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'Overwatch' action figures and Monopoly are coming this spring
Hasbro is about to give you many, many ways to flaunt your Overwatch fandom beyond the occasional Nerf gun. It's launching a series of toys and games themed around the character-driven shooter, including Monopoly Overwatch Collector's Edition. The $50 board game turns maps into properties, cards into loot boxes and player pieces into familiar characters like D.Va and Winston. However, that's really just the start of the collection -- the action figures in particular stand out.
Jon Fingas02.17.2019
Owleez is the mutant offspring of a cuddly pet and a helicopter
Ask any parent of a school-aged child and they'll probably tell you nurturing toys are big now. Those are the ones where petting and feeding it are not optional activities, thanks to a series of sensors embedded under the plaything's surface. It's like a Tamagotchi on steroids. Those same parents might also say that drones are still pretty popular, before complaining about their child terrorizing the dog with one. The two product categories couldn't have been more different, until this week's Toy Fair. Spin Master's new Owleez is a cute little owl you must care for until it gains the confidence to take to the skies thanks to the rotors hidden beneath its feathered exterior.
Kris Naudus02.16.2019
Air Hogs' new racer is the Spider-Man of remote-controlled cars
Spin Master's Air Hogs brand is, like it says in the name, primarily a toy aircraft line today. Remote-controlled planes, helicopters and, of course, drones. But occasionally it will hit the ground with some cool land vehicles like race cars, tanks or even the Batmobile. However, this year the company is bringing back a four wheel hit from a few years ago that, while it may not fly, is decidedly not confined to the ground. The Air Hogs Zero Gravity Laser Racer is a car that can ride on the floor, then climb up the wall and even take a shortcut across your ceiling.
Kris Naudus02.16.2019
Nerf's 'Fortnite' guns will be here March 22nd (updated)
If you thought Hasbro was already milking the Fortnite trend for all it's worth with an official Nerf gun, you haven't seen anything yet. The toy maker has unveiled its full line of Fortnite-themed Nerf guns (including Super Soakers), and while it's not a complete reflection of the battle royale shooter's arsenal, it's likely you'll find something that suits your tastes. People who prefer dart-based havoc can pick up the AR-L assault rifle ($50) or SP-L pistol ($20) for conventional weaponry, but they can also wield $10 MicroShot dart blasters for surprise attacks. If you've ever wanted to shoot foam projectiles from a llama's mouth, now's your chance.
Jon Fingas02.15.2019
PowerUp Toys is motorizing more paper vehicles
PowerUp Toys, the makers of a smartphone-controlled paper airplane kit, is at Toy Fair 2019 with three new gizmos to occupy your free time. The company has an updated version of its popular plane kit with dual propellers, a new motorization kit that can power other origami vehicles and an accessory that can turn a smartphone into augmented reality goggles.
AJ Dellinger02.15.2019
Hasbro's Bluetooth lightsaber lets kids train to become a Jedi
Hasbro has a new toy for the future Jedi in your life. The Star Wars Lightsaber Academy is a suped-up version of the standard lightsaber that comes with its own training exercises and activities built in, according to The Verge. The toy connected to a smartphone app via Bluetooth to provide Jedis-in-training with interactive challenges that teach them to fight like their favorite Star Wars characters.
AJ Dellinger02.15.2019
Hot Wheels' new TechMods are remote-control cars you build yourself
Hot Wheels has excelled at merging the real and virtual worlds for the past few years, but a lot of that has been focused on the driving experience -- specifically, how to make it more like a video game, with toys like Hot Wheels AI, Mindracers and Augmoto. This year the brand is finally giving budding gear heads some love with its new TechMods set, an app-controlled vehicle that you build yourself and then control with your phone. It's not the same as tinkering under a hood, but it is actually fun to put together.
Kris Naudus02.14.2019
Lego’s newest playsets are haunted by AR (updated)
As much as we like to shake our metaphorical canes at kids and lament how they're all about Minecraft and Fortnite these days, the truth is that they're still really big into physical play too. Children still love Lego, both the plastic bricks and the worlds they can create with them. However, the company is now going to try to unite all these different aspects -- building, video gaming and storytelling -- with its new AR-based line, Lego Hidden Side. Kids can construct sets and bring them to life using their phones, with a continuing narrative to keep them coming back for more.
Kris Naudus02.14.2019
Speak & Spell is B-A-C-K
If you're a techie of a certain age (cough), you probably have fond memories of the Speak & Spell. The Texas Instruments toy's quirky speech synthesis may be quaint by modern standards, but it sounded like magic at a time when getting any computer to talk was a big deal. You'll be glad to hear it's back, then. Basic Fun is introducing a revived Speak & Spell that includes all the familiar games, that simple segmented display (albeit one based on modern LCDs) and, of course, that signature orange-and-yellow design. However, there is one important change you'll have to consider: the voice.
Jon Fingas02.08.2019
Chevy made a full-size Silverado truck out of Lego bricks
Hey, Bugatti, you're not the only one who can fashion a full-size car out of toy bricks as a publicity stunt. Chevy has enlisted the help of students from Oxford Community School and Ralph Waldo Emerson Elementary to create a one-for-one rendition of its 2019 Silverado 1500 LT Trailboss using Lego's signature bricks. The project required 334,544 pieces and more than 2,000 hours of assembly from 18 workers, but it's uncannily accurate with the subtle contours and decals of the real thing.
Jon Fingas01.20.2019
The first 'Rocket League' Hot Wheels car arrives this month
Want a tangible sign of your devotion to Rocket League, but would rather not drop $180 on an RC car kit or even several dollars on a Pull-Back Racer? Don't worry, you can buy something with your pocket change. Hot Wheels is launching its first Rocket League die-cast car, the Octane, later in December for a very modest $1.09. You can't really set up miniature matches when only the blue will be available at first (orange doesn't show up until 2019), but this should let you race Rocket League-style on Hot Wheels tracks.
Jon Fingas12.18.2018
Sphero is done making licensed Disney bots like BB-8 and R2-D2
Say goodbye to Sphero's cute BB-8 robot. In fact, say goodbye to all the company's licensed products, including R2-D2, BB-9E and Cars' Lighting McQueen. According to The Verge, Sphero plans to sell its remaining inventory of licensed toys, but it will no longer manufacture more once it runs out. Indeed, the products' listings on Sphero's website says "This is a legacy product and no longer in production." The company isn't just discontinuing the models, though: It's ending its licensing partnerships completely, because it's no longer worth dedicating resources for their production.
Mariella Moon12.18.2018
Engadget giveaway: Win a Vector smart robot courtesy of Anki!
The Anki Vector is more than a high-tech toy, it's a little AI wonderbot with facial recognition, smart speaker tech and an array of sensors packed into a remarkably lifelike package. This robot should be fun to interact with by asking questions, playing games, checking the weather or taking photos on command. It learns as it goes and can store plenty of faces, so it will recognize familiar ones. Alexa integration is rolling out soon, so you'll also get all of the benefits of an Echo, but with a physically active personality. It's self-sufficient, too. When its battery runs low, it will seek out its charging base and park itself there for a while. This week, Anki has provided three of its Vector robots for a trio of lucky readers. All you need to do is head to the Rafflecopter widget below for up to five chances at winning. Everyone else can still pick up an Anki Vector for $75 off the regular price until December 29th. Winners: Congratulations to Ronald P. of Grover Beach, CA, Andy F. of Germantown, TN and Jay S. of Meridian, ID!
Jon Turi12.11.2018
eBay's toy catalog includes a $100,000 'Magic: The Gathering' card
eBay is following in the footsteps of Amazon (despite an ongoing beef between the two) and attempting to revive the old holiday shopping tradition of the toy catalog. The online retailer is putting together a Toy Book containing the hottest items of this year and all the retro playthings that will make your nostalgia kick in. eBay is sending physical copies of the catalog to millions of homes, but the whole thing can be viewed online. If you're in New York City, eBay is also opening up an interactive storefront called Toytopia where kids can come in and play with the toys.
AJ Dellinger11.14.2018
Hot Wheels' real-life 'Rocket League' RC cars land November 1st
If you've ever wondered what Rocket League would be like in real life, this RC version is as close of an approximation as you'll get to the video game. As teased earlier this year, Hot Wheels and Psyonix have teamed up to build an actual physical version of Rocket League. The set comes with two radio-controlled battle-cars -- Octane and Dominus -- an arena, and a ball, with more cars planned as expansion sets. You won't be able to wreak havoc with your Xbox One, PS4 or any other controller, however, as Hot Wheels has opted to use an Android and iPhone app for input instead.
Imad Khan10.16.2018
Tech Will Save Us' new kits let kids harness electromagnetic energy
In the lead-up to Christmas, the STEM toys are coming thick and fast -- we've seen everything from DIY computers to robotic arms and Lego trains for pre-schoolers. Enter Tech Will Save Us (TWSU) with two new kits that teach kids to learn to play with electromagnetic wireless power and conductive thread (setting them apart from other STEM gear). Both cost $24.99, making for cheap stocking fillers.
Saqib Shah09.18.2018
Littlebits' latest kits are inspired by modern inventors
LittleBits is introducing three new kits that teach children about electronics and how to think with a creative, inventive and activist mindset. The Base Inventor Kit, which will retail for $99.99, comes with 10 color-coded pieces that snap onto a wearable "arm." A companion mobile app guides you through a series of activities inspired by real-life inventors; a sound-activated gripper arm, for instance, is based on modern prosthetics, while a "stuff protector" mimicks an alarm made to protect lions and cattle in Kenya. The app then challenges you to create new inventions that protect the environment or help your local community.
Nick Summers09.12.2018
Mattel's new robot is a pet dinosaur that won't try to eat you
Since dinosaurs went extinct 66 million years ago, we've never experienced them as living, breathing animals. We can look at their bones in a museum, or we can watch recreations of them in films like this summer's Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom. But both those options lack that visceral feeling you get from seeing a real creature in a zoo. Though it's unlikely you'll ever see a dinosaur in the flesh, you can still pretend to have one as a pet, thanks to Mattel's new Alpha Training Blue robot. She roars, coos and even responds to your commands like her movie inspiration -- but is far less deadly.
Kris Naudus08.30.2018
Lego's new toy train is a STEM tool for preschoolers
Twenty years ago Lego introduced Mindstorms as a way to engage kids who were becoming more interested in video games and the internet than plastic building blocks. It was successful enough that the kits became a regular sight in robotics classes and competitions. Now the line is on its fourth generation, and it's been joined by other STEM-friendly Lego kits like Boost and Powered Up to bring tech skills to many different types of kids. Now Lego's educational division goes even younger with Coding Express, a set that will teach 3- and 4-year-olds the basics of programming while they construct a world of trains, picnics and wandering deer.
Kris Naudus08.28.2018
'Mario Kart' Hot Wheels cars arrive next summer
Not every Mario Kart fan has the means to move their obsession into real life by flying to Japan and checking out a Mario Kart ride at a theme park or tearing around the streets of Tokyo in a go-kart while dressed as Yoshi. Mattel will soon offer something a little more modest with branded Mario Kart Hot Wheels cars.
Kris Holt07.23.2018