"This years must have toys are an exciting mix of treasured classics, trusted heroes and engaging activities," said Tom Alfonsi, Senior Vice President, Merchandising for KB Toys. "Whether you're looking for toys to inspire imaginative and creative play or exciting action adventure, there is something sure to please and delight every child this holiday season."

Highlights from KB Toys' list include Barbie in her new role as Rapunzel and the Disney Princess line, both of which engage children in active and imaginative pretend play set in a magical and enchanted world. The Rescue Heroes are back to lead children on new and exciting missions to save the day and Spider-Man promises a wide range of action-packed adventures where good always triumphs over evil. For serious collectors there's Upper Deck's Yu-Gi-Oh! card playing game with endless expansion possibilities for active and challenging gameplay and X-Concept's Modifiers bring the stock car garage into your living room, giving model-building a cool, edgy new look.

All of these items and more are available this season at KB Toys stores nationwide, as well as online at http://www.kbtoys.com.

KB Toys 2002 Holiday HOT Toys List (alphabetical)

Barbie as Rapunzel - Ages 3 and up - Mattel
Bratz - Ages 4 and up - MGA Entertainment
Care Bears - Ages 3 and up - Play Along
Disney Princess - Ages 4 and up - Assorted
Dora the Explorer - Ages 2 and up - Fisher Price
Fur Real Friends - Ages 6 and up - Hasbro
Modifiers - Ages 9 and up - X-Concepts
Rescue Heroes - Ages 3 and up - Fisher Price
Spiderman - Ages 4 and up - Toy Biz
Yu-Gi Oh Cards - Ages 8 and up - Upper Deck

KB Toys is the nation's largest combined mall-based and online specialty toy retailer, operating more than 1,300 stores in all 50 states, the American Territory of Guam and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. KB Toys operates retail stores under the names KB Toys(R), KB Toy Works(R), KB Toy Outlet(TM), Toy Liquidators(R), KB Toy Express(R) and offers online shopping through KBtoys.com(TM) (http://www.kbtoys.com) and eToys(R) (http://www.etoys.com). KB Holdings, Inc., the parent corporation, is a privately held company headquartered in Pittsfield, Massachusetts.

Barbie as Rapunzel

Girls will play happily ever after with Rapunzel Barbie, the brave and beautiful princess from "Barbie as Rapunzel." Ages 3 and up.

Bratz

Bratz are the dolls with a passion for fashion that capture the attitude and freedom of today's girls. Each doll comes with a cutting-edge sense of style and accessories you can use over and over again. Ages 4 and up.

Care Bears

Care Bears are soft and cuddly caring companions, each with a special mission and symbol on their tummy to match. In all they do, Care Bears show the importance of caring and sharing your best feelings. Ages 3 and up.

Disney Princess

Now girls can experience the magical world of Disney with the Disney Princess collection featuring characters such as Ariel, Belle, Cinderella and more in an exciting fantasy world of dolls, fun play sets and games. Ages 4 and up.

Dora the Explorer

Preschoolers can engage in a play-along adventure with Dora the Explorer. They will find a wide selection of dolls, plush, play sets and more. Ages 2 and up.

Fur Real Friends

Fur Real Friends are lifelike and affectionate cats that respond to your touch! They are fully animated from the top of their head to the tip of their tail. Ages 6 and up.

Modifiers

Modifiers come in a variety of different makes including Honda, Mitsubishi and Acura. Children can now build custom stock cars with interchangeable parts such as: wheels, tires, tinted windows and tools. Ages 9 and up.

Spiderman

Spider-Man, the high-flying, crime-fighting superhero swings into action with a wide variety of action figures, vehicles, web blasters and more, all designed to thrill young fans of Peter Parker's web-slinging alter ego. Ages 4 and up.

Rescue Heroes

The Rescue Heroes action figures, play sets and vehicles, all with moving parts for exciting action adventure play, are based on real-life role models and help teach children that showing concern for others is cool. Ages 3 and up.

Yu-Gi Oh Cards

The Yu-Gi-Oh! trading card game takes skill, practice, strategy and luck to win the match and features endless expansion possibilities for wildly imaginative, fun and challenging game play. Ages 8 and up.

DENVER, Oct. 11 -- Popular characters, challenging games and toys that encourage creative play rank high on the eToys 2002 Holiday Hot list.

From the rugged Fisher-Price Rescue Heroes to charming Disney Princess toys, a quiz game called Cranium Cariboo to an innovative LeapFrog activity table for toddlers, the cuddly Care Bears to the inquisitive Dora the Explorer, the eToys 2002 Holiday Hot list includes the top popular and educational toys for children of every age group and interest.

"We chose toys and games guaranteed to make kids smile," said David Novitsky, Vice President of Merchandising for eToys. "These toys won't be forgotten when the holidays end. Because of their lasting appeal, children will reach for them month after month. Plus, our list includes educational items designed to stimulate learning and creativity."

eToys 2002 Holiday Hot List (In Alphabetical Order)

Care Bears - Play Along
Cranium Cariboo - Cranium, Inc.
Disney Princess - Assorted
Dora the Explorer - Assorted
LeapStart Activity Table - LeapFrog
Neurosmith Musini - Neurosmith
Rescue Heroes - Fisher-Price
SpectraColor Image Pad - Irwin Toys
Talking Clever Clock - Learning Resources
Thomas the Tank Wooden Railway System - Learning Curve

About eToys

Based in Denver, the eToys Web site (http://www.etoys.com), (AOL keyword: etoys), is a one-stop source for children's products, offering an amazing selection of popular toys and video games, plus unique learning, specialty and collectible toys. KB Toys, a company with an 80-year history of delighting parents and children, owns and operates the eToys site.

eToys 2002 Holiday Hot List

Care Bears (Play Along)

The Care Bears want today's kids to care, share and think of others.
These 80s favorites return from Care-A-Lot to bring a new generation happiness and companionship. Ages 3 and up.

Cranium Cariboo (Cranium, Inc.)

Give kids a creative challenge with a magical treasure hunt game from the makers of the hit adult game, Cranium. Cranium Cariboo reinforces fundamentals including the ABCs, numbers, shapes and colors. Ages 3 and up.

Disney Princess (Assorted)

Little princesses love to bring their favorite Disney characters to life with dolls, playsets and accessories featuring Cinderella, Belle, Ariel, Snow White and Sleeping Beauty. Ages 3 and up.

Dora the Explorer (Assorted)

Kids love to go on a learning adventure with Dora, the problem-solving star of the hit cartoon series on Nick Jr. Fans love Dora-themed plush toys, figures, games and her signature backpack. Ages 2 and up.

LeapStart Activity Table (LeapFrog)

New from the experts in interactive learning, the LeapStart Activity Table introduces toddlers to colors, shapes, letters, numbers and music with parts that slide, spin, open and close. Ages 6 months and up.

Neurosmith Musini (Neurosmith)

Research shows early exposure to music helps your child's brain development. This innovative toy senses your child's movement, and turns the vibrations into a unique musical composition. Ages 3 and up.

Rescue Heroes (Fisher-Price)

Rescue Heroes action figures represent the best of the best. From firefighters to police officers to medics and mountain rescue teams, Rescue Heroes honor those who help others. Ages 3 and up.

SpectraColor Image Pad (Irwin Toys)

Encourage a young artist with an interactive drawing toy that displays brilliant colors when your child touches the screen. The included stylus adds more detail to your child's design. Ages 3 and up.

Talking Clever Clock (Learning Resources)

Teach your child to tell time with an electronic learning clock. It offers new challenges as your child grows, with quizzes that reinforce digital and analog time-telling, plus concepts that include elapsed time. Ages 5 and up.