07/27/03

NEW EXCLUSIVES FOR THE US MASS MARKET.

Just like last year, a surprising mix of 'exclusive' PLAYMOBIL® sets will soon be shipped out to TARGET stores.

A complete US-style fire fighter theme, two new starter sets, and a dark Knights Castle (5725) set are the most interesting offerings. Some of the new Viking and police theme sets are also part of this year's Mass Market selection. Get all the details in the US Mass Market section of our Novelties 2003 section.
 

05/30/03

LIMITED EDITION CYCLING SETS  FOR D-TELEKOM.

Coinciding with the 'Tour of Germany' cycling race that starts the 3th of June, two new PLAYMOBIL cycling sets are to be offered in Germany soon. One set contains a Solo Cyclist (4994) in the typical 'Team-Telecom' outfit, the larger Cycling Champions (4995) set contains three cyclists and a victory stand.

The sets will be distributed exclusively through the service shops of  Deutsche Telekom - the primary sponsor of 'Team-Telekom'. Both sets can be ordered online at the Team-Telekom fanshop site.
 

04/26/03

SUMMER FUN CARDS INTRODUCE NEW CONCEPT.

Together with this year's new releases in the outdoor theme, the new and improved summer 2003 edition of the PLAYMOBIL® fun cards has landed in most German toy shops.

With a fresh design and a new format, the idea of the fun cards remains the same: a collection of cards that show the novelties and offer a few extra bits of information.

Part of the new fun card concept is a postcard with a picture of the most significant new product - in this edition it's the new Tree House (3217).



An interesting new feature will be the sticker album. Each set of fun cards will include a thematic backdrop and a sheet with stickers depicting the novelties to decorate it. The backdrops can later be combined into a nice booklet.
 

03/22/03

BOXES OF 'OLDER' SETS TO BE REDESIGNED TOO.

When PLAYMOBIL® launched a new package design way back in 1993, it took almost a decade to replace the old look through regular assortment updates and novelties. Last year, PLAYMOBIL® choose to revamp the box design of its new releases once again:

Aiming at a better and more convenient presentation on toy store shelves, the box dimensions were reduced to only six different heights and a new, more realistic type of box photography and layout was implemented.

 

It seems that this time it's not going to take another decade to update the full assortment into that latest packaging style, as also repackaged versions of some of the older sets in the police, city life, construction and rescue theme have already been sighted.
 

02/07/03

THE HUNT FOR EASTER EGGS RESUMES...

Soon, the annual search for PLAYMOBIL® Easter Eggs can start all over again, with these new Easter Eggs, edition 2003 (4911): Besides 2 eggs with the same content as the Child & Foal (4571) and Girl & Rabbit (4529) specials, there are also a red pirate and a blue/yellow Knight figure.

Like last year, it will be a difficult search for some, since the Eggs will only be available in selected outlets in the USA, CDN, FR, E, GR and ... JAPAN!

In the UK, last year's mix of Easter Eggs will be available for a second time.
 

01/29/03

END OF AN ERA: WESTERN THEME DISCONTINUED.

All good things must come to and end, and it's no different with PLAYMOBIL®s Western theme. Since PLAYMOBIL® was launched in 1974, the general interest in western adventures has diminished significantly. Once it was PLAYMOBIL®s largest theme, but in recent years it was clearly on it's way down. What the faith will be of the one remaining Indian Village (3250) set, is unclear.

For more on the 2003 PLAYMOBIL® novelties and discontinued sets, browse Collectobil's Toy Fair Coverage.    
   

01/28/03

A POPULAR EXCLUSIVE PICKED UP AS MAY ACTION.

The Red Pirate Ship is a very popular pirate set that started it's life as a TARGET exclusive (3619). Last year it was also launched as an exclusive for several European outlets, re-dubbed though as a "25 Years of PLAYMOBIL® Pirates" (3133) set.

PLAYMOBIL® must have realized that this was too good a set to be just left in the running as a limited edition "exclusive", because the Red Pirate Ship is back for a third run as the traditional May Action (3174) set, a strategically priced limited edition set.

For more on the 2003 PLAYMOBIL® novelties just hop over to Collectobil's Toy Fair Coverage.    
    

01/27/03

PLAYMOBIL®'S CONSTRUCTION THEME REBUILD.

Being one of the longest surviving PLAYMOBIL® themes around, there have been many updates and changes since 1974. This year's wave of construction novelties brings a surprisingly fresh approach in the classic theme, in no less than 8 new sets.

The Large Construction Crane (3262) is the most obvious newcomer and the first crane ever from PLAYMOBIL® with battery operated lift functions. The crane can also be taken down and turned into a compact transportable trailer, just like in the real construction world.


For more on the September 2003 PLAYMOBIL® novelties just hop over to Collectobil's Toy Fair Coverage.        
 

01/26/03

NOAH'S ARC AND A RE-LAUNCHED ANIMAL PARK...

2003 will be the year of the animal for PLAYMOBIL®, since a third (19) of this year's new PLAYMOBIL® sets involves animals one way or the other. A large part of that however is due to the mayor re-launch of the Animal Park (or previously: Zoo) theme.    

The Animal Park novelties are made up of 10 sets. The largest is the Animal Park (3240) main building which is a system-X redesign of the previous Zoo building. Panda bear's and lots of baby animals are new to the PLAYMOBIL® world of animals. But there is no trace left of the large Elephants...

... not even on the decks of Noah's Arc (3255), a somewhat unusual product amidst this years novelties, and an unexpected departure of PLAYMOBIL®s former intend not to release any more sets that were clearly based upon well-known stories - like the Christmas Nativity sets. All theorizing aside, PLAYMOBIL®'s Arc of Noah is a very nice re-creation of the ship of biblical fame.

A more in-depth look at these and other new sets planned for 2003 can be found in the Collectobil Toy Fair Coverage. 
      

01/25/03

TREE HOUSE AND OUTDOOR ADVENTURE IN MAY.  

An 8 set wide Outdoor Adventure theme is what awaits us in May 2003. Most sets were clearly designed as an update of the 'North American' Outdoor theme from the mid nineties, judging by the typical choice of animals and (amphibious!) vehicles.

A completely new set is the Tree House (3217). Originally the leaf-parts of the trees were in typical fall colors - brown, red, yellow - but together with a few last minute changes, they were switched back into the traditional green hues. Still, it remains an interesting set.

For more on the May 2003 PLAYMOBIL® novelties just hop over to Collectobil's Toy Fair Coverage.