“Ben 10 is without doubt the hottest boys’ brand of the moment”. This quote from Turner Broadcasting is hard to argue with. The Ben 10 10cm and 15cm Action Figures were selected as the “2009 Toy Of The Year” and the Ben 10 brand also scooped the “Boys’ Range Of The Year”. So what are Ben 10 toys all about and are they worth buying?

Imagine the scene. Your Ben 10 fan asks “Please can I have a Ben 10 Omnitrix watch …

* for my birthday?”
* because I’ve been good?”
* because Johny’s got one?” (Delete as necessary.)

You are feeling generous so you reply “OK as long as you …

* tidy your room.”
* do your homework.”
* behave at Grandma’s this weekend.” (You get the idea!)

That night you have a few minutes to go online and order the agreed on present but there are at least four different versions. Aagh, which one should you choose? Presumably your Ben 10 fan had one in mind but you want to get the best, most appropriate one right? So here are your choices …

These Ben 10 Alien Force 15cm (6 inch) DNA Action Figures are realistic, robust and well detailed but come with a unique battle feature that sets them apart from their smaller counterparts. These features, whilst cool, crank up the price somewhat and probably offer more short term interest than lasting fun. The toy then reverts to being good for imaginative play. On the downsides some of these toys can come apart quite easily and the parts are hard to move. For your money you are probably better off getting a larger collection of the 10cm figures.

These figures are great for children to ‘mix things up’. They encourage imagination as each alien they make is a new creation. They offer that bit more than your standard action figures as they are need interactivity. They do though still allow the usual role play fun with the ‘creations’ once made. They are perfect for children who are creative but are not limited to one-time creativity as they can be pulled apart and a whole new alien be made.

This new Ben 10 “beat-em-up” game has all the upsides of the last one, Ben 10: Protector of Earth – it is fun and fairly easy to play, it encourages children to solve problems based on the individual abilities of each character, there is great sound, a good story line and something new in each level to keep children excited. Another great feature is that when Ben 10 “runs out of life” he starts again from where he left off so you do not have to go back to the beginning to start again. It also answers one of the criticisms of the last game in that it has more playable characters.

As with the original 10 cm Action Figures, for only £5 (RRP) you get a well made, poseable figure complete with an alien information card. But also each Alien Force figure includes a mini translucent alien figure to attach to your child’s Ultimate Omnitrix. Combined with the Omnitrix these mini figures reveal the alien’s voice and name, so it is like getting two toys in one box.

We were really hoping that this Ultimate Omnitrix from the new Ben 10 Alien Force range was going to rock our childrens’ worlds. It will no doubt be a must have for any Ben 10 fan addicted to role play fun but it’s not quite as good as we’d hoped. The accuracy to the watch in the new show is fantastic. You attach the mini translucent alien figures to the top of the watch to activate each alien. This reveals the alien’s voice and name, like on the show, and is super cool.

Fantastic, entertaining and robust. It will send the imagination into overdrive. If you want to keep your Ben 10 fan busy using their imagination for play then this is the toy for you.

Build wise the quality is higher than that of its predecessor the Omnitrix F/X. The thick fabric strap fastens with velcro so is easy for a young child to put on and off. The main watch part is made of chunky plastic and comprises a black and white LCD screen. It can be quite large on the child’s wrist and is larger than the F/X.