Dream Toys 2010

October 28, 2010November 2, 2010Toybuzz

Yesterday saw the Toy Retailers Association announce it’s annual list of Dream Toys.

The TRA complied their predictions of the Top 12 toys in 7 different categories, and then the best from all the list were combined to create the Dream Dozen.

I was pleased to see plenty of my favourite products making it onto the Dream Dozen, like the Lego City Airport, Kidizoom Videocam, Moon Dough and the Paper Jamz Guitar.

Here’s the full list of all the winners:

The Dream Dozen

Lego City Airport

Fireman Sam Deluxe Fire Station

FurReal Go Go Walking Pup

Jet Pack Buzz Lightyear

Kidizoom VideoCam

Monopoly Revolution

Moon Dough Barn

Nerf N Strike Stampede ECS

Paper Jamz Guitar

Pumpaloons

Sylvanian Families Motorcycle and Sidecar

ZhuZhu Grooming Salon

Girls Top 12 Toys for Christmas

AniMagic Tender Care Twins

Baby Alive Bouncing Babbles

Baby Born Magic Feeding Doll

Barbie A Fashion Fairytale Doll

Barbie Puppy Swim School

Bratz Party Dolls

FurReal Go Go Walking Pup

JLS Collector Dolls

Moxie Girls Art-titude Dolls

Ocean In My Pocket Coral Reef

Sylvanian Families Motorcycle and Side Car

ZhuZhu Grooming Salon

Boys Top 12 Toys for Christmas

Armouron Action Set

Bakugan Maxus Dragonoid 7 -in- 1

Ben’s Mark 10 Car

Beyblade Super Vortex Battle Set

Doctor Who Eleventh Doctor Sonic Screwdriver

Hot Wheels Dr Bones Colour Lab

Jet Pack Buzz Lightyear

Kung Zhu Battle Arena

Star Wars: Clone Wars General Grievous Lightsaber

Star Wars: Hoth Wampa Cave

Toy Story Collection Sheriff Woody

UNSC Arctic Rocket Warthog

Pre-School Top 12 Toys for Christmas

All Around Chuggington Train Set

Duplo Toy Story The Great Train Chase

Playmobil Fire Engine

Fireman Sam Deluxe Fire Station Playset

Thomas Zip, Zoom & Logging Adventure

Kidizoom VideoCam

My Pal Scout

Peppa Pig Lullaby Peppa

Play To Learn Mr Colour Maker

Play To Learn Pic ‘n’ Pop

Storio

Toy Story Collection Lots ‘o’ Huggin Bear

Games Top 12 Toys for Christmas

‘Best of British’ Board Game

Boogle Flash

Cuponk

Elefun

Gator Golf

Harry Potter Hogwarts Lego Game

Jolly Octopus

Monopoly Revolution

Pig Goes Pop

Pumpaloons

Scrabble Trickster

Trivial Pursuit: Bet You Know It

Creative Play Top 12 Toys For Christmas

Bendaroos Creativity Centre

Lego City Airport

Lego City Cargo Truck

Crayola Color Explosion Glow Dome

Crayola Color Wonder Magic Light Brush

Disney Princess Snow Globe Maker

Harumika Designer Dress Form Set

Moon Dough Barn

Noteez

Play-Doh Puppies Playset

Toy Story 3 Woody & Buzz to the Rescue

Zubber Jewellery Maker

Cool Toyz Top 12 Toys For Christmas

Air Hogs Lazer Zero Gravity

Air Hogs Vectron Wave

Animatazz

Barbie Video Girl

Battle Machines

Bladez Micro Helicopter

Bop It!

Loopz

Nerf N Strike Stampede ECS

Paper Jamz Guitar

Technic Buggy

Zibits

I had a great time at the show, and as you can imagine was in my element playing with all the new toys and gadgets, I also got loads of new ideas for toys to cover in the future. So be prepared for a Toybuzz deluge, as it’s look like Dream Toys is going to keep me busy all the way up until the big day itself!

Bakugan 7 in 1 Maxus Dragonoid – Review

October 12, 2010Toybuzz

It was Thomas’ 5th Birthday last Saturday, and high up on his last of birthday wants was the 7 in 1 Maxus Dragonoid. It was probably my fault for showing him the awesome advert, but I knew he was really into Bakugan so he would love it.

He’s always enjoyed Bakugan when he’s seen it and been interested in the toys in the stores, but never got really really into it. It was only when he got up early one day and saw an incredible Bakugan episode with an epic battle in that he was really hooked, after that it was Bakugan every morning and Bakugan took pride of place on the birthday list. I think he would have been happy with any Bakugan but this one was definitely top.

We were extremely lucky to receive one to review from Spinmaster a few days before his birthday so I wrapped it up and awaited seeing his very happy beaming face on the day.

He was so pleased to get the Maxus Draganoid it’s untrue, he absolutely loves it. As soon as ripped through the wrapping paper he was elated. The first thing you notice is the box art! It’s packaged really well and looks stunning. I love the way that the front folds back and shows you all of the traps and what they’re all called, because honestly without that I wouldn’t have a clue. For all of the parents, here’s a list of all of the names.

Included you get:

Brachium

Spitarm

Neo Dragonoid

Grafias

Spyderfencer

Dark Hound

Grakas Hound

These 6 traps are only available in the 7 in 1 Maxus Draganoid set. You also get two exclusive Bakugan Cards, The Maxus Dragonoid ability card and the Maxus Dragonoid metal gate card.

All of the Traps and Bakugan fit neatly inside a tray which you should try and carefully pull out of the box. Thomas and I have been using this tray as our battle arena as we don’t have an official one, but this cardboard tray has all the Bakugan circular markings and looks great. It does the job really well.

I’m going to be including a few videos in this review, more than I usually do because I think they will help to illustrate the point more than just words.

This is the Television advert for the Maxus Draganoid that got my son so excited in the first place.

I think every Bakugan fan in the world will absolutely want this set. After seeing Drago transform into Maxus Draganoid in the cartoon series, it was inevitable that a toy version would follow. However I’m really very impressed by how the toy version looks exactly the same as the TV version. Spinmaster have done a really good job. As a parent when I look at the toy I’ll admit it looks quite good but doesn’t really do much. However when Thomas looks at it he just See’s this awesome sequence from the cartoon and loves having his own version.

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My main problem with the Maxus Dragonoid is that it’s so hard to put together . Obviously as soon as Thomas saw his new toy he wanted it put together. We’ll I did try, in fact I did try for over an hour but the instructions were so hard to understand that I gave up. After some more nagging from Thomas that I absolutely must put it together right away, I turned to my trusty friend Youtube in search of a helpful how to video. Luckily I found the video below and after 20 minutes Thomas had his beloved Maxus Dragonoid fully assembled. I don’t know if it was me reading the instructions wrong or just bad instructions but I needed the videos help as I wouldn’t have been able to do it otherwise.

To be honest at the moment Thomas is probably a bit to small to get into the nitty gritty of hardcore Bakugan Battles, he just enjoys playing with the Dragonoid as a toy reenacting the cartoon. He does play Bakugan with me and with his playground buddies, but we mostly just have fun rolling the Bakugan onto the metal gate cards and watching them pop up. I also simplify the game by just saying whoever has the highest value on their card is the winner, we haven’t added all of the extra abilities and everything yet. It’s something that I know he’ll grow more and more into and we can add all the little extras along the way when he’s ready.

The 7 in 1 Bakugan has been a huge hit in our house, and I wholeheartedly recommend it to any other Bakugan fans

Top 10 Christmas gifts for Bakugan Battle Brawler fans

October 22, 2009October 22, 2009Toybuzz

Bakugan’s been around for a while now, but is still big business in the boys toys department.

For parents new to Bakugan it’s the newest craze which has spread from cartoon series to the toy shop and it’s now all over the playground.

Young boys spend their lunch hours playing Bakugan battles, which are essentially a card game involving marble type balls and special magnetic cards. OK the way I’ve put it it doesn’t sound so great, but then again I’m not an 8 year old boy! and they love it!

So here’s a round up of the top 10 pieces of Bakugan Battle brawler merchandise available this Christmas. Hopefully some of these things your youngster won’t already have, and you can make him a happy brawler on Christmas morning.

Bakugan Battle Brawlers Video Game

The biggest news in the Bakugan world this xmas is the arrival of the Bakugan Battle Brawlers the computer game!

Available on all the big consoles, but the most sought after will probably be the Wii and Ds versions. The Nintendo DS version can be bought as a special collector’s edition, which comes with a free Naga collector ball.

Bakugan Season One Vol.1 and Vol.2 DVD

A DVD is always a good bet as a Christmas stocking filler. Great for keeping the kids quiet for a few hours at home or on a car journey.

So how about getting your Bakugan fan back to the beginning of the story, with the DVD of series one volume 1 and volume 2.

Watch the adventures of Dan and his friends and discover what bizarre happenings occur when Bakugan cards suddenly start falling out of the sky.

Comes with free Bakugan Cards.

Bakugan Single Duvet Set

With this practical yet trendy gift you can be sure of a Christmas day hit, with the added bonus that it lasts all year round.

Includes Single duvet cover and one pillowcase.

Guaranteed to look great in any Bakugan fans bedroom. It’s also doesn’t look to young or old, so it’ll last for a few years.

Bakugan Battle Arena

Get ready to rumble with the Bakugan Battle Arena. Treat your son to the ultimate arena for all of his Bakugan battles.

Place your cards strategically on the arena floor, and then let your Bakugan roll!

They’re aren’t any Bakugan or cards included with the arena, so you will need to have purchased this beforehand.

Bakugan Ready Bed

Buy your son this so he can impress his friends when they come round for a sleepover, by letting them sleep in his Bakugan Ready Bed.

Also great for your son to take round to his friends houses, grandparents, camping trips or just lolling round in the front room in front of the telly.

Bakugan T-shirt

Why not let your son show his Bakugan allegiance to the world, by wearing this Bakugan t-shirt.

In a mock layer t-shirt style, it’ll be a hit with your son in the looks department, and coming from M&S you can be sure that it’s good quality and will look good long past boxing day.

Bakugan Megalite

The Battle Brawlers fan in your household will just love this flash light in the shape of Drago, it even has a light up flame attack.

Press the button on the back and make his fire breath and eyes light up.

The fire breath projective is removable, so your kids can have hours of fun making Drago breathe fire and watching it glow.

Bakugan Tent

Decorated with vivid Bakugan graphics, this tent is just crying out for some fantastic adventures to be had with it.

Easy to assemble for a speedy camp out in the garden or camping trip, and then easily stored again in it’s handy storage bag with carry strap.

Bakugan Bakutin

Keep your Bakugan safe and secure in this stylish yet sturdy Bakutin.

The Bakutin can store up to 18 Bakugan and 30 cards.

The tin also comes complete with 2 exclusive Bakugan, 5 Metal gate cards, and 5 ability cards.

A great starter collection to go with the battle arena, and remember if you buy from boots you can take advantage of the 3 for 2 mix and match.

Bakugan Skateboard

Buying them a skateboard is a great way to them outside and active without seeming to nagging.

This colourful beautifully designed skateboard with Bakugan design is sure to appeal to your young battle brawler fan.

Suitable from 5 years old this is a full size skateboard, so will last for Christmas’s to come, not a one year wonder.

Bakugan – Battle on the go

March 31, 2009August 18, 2010Toybuzz

So you’ve given in and bought your child lots of Bakugan Battle Brawlers, Now what do you do with them?

When you’ve spent good money on the latest craze for your little boy, it’s demoralising when they either get misplaced or left all over the house ready for you to fall over them.

Bakugan are the perfect size for getting lost under the sofa, under the bed, even under the fridge! so If you want to keep your Bakugan safe,tidy, and mobile then you need some storage fast!

The Bakugan Bakucase is an easy to carry case for up to 24 Bakugan. Portable and light, this is a great idea. Includes 1 Large Bakugan with the case.

Bakuclips are small devices which as the name suggests, you can clip onto yourself. Portable and very easy to use, load it up with up to 3 Bakugan and you’ll always be ready for battle. Comes with 1 Bakugan, 1Metal Gate Card and 1 Ability Card.

If you like the Bakuclip idea, the Bakugan Bakurack continues the theme and becomes the ultimate Bakugan storage device. Consisting of 5 Bakuclips on a spinning carousel, perfect for showing off all your Bakugan on the go. Holding a maximum of 15 Bakugan when all the Bakuclips are attatched. The individual Bakuclips can also be used separately if you only want totake a few out at a time.

The Bakugan Bakutin is the only device which keeps the cards safe as well as the Bakugan. Assembled in a stylish highly collectable tin you can store 18 Bakugan Battle Brawlers and 30 cards. The tin also comes with 2 exclusive Bakugan included, as well as 5 Metal Gate Cards and 5 Ability Cards.

With all these storage devices, you may even need to get some more Bakugan to put in them!

What is BAKUGAN??

March 18, 2009Toybuzz

If you’ve got a boy aged 7 – 11 chances are you already know, but if your not aware it’s only the most popular boys toy out there at the minute.

Bakugan was the most searched for toy on Google last Christmas, and shops were cleared by desperate parents as soon as new stock arrived.

Fortunately my son’s too young to be sucked into the whole Bakugan phenomenon yet. Although we did see an advert for the series on TV, I decided to steer clear and made a mental note not to let him watch.I don’t need another set of TV tie in toys to buy for, Ben 10 is bad enough.

Apparently Bakugan is all about the story of a group of friends and how one day some cards come falling down from the sky. The friends create a card game to play with them and call themselves the Bakugan Battle Brawlers. Although inevitably something goes from and they get dragged into fighting for the fate of Vestoria, all sounds plausible enough right?.

The main draw with these things seems to be the fact that the Bakugan are small marble sized balls with miniature figures inside them, When rolled onto a Bakugan card they fly open. This is because they are magnetic and spring loaded and the cards are have some metal embedded in them.

In the same vein as Pokemon and Yu-Gi-Oh! your encouraged to collect all the cards and various other items such as battle arenas and hand launchers and collection cases.

With the announcement in February that a new line of Bakugan branded products like Digital cameras and Alarm clocks are being released. There’s also a video game to be released in the Autumn of this year for all platforms, and talk of a movie. It looks like Bakugan will be around for some time to come.

I just hope that it’s gone from the playground by the time that my son starts school.