Choo choo or beeep beeep beeep! You get it all with the Caterpillar tractor and train set by Toy State. This sweet little train set pulled into the Talking Dad station last week and its been a smash ever since. The Cat Iron Diesel Train comes in a small package, but it’s packed (15 pieces total) with train cars, tracks, and working tractors.
New KRE-O Star Trek sets would make Kahn jealous!
Comfortably seated in my top 5 movies of 2013 is the brand new Star Trek Into Darkness by J.J. Abrams. Comfortably seated on my fireplace mantle is the brand new Star Trek Starship Enterprise and Klingon Bird-of-Prey by KRE-O. Block building is the perfect father/son activity and Asher and I have spent hours on past KRE-O play sets.
Hasbro’s Iron Man 3 toys get major upgrades
Professor Pal was particularly excited about his latest toy evaluations this week. Comic book reading is a staple activity at The Talking Dad Institute, so when anything superhero arrives at our doorstep, kids start going nuts. Iron Man 3 is the latest Marvel Studios entry, so Hasbro followed suit with some great products inspired by the high-octane flick. The Assemblers toys promote the most creativity in the Iron Man 3 line. The Battle Vehicle comes with an Iron Man action figure with interchangeable weapons and arms. Stark’s car can launch the hero out of his seat and toward his enemies, which adds an amusing element to the playset. The Assemblers Battle Vehicle turned out as the Professor’s recommended pick of the bunch, due its incredible replay value.
Angry Birds Star Wars Games, May the Fourth be with You
Check out the newest intergalactic feathered Jedi’s this side of Endor in the Angry Birds™ Star Wars® AT-AT Attack Battle game and more. Hasbro released its newest licensed board games just in time for Star Wars day, this May 4th. Professor Pal got his wings on a few sets in the laboratory for this week’s toy review. Setting up the AT-AT is straight forward – 4 legs on 4 feet, followed by the platform piece and head. The remaining blocks and pig tokens are stacked in any number of configurations, but the instructions will provide the most AT-AT-like setup. This step of the game required a steady hand to complete at first, but once the professor figured out the weight and balance, setting up became quick and painless. If you’re not familiar with the Angry Birds™ Star Wars® video game apps, the goal is to eliminate the occupying pig army by launching angry birds at the structures protecting the bad guys. The gameplay is the same with its board game counterpart. Professor Pal launched his first two Jedi Knights over the armored transport, but the next three heroes began dismantling the invading galactic forces. It’s certainly a challenge to completely destroy the entire vehicle, so as Yoda would say, “encourage your child, you must”.
Unprecedented event allows fans to design new Transformer character
An interesting tidbit of news crossed my desk (that’s code for high-chair….I was feeding my toddler) this afternoon. In anticipation of the 30th anniversary of the Transformers brand, Hasbro is launching an unprecedented event that allows kids and fans a stake in character design decisions. Dubbed the “Fan Built Bot”, our collective decisions will create a “robot in disguise” – to be fully integrated into Transformers lore. This new bot will appear in comics, as well as the “Thrilling 30” line of toys to be made available in retail outlets next year. Polling will close on May 5th, with the “Fan Built Bot” unveiled at San Diego Comic Con 2013. Visit Transformers.com and start making your design decisions. Everything from special ability to choosing sides (of the conflict) are available options.