Who would have suspected that the hot toy of 2009 would be a robotic hamster?
If you're not under 12, or a parent, the combination of cute, cuddly, and well, robotics might seem a bit alien. But kids have apparently been flocking to Zhu Zhu Pets (beware of the music!), a line of $10 robotic hamsters that roam through plastic tunnels, down slides and ramps, and power hamster balls.
Their appeal can apparently be summed up best by Cepia, the small American toy company that has imported them from China: "The best alternatives to real live hamsters, Zhu Zhu Pets hamsters don`t poop, die, or stink, but they are still a riot of motion and sound."
While it's unclear how many Zhu Zhu Pets have actually sold, the National Retail Federation highlighted the toys as one of the most popular sales items over the Thanksgiving holiday. Time to Play Magazine lists them as its top editor's pick for girl's toys.
So far, a quick scan of retailers' Web sites seems to bear that out. Every item in the Zhu Zhu category is sold out on ToysRUs.com, while the "Squiggles" hamster - normally $9.99 on ToysRUs.com - is priced at a whopping $62.99 on Amazon.com, compliments of a partner, Begum.com. However, they're also listed as "in stock".
The hamsters come pre-programmed with about 40 different sounds, which trigger in response to different actions; pet them, for example, and they'll squeak contentedly. Each hamster can apparently be placed in "nurturing mode," where they can be played with and cuddled, and "adventure mode," where they "explore" their environment.
Accessories include the expected hamster beds and hamster wheel, in addition to an "adventure ball" and "sleep dome."
Naturally, the Zhu Zhu hamsters now have their own blog, where the hamsters post in character, without any hints on where to find them in stores, unfortunately.
Post by Mark Hachman
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November 28, 2009 11:37 PM
I've been hearing about this toys the past week or so. I don't see anything special, but every Christmas that one toy is the must-have and it looks like this is it.
November 29, 2009 7:49 AM
You can use amzfinder.com to keep track of Amazon's inventory and be the first to get the Zhu Zhu pet for $10 when it becomes available.
November 29, 2009 3:03 PM
My little children adore these zhu zhu hamsters. The favorite is Pipsquek the yellow zhu zhu pets hamster and the kids love Numnums too.
November 29, 2009 6:43 PM
I have been surprised at the popularity of these little toys! It's amazing that parents are willing to pay $50 or $60. Every year will have its must have toy, and Zhu Zhu Hamsters are it this year!
November 30, 2009 9:48 AM
Zhu Zhu pets have to be the cutest toys ever, certain cuter than Elmo
November 30, 2009 5:33 PM
Not worth getting gouged on regardless of the cute factor. The price has been artificially increased by money grubbing profiteers. My 6 year wants one but she is getting enough other toys I don't mind telling her I will wait until after Christmas when I bet the market is flooded; remember Beanie Babies and the fools who thought they were the greatest investment of all time? Can we say FAD! boys and girls...
November 30, 2009 5:33 PM
Not just for kids! I'm 63 and got one when they were still available on Amazon.com for about $28. I got Mr. Squiggles- he looks like a guinea pig I had as a pet in my teens. My wife AND my 90-year-old mother-in-law both get a kick out of him when I set him down & let him have the run of the floor every other day or so.
December 1, 2009 10:25 AM
I've been trying to buy this since September for my little girl and it's ALWAYS out of stock at Walmart.
December 1, 2009 1:06 PM
I got mine at http://GoGrabber.com and didn’t have to pay any more than regular retail price for it!
I know other mom’s are having trouble finding them, so I wanted to let everybody
know how I got one.
one of my girlfriends told me about gograbber.com, which is a free website that will “watch” items for you on Amazon and let you know when amazon has them in stock at regular retail price.
It worked so well I now have gograbber watching a whole bunch of stuff for me!
Lol! Good luck everybody!
December 5, 2009 2:06 AM
The price on these popular toys is finally coming down. You can find them at Amazon for under $30, and probably cheaper elsewhere.
March 19, 2010 4:25 AM
There are already more than five hamsters, it's kind of Zhu Zhu Pets Fair where any girl and any boy can find something special for yourself. It's a really good time for boys who like these toys, because the new kung zhu line of hamsters is awesome!