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Nintendo Wii on sale at Toys R Us, Best Buy for $169.99
May 15th is still a month away, but the Nintendo Wii's price won't wait -- both Best Buy and Toys 'R' Us already have the motion-controlled console on sale for $170 today. Mind you, this doesn't look like a permanent price cut -- note "Limited Time Offer!" above -- but we wouldn't be surprised if other retailers follow suit in very short order. With rumors swirling around deeper price cuts and perhaps, maybe, possibly even a new backwards-compatible HD machine, every Wii sold at $170 today could be a little extra gold in their pockets and less unwanted inventory to deal with.
iPad 2 coming to Toys "R" Us
I don't wanna grow up, I'm a Toys "R" Us kid. A million toys to choose from that I can play with. From bikes to trikes and video games... and soon the iPad 2, according to an anonymous Toys "R" Us employee who provided ModMyi.com with pictures of internal training materials focused on Apple's tablet. The iPad 2 could go on sale at the iconic toy retailer as early as next month. Since the original iPad launched last April in about 1,200 locations, Apple has aggressively expanded the device's retail distribution. The iPad 2 is now available at over 10,000 storefronts in the United States, including the company's own retail stores and national chains like Best Buy, Target, Walmart, Sam's Club, AT&T, Verizon and Radio Shack. At first, Toys "R" Us seems like an odd addition to the growing list of iPad 2 retailers; the New Jersey-based company is the world's leading dedicated toy and juvenile products retailer, and not the first chain most of us would associate with high-tech gadgets. But Apple products won't be new to the retailer -- Toys "R" Us already carries the iPod in its online and retail stores. If Apple's music player is selling well at Toys "R" Us, it seems natural for the company to carry the iPad 2 as well. Also, a recent survey by Piper Jaffray found that 22 percent of teenagers already have a tablet device in their homes and another 20 percent intend to buy one (or force their parents to buy one) in the next six months. Both Apple and Toys "R" Us could tap into this valuable teen market by putting the iPad 2 into some of the retailer's approximately 1,300 locations worldwide. [via Electronista]
Yoomi and Duo join forces for an 'Apples to Apples' esque experience... on your Apple iPad
Because your game board of an iPad can't always be used for heated, futuristic Scrabble matches or perennially peeved pigeons, Discovery Bay Games has devised a divertissement of its own that, in its words (no pun intended), requires no reading. Actually, Yoomi for has a really cool trick in that it uses the Duo, a chip collector that rests on top of the display. Here's how it works: one person picks (the selection hidden from the group by the Duo) between two cards with no criteria whatsoever (e.g. Loch Ness Monster or Big Foot). The rest of the group puts a token into the slot corresponding to their guess. Once the correct answer is revealed, the Duo "magically" (how coy) knows which answer was right and drops the tokens into the connected bin, leaving those who guessed wrong to pick up the pieces and try again. First player to rid themselves of all tokens wins! Interested in actually letting your family drop things on the iPad screen this holiday season? App is free, Duo is $40 from Toys R Us -- and if you're still need more, video is after the break.
Gibson sues WowWee, retailers over Paper Jamz toy guitars; would rather some other company get all that free advertising (video)
It looks like WowWee is learning the implications of that old saw, "imitation is the surest way to get your company sued." That's right, the company's radical looking, fun for about twenty minutes, paper-thin plastic toy guitars have recently drawn legal fire from Gibson, who recognizes a distinct resemblance between some classic axes (like the Flying V and the Les Paul) and the aforementioned Paper Jamz line. Which we could certainly see -- even if WowWee hadn't name dropped Gibson in its product literature (which seems to us to be rather on par with taunting the company outright). And if that weren't bad enough, the company is going after retailers, such as Toys 'R Us and eBay, who it claimed kept selling the things after receiving a cease and desist letter. Of course, this raises a few questions: At which point is a design so ubiquitous that it becomes fair game for companies like WowWee? And wouldn't Gibson want the kiddies (who will be ready to move up to real guitars soon enough) hooked on their brand? And most importantly -- when are we getting a Paper Jamz Rickenbacker? Because there has to be an easier way to be like Paul Weller. Commercial after the break (it adds nothing to the post, but it's kind of a laugh).
Toys R Us Black Friday doorbuster includes $80 netbook, $140 Sylvania tablet
Believe it or not, America's favorite holiday is under a fortnight away. And this year, it looks as if Toys R Us won't even wait for Thanksgiving Day to conclude before forcing employees behind registers and breaking families apart as they seek out lukewarm deals camouflaged as revolutionary purchases. This year, Black Friday begins at 10PM on Thanksgiving Eve, meaning that quite a few desperate souls will be lined up in a parking lot rather than circling a stuffed bird and chuckling with loved ones. The culprit? Two devices in particular. The first is an unnamed 7-inch netbook, complete with WiFi, three USB sockets, a sub-two pound weight, a red chassis and a mind-scrambling $79.99 price tag. The second is a 7-inch Sylvania tablet, sporting Android 2.1, WiFi and an SD card slot; we're assuming it's the same unit Kmart is hawking for $180, but Toys R Us will have it for the low, low price of $139.99. Other hidden treasures include a Vivitar point-and-shoot for $39.99, 7-inch Coby digiframe for $24.99 and a Vivitar pocket camcorder for just $19.99. We know your gears are already turning, but lest we forget that time with family is priceless... right? [Thanks, Dave]
Toys R Us offering iPod trade-in
We here at TUAW aren't quite sure how great a deal this is, but just in case you want to take advantage, Toys R Us is apparently offering trade-ins on old iPods. From October 17 to the 23rd, the toy chain will take old iPods (no model is specified, but I'd assume older won't get you as much money) at the customer counter, paying out up to $100 in gift cards, just to buy a new version of the device. Unfortunately, the deal's not available online, and not all stores are participating in the promotion, so the old "Your mileage may vary" adage very much applies here. Definitely call before you go, and if you do bring an iPod in, you probably shouldn't expect to get any extra money for that full catalog of Aerosmith CDs you've got saved on there. Who knows, though -- if your household happens to have a few old nanos sitting in a drawer somewhere and you want a quick and easy way to turn them into a new device, this might be worth trying out. If it works for you, be sure to let us know.
Wii getting $50 price drop this month? One Toys R Us ad seems to think so
Of all the fakeables in consumer electronics, the weekly newspaper ad has to be one of the easiest marks. Still, this one looks pretty legit, and if it's real it means either we're getting a much overdue Wii price cut on September 27th, or someone on the Toys R Us ad team has been severely misinformed. If it's not true and we have to wait another holiday season for the Wii to break the $200 mark, we're not getting Nintendo that Snuggie we promised it for Christmas -- everybody knows only good little boys, girls and multinational game companies get presents. [Via Joystiq]
Toys R Us videogame 'buy back' program underway nationwide
According to the gang at Joystiq, the Toys R Us videogame trade-in program launches in earnest today, meaning that any of you cats with old videogames laying around can trade 'em in for the retailer's gift cards, no questions asked. Just take your old games (even going as far back as the Atari 2600 or Intellivison) to the customer service desk of your local store and they'll make you an offer at which point, according to a store representative, the games are then "taken by a third party company that refurbishes them for resale." This year's been pretty tough, but between our old game cartridges, Cash for Clunkers, and Compton's "Cash for Firearms" program, it looks like things might finally be going our way after all! The worm has turned, our friends. Indeed, the worm has turned.
Totally rad, red Xbox 360 spied in Toys R Us fine print
Is this for reals? If so... yay! If the above screenshot of a Toys R Us terminal is to be believed, there might be a new, red Xbox 360 Elite on its way to a shelf near you. Details beyond the SKU are pretty scant, but the price is the same as the current Xbox 360 Elite model -- $399. We know a certain, fashion-conscious avatar who is going to be really excited if this is true.[Via Joystiq]
Toys 'R' Us makes room for iPods, Eee PCs and cash money
Toys 'R' Us, the primary provisioner of joy and happiness to children in the world, is branching out into iPods and Eee PCs. Though never a stranger to consumer electronics, Toys 'R' Us has traditionally shied away from strict gadgetry -- with a notable exception being Zune sales starting last year. Now the retailer will be offering iPods in a little "iPod boutique," with various shuffles, nanos, touches and related accessories to help you fill those stockings and bolster Geoffrey's bottom line. The Eee PC will be offered in black and white, with low-end 7-inch Linux and XP versions available for $269 and $299, respectively.
Toys R Us having big games sale starting Sunday
Toys R Us is having one huge sale, starting this Sunday. How huge of a sale? Buy two, get one huge. On top of the prospect at getting a free game, there's also some deals specific to Wii owners.On Sunday and Monday, Toys R Us will offer 30% off Wii accessories. Now, this doesn't extend to Nunchuks and Wiimotes, but it works for other accessories and ... Wii Points cards! 30% off some Wii Points means you can nab a stellar WiiWare title or two, like, say, Mega Man 9. Or any one of the other games already available. Or even a Virtual Console game![Via Joystiq]
Toys 'R' Us B2G1 sale begins Sunday
CheapAssGamer lights the way to one of the most glorious annual (semi-annual?) events starting this Sunday: Toys "R" Us' Buy 2 get 1 free sale. For thrifty shoppers who like their games new -- not gutted "new" -- it's the event of the year.Per standard ops., the rules work that you pick three games either online or in the store and get the least expensive one for free. CAG has a full FAQ on the gritty details, with some slick ways of making the system work for you if you want a game coming out later this year. CAG also notes that Sunday and Monday there's a 30% off deal on Wii accessories. Wiimotes and nunchuks don't count, but Wii Point cards do. Happy shopping.[Thanks Tim]
Wii Fit sales bring profits in Q2 for Toys R Us
Wii Fit is helping all kinds of retailers make money. In fact, the fitness bundle from Nintendo is still hard to find. Now, we hear that the package helped drive profits up for retailer Toys R Us. During Q2 of last year, the retailer had a loss of $42 million. This year, the company turned profits of $13 million.%Gallery-24459%
Toys R Us to have Wii this Sunday
Well now, it looks like almost all retailers will have the Wii in stock this weekend, as following up on Circuit City's "deal" is Toys R Us with an ad of their own. You see, Toys R Us is advertising (see image above) that they'll also have the console in stock, alongside Mario Kart Wii, which releases this Sunday. There is a catch with the Toys R Us deal, however.You'll have to put some legwork in, as securing yourself a console means you have to go down to your local Toys R Us and plunk down a $200 deposit. Once done, show up on Sunday with your receipt and you'll be one happy camper. But, hey, as annoying as it is to make two trips, it's far less annoying than having to buy a ridiculously overpriced bundle from Circuit City.[Via Joystiq]
Toys R Us providing more Pokemon goodness to shoppers
Pokemaniacs should take note: Toys R Us is once again catering to the needs of Pokefanatics by offering you a chance to catch the uncatchable Darkrai Pokemon. The weekend of May 31 - June 1, participating Toys R Us stores will be providing inn keys to those who bring in their DS, along with a copy of Pokemon Diamond or Pokemon Pearl, which will provide them a shot at catching this bad boy thing.
Darkrai distribution events coming to Toys R' Us May 31 - June 1
If that headline appeared nigh undecipherable to your uninitiated eyes, count yourself very, very lucky, and quickly move on to the next story. Those whose hearts and pokeballs perked up upon seeing that teasing title will be happy to know that the heretofore uncatchable Darkrai, of Pokemon Diamond and Pearl fame, will be made quite catchable come the weekend of May 31 - June 1, when participating Toys R' Us stores will digitally distribute the inn key required to reach said public enemy no. 491.Though it's been a year since the monster enslaving simulator was released, we're sure that the retailer will find themselves slammed by DS-wielding trainers-in-training over the course of that weekend. We doubt that the avarice of many a poketrainer has been slaked by the current digital menagerie -- as they march onward into adorable battle, do they shout, "Gotta Catch All But One or Two of Them?" No, their kind is inclined to catch them all, and then, in some terrifying cases, their shiny counterparts.[Thanks, Jenni.]
Blue Dragon selling for $20
Mistwalker's first outing on the 360 wasn't exactly a break-out hit when it was released. Despite rumors of a sequel, it's not considered to be much of a success in the community. Now it's time to take advantage of that, considering that the game is actually pretty good if you can stand the pure Japan of the thing. Both Amazon and Toysrus had the game up for $19.99, but Amazon is currently sold out, so if you want a deal on a good JPRG you're going to have to make your purchase at Toysrus. And if you care to take a chance and hoof it on over to a brick and mortar Toysrus we hear that it's twenty percent off in-store. (Oh, for any Canadian gamers out there, here ya go)[Via NeoGAF]
Buy two games, save ten bucks at Toys R Us
We'll take almost any encouragement to buy a bunch of games, and there's little better incentive than a package deal, through which we "save" money by buying more stuff. Retailer Toys R Us knows this, and has dangled the carrot of reduced-price DS games at us with a "buy one, get $10 off" sale. The ad says "all DS games," but the sale is actually restricted to a selection of TRU's offerings.That's fine, though, because there's enough here for just about anyone to be driven into an impulse purchase! Standouts include Flash Focus, Professor Layton, WordJong, Cooking Mama 2, and even some pre-release stuff like Rondo of Swords! Or you could finally pick up the whole Imagine collection.
Toys R Us offers $20 dollars off of second Wii game
Those of you hoping to expand your Wii games library should look to Toys R Us this week. The store (both brick and mortar and online) is offering a sale on Wii titles, which is just another excuse for us to give our wallets a beating. The catch, because there's always a catch, is that you have to buy two games to take advantage of the deal. Still, if you buy one game you'll get the second for $20 less, making it a pretty sweet promotion. The deal only goes through Saturday, so make sure to jump on it quickly if you're looking to buy some Wii games.[Thanks, Thomas!]
Toys R Us is an importing powerhouse in Hong Kong, apparently
The Toys R Us in Hong Kong has tons of import games available. That's the benefit of not having a Nintendo distributor in the region, apparently. And while this picture may present an importer's paradise, it should be noted that the retail chain doesn't have everything available. Still, we would be lying if we said we weren't jealous. All of our Toys R Us stores here only have clueless and apathetic employees.
