Voltron Video Games, Series, and Toys

Voltron is returning to defend the universe with new video games from THQ, Inc. and a new CGI-animated series.

Under a new agreement between THQ and World Events Productions (WEP), represented by Classic Media, THQ will produce video games based on the Voltron franchise. The video games will join a previously announced toy line that will be produced under a separate agreement between WEP and Mattel.

The Voltron video games from THQ, anticipated to debut this fall, following the premiere of the animated Voltron Force series in the U.S. on Nicktoons, will build on the adventure of the 1984 series, Voltron: Defender of the Universe.

Video: Cars 2 at Toy Fair

Check out these videos from Disney Living highlighting some of the new Cars 2 toy products.

Read More…

Hasbro Games Go LIVE

This fall, Hasbro will introduce a new way to play some of its most popular games—LIVE. The first games to go LIVE are Hasbro’s Battleship and Monopoly, which were showcased during American International Toy Fair in New York City last week.

Each LIVE game features Motion Vision Play technology via the game’s electronic tower. The tower contains an infrared camera that scans the game board and pieces in order to keep track of the game play such as rules and score.

In Battleship LIVE, the tower detects all ship, cannon, and hand movements during the game. In Monopoly LIVE, the tower is the centerpiece of the game and identifies players, watches hand movements, tracks bank balances, and introduces unexpected events during the game. Other features of the games include the sound of missiles flying through the air in Battleship LIVE and the opportunity to earn tax breaks for “green” utilities in Monopoly LIVE.

Both games are recommended for ages 8 and up and will retail for approximately $49.99.

New Disney Wallables, Quad-Skates, and More

Both 3-D wall décor company Wallables and outdoor recreation manufacturer Bravo Sports Corp. will release new products featuring Disney’s most popular characters. New Wallables include Disney characters from the upcoming Cars 2 film, as well as Disney Princesses Sleeping Beauty and Belle. Bravo Sports has released retro-inspired quad-skates and pogo sticks featuring Disney characters.

Read More…

Learning Encounters Kicks Off Science Experiment Contest

Learning Encounters, LLC, has launched a contest inviting science buffs of all ages to submit homemade science experiments to win cash and prizes. The competition kicked off on February 14 and will run through March 15. Participants submit videos of their experiments that are under five minutes and highlight “scientific genius.” To qualify, all experiments must be safe, use the scientific method, be in English, and be submitted by 11:59 p.m. on March 15. If the applicant is under age 18, an adult must be present while the experiment is conducted.

Prizes include a grand prize of $200 and the company’s MicroViewer 500x digital microscope, a second prize of $50 and the company’s MicroViewer 200x digital microscope, and a third prize of the company’s SkyViewer Telescope Kit.

For more information, visit http://www.leosciencelab.com/contest/index.php.

Roary Toys Racing into Stores Next Month

Roary the Racing Car is zooming onto store shelves in the U.S. next month. Following the U.S. broadcast launch of the television series on Sprout, the new Roary line will hit Toys “R” Us stores and Toysrus.com in March.

As the U.S. master toy licensee for the brand, Bandai will offer a full line of Roary toys, including die-cast, push-along Racing Stars, Talking Turbo Vehicles, Roary R/C, Silver Hatch Racetrack play sets, and more. The die-cast vehicles, Talking Turbo Vehicles, and Roary R/C will be packaged with a special episode of Roary the Racing Car on DVD.

Following the Bandai toy launch, K’nex will release sets that will allow kids to recreate their favorite Roary characters and scenes.

The first Roary DVD, Roary The Racing Car, from Lionsgate Home Entertainment, will launch at mass retailers in June. The series was created by Chapman Entertainment and is represented by Hit Entertainment in North America.

Mega Bloks Launches Tour for Halo Vehicle

Mega Bloks has launched a North American tour for the Mega Bloks Halo Vehicle, inspired by Halo’s Warthog. The vehicle will be traveling across Canada and the U.S., making appearances at toy shows, convention centers, retail stores, and more. The vehicle’s first stop was at the Javits Convention Center in New York City during American International Toy Fair.

Tinga Tinga Tales Premieres in U.S., New Licensees Announced

Classic Media has announced new licenses for newly premiered television series Tinga Tinga Tales, including Ravensburger for puzzles, Pressman Toy Corporation for games, and University Games for Colorforms activity products. The new licensees will join master toy partner Bandai and master publishing partner Grosset & Dunlap.

Tinga Tinga Tales is an animated preschool series about how animals came to be. Inspired by traditional animal folktales from Africa and the colorful Tingatinga art style of Tanzania, the series is created by producer Claudia Lloyd (Charlie and Lola) and produced entirely on location in Africa by local artists.

Tinga Tinga Tales premiered on February 14 with the launch of the Disney Junior block on Disney Channel. The series, for kids ages 2-7, airs weekdays in the U.S. at 11 a.m. ET/PT. Bandai will release interactive toys based on the series in fall 2012.

New Product: Laser Pegs With Sound Chips

The video above shows a new Laser Pegs product that features sound effects via embedded chips. For more information about Laser Pegs, click here.

Pirates: On Stranger Tides Merchandise to Debut Beginning in March

At a pirate-themed preview event earlier this month, Disney Consumer Products unveiled a new toy line based on the upcoming fourth installment of the Pirates of the Caribbean film series, On Stranger Tides. The 3-D movie will release in theaters on May 20.

The On Stranger Tides toy assortment, debuting in stores beginning this March, will include figures and play sets with a special black light from Jakks Pacific. The black light accessory that comes with all four-inch figures, four-inch Legend Pack figures and accessories, and the Queen Anne’s Revenge play set unveils a secret reveal that turns the figures into zombies. Jakks will also introduce new strategy-based board games based on the movie this fall.

The Lego Group will introduce nine play sets based on the movie, including a buildable version of Queen Anne’s Revenge and the Whitecap Bay play set, in which Jack Sparrow and the other pirates encounter mermaids.

Read More…

archivearrow-chevron-downarrow-chevron-left-greyarrow-chevron-leftarrow-chevron-rightarrow-fatarrow-left-blackarrow-left-whitearrow-right-blackarrow-rightarrow-roundedbookscalendarcaret-downclose-whiteclosedocumenteditorial-archiveeyefacebook-squarefacebookfilesgifthamburgerheadinghearthomeinstagram-squareinstagramlatestlinkedin-squarelinkedinmailmedia-inquiresmessagenewsopen-boxpagination-leftpagination-rightpauseplayprintproduct-archiverecent-productssearchsharesort-filterspotifysunteamtiktoktime_purpletimetrendingtvtwitter-squaretwitteryoutube