News

24 July

Olympic(ish) eventing for the home

Today would’ve been the opening ceremony for the Tokyo Olympics, the first events kicking off tomorrow and a full two-weeks of sporting goodness on the goggle-boxes, sigh. Still, we get to do it all next year , likely with a bit of added fanfare, and we cannot wait. In fact, …

23 July

The latest in the LEGO 18+ range has our wallet feeling weary – but so what?

Here it is, the first-ever brick built Grand Piano from LEGO. Fresh out of the LEGO Ideas operation this set is the latest aimed at the “adults” with £319.99 spare cash and 3,662 pieces of spare time. It is an intricate build and at over 8.5” (22.5cm) high, 12” (30.5cm) …

23 July

Rip-racing explosive four-wheel fun anyone?

Right, our Boom City Racer cars have arrived and, before we turn the Out of Office on let us give you the lowdown. Falling into the category of “rippers” this genre of toy has been around since the 70’s, a threaded piece of plastic inserted into the chassis …

22 July

Two sporting greats

The headline is of course purely subjective, some say golf ruins a good walk, others prefer the egg-shaped ball in play with grown people running around after it. The arrival of Footgolf a few years back did make me wonder “Why” but, after seeing the sport increase in popularity seems …

21 July

Hasbro and Mattel unveil their Comic-Con lines

Both the toy makers have a history of keeping some of their very best launches for Comic-Con gatherings and, despite each not having a booth presence this year they’re each still making plenty noise around the now virtual gathering. FRom Hasbro a line-up that’ll go live on their PULSE website …

21 July

Fisher Price continues to up its Pop Culture game

The rise in popularity across the pop culture collectibles market has been incredible the past couple of years, sales at Funko up over 200%, they had to move into a bigger HQ so no surprise others are eyeing this lucrative space.Perhaps one of the surprise entrants earlier this year were …

20 July

San Diego Comic Con is a stay-at-home affair – And we can’t wait.

There’s plenty to look out for from the online event this week, one of the panel discussions that grabbed our eye is entitled Transforming Together Time: Family Gaming and the Future of Play – The curators tell us “Video games have been an influential part of our culture, creativity and …

20 July

The Crew – The Quest for Planet Nine bags a gong

They’ve been chewing down to their cuticles and had butterflies in their bellies at Kosmos Games UK of late. Two nominations a couple of months back for their games The Crew and My City from the Spiel des Jahres jury. Today, the news arrives that The Crew – Quest for …

17 July

Medieval looking music machine is an utter joy

We’ve built kit from Smartivity before, a kaleidoscope in fact, was a joy to create and is still a pick-up-and-play after all these weeks. We harped on about the easy to read instructions and the added value of an information sheet to further enhance their playset last time so, …

16 July

More Super Mario analogue play

This 35th anniversary of likely the most iconic video game of all time is ramping up somewhat this week. Its started with the most expensive ever video game sale at auction with a 1985 Super Mario Bros. acheiving a whopping £90k in its original packaging, just showing the appetite for …

14 July

LEGO create NES replica set with on-screen scrolling action

the best LEGO sets ever this collaboration between the Danish outfit and Nintendo

14 July

Rubik’s Edge – More than a drinks coaster

We’ve tried over the lockdown months to get a grip on solving the 3x3x3 traditional cube but sorry to say, we gave up. We did achieve a proficient level in balloon modelling and juggling though! Anyways, with 43 quintillion ways to scramble the regular Rubik and this new edge …

12 July

Happy Etch a Sketch Day – 60 years of knob turning fun

Happy 60th Etch A Sketch, you’re the most infuriating piece of kit I’ve ever owned but I’d not be without you. Hours and hours of trying to construct just my first name on your aluminium coated screen, no success, but you’re a shelf-worthy and retro-tastic piece of kit. Others (Jane …

10 July

Battle of Britain – 80 years since the first foray

Eight decades ago today the Luftwaffe dropped their first payload onto the UK the battle that ensued was seen as one of the most pivotal points of WWII – Thanks to all the air aces that guided us to victory in the skies. We struggle to maintain our composure when …

9 July

Coronavirus cover-ups

shopDisney have introduced a range of non-medical, reusable cloth face coverings featuring favourite Disney, Pixar, Marvel and Star Wars characters for kids and families in the UK.As part of the launch, Disney will donate 100% of the proceeds from the sales of these cloth face coverings, up to £500,000, to …