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December 16, 2009
Ben Edwards
When Christmas shopping this season for a younger brother, sister or just the inner child in yourself, an innovative and interesting array of toys litters the aisles in department stores. From mini-pocket rockets to toy hamsters, kids and toy lovers alike will have many options this year.
The hardest-to-find gift this Christmas season is without a doubt the Zhu Zhu Hamster. This alternative to a real pet hamster has an $8.00 base price in stores but due to its Furbee like difficulty to find they have reached prices up to $65.00 on sites like eBay and Craigslist. These “hamsters” are advertised as “the best alternatives to real live hamsters,” and continues with, “Zhu Zhu Pets™ hamsters don’t poop, die, or stink, but they are still a riot of motion and sound” according to the web site, www.zhuzhupets.com. Zhu Zhu hamsters come with 40 different sound effects; depending on what environment the Zhu Zhu is in. The pets include two play modes: nurturing mode in which the hamsters purr and make other hamsteresque noises, and the adventure mode where the hamsters explore their habitat with intelligent audio and mechanical responses to various environs. Along with buying one of the four color options for the hamsters, a dozen accessories exist including hamster balls, tubes, beds and cars. The accessories are a must to make your Zhu Zhu hamster experience a hamtastic one.
While the Zhu Zhu hamster is moving fast off the shelves, the Razor Pocket Rocket Mini-Electric Motorcycle is arguably the fastest travelling toy this season. Many children mistake mini-pocket rockets as toys but these motorcycles are meant for adults; they have real engines and achieve speeds of 40 mph. Thus, the Razor Pocket Rocket Mini Electric Motorcycle is a safe alternative to a real mini-pocket rocket. The Razor contains a rechargeable electric motor and limits the speed at 15 mph for 45 minutes of continuous use. The Razor can support 170 pound riders and is suggested for kids ages 12 and up. The only downside is the hefty price tag it bears of $329.
While some may call this generation the fastest generation, it may be better known as the sparkly vampire generation with the latest Barbie installment. Barbie and the hit sensation Twilight series have teamed up to create the Edward Ken doll and the Bella Barbie. The dolls include very detailed faces of the actors in the movie, and the latest Twilight fashions. Ladies are in luck this Christmas season as now they can bring Edward home with them. Bella and Edward dolls are sold in a package deal for $50.00.
Perhaps the most innovative toy this year, Mindflex, is a mind-over-matter game. Mindflex is a game played with the mind as it uses a sci-fi looking headset that reads brain waves to elevate a small blue ball through an obstacle course. The more concentration exerted the higher the ball will fly, but when the mind relaxes the blue ball lowers. The ball elevates due to the fan built into the circular Mindflex unit. At the front of the unit is a knob that moves the fan clockwise or counter-clockwise. The mind controls the altitude and the hand controls direction. The game comes with five different game modes which each can be set up on the unit much like the game Mousetrap, but simpler.
With many new trendy and innovative toys this year, finding the perfect toys for loved ones this Christmas will be a cinch.
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