Toyology

Van-tastic vehicle

You've a General Lee and K.I.T.T. taking up the bays in your retro R/C garage but what's missing is something a little more spacious and we pity the fool who doesn't know where we're leading yet! The ex-crack commando carrying GMC has finally made it into scale remote control form, and its a looker too. Detail down to the go-faster red stripe, pointless roof spoiler and paint on the tyres make this a fine addition to any RC collection. Working headlights and a turbo boost function add to the fun, but you'll have to add your own sound effects as the licence for the theme tune was way too expensive, still for £29.95 at FIrebox theres fun a plenty to be had humming it yourself whilst sporting oversized chuncky gold chains and a mohican!

Pooter, better than a Whoopee cushion?

A product that claims to be "the most realistic artificial flatulence maker" on the market  just had to be tested. The Pooter is an old fashioned kinda toy, gaining laughs from the inner school child in all of us. You simply hide the pooter out of sight, squeeze against your hand and bingo you have yourself a realistic squelch, as the use of 'old-skool' air technology creates a a different sound every time... This toy has taken the USA by storm - just check out all the Youtube videos - and will surely do the same here, who doesn't like a bottom joke?! £7.95 from the Giftlab.

Usb for fidgety sports fans

Another near useless creation from the Brainiacs at Brando that we find ourselves hovering over the BUY button for! These simple plug-in peripherals offer an on-screen ball of the same and as you flick the plastic piece it is replicated into a PC based ball movement. Complete with pong-line sounds it seems that the only concern is where you can buy a double digit hub to cope with all your add-ons. $15 from Brando

Get into dat thing with the Limbo String

We love to Limbo dance here at Toyology Towers, in fact we beleive it is what Friday afternoons were made for. Calypso tunage, rum punches and a bamboo stik held aloft by the office junior has beena  way of life for some months. Now this is all about to change as we have taken delivery of our all new Limbo String. A flick of the switch and a fluorescent cord extends seven foot across the room, ready to limbo underneath. A neon light in the base adds to the atmosphere and the the funky West Indian rhythms just add the cherry on this Carribean cake. You can adjust the height settings for the less limber, whats not to like - Yours now for £24.99 at Iwantoneofthose

Bubble making machine extreme

Pumping out bubbles at a rate of knots unknown outside Ibizan superclubs this Gazilion machine at £14.95 is a must buy. Not only spilling out transparent spheres at an impressive rate, touch the base and it spins around too...Covering entire rooms with poppables...get one HERE

Become the Dark Knight

Batman is back and this time badder than ever so its time to get into his guise...forget flimsy dress up sets this time round the toy folk have come up with some special stuff. This one is a retractable cape, flick a button and marvel as it expands to five foot, after you've flown around just tuck it back away to increase your on-ground air resistance. The set is available from Etoys today for $40  with a face mask chucked in, UK buyers it'll be about the same in quids.

Four wheeled riding with Ponycycle

Urban dwellers have little opportunity for riding horses, and should one arise the pain involved in getting used to the saddle and how to start trotting will hardly make it feel like fun. Ponycycle is the answer, just mount your steed (sizes for all available) and push down on the pedals whilst sitting up from the saddle then sit back down and bend your legs to take the pressure off your stirrup and a forward motion occurs. Don't take our word for it though check out the video.

Tardis Wardrobe

Fans of Doctor Who should make some room in their cribs for this almost two metre high canvas structure that is the ideal place to stash your clothes. Described as a place for kids to store extra clobber it strikes us that a couple of these in-situ and you could rip out the wardrobes and make do with these room transforming bits of memorabilia. Unfortunately they are the size on the inside which they appear! £29.99 at Amazon

Channel changer is out of this world

This rather splendid looking sci-fi gun styled with the fifties in mind hides a clever secret point it at your goggle-box and marvel as it transports you from one channel to the next. A simple function perhaps but considering its accompanied by a raygun sound makes it worth everyone of its 899 pence. Get yous from Play.com

Remote Control Car - Smallest ever?

Well according to retailers Gadget4all thats exactly what they are, we haven't checked the record books but measuring in at 35x25x20 mm they have to be contender. Each car is contained inside one of four themed sports balls which doubles up as the control unit. At $12.99 looks like a pretty decent gift for gadget lovers. Available now

Via Pocket-lint

Risk Black Ops - Incoming

We've just opened up our promo version of the forthcoming re-vamp of Risk - Introducing Capitals, Cities, Objectives, and Rewards the game has become about completing Objectives instead of Global Domination. In this updated Risk your goal is to be the first player to complete 3 Objectives and win control of your capital...This new version also allows  you to play a full game in under two hours, which any hardcore Risk'er will know is the blink of an eye compared to the original.

Swinxs shipping soon

The high tech gaming console from the Netherlands is about to be unleashed on the rest of the world. From Septemebr we'll all be allowed to join in the fun. Packed with different games the four RF tags (supplied) communicate back with the central console box to help keep track of scores and recognise the wearer and update their profile. From standard hide and seek to educational quizzes its pre-loaded with seven games and Swinx can be hooked up to your PC and updated with new games as they arrive. The central console offers verbal advice on playing, tips, tricks and even encouragement by way of cheering. Get your pre-orders in now at SWINX.com for about 150 Euros.

Cars on tour - More pics

We've managed to grab ourselves the first images of Sally and Mac the Truck set to travel the UK later next month. Although Sally and McQueen are made from real cars they're not "get in and drive aboutable" but the big Rig is. We're putting ourselves forward as drivers mate, navigator, whatever it takes really to get a ride.

Cars fans in for a real treat

Touring the UK this summer are the cast of Disney's Car movie, life size versions of Lightning McQueen, Sally and Tater will be visiting six locations starting at the British Motor Show in London on the 23rd July. Transporting them around the various venues will be a full size working version of Mack the Truck which is certain to cause a go slow on the roads. Check out the schedule HERE

Tokyo Toy Fair -AMP Bot wows the crowds

Hasbro and SEGA unveiled their high end robot last Friday to expectant punters in Japan, and immediately hit the right note. The music playing robot has an MP3 cradle on its back to belt out the music as it makes it way around your abode and tracking software ensures the speakers always face the listener. In addition its hands can be used to control the volume and in a very nifty trick to conduct some DJ style mising of your music. Price forecasts vary from $600 - $800 and it is expected in the US and Japan in October but sadly no news for a UK launch.

Star Wars Death Star - Is this the ultimate set?

LEGO fans please ensure you are seated, Star Wars nuts also assume the same position this news is big!
The LEGO Death Star, done as a cross section of the Impreial forces stellar destroyer you can see into loads of the rooms and recreate 14 scenes from the films, rescue Leia from detention and escape through the hatch into trash compactor land, the final duel between Luke and Daddy Darth perhaps in the throne room! There are 25 figures with the 3,800 piece set, we don't care how long it takes us to finish it'll be on the mantlepiece in pride of place for many years to come. Bad news for the Brits though, the £200 kit isn't being sold in the UK.....We've no idea, we have made calls, when we know you'll know.
For everyone else its HERE

Sega and their Rocking Robot

Sega have another robot heading our way, together with Hasbro at the Tokyo Toy Fair they’ve unleashed this, the AMPbot (Automated Musical Personality) and standing an impressive 73 centimetres high it is big enough to kick sand in Robosapiens eye. Stick an MP3 player on the back for some dancing action with moving head and the unavoidable flashing LED light display. Tune delivery comes from stereo speakers and those turntable-shaped hands are for volume control, sound effects and , the killer app, some DJ-style scratching. It’ll put lovers of the Sony Rolly in a bit of a fix, as although its almost twice the price it looks at least four times the fun, but you’ll have to be patient, Japan and the US get theirs this November but poor old Blighty won’t see any till at least the middle of 2009.The price : 80,000 Yen or about $740

Barbie with scary birds

Erm, almost speechless here Toyologists....Stumbled upon this Barbie based doll that "celebrates" the classic Hitchcock film. Featuring a doll they describe as scared yet looks mighty unperturbed by the arrival of the attacking avian trio this is certain to attract attention wherever its placed as well as comments of a negative nature when guests discover $44.95 of your cash has been blown. For the hefty of wallet head HERE

Airborne OAP - The Stunt Granny

Utterly splendid remote control stunt granny for your office based enjoyment. RC unit steers the old dear into the plastic supermarket fodder including baked bean tins, wet floor sign and disabled ramp to get her in the air. This latest in the OAP range of toys for those who should know better will once more have the workplace at a standstill. £17.99 at Drinkstuff

Sat Nag sends you round the bend

Sick of the sound of your SatNav yet you know lobbing it out of a moving car will set you back a £100 or more for a replacement..Get one of these on the dash and it'll alleviate the frustration you have with your in-car electronic Atlas. Laydees and Gentlemen the Sat Nag is here, utterly useless but downright funny a press on the front will offer some annoying words of Non-Wisdom.. "In 100 metres turn right, sorry left, oh i can never tell left from right" and more of the same. £7.95 from IWOOT