wibbler

Wibbler vs. Hobble Wobble

This wraps up any uncertainty about the authenticity of the Hobble Wobble, which seemed like it might have been artificially created to look like it was vintage. The name of the inventor made it easy to look up the patent this time. Harold Katz filed his patent in October of 1958 and finally received his […]

barbie-ginger

She’s Barbie, and I’m Ginger

This Barbie and Ginger toy dates back to 1997. Ginger is a battery powered dog that barks and walks, and can be used to tow Barbie on her skateboard, complete with little Hotwheels-style wheels. The top frame is a still from a creepy TV commercial. It may have been 1997, but the girl on the […]

trixie

Trixie, the Fur Real Friend

The best friends are Fur Real Friends: Here comes Trixie, my skateboarding pup. The crowds are gonna show up. Rockin’ poses, to do tricks so sweet! We’re a team, that can’t be beat!

grace

Grace Jones Action Figure

You could hope for such a thing, but this isn’t really a Grace Jones action figure. It’s a crappy Chinese-made toy. This ninja on a skateboard dates from 1989, courtesy of Stumblebaum.

kinder-egg

Kinder Surprise Toy Egg

Which came first, the egg, or the toy inside the egg? Technically not an Easter-specific toy, but it’s an egg riding a skateboard. This is a hard plastic version representing the actual chocolate egg which would contain a toy inside it. So it’s a self-referencing toy. In case this makes zero sense to you, Kinder […]

nerf-zombie-strike

Nerf Zombie Strike Gets Radical

I thought I read in Wired how Nerf had become the largest arms dealer (by volume) in the world, but I might have imagined it. I wonder if the Zombie Strike series was conceived to make it more palatable to parents who object to toy guns for kids. Probably not. This Zombie Strike Doublestrike pistol […]

mondo-gecko-old-new

Not an Upgrade

Like scooters, Donald Trump, and anything else that has outlived it’s usefulness, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles just won’t go away. TMNT has been enjoying a resurgence for a while now. While the animated series definitely surpasses the TMNT’s original incarnation, this incarnation of Mondo Gecko action figure is about as uninspired as it gets, especially […]

legofriends

Lego Is Not a Four Letter Word

Lego Friends sets are supposed to appeal to girls. This is set number 41099, known as Heartlake Skate Park. Like all Lego Friends kits, this one has lots of pinks and purples in the packaging. The mini figures are more detailed and lifelike. I suppose Lego doesn’t think girls have a good imagination. “Mia” comes […]

still-here-ride

I’m still here

Ahh… 2009. Much unlike the Tony Hawk Ride video game franchise, I’m still here, just busy. Fortunately for Tony, the Ride network has faired better.