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.
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.
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.
Lego Boost
Lego's Boost line of toys look like buildable guitars and creatures, but they can also teach visual programming.
Lego Ninjago Remix Boost
And Lego is adding its popular Ninjago ninja-themed series of characters to Boost.
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.
Chow Crown
It's like Hungry Hungry Hippos. But now you're the hippo.
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.
Ozobot Evo
That little Evo robot can also receive instructions from an app.
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).
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.
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.
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.
Monopoly: Cheaters Edition
The tokens are even different. Think "bad behavior."
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).
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).
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).
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.
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.