Well, ToysRus appears to think the Nintendo Wii is going to be a big hit this holiday season... It has officially made the ToysRus 'Fabulous 15' list for this holiday season:
"As a global toy retailer, our "Hot Toy" list is the result of a yearlong evaluation of new toys from around the world," said Ron Boire, President, Toys "R" Us, U.S. "We are in the toy business 365 days a year, and our team worked hard to identify fun toys that will leave kids speechless when they open their gifts this holiday season." He continued, "With new toy shipments arriving in our stores daily, customers can count on our toy-trained staff to help them find the perfect gift this Christmas at The World's Greatest Toy Store."
Following are the Toys "R" Us "Fabulous 15," representing the best new toys of the holiday season (listed in alphabetical order):
Wii™ from Nintendo® THE TOYS "R" US 2006 "HOT TOY" LIST
From Baby's First Christmas to Big Kids, below is the overall Toys "R" Us "Hot Toy" List representing the top new toys of 2006 for each age group:
Baby's First Christmas
Baby Gymnastics™ Bounce & Spin Zebra™ from Fisher-Price®: The Baby Gymnastics Bounce & Spin Zebra encourages physical development through bouncing, spinning and having a ball. This lively zebra's fun sounds, delightful songs and dancing lights reward a child's movement while enhancing eye-hand coordination, motor skills and balance. 3 "AAA" batteries required (included). Ages 12 to 36 months.
Laugh & Learn™ Baby Grand Piano from Fisher-Price®: The Laugh & Learn toy line teaches babies through fun, interactive play. A new addition to the Laugh & Learn line, baby's very own grand piano teaches numbers, colors and opposites while offering first exposure to musical concepts, such as tempo, pitch and style. With eight light-up keys, four activities with musical ditties and four songs led by the dancing character and his magic music book, babies are encouraged to play and learn. 3 "C" batteries required (included). Ages 9 to 36 months.
Laugh & Learn™ Learning Bunny™ from Fisher-Price® : Interactive play is a great way for babies to experience the world, and the Laugh & Learn line helps them do just that. This cute, plush bunny teaches counting from one to 10, sizes, textures, opposites and colors through three modes of play. In the learning mode, baby can press the bunny's hand to hear a song about numbers or press its belly to hear phrases about size. In the music mode, the child can press the bunny's hand to hear a song about actions and movement or press its tummy to hear instrumental tunes. In playtime mode, baby hears a variety of sound effects, giggles and additional songs. 3 "AAA" batteries required (included). Ages 6 to 36 months.
Let's Play Together™ Peek 'N Play Discovery Dome™ from Playskool® : Offering more than 15 activities that encourage development, the Peek 'N Play Discovery Dome is an interactive play zone for babies that's designed to help parents join the fun. Using a peek-a-boo curtain, parents can teach concepts like object permanence or help their child develop eye-hand coordination with the shape-sorting mailbox and ball-drop shoot. 2 "AA" batteries required (not included). Ages 3 months and up.
13 Months to 2 Years
Darla from You & Me : A Toys "R" Us exclusive, Darla is the interactive doll that responds to touch just like a real baby. Kids can "wake" Darla by touching her tummy and then cradle her to sleep. Darla will even call out for her "Ma Ma," cry, and giggle just like a real baby. Kids can use the included bottle to hear realistic feeding sounds. 3 "AA" batteries required (included). Ages 2 and up.
Learn & Groove™ Alphabet Drum from LeapFrog® : Toddlers can't beat the learning fun of the Learn & Groove Alphabet Drum, which introduces the alphabet, encourages physical movement, vocalization and musical exploration in both English and Spanish. With three engaging learning modes, each tap of the drum rewards the child with lights, letters and music. In alphabet mode, the letters light up as children tap the drum from A to Z, and encourages them to crawl after the drum with its lively and unique roll-along song. 3 "AA" batteries required (included). Ages 6 to 36 months.
SmartVille™ Alphabet Train Station™ from VTech® : Next stop Smartville! With the Smartville Alphabet Train Station, toddlers are whisked from whistle stop to whistle stop while learning letters, phonics, vocabulary, numbers, shapes, colors, animals, music and more. This play set fuels a child's imagination with interactive Smart Parts, including 28 brainy characters that talk and teach when they are placed in fun "hot spots" throughout the station. A child can wind the hands of the station clock to learn the time, identify letters and sounds on the light-up display or move the train across the electronic track to hear the alphabet. 3 "AA" batteries required (included). Ages 12 months and up.
"T.M.X." ™ Elmo Fisher-Price® : Over the years, Elmo has tickled America's funny bone, rocked out on his guitar and even performed his own version of popular songs as Chicken Dance Elmo, Hokey Pokey Elmo, E-L-M-O and Shout! What's the next Elmo? On the 10th anniversary of Tickle Me Elmo, the furry, red phenomenon returns like never before as "T.M.X." Elmo, which will have kids rolling on the floor with laughter. 6 "AA" batteries required (included). Ages 18 months and up.
V.Smile Baby™ Infant Development System from VTech® : The V.Smile Baby Infant Development System provides a fun and enriching way for parents to connect with their baby through an interactive approach to learning about colors, shapes, animals, sign language, and more. A colorful activity panel fits comfortably in the child's lap and connects wirelessly to a receiver that hooks right into a television. The system works with Baby Smartridges that slide easily into the receiver. Each Baby Smartridge includes three "grow with me" play modes that correspond with a baby's natural progression. 7 "AA" batteries required (included). Ages 9 to 36 months.
2-4 Years
"Barbie™ in The 12 Dancing Princesses" Let's Dance!™ Barbie® Doll: Inspired by Barbie™ as Princess Genevieve™ from Mattel® : Stepping out of the animated film "Barbie in The 12 Dancing Princesses," Let's Dance! Barbie doll brings the beautiful choreography from the movie to life. Standing at 15-inches-tall, Barbie dances with girls in three different ways: by following dance moves, teaching a new move or dancing to music while the girl watches. The doll includes two interactive wristbands and one shoe clip that can be used to get Barbie moving. She even comes with a beautiful gown and a removable base. 4 "AA" and 6 "AAA" batteries required (not included). Ages 3 and up.
Black and Decker Junior Power Tools Workshop from CDI, a division of JAKKS Pacific™ : This Toys "R" Us exclusive features everything a builder-in-training needs, including a circular saw with sparkling effects, a real working drill press, working vise, pretend cell phone, hammer, screwdriver, saw, wrench, nuts, bolts and screws. The Black and Decker Junior Power Tools Workshop also comes with a play birdhouse that the child can build with the tools included. 4 "AA" batteries required (not included). Ages 3 and up.
Dora's Talking Cash Register™ from Fisher-Price® : Dora's Talking Cash Register comes to life with shopping adventures and bilingual phrases. Little explorers learn the value of money and how to count while helping Dora shop by scanning barcodes that are on the included price tags or in the adventure book. When it's time to pay, kids can use Dora dollars, or swipe their Dora credit card. This toy cash register also includes a microphone, credit card signature tablet and three dress-up pieces that kids can wear. 3 "AA" batteries required (included). Ages 3 and up.
Kid-Tough™ Digital Camera from Fisher-Price® : Combining kid-friendly controls and a tough exterior, the Kid-Tough Digital Camera is ready for every preschool photographer. The first digital camera with toddlers in mind, the camera offers two-eye-viewing, sturdy dual handgrips and big buttons, making it the perfect fit for small hands. After taking a picture, the color LCD viewing screen lets kids instantly see their photos. 4 "AA" batteries required (not included). Ages 3 and up.
LeapsterTV™ from LeapFrog® : This new educational game console plugs into the family television and works with the entire Leapster software library. LeapsterTV provides each player with an individual learning path and teaches essential skills for pre-K to 4th grade. The fun-to-use learning games track each child's progress and include tutorials to help teach new concepts. It's also the only educational game console that uses a stylus and a touchpad to help develop important writing and fine motor skills. 4 "C" batteries required (not included). Ages 4 and up.
Power Wheels® Ford Mustang from Fisher-Price® : Kids zoom into action with the Power Wheels Ford Mustang, a two-seat, 12-volt battery-powered vehicle that drives on either hard or grass surfaces at a speed of five miles per hour forward and 2.5 miles per hour in reverse. Available exclusively at Toys "R" Us in blue classic striped and white classic striped versions, this vehicle comes with realistic styling, chrome accents, a radio with pre-recorded music and car engine "rev" sounds, and is perfect for tooling around the house or yard. Rechargeable battery included. Ages 3 and up.
Tap Dancing Mumble from Thinkway Toys : Based on the main character of the upcoming box office release, "Happy Feet," which stars Elijah Wood, Robin Williams, Hugh Jackman and Nicole Kidman, Tap Dancing Mumble brings the story of this loveable tap dancing penguin to life. He can't sing but he can tap dance like no other. Whether dancing to the song included or music from an external source, Mumble keeps his toes tapping all day long. When kids speak to him, Mumble responds by talking and dancing. 4 "AA" batteries (included). Ages 4 and up.
Sound City Railway from Imaginarium : All aboard for fun with a Toys "R" Us exclusive train table that lets kids use their imagination as they ride the rails. This complete 115-piece train set comes with a deluxe train table for years of imaginative adventures. When the train chugs over one of six different sections of the track, it comes to life with exciting train-themed sounds and motions. This real wood table comes with train cars, people to populate the town, and props to create an entire city. 4 "AA" batteries required (not included). Ages 3 and up.
5-7 Years
Amazing Allysen™ from Playmates® : Amazing Allysen is all about the things girls love ¿ slumber parties, dancing, cheerleading and more. Quickly becoming any kid's best friend, Allysen recognizes and responds to key words and phrases with lifelike facial expressions and real emotions, and is programmed to learn a child's preferences, including favorite colors, smoothie flavors, hairstyles, music and more. Allysen has a keen sense of style ¿ dressed in a trendy outfit with cute, embellished jeans and a reversible vest. She also comes with cool accessories, which she recognizes, such as a smoothie, magazine, hairbrush, barrettes, shoes, clothing and a cell phone. 4 "AA" and 3 "AAA" batteries required (not included). Ages 5 and up.
Hot Wheels® Criss Cross Crash™ Track Set with 10 Cars from Mattel® : The Hot Wheels Criss Cross Crash Track Set challenges kids to the ultimate, high-risk racing action. Kids line up any of the 10 included Hot Wheels cars and let them rip through hairpin turns on more than 13 feet of track with this Toys "R" Us exclusive. As the cars race towards the motorized boosters, they'll either wipe out or narrowly miss crashing. 4 "D" batteries required (not included). Ages 5 and up.
My Scene™ My Bling Bling™ Styling Heads from Mattel® : With the Toys "R" Us exclusive My Scene My Bling Bling Styling Head, girls can play with fabulous jewelry, experiment with glamorous make-up and give either Barbie or Madison dazzling manicures. Girls can even pretend to get ready for the ultimate party with the hottest in share-and-wear accessories, including a real 5-millimeter gemstone ring for the girl to wear and hair mascara that adds "streaks" to the girl's hair ¿ or the Styling Head's. No batteries required. Ages 6 and up.
Pink Nitro Notebook™ from VTech® : With its sleek, laptop computer design, the Nitro Notebook, available in pink exclusively at Toys "R" Us, is the ultimate, high-tech learning tool for budding readers. Featuring eight categories to choose from, the Pink Nitro Notebook reads stories aloud to teach phonics and improve English fluency. It also includes an endless selection of fun games and activities that help kids master reading and tackle math, logic, social studies and science. Developing readers learn at their own speed as Artificial Intelligence technology tracks their performance and adjusts the skill levels as needed. As an added bonus, there are even Spanish language activities. 3 "AA" batteries required (included). Ages 6 and up.
The Power Rangers Deluxe Manticore Megazord from Bandai® : Five teenage heroes entrusted with mystical powers defend Earth as the Power Rangers Mystic Force. Now, kids can create their own adventures with this Toys "R" Us exclusive that combines two toys in one. When evil strikes, the included Phoenix Zord and Lion Zord automatically morph together into the most powerful Megazord of all ¿ the Manticore Megazord. With the Manticore Megazord fighting for the Power Rangers, the villanous Korragg and Imperious will soon be on the run. 2 "AA" batteries required (not included). Ages 4 and up.
Wherifone® GPS Locator Phone from Wherify Wireless: The Wherifone is the world's first GSM/GPS locator cell phone designed to give parents the ability to quickly locate and communicate with their children. Created with pre-teens in mind, the Wherifone comes in four trendy colors and features a 20-number phone book, an SOS button and three pre-programmable buttons that lets kids stay in touch with close family and friends or summon help with one-touch dialing. Rechargeable battery included. Ages 6 to 10.
8-11 Years
Blue Man Group Percussion Tubes from ToyQuest® : Inspired by the Blue Man Group's innovative stage show and unique PVC instruments, the Percussion Tubes feature interactive tubes that use proximity sensor technology. Kids manipulate pre-programmed songs or music from their iPods or MP3 players with a simple wave of their hands, then record and play back their new musical masterpieces. The result is music interaction like never before. 4 "AA" batteries required (included). Ages 8 and up.
Designer's World™ from Tiger® Games : Created for tween girls, Designer's World is a game where fashion design and business savvy can result in fortune and fame. This new plug-and-play TV game allows girls to choose which fashion show to enter and create their own detailed clothing line from a variety of fabrics, colors and wardrobe pieces. Choosing from a number of models who walk the runway to showcase their newly created fashions, players present their unique designs to judges at fashion shows around the world. 4 "AA" batteries required (not included). Ages 8 and up.
ESPN® Fast Action Football™ from Fisher-Price® : Fast Action Football challenges kids to the ultimate indoor football experience by combining a digital display with physical head-to-head football action. Kids move their players along the game board by running on the included footpad and directing players with a joystick. Even indoors, players will feel like they ran the whole football field. 1 A/C adaptor required (included). Ages 6 and up.
Fly Wheels™ XPV™ from JAKKS Pacific™ : Extreme performance is taken to new heights as the Fly Wheels XPV extreme performance vehicle maneuvers at incredible speeds on the ground and over 20 stories in the sky. Whether it's driving over concrete, grass or off-road, or flying through the air, this ultra-cool vehicle performs amazing ground and aerial stunts. 6 "AAA" batteries and 1 Lithium Polymer Rechargeable battery required (not included). Ages 8 and up.
Giga Pets™ Explorer TV Game System from Tiger® Games : Get ready to explore the latest toy in the virtual pet craze with the Giga Pets Explorer TV Game. This game transports kids to the Giga World, where players explore multiple locations, go on missions and even solve the Giga mystery. Including a TV game with three pets ¿ a playful pooch, a fun-loving chimp and an adventurous panda ¿ and a handheld game with a pet hamster, kids take their pets on an adventure where they meet other characters, collect unique items and customize their homes and personalities. 3 "LR44" or "A76" batteries required (included). Ages 7 and up.
Star Wars™ Ultimate Collector's AT-ST™ from LEGO® : In the climactic Battle of Endor that helped destroy the Empire in Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi, the AT-ST, an armored scout transport, was a key weapon in the Empire's arsenal. Now, collectors can build their own version of the AT-ST using more than 1,000 LEGO bricks in this Toys "R" Us exclusive. No batteries required. Ages 14 and up.
Tyco® R/C N.S.E.C.T.™ from Mattel® : Beware the N.S.E.C.T., a remote-controlled bio-bug that transforms to a bio-blaster in seconds. Mechanized for mayhem, N.S.E.C.T. has realistic, animatronic motion, dual-tone LED eyes to let kids know when it's angry or exploring, and powerful mandibles that grab and capture smaller toys. It also features a multi-mode cannon that goes from single shot to rapid fire, launching soft foam darts, with an effective range of up to 25 feet. 1 "7.2V" Tyco R/C Flexpak® battery and 1 "9V" battery required (included). Ages 8 and up.
Big Kids
Fuzion Asphalt Ultimate Carving Scooter from Next Sport® : The Fuzion design is simplicity in motion. Built on four-wheel scooter technology, the road-hugging Fuzion introduces revolutionary riding performance in a compact package for unmatched ease-of-use, stability and stick-to-the-pavement handling. The scooter is equipped with oversized wheels, precision bearings, a high-tech steel frame design and a wide concave deck. No batteries required. Ages 7 and up.
MINDSTORMS® NXT from LEGO® : The next generation of robots is here with the strongest, smartest and most advanced LEGO robot ever ¿ the MINDSTORMS NXT. Kids use their imagination to design, build and program their own robot to obey their commands. MINDSTORMS NXT includes drag-and-drop software that works with PCs and Macs to make programming the robots a snap. With built-in Bluetooth technology, it can even be controlled with a cellular phone. 6 "AA" batteries required (not included). Ages 10 and up.
Nerf Showtime Hoops from Hasbro® : Calling all streetballers! Kids can bring home the fun of the AND 1 Mix Tape Tour, the world's premiere traveling basketball event, with the Nerf Showtime Hoops System. With interactive game play voiced by AND 1 Mix Tape Tour emcee 'Duke Tango,' the gaming system is programmed with 10 different playground hoop games, such as Horse and 21. Including speakers and a plug to connect an MP3 or CD player, the hip hop interactive basketball gaming system comes complete with one junior size basketball, one basketball hoop, one adjustable backboard and one AC wall adapter. No batteries required. Ages 8 and up.
Speed Stacks® StackPack® from Play Along® : The Speed Stacks StackPack offers the only official equipment for the new competitive sport, sport stacking. Already included as part of the physical education programs in nearly 11,000 schools, sport stacking is a fun, addictive activity that challenges competitors to up-stack and down-stack 12 specially designed cups at "faster than light" speeds. The Speed Stacks StackPack includes everything needed to become a sport stacking pro, such as 12 specially designed cups, one Sport Carrying Bag, an instructional DVD and one StackMat® that offers an optimum stacking surface with an electronic precision timer. 1 "CR2032" button cell battery required (included). Ages 4 and up.
Trivial Pursuit® Totally 80s from Parker Brothers® : How 80s are you? It's time to find out as Hasbro Games brings back the most outrageous decade filled with totally tubular events, awesome fads and over-the-top personalities. From big hair and break dancing to Culture Club and Cats raising whiskers on Broadway, Trivial Pursuit Totally 80s brings players back to the loud, neon-splashed time of excess. The game features six categories, including Headlines, Television, Movies, Music, Sports & Leisure and Wild Card, and also includes four classic 80s pawns. No batteries required. Ages 14 and up.
Wii™ from Nintendo® : The evolution of videogames begins in November with the Nintendo Wii videogame console. Featuring a compact design that easily connects to any television, Wii is ready to become part of every family's home entertainment system. New, intuitive controls challenge everyone to compete in any game through physical motion. And, as an added bonus, the system is backwards compatible with Nintendo GameCube and offers players downloadable access to 20 years of favorite titles originally released for Nintendo 64, Super Nintendo and the original Nintendo Entertainment System. This item will be available beginning November 19. No batteries required. Ages 5 and up.
About Toys "R" Us, Inc.
Toys "R" Us is the world's leading specialty toy retailer. Currently it sells merchandise through more than 1,400 stores, including 587 stores in the U.S. and 651 international toy stores, including licensed and franchise stores as well as through its Internet site at www.toysrus.com. Babies "R" Us is the largest baby product specialty store chain in the world and a leader in the juvenile industry, and sells merchandise through 245 stores in the U.S. as well as on the Internet at www.babiesrus.com.