Tech Toys Top ‘Hot Dozen’ Holiday Toys Wish List

Technology-infused toys including Nintendo’s Wii and T.M.X Elmo led the list of the Top 12 must-have holiday toys reveled yesterday by Toy Wishes magazine

The magazine tapped the 12 as the ‘Hot Dozen’ toys that will likely be the highest in demand and hardest to find in stores. The fifth Annual Toy Wishes Holiday Preview took places yesterday at the Jacob K. Javits Center in New York.

Topping the list was Nintendo’s next-gen console, the Wii, which will sell for $250. In addition, the latest and greatest in the Elmo franchise found a spot on the list. Mattel, Inc.’s Fisher-Price division is out with the new T.M.X Elmo, which slaps its knee and falls over laughing. The toy, which Mattel kept secret until last month, marks the 10th anniversary of Tickle Me Elmo and sells for $39.99.

Hasbro, Inc.’s Butterscotch, a life-sized miniature toy pony that uses sensors to respond to touch and sound, made the list. The toy, which moves when its name is called and falls asleep when the lights go out, sells for $299.99.

An old, but modern-day staple found a home on Toy Wishes Hot Dozen—Monopoly’s Here & Now Edition. The game features new tokens, including branded products like McDonald’s French fries and Starbucks coffee. The board game gives players a taste of what American life is like today. The game, which sells for $29.99 has come under fire from a consumer watchdog group, which says Hasbro is toying with children’s health by featuring such integrating brands like McDonald’s in the game (PROMO Xtra, Sept. 14, 2006).

In the doll line, Toy Wishes named MGA Entertainment’s Bratz Forever Diamondz doll to the list. Each doll comes with a real diamond pendant girls can wear and sells for $29.99.

Other toys include:

• Barbie and the 12 dancing Princesses. This latest from Mattel features Barbie as Princess Genevieve, the seventh of 12 sisters in a magical world. ($24.99)
• Digi Makeover by Radica, a plug-and-play gadget that plugs into the TV. ($59.99)
• Fly Wheels XPV by Jakks Pacific Inc, a radio-controlled vehicle. ($59.99)
• Kid Tough Digital Camera by Fisher-Price, a digital camera for kids. ($69.99)
• Lego Mindstorms NXT by Lego, a hig-tech robotics toolset. ($249.99)
• Magtastik by Mega Brands, colorized magnets that teach kids math, science and problem solving skills. ($29.99)
• Speed Stacks StackPack, a sport that challenges kids to stack and restack specially designed cups in precise formations. ($39.99)