Strollerderby : hasbro

Will Toy Tie-Ins Destroy Sid the Science Kid?

JeanneSager — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 15:03:00 GMT

I'm not sure how to take the announcement that HASBRO has gotten the contract to start filling the shelves with Sid the Science Kid toys.

Happy my little scientist can cuddle her own bouncing blue-haired, sweet snub-nosed kid? Or sad that I have to be that much more careful opening the Sunday paper, lest she get hold of the circulars and find an advertisement for the latest Sid the Science Kid toy?

It would be hypocritical to say I'm above the toy tie-in tug. Heavens knows how many Sesame Street balls, cars and stuffed friends are bouncing around this house. Not to mention the Dora pajamas the Yertle the Turtle puzzle, the Bob the Builder coloring books. The latter two are even inherently educational - giving me a bit of moral high ground on the issue - but I'm still not going to claim to have stood my ground on the commercialization of childhood.

Still, I groan everytime my daughter learns there's a toy tie-in to one of her favorite shows. She'd been watching Handy Manny for two solid years without every requesting anything Manny . . . until someone (my brother maybe?) gave her the toy book from the Thanksgiving paper. She literally ran from family member to family member as fast as three year old legs could carry her, shouting, "Handy Manny, what I always wanted. Handy Manny!" She didn't care WHAT Handy Manny toy she got, as long as she found Handy Manny under the Christmas tree. Bless my in-laws, they found one packed with all his tools so we could at least put her through her paces on learning the difference between a wrench, a hammer and a saw.

We don't buy every toy that hits the market, and we wouldn't even if we could afford to. But so many of those that infiltrate our house - gifts usually - come in because of that tie-in to a beloved character, and they sorely disappoint. What's the use of celebrating Dora if the doll speaks only English?

That's where the toy tie-in announcements bum me out as a parent. Are we going to be stuck with another hunk of junk that someone ends up gifting our kid's way, just because it has Sid/Dora/Pooh Bear/Uniqua/Cookie Monster. . . on it? Come on toy makers, do you have to do this to us?

With the promise that Sid the Science Kid has shown in getting my little scientist to think up big answers for his big question, I hold out hope that when they get the toys rolling, at least they respect the promise the show has made to parents. Their plucky little kindergarten provides entertainment that keeps kids thinking, and it's not half bad for parents either. It's not mind-numbing nonsense, so the toys should be more of the same.

Keep crossing your fingers - the first array of games and toys from HASBRO is expected to hit shelves this fall. The big question? Will we be stocking them under the tree come winter?

Image: PBS

When Board Games Become Major Motion Pictures

Jen Chaney — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 13:28:00 GMT

Toys have been turned into movies before. It happened with "Transformers." Same deal with "Kit Kittredge: An American Girl."

Still, I find something particularly odd about making a film based on a board game. But that's exactly what Hollywood plans to do with ... wait for it .. Monopoly.

As mentioned recently in the Hollywood Reporter, the production of the Monopoly movie is moving forward and ... wait for it again .. Ridley Scott has officially decided to direct. Yes, THAT Ridley Scott, the same guy behind "Alien," "Blade Runner" and "Gladiator." Honestly, what's next? Martin Scorsese signing on to helm "Hungry, Hungry Hippos"?

Apparently Hasbro, the company behind Monopoly, has other motion picture plans in the works, including film versions of "Ouija Board" and "Battleship." (We can all guess what the climactic line of dialogue will be in that last one, right?)

To be fair, Monopoly doesn't mark the first time a board game has inspired a movie. We all remember the big screen version of "Clue." (OK, some of us do. Vaguely.) Still, somehow this concept feels like a new low for movie ideas. Then again, perhaps I am wrong.

Maybe Americans are simply dying to see another classic "Kid MovesThimble Around Board, Kid Tries to Buy Park Place But Realizes He Has No Money, Kid Gets Bored and Ditches Monopoly to Play Video Games Instead" story. It's so cliche, though. I mean, that's basically the same exact plot as "No Country for Old Men."

You tell me if I'm wrong. Seriously, I know you're capable of doing that based on the stick incident. Does the "Monopoly" movie sound like a great idea? Would you take your kids to see it? And who should play that dude with the monocle?

When Bad Things Happen to Good Board Games

Hannah Tennant-Moore — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 20:35:00 GMT

Gamemaker Hasbro has updated its formerly fabulous murder mystery game Clue. While hoping to making Clue hipper to a new generation raised on celebrity worship and faster-acting weapons, Hasbro has succeeded in making the purists amongst us bemoan our lost childhoods. (Colonel Mustard, you'll never change in my eyes!)

The new crime scene is a party for the rich and famous, held at a mansion including such modern luxuries as a spa and theatre. (Maybe that, curious Jezebel writer, explains the reason for the woman with a disconcerting resemblance to Catherine Zeta-Jones on the box.) The deliciously sinister lead pipe has been replaced with a preppy trophy, while the old school revolver is now a sleek pistol. And remember the refreshingly nerdy Professor Plum? He is now a dot.com billionaire. Colonel Mustard is now a football star.

Worst of all, Miss Scarlet has been given a sexy first name: Cassandra. The old Miss Scarlet may have been a vixen, but we had to imagine her that way.

Hasbro, it's not just the game you're messing with; you’re putting me through changes as well.

Photo: NPR

RetroFitted: Shine On, You Crazy Lite-Brite

Jen Chaney — Thu, 22 May 2008 15:02:00 GMT

Lite-Brite: It's not just the backdrop for "Larry King Live."

The toy -- which lets kids create cool, funky glowing pictures with multi-colored pegs -- was always genius in its simplicity. All kids like to make pictures. All kids like things that glow. Put the two concepts together and you've got something truly groovy, as this retro commercial reminds us:

You might assume that no 2008 kid would possibly care about a toy that lets him create psychedelic images of Bozo the Clown. And you'd be right, which is why Hasbro continues to keep Lite-Brite fresh. The 'ol L-B is now available in three versions: A portable flat-screen model; the Lite-Brite Cube, which lets more than one child make things with light at the same time; and the freaky-deaky Flash Art Neon Paint Spinner, otherwise known as That Toy That College Kids Will Also Buy So They Can Stare At It After Watching "Harold and Kumar."

Yes, at age 41, the Lite-Brite still continues to appeal to kids of all ages. Want further proof? Just click on this link and prepare to watch your Memorial Day weekend slip away while you attempt to craft a Lite-Brite self-portrait.

RetroFitted appears on Strollerderby every Thursday morning.

Straight Poop: Martian Matter Alien Maker

Adrienne Martini — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 19:00:00 GMT

The subject: One almost-6-year-old girl who just happens to live in my house.

The object: Hasbro's Martian Matter Alien Maker, provided by the company.

The results: The subject spent a good 90 minutes making aliens using the enclosed (and cleverly designed) goo-and-flying saucer toy. Mostly, she was able to squish the "Meteor Mud," which is like really wet Play-doh, into the receptacle and make her alien mold. The subject enjoyed filled the resulting mold with the "Lunar Lava," which firms up into a rubbery alien that can be dissected. The subject wasn't keen on cutting apart her newly made alien friends but did allow that it was cool. As was the whole endeavor, in the subject's opinion.

Notes: Mostly, the subject had the dexterity to handle the toy, which is labeled for kids 5+. It's always awesome when your kid happily amuses herself for the better part of an afternoon and the Martian Matter Alien Maker delivers.

There was just one little thing that bugged the crap out of me. In the PR pamphlet that came with the alien maker, it makes it clear that this toy will "provide boys with the ultimate intergalactic experience" and "boys can select two extraterrestrial half-molds" and "Boys can take their cosmic creations..." You get the drift. My girl, fortunately, never saw this pamphlet and didn't realize that she wasn't in the target demographic.

Things Fall Apart: Not So Easy Bake Oven Recalled

Rachael Brownell (Redsy) — Thu, 19 Jul 2007 16:25:00 GMT

Have a little chef in your house who enjoys cooking with their Easy Bake Oven? Be warned. Hasbro has recalled all Easy Bake Ovens made since 2006.

Little cooks have been getting their hands and fingers trapped in the front opening and some have gotten burned. Over 900,000 of the toy ovens have been recalled.

If you or anyone you know owns an Easy Bake Oven, call 800-601-8418 for a replacement product voucher or visit http://www.easybake.com or http://www.cpsc.gov for more information.

Hasbro Recalls Easy-Bake Ovens

thezeroboss — Tue, 06 Feb 2007 21:09:00 GMT

Eek! I'm betting a number of us have one of these injury-making machines in our houses. If you do, better lock it up until you can give the manufacturer a ring. The Consumer Product Safety Commission and Hasbro have announced that the company is recalling its pink and blue Easy-Bake Ovens due to 29 reports of kids getting their fingers caught and burned in the devices. The models in question have model number 65805, and were manufactured on or after May 2006. Owners of this malfunctioning device can call Hasbro Customer Service at (800) 601-8418, and get a "retro-fit" kit that will make the toy a little more friendly and a lot less dangerous.

Can Tiger Electronics' NET JET Online Game System Beat the Classics?

thezeroboss — Tue, 06 Feb 2007 15:04:00 GMT

I've had a distaste for Hasbro ever since they bought of Wizards of the Coast and shut down all of their retail stores. (Not that I was a gamer at the time, but I was a gamer when I was young and pimply-faced.) So I admit a lingering prejudice when I read this press release from the toy titan about their upcoming lineup.

The most promising of the new offerings is (shocking but true) a video game system. NET JET Online from Hasbro subsidiary Tiger Electronics promotes itself as a mini-console incorporating 40 "casual games", including licensed content from Cartoon Network such as Foster's Homes for Imaginary Friends and The Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy. In other words, Tiger's taking something that's proven - online casual gaming aimed at kids and tweens - and putting it into a USB controller that plugs into a home PC.

The NET JET is not without its benefits. On the down side, you have to purchase individual game keys in order to "unlock" the various online games available. So that's $24.95 for the controller, plus $14.95 (screw me!) for each game. Once unlocked, however, the games are ad-free. Still, I can't see myself buying this for my kids. I don't pop $10 to $20 for the downloadable games that Cartoon Network already offers on its site; why would I buy the same thing in a console-controller?

Frankly, I'd rather get my kids the Atari Paddle Controller, which sells for $17.99 and contains 13 classic Atari 2600 games. Compared to the NET JET, the Atari number is decidedly low-tech (it plugs into your TV's A/V jacks, not your desktop). But who cares? Not only is the price right, but I'll get to show my kids how to kick it old school. Of course, if I'm truly lazy, I can pop $15 to buy six classic Atari games, and download them straight to our PC.

I hate to say it, Hasbro, but you've got your work cut out for you. Good thing you've got the Grim Reaper in your corner.

You can learn more about NET JET on the Tiger Web site.

New Toy Guitar May Be Ticket on Crazy Train

Patti — Mon, 29 Jan 2007 22:27:00 GMT

Hasbro's Tiger Electronics division previewed their new "Power Tour Guitar" at a recent media event. Hot on the heels of Guitar Hero's success, this little axe has preloaded songs that your child can play by "strumming" lighted sensors. But is it really playing the guitar? Not by a long shot. As recent Newsweek piece points out, playing Guitar Hero on the Playstation is far from learning to master the real thing, and Power Tour Guitar looks like it's not much different. Aside from that, it's a noisy electronic toy that probably eats batteries by the caseload, although it does bear a strong resemblance to a Gibson SG, giving it enough rock and roll credibility that it will probably be popular with alternadads nostalgic for their own rocker pasts.

But parents who really want to foster a love of playing music might be better off with a real child-sized acoustic guitar. My four year old hasn't mastered a single barre chord in the year that she's owned hers, but she's spent countless happy hours banging away at it anyway, and the noises she makes can be any song she wants them to be--the only preloaded songs are whatever's loaded into her brain. And better yet, the noises she makes don't freak out the neighborhood dogs.

Still, we'll probably give the Power Tour Guitar a look-see when it hits stores in August. The alternadad at my house is kind of jonesing to play with it.