Why would video games and systems be the exception this year? Tv's and appliance sales are down, but stores like Game Stop are having an incredible year.

Interestingly, there's an emerging trend that shows 70% of teens and kids want video games for the holiday season. Think about it. When you see a young kid or a teen at the mall or restaurant, you might see them engaged with a handheld like the Nintendo DS or Playstation Portable. At home, they may be glued to the tv, not to watch programs, but to play console games like Guitar Hero. Even for adults, an iphone or blackberry may carry their favorite arcade game or role playing title.

Gamestop claims that video games like Guitar Hero: World Tour, Nintendo Wii Fit, and Gears of War 2 pushed their sales higher this year.  Yes, all video games that let you play instruments, shoot guns, or even yoga are this years top holiday gifts.  Maybe video games are our new reality? 

One things for certain is that the toys today are not the type of toys our parents or grand parents used to play.

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Blue Mat Silicon Cover Bag Battery For Nintendo Wii Fit    US $29.99

NINTENDO Wii FIT PLUS WITH BALANCE BOARD F SEALED 2010    US $139.95

◆ Brand New Nintendo Wii Fit Plus US Version Sealed ◆    US $33.99

Wii Fit Plus with Balance Board Wii 2009    US $102.50

Wii Fit Wii 2008    US $71.00

SKI SHOOT GAME FOR NINTENDO WII FIT BALANCE BOARD NEW    US $22.94

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XBOX 360 Guitar Hero World Tour Band Kit COMPLETE    US $65.99

XBOX 360 Guitar Hero World Tour Guitar Kit COMPLETE    US $36.99

Guitar Hero World Tour Complete Band Kit XBOX Xbox 360    US $118.99

Guitar Hero World Tour Complete Band Kit Bundle PS3 ps3    US $249.99

Guitar Hero World Tour Nintendo Wii Complete    US $14.89

Guitar Hero World Tour Sony Playstation 2 PS2 Complete    US $14.95

Of course, there are plenty of other features.  Here are a few of the more notable enhancements.

Music Studio - Ever want to be a song writer?  Well, here's your chance.  The guitar hero music studio allows the aspiring superstar to create digital music with the Guitar Hero instruments.  Create and record a song digitally through your console.   When you're done, you can share your recent work and share it with the rest of the world.  Who would've thought you can be more than the musician?

Play With Others - World Tour brings people from literally the world to collaborate and play online.  If you're tired about playing solo, here's your chance to play with other aspiring rock stars.

The Band - Players now have more options than ever.  Imagine playing in a full band that includes a drum, guitar, and bass.  Guitar Hero allows more than one member to play at one time.  With Rock Band on the scene, this was an enhancement that Guitar Hero must have. 

Wireless Capability - It's a no brainer that wireless capabilities are the standard.  All of the new instrustments do require a wired connection.  Makes lots of sense when there's a full band playing in your living room.

Dress up your Avatar - Don't like the way you look in game?  Try customizing your avatar with face, body, clothes, and accessories options.  Build your own unique look!

Wondering what the song list is? Here's an extensive listing:

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Guitar Hero World Tour Wii mint new FREE SHIPPING    US $24.22

XBOX 360 Guitar Hero World Tour Band Kit COMPLETE    US $65.99

PS2 Playstation 2 Guitar Hero World Tour Band Kit RARE    US $54.99

NINTENDO Wii GUITAR HERO WORLD TOUR GAME ONLY NEW    US $19.97

XBOX 360 Guitar Hero World Tour Band Kit BRAND NEW    US $89.99

XBOX 360 Guitar Hero World Tour Wireless Guitar ONLY    US $27.99

GUITAR HERO WORLD TOUR PS3 GAME NEW SEALED    US $43.72

XBOX 360 Guitar Hero World Tour Guitar Kit COMPLETE    US $36.99

XBOX 360 Guitar Hero World Tour Wireless Drum Set Kit    US $34.99

Ming-Ming is the heroic duck from the hit show with adorable catch phrases, songs, and dance moves, and the doll is no different from the cartoon duck. She puts the Can Phone to her ear to answer it; she glides around on one foot and sings “The Phone is Ringing” and the Wonder Pets theme song; she strikes poses; and she performs her signature “This is Serious!” dance to the Wonder Pets theme song, too.

This darling, 13” tall Fisher-Price duck has three modes of play: Dance with Ming-Ming (the features listed above happen in this mode), Rescue Adventure (where she asks kids to help her with her adventures), and Animal Charades.

Although she is a plush toy, Ming-Ming is for children 18 months and older because of the hardware necessary for dancing and singing. The required four AA batteries are included. Ming-Ming retails for $37.99.

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new Wonder pet Ming Ming beanies babies plush doll    US $5.50

Lot 3 Wonder Pets 7 8 TUCK MING MING LINNY Plush Doll    US $3.99

Fisher Price Wonder Pets Portable Playsets Ming Ming    US $.99

NICK JR WONDER PETS 9 MING MING PLUSH CUTIE DUCKLING    US $7.00

Wonder Pets 75 MING MING Plush Toy Doll New    US $.99

Wonder Pets Outlet Cover Kids LinnyTuck Ming Ming    US $5.99

WONDER PETS 10 MING MING PLUS EXCLUSIVE COMPUTER GAME    US $9.99

3 Wonder Pets Ming Ming Plush Linny Tuck Toy Figures    US $.99

Fisher Price Wonder Pets Ming Ming Duck 10 Plush Toy    US $6.00

Remember the Lite-Brite?  Well, Crayola’s giving pitch-black art a try with their Glow Station.  Chosen as one of Toy Wishes Magazine’s Hot Dozen of 2008, this toy is already a best-selling Christmas toy even as lists to Santa are in their early drafts.

The Glow Station is recommended for kids age six and up, but I imagine this toy will be a hit at parties for teens and adults, too.  The canvas, according to amazon.com, is a flat, smooth surface made from a glow-in-the-dark, light-sensitive material (what that material actually is, who knows?), and is designed to be hung on a wall, though tabletop art making would work, too.  Whatever surface you choose, though, it should be in a room that you are able to make completely dark.  Of course some light sneaking in isn’t the end of the world, but the darker the room, the more vibrant the art will glow.  The station, if hung up, can store accessories, like stencils, while you work.

The most important accessory to have is the light wand.  It requires three AAA batteries (not included) that charge the light bulb at the tip.  The wand looks like a large pen, which makes drawing on the canvas easy.  The stencils included range from simple shapes to scenes like animals or planets.  Also included are “textured sheets,” stencil-like sheets that are printed with opaque stripes, spots, and other interesting additions to your stenciled or freehanded art.

Perhaps the biggest shame about the Crayola Glow Station is that after about five minutes, the artwork fades away, leaving the canvas available to house another temporary masterpiece.  The upside to that is that you never have to buy fresh canvasses!  And for the perfectionists out there that want to get it right the first time, the Glow Station includes a clear acetate sheet and marker for rough drafts.  All you have to do is hold up the acetate that features your drawing to the canvas, trace over it with the light wand, and voila!  Another complaint about the Glow Station is that since the canvas rolls up for storage, it also rolls up on its own when placed on a tabletop.

The Glow Station comes complete with the station (the frame to the canvas), the light wand and crystal attachment, an acetate sheet, a dry erase marker, and two sheets of stencils and textures each.  All for a retail price of $39.66.

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Crayola Combo Pack Glow Station Color Explosion Set    US $11.77

Crayola Glow Station Full Size Edition NEW IN BOX    US $34.74

Crayola Glow Station On the Go    US $36.99

Crayola Combo Pack Glow Station Color Explosion AS IS    US $.77

Crayola Glow Station Can Create with Light    US $28.99

Crayola Glow Station    US $7.50

NEW CRAYOLA GLOW STATION ON THE GO BEST TOY AWARD NIB    US $17.50

Crayola Color Glow Station On The Go 95 1001 NEW    US $14.24

New Crayola Glow Station Drawing Board Glow in the Dark    US $11.99

Technorati Profile

What do you get when you cross the alphabet, a train, and a child that’s learning their numbers, colors, and more of those basics?  You get the Sit to Stand Alphabet Train, a best-selling toy from Vtech that many parents are rushing to buy their little ones for Christmas.

The Sit to Stand Alphabet Train is a brightly colored plastic toy that young children can ride.  It features letter blocks (predictably, 26 of them), a 12-page book that teaches letters, five number buttons, and cute elephant hood ornament that is conveniently movable, perhaps to play with elsewhere—like the tub!  The buttons not only teach kids numbers, but play songs, too. 

The main part of the toy consists of the train, where all of the gadgets are, and the carriage, where a happy toddler can sit and ride.  The toy can be played with alone on the floor or pushed as a walker, which helps with first (and second, and third) steps.  In addition to the different ways a child may play with the toy, it also has two different learning modes: Walker Mode and Discovery Mode.  Both the manufacturer and online sellers recommend the toy for children 12 months to three years old—such a large range would need at least two learning modes to be considered effective!

How the Sit to Stand Alphabet Train works is a bit more difficult to explain than merely listing its features.  One way a kid can play is: he or she can put a block in a hole on the train.  The train will then say the name of the letter and a word that starts with that letter.  For example, if a child picks out a block with the letter ‘Y’ on it, the train will then say that it is the letter ‘Y’ and ask the player to find a yo-yo.  The picture of the yo-yo is on the reverse side of the block with the letter ‘Y’ (the same is true for all other objects and their corresponding first letter).

Many of the positive reviews for the toy praise its durability and the overall entertainment factor, while the negative reviews mostly criticize the toy’s price tag of $50.00, considering it to be too much to ask for such a simple toy.  At least it comes with the three AA batteries it requires to run.

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Vtech Sit to Stand Alphabet Train NEW    US $69.99

VTECH SIT TO STAND ALPHABET TRAIN    US $59.99

Brand New Vtech Sit to Stand Alphabet Train    US $63.99

Vtech Sit to Stand Alphabet Train NEW    US $71.88

Vtech V Tech Sit to Stand Alphabet Train NIB    US $59.99

Vtech Sit to Stand Alphabet Train NEW IN BOX    US $64.40

No problem, you think to yourself, the seasoned veteran.  But wait, the plastic covering isn't a friend of the eager giftee!  In fact, the plastic covering proves to be a formidable foe.  What's that armor that my present is wearing?   The outer shell seems like it can't be open by bare hands.   Sounds familiar?

What frustrates gift recipients these days isn't always the holiday stress.   Instead of cherishing the holiday spirit, people are now finding themselves in gift wrapping hell.  To top that off, common utensils or instruments barely make a dent on these molded coverings.   The shell seems as impenatrable as Fort Knox.

So why do the manufacturers seal their products in an entombed case?  A number of companies find that the molded packages help protect the item from the elements and make them to look brand new in the package.  Moreover, the sealed packaging can protect from theft. 

We can understand the reasoning for this, but it begs the question: Why would a shopper even want to handle this challenge in the first place? In fact, more and more gift buyers are becoming conscious of this dreaded ritual.  There's no doubt wrap rage has cought on as one of the holidays frustrations and it's no wonder people are trying to find ways to avoid the package of pain. 

One of the ways to cure wrap rage is to invest in power scissors or some kind of utensil that makes leveraging easy.  A popular option is the Zebra Open It Universal Package Opener.  This sleek new instrument is ideal to cover the plastic moldings with ease.  The effort to pry a plastic becomes effortless.  Not only does Open It open plastic coverings, but it can also unscrew the back of toys and clip plastic ties effortlessly.  In fact, opening a present without difficulty may lower the chances to damage the toy or item. 

Consider purchasing one of these tools to save a lot of frustration!

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BLACK DECKER CORDLESS POWER SCISSORS NEW    US $7.95

CORDLESS POWER SCISSORS BATTERY OPERATED SCISSORS    US $4.99

Power Poultry and General All Purpose Scissors    US $8.99

NEW Black Decker Power Scissors Cordless Pink    US $24.99

BLACK DECKER POWER SHEARS ELECTRIC SCISSORS NEW NIP    US $18.99

Zippy Battery Operated Power Scissors    US $2.99

BLACK DECKER POWER SCISSORS CORDLESS NEW IN PACKAGE    US $.99

POWER LIFT 1 TON ELECTRIC SCISSORS JACK 1 2 PRICE    US $49.99

1979 W200 DODGE POWER WAGON W200 SCISSORS JACK    US $9.99

Having grown up on the wonders of LEGO, and witnessed so many different manifestations of their adventures (including a “girl-friendly” beach house kit—as if LEGOs weren’t already girl friendly!), it’s not surprising that the company has done it again: this time, with the Mobile Command Center.

This new toy (or set) not only includes a ton of pieces and real estate for the future architect, it also comes with a back-story, and, better yet, a mission.  The mission?  Alert all of the LEGO Agents (four total; included) to prevent the evil Dr. Inferno from escaping from the Command Center prison; all while his henchmen (also included) attempt to set him free!  In addition to Agents Chase, Fuse, Charge, Trace, and Gold Tooth and Spy Clops, the set includes a jet boat, place, and two cars. 

Perhaps the best news for parents is that the entire Mobile Command Center is stored in a truck that is over 20 inches long and six inches high.  When the truck is open, it’s time to play.  When the truck is closed, the Command Center is in “undercover mode,” which is code for “no stepping on any of the 1,154 pieces as you walk through the room” (that is, if the unit is properly cared for).

As an old school LEGO lover, the only foreseeable drawback to this hot toy is the same thing that makes it super-cool: the mission.  Every kid wants to pretend he or she is a spy, and it’s possible with the Command Center.  But I wonder if kids will find themselves tiring of being hand-fed what to do with this toy instead of creating their own plots and developing their own characters.  It’s not much of an argument against the set, though, because we all know that if kids’ imaginations are wild enough to make plastic blocks interesting for hours on end, they will also be able to find ways around the creative confines the Mobile Command Center presents.

Now, more than ever, LEGO is being forced to “keep up with the Joneses” by making best-selling Christmas toys that can compete with actual robots, wireless video games, and even the convenient gift card.  Thanks to the Mobile Command Center, LEGO's putting up quite a fight.   Could it be one of the best selling christmas toys?

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Lego Instructions 8635 Agents Mobile Command Center    US $4.50

NEW Lego Agents 8635 Mobile Command Center FREE SHIP    US $134.99

NEW LEGO Agents Mission 6 Mobile Command Center 8635    US $129.99

AGENTS LEGO 8635 MOBILE COMMAND CENTER NEWINBOX 1154pcs    US $69.00

LEGO Agents 8635 MISSION 6 Mobile Command Center NEW    US $88.00

LEGO 4746 ALPHA TEAM MOBILE COMMAND CENTER    US $4.99

LEGO 8635 Agents Mission 6 Mobile Command Center    US $124.99

Lego Agents 8635 Mission 6 Mobile Command Center    US $19.99

NEw Lego Agents 8635 Mobile Command Center    US $159.99

BRAND NEW LEGO AGENTS 8635 MOBILE COMMAND CENTER SEALED    US $139.95

All a dancer has to do to get started is plug the console in to a TV, strap the Motion Tags to his or her feet, and start playing! Like the Wii, one’s body is the equivalent of a button on a controller through motion-sensing technology.

Not only does the lack of a dance pad make set-up and cleanup super easy, its absence means that a dancer can make their moves as big or as little as they want—they don’t have to worry about stepping directly on the arrow; just the beat! A dancer would select a song, a level of play (there are three levels) and follow the footprints on the screen that appear to the beat of the selected song.

Perhaps the biggest complaint about this particular selection on Toy Wishes Magazine’s “Hot Dozen” list is the fact that the game only features 12 songs. This gives a dancer 36 different challenges (each song at each level), but for someone that’s extra skilled at boogying down, for someone that gets bored easily, or for someone with picky taste in music, 36 just may not be enough. Another complaint about the songs is that, because of royalties, not all of them are the original recordings by the artists, but instead covers by studio bands.

Like Dance Dance Revolution, the game allows solo play or an arcade style dance-off between two people. In the case of the latter, the lack of game pads and personal space may be a conflict if two dancers with ample range of motion decide to face off. Ground rules may need to be established beforehand. Unlike Dance Dance Revolution, the U-Dance console is solely for U-Dance; it does not accommodate the play of other games like a PlayStation or Nintendo console does.

U-Dance comes with the game tower, connection cords for your television, and two wireless foot tags (a complete set for one player). Four required “AA” batteries are not included.

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Hasbro 48318 U Dance Dance Simulation TV Game    US $10.98

U DANCE ELECTRONIC GAME SYSTEM TV HASBRO TIGER NIB $99    US $24.98

This time, they want Ultimate Wall*E, the robot created by Disney and Thinkway Toys inspired by the adorable Wall*E movie (by Disney-Pixar, of course). This real robot (isn’t that an oxy-moron?) includes a remote control that allows kids (and adults too, I’m sure) to program their very own Wall*E’s movements. Like a video game, button patterns on the remote control can direct Wall*E to do different things. Voice activation properties can yield similar actions (like a well-trained dog). Your robotic buddy can also follow the sound of your voice when it detects that you’re near; this is appropriately called “Follow Me Mode.” In addition the remote control and voice activation system, Ultimate Wall*E also features touch and infrared detection sensors, for navigating a room with obstacles (and probably a lot more).

What is perhaps the creepiest part of all (at least to this robot-phobe) is that, according to the press release from Disney Consumer Products, the toy is “capable of several emotional states and thousands of combinations of movements.” A robot with emotions? Sounds like this best selling Christmas toy might be the answer to the child without any friends. But it’s completely understandable why any other kid might want someone to buy Ultimate Wall*E for them, and with a retail price of $190, it’s not exactly a ludicrous request for some gift-givers.

Unfortunately, as one blog commenter noted: while Ultimate Wall*E can do a lot of amazing, entertaining things, it cannot compact trash—and that’s what the character in the movie was designed to do. Perhaps the reason for this is to convey the message to Wall*E’s potential owners that you can do much more with your life than what other people intend for it.

Or maybe the creators just thought kids wouldn’t be interested in compacting trash.

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Remember when kids could play with plastic, always-smiling, not-so-bendable dolls for hours on end?  Or maybe a truck the size of Dad’s shoe?  And remember how, after a while, those Cabbage Patch Kids were replaced with Betsy Wetsy and a bunch of other dolls that could talk, cry, eat, and—oh joy—pee?  And the trucks needed all of the bells of whistles that real trucks had?  Well, all of those advances in children’s toys have been to make way for what has already become one of the best selling Christmas toys, mentioned on Toy Wishes Magazine’s “Hot Dozen” list.

It’s Kota the Triceratops, a 40-inch tall (that’s just over 2.5 feet) dinosaur robot that kids can actually ride.  Featuring movement sensors in nine strategic areas of Kota’s body, the toy—or is it a pet at this point?—can move it’s head, horns, mouth, and tail to be amazingly interactive.  It will sniff your hand if you touch its nose; it will laugh if you tickle its belly; it will roar when spoken to; and it will munch on leaves you kindly feed it (included).  While riding, kids can hold on to a safety handle that is hidden behind Kota’s frill (that collar-looking thing) and press a button that will play one of four adventure-themed songs to accompany their journey, along with stomping sounds and a spring-seat that provides a realistic bounce.

This prehistoric Playskool pal can be yours (or your kid’s) for $300, and it will actually move once you provide it with six “D” batteries that aren’t included.  Fortunately, these batteries are inserted right where “droppings” would ordinarily come out, so a definite plus to this top-selling toy is its no-mess cleanup!  (Unlike a certain Miss Wetsy we know of…).

The recommended age minimum for a Kota jockes is three years old, and the weight limit is 60 pounds (sorry parents).  And although you’d think a dinosaur would be most comfortable in the wild of your backyard, Kota should only be taken for a spin indoors, on stable surfaces.  Good thing it’s housebroken.

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NEW Playskool Kota and Pals Roars Monty T REX Dinosaur    US $29.90

Playskool Dino Roars MONTY REX kota and pals NIB    US $55.00

PLAYSKOOL KOTA PALS HATCHLING TRICERATOPS STOMPERS    US $3.00

Playskool Kota My Triceratops Dinosaur NEW    US $402.84

Playskool Kota and Pals Monty T Rex NEW    US $26.99

Playskool Kota and Pals Hatchling Stegosaurus    US $.96