Barbie Wins Doll Wars, But Boys Like Transformers

Top-10 Lists for Kids Show That Bratz and Video Games are #2

By Alison Marek
November 2007

The BIGresearch company has concluded that Barbie is the top doll in the land and that robot cars rule, according to Reuters. (Also see our Dolls Wars Update).

In a poll of 7,982 consumers, Bratz was banished to second place in girls' hearts and boys decided playing with transformable robot cars was more fun than video games.

Here's what U.S. kids say they want for the holidays. First 10 are girls' favs, in descending order, followed by boys' favs, also in descending order. Specific examples of toys were chosen by Playzak to illustrate the favored lines or characters named by kids:

BARBIE® FASHION FEVER™ - Barbie by MATTEL INC.

Fashion Fever Barbie®doll and friends know how to rock the world of style! And Barbie doll is the ultimate trendsetter with this gorgeous gown, turning heads and wowing everyone in sight. 11/16/2007 (Age: 3 and Up)

Bratz: The Movie Dolls by MGA ENTERTAINMENT

Bratz: The Movie Dolls by MGA ENTERTAINMENT The stars of “Bratz: The Movie” are ready to walk down the red carpet in their glittery dresses at the premiere of their Hollywood movie. These are the most pose-able Bratz ever, so they can stop to pose for the paparazzi. “The accessories that come with these dolls will be very interesting to little girls. The girls can be creative and imaginative,” Reagan Holmes, of MGA Entertainment’s public relations department, told TDmonthly. Launch date: August 2007. 7/20/2007 (MSRP: $19.99; Age: 6 and Up)

Elmo - T.M.X.™ Extra Special Edition™ by MATTEL INC.

Elmo is back and more ticklish then ever, and he’s laughing like he’s never laughed before. T.M.X.™ Extra Special Edition™ is so popular that Mattel is limiting orders to five per customer. 11/16/2007 (MSRP: $40.00; Age: 3 and Up)

Dora the Explorer - Everyday Dora by MATTEL INC.

Here are the perfect classic Dora dolls to start a little girl's collection. Dressed in the ideal outfit for whatever comes her way, Dora is ready for her adventures in these traditional everyday themes: Cowgirl, On-the-Go and Fairytale. Realistic hair with brush included. 11/16/2007 (MSRP: $10.00; Age: 3 and Up)

The Little Mermaid Princess Seahorse Carriage Play Set by DISNEY

This playset features seahorse and carriage,3 poseable princess figures, a selection of costumes, shoes and other beauty accessories, Carriage measures 4" H x 3.5" W x 8" L. Princess figures are 4" H.
— Disney Princess toys were ranked high on the list of little girl's wishes for the holidays 2007, according to Reuters. 11/16/2007 (MSRP: $19.50; Age: 3 and Up)

Product: Hannah Montana Singing Dolls by PLAY ALONG INC.

With the Hannah Montana Singing Dolls, kids can pretend that they’re at a live Hannah Montana concert. When the microphone is lifted to her mouth, each doll in the “In Concert” Collection sings one of Hannah Montana’s chart-topping tunes. Dressed in authentic Hannah Montana fashions, these dolls rock out in style. “The dolls play songs from her new CD, “Two Meet Miley Cyrus,” which recently launched at No. 1 on the Billboard Top 200 chart, making Cyrus the youngest recording artist to have two No. 1 albums in less than a year,” said Genna Rosenberg, SVP, Corporate Communications for JAKKS Pacific. Launch date: August 2007. 9/12/2007 (MSRP: $19.84; Age: 6 and Up)

Wii by NINTENDO OF AMERICA INC.

Wii by NINTENDO OF AMERICA INC. Nintendo’s Wii is distinct from other video game consoles because it has the wireless Wii Remote. This device detects motion, so that game-players can simulate the movement of their game rather than just press buttons. Players whose game character is swinging a sword, for example, make swinging motions to get their character to act. With a BM PowerPC-based CPU, a Wii Optical Disc, 512MB Internal flash memory, and online services such as Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection, WiiConnect24, Virtual Console and Wii Channels, Wii also delivers great performance. Launch Date: November 19, 2006. 12/28/2006 (MSRP: $250.00; Age: 6 and Up)

Webkinz - Hippo by GANZ

To help meet the demand for Webkinz sweeping the continent, Ganz has come out with a new line of Lil'Kinz. Like their larger counterparts, Lil'Kinz characters come with their own codes that are revealed after purchase. Kids adopt the little guys as their own and take them into an online world of fun and KinzKash. Kids can now make Lil'Kinz Hippo their best buddy, play some games at the arcade and stop by the "W" shop to pick up a bowl of crunch "shoots n' roots."
— “We sold over 2,000,” Gwen Boden said of how Webkinz fared in 2007. Boden is the manager of Doodlehopper in Springfield, Va.
— “Webkinz: We sell daily, hourly,” Robin Ellerman, owner of Trains-n-Toys in North Canton, Ohio, told TDmonthly.
— Over 21 percent of retailers told TDmonthly that Webkinz was their all-around best-selling item of 2007. 11/12/2007 (MSRP: $12.00; Age: 3 and Up)

Irish Dance Costume and Book by AMERICAN GIRL LLC

Irish Dance Costume and Book by AMERICAN GIRL LLC With a little luck o' the Irish, an 18” American Girl doll can become a serious step dancer in this costume. 9/12/2007 (MSRP: $28.00; Age: 7 and Up)

Transformers Movie Leader: Optimus Prime by HASBRO INC.

Electronic robot-to-vehicle figure features lights and sounds, and partially automated Advanced Automorph Technology. This technology is designed to enhance vehicle-to-robot conversion with partially animated mechanical triggers that activate the final shift to battle mode. Includes 2 “AA” batteries. 11/12/2007 (MSRP: $39.99; Age: 5 and Up)

Harry Potter: Hogwarts Challenge by WARNER HOME VIDEO

The interactive DVD game allows players of different skill levels to experience the world of “Harry Potter”. The DVD is based primarily on the first three “Harry Potter” films and includes scenes from the fourth and fifth films. Launch date: December 11, 2007.
— Boys across the US named video games as their #2 gift choice, according to Reuters. TDmonthly predicts that this particular game will do Harry proud this Christmas! 10/19/2007 (MSRP: $24.98)

Mattel Inc. - Hot Wheels Elite - Ferrari FXX (1:18, Yellow) by TOY WONDERS INC.

The 1:18 scale die-cast of the 2007 collectible model car measures 10" x 4-1/4" x 2-1/4”. The yellow metal car features functional doors, hood and trunk. It also features a chrome engine and Cartelli Grazia rims, and sits on a display plaque. Launch date: October 26, 2007.
— Generic toy cars were named as a holiday wish by boys across the country, reported Reuters. Even if Jr. doesn't go for this particular model, TDmonthly thinks Dad might like it! 11/5/2007 (MSRP: $80.00; Age: 8 and Up)

Spider-Man 3 Action Command Spider-Man by THINKWAY

The wireless, infrared remote control has two joy sticks and 10 buttons for different programmed actions. Spider-Man moves in any direction with preprogrammed actions including 360-degree spins, “S”-shaped turns, web-slinging action with sound effects and character voice. The remote control is also programmable and easy to use, with over 1,000 possible program-action combos. It’s available in red and black. Launch date: May 2007. ( Watch Video) 6/29/2007 (MSRP: $39.99; Age: 6 and Up)

Mars Mission MT-101 Armored Drilling Unit by LEGO

This Lego building set portrays a Mars' mission vehicle that can be used to help mining specialists searching for energy crystals. Players have access to a connecting air pump that can be used to transport sleds and battle aliens. The aliens come in their own glow-in-the-dark attack ship.
— “LEGO and more LEGO,” Phil Wrzensinski, owner and manager of Toy House and Baby Too in Jackson, Miss., told TDmonthly in April 2008, when asked to name the best-selling construction toy in his store. “The Mars Mission is hot.”
— “I’ve been in business for 22 years, and a lot of stuff come[s] and go[es], but some things just stay around,” Barbara Fineblum, owner of Barston’s Child’s Play in Baltimore, Md., told TDmonthly in April 2008, when asked to name the best-selling construction toy in her store. LEGO was one of three manufacturers she mentioned.
— In April 2008, more than 31 percent of 50 retailers surveyed named LEGO products as the best-selling construction toys in their stores. 10/11/2007 (MSRP: $79.99; Age: 8 to 14)

Thomas & Friends: Sights & Sounds Lighthouse Bridge by LEARNING CURVE

The Sights and Sounds Lighthouse Bridge is a must-have for any Thomas enthusiast. Kids can raise the drawbridge so boats can pass through below. It's also action-packed, featuring a working drawbridge, rotating lights, realistic wharf sounds and Bulstrode the Barge, a classic character on Sodor, as seen in the "Special Attraction" story. The Lighthouse Bridge comes with a 2" adapter track piece and requires two AA batteries.
— When asked about best-selling collectibles in summer 2007, Scott Loveless, owner of Toys That Teach in Bothell, Wash., replied, "Thomas Wooden Railway ... the railway cars and other various items in the line."
— Loveless told TDmonthly he sells about 30 Thomas items in any given month.
— "Made from real wood, the Lighthouse Bridge features a working drawbridge as well as realistic harbor lights and sounds. It also includes a track adaptor and the highly sought-after Bulstrode the Barge," said Laura Mares of Learning Curve. 8/20/2007 (MSRP: $42.95; Age: 3 and Up)

Xbox 360 by MICROSOFT

Xbox 360 by MICROSOFT Xbox 360 delivers high definition gaming and entertainment experiences for the whole family, with games such as the classic "Pac-Man" and the new generation blockbuster "Halo 2." With a 3.2 GHz PPC Tri-Core Xenon CPU and 500 MHz ATI Xenos GPU, the Xbox 360 provides great graphics and audio for realistic games. Xbox 360 also features high definition downloads on Xbox LIVE, access to digital music and pictures stored on a PC and voice and video chat capability via the Vision camera. Xbox 360 is available in three models: Xbox 360 Core, Xbox 360 (with a 20 GB hard drive) and the new Xbox 360 Elite (with a 120 GB hard drive and black finish). Launch Date: November 22, 2005. 12/28/2006 (Age: 6 and Up)

RC Mega X Morphibian by KID GALAXY INC.

RC Mega X Morphibian by KID GALAXY INC. This aggressive machine is fully functional with deep-tread tires that dig up dirt while riding across the terrain. Move it onto the lake, pond or stream and watch water spit up from the tires while twin propellers spin for extra power. This product is a 2007 Creative Child Preferred Choice Award winner.
— Radio-controlled vehicles were named as a much-wished-for-holiday toy by boys, according to a 2007 Reuters report.
— “This remote-controlled car goes on land and water and is designed for kids ages 5 and up,” said Joe Berardoni, Sr., owner of Pun’s Toy Store in Bryn Mawr, Pa., in the fall of 2008. “It has been popular for several years now.” 7/19/2007 (MSRP: $79.99; Age: 5 and Up)