Teens Rate Year’S Top Toys

Still have some shopping to do? Here’s a look at what members of Our Generation had to say about some of this season’s top-selling toys.

Bop It Extreme Reviewed by Riley Palmer, Cheney

Bop it. Flick it. Yada-yada-yada. This is a toy that makes music and commands you to do different things to it.

It’s fun for the first 20 minutes, but then frustration sets in. The toy gets annoying and, instead of bopping it, I wanted to stomp it.

Sure, maybe I have issues, or maybe the toy is annoying.

Since I’m in high school, my interests (I hope) are different than the average 6- to 13-year-old. My little brothers were entertained for hours by this obnoxious toy.

So if you happen to buy this toy for a loved one, make sure it fits the target age. Unless you like to watch people suffer.

Grade: B

Monopoly, Pokemon Edition Reviewed by Kasey O’Brien, Post Falls Middle School

I didn’t know what to expect from Pokemon Monopoly. Is the concept even possible? The majority of Pokemon fans are small children, but Monopoly is a complicated adult game that involves buying and selling real estate.

I opened the box and found Pokemon everywhere! There was “Poke Money” instead of dollars; “Poke Centers” and “Poke Marts” replaced houses and hotels. Playing pieces are — can you guess? — Pokemon!

At first glance, Pokemon Monopoly seemed perfect for kids into the craze. However, the rule book made it clear the game is just like regular Monopoly. The kids that are into Pokemon usually can’t sit down and play an entire game of Monopoly. Their attention span isn’t that long. To add to the difficulty, the playing pieces blend into the elaborate graphics of the game board, making them hard to see.

Unfortunately, this game is a gimmick. Once again, parents will end up paying about twice as much for the Pokemon version. I suggest buying the original Monopoly; kids won’t outgrow that classic game.

Grade: C

- Kasey O’Brien, Post Falls Middle School

Scooters

Under many conditions, a scooter is the best way to travel. Though not good in the snow or on gravel, they are light, easy to carry and use, and offer a wide range of accessories, including shock absorbers and several wheel colors. They offer quick transportation and are easy to store. I think they are a cool way to get around if you can’t drive like me, although some 15-year-olds might disagree. The bottom line is that these scooters are a quick, fun way to travel short distances.

Grade: A

- Jack Nelson, Mount Spokane

“Who Wants to be a Millionaire?” game

It was inevitable that the most popular TV quiz show of the year would spawn a fleet of games. Unfortunately, that’s one of the few attractions this game has to offer.

The amusement of playing on a game show soon gives way to ennui as the contest progresses. While the questions begin ridiculously easy (example: Red and yellow combine to form which color?) the difficulty level gradually increases. If the players have relatively the same amount of base knowledge, the game runs smoothly, but younger or less-informed players are soon shut out of the action.

The strength of “Who Wants to be a Millionaire?” is probably its usefulness as a party game. It can be played and quit with minimal effort. Another attraction is that it uses no board.

If you are interested in pure information, delivered in a packaged, multiple-choice style, this is the game for you. If, on the other hand, you demand action or family-friendliness, I suggest looking elsewhere.

Grade: C+

- Ann Foreyt, Colfax

Poo-Chi interactive puppy

Poo-Chi. The robot dog. Such cold, indifferent metal is a big-ticket item this Christmas. Didn’t we learn our lesson with Furby?

What is the point? It’s a computer! It can’t love you like a real dog can. And it’s always going to be a computer with light bulbs for eyes - never the loving creature that a dog or cat could be.

I say instead of buying your child this toy, go down to the animal shelter and save an animal from the gas chamber. An animal that can love you, lick you and fall asleep in your lap. Sure, Poo-Chi doesn’t eat or soil the rug, but some dog food and table scraps are a small price to pay for a loyal companion that doesn’t need batteries.

Grade: C

- Dani Peterson, Mount Spokane

Cranium board game

I have to say I approached this review somewhat reluctantly. I’m not a fan of board games. Cranium looked like one of those games parents pull out when their kids look bored on summer break.

But when I actually opened the brightly colored box and took a look at the game itself, I changed my mind. The four cartoon categories the activities are divided into do seem juvenile, with names like “Creative Cat” and “Star Performer,” but the challenge cards inside each category really do work your gray matter.

Moving around the board to “Cranium Central,” the ultimate purple brain planet gives you a chance to show off your uncanny imitations and knowledge of off-the-wall facts. I played this game with my family one night and would jump at a chance to play with my friends. The lemon-scented, violet colored Cranium Clay for “Sculptorades” was a definite bonus and the competition got pretty heated as we battled to get our teams to guess the word “viewpoint” by drawing clues with our eyes closed.

On the other hand, the bummer is that you need several people on each team to play.

Cranium is a definite must-buy for the bored board gamer on your list.

Grade: B+

- Mary Ann Almeida, Bowdish

Gundam Wing action figures

On the action-figure front this year, the guys from “Gundam Wing” are probably somewhere at the front of the line.

I must admit, I’m not too much of a “Gundam Wing” fan - I’ve never seen the show - but these action figures are actually pretty good.

The figures range from characters in the show to some pretty cool looking robots. They all seem fairly durable and could probably even stand up to G.I. Joe in a fight. They don’t come with working lasers and they don’t say anything. (At least they haven’t said anything to me yet.) They don’t have a flying jet pack, and they don’t even have explosives. But these guys are still pretty cool if you like action figures.

Despite their funky hairdos, these guys would be a great addition to an action figure collection.

Grade: B+

- Daniel Bigler, Christian Heritage