Friday, November 26, 1999
No one must-have toy this year
By Christine Brucker
Staff Writer
On this, the biggest shopping day of the year, many folks begin the search for the perfect Christmas gift for the special youngster in their life. In recent years, there has been a single Holy Grail of toys coveted by adults more so than children. Many will remember the furor created by Cabbage Patch Kids, Tickle Me Elmo and Furby.
As we approach the final gift-giving season of the millennium, reason seems to have returned.
"There is no one must-have toy this year," said Shannon Sealey, manager of the toy department at Wal-Mart.
The most popular item for kids this year is Pokemon. In case you have been completely sheltered from television and radio recently, Pokemon (a term meaning Pocket Monsters) is a collection of items featuring evolving monsters. It began as a video game created by Nintendo. The phenomenon has evolved to include a collectible trading card game, action figures, board games and just about anything else.
According to Sealey, there are a range of popular items to choose from this year. Rock and Roll Elmo and Ernie as well as anything featuring the characters from Blue's Clues are popular for young children.
Classic toys hold their appeal with this generation. Hot Wheels cars and track, Barbie and family board games are still as popular as ever.
As far as the action figures are concerned, Star Wars is a menace no more.
"They thought the toys would be popular through the holidays," Sealey said, "but they just aren't that popular now."
Buzz Lightyear and Woody have replaced Anakin and Darth Maul on the wish lists of boys.
In the electronic realm, Playstation systems and games are the hottest things in the area according to Josh Walton, sales associate at Software Etc. in the Findlay Village Mall.
"Playstation is number one," he said, "followed by Dreamcast and Nintendo 64 a distant third."