Raving Toy Maniac

In Stores This Week: Guardians of the Galaxy, Aliens and Ninja Turtles!

October 2014 - There's a whole legion of strange invaders hitting comic shops and specialty stores this Wednesday from Diamond Select Toys! Brand-new Guardians of the Galaxy Minimates are finally landing, as well as Aliens Minimates, a new Aliens Bottle Opener and a Ninja Turtles Bottle Opener! Read on for more details, and find your nearest store at the Comic Shop Locator!

Marvel Minimates Series 57 Guardians of the Galaxy Movie Asst.

On Sale This Week: X-Men Movie (and Comic) Minimates!

October 2014 - Marvel's mightiest mutants have been shrunk to only 2 inches tall! Can they escape the comic shop and find their way into the collections of X-Men Fans everywhere? It's an episode we could only call "New Toy Day!" With two full assortments of Marvel Minimates hitting comic shops and specialty stores this week – the first toys based on the movie X-Men: Days of Future Past and the comic book All-New X-Men – it's a great week to swing by your local comic shop and pick up some mini-mutants! Read on for more details, then re-enact your favorite scenes from the movie and the comic in a very, very small area!

Marvel Minimates Series 58 X-Men: Days of Future Past Asst.

October 2014 - The Toy Pizza series on YouTube has a new season and a new, longer format.

Episode 36 features toys based on Marvel characters and a look ahead at Avengers 2.

The Toy Pizza team posts shorter bonus videos throughout the week, so be sure to subscribe so you don't miss anything.

October 7, 2014 - (Sponsor Announcement) - Online retailer BigBadToyStore.com has several items of interest to collectors:

Sale!
150 Featured Sale Items on Sale! Great figures from Transfomers, Marvel, DC, Video Games, Third Party, And Much More!
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/list.aspx?list=16673

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NEW PRE-ORDERS
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TRANSFORMERS X PLAYSTATION OPTIMUS PRIME
This new version of the Autobot leader transforms into an original Playstation. It comes with a "memory card" and is listed at $119.99.
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/product.aspx?product=TAK11974&mode=re...

TAKARA TRANSFORMERS
A trio of ladies have gone up for pre-order. We have the Takara versions of Arcee, Chromia and Windblade listed at $29.99 each; they are expected to have deco differences from the domestic version, as they usually have.
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/list.aspx?list=17114

October 2014 - The Toy Pizza series on YouTube has a new season and a new, longer format.

Episode 33 features Mega Man toys.

Episode 34 features World of Nintendo toys.

Episode 35 features the Injustice Batman action figure and tips for attending New York Comic Con.

October 2, 2014 - (Sponsor Announcement) - Online retailer BigBadToyStore.com has several items of interest to collectors:

Sale!
150 Featured Sale Items on Sale! Great figures from Transfomers, Marvel, DC, Video Games, Third Party, And Much More!
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/list.aspx?list=16673

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NEW ARRIVALS
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BBTS SHARED EXCLUSIVE LEADER CLASS GRIMLOCK & OPTIMUS PRIME TWO-PACK - PLATINUM EDITION
These figures have special Platinum Edition decos and Optimus comes with a sword and shield, while Grimlock has a club. This set is listed at $99.99.
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/product.aspx?product=HAS24080&mode=re...

MAKETOYS QUANTRON SET
This set includes Celeritas, Blindfire, Overheat, Sonicdrill and Metalstorm, all of whom can combine into Quantron, who stands about 11" tall. The Quantron Set is listed at $429.99.

Toy Insider Experts Name Top Holiday Toys in Their Hot 20 & Top Tech 12 Lists

NEW YORK, Sept. 23, 2014 -- The Toy Insider™, the leading holiday gift guide for toys and gifts, announces its Hot 20 and Top Tech 12 holiday toy lists, giving gift-givers a sneak peek at the must-have traditional and high-tech toys this holiday season. From Doc McStuffins to Elmo, Lego Fusion to LeapTV, each list includes top picks for kids of all ages. Covering a variety of play patterns, including classic toys and high-tech options, the Toy Insider gives parents and gift-givers a head start on finding the best toys for the holidays.

"Favorite characters, engaging play patterns, and terrific tech toys are key trends this holiday season. We believe in a 'well-balanced toy box,' and have selected an assortment of products that feed a child's development in different ways, from dolls and plush to robots and ride-ons," says Laurie Schacht, Toy Insider Mom. "But be sure to shop early -- many of these toys will sell out before the holidays arrive."

Toys"R"Us® Unveils The 2014 #TRUHotToyList

Charm-azing Bracelets, Stretchy Heroes in a Half Shell, Little Chirping Love Birds, a Virtual Construction Set and 200 Pound-Towing Truck Are Among the Top Toys Named to the Company's Annual and Industry-Leading Gift List

WAYNE, N.J., Sept. 16, 2014 -- With the holiday shopping season approaching, Toys"R"Us® today revealed its highly anticipated 2014 Holiday Hot Toy List. The annual list of 36 items, determined by Toys"R"Us play experts after months of extensive research, is packed with a wide range of brand new toys, games and other playthings expected to be at the top of kids' wish lists this year. For the full list, visit Toysrus.com/HotToys or follow the conversation on social media using the hashtag, #TRUHotToyList.

Walmart's Kid-Approved 2014 Holiday Toy List Reveals New Trends

Crafty Toys, Ride Ons and Hot Licenses Join Classics, Electronic Toys on Retailer's Second Annual Holiday Toy List Chosen by Kids

BENTONVILLE, Ark. -- September 10, 2014 -- Kids' tastes in toys are changing, but their appetite for imagination and creativity is unwavering, as evidenced by Walmart's newly-released 2014 Chosen by Kids Top 20 Toys List.

For the second year, Walmart turned to the real toy experts by gathering hundreds of kids, ages 18 months to 12 years and turning them loose on the hottest new toys from suppliers like Hasbro, Mattel, Spin Master and Zing. The retailer's top 20 toy list, announced today, revealed kids are looking for toys that serve as an artistic outlet. Classics are also popular again this year with toymakers refreshing retro toys to appeal to today's kids.

Kmart® Reveals Fab 15 Holiday Toy List, Introduces Trending Toys Feature

Free Shipping and Shop Your Way ® MAX Membership this Holiday Season with the Online Purchase of any Fab 15 Toy

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill., Sept. 23, 2014 -- Kmart has announced its annual Fab 15 holiday toy list, featuring the ultimate toys that kids want for the holidays. And to help provide parents and gift-givers with even more insight into the season's hottest trends, Kmart is introducing a "Trending Toy Ticker," at www.Kmart.com/Fab15. The ticker will continually update with the top-selling toys as the season progresses, for parents who want the latest update on the most buzz-generating toys.

Plus, exclusively for its Shop Your Way members, with any online purchase of a Fab 15 toy now through Nov. 22, Kmart is extending its free trial of the to Shop Your Way MAX program, which includes free two-day shipping for six months*.