Everything that is old is new again, courtesy of the big toy manufacturers’ line of 2003 and early-2004 toy releases. Already in October it was abundantly clear that Mattel’s “Elmo” toys would be amongst the hottest sellers for under the tree. “Elmo” has veritably made an industry out of interactive singing-and-dancing figures, breathing new life into a plush toy genre that was running a bit low on gas prior to “Elmo’s” introduction from the reels of Sesame Street.
Yet Hasbro was able to respond to the trend with abundance, updating its interactive “Neopets” line at the same time as it teamed with Tiger Electronics for a line of pets called “Go Go My Walkin’ Pup,” that almost seem like the real thing (without the mess). Indeed, the Hasbro pseudo-pets, in their various forms, are the most positively educational toys that also present an extremely healthy dose of fun, while there can be little argument that “Elmo” is pure fun…
Once again relating to our “full circle” theme, the “Neopets” line is certainly not new, and can easily be construed as “retro” from its Japanese origins. The same thing can be said for a duo of “boy’s toys” releases from Hasbro: “Micro Machines” and “G.I. Joe,” which is updated for Hasbro’s popular “BTR (Built to Rule)” line. “G.I. Joe Cobra” looks suspiciously like the infamous “LEGO” blocks, which is not particularly surprising when one considers that the “BTR” building blocks are indeed compatible with most “LEGO” systems – a nice feature that will allow toy collections to expand in incremental fashion.
By contrast with the “G.I. Joe” and “BTR” updates, “Micro Machines” have changed very little since their original circa-1980’s introduction. The tiny cars and vehicles are nearly identical to that which attained popularity two decades past, while the transporters have achieved evolutionary, instead of revolutionary, improvements. “Super Stunt City” is a super product with which to start a “Micro Machines” collection, although existing owners may already have similar products to sate their micro-desires. The package achieves that which “Micro Machines” has always stood for – easily transportable and compact vehicular fun.
So today’s toy-makers are working overtime to make everything old become new again, not because they have run out of good production ideas, but because today’s consumers demand the favorites of old. There are practically no 1980’s toys that have not yet been updated for the new millennium. Even the ultra-faddish “Transformers” are out with new releases from Hasbro. The circle is all but complete, as hardly any toy lines have yet to run the gamut from the 1980’s to the present.
Built to Rule GI Joe: Cobra Moccasin Boat
This action building set is Built to Rule! Build vehicle as a speedboat or snowmobile! Features launching missile! Set includes 27 pieces (compatible with other leading building systems) and 1 figure. GI JOE is the code name for America's daring, highly trained special mission force. Its purpose: to defend human freedom against COBRA, an evil organization determined to rule the world. The GI JOE team is made up of experts in different disciplines, and they fight for freedom wherever there's trouble on the land, on the sea or in the air! The Spy Troops forces add the element of surprise to the battle between GI JOE and COBRA! Disguises and secret vehicles allow both teams to go undercover into enemy territory, to launch attacks and sabotage the enemy's plans! Ages 5 & up.
