Raving Toy Maniac

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*.

Target Reveals Top Toys for the Upcoming Holidays and Announces New Assortment of Boutique Brand Toys

Annual list blends favorite brands and Target exclusives, while new assortment focuses on learning and creative play benefits

MINNEAPOLIS - September 16, 2014 - Target Corp. today unveiled its annual list of top toys for the upcoming holidays, as well as a new and expanded assortment of boutique brand toys that are designed to inspire creative play.

Through partnerships with dozens of specialty toy brands, including Wonderology, Hape, Mindware and more, Target is offering hundreds of toys in stores and at Target.com that have traditionally only been found at small boutiques. The boutique brand toys focus on play patterns such as discovery, exploration and imagination that promote child development. First available in August, the assortment boasts high quality construction and includes animal figures and play sets, wooden toys, arts & crafts, science kits and more.

September 19, 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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BBTS SHARED EXCLUSIVE 50TH ANNIVERSARY TWO-PACK WAVE 02 - SET, SINGLES
The second wave of 50th Anniversary GI Joe Two-Packs is up for pre-order. It includes Arctic Ambush (Snowjob and Arctic B.A.T.) and Social Clash (Lady Jaye and Baroness), and they are available singly at $16.99 per two-pack, or $29.99 for the Set of two two-packs.
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/list.aspx?list=16953

CLEARANCE - KRE-O KREON MICROCHANGERS, FIVE-PACKS

September 2014 - An email newsletter from http://HasbroToyShop.com included a coupon code!

Use code SUPER20 to save 20% off most action figures.

The fine print at the bottom of the email excludes a few things:

20% off Action Figures may only be redeemed through the HasbroToyShop.com on website toward the purchase of products currently available in the Action Figures category on the site. Discount applies to pre-tax and pre-shipping amount. This offer cannot be combined with any other coupon or offer. Offer excludes purchases of HasbroToyShop.com exclusives, Transformers Stomp & Chomp Grimlock toy, and Gift Cards. Other exclusions may apply. Offer cannot be redeemed for cash. Valid only while supplies last. Not valid on previous orders. Offer may expire without notice due to error, fraud or other unforeseen circumstances. Offer valid in U.S. only. Void where prohibited. Subject to terms and conditions of use and HasbroToyShop.com policies. Offer expires September 30, 2014 at 11:59 PM (ET)

September 15, 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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THE WALKING DEAD TV SERIES 07 - CASE, SET, SINGLES
Series 07 from the hit show includes Carl Grimes, Michonne, Gareth and Mud Walker. They are available as a Set of 4 for $54.99, as a Case of 12 (3 of each figure) for 159.99 ($55 off of the MSRP), or singly at $14.99 each.
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/list.aspx?list=16897

1/6 SCALE "FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING" ARAGORN, SPECIAL EDITION ARAGORN

Minecraft to join Microsoft

Iconic cross-platform franchise to become part of Microsoft Studios.

REDMOND, Wash., Sept. 15, 2014 -- Microsoft Corp. today announced it has reached an agreement to acquire Mojang, the celebrated Stockholm-based game developer, and the company's iconic "Minecraft" franchise.

The Mojang team will join Microsoft Studios, which includes the studios behind global blockbuster franchises "Halo," "Forza," "Fable" and more. Microsoft's investments in cloud and mobile technologies will enable "Minecraft" players to benefit from richer and faster worlds, more powerful development tools, and more opportunities to connect across the "Minecraft" community.

Under the terms of the agreement, Microsoft will acquire Mojang for $2.5 billion. Microsoft expects the acquisition to be break-even in FY15 on a GAAP basis. Subject to customary closing conditions and any regulatory review, the acquisition is expected to close in late 2014.

September 15, 2014 - Listed below are the toy (and child-related) recalls from this week; these links go to the official announcements on the Consumer Product Safety Commission web site.

- Benetton Recalls United Colors of Benetton Boys Jackets; Waist Drawstring Poses Entanglement Hazard

- Coleman Recalls Inflatable Rubber River Tubes Due to Skin Irritation Hazard; Sold Exclusively at Walmart