(Almost a) Toyologist Review: Kung Zhu Pets

RRP £9.99, currently £8.97 from Toys R Us.

"Right then," says someone High Up at Cepia LLC, creator of the Zhu Zhu Pets, "We have created the most popular toyline of 2009. There are shortages everywhere, shops are able to charge up to four times the RRP for these little hamsters they're that popular. It's now 2010.  The question is, where do we go from here? How can we sell more?  Remember, we've got to sell as many as possible before these little critters go the way of the Furby."

(Almost a) Toyologist Review: Ben 10 Ultimatrix

£17.99 (so it says on my info leaflet, but the website says £13.99) from Toys R Us

Now 16 years old and an international star, Ben is armed with a new evolved Omnitrix called the 'Ultimatrix' allowing him to transform his aliens into their stronger ultimate forms with new powers and abilities as well as unlocking new aliens along the way.

So you bought the Omnitrix (possibly a couple of times) and now you're being pestered by small people for the latest version: The Ultimatrix! (which, being a made-up word is proving a right nightmare for me to keep typing out).

(Almost a) Toyologist Review: Ben 10 Alien Swarm Action Cycle

£12.99, Toys R Us.

Fill this Ben 10 action cycle up with water, do a wheelie and press down on the cycle's back wheel to fire water from the bike's exhaust!

I arrived home from the hospital and told my boys they'd got a new baby sister. Were they bothered? No, of course not. They were far more interested in the large box that had arrived. Yep, my prize for almost being good enough to be a Toyologist had arrived!

First out of the box: Ben 10 Brum Bike!

Review: MASK

Ebay, various prices. Or possibly 'in the loft somewhere'

Some time ago I declared MASK to be the best action figure-type toyline ever. Why? Well, I shall explain...