SECTOR GUIDE: COLLECTABLES
JAZWARES Jazwares has launched a brand new Roblox toy line, a new property that brings to life the popular digital game. Inspired by some of the most popular XXXXXXX games, characters, xxx and developers in Roblox’s xxx user-generated universe, the launch follows Roblox posting its highest monthly player count – 44 million in December. Users’ imagination is strongly reflected in the toy offerings, with a selection of play-sets and characters based on the creations of some of the most popular community developers – including a range of collectable Blind Boxes, each containing one of 24 characters. Fans can take apart the toy characters and mix and match parts to create new characters just like they can in Roblox’s virtual world. Additionally, each of the toys comes with a unique code that can be redeemed for exclusive virtual items. Meanwhile, also in the company’s roster is Animal Jam. Created in partnership with National Geographic, Animal
JUST PLAY
Jam is a safe online playground for kids who love animals and the outdoors. Players create and customise their own animal characters and dens, make new friends, adopt pets, team up for adventures, and feed their curiosity about animals and the natural world around them. The toy range brings this digital world to life with collectable pets, plush and playsets. Included in Jazwares’ new Animal Jam toy collection are vehicles for the pets to enjoy, as well as customisable dens and the eagerly awaited series two and three collectable Adopt a Pets, which come complete with accessories to mix and match across the entire range. All toys come with unique codes to unlock exclusive content in the online game too for fans to enjoy. 0203 598 0270
With new pyjama wearing heroes and more wild animals added to the line-up for In My Pocket, there is plenty to collect from GP Flair’s Just Play portfolio. In My Pocket returned in 2016 with the range of itty, bitty flocked collectable pups and kittens. For Q3 2017, the animals will become fiercer with the launch of Jungle In My Pocket, offering fuzzy jungle pets for children to collect. The entire In My Pocket range includes traditional blind bags and carry cases, multi-figure packs and play-sets. New this spring to GP Flair and Just Play’s portfolio is the highly anticipated PJ Masks toys
collection, which allows fans to recreate the exciting night-time adventures of their favourite pyjama-wearing heroes. With a launch already under its belt in the US, expectation is high for the property. Now fans can join the three friends on their night-time missions with the new PJ Masks range that offers different price points and opportunities for collectability. The blind bags and three-inch figures make the perfect entry level purchase for fans of the show to start their collection. Launched in autumn 2016, the Lion Guard range is to go from strength to strength this year when the location of the pre-school adventure takes an exciting turn with the Rise Of Scar Play-set. New waves of the blind bag figures will also hit retail shelves in the autumn, increasing collectability for fans of the show. 0208 643 0320
ESDEVIUM GAMES Esdevium Games is already off to a flying start to the year in the collectables category, with two huge new releases from the Pokémon Trading Card Game and Zomlings brand. After a hugely successful London Toy Fair, it’s fair to say there has never been so much interest in the Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG) as there is right now. The Pokémon TCG: Sun & Moon expansion welcomes fans to discover the new tropical Alola region, marking a brand new chapter in the Pokémon series following its introduction in the November video games releases. Fans will discover dozens of never-before-seen Pokémon,
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as well as Alola forms of some familiar favourites. After a truly remarkable 2016, Pokémon TCG sales in 2017 are showing no signs of slowing down and the release of Sun & Moon is fully
expected to be one of the most successful expansions to date. Back in the ‘big’ town are Zomlings, with the release of series five. The collectable has been a playground success story and represents true value within the category with prices for a blind bag starting as low as 50p. This pricing model has been a key factor in the
success and longevity of the collectable brand. The new Zomlings characters will inhabit a Zomlings Town that is bigger than ever before with the addition of 24 new Zomlings City Towers, three new Zomlings Vehicles including the Police Car, Fire Engine and Ice Cream Van, which can be parked at the Police Station, Fire Station and Ice Cream Parlour. If that’s not enough, there is also the Magic Trick School, Z Games Tin, Zomlings Pirates playset and a Crazy School Bus. All of these items can be played on the Zomlings BIG Town Playmat, to create an immersive town for collectors to enjoy. 01420 593593
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22/02/2017 11:39