The World of Toys and Games

The Hottest Toys in Town

Hasbro is kicking off the new year with a lineup of new products from brands including Play-Doh, My Little Pony, Baby Alive and PJ Masks. The Play-Doh Kitchen Creations Magical Mixer Playset, reimagines the iconic mixer with twice the treats twice as fast. With a built-in carrying case, the My Little Pony Mini World Magic Mare Stream offers a glam camping experience at home or on the go. Gift a Baby Alive Foodie Cuties and reveal one of the eight impossibly-cute dolls or collect them all to create a Foodie Cuties world.The Baby Alive Fruity Sips doll offers kids a pretend juicer and sippy cup accessory so they can feed their Baby Alive doll, before it needs a change. Kids can pretend to join Catboy in the PJ Masks Cat Racer from the show complete with lights and sounds. The phenomenon that is Bluey sees several releases this year. From Moose Toys comes Bluey’s Tree Playset - Kids can climb into Bluey’s world with this imagination-inspiring tree playset that stands an impressive 11 inches tall. The irresistible rope ladder invites Bluey and friends to climb up the treehouse then slide back down from the other side. At the base of the tree is a seating area, a swing that fits Bluey and other character figures from the popular series, as well as a hammock to relax. Bluey Beach Cabin, Bluey Keepy Uppy Game, Bluey Escape Convertible, Bluey Escape Helicopter and Hammerbarn Shopping Playset are set to fuel imaginations and reaffirm the popularity of the Australian canine. In 2022 Perfetti Van Melle witnessed how the toy category has taken a massive leap in its licensing program with the launch of several surprising toy launches throughout the year. Many ranges include up to three of Perfetti’s brands: Chupa Chups, Airheads and Mentos. Another common characteristic revolves around mini formats or replicas of the candy and traditional toys that are morphed playfully with the candy products. In Asia Pop Mart, China’s leading creator and manufacturer of pop art toys, has teamed up with Perfetti Van Melle to create a fun collaboration that brings the world of Chupa Chups together with the popular character

Satyr Rory, an adorable mythological creature of Korean designer Seulgie.

Perfetti Van Melle is also proud to be a part of MGA Entertainment’s new co-branded collectible doll range called L.O.L. Surprise Loves

Mini Sweets™. The new collection combines the global sensation of MGA L.O.L. dolls with the sentimental charm of the candy brands. Other ranges include

Shopkin miniatures by Moose Toys,

Surprise toys with candy replicas by

Zuru and Super Impulse and jigsaw puzzles by Ywow and Ceaco Inc, which will see further expansion in 2023.

ZAG announces the launch of its first toy line from the new ZAG Play

Toy division that will be unveiled at the Spielwarenmesse-Nuremberg

Toy Fair. The first toys, across ten categories, all feature the company’s flagship brand, Miraculous™ –

Tales of Ladybug and Cat Noir, to be followed with products for the fun-filled action-adventure series Ghostforce, and the animated feature Melody, starring singer, songwriter, and actress Katy Perry. The announcement was made today by Jeremy ZAG, Founder and CEO, ZAG. The ZAG Play Toy Division, headed by Helena Perheentupa who serves as SVP (and based in Frankfurt, Germany) develops a broad range of innovative toy products that aim to offer synchronization between storytelling and the physical and digital world that

are deeply tied to the DNA of the company’s brands. The goal is to offer fans rich and full brand experiences, working in parallel with the company’s licensees to ensure a comprehensive and complementary offering across the globe. James Nunziati was recently appointed as Head of Global Sales for the ZAG Play Toy Division, reporting to Perheentupa. The ZAG Play Toy Division is part of ZAG Play which includes the licensing and merchandising, promotions, and gaming groups, headed by Julian Zag, EVP, Global Operations and Head of Consumer Products, to whom Perheentupa reports. In addition to its Bluey toy range mentioned above, Moose Toys is unveiling several exciting product priorities this year. The first licensed segment for the action-packed Akedo brand is This time of year – traditionally Toy Season as we know it – brings the latest trends and hottest toys and games to the industry. London, Nuremburg and Hong Kong will see buyers, retailers, licensees and more flock from around the globe to catch a look at what’s going to be big in 2023

Nickelodeon’s Teenage Mutant Turtles, featuring the popular characters from the animated series and upcoming film premiering Aug. 4, 2023. The crimefighting, pizza-loving Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are a natural fit with Akedo’s fast-fighting action and humor infused play, including Akedo’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Arena, Akedo Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Versus Packs. Heroes of Goo Jit Zu DC Goo Shifters have superheroes Batman and Gold Charge Flash confronting supervillain King Shark in their super gooiest transformation to date. Silly, fun-loving Minion Stuart has joined the licensed line of Heroes of Goo Jit Zu figures and thanks to his ooeygooey filling is goo-fier than ever. Fan favorite Stuart arrives at 4 ½ inches, but now that he’s been goo-ified, he can bend and stretch up to three times his size — always coming back to his original size. Stuart, once again, is a stand-out star in the next movie in the Despicable Me franchise. Fans will be amazed by how this new Heroes of Goo Jit Zu Minion “stretches” his star power into everyday play. Sound the Octo-Alert! Just as the Octonauts continue to expand their mission beyond the sea – onto land in “Octonauts: Above & Beyond,” the hit spin-off series of the popular preschool animated TV property, “Octonauts,” so has the line of imaginative toys. In partnership with Sony Pictures Television – Kids, this is the second new collection of toys created to assist the Octonauts team of adventurers. Mattel, Inc. recently announced the allnew line up for Disney Princess and Disney Frozen to consumers. The line delivers on consumer kids insights on what they want, including more animal friends and sidekicks, reveal innovation, castles, houses and vehicles, hair play and colour change, and expanded storytelling opportunities. Offerings include beloved Disney Princess and Disney Frozen characters accompanied by accessories heart, such as Queen Elsa and the Water Nokk ready to adventure beyond Arendelle. Toys on-shelves now, globally, include bright colours, true-to-character facial features, hair fibre tailored to the characters, and premium fabrics. The Disney dolls line from Mattel will also include unique collector offerings for adult fans that will celebrate the Disney Princess and Disney Frozen characters in a brand-new way with premium offerings to expand every fan’s collection. Together, Mattel and Disney will also bring the Disney Villains out of the shadows with a curated collection of premium dolls, capturing these mischievous characters in a new light. The new Hot Wheels® Rodger Dodger ™ toy inspired by the winner of the Hot Wheels Unleashed™ Design Battle is now available for purchase at major retailers globally. The contest gave players the opportunity to create unique designs for the Hot Wheels Rodger Dodger

die-cast model through the in-game Livery Editor. After a meticulous process of evaluation, Mattel’s judges selected “Digigold” made by Hot Wheels Unleashed player Reds as the winning Rodger Dodger™ livery characterized by a dominant white color-way.