Wal-Mart Unwraps Holiday Toy Wishes

Leading Toy Retailer Predicts the Season's Top 12 Toys and Introduces Magical Characters at the 2006 Toy Wishes Holiday Preview

BENTONVILLE, Ark., Oct. 4 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Boasting life-like dolls, adventurous ride-on vehicles and advanced digital games, the 2006 holiday season is chock-full of thrilling toys. And Wal-Mart (NYSE: WMT - News), the world's leading toy retailer, is the place for the hottest toys at the coolest prices, allowing shoppers to get and give more. This week, Wal-Mart releases its predictions for the top 12 toys of the season as it provides a sneak peak into its in-store "Toyland" at the fifth annual Toy Wishes Holiday Preview in New York. Additionally, Wal-Mart introduces delightful namesake characters Wally & Marty, "renegade" elves, which will soon be synonymous with holiday spirit.
Top 12 Toys of Christmas and Holidays '06

Wal-Mart's list of top 12 toys reflects the most prevalent trends in the industry, including high-tech digital toys, imaginative toys, experiential toys, characters that come to life and the modernization of classic favorites. The top 12 toys for Christmas and Holidays 2006 are:


* Monopoly® Here & Now(TM) Edition from Hasbro® ($28.96) -
Ages 8 and up
* Zoombox(TM) ($248) - For kids of all ages
* V.Flash(TM) Edutainment System from VTech® ($99.77) - Ages 6 -10
* BABY ALIVE® doll from Hasbro® ($49.97) - Ages 3 and up
* Power Wheels® Ford Mustang from Fisher-Price® ($249.94), red
Mustang available exclusively at Wal-Mart and Walmart.com -
Ages 3 and up
* TMX(TM) Elmo from Fisher-Price® ($39.97) - Ages 18 months and up
* Kid-Tough(TM) Digital Camera from Fisher-Price® ($59.88) -
Ages 3 and up
* ESPN® Fast Action Football(TM) from Fisher-Price® ($198.88) -
Ages 6 and up
* "BARBIE(TM) IN THE 12 DANCING PRINCESSES" PRINCESS GENEVIEVE(TM)
DOLL(TM) from Mattel® ($16.88) - Ages 3 and up
* Bratz(TM) Forever Diamondz(TM): Vinessa ($19.97), available
exclusively at Wal-Mart and Walmart.com - Ages 6 and up
* Littlest Pet Shop Virtual Pet (Dog or Cat) from Hasbro® ($12.84) -
Ages 6 and up
* Hot Wheels® Radar Gun from Mattel® ($29.74) - Ages 7 and up

"Wal-Mart is committed to offering the most imaginative and innovative toys during the holiday season and year-round," says Scott McCall, Vice President and Divisional Merchandise Manager of toys at Wal-Mart. "We stay on top of trends year-round and offer a one-stop destination to find the hottest toys at a great value."

Wally & Marty

This Holiday for the first time ever, Wal-Mart introduces Wally & Marty, a pair of 3-D animated elves. These "renegade elves" have started their own business, Toyland, a magical place where Wal-Mart's most innovative toys are tested, built and delivered. Wally & Marty are Wal-Mart's "guardians of amazing toys" and will come to life for children this season through animated cinema and television advertisements, a comic book, various print executions and the highly interactive microsite, (this is the site I talked about on my show)where children can build a "Toyland Wishlist" of their favorite toys.