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Electronic toys and games subvert our senses at Toy Fair 2018

Heart-rate sensors, hats that dangle food in front of you and (of course) toy animals that can eat and poop. These Toy Fair 2018 finds all have interesting surprises underneath their surfaces.

Scott Stein
I started with CNET reviewing laptops in 2009. Now I explore wearable tech, VR/AR, tablets, gaming and future/emerging trends in our changing world. Other obsessions include magic, immersive theater, puzzles, board games, cooking, improv and the New York Jets. My background includes an MFA in theater which I apply to thinking about immersive experiences of the future.
Sarah Tew Senior Editor / Photography
I'm a visual storyteller, working primarily in the medium of photography and photoshop. I listen to more podcasts than I can keep up with and enjoy gardening, cooking, reading, and am striving for a sustainable lifestyle. A big-picture thinker, I am always trying to put the pieces together, and though things are scary these days, I believe humanity will pull through.
Scott Stein
Sarah Tew
HASBRO demos at Toy Fair 2018
1 of 18 Sarah Tew/CNET

Don't Lose Your Cool

A party game that monitors your heart rate. Welcome to 2018! Don't Lose Your Cool, coming out this fall for $20 (which converts to about £15 or AU$25) puts you in an absurd piece of headgear. 

One player wears the monitor and the other tries to do things to then based on suggestions from three dice. Try not to lose your cool! You'll know you did if the Cool-o-Meter turns red.

HASBRO demos at Toy Fair 2018
2 of 18 Sarah Tew/CNET

Speech Breaker

Have you ever tried that cognitive experiment where you try to speak while hearing your own voice repeated on delay in your ears? That's what Speech Breaker, coming out this fall for $20 (about £15 or AU$25) is. It's like Taboo meets the collapse of human communication. I couldn't do it.

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3 of 18 Mike Sorrentino/CNET

Lego Boost

Lego's Boost line of toys look like buildable guitars and creatures, but they can also teach visual programming.

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4 of 18 Mike Sorrentino/CNET

Lego Ninjago Remix Boost

And Lego is adding its popular Ninjago ninja-themed series of characters to Boost.

HASBRO demos at Toy Fair 2018
5 of 18 Sarah Tew/CNET

Chow Crown

You too could look this good! Chow Crown, coming this fall for about $25 (roughly £20 or AU$30), involves trying to eat food that's been stuck to dangling fork-things on a spinning helmet. For fun.

HASBRO demos at Toy Fair 2018
6 of 18 Sarah Tew/CNET

Chow Crown

It's like Hungry Hungry Hippos. But now you're the hippo.

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7 of 18 Mike Sorrentino/CNET

Ozobot Evo

The Ozobot Evo looks like a little mouse-like robot. You can code it by using a website or by drawing on paper with markers. The Evo sells by itself for $90 or £90. In Australia, it comes in a starter kit for AU$175.

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8 of 18 Mike Sorrentino/CNET

Ozobot Evo

That little Evo robot can also receive instructions from an app.

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9 of 18 Mike Sorrentino/CNET

Blindfolded Twister

Because non-blindfolded Twister is just too easy, right? This mat instead includes indented shapes to help you feel your way across. It arrives in stores this fall for $20 (about £15 or AU$25).

HASBRO demos at Toy Fair 2018
10 of 18 Sarah Tew/CNET

DropMix returns

Hasbro and Harmonix released DropMix last year. It looks like a card game and it kind of is one. But it's also a way you can mix music together with live DJ elements. New card sets are expected this year.

HASBRO demos at Toy Fair 2018
11 of 18 Sarah Tew/CNET

Magic: The Gathering

People have been playing Magic: The Gathering since 1993 as a card game. There's also a new version you can play on PC and Mac on the way. The next card set, called Dominaria, is pictured here.

HASBRO demos at Toy Fair 2018
12 of 18 Sarah Tew/CNET

Monopoly: Cheaters Edition

Monopoly: Cheaters Edition isn't electric, but it takes the classic game and turns it upside down. This version, coming this fall for $20 (about £15 or AU$25), encourages you to cheat. It even comes with its own handcuffs to punish you if you get caught.

HASBRO demos at Toy Fair 2018
13 of 18 Sarah Tew/CNET

Monopoly: Cheaters Edition

The tokens are even different. Think "bad behavior."

HASBRO demos at Toy Fair 2018
14 of 18 Sarah Tew/CNET

FurReal Ricky

Robotic pets are acting more real than ever: Hasbro's FurReal series continues with Ricky the Trick Lovin' Pup, which yelps, licks your face, has plenty of adorable motions, eats and pretend poops dog snacks. It's coming this August for $130 (about £90 or AU$165).

HASBRO demos at Toy Fair 2018
15 of 18 Sarah Tew/CNET

FurReal Munchin' Rex

A more affordable FurReal doll, Munchin' Rex eats its own snacks and looks cute, but doesn't seem to poop. It comes out in August for $50 (roughly £35 or AU$65).

HASBRO demos at Toy Fair 2018
16 of 18 Sarah Tew/CNET

Ultimate Copilot Chewie

The FurReal line also has a Star Wars toy. Ultimate Copilot Chewie is a furry, moving, voice- and touch-sensitive robot buddy coming later this year for $130 (about £90 or AU$165).

HASBRO demos at Toy Fair 2018
17 of 18 Sarah Tew/CNET

Avengers: Infinity War Hero Vision

See like Iron Man in AR? Hasbro's "Avengers: Infinity War" helmet tie-in is actually a game. A phone goes in the visor, and the coded wrist wearable controls an augmented arm. You can test your aim in some shooting games.

HASBRO demos at Toy Fair 2018
18 of 18 Sarah Tew/CNET

Baby Alive

And if your child really wants to be a babysitter, the Baby Alive Real As Can Be baby includes sensors to allow it to realistically wake up, make sounds and act like a little child.

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