8/21/12: HEXBUG Warriors Battling Robots Review

I have posted about HEXBUG in the past.  I really can't say enough about these innovative toys that are so fun to play with.  I must admit I have played with them too.  I want to now introduce you to HEXBUG Warriors Battling Robots.  We were lucky enough to have a HEXBUG Warriors party to let the kids try them out.

I talked about the Hive Habitat, Zip Line and Nanos in a previous post and what a great product it is.  The HEXBUG Nano Hive Habitat Set even won Specialty Toy of the Year at Toy Fair.  These battling warriors are built on the same Nano technology and can battle in an Arena or Stadium.  Plus they are really cool to watch.

They come in four colors – red, yellow, blue and green – representing four dueling science academies from the year 2087, Viridia Prep, Tronikon Tech, Bionika Cyborg & Caldera Prep.  I like that you can add combinations of weapons and armor to help them win the battle.  Each robot also has a Damage Indicator Light which blinks more rapidly as their health decreases.  Here is Evan's favorite since he is blue.

The Arena and Stadium are so easy to snap together and take apart.  Here are the boys helping me put together the arena and stadium.

The kids had so much fun playing with them.  They loved watching them battle and trying to determine which armor was best and which weapons worked best.  I like that you can have a different battle every time by changing out the accessories.  This was a big hit with the kids.

 The kids were really loving battling their guys.  Both boys and girls got in to it. 

 They loved changing out their armor and playing each other.  I can see these being a hot holiday item so be on the look out for them.

Here is some video to check them out in action:

Here they are a bit more up close.

From Innovation Labs:

“We’re introducing some exciting new high-tech features and competitive elements with the launch of HEXBUG Warriors Battling Robots, including customizable armor, damage indicator lights, and shock sensors, that give kids new, interactive ways to engage in open-ended play with our toys,” said Chris Troyak, president of Innovation First Labs, Inc. “This is the first major extension of the HEXBUG brand that uses our successfully patented HEXBUG Nano technology, and it is just the beginning of what we have planned to roll-out for the holiday season.”

They are available in Walmart, Target, Toys“R”Us and RadioShack, among others.  There are 12 assorted HEXBUG Warrior Battling Robots Single packs available for fans to collect. Each Single pack includes 1 fully-armored Warrior. MSRP is $7.99. 

The battle arena comes with two HEXBUG Warriors with weapons and armor, two expandable battle arena pieces (compatible with Battle Stadium), three standoffs and extra bonus armor. MSRP is $19.99.

The HEXBUG Warriors Battle Statidum is the ultimate large scale battleground for all HEXBUG Warriors students comes with two fully-armored collectible HEXBUG Warriors, eight Battle Stadium Pieces (compatible with Battle Arena) and 12 standoffs. MSRP is $29.99.

For more information on their fierce futuristic rivalry, visit www.hexbug.com/warriors.

Like them on Facebook here.

Follow them on Twitter: @HEXBUG

Disclosure:  I received these HEXBUGs sets to review.  No other compensation was received and all opinions are my own.

3/15/12: HEXBUGS Hive Habitat and Zip Line

I posted recently about visiting HEXBUG by Innovation First Labs, Inc.  The kids got to play with the HEXBUG Nano Hive Habitat Set which won Specialty Toy of the Year at Toy Fair and the Zip Line.  The kids love it and to be honest I love it too.

I love the whole idea behind this toy of mini-robotic toys for kids.  It is so fabulous to get kids excited about tech!  Evan was having a blast connecting the pieces together.  The nice thing about this toy is that the Hive Habitat connects with the Zip Line set and connects with other components so the play continues to evolve as you get additional components.

 Check out the HEXBUG Nano on the Zip Line.  The kids really got excited as the HEXBUG made it up the ramp and then came down the Zip Line.  I was also having fun playing with the Nanos and having them come down the Zip line.

Evan was really getting in to this toy getting very animated as he played with it.  He spent quite a while changing the configurations of the pegs, seesaw and merry go round, to have the HEXBUGs follow different paths.  He loved watching them go up the ramp and as he would say battle each other as both Nanos went towards each other. 

Here is Evan showing us how it works.  You can see his enthusiasm about this toy.

How cool is this toy?  Here is the Hive Habitat connected to the Zip Line.  I totally wish I had this when I was a kid!

 My nephews also got in to playing with it.  They are a little older but really loved playing all together with the Habitat.  They spent over an hour around this toy playing and reconfiguring it to see the HEXBUGs react differently.

 Lauren and her cousin playing with it.

 Even my sister-in-law's dog Chewy liked seeing the HEXBUGs and got really in to checking them out.  He was really cute going up to them and nudging them with his nose.

 Here is the Hive Habitat Set originally packaged.  I love that it folds up.  It made it so easy to take it with us when going to my in-laws with all the components inside.

 And the Zip Line Starter Set as it is packaged.  This component also comes with a Nano and is just totally awesome!

HEXBUG only entered in to the toy industry in 2007 but has done outstanding work in a short time.

Like them on Facebook here.

Follow them on Twitter: @HEXBUG

Disclosure:  I received these toys for review purposes.  No other compensation was received and all opinions are my own.

3/1/12: HEXBUG - Robotics and a Toy! What is not to love?

You may know that lately I have judged a few FIRST Robotics competitions as my company PTC is the sponsor.  What can I say, I am an engineer nerd that went to WPI for Aerospace Engineering.  I love this stuff. 

I love to see the combination of tech and toys and I was treated to a lot of that at Toy Fair especially when visiting HEXBUG by Innovation First Labs, Inc.  The HEXBUG Nano Hive Habitat Set even won Specialty Toy of the Year at Toy Fair!

This is such a cool toy and I was thrilled to see that it folds up for easy portable play!

 HEXBUG only entered in to the toy industry in 2007 but has done outstanding work in a short time.  The goal they had was simple - "give children a positive experience with robotics as a young age."  They are also involved in the VEX Robotics program which was what started HEXBUG.

 They also have now come out with Bobble Bots Moshi Monsters.  These are super cute and easier for the littler ones to interact with and have such cute play sets!

 Aren't they adorable?

 It is so awesome seeing them all move around each other.

 What I also loved was the super cute seasonal items.  Check out these adorable eggs that have little Bunny Ears on the HEXBUG Nano.  What a perfect Easter Basket filler.  Much better than jelly beans.

I LOVE these.  I am quite partial to Halloween so this is right up my alley.  A perfect party favor for our Monster Mash.

And these adorable ornaments with a Nano that has antlers!

I really am excited for this company and can't wait to see what they come out with next.  I look forward to providing you more in-depth reviews with video in the future.