Children go back to the future in the land of toys

FORGET notions of today's children being corrupted by armies of techno-age, anti-social gadgets masquerading as toys. On the strength of what is on the shelves of Hong Kong's largest toy shop for Christmas, the children of the 1990s are being taken back to the future - to a time when Batman and Robin were hip; when Lego building blocks cluttered playroom floors; and when a family game of Monopoly was essential Saturday night entertainment. To get a hint of what toy manufacturers are offering this Christmas, the South China Morning Post went on a guided tour of the giant Toys R Us shop at Tsim Sha Tsui - a 40,000 square feet toyland which is visited by more than 10,000 customers a day in the month before Christmas. The store, located in the Ocean Terminal shopping centre, is a child's paradise. 'There are about one billion toys here,' said store operation manager Joe Tang as we headed off in search of the hottest acts. Our first stop was the action figures section and guess who was top of the pops? Holy reincarnation. It was the Caped Crusader and Boy Wonder - back for more adulation, pushed by an irresistible wave of Hollywood-induced publicity. There was radio-controlled Bat cars and Bat planes (about $230) and make-it-yourself Batman model kits ($94.90). Last year's Christmas hits, the Power Rangers ($189.90), were there for another round of Christmas cheer. The heroes of Star Wars have been raised from the dead, with a range of action figures and toys, like the Electronic X-Wing Fighter Jet ($189.90), tipped by Mr Tang to be a 'hot' seller. 'There's talk the Star Wars people might launch a major promotion to get interest going for a movie which is being worked on at the moment,' Mr Tang said. As we rounded a corner, we ran into a sea of pink and mauve - it was Barbie, still smiling after so many years on the shelf. There was Barbie at the beach; Barbie at home; Barbie driving a Porsche; Barbie in a horse carriage with Ken . . . 'Barbie will sell well again,' Mr Tang said. 'Parents know about Barbie.' Barbie dolls ranged in price from $90 for a basic Barbie to several hundred dollars. The new release - Winter Barbie - costs $199.90. Mr Tang said the miniature figurine sets, Polly Pocket, would be one of the most popular toys for girls this Christmas. Polly and her friends live in a tiny world, among musical cottages, watermills, schools and churches. Sets cost between $89 and $119 and are suitable for children aged four to 10. 'The great thing about these sets is that they are small and easy to keep,' Mr Tang said. As we headed across the shop, we passed the section of video games which Mr Tang said were declining in popularity. 'I think people are getting tired of them. Maybe children are using their family's personal computer as a substitute,' he said. Game Boys, made by Nintendo, sells for $429.90, while Game Boy cartridges start at $99 and go up to $399 each. A three-dimensional game system, called the Mani Virtual Boy, retails for $749.90. Mr Tang said board games were enjoying a renaissance in Hong Kong, especially with popular one like Risk ($199.90) and Game of Life ($229.90) being translated into Cantonese. The Hong Kong edition of Monopoly ($199.90), with properties like Park Lane and Mayfair from the original game having been replaced by local equivalents such as Repulse Bay and The Peak, is selling extremely well. Towards the back of the shop, a section was devoted to what is proving to be a timeless toy - Lego. 'Parents believe Lego is a good, creative, educational toy and it is quite reasonably priced, considering its durability,' Mr Tang said. Small sets start at $20, ranging to more than $1,100 for the more complex sets like the space-age train, which is powered by an electric motor. Special building block kits in pastel colours have been released for girls during the year. Radio-controlled cars are expected to be a consistent seller, particularly the four-wheel-drive pick-up trucks that sell for between $1,000 and $1,500, depending on their size. The Tirestorm ($549.90) clocks speeds of up to 300 kilometres an hour, according to claims by the manufacturer. The roller-blade craze of three years ago is poised to continue its run, with prices ranging from $399 to more than $700. 'There's the health aspect with roller-blades and I think they are quite well suited to the type of parks we have in Hong Kong,' Mr Tang said. 'The strange thing about this Christmas is that there's not one or two really hot items that are going to be bought by everyone,' Mr Tang said. 'There's no Power Ranger craze like last year or Nintendo games like a few years ago . . . nothing really new.' Toys R Us has three other stores in Hong Kong - in Tsuen Wan, Sha Tin and Causeway Bay.