Nostalgia Toys
At this year's Toy Fair in New York City, companies unveiled plans to revive classic brands for a new generation. Many of them, like Barbie, G.I. Joe and Transformers are reaching a milestone anniversary this year. Take a look at some comeback kids.
»Toy Makers Relaunching Classic Brands
Barbie
Mattel is updating Barbie's dream town house (this time with a plasma TV), camper (also with a plasma) and re-releasing five of the best selling dolls throughout the years. On the doll's 50th anniversary, Mattel is unveiling a new face for Barbie going forward.
»Toy Makers Relaunching Classic Brands
G.I. Joe
Forty-five years after introducing the first G.I. Joe action figure to the market, Hasbro is hoping to attract a new generation of fans by releasing a live action film this summer.
»Toy Makers Relaunching Classic Brands
Hello Kitty
Off the toy shelves for the last couple of decades, Jakks Pacific is bringing back Hello Kitty with a line of vinyl toys, plush toys and a stuffed doll, commemorating its 35th anniversary this year.
»Toy Makers Relaunching Classic Brands
LEGO Star Wars
The company is celebrating its 10th year making Star Wars branded LEGO sets. The Star Wars branded sets have sold 106 million units worldwide.
»Toy Makers Relaunching Classic Brands
MARBS
Branding them as MARBS, Jakks Pacificis hoping to make marbles popular again by releasing collections bearing images of characters from Marvel Comics and Star Wars. MARBS are especially targeted at collectors.
»Toy Makers Relaunching Classic Brands
Little People
Fisher-Price's Little People have been on the market for 50 years, and the company is commemorating the occasion by releasing a new version of the classic barn and school-house play sets.
»Toy Makers Relaunching Classic Brands
My Little Pony
The ponies, originally launched in 1983, have larger eyes, slimmer frames and wider feet.
»Toy Makers Relaunching Classic Brands
NERF
For their 40th anniversary, Hasbro is sponsoring the Dew Tour, an extreme sports tournament that will include its Dart Tag brand of toys in one of its tournaments.
»Toy Makers Relaunching Classic Brands
Polly Pocket
The tiny dolls, popular in the 1980s, are getting new candy-like packaging. The dolls and all their accessories are completely visible in see-through, plastic packaging.
»Toy Makers Relaunching Classic Brands
Rubik's Cube
After selling 350 million of these colorful puzzles, toy maker Techno Source is bringing a high-tech version to the market. Instead of rotating the sections of the cube to line up the rows, players use colored lights and touch-sensor technology.
»Toy Makers Relaunching Classic Brands
Smurfs
The 1980s cartoon is moving to the big screen in 2010, and is expected to generate new interest in the toys by Jakks Pacific.
»Toy Makers Relaunching Classic Brands
Super Soaker
The water gun, made by Hasbro, is celebrating its 20th anniversary. The design of the original yellow and green gun has been tweaked to make it easier to fill with water.
»Toy Makers Relaunching Classic Brands
Transformers
The sequel to the hit movie is due out this summer and will introduce more characters than the first, providing more opportunities for new toys.
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»Toy Makers Relaunching Classic Brands