Raving Toy Maniac

Toys"R"Us, UK announces its 2012 'Terrific Twenty' List of Hot Christmas Toys

MAIDENHEAD, England, October 1, 2012 -- Angry Birds, Monsters and Spiders feature alongside a second generation of touch screen tablets to be among the hottest items on kids' wish lists this Christmas season, according to Britain's biggest toy retailer, Toys"R"Us, UK.

Combat Attacknids from Wow Stuff are six legged radio controlled robots with the ability to battle, move in all directions and fire weapons from their rotating turret. These battling robots set a spider theme alongside scurrying little Hexbug Warriors, the battling creatures in a tiny, micro format that use the physics of vibration to propel forward and challenge their competitors.

In a stark contrast, is the cute and lovable, interactive Furby from Hasbro, which makes a reappearance in the 'Terrific Twenty', this time it's more responsive, more intelligent and interacts with an accompanying ipad, iphone and ipod touch application.

This creative selection of interactive characters are joined by inspirational, interactive and educational learning toys, making this Christmas a techno-led season for today's savvy kids.

The LeapPad 2 Explorer from LeapFrog, Inno Tab 2 from VTech and the latest 7" Android Childpad Tablet are all featured in the toy giant's 2012 'Terrific Twenty' line-up of hot toys as the countdown to Christmas shopping begins.

The 'Toys"R"Us Terrific Twenty' takes into account what consumers are requesting and the latest trends in new products. Toys appear in alphabetical order and have been categorised into Technology & Games, Favourite Friends and Action Toys.

TECHNOLOGY & GAMES

Angry Birds Mega Smash game
Childpad Tablet
Inno Tab 2
LeapPad 2 Explorer
Monopoly Millionaire
Skylanders Giants

FAVOURITE FRIENDS

Barbie Fetch 'n Fun Pup Doll & Play Set
Furby
Jake and the Neverland Pirates Pirate Ship
Lalaloopsy Large Dolls
Mike the Knight Glendragon Castle
Monster High Werecat Dolls
Moshi Monsters My Moshi Home

ACTION TOYS

Audi R8 6V
Hex Bugs Warriors
Imaginext Batcave
LEGO Ninjago Epic Dragon Battle
Nerf Elite Hail Fire Blaster
Web-Shooting Spider-man
Combat Creatures Attacknids

Mike Coogan, Marketing Director, Toys"R"Us, UK said, "Technology is a major theme this year, tablets are in demand, and it's amazing to see that three tablets have the potential to become among this year's hottest gifts for kids. The educational and learning features are sure to be a huge hit with parents and children alike."

Also on the 'Toys"R"Us Terrific Twenty' is Skylanders Giants from Activision, the sequel to the successful Skylanders Spyro's Adventure. Coogan continues, "Skylanders took the UK by storm last year and the franchise continues to grow with the introduction of Giants. Its popularity with games players, and its combination of toy with technology onscreen, has made Skylanders a runaway hit with kids."

For pre-schoolers, the list features characters from popular TV series. Mike the Knight, a young knight in-training in his animated fantasy medieval world appears with his Glendragon Castle, along with cuddly and curious Baby Jake with his Neverlands Pirate Ship from Fisher-Price. Alongside these, the adorable LalaLoopsy rag dolls from MGA Entertainment are expected to be in demand in the run up to Christmas.

Toddlers will also be in awe of the new Audi R8, the 6v battery controlled cabriolet that will put them at the top of the 'cool' list.

TV inspired character toy Spider-Man is expected to do well and reflects upon the popularity of recent movie as the web-shooting Spider-Man Action Figure with his infamous abilities joins this year's list.

Also featured on the list is the funky and spooky, but fashionable Monster High Werecat twins Meowlody and Purrsephone from Mattel and the highly popular Moshi Monsters from Spin Master, featuring collectibles characters with their My Moshi Home.

There are some great classic toys on the Toys"R"Us Terrific Twenty list. Predictions include Barbie with her Fetch 'n Fun Pup Doll, construction toys from the Imaginext line bringing Batman into the limelight with the Imaginext Batcave, and the popular all-time favourite LEGO with their Ninjago Epic Dragon Battle will be in great demand.

Older kids are likely to ask for the latest Nerf Blaster from Hasbro. The new Nerf Elite Hail-fire Blaster answers kids' demands with its incredible high capacity to fire off 144 darts in rapid succession.

Monopoly makes it into the Toys"R"Us Terrific Twenty with the latest Monopoly Millionaire board game bringing luxury limos, diamonds and movie premieres to the family Christmas table. Meanwhile, the popular digital app Angry Birds, which rose to popularity in 2010, is making its appearance for Christmas in the format of an exciting skill and action board game with the Angry Birds Mega Smash game.

Concluded Coogan, "It's great to see a wide variety of toys with a great level of innovation and fun being named in our Terrific Twenty. This year, the toy industry has delivered colourful and popular toys with plenty of clever new twists on some of the much loved nostalgic toy ranges. The overall offering in our stores provides a wide range of gift ideas for parents to choose from."

About Toys"R"Us, UK

Toys"R"Us, UK is part of the world's leading dedicated toy and juvenile products retailer, which offers a differentiated shopping experience through its family of brands. In the U.K., Toys"R"Us operates 82 stores nationwide. Each store is stocked from ceiling to floor with more toys, children's, baby care and family leisure products than any other retailer in the country. It also operates over 3 million square feet of retailing space with an ultra modern 667,000 square foot fully automated warehouse in the Midlands. The company has a unique value proposition, continues to increase its base of loyalty customers, and has a dedicated staff who have helped build the business into Britain's top specialty retailer of children's and family leisure products.