Holiday Gaming 2012: 12 Hot Toys

Holiday Gaming 2012: 12 Hot Toys

When the holiday season rolls around, three things are certain: too much turkey, Uncle Frank mouthing off about politics, and a torrent of hot, hot, in-demand toys. Here’s a rundown of the top dozen playthings and board games that’ll be selling out this year.

LeapPad 2

Can’t get your iPad away from the kids? The LeapPad 2 is purpose-built for toddlers through nine-year-olds, boasting 4GB of memory, front and back cameras, a 5" touchscreen, and access to a library of over 300 apps and games. Who needs Apple?

Buy at Amazon

Furby

The reappearance of this classic 90s toy might have you checking your calendar. But no, it’s not 1999, and yes, this slightly creepy electronic pet is indeed poised for a comeback. This year it’s sporting LCD eyes, more realistic facial features, and an accompanying iPhone app. Still just as creepy, though.

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Skylanders Giants

Part video game, part collectible action figure, the Skylanders were a huge hit last season. Now they’re bigger, they light up, and they come with a brand-new, top-rated game. If there’s a Skylanders fan in your household, your gift hunt just got a whole lot easier.

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The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey Lego game

Build the board, play the game, then take it apart and play it differently. Lego’s range of board games are made to inspire creativity, and this year’s top-seller kicks up the interest with a little Tolkien magic.

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Monster High Dolls

The terrifyingly popular series of Monster High dolls are set to be massive sellers this holiday season. Just like they were last year. Sorry, Barbie -- you’re yesterday’s news.

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Master Moves Mickey

Master Moves Mickey -- M3 to his friends -- will get kids as young as two up and dancing. Frankly, with a range of 15 groovy moves and plenty of mouse-appeal, he’s likely to get you up and dancing, too.

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Melissa and Doug Suspend

Award-winning tabletop game Suspend is best described as a sort of upside-down Jenga -- rather than disassembling a carefully-balanced tower, you’re adding notched lengths of wire to a delicate sculpture.

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Air Hogs Remote-Controlled Hover Assault

Conventional remote-controlled craft either fly or drive. Not so the high-tech Hover Assault, which does both, PLUS it sports a potent payload of four missiles ready to launch at the tap of button. Be afraid, cats. Be very afraid.

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Mice and Mystics

One of the most widely acclaimed new board games of 2012, Mice and Mystics blends a rich storyline with cooperative, friendly gameplay -- and a big scoop of charm, courtesy of its cheese-chomping, cat-dodging stars.

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littleBits Starter Kit

Electronics is a great way to get creative kids some hands-on science time, but soldering is a real pain. So check out the innovative littleBits line of components, which snap together with magnets. No mess, no fuss, just fun.

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Monopoly Millionaire

If you're fed up with dull, interminable Monopoly games, snap up this newly revamped version, which sets players the task of amassing a million bucks the fastest and awards them all the trappings of wealth along the way. The 1% has its perks, you know.

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Nerf Elite Hail-Fire Blaster

What kind of Nerf noob goes into battle with just one ammo clip? The Hail-Fire supports up to eight, housed in a rotating magazine that'll keep you firing for, well, however long it takes you to exhaust its 144-shot maximum capacity.

Buy at Amazon