Coolest Toys

New Lego lineup has some cool additions.

With yet another new movie installment to the Star Wars saga about to come out this fall, Lego is letting it loose with a stable of cool new Clone Wars Lego sets that’ll have any kid (or adult) building in a galaxy far, far away.

The various new kits include:

7673 MagnaGuard Starfighter Building fans can send General Grievous’ elite personal bodyguard on a special mission using the MagnaGuard Starfighter from “Star Wars: The Clone Wars.” Includes opening cockpit and engine compartments, and 2 new MagnaGuard minifigures. 421 pieces Ages 8+ $44.99 (USD) Available in August

7674 V-19 Torrent
Builders can battle the Separatist forces with the Republic’s V-19 Torrent. Features a geared wing and landing gear system that automatically switches between landing and flying modes, flick-firing action, opening cockpit and new Clone trooper pilot.
471 pieces Ages 8+
$54.99 (USD) Available in August

7675 AT-TE Walker
Help Anakin Skywalker and his apprentice, Ahsoka, protect the baby Huttlet, Rotta, by firing the AT-TE’s missiles at the droid STAP. The six-legged AT-TE model features flick-firing action and hatches that open to reveal a detailed cabin and crew bay. Includes 2 clone troopers, Battle Droid on STAP, Anakin Skywalker, Ahsoka and Rotta minifigures.
798 pieces Ages 9+
$89.99 (USD) Available in August

7676 Republic Gunship
Builders can take the battle to the Separtists with this heavily equipped troop transporter from Episodes II and II and the “Star Wars: The Clone Wars” television series. Features crew bay doors that open and close, flick-firing action and separate speeder bike. Includes seven minifigures: 4 Clone Troopers, new Obi-Wan Kenobi, and 2 new minifigures: Plo Koon and Asajj Ventress, a Sith assassin equipped with a double lightsaber that can be split in two.
1,034 pieces Ages 9+
$119.99 (USD) 
Available in August

The feature film, which covers the saga’s Clone Wars from “Episode II” and “Episode III, acts as a pilot episode to the new STAR WARS cgi television series and will premiere in theaters late this summer. Meanwhile, enjoy the trailer:

Hat tip: The Giz http://gizmodo.com/357370/lego-new-clone-wars-sets-will-excite-whoever-gets-excited-by-clone-wars

I just love that scene in MEET THE ROBINSON’s where the Dinosaur is chasing Will Robinson and can’t catch him because “his head is too large and his arms are too small.” Mattel’s D-Rex lives up to the comedic spirit that is the “T-Rex” with a smart dinosaur that can guard a child’s room, respond interactively to a child, and roar and coo like every good dino should.

DRex also movies his eyes, wages his tale, will come when called and may even demand food or to be played with. He chomps, bares his teeth, roars in 100 different tones and respond to being touched. And if your little brother tries to get into your room, DRex will make enough noise to let you know about it.

A pretty smart, and cool toy with a steep price of $150. But considering the level of interactivity, DRex may actually be worth the money. It’s certainly more evolved than Teddy Ruxpin or Elmo and a heck of a lot cooler too.
Available in the fall, just in time for early Christmas Shopping.

Hat tip: The Giz

As a precursor to the new Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull film, Hasbro is coming out with a wide variety of toys as a movie tie in. In particular, is the Indiana Jones FX Whip, which will allow kids to take their Indy fantasy to the next level.

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I remember my first Hot Wheels set. It was the Johnny Lightning Race Set and it was based on the Al Uncer Indy 500 winning car. Hard to believe that was nearly forty years ago. Kicking off the 105th annual American International Toy Fair, Hot Wheels unveiled a $140,000 diamond encrusted 18 carat white gold muscle car that represents the 4 billionth Hot Wheel made. It’s also the most expensive Hot Wheel in history, which considering that the average Hot Wheel costs around .99, it saying something.

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A few years back, Disneyland China introduced a self walking animatronic dinosaur named Lucky. He was an instant hit and a marvel of technical engineering that would make Walt proud. Who knew then that walking dinosaurs would not only become a fun toy for kids, but they could ride them as well. Walt probably did. And Hasbro has him.

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Habro announces CLOVERFIELD Monster toy … (warning, spoilers)

Because of the spoiler-ish nature of this post, we’ll leave the photo until after the jump. But Hasbro has announced the Cloverfield monster toy. And boy howdy is it butt ugly.

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Maybe. According to a recent interview in Gaming Monthly, Playstation engineers may be working on a new way to make PS2 games playable on the PLaystation 3 again. As readers may remember, backwards compatibility was brutally dropped when Sony discontinued previous versions that enjoyed it in favor of the 40GB model who’s engine wouldn’t accommodate it.

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It all started with the Darth Vader Helmet two years ago. Then came the Optimus Prime Helmet and the Power Rangers Legends helmet. Now, just in time for the new Wachowski Brothers epic comes a classic Speed Racer Race-A-Round Sound Helmet for kids to get their Speed on.

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They have their own roller coaster in Orlando at Disney Studios. Now, rock demigods Aerosmith have their own video game for which players can “come together” and rock out to Steve Tyler tunes.

Titled “ Guitar Hero: Aerosmith,” this is the first time the Guitar Hero franchise has released a dedicated version of the game to highlight hit tunes of a particular band. And it makes sense. When trying to lock down songs for GH fans to “play,” dedicating a version not only bumps up sales of the game, it also makes it much easier to generate profit sharing deals with the bands who are giving their A-OK for their tunes be in the game.

The game will take GH fans on a journey through time … from Aerosmith’s very beginnings as a young rock band, to sell outs in massive arenas and rock God-dom. While Steve Tyler fans are waiting for the new GHA, they can enjoy a free download of Aerosmith’s “Dream On” for Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock on both Xbox Live and in the Playstation Store for PS3, which will be available from February 16th-18th.

I can see it now … 12 year olds playing “Love in an Elevator” to the chagrin of mom and dad.

Hat Tip: I4U

There’s plenty of reports about hitech Guitar Hero mobile applications and most are for the Nintendo DS lite or some other gadgetry. But what about a fun cheap interface that kids can play without worrying about having it ripped off or lost? One such report is of a Activision sanctioned Guitar Hero carabineer for those who want to play a game to while away the hours, while either on the road, in line, or just because your board. And with it, you can rock out anyway. Just don’t climb a mountain with it.

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