I was super excited to finally be able to get some time behind the scenes with the HEXBUG family at Toy Fair 2011. I have always been fascinated by them since I first witnessed them at a toy store some time ago. Now I would have my chance to see what Innovation First International had in store for HEXBUGS.
The big reveal was the introduction of the Glow in the Dark like of HEXBUG Nano line and Glow in the Dark HEXBUG Nano Start Set and Habitat Set. I do agree there is always something cool about glow in the dark micro robotic bugs, two other reveals really got that inner kid in me going. Before we tell you about one of those items I want to just touch base on the HEXBUG Spider which is the largest member of HEXBUG and is steerable with an infrared remote control. It is facinating to see this robotic spider move and it is amazing to know that such robotics are available to children (and adults).
When I saw the HEXBUG line, my first two inclinations as a boy were how can I race them and how can I battle them. Well this year you can do both. We start with the HEXBUG Nano Bridge Battle Habitat Set. TWo will enter but only one will survives as the other falls to defeat. What is nice is that the HEXBUG combatants go through one way gates to meet on the infamous orange bridge where they will try and knock the other HEXBUG . I know when I was younger I would have this huge sheet of paper where I would track wins and loses of each one of the HEXBUGs and my friends. I can only imagine the notebook. Now that I have two boys of my own, I can see them playing and keeping score as well. So their favorite HEXBUG may not be the one with the coolest design anymore, but rather the one that has the most wins in the HEXBUG Nano Bridge Battle. Can you tell we are a competitive family? The other thing I dig about the HEXBUGs is that this playset is for ages 3 and up, but I can see our baby girl being very happy to just watch the boys play. A toy to entertain all of the kids. HEXBUG also fills a much needed void of being a nice stepping stone for when your children outgrow some of the furry variety toys. The small footprint of the toy is also a huge plus for a family with multiple kids or someone who just wants to keep their house clean.
You can find out more on the Raceway Habitat Set on our other HEXBUG piece.
Photo Credit: BSCkids.com