"Beyond the traditional favorites like Hot Wheels and Matchbox cars, which year after year top the hot toys lists, Mattel has put together an award-winning portfolio of toys that are currently performing well at retail such as 'Yu-Gi-Oh!' action figures, 'Hot Wheels Octoblast' track set and our 'Electronic Super Ker Plunk!(R)' game," said Matt Bousquette, President of Boys/Entertainment at Mattel.

What to look for at retail:

Wheels

-- HOT WHEELS(R) OCTOBLAST(TM) TRACK SET: ("Winner" Today Show Toy Test, "Winner" Family Fun Toy Test, "All Star" Toy Wishes Magazine, Toys "R" Us Top 10 List)

The Octoblast(TM) track set combines the excitement of high-speed racing with the thrill of competition -- Hot Wheels(R)-style. Kids power up the high-speed four-way booster, and race through the twisted tentacles of the octopus. Kids control the action as they try to blast the octopus sky-high with the launch tentacle, while trying to avoid being tossed off the track by its fangs. The set features an upside-down mid-air jump and five intersecting crash zones. Comes with two exclusively decorated Hot Wheels(R) vehicles. Requires four "D" batteries, not included. (Not for use with some Hot Wheels(R) vehicles.)

A.R.P.: $39.99
Age: 5+

-- TYCO(R) R/C XTREME MOTO-X CYCLE(TM): ("Finalist" Family Fun Toy Test)

Tyco(R) R/C teams up with hot freestyle cyclist Travis Pastrana to create the Xtreme Freestyle Cycle. This over-the-edge stunt bike features a detachable, articulated rider figure, spring-loaded hands and handle bar and a high-tech patented gyro stabilizer system! It all adds up to the ultimate in stunt driving! The articulated figure can perform ultra-cool, lifelike freestyle tricks, like the "Walkin' Wheelie" and the "Screaming Somersault." Snap the rider's feet back into place on the skid plate for flat-out racing. Requires one TMH(R) FlexPak(R) rechargeable battery pack, plus one 9-volt battery for the transmitter. (Batteries not included.)

A.R.P.: $64.99
Age: 5+

-- MATCHBOX(R) EMERGENCY CAR WASH(TM): ("Winner" Today Show Toy Test)

When their emergency vehicles get dirty, children can wash and dry them with this clever motorized playset. Kids start by sending their trucks and cars up an imaginative spiraling elevator. Just turning a crank makes vehicles rise magically toward an automatic conveyor. Next, cars cruise past a motorized bubble machine that covers them with soap. Now it's on past two scrubbing rollers and into a spinning rinse tank. Finally, cars can dry off in a unique wind tunnel before rolling onto a special turntable that showcases their sparkling appearance. Playset includes one Matchbox(R) die-cast fire truck.

A.R.P.: $39.99
Age: 3+

Entertainment

-- HARRY POTTER(TM) WHOMPING WILLOW(TM) GAME: ("Finalist" Family Fun Toy Test)

The Whomping Willow Game brings "to life" all of the fun of Harry and Ron's thrilling adventures with the spirited Willow tree in "Chamber of Secrets." This game of skill and strategy allows players to navigate the careening Willow tree to try and remove Harry and Ron's baggage from its limbs; all the while players try to avoid being whomped by the branches of the tree. The player with the most items from the tree wins the game.

A.R.P.: $31.99
Age: 5+

-- YU-GI-OH!(TM) 6" ACTION FIGURES WITH GAME:

These articulated (approximately) six-inch figures are main characters and monsters from the "Yu-Gi-Oh!" television show. Each will come with a unique Yu-Gi-Oh!(TM) game for added fun. The assortment includes Yugi(TM), Kaiba(TM), Joey(TM), and Dark Magician(TM).

A.R.P.: $7.99
Age: 7+

-- MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE(R) CASTLE GRAYSKULL(R) PLAYSET: ("Winner" BabyZone's Toy Awards)

Castle Grayskull(R) is an interactive playset for He-Man(R), utilizing an innovative tag reader system that can read a chip found in all of Mattel's six-inch (approximately) Masters of the Universe(R) figures. The castle has separate reader zones that can either recognize figures and provide appropriate sounds, or activate features in certain areas, based on whether it is a heroic or evil character. Some of the individual features in the playset are an opening front door, firing artillery cannon, mechanically operated trap door and secret panel, a dungeon, and weapons rack. The castle "comes to life" and lights up when interacting with a figure. A special "key to the castle" is included to work the castle's magic.

A.R.P.: $49.99
Age: 4+

Games

-- BARBIE SAYS(TM) GAME:

Barbie Says(TM), a new electronic game based on fashion, fun and friendship, brings the classic kids game of command-and-follow "to life." The "voice" of Barbie walks girls through game play, accompanied by flashing lights and music. The object of the game is to be the first player to collect the most cool fashion accessories. Barbie Says also has a special feature that automatically adjusts to help players at different skills levels. With two ways to play and a special friendship game, Barbie Says is totally fun. The built-in storage and carrying handle make it easy to take and play Barbie Says anywhere. The tabletop electronic game comes with a detachable lid, four hairclips, four rings and nine bracelets. (Batteries not included.)

A.R.P.: $19.99
Age: 4+

-- ELECTRONIC SUPER KER PLUNK!(R) GAME: ("Winner" Parents Magazine, "Finalist" Family Fun Toy Test)

Electronic Super Ker Plunk! elevates the fun of the original "Don't let the marbles fall" game -- Ker Plunk!(R) -- to a super new level. Now there will be two levels of connectors from which kids pull their sticks. But be very careful -- if players pull out the wrong stick the new jewel-toned marbles will fall and activate the electronic lights and sounds! Another new twist will be the special blue marbles that allow kids to position the dispensing tray to the player of their choice, and pull out two more sticks, trying to get marbles to fall in their opponent's tray. The object of the game is to keep the marbles from falling and going Super Ker Plunk! (Batteries not included.)

A.R.P.: $19.99
Age: 5+

-- SCREWY LOOEY(TM) GAME:

Screwy Looey(TM) is the silly electronic drill game -- with a twist! Loose Bolts are on the run and Screwy Looey needs help getting them back into the clubhouse! Players squeeze his front teeth to get him to twist and turn. Screwy Looey hiccups and vrooms, giggles and yawns. Kids learn to share as they develop their coordination skills. (Batteries not included.)

A.R.P.: $21.99
Age: 3+

-- UNO(R) ATTACK!(TM) GAME: ("Winner" Duracell Toy Test)

UNO(R) Attack!(TM) brings the popular card game to a faster, unpredictable level. Instead of drawing cards from a deck, players use an automatic card launcher. If players are lucky, no cards will shoot out of the launcher. But if not, they'll be "attacked" by UNO cards! The new command cards allow players to put a different twist on strategies from classic UNO(R). (Batteries not included.)

A.R.P.: $19.99
Age: 7+

For more information on Mattel's holiday toys, log on to www.mattel.com.

(C) 2002 Mattel, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

BARBIE, HOT WHEELS, KER PLUNK, MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE, MATCHBOX, TYCO R/C, UNO and associated trademarks are owned by Mattel, Inc. HARRY POTTER, characters, names and related indicia are trademarks of and (C) Warner Bros. Harry Potter Publishing Rights (C) J.K. Rowling.