http://www.toy-tma.com toy reviews and news Mon, 08 Dec 2008 21:17:20 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en Scientific American has reported that toys containing toxic phthalates may still be on shelves in the United States because the federal government has yet to enforce the new Children's Safety Product Act. This disturbing possibility has been documented by The National Resources Defense Council (NRDC) and Public Citizen, who charge in the ... http://www.toy-tma.com/toy-news/toy-recalls-and-safety/toxic-toys-shelves-toy-safety/ Lego lost its bid to make the iconic brick shape of its products a trademarked-protected design.  According to ToyNews, The ruling rejected Lego's claims that its bricks have special chacteristics that set them apart and ruled that Lego's two rows of studs on top of the brick performed a utilitarian function ... http://www.toy-tma.com/electronic-toys/building-toys/lego-loses-trademark-classic-bricks/ A report by China Daily suggests that the salad days for off-shore toy manufacturing in China are over. A toy industry insider suggested that "over half" of the manufacturing plants will close their doors in the next two years. From the article in ToyNews: it is predicted than companies with good financials ... http://www.toy-tma.com/toy-news/chinese-manufactured-toys-decline/ [caption id="attachment_367" align="aligncenter" width="410" caption="The Star Wars Clone Trooper Voice Changer is On Everyone's Santa List"][/caption] Toy News has announced its top 12 toys for Christmas.  These are the most sought-after toys in the United States and the UK that Toy News predicts will dominate sales... and maybe inspire a few ... http://www.toy-tma.com/hot-toys/twelve-popular-toys-christmas/ Rainbow Brite is coming back to children's lives, refreshed and updated for a new generation.  Originally a Hallmark division, the Rainbow Brite franchise will now be administered exclusively by Playmates Toys. Below is the original trailer for the popular animated TV show in the 1980s. Since the franchise began in 1984, Rainbow ... http://www.toy-tma.com/vintage-toys/rainbow-brite-comeback/ [caption id="attachment_349" align="alignright" width="239" caption="Toy Retailers Won't be Squeezed Too Hard due to the psychology of recession"][/caption] The global financial market is pretty gloomy these days, and analysts are finally using the “r” word.  As in Re-cession.  What does this mean for toy retailers, and for your average shoppers looking for ... http://www.toy-tma.com/toy-news/toys-economic-turndown/ Comic-Con International is hosting its annual Alternative Press Conference this year in San Francisco from November 1 - 3. Known affectionately as APE, the conference is widely expected to be the biggest venue in the US for indie comics, graphic novels, zines and original small press art. This year's special ... http://www.toy-tma.com/toy-news/alternative-comic-conference-san/ Razor has agreed to a voluntary recall of 100,000 of their popular Razor® PowerWing™ Three-Wheeled Scooters last week.  The reason for the recall is the apparent laceration hazard on the underside of the scooter due to sharp metal edges. The US Consumer Product Safety Commission has documented several cases of tendon ... http://www.toy-tma.com/toy-news/toy-recalls-and-safety/razor-powerwing-recall-announced/ The first week of autumn is a signal to start looking back, reminisce over the good ole days, and remember what really matters.  And, right on schedule, the Strong National Museum of Play has announced 12 nominees for this years induction into the Toy Hall of Fame. Only two of the ... http://www.toy-tma.com/toy-news/toy-hall-fame-nominees-announced/ [caption id="attachment_328" align="alignright" width="337" caption="Robin's highlights never looked so.... chunky"][/caption] The much anticipated video game LEGO Batman will momentarily rest on the shelves on September 28.  We say "rest" because the game is widely expected to be a sell-out. This is the third LEGO series adventure game, so it has some big ... http://www.toy-tma.com/hot-toys/lego-batman-video-game-coming/