Tweet to Win an OYO Figure!

We've got a fast, easy giveaway on Twitter two win an OYO Major League Baseball minifigure!

Just follow @toywizdotcom on Twitter & tweet:

I entered to win an OYO MLB minifigure! Follow @toywizdotcom & retweet to enter! Details: http://bit.ly/GF3rPK

Entrants MUST adhere to Twitter Terms of Service. Multiple entries (retweets) in a single day will not be accepted. Anyone found to use multiple accounts to enter will be ineligible. No purchase necessary, US Residents only, ALL FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL AND MUNICIPAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS APPLY. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED. Free figure given away every Wednesday starting 3/28/2012 through contest end date (TBA).

Playtime: Is there an app for that?

Coming out of Toy Fair last month, one thing really struck all of us in the industry: everybody's on the app train this year. A huge number of toys are very cleverly integrated with iPhones and iPads or other devices, and many of the non-app-based toys are still supported by them in various ways. But is that all there is to toys in 2012 - computer and device screens?

AppMATes Disney/Pixar Cars 2

First, there are some amazing app-based toys coming your way. I don't want this post to seem like I'm against app toys because they really are amazing. For example. AppMATes turns an iPad into a virtual world with cars you can "drive" on a moving surface. I love that!

Adventure Time Role Play Sword

But while the news is going to focus on these toys and kids will definitely clamor for them, there are a lot of more traditional toys coming out that aren't plugged-in at all. Sometimes, there is not an app for that, and it's a great idea to balance your smart-toy purchases with some clever-toys: ones that require imagination or activity, the old-fashioned way.

My favorite "analog" toy is from Adventure Time with Finn and Jake. Yes, it's a cartoon, but one that really seems to spark imagination. If your child watches the show at all, get the Role-Play Sword. There's just something about it...hand it to anyone and see if they don't immediately flourish it with a grin. You just can't help it!

Several other franchises are also keeping classic role-play in action. Thundercats, Ben 10, Star Wars, Power Rangers and The Avengers are all hot toy lines with great accessories that let kids BE the hero - not just watch one on a screen.

So a word to the wise: even though kids will be begging for all the latest apps and games, don't forget to add some offline fun to the mix. Some things never go out of fashion, and leaping around your bedroom with a towel for a cape and a shield is as much fun today as it was for your grandpa. Trust me...it's fun even if you're not a kid.

Who Else Wants War Machines?

It used to be that to get scale models of this quality, you'd either take up an expensive and time-consuming hobby or pay a model builder to create something for you. But we've got great new stock that's very affordable and features 83 amazing tanks, helicopters and airplanes in exquisite detail.

FORCES OF VALOR is our newest line of collectibles. These military machines are really incredible in detail and accuracy. Most have moving parts and they range from WWI to modern conflicts.

Available in scales from 1:32, 1:48 and 1:72.

Our full selection of 80+ models is available at ToyWiz.com
http://www.toywiz.com/forcesofvalor.html 

We're Back in Town!

Some of you may have noticed that our blog went offline for awhile. We have switched over to Blogger, and I'm excited to have it all back here!

Of course if you were following our RSS feed, the old one will be dead so please be sure to re-subscribe here. We're going to be bringing a lot of news and action now!

I realize that most of our old images are broken, and I'll be trying to restore those as much as possible. It's time-consuming to relocate them all, so please bear with me there. I'm sorry about that!

Big Fish, Big Pond: The Newest Big Name in Action Figures to ReleaseMass Effect Series

Ever wish you could go back in time and start collecting the first figures from a top collectibles company? Who were the lucky or prescient early adopters who got the first McFarlane Toys or Sideshow Collectibles releases, and where were you when they launched? There's no sense dwelling on missed opportunities, but we're always on the lookout for the next big maker. We think we've found it. (View Mass Effect figures on our site by clicking here)

This spring, Big Fish Toys is entering the market with a new line of 8 Mass Effect figures. Formed in 2011 with "an A-list of action figure and toy industry veterans," Big Fish has already been working with video game companies, including the amazing Cole figure for SONY's release of  inFAMOUS 2. According to their press release, "When Bioware and Electronic Arts sought to bring previously-developed, yet unreleased Mass Effect action figures to market, Big Fish Toys was able to incorporate the team’s goals and craft a business agreement that allowed the project to move forward."

Not only are we anticipating some top-notch sculpts and paint in this premier series, but we're getting in-game content for Mass Effect 3 as well! A "downloadable content pack" will be included with each figure, and I believe that each content pack will be unique to that figure.  From Big Fish Toys' release, it sounds as though the content might not quite be set in stone yet, but they're shooting for weapons, characters, upgrades and modifications that will have an impact on game play, not just ornamental items.

The Mass Effect line promises to be  amazing. As described by Big Fish Toys:

The fully-articulated figures, ranging between 6 3/8” and 7 ¼”, will be intricately sculpted with collector-level paint decoration. They will be securely packaged in a clam-shell blister card. The figures will be manufactured at a vendor who has produced some of the top collector action figure lines of the last couple decades, and in fact produced the Cole piece for Big Fish. Figures should be available for sale by April 2012. As a bonus, each figure will include a downloadable content pack for the Mass Effect 3 multi-player mode (on PC and XBox) that could include powerful new weapons and new characters. The pack could also include character boosters, weapon modifications, and weapon upgrades to make your multi-player squad stronger.

At ToyWiz, we're anticipating a larger demand than is usual for a new label when these arrive. Pre-orders are available and will ship on arrival, scheduled for April, 2012.

So what do you think - are these figures going to be hot because of the quality we're expecting, because of the Mass Effect franchise, or because it's a ground-floor chance to get in on a collectibles label that might make it big in coming years? For me, all three factors make these a must-buy. But how about you?

Action Pics of Action Figures: 9 Questions with Ed Speir!

If you're along with us here, on Flickr or on Facebook, you've already seen the work of Ed Speir, IV - our favorite action figure photographer. He'd tell you he's a hobbyist, but the results are all pro as far as we're concerned, and we can't get enough of his work. The feedback from his images on our site has been great, and a lot of you have been clamoring for more info. Ed very graciously agreed to introduce himself by answering a few questions!

How did you get your start with Photography?

I am a big fan of McFarlane Toys and joined their forum in 2001 or so. I saw posts from other forum members with photos of their new figures and it interested me greatly. I have always collected toys, but never thought of photographing them until joining the Spawn forum. I had a cheap Kodak 3.2 megapixel camera and just started taking random shots of the figures in my collection. At that point I had no lighting, tripod, backdrops, props...I would just take shots from my desk. A few years later I purchased a light tent with two positionable flourescent lights and a Kodak V1003 10 megapixel camera. I still use the light tent and lights, but I recently purchased a Canon T2i DSLR and am just starting to learn how to use it effectively.

How long have you been staging scenes with toys?

I have been taking toy photos for seven-eight years probably..and actually using props and backdrops for six or seven years.

What was the first figure you ever set up and photographed?

I can't remember the exact figure, but I'm sure it was one of the many versions of Spawn by McFarlane Toys.

Do you have specific sources for inspiration?

I don't have specific sources of inspiration per say...although I will say I like my shots a bit on the dark/moody side of things - similar to lighting in horror/sci-fi movies. You will rarely see a brightly lit shot from me. Some have even complained that my shots are too dark, but it adds more atmosphere in my opinion, and that's what I'm going for.

What made you decide to set up these intricate scenes for your figures and post them to Flickr?

The more shots I began taking, the more intricate they became. Instead of just shooting a static figure on my desk, I slowly began incorporating props and backdrops in my shots trying to create "movie scenes". I now have about 20 or so different props that I use in my photos, and I'm always on the lookout for more.

What's your favorite toyline and of that your favorite figure?

That's a tough one...but I've probably got to go with Bandai's S.I.C. (Super Imaginative Chogokin) figure line. These are hyper-detailed figures from the many Masked Rider/Kamen Rider television series that air in Japan. These generally have to be imported directly from Japan, although you can sometimes find them from online stores in the US. My absolute favorite figure has to go to Max Factory's Karas - basically a badass futuristic ninja from the anime of the same name. It happens to be super-rare as well, sometimes fetching $ 400- $ 500 on eBay. Not bad for a seven inch figure....

What was the single most important thing you've learned from this whole experience?

I have a somewhat stressful job...and over the years toy photography has become quite the stress reliever for me. It has a calming effect and lets me forget about work for a few hours and concentrate on the task at hand. That is definitely the most important thing I get out of this hobby.


What advice do you have for someone who would like to make dioramas for their figures?

Go to PetSmart, lol. Seriously, a large portion of my props are aquarium decorations purchased from PetSmart...plus some moss from craft stores and simple rocks from outside. I use various combinations of these items to get the desired diorama/background I need for the shot. I also use various buildings and other props picked up over the years as well. I will say that none of my "dioramas" are permanent - they are set up for specific photos and then dissassembled and rearranged as needed.

Have you ever considered trying for a photography job at Hasbro or some other toy company?

No, I have never considered photographing toys for a toy company. Quite honestly, I feel my work is too stylized to be used for "product shots" needed by these big companies and I don't think it would be a good fit. However, I definitely wouldn't turn them down if the opportunity presented itself!

Ed's work can be found on his Flickr photo stream, and is also featured on a growing number of product shots for ToyWiz.com!

5 Very Realistic Pictures of NECA's new Boar Predator Figure!

A HUGE thank you to Ed Speir, IV for these magnificent photos! More are incoming for new releases too, so keep watching! Click the image for a larger view, or click here to purchase one yourself!

 

 

Don't be alarmed, they're just Predators

[caption id="attachment_1679" align="alignleft" width="139" caption="Series 4 Shaman"][/caption]

You know that a film franchise has really taken it's place in the culture when years after it's last release, action figures are being produced due to popular demand. NECA's Predators series proves that these films really have taken ahold of the American psyche, with releases that are hotter than those for films currently in theaters!

The newest figures, Series 5, include the boar, City hunter and Shaman, plus we have the next wave up for pre-order now: Guardian "Gort," Snake and Stalker are to be released in April. And because we knew from the beginning that these would prove very popular, series 1, 2 and 3 are also available, along with special editions and releases from other manufacturers including Hot Toys.

If you're keeping track for a collection, you can view all by clicking here, or check the list below:

Series 1

• Classic Predator (unmasked)


• Falconer Predator


• Berserker Predator (with mask)

Series 2

• Tracker Predator


• Battle-damaged Predator


• Berserker Predator (unmasked)

Series 3

• Elder Predator


• Predator Hound


• Classic Predator (masked)

Series 4

• Shaman Predator


• City Hunter Predator


• Boar Predator

Series 5 (scheduled for April Release)

• Stalker Predator


• Snake Predator


• Guardian "Gort" Predator

NECA Classic Predator Quarter Scale Action Figure

• Original Helmeted


• Original Open Mouth


• Original Closed Mouth

 

 

Hey, We're at Pojo Telling Pokemon Pros to Play like Newbies!

Okay, this is really only for when you need to teach a newbie, not to try to be a Pokemon card-shark (and I don't mean Sharpedo). But one thing's for sure - it's always good to get your friends to play, but that's not always as easy as it sounds. So we've come up with 8 Tips for Getting Your Reluctant Friends to play the Pokemon TCG AND even better - we've reduced the price on the Pokemon Black & White Trainer Kit to help you do it.

So take a look over at Pojo.com for our tips, plus tons of great information about Pokemon, YuGiOh and other Trading Card Games.

[caption id="attachment_1676" align="aligncenter" width="275" caption="Reduced Price too!"][/caption]

This is The Thing, and It's clobberin' time!

I mean THE Thing! One great action figure from Marvel Select with a rock-solid 8+" sculpt atop the Fantastic Four base.

It's a great figure, but I feel a personal connection to this one too. I'm sure everyone has funny or odd things they remember about comic heroes, and this is one of mine.  As a child, he was the superhero most like my dad - and what kid doesn't envision her daddy as a superhero? Dad's a huge, muscular man (check), friendly blue eyes (check), and to top it off...they're both named Ben. So in my childhood mind, it was quite possible that my dad was living a secret life as The Thing!

So check out this figure, it's a really great one. And even if your dad isn't at all like The Thing, he's still a great character!

My Little Pony Poll...the herd arrived!

We always have a fun poll going at ToyWiz.com, and this week, something magic happened. At first, Transformers seemed to be in the lead. Then overnight....

That's right - over 13,000 votes for My Little Pony! It seems some great fans at EquestriaDaily.com decided to pony up and vote! We absolutely love their spirit and teamwork, with thousands of votes coming in very quickly. We paid a visit to their forums to say thank you, and changed the My Little Pony poll option to reflect our appreciation for what they accomplished!

What do you think - next time should we ask which pony would win in battle?

Super 10% off Sale, Just in Time for Holiday Shipping!

10% OFF on Skylanders: Spyro's Adventure through December 19, 2011.



I know it's hard to believe that the hottest selling game of the season is getting a fat discount coupon code just in time for Christmas shipping, but it is! 10% OFF with coupon code SPYRO at checkout, and you can take your pick of starter packs for any platform, Adventure Mini Figure characters, or carrying cases to tote your figures to a friend's house for mutual gaming.



If you don't already know what sets Skylanders apart, here's the thing: The game comes with mini figures that actually come alive inside the game. Each figure is a different character you can play and collect. To bring one into the game, just place him on the Portal of Power and watch him materialize as a playable character. Better still: your figure holds onto in-game information, so you can bring your figure to a friend's house to play, putting him right alongside another on the portal without losing your in-game achievements.

The best things about Skylanders: Spyro's Adventure:

• Available on most platforms - XBOXX 360, PC, Mac, Nintendo Wii, Playstation 3, Nintendo 3DS. AND you can still play your characters with a friend, even if his or her game is on a different platform.


• The figures are really cool, and it's amazing to have something in the real world that you also have in a virtual environment!


• Each character has different abilities and powers, so it's not just playing the same thing in a different body - gameplay changes too.


• It's a great story and a really fun role-playing game!  A perfect introduction to the genre.

So through December 19th there's still time to order for Christmas delivery. And if you already have the basic game, extra figures are a great, inexpensive gift too.

[caption id="attachment_1665" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Gill Grunt, In Game"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1666" align="aligncenter" width="275" caption="Gill Grunt Figure - place on the Portal of Power to enter Skylanders as this character"][/caption]

Flameslinger, Eruptor, Chop Chop, Stump Smash, Stealth Elf, Drobot, Sonic Boom, Bash, Prism Break, Whirlwind, Boomer, Voodod, Terrafin, Pirate Ship, Hidden Treasure, Ghost Swords, Ghost Roaster, Crypt, Time Twister, Healing Elixir, Wrecking Ball, Zap, Hex, Dino-Rang, Gill Grunt, Trigger Happy, along with Legendary versions of some characters are still in stock!

Brickarms M16 Prototype Variants Review!

Our favorite Brickarms video reviewer, KingofPumas, has a brand new look comparing all of the M16s now offered by Brickarms!

Marvel Universe Series 17 Action Figures: A star lineup for the last release of 2011

With the last wave of 2011 now in stock, I can say that Marvel chose to bring a strong lineup to the last release of the year. We have not one, but two female superheroes in this release, Psylocke and Storm, rounding out any X-Men fan's wishlist for sure.



One of my favorites from series 17 has to be Iron Fist - with the recent resurgence of interest in classic Kung Fu and martial arts and a figure readily posed for combat, complete with flaming fist, this one is a certain winner.



The new version of Thunder Age Thor was  a great choice with the recent hit movie now on DVD, and Patriot is a classic American hero in the with ties to another hero featured in a summer blockbuster, Captain America. Both are well done, with Patriot's costume and shield looking especially spiffy. Daredevil rounds out the release - another master of martial arts and a very popular choice with fans.






So what do you think of the new lineup? Any must-haves for your collection, or near-misses you'll avoid?

BrickArms Minigun Review with MASSIVE amounts of information!

One of my very favorite toy reviewers, Beanmeister22 reviewed the Minigun awhile back, and I learned a lot from it. From the practical uses and details about the ammo to it's appearance in a few movies, this video is a must-see for anyone with questions about the minigun, or for anyone wanting to learn a lot more about this weapon.

MEGAMOSHI! The newest license from Mega Bloks: Moshi Monsters!

Mega Bloks has been on a roll with some of the best new licensed building brick products anywhere.  Building on the success they've enjoyed with the HALO and other lines, we're seeing more and more great collaborations with popular game and entertainment franchises from the Mega Brands company.



HALO is a staple now - there are fan communities and builders around the world enjoying the ability to build and create with figures, vehicles and terrain from the popular game franchise. And Need for Speed is amazing - from the most popular racing game you can build, customize and race your own supercar. Power Rangers Samurai is a breakout hit too. And now...Moshi Monsters joins the Mega Bloks family with adorable Moshi style!

These new sets not only let you build and customize actual areas from the game, but they even come with codes to unlock online gaming items. They work together and with other Mega Bloks and building brick sets for unlimited creative potential.





 

Our thanks to another great LEGO minifigure customizer!

We were very fortunate to have a visit from Josh, aka Family Bricks, who brought a gift to JD of not one but TWO custom minifigures!



These are obviously just top-notch figures, and ones we'll be using in photos in the future! It was a great treat to meet Josh and show him around a bit. If you've not met him yet, I strongly recommend taking a look at his Flickr Photostream and also read up at Toys N Bricks where he is a regular blog contributor!

Real Toys from Virtual Worlds - most kids now have one or more!

[caption id="attachment_1626" align="alignleft" width="71" caption="Club Penguin"][/caption]

Gone are the days when television and movies were the keys to creating popular toys - now kids want what to play with real versions of the characters they encounter first on the computer. Whether it's Moshi Monsters, Club Penguin, the newest Skylanders series or another, 55% of kids in the UK are reported to own at least one real life toy based on a video game's virtual world, according to Gamasutra. Based on popularity at ToyWiz.com, we'd expect a similar result for kids in the US as well.

[caption id="attachment_1627" align="alignleft" width="110" caption="Skylanders: Spyro's Adventure"][/caption]

The options range from toys that are simply real world representations of in-game characters, like the very popular Angry Birds, to toys that actually "plug in" and come to life on the computer to be played and saved. Many of the toys like Webkinz, Club Penguin and Moshi Monsters also offer in-game items or bonuses based on codes that come with the toys. That makes these a double-treat for players: a real toy and a virtual one that they can use online.

For the uninitiated, here's a quick look at some of the hottest game-and-toy offerings currently available:

• Angry Birds:
  The most popular game in the world has it's own line of plush, offline games and magnets, keychains and more. With over 500,000,000 downloads of the game, it's a sure bet that kids who like games have tried this one.


• Club Penguin:
  A Disney offering, "CP" has the quality and adorable eye-appeal you'd expect from the leader in family-friendly entertainment. It is a role-playing game, where you interact as a penguin in a beautiful snowy world. The Club Penguin toys offer coin codes to use in exchange for unique in-game items.


• Moshi Monsters:
  Combining the fun of an online game and the popularity of virtual pets, Moshi Monsters lets you adopt a monster and solve puzzles to buy items like food, clothing and decorations for it. It's popularity has grown quickly, and now the real world toys released this year are in great demand. These include trading cards, plush and figures with codes for in-game items.


• Skylanders:
  Available for all gaming platforms, Skylanders is a unique new gaming experience. For this one, the figures are a must - they are placed on the "portal" and come to life in-game. These toys actually save the character's progression, and can even be taken to a friend's house to play together on the same console.


• Poptropica: Developed by the Family Education Network, Poptropica lets players travel, play games, compete and communicate together to complete islands. The codes in Poptropica toys give players unique costumes to wear in the game too.


• Webkinz: Incredibly popular stuffed animals (plush) that all have access to the "Webkinz World" website. These range from common housepets to wild or fantasy animals. The code on each Webkin allows that pet to be adopted in the virtual world, where your stuffed animal gets to come to life.

[caption id="attachment_1630" align="alignleft" width="63" caption="Sonic the Hedgehog"][/caption]

Not only are these toys hot, we have seen merchandise for pretty much every game on the market. From Assassin's Creed to World of Warcraft, and classic-to-modern versions of Super Mario and Sonic the Hedgehog, there is no end to the now-complete tie in of computer gaming and toys.

 

So what do you think of these? Do you or your family own any toys that tie in to video games? Would you buy an item that came with a bonus for online use?

Incoming Gears of War!

Our new Gears of War series 1 from NECA arrived today to much fanfare around here! We've had so many orders and we've all been dying to get our hands on these. We have not been disappointed!

First off, Marcus Fenix: 30 points of articulation make him ultra-poseable, and he's got the gear and armor from the new Gears release to bring him up-to-date. His figure includes the Retro Lancer weapon too - which is pretty much enough reason to pick him up. It is, hands down, one of the best looking weapons ever conceived.

[caption id="attachment_1620" align="aligncenter" width="275" caption="Sculpted all new from the ground up."][/caption]Next, Anya Stroud: Wielding the new Lancer weapon and also with 30+ points of articulation, Anya is going to be a hot collectible not only for Gears of War fans, but will also be desirable as one of a few relatively rare female video game figures.

 

[caption id="attachment_1621" align="aligncenter" width="187" caption="Former "Control" dispatcher for Delta Squad, Anya is now a frontline fighting Gear herself. "][/caption]And lastly, we've got Clayton Carmine: Fully articulated and ready for anything with his Lancer, he rounds out Series 1 from NECA in true Gears of War style. No matter which way you voted for his fate, he's definitely a well-muscled figure worth having.

 

[caption id="attachment_1622" align="aligncenter" width="227" caption="Did you vote for this man to live or die?"][/caption]We also have an amazing array of Gears of War fan merchandise. It is truly staggering - enough to create an entire GOW store! Previous figure releases, plus everything from a Curb Stomp First Aid Kit to Imulsion Energy Drinks, COG TAGS, and even prop replica weapons are in our GEARS OF WAR SECTION.

 

 

ToyWiz Hot Toy Watchlist

 

	By popular request: introducing the holiday hot toy availability watchlist! Every year we get last-minute calls from parents and families in search of "must have" gifts that are sold out everywhere, and we don't want to let you down! So this year we're keeping a tally of the biggest sellers to let you know what's in stock and to alert when there's a danger of a pre-holiday sellout. Coming out of "Black Friday" weekend and into "Cyber Monday," here's where we stand on some of the fastest-moving toys:
	Xia Xia Pets Selling as fast as we expected, so we're well-stocked. But the late shopper's challenge will be finding specific characters, shells or playsets at the last minute. While we feel confident in our ability to offer Xia Xia, some items are already unavailable at other retailers and may sell out. So if you need a specific item on the list, it might pay to grab it early.
	Air Swimmers 3 of the 4 available models are in stock, but an early sell out on the infrared clownfish was surprising. We do still have an RC clownfish though, and we are trying to keep all of these in stock for immediate shipping.
	Fijit Friends It's the year's hottest electronic toy, and one that everyone will marvel over at gift time. They're selling briskly and it's hard to say if the pace will remain steady or if we'll see a spike in demand at the last minute.
	FyrFlyz Definitely a FAST mover this year! We stocked up, but it seems like everyone tacks at least one of these onto an order. They're a great value, and inexpensive enough for exchanges between children, stocking stuffers and prizes.
	Beyblade Metal Fusion Why TWO bars that are so different? Well honestly - we're the best source for the most Beyblade tops, stadiums and accessories anywhere. We'll have a massive selection, we won't run out and we won't let you down even at the last minute. But that top bar in the red? That's got to be for the latest Japanese imports from Takara/Tomy that are already flying out the door. If you need a gift for a serious blader, these premium tops are going very fast. Due to time restraints on imports, restocking before the holidays is unlikely, so these are a RED ZONE order if you need them!
	Cars 2 We have a massive selection of Disney/Pixar Cars 2, including die cast vehicles. We're in the green for this category because we always stock these very well, but as with everything at the holidays, if you need a specific item, it might pay to check out the status early. Some items are already sold out, but we have all the best in stock and ready to ship.