Looking for toys with a big “wow” factor? Toy Insider Senior Editor Marissa DiBartolo stopped by The CW in San Diego to show off the toys that will be instant hits with your kids this holiday season. For more on the items featured in this segment, check out the product notes below, and for our complete rundown of the best gifts for the holidays, check out our complete holiday gift guide.
NERF RIVAL NEMESIS MXVII-10K BLASTER (HASBRO)
- Teens can dominate blaster battles with the NERF Rival Nemesis MXVII-10K blaster.
- This blaster has a 100-round capacity to outlast the competition.
- The fully automatic NEMESIS MXVII-10K blaster features the first-ever easy load hopper for high-speed reloads, and is compatible with the NERF Rival rechargeable battery pack (sold separately).
- Ages: 14+
- MSRP: $99.99
- Available: Amazon, Target, Toys “R” Us, Walmart
ULTIMATE JUSTICE LEAGUE BATMOBILE (MATTEL)
- Inspired by Warner Bros. Pictures’ action-adventure film, Ultimate Justice League Batmobile brings Batman’s iconic vehicle to life in epic scale complete with R/C functionality, premium deco, and real-world features.
- Through an app-enabled tablet or smartphone, users can assume the role as the Dark Knight and take complete control of the vehicle all from the palm of their hand.
- Remote-controlled Batmobile features smoke release from exhaust pipe, moving missiles on the hood of the car, roaring engine sounds, and four armored-up wheels.
- The car includes a camera in the cockpit so users can drive from Batman’s point-of-view via an app-controlled device.
- The special “jump mode” feature elevates the Batmobile with hydraulic-like movement.
- The included Batman figure has full body movement—his foot presses the gas pedal, his arm shifts gear, and his head turns.
- Ages: 18+
- MSRP: $249.99
- Available: Amazon, Target, Walmart, Toys “R” Us
- The Merge Cube is the world’s first holographic object kids can hold in the palm of their hand. Kids can play, learn, and explore in magical new ways.
- Download apps using a tablet or smartphone at www.MergeCube.com, view the cube through your device’s camera, and watch the Merge Cube come to life as it transforms.
- The Merge Cube experience can be upgraded by selecting the optional virtual reality mode and sliding a smartphone into virtual reality goggles to completely immerse yourself in holographic worlds.
- Ages: 10+
- MSRP: $14.99 (Cube) $49.99 (Goggles)
- Available: Walmart
UNICORN 6V PLUSH RIDE-ON (DYNACRAFT)
- This Unicorn ride-on makes real unicorn sounds.
- It has soft plush material with a light up horn, realistic reins, and unicorn hair.
- A play stable is included.
- The unicorn reaches a 2.5 MPH max speed and includes a 6 volt battery and charger.
- Age: 3+
- MSRP: $149.99
- Availability: Walmart
POWER WHEELS BOOMERANG (MATTEL)
- Kid-controlled power drift adds extra fun to turns, rear wheel tilts for dynamic sense of hard banking, three-position adjustable seat with seatbelt & high sides for added safety.
- Reverse trike design holds one rider.
- 6 mph max forward; 3 mph max reverse speeds.
- All-wheel drive for hard surfaces, grass, and rough terrain.
- Power-Lock brakes, 12-volt battery and charger.
- Age: 5-10
- MSRP: $399.99
- Available: Toys “R” Us
- Aura is a gesture-controlled drone that uses patented Gesturebotics technology powered by LocoRobo.
- The wearable glove controller will have users feeling like superheroes; the drone is controlled by hand motions made while wearing the glove.
- Kids can fly Aura up and down, forward and backward, and even perform tricks like a sideways flip.
- Aura puts the power in kids’ hands, removing the learning curve of using a joystick controller to pilot their flying robot.
- Automatic features like Auto Takeoff, Auto Hover, and Auto Landing offer ultimate control for the perfect first flight right out of the box.
- Built-in height and distance limiters keep the drone under your power, and make Aura perfectly suited for indoor use.
- Safety frame protects the drone from bumps and drops, and people from propellers.
- Ages: 6+
- MSRP: $99.99
- Available: Target, Toys “R” Us
X-SHOT BUBBLE BALL- The X-Shot Bubble Ball is ZURU’s hottest new item that takes contact sports to the extreme!
- With its durable material and easy to inflate system, the Bubble Ball can inflate up to 4 feet and withstand tremendous impacts!
- Use it in the backyard or in a sports field and get the games started. The X-Shot Bubble Ball 1 pack is available in two team colors: blue and orange.
- Ages 8+
- MSRP $49.99
- Available: Walmart, Toys “R” Us
