Greetings from Amazon.com Delivers Toys for Ages 12 Years and Up Editor, Diane Beall FEATURED IN THIS E-MAIL: * Stuff We Love: "Sonic Adventure" (Dreamcast), Silver Streak Lava Lamp, and Say When! Board Game * Brain Teasers: Star Wars Episode I: Galactic Chess, Profiles: Biography Guessing Game, and Eyewitness Kits: Humanworks * Toys Under $20: Pocket Monster Pack: Tropical Island, Five Crowns Card Game, and 15" Talking Spider-Man * Early Bird Holiday Picks: "Dino Crisis" (PlayStation), Chloe Porcelain Doll, and Curious George, the Backpack * Top Sellers * The Amazon.com Toy Quest: Where Kids Create Tomorrow's Toys STUFF WE LOVE ************* "Sonic Adventure" (Dreamcast) (Ages 6 and older) by Sega of America, Inc. http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00000K3X9/entertainmentsit Sonic the Hedgehog and his five zoological homeboys run amuck in the visually thrilling 3-D journey, "Sonic Adventure." Sonic, a sharp-edged hedgehog with quick peds, is Sega's signature character. In the game, he's often a mere blur of blue as he whizzes through lush digital imagery in over 50 different levels of play. From posh beach clubs to booby-trapped byways, "Sonic Adventure" is an excursion well worth taking if you're a serious gamer with a fun-loving edge. Silver Streak Lava Lamp (Ages 10 and older) by Lava World Intl. http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00000K0CV/entertainmentsit Teenagers may have been gleams in their parents' eyes during the "Flower Power" era, but this is one carry-over they'll appreciate. The Silver Streak (Blue Liquid) Lava Lamp is so stylish, parents and teens alike think it's groovy. The 16-inch lamp takes a while to get going, but once it does, watching the purple blobs of lava is mesmerizing and strangely soothing. Of course, you can't do homework by the light of a lava lamp, but it makes a great piece of eye candy. Say When! Board Game (Ages 10 and older) by Winning Moves http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00000ISZX/entertainmentsit Grab a friend or three and break out the Say When! Board Game. Every play is based strictly on intuition and/or team coordination. Players give numerical replies to questions such as: "What year did...," "How many...," and "How much...." Brilliant revelations don't have to be blurted out; they are scribbled on a hand-held dry-erase board. This is a real plus for timid players: no need to be placed on a scaffold (translation: look like an idiot) if you don't know the exact answer to a tough trivia question. You can make an educated guess--and you might win if your answer is closest to the correct one. An immensely versatile game, Say When! is great for teams, family gatherings, or while on the go. BRAIN TEASERS ************* Star Wars Episode I: Galactic Chess (Ages 9 and older) by Tiger Electronics http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00000J1WF/entertainmentsit Chess will always be a staple game for strategists and cerebral gamers, and this computer chess set adds even more adventure than your run-of-the-mill queens, knights, and pawns. An interactive chip allows the game to act as an opponent and to teach new moves. Galactic Chess also features a large memory bank that holds an arsenal of famous chess games. It's interactive chess at its best, with the thrill of "Star Wars" to boot. Queen Amidala's throne room floor is the board design, and your favorite characters from the movie are sculpted playing pieces with an antique metal finish. Profiles: Biography Guessing Game (Ages 8 and older) by Big Games http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00000JKAR/entertainmentsit A great supplement to any political science, sociology, or history class, Profiles tests your knowledge of famous and influential figures from the past and present. An opponent gives a short biography of an unnamed figure and your job is to identify individuals correctly. How you answer the question determines the number of points you win (straight answers hold more weight than multiple choice). Each winner is appropriately dubbed "The Professor." With Profiles, however, all players are winners because they always walk away from the game with more knowledge than when they started. Eyewitness Kits: Humanworks (Ages 9 to 18) by Skullduggery http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00000ISDO/entertainmentsit How is a metatarsal different from a metacarpal? Where is the mandible in relation to the maxilla? And why in the world is the "funny bone" considered funny? Learn the answers to these questions and more with Humanworks, a craft kit that teaches you about the human body by allowing you to build parts of it. Easy-to-use casts and molds come with an instruction booklet and visual directions. Great for kids taking biology or learning about the skeletal system. TOYS UNDER $20 ************** Pocket Monsters: Tropical Island (All ages) by Tommo http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00001QHVJ/entertainmentsit The popularity of Pocket Monster Packs has yet to wane in the world of Pokemon, and this late offering is just as popular as the first Japanese gym pack. The Japanese variety of the Tropical Island-Sea deck is full of rare surprises. It features power-packing marine Pokemon that are presented only rarely, and often belatedly, in the United States. The pack is printed in Japanese, but can be readily traded with American decks, so collectors don't lose any bang for their buck. After all, you gotta catch 'em all! Five Crowns Card Game (Ages 8 and older) by SET Enterprises http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00000IV35/entertainmentsit The visually striking deck of cards used in the Five Crowns game offers a twist for players who have been around the card table a few times. It's a NEW card game, not just an old game of rummy or bidwhist with a new deck. Five Crowns features five suits, yet has no dominant aces or deuces. Hands are arranged intuitively, with wild cards determined by the number of cards in a hand. The object is to play out your hand first, and then kick back as opponents anxiously sell the farm and try not to place last. It's great fun for traditional card players who want a change of pace. 15" Talking Spider-Man (All ages) by Toy Biz http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00000JMB8/entertainmentsit Spidey's on the mic! Yes, you heard correctly, your neighborhood Spider-Man has cords. This 15-inch version of the web-crawling superhero features an electronic voice chip that rattles off Spidey's most familiar sayings with charisma and clarity--and with the help of two AA batteries. The amazing arachnid still wears a skintight suit of red and blue, but now you can press his rippled chest and hear what's on going on in that webbed head of his. Look out, Venom! EARLY BIRD HOLIDAY PICKS ************************ "Dino Crisis" (PlayStation) (Ages 9 and older) by Capcom USA http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00000K1VE/entertainmentsit Real survivalists' tales of adventure don't hold a candle to the animated, fantastical journey in "Dino Crisis," one of Capcom's late 1999 video game releases. Dubbed by Gamespot a "Resident Evil/Biohazard spin-off," "Dino Crisis" nonetheless goes its own way once the game starts. Eerie props and music and novel cam angles are RE staples by now, but velociraptors with warp speed aren't! And Regina, the game's main character, is as edgy and lowdown as they get. A must-have for video trolls and collectors who want the latest in Jurassic jeopardy since "The Lost World." The Chloe Collectible Doll (Ages 12 to adult collector) by Pauline Bjonness-Jacobsen http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00000ITQP/entertainmentsit Pauline Bjonness-Jacobsen manufactures a variety of limited edition porcelain dolls that collectors hold in high esteem. Chloe is one of the manufacturer's most beloved creations and will be especially appreciated by doll enthusiasts who are partial to flawless beauty. A full 22 inches tall and made of high-quality bisque porcelain, Chloe has long blond hair that looks and feels quite natural. Exquisite details such as her colorful dress and flower-laden hair make Chloe perfectly suited for holiday gift giving. Curious George Backpack (All ages) by Wildkin http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00000J58Y/entertainmentsit Now you can "ride a bike," "get a medal," "go to the hospital," "fly a kite," and "take a job"--just like Curious George. And he'll be there as your backpack and companion, rather than as an inciter of good- natured mischief. Carry books, junk, gear, or a bunch of bananas in this plush but durable pack. It's great for kids who want to lug their books back to school in style after the holidays. It's also affordable, meaning every kid in the house can have one--and they will want one. Sturdy zipper compartments and hidden pockets make George practical and stylish. With qualities like that, he won't need to get into trouble to get attention. TOP SELLERS *********** From Pocket Monsters and PlayStation to Dreamcast and Deluxe Pit, these are the toys and games that pre-teens and teens think are hot this season. Toys Home Page ****** Give the Perfect Gift, Get the Perfect Gift Does Aunt Ida send polka CDs when you'd prefer pop? Create an Amazon.com Wish List and save everyone the agony of the unwanted gift. Wish list Clueless as to what to get your Kentucky cousin for Christmas? Send him an e-Card and tell him to set up an Amazon.com Wish List so you can easily find and send him his heart's desire. Wish card ****** You'll find more great toys and games for ages 12 years and up in Amazon.com's Toys store at Toys for Ages 12 years & up ******
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