Pudgy Penguins, the line of penguin toys made by PMI Kids’ World, are now available at Walmart. The partnership results in the largest brick-and-mortar retail distribution of the line now dubbed “Pudgy Toys.” Around 2,000 stores will carry fan-favorite Pudgy Toy products and exclusive items. Pudgy Penguins offer two ways to play — physical and digital.
Both the Pudgy Penguins plush and figures come with a digital adoption certificate that kids can redeem on pudgeworld.com, the open-world digital social experience. Kids can unlock their Forever Pudgy, which they can use to play games and interact with other kids in Pudgy World, through the digital adoption certificate. Each certificate is unique to the plush or figurine and allows players to claim special traits for their Forever Pudgy character inside Pudgy World. Traits include outfits for the digital penguin, accessories, and backgrounds. The website is focused on creativity, freedom, and community.
The Pudgy Penguin collection is made from 8,888 non-fungible tokens (NFT), and the toys are inspired by the NFT collection. Since toys are based on intellectual property (IP) from those popular NFTs, each toy provides licensing royalties to the current Pudgy Penguin NFT holders. Pudgy Toys provide an intersection between IP, NFTs, digital, and physical play. With the release of Pudgy Toys in Walmart stores, traditional retail practices are thrown into the combination.
Pudgy Penguins is at the forefront of transforming the toy industry, merging unique digital experiences with blockchain technology, like Ethereum and zkSync. Walmart’s inclusion of Pudgy Toys in their stores is a testament to the evolution of how consumers engage with brands in the digital era. The team spent years developing the Pudgy brand and fostering our community through social media and the blockchain; we’re thrilled to expand our reach with the support of Walmart.”
Collectible figures | Source: Pudgy Penguins
Mystery Igloo Collectibles | Source: Pudgy Penguins
Plush Buddies | Source: Pudgy Penguins
Clip-on penguins | Source: Pudgy Penguins
Fans can find 26 different Pudgy Toys at Walmart, including Flower Princess, Carrot Pudgy, Huffle Pudge, and Pudgy Princess Plush Buddies and the Samurai Figurine, Fish Head Figurine, Cowboy Figurine, and Army Hat action figures, each with distinct features and accessories. There are also 14 Mystery Igloos Collectibles for kids to collect.
Walmart shoppers can also purchase penguins exclusive to Walmart. Ice Chrome and Gold Chrome collectible figures, both inside mystery Igloos, and a Blind Box containing a surprise Clip-On Plush are only available in Walmart stores. Fans can receive one of four different clip-on plush penguins. Customers also have a chance to find a golden ticket in their Walmart Pudgy Penguin purchase, which contains a code for a rare trait for their Forever Pudgy Penguin in Pudgy World.
“We know our customers are looking for the latest trends and innovation to gift themselves or a loved one,” Brittany Smith, Vice President of Merchandising – Toys, Walmart U.S. says. “ Pudgy Penguins is bridging the gap between our physical and digital worlds of play for kids in a really engaging way and their price point is right in line with our goal of providing everyday low prices. I’m excited to add them to our assortment!”
