droolicious : clone wars

Star Wars: The Essential Atlas Arriving in August

Aaron Burgess — Thu, 28 May 2009 15:00:00 GMT

Your kids know the planets well enough to make the jump to hyperspace in their sleep, but how well do they understand the geography, astronomy and political lines behind the Star Wars universe? When Star Wars: The Essential Atlas arrives in mid-August, it should help to fill in any such blanks -- because, you know, you've got to study something when school lets out.

Covering the most obscure corners of the Star Wars canon (as well as the big, famous adventures we all know and love), Star Wars: The Essential Atlas fills its 256 pages with maps, charts, data and facts galore on everything from the films to their book, comic and video-game spinoffs. Admittedly, I haven't actually seen a copy yet, but if Father's Day were a few months later, I know what'd be topping my list.

Preoder yours -- I mean your kids' -- copy now for $19.80 from Amazon, and save 34% off the $30 list price.

Star Wars Force FX Lightsaber: a Gift Fit for Luke Skywalker

Aaron Burgess — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 13:30:00 GMT

Unlike the lightsaber USB desk lamp we featured the other day, the Star Wars Force FX Lightsaber is ready for battle -- and it's got way more realistic (fictionally speaking) features than those plastic versions you're probably used to seeing.

Of course, it's also 100 bucks, so your call whether the kids have earned the right to experience those familiar hums, crashes and glows in movie-style accuracy.

$99.99 from ThinkGeek.

Because We All Have $430 to Drop On a Clone Trooper Helmet

Aaron Burgess — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 20:00:00 GMT

Couldn't score one of those elusive Clone Trooper Helmet toys at Christmastime? Blow it out of the water with this limited-edition fiberglass Attack of the Clones Clone Captain Helmet, up now for preorder at StarWarsShop.com. Sure, it'll cost you $400 more than the plastic toy those commoners are wearing, but you'll be one of just 400 geeks worldwide to have one. [eFx Collectibles]

Star Wars Clone Trooper Helmet Still Flying Off Shelves

Aaron Burgess — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 19:00:00 GMT

Getting little kids to go nuts over talking Star Wars merchandise is like shooting fish in a barrel, but there are a few good reasons Hasbro's Clone Trooper Voice Changer Helmet is topping so many "hot toy" lists this season.

For one, it's durable -- so much so that your littlest Clone may reel from the sheer weight when he or she dons the thing. But if you've experienced either the lesser Clone helmets that cover just kids' faces or the cheapo, rubber-band-backed Halloween masks that always seem to break within minutes, you'll understand why bulk makes the difference.

Once you get the helmet adjusted -- and for anyone under 10, unless they've got an especially large noggin, you'll need to work with the fittings a bit -- the voice-changing feature adds a nice bit of realism to the experience. If you're familiar with The Clone Wars, you'll realize the term "voice-changing" is a bit of a stretch, but from a kid's perspective, the walkie-talkie-style effects that leave them sounding like Commander Cody and his comrades will invite hours of imaginative play.

$30.93 (regularly $36.99) from Amazon.

LEGO MagnaGuard Starfighter No Longer Just a Clone Wars Extra

Aaron Burgess — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 19:04:00 GMT

The actual MagnaGuard Starfighter, which transports General Grievous' ultra-nasty Magna Droids around the Star Wars galaxy, is a bit player at best in the Clone Wars series. But LEGO's version of the ship, a 431-piece creation aimed at ages 8 and up, officially bumps the MagnaGuard Starfighter into A-list territory.

The set includes two Magna Droid minifigures (pictured), whose shapes, capes and electronic-Q-Tip-styled weapons allow for nice twists on the typical minifig (even droid minifig) design. As for the MagnaGuard Starfighter itself, it has several cool features -- hidden missiles, a flip-open cockpit, and pop-up launchers on either side -- that'll allow the kids to do more than simply set the ship on a shelf for display when they're done building it.

Primarily because of the number of pieces and the somewhat advanced wing assemblies, the ship can be a little daunting for inexperienced builders to put together. If your kids are old pros at building mid-sized LEGO vehicles, however, they should have no trouble completing this one without Mom's or Dad's help.

$44.99 from the LEGO Shop.

Mark Ecko Star Wars Hoodies' Force Unleashed

Aaron Burgess — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 20:04:00 GMT

If you like the idea of Marc Ecko's Star Wars Collection but feel a little too old to be seen walking around in Marc Ecko clothing, these hoodies should be just the incentive you need to give in: As un-Ecko-like as they are totally Ecko-like, both the Real Storm Trooper Hoodie ($98, left) and Boba Fett For Real Hoodie ($98, right) somehow manage to be nerdy, cool, ironic and deadly serious all at once. Plus, what other clothing can you and the kid both wear simultaneously (they're available in sizes small through XXXL) without inspiring passers-by to roll their eyes?

Unfortunately, both hoodies are currently too popular to be available online until Nov. 30. You can check at either Macy's or an Ecko retail store to see if they're not yet sold out in your area, though. Sure, they're pricey, but when you consider how well they double as Halloween costumes, it cushions the blow a little.

7 Days of Educational Toys: LeapFrog Didj

Aaron Burgess — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 15:04:00 GMT

It's being promoted as an educational device rather than a Nintendo competitor, but one look at LeapFrog's new Didj Custom Gaming System makes it pretty clear this gadget is aiming to knock that DS Lite out of your grade-schooler's hands.

LeapFrog has traditionally been known for going lighter on graphics, but the Didj makes improvements both visually and educationally: Kids used to higher-end handheld gizmos will feel right at home with the system's high-resolution visuals, and the games' learning functions also aim to keep Mom and Dad in on the experience.

Though there's no wireless element, the Didj's computer connectivity (via an included USB cable) allows you to keep a short leash on how and what your kids are playing. You can choose the math and spelling skills you'd like the games to focus on, create custom spelling lists so Junior can practice for upcoming tests, and go online to track the kids' progress.

The LeapFrog Didj is $89.99, with accessories and games -- including Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Indiana Jones, Nancy Drew and SpongeBob Squarepants -- starting at $23.99 each. Visit the LeapFrog store to stock up, and if you buy two or more games before Aug. 31, enter promo code FL8DJA at checkout to knock $10 off your order.