's visually cool. The Candyland project now has Enchanted director Kevin Lima attached, and a writer, too: Etan Cohen (not to be confused with Ethan Cohen, ha) who has written a few things, including two movies I never thought to put in the same sentence - Tropic Thunder and Madagascar 2. He also wrote this movie. Discuss.

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Mattel Plans More Toy-Inspired Movies

BuzzSugar — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 11:31:54 PST

The Transformers movie clearly turned out to be massively successful for the Hasbro toy company, and talk of a sequel swiftly followed the first movie's release. Then a G.I. Joe movie went into development, followed by a deal with Universal to make at least four movies based on Hasbro products, including Ouija, Candyland and Battleship, among others.

Not to be outdone, rival toy company Mattel got to work on a live-action "300-style" He-Man movie (with rumors of Brad Pitt taking the main role) and now there are a few more toy-inspired projects on the way. Apparently the company hopes to make an action film based on Hot Wheels, and at long last, Barbie will get her very own live-action feature film (though, as we all know, it's not exactly easy to find real women with the Barbie doll's measurements, or those who walk only on their tiptoes).

Obviously these projects are done with the intention of selling more toys, but do you think there's anything cool or interesting about them? And what kind of character will Barbie be?

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Which Hasbro Product Will Make the Best Movie?

BuzzSugar — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 06:00:00 PST

Universal Pictures recently signed a deal with game manufacturer Hasbro "to produce at least four feature films based on branded properties." These properties include Clue, Monopoly, Candyland, Ouija, Battleship, Magic: The Gathering and Stretch Armstrong.

Of course, Clue has already been made into a movie, so who knows what they'll try to do with that one? Monopoly is already in production as a Ridley Scott film, and some of these others seem like they could actually be made into projects (a Ouija horror flick, action movie based on Battleship, kids' fantasy story set in Candyland, etc.).

Leaving out Clue since it's been done, which of these properties seems most promising as a movie?

Happy National Strawberry Shortcake Day!

Susannah Chen — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 03:02:15 PDT

Our favorite Hasbro character would be thrilled: not only are strawberries at their peak right now, but today is also National Strawberry Shortcake Day! Strawberries, whipped cream, and cake are a seemingly simple combination, yet the three items come together with undeniably magical results. We've compiled five different approaches to re-creating the treat - so all you've got to do is pick your favorite and run with it!