When the parcel arrived, the box said the helicopter was for children aged over 14 years and my son (Ben) is only 10 so that was the start of my worries.

I then opened the box to see this fragile looking helicopter so began to think my investment was about to be smashed to pieces. The Syma S107G is also a micro helicopter so is pretty teeny – it fits comfortably on one hand.

Panicking I got my husband to take the first flight so I could at least get some video before Ben took his turn. With hindsight this wasn’t the best idea as hubby crashed it straight into the ceiling anyway!

The good news was though, that it survived. It is actually really durable so Ben got to have a go and despite his initial crashes it is still intact – phew!

==> Click HERE for the best prices <==

The Technical Stuff

This Syma RC helicopter is a micro coaxial hobby grade toy. This means it is one level up from toy helicopters so you can buy replacement parts if any get damaged. You can also make your own modifications if you’re into that sort of thing.

The G in S107G stands for Gyro. This built in stabilizer means the helicopter will not spin out of control but instead goes where you tell it to.

The 3 channel remote control means you control the height, direction and speed of the heli. More advanced RC helicopters have 4 channels where you also get to roll and bank whilst flying.

You can steer the helicopter in any direction due to its 360 degree control. It also goes up and down (obviously!).

All the parts are assembled straight out of the box, but you do need to insert batteries into the remote control.

The metal and plastic build is designed to stand up to the inevitable crashes.

The helicopter has a range of 30ft from the remote control.

There are two frequencies available so you can fly two helicopters at the same time.

This toy can only be used indoors as the infra red will not work in direct sunlight.

Syma S107 Review

I should have guessed that with all the other great reviews out there that this would be a good toy. And it was! It gets the thumbs up from both Ben and hubby who have already had hours of fun with it. Check out their video review below:

Pros

With a price tag of around £15-20 this helicopter toy offers great value for money.

The controls are easy to understand and it is great fun to fly. The controls are quite sensitive though so you need to get used to making small adjustments. Pushing the levers too far forwards and backwards you will soon ram the helicopter into the floor or ceiling.

Upon arrival, the helicopter needs to be charged but then you can fly it straight away.

There is a USB cable to attach to your PC to charge the Syma S107 battery which is built in. It does also have a lead to charge from the remote control but this will run down its batteries fairly quickly. I guess this would be helpful if you were away from your PC though.

The helicopter is much sturdier than it first looks. Whilst not indestructible, ours has had some fairly major crashes and is still flying happily. We have had to tweak the tail blade but I think this was more from Ben picking it up by the tail rather than a crash. The metal casing that keeps all the workings protected does a good job and the blades seem to move out of the way on impact and don’t get damaged. As the helicopter is so lightweight, the frame is tough and the power is not excessive, the crashes actually aren’t that heavy.

Whilst Ben thinks the flight time of the Syma S107 helicopter is far too short at 6-7 minutes, I think it’s great as it keeps him wanting more. He can’t fly it for long enough to get bored so he’s still excited about it when it’s ready for him again.

From what I’ve read the built in Gyro is the real plus of this helicopter. It stops it spinning off crazily and allows you to control it and fly it very precisely. It goes where you tell it to and it responds quickly to adjustments you make on the remote control. It also hovers well. Flying this machine is easy to learn making it great for novices.

The trim control (or adjustment knob as I call it) allows you to correct any issues the helicopter may develop with direction. This means that if you tell the helicopter to go forwards but it veers off to the left or right, you can tweak the knob to realign it. You won’t need to do this very often though.

Although there is some noise from the battery and the blade rotation, it is actually pretty quiet when flying.

Depending on how good your flight skills are, there may come a time when you need to replace some of the Syma S107 parts. Luckily spares are easy to find online, from blades to buckles, to new chargers. Unlike with other toy helicopters, if something breaks, it can be fixed very cheaply.

==> Click HERE for parts information & prices <==

Cons

Watch out for the ‘colours may vary‘ products on Amazon if you fancy a specific colour of helicopter. I missed this so we ended up with a yellow one when Ben would have liked a red one. They are available in red, blue and yellow.

Of course the helicopter needs to be charged when you get it. We know this but 10 year olds don’t appreciate it. As such if you buy one for Christmas, charge it as late in the day as you can, then wrap it and put it under the tree.

Charging the Syma S107G helicopter lasts about 40-50 minutes. It can then fly for 6-7 minutes. These ratios didn’t stack up to Ben but he’s learning to live with it and is always keen to get going when it’s ready.

Being a moving indoor toy, you will have to be somewhat careful where you fly it, especially when you’re still a learner. It might knock off an ornament or scratch furniture so bear this in mind before you start. You also need to steer clear of fans or really bright lights as they can affect the flying and the remote control.

I don’t like the connections on the USB. Both the socket on the helicopter and the end of the cable are plastic and they don’t seem to fit very well. They do work though so I guess I can’t complain too much.

The Syma S107G manual is a bit of a joke. The English translation is laughable in places but luckily if you read this review and watch our video you won’t need them!

Make sure you have 6 AA batteries ready for the remote control or you won’t be flying anywhere.

Make sure you have a room with a bit of space ready for your first few flights.

Things I Think You Might Find Useful To Know

This helicopter is small. See our photo below comparing it to an apple. It is 22cm long, 3.8cm wide and 9.8cm tall. When flying it has a 19cm rotor diameter.

Make sure you look after the helicopter’s battery. This is really important and here’s how to do it:

• DON’T keep flying the helicopter until the battery’s empty. Limit your flights to 5 minutes only.
• DO let the battery cool down both after charging and after flying. So don’t fly it as soon as it’s charged. And don’t charge it as soon as it’s flown. A 5 minute wait should be enough.
• DON’T leave the helicopter plugged in when it’s finished charging. You know when it’s charged as a red light appears on the USB cable. Actually these lights had us confused for a while. When you first plug the cable into the PC, the red light comes on. It goes off again when you plug the other end of the cable into the helicopter. But then it comes on again when the charge is complete.

Watch our video to see the controls in action but basically the levers work as follows:

• Left lever – makes the helicopter go up and down.
• Right lever – controls the direction so you can change course 360 degrees.
• Trim control – only needed to adjust the directional control if need be, say when forwards isn’t going forwards.

Being a complete RC helicopter novice I found it hard to get used to the directional controls working relative to the helicopter. In other words it is fine if you are behind the helicopter as right to the helicopter is right to you, but if it is facing you then right to the helicopter is left to you. Anyway you’ll see what I mean when you try it and once I got my head around it, it was fine.

Kids won’t have any problem with this but I was being over cautious on take off and landing, trying to go really slowly so I didn’t shoot up into the ceiling. Anyway you need to be a bit less cautious and get the helicopter away from the ground quite quickly or the air currents interfere with the stability. So take off quite quickly, but straight away take your finger off the throttle or you’ll crash into the ceiling.

Here are some good exercises to get you used to flying the helicopter when you first get it:

• take off and land
• take off, go left and land
• take off, go right and land
• take off, go forwards, backwards and land
• take off, go forwards, turn around, return to where you took off from and land
• take off, do some circuits (both left and right) and land
• take off, perform a figure of eight and land.

To avoid any damage, when you know you are going to crash (and you will!), release the throttle immediately.

Do not pick the helicopter up by the tail. Just carefully pick it up by the main body.

If you notice the helicopter struggling to gain altitude towards the end of the flying time, stop flying as the battery is nearly depleted. Like we said above you should not empty the battery completely if you want to preserve the battery life.

Fun Ideas

When you’re proficient at basic flying, set up some flight skills competitions. Create a helipad with a small table or stool, put some obstacles around the place and try to manoeuvre around them. Take turns with friends or family members to see who can run the course the fastest.

Syma S107 Mods

Whilst we have not had our helicopter long enough to want to pimp it or repair anything, if you are interested in such things, KillBuckets.com has some great tutorials. These include learning how to become a S107 mechanic, how to adjust the throttle so you can fly the helicopter thumbs-off, and how to replace the battery.

Overall

I hope you’ve found our Syma S107G helicopter review helpful. We’ve found it be great fun especially as a learner level RC helicopter. Why not start here while you learn how to fly and then move onto a more expensive model.

==> Click HERE for the best prices <==

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With some practice, your child can learn to perform thousands of tricks with this ultra fun remote controlled car. It is durable and can withstand the rough ride it is likely to endure. Bash it, crash it and enjoy some amazing stunts along the way.

There are various colours and styles available although you will not be able to choose which one you get in most online shops.

Please click for prices on the full range of Turbo Twister Cars in the UK or the US

The Turbo Twister RC Stunt Car has an easy to use wire free controller allowing you to race or perform stunts and will provide hours of fun. The remote control is fully functional allowing you to turn the car left and right as well as going forwards and backwards. The stunts are amazing and performed thanks to the moving axles and tires. Unlike other RC cars, you don’t need to pick it up and set it straight after a crash as it flips over and over and rights itself. It also works on all surfaces and will not damage your furniture, walls or skirting boards as it is made of silicone. It is 8″ long and comes with a battery pack and charger for greater convenience which charges in 3-4 hours.

On the downside, the music may drive you mad after a while! The antenna on the remote control is also a bit flimsy so warn your kids or they might break it. The charge also does not last very long.

Buy Now

You’ve probably seen the TV adverts for this crazy remote controlled car that can do spins, wheelies and 360 degree flips. It’s hard to take your eye off the flashing lights and amazing stunts. Buy your Turbo Twister car now if you want to become addicted.

Please click for prices on the full range of Turbo Twister Cars in the UK or the US

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All you need to do is push him and he comes to life – this is very exciting for youngsters. He is ready to entertain with lights, sounds and actions that will keep kids guessing as to what he might do next. He talks, dances and sings depending on which sensory spot is activated – what more could you want from a garbage truck?

Please click for more reviews or the current price in the UK or the US

Stinky The Garbage Truck Review

Stinky is interactive with a personality all of his own. He has incredible motorised movement and articulation and is full of surprises designed to delight any young boy. He might talk to you, tell you jokes, eat garbage when he’s hungry, dump garbage when he’s full, sing, exercise or ask for high fives – it all depends on his mood. Over 90 phrases and sounds such as ‘Load me up’ and ‘Feed me’ encourage cooperative play with your young one. They can also turn off the interactivity and use this truck as a normal push around toy. It really is fun, fun, fun.

Stinky’s white driver’s cab is moveable and turns like a head. His headlights blink and his front bumper drops like a jaw which is very comical. His front wheels rear up if you touch the right sensory button or can be moved manually. There is also a dumper truck lever to release all of the garbage that he has eaten. It will take your child a while to learn all of his functions, but this is part of the fun. Highlights will no doubt be when he eats up small toy cars and poops them out as well as one rather rude noise! He also comes with a 22 minute cartoon episode featuring Stinky and friends on DVD which makes a nice extra little gift.

On the downside, he is not cheap, needs lots of batteries (4 x C batteries are included) and is quite loud with no volume control in sight. He also shouldn’t be played with outside or in the sandpit for example as dirt will cause him to stop working, as will rough play, so keep an eye out to rescue him if need be. There is little educational value but for a fun toy, you can’t go wrong.

Other Big Rig Buddies

Stinky is part of the Big Rig Buddies range of toys from Matchbox, which are all new interactive toys aimed at children aged 3 years and over. Stinky, Rocky (the Robot Truck), Lanky (the Crane) and Smokey (the Fire Truck) are all over sized, simple to move and come prepared with over 90 phrases and sounds.

Buy Now

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Why Choose Lego Duplo?

Specifically designed for younger children, Duplo bricks are big. In fact their volume is 8 times larger than an average Lego brick, so they cannot fit into young ones mouths. They are well built, non toxic and ideal for small hands to learn improved dexterity with continued play. The basic but bright colors are attractive to children but also offer a good learning experience as parents can use them to teach colors. Building with Duplo bricks helps improve hand-eye coordination through hands on, minds on play. As we all know, Lego lasts and lasts so your investment will be a long term one for future children or even grandchildren. It even washes well if sticky fingers get it dirty or drop something on it – what more could you ask for?

Why Choose the Lego Duplo Deluxe Brick Bucket?

This is a great starter set – there are plenty of pieces to make some interesting creations and the wheel base is a firm favourite.

Unlike the themed Duplo sets such as Baby Zoo, Big Farm and Chicken Coop, where the pieces are only really designed to build one set, the Deluxe Brick Box encourages free form building and can be used over and over again to build any number of creations. Self esteem is also strengthened when recognisable forms are created from what is effectively a blank canvas.

As well as the Duplo pieces, you get a colorful and durable plastic storage box with removable lid to use to keep your collection organised. It is big enough to hold more pieces or sets that you already own or you might buy in the future. You can also use it to store creations without having to break them up straight away after play.
Although Duplo is not cheap, it is a quality toy. Cheaper alternatives create frustration in young children when the bricks do not fit or stick together very well, so you really do get what you pay for.

What is missing?

The base plate that is included can be a little small for many creations, so why not invest in the larger one from the outset.

Please click for the current price

Buy Now

Lego Duplo is the ideal starting point from which your children can progress on to regular Lego and the more interesting and challenging projects these bricks offer. Lego toys should be child’s play for many of their formative years.

Please click for more reviews or the current price in the UK or the US

As well as this Lego Duplo Brick Box, there are also smaller buckets on offer.

Please click for more information on the full range of Lego Duplo Brick Boxes

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Meccano makes a number of multi model sets but this Meccano 50 Model set is the largest. This box is packed with over 600 pieces of Meccano for your child to build into over 50 different motorised models, including a massive crane, a cool motorbike, a truck with articulated arm and a huge helicopter (see more images below).

Please click for more reviews or the current price in the UK or US

Why should you buy?

This Meccano Multi Models 50 model set is very advanced combining traditional Meccano qualities of mechanics and movement with functional and attractive designs. There are large chunky wheels to work with as well as cool coloured metal bits.

Meccano is one step up from Knex and Lego, so if you have children who are growing out of these brands, or you want to give them some real world engineering skills, try one of these exciting kits. The skills they will learn will set them in good stead for an engineering career, or even just so they can fix their own bike or car in later life.

Your child will require (or learn!) patience and persistence to perform the careful adjustments necessary to make the vehicle work correctly. This will then be rewarded with a great sense of achievement upon completion.

The resulting motorised vehicles come to life with their real working parts. The movement mechanisms are very sophisticated and will really excite any 8+ year old.

What comes in the Meccano 50 Models box?

As well as the large number of pieces to work with, this Meccano set also includes tools, a power tool, two gear boxes and a 6V battery operated motor. The detailed instructions for 20 models and 30 suggestions are nicely illustrated and easy to follow. Alternatively your child could create his own designs.

Obviously only one model can be built at a time but once completed and played with for a bit, the pieces can be deconstructed and used to make the next creation. This is one gift where you will get your money’s worth in the hours your child will spend playing with it. You can even join in and have some fun yourself.

Notes for purchase: you will need 6 AA batteries to run the motor and power tool which are not included. Click here for a great price on these batteries.

What you can make with these Meccano sets?

These are just a few of the amazing vehicles that can be made with this extensive set.

Buy Now

All Meccano toys are an ideal way for your child to take an interest in mechanical engineering. Steel plates, nuts and bolts are all combined from what looks like a pile of scrap and turned into exciting machines. The bolts are all easy to tighten.

Please click for more reviews or the current price in the UK or US

If you want to test the water to see if your child likes this sort of toy, they also make smaller Meccano Erector sets of between 2 and 50 models. Please click for the full range.

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With Christmas just around the corner, you are advised to get yours now to ensure you do not miss out. It is so much in demand that Amazon.co.uk are only letting you buy 5 per household – I’m not sure why you’d want 5 but it shows you how popular it is!

Please click for prices in the UK or the US.

So what is the PlayStation Move?

The Nintendo Wii was the first to innovate the motion gaming experience. Recently the PlayStation Move and the soon to be released XBox Kinect are offering up some competition. The PS3 Move effectively immerses you into the game. You no longer watch, you are instead an integral part of a dynamic game. The Eye Camera follows your every move of the special Move Controller and the high definition graphics make ‘your’ on screen actions very realistic.

As well as the new Move hardware, a new PlayStation 3 slim console has been released. This has a massive 320Gb hard drive but is almost a third smaller, lighter and less power hungry than its predecessors. If your old PS3 needs replacing, now is the time.

To save yourself both money and time, you are best off buying the hardware for the PlayStation Move in a bundle.

But which PS3 Move bundle should you buy?

If you are new to the PlayStation 3 or you want to upgrade to the new Playstation 3 slim console, you should look out for a PS3 Move console bundle. Prices are rocketing up and down at the moment though as stocks run low. If you can find one for around £300 you are doing well. Other than that you are better off buying the PS3 slim console and the PS3 Move accessories separately.

Please click for the current PS3 Move bundle prices

The PS3 Move console bundle should include the following to get you started:

• PlayStation 3 Slim Console
• Massive 320GB Hard Drive – the largest capacity gaming console yet
• DualShock 3 Wireless Controller to ‘feel’ your interaction with the game
• PlayStation Eye Camera that follows your every move
• PlayStation Move Motion Controller

If you already have a PlayStation 3, then you just need the PS3 Move Starter Pack bundle.

For under £50, you get the PlayStation Eye Camera and Move Motion Controller. You will of course need to buy a Move compatible game to test out your new hardware.

Please click for the current Move Starter Pack price

Save heaps by buying a PlayStation Move bundle

By buying the new PS3 Move in bundle form you will save:

• around £35 off the RRP on the Console Bundle.
• around £10 off the RRP on the Starter Bundle.

Which game should you start off with?

With more than 20 Move compatible games currently available and many more expected before March 2011 you will not be stuck for choice. They are available as sports, action, shooting as well as family games with hot favourites being Call Of Duty: Black Ops, Medal Of Honor and Sports Champions.

The Sports Champions Move game is probably ideal for beginners or for families this Christmas. You can get used to the new Controller and let it show off what it does while having fun with table tennis, archery and four other sports events.

Please click for the full list of PS3 Move games

What extras will you need in addition to these PS3 Move Bundles?

The current bundles are not overflowing with accessories so there will inevitably be some bits and bobs that would make your gaming life so much easier. These include:

• A second Move Controller for multi player games. The console can talk to up to 4 Controllers and a second one really is a must have. (Please click for price.)
• One or two Navigation controllers. You can use the DualShock controller for your left hand controller, but it is a bit cumbersome. These separate Navigation controllers are more ideal. (Please click for price.)
• A charging station for your Move controllers so you can charge them up without connecting them to the PS3 console. (Please click for price.)
• A PS3 Blu-Ray Disc remote control to make your life much easier when you’re watching films. (Please click for price.)
• A PS3 Eye Camera Mounting Clip to keep the camera sturdy on top of your TV and to help with getting a better angle. (Please click for price.)
• Various Move shooting guns and accessories for more realistic game play. (Please click for prices.)

What can you do with the PlayStation 3 Move Bundle?

• Play high definition Blu-ray games
• Watch high definition movies (Blu-ray and standard DVDs)
• Access the PlayStation Network for downloading games, movies, chatting with friends, playing mini-games and more
• Browse the internet via the built-in Wi-Fi
• Save games and download internet content onto the 320GB hard drive.

Buy Now For Christmas 2010

The PlayStation 3 is powerful, reliable and versatile. It is no longer just a gaming console but rather a full digital media entertainment system. With the latest addition of the Move technology it is clear that the PS3 is not going anywhere anytime soon. For a fun filled family Christmas, make sure you include a new PS3 Move Bundle on your shopping list.

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Please click for the full range of Toy Story 3 games and toys in the UK or US

Playskool Toy Story 3 Mr Potato Head Buzz Lightyear

This Toy Story 3 Mr Potato Head edition comes dressed like Buzz Lightyear, featuring a Buzz chest piece, visor and jetpack, and includes everything you need for mixed up potato head fun. Mr. Potato Head’s parts and all the accessories easily store inside his body, which looks just like the spaceman character straight from the Toy Story 3 movie. It’s up to you to use the accessories to give potato head a crazy new look. Use the jetpack on your “Spud Lightyear” figure in place of where his ear should be or give him a set of teeth instead of a nose. The kookier the look, the better the outcome for this high-frying astro-tot. This toy is good quality, just like all the others in the range. All children love dressing up either themselves or their action figures and being suitable for those aged 2+, this is ideal for your young Toy Story fan.

Please click for the current price in the UK or US

Toy Story 3 Buzz Lightyear Operation Game

Attention Star Command: Buzz Lightyear’s parts need some fixing. This toy is a unique twist on the classic Operation game with a Toy Story theme. Can you fix Buzz and make him better? Operate carefully to repair Buzz’s lazy laser or his busted ball joint or else Buzz will have an asteroid attack and you’ll hear real laser sounds. This fun-for-the-whole-family game includes a drawer for easy parts storage, a Gameboard with Buzz ‘Patient’, a set of tweezers, 24 cards, 12 Funatomy plastic parts and play money. The make-you-jump ‘BUZZZ’ of old has been replaced by all sorts of spacey sounds to keep it in theme. It’s great to see this classic game being revived and fixing Buzz’s galactic ailments will be loved by all Buzz Lightyear fans aged 6+.

Please click for the current price in the UK or US

Toy Story 3 Jessie With Bullseye

Ride ‘em, cowgirl with this Jessie and Bullseye two pack set which brings the classic Toy Story 3 rescue scene to life. This 11.5” fully-articulated, poseable doll comes with cowgirl fashions, a flexible lasso, detachable hat and her loveable sidekick, Bullseye the horse. Kids will love taking Jessie for a ride on Bullseye or simply brushing her long hair. Jessie, who was introduced to us in Toy Story 2, is an iconic fan favorite. These robust Toy Story 3 dolls are perfect for imaginative play and are so well detailed and true to the movie characters. Jessie can even sit on Bullseye unaided so this set is sure to be a favorite with all the little girl Toy Story figures fans out there. Just note these toys do not talk.

Please click for the current price in the UK or US

Toy Story 3 Toys Buzz Lightyear Space Shooter Game

Grab your blaster and swing into action to save Woody and the gang with another of the new Toy Story 3 games. This Space Shooter game uses live action in this unique role-playing game. A motorized rapid-fire blaster and real disc-shooting action make enemies quake in fear. See how it feels to be Buzz Lightyear as he shoots his discs across the board at enemy toys as he helps save the good toys at Sunnyside Daycare. This game includes easy-to-understand rules, a space shooter, 12 foam discs, a gameboard, 4 cardboard ‘jail cells’, 20 scoring tokens, 4 purple pawn stands, 8 white pawn stands, 12 character pawns and one dice. It is suitable for children aged 5+. It is basically a fast paced target game, just make sure you buy some AA batteries as they’re not included.

Please click for the current price in the UK or US

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1. Toy Story 3 Jet Pack Buzz Lightyear Review

The movie, which opens with a Western-style action sequence featuring fictional characters Woody, Buzz, Jessie, Bullseye and Rex, focuses on 17-year-old Andy’s transition to college and the fact that he has finally outgrown his old toys.

Buzz Lightyear, one of the film’s main characters, is a space ranger first seen in Toy Story when he was a birthday gift for Andy. At that time, Buzz didn’t understand that he was a toy, believing himself to be a real space ranger. Since the first movie in 1995, he has been one of the most popular characters and as such has a whole raft of toys made in his image.

Don’t Get The Wrong One

The updated Toy Story 3 Jet Pack Buzz Lightyear is tipped to be one of the most popular Christmas toys this year. Just make sure you get the ‘new’ one and not one of the previous versions that look exactly the same.

Please click for the current price in the UK or US

What’s New?

This Buzz Lightyear figure is still pretty big at 12″ tall and fully poseable. He comes complete with his signature rocket pack, upgraded and more accurate pop-out wings, new and improved realistic laser arm lights and retractable helmet to allow for interactive play. More than 30 all new phrases in the well known movie voice, make Buzz come alive. The rocket pack which is what this toy is all about, also bursts with exciting afterburner jet lights and blast off sound effects. The various buttons on his chest can be pressed for the following actions:

• Red oval – mission mode
• Blue oval – movie phrases
• Green oval – movie phrases
• Red round – pop out wings
• Arm button – light and laser sound effects

Is It Any Good?

As with all of the Toy Story 3 toys, your kids will be able to recreate many of Buzz’s famous movie scenes with this highly detailed and realistic toy. It is suitable for children aged 4 and above but does require 3 AAA batteries – one set are included. It will offer hours of Toy Story fun and imaginative play with the jet pack, pop out wings and various buttons making it an active and dynamic toy. Toys with moving parts are always more popular than their static counterparts. The movie phrases such as “I’m Buzz Lightyear” and “approaching target” also make Buzz a top choice as children love to pretend their action figures are communicating with them or each other.

The only downsides are that he can fall over easily if not positioned carefully, the knee and ankle joints are quite stiff, some of the stickers can peel off and it is quite loud with no off switch – you’ve been warned!

Overall, this Buzz Lightyear Jet Pack toy is a must have for any Buzz fan and is likely to be hard to find the closer we come to Christmas, so BUY NOW!

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These whizzing electronic hamsters dash and scurry around, cooing and squeaking depending upon what they encounter in their travels. All of that changes, however, when the hamsters enter the mystical “Tablet of Zhu,” a special training ground that changes these Zhu Zhu Pets into two teams of Kung Zhu Warriors, ready to battle each other.

Please click for prices on the full range of Kung Zhu Hamsters

The new line, aimed at boys aged 3+, features Special Forces and Ninja Warriors, along with battle armour and vehicles as well as training and battle arenas. With eight original characters split into the two battling groups, Kung Zhu Hamsters’ owners have the adventure of training each character to become a fighting, battling warrior.

If your boys are likely to love this kind of toy, please read on for our reviews of the hamsters and their accessories. But Buy Now – these will be harder to get as Christmas approaches!

First though we look at what Kung Zhu Hamsters do and the differences between Kung Zhu Hamsters.

What do Kung Zhu Hamsters do?

Kung Zhu Hamsters might start off as “cute” and “mild-mannered,” but once they’re sent to their main training grounds, smart chip technology allows you to hear a distinct personality transformation. These second generation Zhu Zhu Pets are sure to be a hit with boys, who pit them against each other in a battle arena to test their combat abilities.

Known for being a highly collectible item, each Kung Zhu Hamster possesses its own unique features and accessories. Appealing to collectors as well as boys, these hamsters provide hours of entertainment. Hard hitting, action packed and full of fun, these toy hamster pets are trained for battle to become the ultimate hamster warrior. Complete with upgrades ranging from armor to tanks, it’s anyone’s guess who will win as one side takes on the other inside the battle arena.

These hamsters have various play modes. In ‘normal mode’ they are just like Zhu Zhu pets. They also have ‘explore mode’ where they make silly cartoon sounds and ‘talk mode’ where say individual phrases. But ‘battle mode’ is where they lose their mild manner and become zany and aggressive warriors.

There are two ways for the hamsters to enter ‘battle mode’. First they can make it to the end of a training course or second they can be swiped across the ‘Tablet of Zhu’ which is included with each armour set. Each Tablet unlocks one of 8 different fighting styles, which effectively means new sounds.

Introducing the Kung Zhu Hamster teams

Kung Zhu Hamsters fall into two distinct categories: Kung Zhu Ninja Warriors and Kung Zhu Special Forces. The Ninja Warriors are made up of Azer, Drayko, Thorn and Yama, four hamsters sworn to brotherhood and trained with martial art skills that have made them the most feared hamsters ever. Together, they battle it out against their arch rivals, the Special Forces, in the war to determine who is the ultimate hamster.

Rivet, Rock-O, Sgt Serge and Stonewall make up the platoon of hamsters known as the Special Forces. Sworn enemies of the Ninja Warriors, these soldiers have taken a vow to fight their enemy hamsters inside the arena and emerge victorious.

Is one Kung Zhu Hamster the same as the next?

Each hamster has its own personality and traits, making it unique. For example, Azer is the older brother of Drayko, a fellow Ninja Warrior. Raised in the dragon clan, he left to better himself and join the Kung Zhu Forces. Unfortunately, he was beaten in the arena by his best friend and left Kung Zhu in shame to form the Skull Clan. A rather miserable, spiteful hamster, Azer likes spoiled milk and baseball and dislikes sunny days and ice cream. His armor is called “Dark Jonin” and his special vehicle is the “Spider Skull.”

Kung Zhu Hamsters Review

The Hamsters

The hamsters themselves are cute and cuddly until they go into battle mode. Really young children may be afraid at first when they start to move on their own but they will soon get over it. They will be excited to set them going and watch them race against each other under tables and chairs. They are durable and the perfect size to take out and about to keep them quiet on trips. They also offer your child a chance to build up a collection of the various characters.

The biggest point to note about the hamsters is that there is not much point buying just one of them. For a basic gift you need two hamsters, one from each team, so that they can battle, as well as a few accessories.

The only downside is that they need batteries (2 AAA per hamster) – it may be worth investing in some rechargeables as you’re going to need them!

You should also keep little fingers and hair away from the moving wheels.

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Kung Zhu Hamsters Armour

Kung Zhu Armor allows your hamster to fight to the death and succeed victoriously in battle. Hamsters must be trained and geared up with the best armour available, as this could make the difference between winning and losing and turn the battle in your favor. Each set of armour comes with the Tablet of Zhu that is needed to turn your hamster into a warrior. Children love to dress up their hamsters ready for battle. The only downsides are that some of the weapons fall off a bit too easily so can be easily lost.

Please note the hamsters are not included with armour sets.

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Kung Zhu Hamsters Vehicles

Make your hamster invincible in battle by sending it into the arena in a Kung Zhu vehicle. With four different tank vehicles to choose from, your hamster toy will successfully destroy the competition in its battle against its adversaries. Each vehicle has moving parts and performs special, unique moves to make each battle more interesting.

Please note the hamsters are not included with vehicle sets.

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Kung Zhu Hamsters Battle Arena

The Kung Zhu Battle Arena is where all of the action takes place, with each hamster engaged in combat inside the arena to determine which toy hamster is the definitive warrior. Make sure your hamster is effectively trained and equipped to become the ultimate champion in battle.

The arena has two entrances and you should place one hamster at either side, gear them up with their armour or vehicle, and send them off into battle. The battle continues until one hamster is knocked over and therefore defeated. The arena is 47cm in diameter, so large enough to allow for plenty of ‘brawling’. There are various flag accessories and surprise obstacles to ramp up the fun. This playset can fix or join onto other accessories if you end up buying more and more pieces.

The arena is a must have for Kung Zhu fun. It is where all the fun takes place – you just may wish it had a volume control! You really need some armour or a vehicle for each hamster though or they will just tip over without a fight.

Please note the hamsters are not included with the battle arena.

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Kung Zhu Hamsters Training Grounds

The Kung Zhu Training Grounds are ideal accessories for your child to ‘train’ their hamsters. They are effectively obstacle courses to test agility. There are four to collect and all interconnect.

Please note the hamsters are not included with the training grounds.

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Buy Now For Christmas 2010

These warrior hamsters are far from being cute and cuddly like the original Zhu Zhu Pets. Make no mistake about it, these ultra cool, tough pets are sure competition for their predecessors, determined to win in the war against each other. Reasonably priced at around £10 for each Kung Zhu Hamster excluding the additional accessories, the hamsters have been pegged as the definitive must-have toy for Christmas 2010.

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1. Top Toys For Christmas 2010

So what are the top toys for Christmas 2010 for our boys?

Please read our detailed reviews of these Christmas toys but here is a little bit of information on each one to whet your appetite.

Armouron Action Set

Your little one can dress up and pretend to be a knight in this lightweight and colorful suit of armour that comes with a variety of accessories.

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Lego Hero Factory

Following hot on the heels of the Bioinicles success, the new Lego Hero Factory buildable action figures offer Lego and role play fun for children of all ages. From small and basic figures to large and complex vehicles there is something to suit every ability.

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Paper Jamz Guitar

For any would be rock stars, this touch sensitive paper guitar will be the quickest way to get them to their dreams. There are integrated songs to strum along to but the guitar can also be used to play any songs that your kids can come up with. Oh and you can turn the volume down or make them plug in headphones to keep your sanity!

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Ben 10 Ultimate Alien Disc Ultimatrix

Ben 10 Ultimate Alien is the new third series from the Ben 10 cartoon show. As with any good popular brand, there are new toys to accompany the new series. The Ultimatrix is the latest Omnitrix style watch that Ben uses to transform into his alien alter egos so is a must have for any Ben 10 toys fan.

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Bakugan 7 In 1 Maxus Dragonoid

This big and powerful Bakugan toy is a must have for any experienced fan. It combines 7 normal Bakugan pieces into a giant dragon robot. It is quite a complicated transformation taking about 20 minutes so will keep your kids busy for a while on Christmas Day.

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Kung Zhu Hamsters

These are definitely Zhu Zhu Pets for boys. No more cute, cuddly and fluffy hamsters, the Kung Zhu hamsters are warriors. There are two opposing forces – the Ninjas and the Specials – who will win when war is waged in the battle arena?

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Jet Pack Buzz Lightyear

Toy Story 3 has no doubt been on the agenda this year for many families and Buzz is a long standing hero. This fully articulated 12″ version of him coming complete with a rocket pack, lights and sounds will keep any fan happy shooting off to infinity and beyond.

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Meccano 50 Models

Meccano, a bit like Lego, has been loved by children and parents alike for years. By teaching skills such as construction, mechanics and movement, this huge 605 piece set will allow your child to make 50 distinct models. It’s even got an electrical motor to add action to the fun.

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Lego Duplo Deluxe Brick Box

For your younger children, this deluxe brick box contains some great elements including figures and an inspirational building booklet.

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Stinky The Garbage Truck

How could a garbage truck be cute? Well Stinky seems to manage it despite him gobbling up and spitting out all the cars that you feed him. He features a wide range of movements, lights, sounds and phrases and can sing and dance for hours to keep your children amused.

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Turbo Twister RC Car

You’ve probably seen the TV adverts for this crazy remote controlled car that can do spins, wheelies and 360 degree flips. It’s hard to take your eye off the flashing lights and amazing stunts.

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Dr Who Sonic Screwdriver

This all new sonic screwdriver is essential to the Doctor and should be part of any fan’s toolkit. It is larger than previous versions and has a luminous green light.

Full review coming soon.

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Mindflex

Can your child concentrate hard enough to get the small foam ball to rise on a stream of air and then to guide it around an obstacle course. The sensors on the headset will measure their brain’s activity to see.

Full review coming soon.

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Ferrari F1 Electric Ride On

For the ultimate in ride on toys, try the Ferrari F1. Designed with the help of real Ferrari engineers, this child version features the precision and build quality of the real thing. It has a powerful motor and gearbox offering two forward gears as well as reverse.

Full review coming soon.

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Beyblade Metal Fusion Super Vortex Battle Set

If your children like Battle Strikers – the ultimate in spinning tops – they will also love Beyblades. They are very similar and two are included with this battling stadium set which will provide a super battling experience.

Full review coming soon.

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