Monthly Archives: February 2010

Web-cams can be a Scary Thing

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So this morning, I was importing some video I took at Hasbro.  In the process, I accidently turned on my webcam.  Let’s just agree that anyone over the age of say, 21, really shouldn’t look at themselves at close point range.  I used to be taken aback by Rosie O’Donnell webcasts…no makeup, no hair.  I will cast no stones today–it’s just not a way to look at yourself.  My first reaction was complete shock–that’s me?  Second reaction…time to consider some of those age smoothing fillers.

Baby Alive Bouncin' and Babblin'…not so scary anymore

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We’re happy to report that Baby Alive doesn’t scare us as much this season. (If you’ll recall last year’s Baby Alive Learn to Potty won our Ugliest Doll Award).  This year Baby Alive is happy to just be bouncing and babbling. Watch our video.

Strawberry Shortcake is Over the Hill

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Celebrating her 30th birthday this year, the little strawberry smelling doll is hoping to capture the attention of another generation.  The pr person taking us through the new line shared that she had a Strawberry Shortcake doll when she was little.  One of those generational markers when you realize that you’re a bunch older than most of the pr people in the room.  In fact, I was distracted thinking about how old all the pr people were when we started the toyportfolio!

In any case, Hasbro is hoping that if you played with Strawberry Shortcake as a child, you’ll want to bring it home to your own kids.

LOVE Hasbro Games Scrabble Flash Cubes

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It was only a prototype (and a buggy prototype at that)…but if it works the way it did during our demo, this promises to be one of the best games for 2010.  Takes the play of Scrabble, Boggle…and marries it with fun technology. Take a look at our video.

Toy Fair 2010: Hasbro Preview/ STAR WARS

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If you’ve followed our reviews over the years, you know I have a soft spot for everything Star Wars. It is the one exception to our rule of no toys with aggressive or violent themes (hey,  it’s fantasy).

One of the coolest toys we saw at Hasbro’s preview is from the Star Wars line…but we can’t talk about it until the 12th.  In the meantime, there is a new lightsaber that is pretty cool.  The General Grievous Lightsaber will retail for $34.99 and will be available in August.  Take a look at both videos…one explains how it comes apart and the other demos the movement.  I’m getting used to using my iphone video for giving you sneak peaks.  Thinking maybe I should get a FLIP for toy fair.

Two quick videos to look at:

How it works video.

Demo of movement.