Spinmaster Air Hogs Battling Havoc R/C Helicopters - Christmas Popular Toys

Spinmaster Air Hogs Battling Havoc R/C Helicopters
From Spinmaster

Spinmaster Air Hogs Battling Havoc R/C Helicopters - Christmas Popular Toys

Customer Reviews

Lots of Fun
Not the easiest thing to fly and they do kind of have a mind of their own but a ton of fun. You definitely need a large room (preferably with high ceilings) to get the best out of them. Great toy for both little and big kids.

Air Hocs are great fun
My pre-teen boys have had a blast with these toys! It's not often you can find really fun toys for boys 8 & 11. These hit the mark. The tail blade is a bit weak, but if the company will replace that we'll be fine (we haven't asked yet). These really develop a boy's eye-hand coordination - or for that matter, even his mom's!

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Product Description
If you enjoy the fun of radio-controlled vehicles, but don’t always want to leave the comfort of your couch to go outside and play, check out these Air Hogs Havoc Helicopters. Measuring a mere six inches long and weighing only a half pound, these small but mighty choppers are made for indoor dueling -- so you don’t have to quit flying just because of bad weather or a dark sky. A crash-resistant foam fuselage means you can perfect your piloting skills using the dual-toggle, single-throttle wireless controller. The twin drive props in back and dual rotors on top provide exceptional stability and precise six-way directional control -- up, down, left, right, forward, and back. Sled-style landing gear means set-downs should be gentle, too.

The tiny flier fits easily in the palm of your hand.

Not just for meant flying solo, the Havoc copters are designed for fun with others. In what is almost like a live video game, each helicopter uses its infrared beam weapons to engage in a mid-air battle against the other. The first pilot to hit his opponent three times with the beam (complete with battle sounds) will be victorious as the enemy heads into a wild tailspin. Six AA batteries are required, but not included, for the remote controls. The helicopters are powered by rechargeable lithium batteries, and the charger comes with the set.

From the Manufacturer
Air Hogs has reached a new limit with the amazing Havoc Heli Laser Battling Set! Now you can battle helicopters with your friends and shoot them down from the sky. Simply fly into position, fire from your controller and BAM! your opponent goes into a wild tailspin! The Havoc Heli Battling set comes complete with 2 helicopters, 2 controllers, authentic battling sounds, 2 long life rechargeable LIPO batteries and real infrared targeting.

More : Top Christmas Popular Toys 2008 for 12 to 15 Years

Monopoly Electronic Banking Edition - Top Christmas Popular Toys 2008

Monopoly Electronic Banking Edition
From Hasbro

Monopoly Electronic Banking Edition - Top Christmas Popular Toys 2008

Customer Reviews

Love the new style
I have played on the computer so hated the idea of all that loose money and needing to add it all,etc. This takes care of all that. There are a few rules on the computer that are not for this one but I add them just fine. All tax, etc. goes into free parking (use a pad and pen to keep track of that), if you get a roll that puts you right on go..you get double. (4 mil instead of 2 mil) but just add the extra 2mil with the card. Would like more choices for marker/tokens but other then that, I find no fault with it.

Banking system needs improvement
We played the electronic monopoly for the first time last night. The new properties and pieces were fun, but the biggest problem we had came from the banking system. With the new system of transferring money to and from accounts, the banker now has to be involved with EVERY transaction. In the standard Monopoly, if one player landed on another player's property, they just handed them the rent money. Now both players have to hand the banker their credit cards, and the banker has to transfer the money. It really gets to be a pain when the game is moving along, as it's way too easy to confuse whose card is whose if the game gets going quickly.

I know it's a bit out there in the future, but the ultimate solution would be to have wireless handsets, where each user wirelessly transfers money to and from each other and the bank. But at that point, why not just hand each other money?

This electronic Bank Edition is the best Monopoly types
This electronic Bank edition is the best Monopoly types and its good for evary age

Product Description

Now players can experience the most current version of Monopoly with an electronic banking unit instead of cash. A truly fun experience which utilizes today's trend of a cashless society.

The Monopoly Electronic Banking Edition game combines the best of classic Monopoly with updated electronic transactions. As with the original version, players still operate with money, learn real-world economics, competition and strategy, try to stay out of jail, and try their best to get filthy rich. But this version has been updated to reflect changes in how the real world uses money: All transactions are conducted with Monopoly's new banking card system. Anyone from age 8 and up will enjoy this updated version of one of the world's most famous games. Uses two "AAA" batteries, not included.

Includes gameboard, electronic banker unit, title deed cards, chance and community chest cards, 6 debit cards, 2 dice, 6 modern tokens - Segway Personal Transporter, Baseball Cap, Altoids Tin, Space Shuttle, Flat-Screen TV and Dog in Handbag, 32 houses, 12 hotels and instructions. Anyone from age 8 and up will enjoy this updated version of one of the world's most famous games. Uses two "AAA" batteries, not included.

Amazon.com Product Description
The Monopoly Electronic Banking Edition game combines the best of classic Monopoly with updated electronic transactions. As with the original version, players still operate with money, learn real-world economics, competition and strategy, try to stay out of jail, and try their best to get filthy rich. But this version has been updated to reflect changes in how the real world uses money: All transactions are conducted with Monopoly's new banking card system. Anyone from age 8 and up will enjoy this updated version of one of the world's most famous games.

Updated from the original game, the Banking Edition features updated tokens, money system, and more. View larger.

This version of Monopoly features bank card accounts. View larger.

Classic Fun with Modern Twists
Aside from the electronic banking, the basic rules of this game have not changed from the Monopoly everybody remembers. Tokens, houses, hotels, chance and community chest cards, cardboard property deeds -- if you've played the classic version, you'll know how to play. The board is different in how it folds up in the box, but once you spread it out, it's the same.

The tokens have changed to reflect today's culture. Instead of irons and racing cars, the tokens depict modern icons such as a Segway and a tin of Altoids. Instead of railroads, there are airports. The utilities are Internet service providers and cell phone services. Properties have also been updated -- from the upscale blue Times Square to the economy purple Texas Stadium. In this game, you can go to jail for identity theft or lose $1 million when a virus infects your computer network. And of course, property values are exponentially higher than in the original game.

More : Top Christmas Popular Toys 2008 for 12 to 15 Years

Five Crowns - Top Christmas Popular Toys 2008

Five Crowns - Top Christmas Popular Toys 2008
From SET Enterprises Inc.

Customer Reviews

Family Fun!
My Mom rec'd Crowns as a bday gift. I loved it so much that I bought it for myself!! The game's directions are simple but yet it takes strategy to win. It's great fun! Not your typical card game. We haven't gotten bored yet. The more the merrier! But my favorite aspect of Crowns is that just 2 people can play. So, when it's just me and my fiance, we can still enjoy the game! There aren't too many card games where just 2 people can play and it still be challenging!

Great fun!
I have never been much of a card game player but my husband and I were introduced to this game by friends. We loved it and now play it everyday. Its very addictive and fast paced. A great game for 2 people.

A popular favorite at home now
This game has become a popular favorite at home and away from home. We play it all the time now, and we even bring it with us when traveling. It's addicting even on our camping trips, where we've made new friends by introducing the game to them. It's easy to learn for all ages.

Product Description

Five Crowns is a fast paced ingenious rummy-like card game. Its double deck contains five suits (the stars are new), but it has no aces or twos. This unique deck gives you many more options for arranging your hand into sets and sequences. The challenge is to see them make the right combinations, be the first to go out, then watch the others scramble as they get one last chance to cut their losses. Five Crowns, with its beautiful cards, is easy to learn. It starts with three cards and 3's are wild. The next hand has four cards and 4's are wild, and so on. You'll need luck and skill throughout the game because even in the last hand a worthy opponent can come from behind and win. Remember, "the game isn't over 'til the Kings go wild!" Five Crowns is for up to 2 to 7 players.

More : Top Christmas Popular Toys 2008 for 12 to 15 Years

Battleship - Top Christmas Popular Toys 2008

Battleship
From Hasbro

Battleship - Top Christmas Popular Toys 2008

Customer Reviews

Perfect For Any Day! All Hands On Deck!

This was one of the most interesting & fun games of all times! We were known to play for hours when all the cousins got together for the holidays! We looked more forwrds to playing battleship than we did Grama's Christams Pudding! Of course if we could've kept up with the pieces Grama might not have taken our pudding away!

"You Sank My Battleship!!"
Battleship was one of my favorite games as a child. Now, my son is able to share in that experience. We just picked up the new Battleship game about a week ago, and he loves it! I also like the changes that have been made to the game. For instance, when I was a child, the game was fairly basic. By that I mean that the containers were plain and there weren't many graphics to give the game a real "military" feel. Now, the game is much more realistic. The bottom part of the playing grid where the ships are placed has waves etched into the surface. In addition, the top part of the playing grid has the look of a submarine periscope. And, the game boxes themselves look like mini laptop computers.

The ships included in the game have remained the same over the years; a battleship, aircraft carrier, submarine, destroyer, and patrol boat. Each player takes turns "shooting" at the other player by calling out grid coordinates, such as B-3 or J-5. This goes on until one player's ships are sunk by the other player.

Battleships Is a Real Battle
Okay, I used to love this game. Played it when I was a kid, when we had to draw a new game out on paper each time we played. It was instant nostalgia on plastic game boards, and lots of memories from many many moons ago. And, guess what ~ I still love it. No one else does, or at least the ones who play with me. I have no mercy.

The game doesn't look real sturdy, but will outlast me, probably. I had a bit of a problem getting the play pieces mounted on the play board, but with a little determination, and some surgical trimming with my pocket knife, we got a game underway. The game didn't last long as I sunk my opponents ships one after the other. Nothing like a sore loser in a war game. They want revenge!!

Product Description

Do you have what it takes to command your own fleet of five ships' Can you survive thrilling, ruthless combat on the high seas' Find out with this classic Battleship game, a test of strategy, determination and luck! Stalk your enemy and plan your attack, even as the enemy is stalking you! Keep track of your hits and misses so you never waste a shot! Try to sink all five of your opponent's ships before your own are found and sunk. The game is portable - the game units fold up to keep everything shipshape and ready to go! Includes two fold-up game units, 168 white peg, 84 red pegs, 10 ships, label sheet and instructions in both English and Spanish. For 2 players.

More : Top Christmas Popular Toys 2008 for 12 to 15 Years

LEGO Mindstorms NXT - Top Christmas Popular Toys 2008

LEGO Mindstorms NXT
From LEGO

LEGO Mindstorms NXT - Top Christmas Popular Toys 2008

Customer Reviews

THIS IS COOL!!!
Mindstorm can do almost anything! I got it for Christmas.
I was so excited. I am only 8 but I love bulding. THIS PRODUCT IS GREAT!

BUY THIS NOW!

Lego Robotic Tournaments for kids
I am buying an NXT for my 11 year old son who has been begging for one for awhile. He is a member of the Robotics team at his elementary school (his 3rd year) and so he interacts with these every day, but wants one of his own to play around with at home.

For those of you whose children are or may be interested in science/engineering/robotics, etc. or are just looking for something creative to do, there is a worldwide program out there that they can join to help develop these skills and have fun at the same time! Lego created this program about 15 years ago and it is now worldwide. Go to [...] to learn all about it. The FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Program is absolutely wonderful. They start out at age 6, with the Junior FIRST Lego League (JFLL); 9-14 yr olds. [or about 3-8th graders] compete in the FIRST Lego League (FLL), using the NXT or RCX (older model) robots; and when they hit high school, they begin building real, actual working robots to compete with.

If your school does not have a team, look into starting one (anyone can: schools, churches, boy/girl scout troops, community organizations, whatever). The fees are not much after the initial kit cost (around $600, which includes the robot and all tournament supplies) and often you can find sponsors to cover some, if not all, of the fees. The kids do not just play with robots, they also work very hard on a research project which they present to a panel of judges at each tournament (there is usually a tourney for city, region, state, national, and then international if your team qualifies for each next tournament), and there are awards for many things: robot competitions, teamwork, research, robot design, team spirit, overall score, etc. If you are looking for a great extracurricular for your gifted or creative child, this is it!

Great Physics and Computer Science Tool for Children
This is a great way to teach children physics, robotics, and computer science. Even if children don't want to make a robot, they can be very creative with the components just as with many lego products.

Product Description

Bow to the next generation of LEGO Mindstorms now, with a 32-bit processor, redesigned sensors, Bluetooth and more.

Features:

• LEGO's newest robot-building kit, with greatly improved functionality
• 32-bit command center with large LCD, USB 2.0 and Bluetooth interfaces that allow robots to walk, talk and interact with their environment
• Technic blocks ("studless legos") create a more human, less boxy look
• Intuitive GUI and drag-and-drop icons are PC- and Mac-friendly
• Redesigned touch and light sensors, new sound sensor and ultrasonic sensor
• Now with three motors redesigned for smoother, more reliable operation
• 6-wire digital cables for more precise connections
• 5 main themes (8 different models) Vehicle: Roverbot, Animal, Scorpio; Machine: Robotic Arm; Human: Humanoid; Gadgets: Clock, Music, Game and Movers
• Models are all built within the LEGO Technic System

Includes:

• 577 pieces
• Quickstart Guide helps you build a robot ready for action within 30 minutes
• Model-specific building instructions, tips and tricks, testing methods and programming options
• Easy-to-use software
• Test panel

The power of the LEGO building system, an intelligent command center and easy-to-use, drag and drop programming software unleash the power of your robot-building imagination.

Safety warning: This product contains small parts that may present a choking hazard for young children.

More : Top Christmas Popular Toys 2008 for 12 to 15 Years

Wild Planet A Pirate's Life Treasure Hunter - Top Christmas Popular Toys 2008

Wild Planet A Pirate's Life Treasure Hunter
From Wild Planet

Wild Planet A Pirate's Life Treasure Hunter - Top Christmas Popular Toys 2008

Customer Reviews

Pretty fun
We bought this game for our son on his 6th birthday. He had a pirate themed party. It's an easy game to grasp - Hide-n-seek and hot/cold. When you get warm and the X changes to yellow you are really warm. You almost have to be on top of it for it to change to red (hot). It's a fun game though. He likes it more when he hides it and mommy and daddy have to find it. I can see the novelty wearing off soon, but it's been fun.

got boring fast
my kids liked it for about 10 minutes - then it got old and now is more junk in the basement

Great Toy, Bad Customer Service
I am writing to share my experience with trying to obtain the toy. When Wild Planet was unable to deliver the toy, custoemr service called but did not leave a call back phone number or email. I had to search to find a number in which the only number available was for placing an order. The orders department could not transfer me to any other department as they were in another building and would not give out the main office number. Also, I never received an email with the order tracking number.
However, the toy is good.

Features

• Electronic game of hot and cold.
• Hide the treasure and follow the map,
• The "X" flashes when you are near.
• Fun game for the whole family.
• Pieces together to look like a Pirate's treasure chest

Product Description

Pirate treasure chest splits into treasure map and pirate's booty. Hide the bottom of the pirate treasure chest and follow the treasure map to find it. X marks the spot - it flashes from blue to orange as you approach the treasure. Measures 4" x 4" x 3". Ages: 4 + Manufacturer: Wild Planet

More : Top Christmas Popular Toys 2008 for 12 to 15 Years

Matchbox Mega Rig Space Shuttle - Top Christmas Popular Toys 2008

Matchbox Mega Rig Space Shuttle
From Mattel

Matchbox Mega Rig Space Shuttle - Top Christmas Popular Toys 2008

Customer Reviews

Love Mega Rigs
We Love this toy and have many of the other mega rigs because of this one! It was our first one - a treat for giving up diapers - and since then we have also purchased the sub, the rescue copter, the shark ship, the snow monster, and the other piece to the space shuttle that launches into space. My 3 year old son plays with these daily. He loves that the pieces are all interchangable and he can create tons of different vehicles. We have had NO problems with these toys - Unbelievable in itself! Would HIGHLY recomend these toys to any parent.

Lots of Fun for boys!
My boys 2.5 and 7 absolutely love this toy. They especially likw the alien and the alien spaceship. They love all space things and this fits nicely with some of their star wars play sets. My 2.5 year old has even been taking the little alien ship to bed with him at night! This is a great set for any kid who are into spaceships.

Excitement for several ages
When I gave this gift to my 5-year old grandson, several of his older cousins (6-12, male and female) all wanted to play with this. They played for several hours and then we finally had to put the toy away so that our grandson could enjoy his new toy. It's been about two weeks now and he (and his siblings) are enjoying this toy very much. He plays with it everyday and has fun creating different objects.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon. com Review
Little astronauts have all the gear they need to explore the reaches of outer space with the Mattel Matchbox Mega Rig Space Shuttle Mission Set. Using parts that snap together easily, kids will love building 30 different space crafts and inventing new worlds to explore. While the set is recommended for explorers aged four and up, it has small parts that make it inappropriate for children who require constant monitoring.

The Mega Rig lets you build 30 different space crafts. View larger.

Kids can use their imagination to create intergalactic space fights. View larger.

What We Think Fun Factor: Durability: (what this means) The Good: Durable building system encourages imaginative play The Bad: Lots of small parts to keep track of In a Nutshell: The Mega Rig Space Shuttle Mission Set provides hours of fun constructing space vehicles and thinking up places to explore At a Glance Ages: 4 and up

Getting Ready for Your First Mission
Since part of the fun is in thinking up ways to build a spacecraft from the many different parts, this Mega Rig set is ready to go without any difficult or time-consuming set-up. The set includes simple, illustrated instructions that will help you and your child build a large space shuttle with an exterior fuel tank and an all-terrain vehicle base that can be used as a launching site. The instructions include photos of other possible configurations and illustrations showing important details such as how to launch missiles, lock the shuttle's arm in place for space walks, and the many ways to combine

Features

• The Mega Rig Shuttle Mission building system starts as one gigantic space ship
• Becomes 30 separate super cool space vehicles you can combine any way you like
• Plus it has lots of really cool accessories, like a space arm to grab things, an ATV and a UFO with a space alien inside
• For ages 4 years and above
• Promises hours of fun and imaginative interplanetary adventure

More : Top Christmas Popular Toys 2008 for 12 to 15 Years

The Settlers of Catan - Top Christmas Popular Toys 2008

The Settlers of Catan
From Mayfair Games

The Settlers of Catan - Top Christmas Popular Toys 2008

Customer Reviews

An excellent way to bond with my spouse!
This game is awesome! The board and pieces are beautiful and the game itself is challenging, yet not too complicated. There is just enough complication to keep you coming back. You will need to play with the rulebook open for the first two times or so, but once you know the rules, it's a cinch.

I like the way it mimics real life; people who invest early in their infrastructure/business/education end up earning more at each "cast of the dice."

My husband and I play it without the "Robber," because it seems to take it from "I want to win" to "I want you to lose." We still have whoever has more than 7 cards put half back, and whoever rolled the 7 still takes the card of their choice, but no placing the robber on anyone's square.

We love this game!
We've played nearly 20 times since we got it a month ago. We love it!

GREAT FAMILY GAME
We have fun playing this game. However, with 3 of us, we need an expansion as I always stop my son from having the longest road and steal the reward and he's in his 20's!

Product Description

One of the most successful games of all time, Settlers of Catan is a trading and building game set in the mythical world of Catan. Players roll dice to determine which resources are generated each round and then must strategically trade those resources with other players to get what they need to build their settlements, cities, and roads. With multiple ways to gain victory points and a board that changes in every play, Settlers of Catan is a game that can be played hundreds of different ways. The base of a hugely successful franchise, with multiple engaging expansions, Settlers is the core game of many collections, and is a wonderful way to spend time with family and friends. For 3 to 4 players.

More : Top Christmas Popular Toys 2008 for 12 to 15 Years

Bakugan Starter Pack Blue - Top Christmas Popular Toys 2008

Bakugan Starter Pack Blue
From Spinmaster

Bakugan Starter Pack Blue - Top Christmas Popular Toys 2008

Customer Reviews

Son likes collecting
My son loves collecting these. I bought them for only 17.99 at an online toy store yesterday.

Mom's Observation
My kids love toys playing with fantasy toys like these creatures that emerge from the marbles...so far, they have been durable.

Product Description

Bakugan Battle Brawlers Starter Pack- Blue Bakugan battle brawlers are here. Answer the call to brawl and decide the fate of the galaxy. Magnetic marbles POP open into power Bakugan warrior action figures when they roll onto the real metal Gate Cards. Use strategy to place your metal Gate Cards as each card affects the battle differently. Master your shooting skills to roll your Bakugan into battle. Styles are selected at random when shipped.

Features

• Magnetic marbles pop open when on metal card
• Use strategy to place you cards and set up for battle
• Master you battle skills by shooting your Bakugan and landing on card to score
• Colors and styles may vary
• Styles selected at random when shipped

More : Top Christmas Popular Toys 2008 for 12 to 15 Years

Nerf Dart Tag Hyperfire Deluxe 2 Player Blaster Set

Nerf Dart Tag Hyperfire Deluxe 2 Player Blaster Set
From Hasbro

Customer Reviews

Awesome dart battles...indoors and out!
Nerf Dart Tag Hyperfire Deluxe 2 Player Blaster SetThis game is a blast! Blasters hold lots of darts and shoot all the way across the house! Yet, the darts are safe and don't damage anything. My boys love dart tag...way to go Nerf! Vests are actually moving scoring targets. Glasses are for safety...and their really cool looking. This is the perfect Christmas gift for any boy over 5 or so.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review
From Hasbro, the Nerf Dart Tag Hyperfire Deluxe 2-Player Blaster Set includes everything you need for fast-paced battles and action-packed contests. Featuring two Hyperfire blasters that hold 10 darts each for rapid firing, and two Micro Blasters for close-range sneak attacks, this set is sure to keep kids eight and up on their toes and having fun.

What We Think Fun Factor: Durability: (what this means) The Good: Four blasters with an awesome range can be accurately aimed The Bad: Small darts are easy to lose In a Nutshell: This Nerf Blaster provides kids and adults with hours of fun At a Glance Ages: 8 and up

Colorful Hyperfire Blasters can hold 10 darts at a time. View larger.

A Whole New Game of Tag
Getting ready for battle is quick and easy. Strap on an adjustable scoring vest and slip on your sleek, Vision Gear glasses. Then load your blaster up with foam darts and take aim at your opponent. Forget laser-tag games that burn through batteries and simpler foam dart guns that require you to reload after every shot. A Hyperfire Blaster can hold 10 darts at a time, and with an auto-advance barrel, you can get lots of shots off quickly.

Whether you play indoors with couch cushion forts offering you cover, or outdoors in an open field, there's lots of different ways you can strategize against your opponents. Take as many shots as you can right away, or wait until your opponent is low on ammo and get in a single, perfectly aimed blow.

One really great feature is the way darts actually stick to the included vests, so you never have to argue about whether or not you've scored a hit. Micro Blasters that hold one dart each and offer a shorter range add to your strategic options.

More : Top Christmas Popular Toys 2008 for 12 to 15 Years