Wednesday, December 23, 2015

Zootopia Figurine Playset

It's the Zootopia Figurine Playset, featuring 10 figures from the upcoming film.


This is a set of small, detailed, non-posable figures, like we've seen for many other Disney films, such as The Good Dinosaur. The packaging doesn't identify any of the characters, so one or two of them are a bit of a mystery for now.

You can pick it up at your local Disney Store or online at DisneyStore.com. It's also available from Amazon, although like most "Disney Store exclusive" products the price tends to be higher there.

Saturday, December 19, 2015

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

And seasons greetings and happy new year from BB-8 and from us.


We took BB-8 out to enjoy the holiday weather. We hope you're having fun this season too.

Star Wars Elite Series Rey and BB-8

Presenting Rey and BB-8 from the the Star Wars Elite Series:


These are posable, highly detailed die-cast metal figures. Several accessories are included, and there's an alternate version of the package with one additional SPOILER accessory (we won't show it until the end of the video). Having the two figures and the various accessories makes this a good value compared to others in the Elite Series line.

The best place to buy it is from the Disney store (alternate spoiler version here, sold out as of this writing). Amazon has it also, but currently at a much higher price.

Thursday, December 17, 2015

LEGO Microfighters Homing Spider & Vulture Droids

Two LEGO builds at once! Happy Star Wars day!




The Microfighters sets are small versions of Star Wars vehicles, somewhat comically undersized compared with the mini figures they're paired with. The Homing Spider has articulated legs, and a pressure launch missile under the bottom. The Vulture Droid has wings that can be turned down to more or less get the four-legged walker mode that the droid has.

The stats:
  • Vulture Droid: set 75073, 77 pieces, 19 major instruction steps
  • Homing Spider Droid: set 75077, 102 pieces, 14 major instruction steps
Both sets go for about $10 from various retailers:
* Sold out as of this writing

Friday, December 11, 2015

LEGO Microfighters Snowspeeder

Here is the LEGO Microfighters Snowspeeder, in a step-by-step speed build video.


The Microfighters sets are small versions of Star Wars vehicles, somewhat comically undersized compared with the mini figures they're paired with. The Snowspeeder, like many of the others, includes a couple of pressure launch missiles.

This set has 97 pieces, with 18 major steps in the instructions, so it doesn't take long to build. It also has lots of useful and interesting parts that are great for getting creative.

We got it as part of a 3-pack at Costco, which is now hard to find at a decent price. You're better off getting the individual sets, which are about $10 at Amazon, LEGO.com, Toys R Us, Target, etc.

Monday, December 7, 2015

Transformers Combiner Wars Brawl

The Combiner Wars Combaticons have arrived, and we're taking a close look at Brawl.



This is the only completely new mold in this set, so there are some interesting details: nicely articulated feet, loads of molded detail, and a transformation that doesn't leave the entire combiner peg exposed in robot mode.

There are also some issues. The double hinge that makes up the lower torso is indeed a weak link, although it doesn't necessarily get in the way of setting up cool poses. Possibly more bothersome is the non-rotating turret, which is unusual for a Transformers tank.

As of this writing, availability is limited. We got the Combaticon deluxe 4-pack from Big Bad Toy Store; the individual Brawl figure is sold out.

Tuesday, December 1, 2015

The Good Dinosaur, part 2 - Plushes and Books

Hey Look! More Good Dino toys!


Haven't you always wanted a cuddly dinosaur? We checked out the stuffed animals at Disney Store and Toys R Us, as well as books from Amazon, Disney Store, and Toys R Us. The Disney Store toys win for durability and playability—the plushes from Toys R Us look like they can't even stand up on their own. Time to sit back, relax, and curl up with a Good Dino book.

Links for plushes:



Links for books:

Monday, November 23, 2015

The Good Dinosaur, part 1 - Stocking Stuffers!

Hey Look! Good Dino toys!


So many toys. Where to begin?  It's the little things. Three kinds of mini-figs, a roaring flashlight, a harmonica, some dino-shaped erasers, a wind-up toy, and a bouncing ball. Good news—they all fit into a stocking.

We found Good Dino toys at Target, Toys R Us, Walmart, and the Disney Store. The Disney Store wins for ease and selection with this group of toys.  They have a better selection than anywhere else, but Target does have our favorite out of this bunch: the World of Dinosaurs set with 25 tiny plastic dinosaurs. Of course, our daughter likes the noisy harmonica best, and that's at the Disney Store.

Specifically covered in this review:
Stay tuned for more! Check back for more Good Dinosaur reviews to come. Thanks for watching.

Monday, November 16, 2015

BB-8 Showdown

These are the droids you're looking for. But which one?



Sphero, Hasbro, and Disney Store face off with their BB-8 toys. Here's our take.

Sphero's is essentially the "original", since their app-controlled ball was the inspiration for BB-8 in the first place. At $150 it's by far the most expensive, but it's durable and waterproof (see the video, we tested it!), and the app has some fun features. It's available from Sphero directly, or various other places like Amazon, the Disney Store, Best Buy, etc. Availability at retail price can fluctuate, but if you keep looking you can avoid paying the $200 or more that some people charge.

Hasbro's BB-8, sold only at Target for $80, is easier to use for small children because of its simple four-button remote, but the body can pop open easily.

The BB-8 sold at the Disney Store for $35 is a relatively cheap option, and it's still pretty fun. It is operated by a button on top, or you can put it in sound-activated mode to trigger the beep-and-roll actions. It's a solid, fun option for younger kids.

The plush BB-8 that makes a brief appearance in the video is currently hard to find. It occasionally appears at our local Target (for about $8), which is probably the best place to look because it's currently listing on Amazon for around $50 or more, which is ridiculous.



And pictured above: the Funko Pop BB-8! Giveaway this week only. Watch our BB-8 video on Amazon for a chance to win it.

Monday, November 9, 2015

Avengers Quinjet Moto Launcher

The Avengers Age of Ultron Quinjet Moto Launcher is a Quinjet-shaped launcher with Moto Track Stars style motorcycles featuring various Avengers characters. It comes with either 1 or 4 motorcycles, and they are also sold separately.




The Moto Track Stars cycles are fun because they roll well and they stay upright no matter what.

The Quinjet launcher isn't great as a launcher, but being a jet with an opening cockpit still gives it some fun value. Plus, you can connect it to Hot Wheels tracks, and basic but more effective launchers are available separately.

Links:

Saturday, October 31, 2015

Welcome!

Welcome to Hey Look, Toys!

We review new toys and classics, toys for toddlers and teenagers, even good and bad toys.  Need help with a birthday or holiday gift? We're here to help.

You'll also see some non-review videos - tips & tricks, experiments, news, and lots more useful and fun things in the world of toys.

Of course, if there's ever something you want to see reviewed, let us know in the comments, or on Facebook, or Twitter, or Google+... we're all over that stuff.

Please enjoy the videos, subscribe to our YouTube channel, and pass it on. Thanks for looking!

Tuesday, October 27, 2015

Transformers Breakdown & Sunstreaker


Transformers Generations Combiner Wars Deluxe (whew) Breakdown and Sunstreaker are both re-creations of figures from the original 80s line. In this incarnation, they have the same body but different colors and heads.

As Combiner Wars Deluxe figures, they both can form a limb of a big "combiner" robot. Grab two more Deluxe figures, and a Voyager for the torso (such as Optimus Prime or Motormaster), and you've got yourself a combiner.

I like Breakdown because, of the five Stunticons, I think he's the best representation of the original character.

Sunstreaker is a bit greenish, and the changes from Breakdown are minimal, but I like how Breakdown's combiner cannon (the hand/foot/gun piece) shows that this repurposing was planned from the start, and helps make Sunstreaker look like himself.

Where to buy:

Wednesday, October 21, 2015

Paw Patroller review


The Paw Patroller is a great big Paw Patrol truck that can hold lots of Paw Patrol figures and vehicles, and opens up to become a playset on wheels.

Our kids enjoy playing with it, particularly using the elevator to catapult Paw Patrol figures into the air. No assembly required, and it has some nice design touches, like a special accommodation for Zuma's hovercraft.

Prices currently start around $50. Links to buy online: