Games and playsets

The listing of toys below is in order of popularity with the 6- to 12-year-olds at our test.

Hasbro Lazer Tag 2-in-1 System

$90, ages 8 and up

Contains 2 Phoenix LTX taggers (guns), shot-blast attachments, and pinpoint sights. Kids can also play in single-player mode using cable to connect to their TV.

What kids liked

Shooting at their friends.

What kids disliked

Not being sure who was on their team.

Bottom line

Toy Test kids enjoyed this, though they didn’t use the single-player/TV mode. (Note: This toy should not be used with projection, LCD, HD, or plasma TVs—which doesn’t leave many TVs to connect this to!)

Hot Wheels Speed Racer Sky Jump Track Set

$50, ages 5 and up

Track set for kids to build with a “sky jump” cone to launch cars. Cars jump, do stunts, and even crash. Comes with one “Mach 6” car.

What kids liked

It was very cool. “It’s awesome!”

Bottom line

A group of eight boys spent the entire Toy Test playing with this and didn’t get tired of it.

Are You Smarter Than A 5th Grader? Electronic Table Top Game

$30, ages 8 and up

Based on the hit TV show, this toy has more than 2,500 questions on 13 subjects. For one to four players. Wireless remote control.

What kids liked

“It feels like you are on the show, and there is a remote so you don’t have to press the game itself to select.”

Bottom line

Has some educational value. Kids or families who enjoy the show might like this.

Matchbox Mega Rig Shuttle Mission

$40, ages 4 and up

This toy can be configured into more than 30 different “cosmic” vehicles—including space shuttle, shuttle trailer, rocket, and UFO—with lights and sound effects.

What kids liked

It was fun to shoot the missiles.

What kids disliked

“It’s boring.” One kid complained that pieces are too big and not like Legos.

Bottom line

May be better for kids in the younger age range—about 4 to 7 years.

Bakugan Battle Brawlers

$30 (arena), $25 (starter pack of 3 brawlers), ages 5 and up

These very popular “brawlers” are spherical until you throw them onto one of the metal power cards. Then, since there’s a small magnet inside, they spring open and show their character’s identity. Each has different characteristics and a different “power” level. Kids can battle each other.

What kids liked

“It’s fun.”
“I like it when they transform.”
“I don’t have one, but I want one very badly!”

What kids disliked

It was hard to open.

Bottom line

This station had at least a few kids playing all through the Toy Test, but the kids seemed to be just “launching” the Bakugans, not counting points.