MPb Staff Picks of the Year

Now that we're looking at the very end of 2003, the staff takes a moment to pick their candidates for Toy of the Year.

Tate Blackmore:
Play Along Toys' LOTR: Armies of the Middle Earth
I don't really collect toys anymore, but if I had to pick the toy of the year I'd go with the LOTR Armies of Middle Earth Ambush at Weathertop set. The figures are impeccably detailed and it makes me want to run off and build a paper mache Weathertop Tower. Hands down, one of the coolest parts of the entire trilogy.
R Hunter did make a paper mache Weathertop Tower for Play Along to use as their advertising picture. Check out that and the rest of our AOME coverage.

Brutilus:
Out of the Box Games' Apples To Apples: Apple Crate Edition

Apples to Apples is a game of comparisons. It has a simple 2 deck (one of nouns, one of adjectives) format and is one of the best party games I've ever played.

Gameplay is simple, each player has a hand of red apple cards (nouns) and the judge turns over a green apple card (adjectives). Each player, except the judge, turns in a noun that either a) they think will match the adjective best or b) will send the judge into a fit of hysterics. Players take turn being the  "judge", so everyone gets to play God for a little while.

It is a great "get to know you game" and also works very well with old friends. We had the most fun with the  "create your own" cards. That is, except for Mr. Stinkhead who wound up pouting after a certain insulting reference to his manhood by Tuxxer.
Check out Out of the Box Games official info for Apples to Apples.

Jager:
Armies of Middle Earth's Gandalf on Shadowfax.
To begin with, this line has provided some amazing figures and playsets. This particular figure is great. It has my favorite character of the year in a most exciting pose. No one messes with the White Wizard!

Lando da Pimp
Mattel's Zip Line Batman
This was not a great year in toys for me. There really wasn't a toy that came out this year that I just had to have other than the Princess Leia Unleashed. That being said, out of everything I have purchased this year I would have to say the most impressive toy was Mattel's Four Horsemen Zip Line Batman. When I saw these figures at Toy Fair this year I knew I would have to pick them up.

This is by far the best sculpt of Batman I have in my collection. As I stated in my review of this figure early in the year, the Zip Line Batman is the one to buy. It's the only incarnation that gives you a basic Batman. The other variations are so bad and they are everywhere. A way to improve this figure even more is to remove all the lame variations and give the fans the ability to find a Joker! Is that to much to ask?

Overwelming staff consensus
Art Asylum's Marvel Mini-Mates
The Marvel Mini-Mates were at the top of a lot of our lists. Highly collectible, fully poseable, and looking good at under 3 inches. We had a lot of fun this year with our customizing contest, making our desktop wallpaper, and the animated fight between Spidey and Venom that Jager and Stinkhead made.

Mr. Stinkhead
Mattel's MOTU: Snakemen
These guys get my vote for favorite toy I received this year. They follow in the footsteps of the Four Horsemen Masters figures, but clearly resemble some of my favorite toys growing up. The only reason they wouldn't be up at the top is the whole availability issue. Check out my review and pics of the Villians and the Heroic Warriors (including Zodak!)

Overwelming staff consensus
Toy Biz's Electronic Hulk Hands
This toy has the distinction of being the gift of choice this year. We gave a set of Hulk Hands to most of the guys on our holiday list because they're such a crowd pleaser, and the price had dropped enough to buy a bunch of them. The only reason they're not toy of the year is because they're not really collectible, but you gotta read Jager's review

Overwelming staff consensus
Palisades' Muppet Figures
A lot of us have been getting more and more hooked with the Muppet figures. Palisades delivers the goods time and time again with incredible likenesses, sturdy construction, amazing articulation, and plentiful accessories. Their playsets are chocked full of extras and detail... we could go on and on, but I've found that the best thing to do is put one in your hands. Check out our review of the con exclusive Statler & Waldorf, and then go surfing around the web with their Insult-O-Matic, it's fun! Be on the look out for our upcoming review of the Pigs In Space playset, in stores now.

MPb's Toy of the Year:
Stikfas Mechana
I was completely blown away by the Stikfas Mechana. Simple, elegant, articulated fingers, not only is this toy a great concept, it was executed beautifully. It's affordable and reasonably easy to locate. Read our gushing review here.

Pop by this message board thread to discuss your own nominations for Toy of the Year.