Important Advisory:

We are now requiring companies to provide us with documentation that their products have been tested by an independent lab for phthalates and lead.
Please click here for submission requirements for new products. However, as we are not a lab, we will not be independently verifying those results. Also, with the exception of the 2008 Platinum Toy Awards, toys submitted for review prior to January 2008 were not tested for lead.

Instructions for submitting product to the Oppenheim Toy Portfolio for review.

Contact the Toyportfolio @ (212) 598-0502 or by email at Webmaster@Toyportfolio.com.

Copyright 1995-2008. Oppenheim Toy Portfolio - All Rights Reserved. Oppenheim Toy Portfolio, Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Platinum Award, and Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Blue Chip Award are Registered Trademarks of the Oppenheim Toy Portfolio.

Ages 3-5

3D Cruiser (KBGear $49) There have been computer steering wheels for years, but KB Gear's wheel is especially designed for kids. Although the wheel works with just about every Windows based driving games like last year's Platinum Award winner Lego Racers, it comes with an easy to control game just for kids. A press of the three big buttons on the wheel converts the wheel into the controls for a car, boat or airplane. 3 - 6. Win 98/Mac, (800) 926-3066.

I Spy Puppet Playhouse (Scholastic $29.95) Consistently among the best software titles of the year, the newest program in the series is a winner. Like others in the series it is exemplified by age-appropriate puzzles that develop logic and visual perception. Kids can make their own puzzles and also get good practice at following oral directions. There are also puzzles that slip in good sight word recognition. Kudos for showing how creative children's software can be without resort to licensed characters, cutesy voices and overused activity center games. In short, this software respects its audience. 5-9, Win 95/98/Mac, (800) 724-6527.

Tonka Power Tools (Hasbro $49.99) This gadget/software combo comes with a toy power drill that actually houses a light pen that can be used to control the action on the screen. The drill can be turned into a virtual nail gun, sander, wrench, and power paint brush by a simple twist of a knob. Unlike many of the construction games this year, this one features women as well as male characters - breaking the stereotypes that tend to be enforced by too many games for kids. 4 & up. Win 95/98, (800) 683-5847.

Hey You Pikachu (Nintendo $89.95) Hey You Pikachu is the cutest software title of the year, and also one of the most technologically impressive . Kids control the bright yellow Pokemon by talking to it via a special microphone that plugs into the N64. Kid testers reacted to being able to talk to Pikachu as if it were magic. We liked that the game is not violent (many Pokemon games are about combat) and that the clues are displayed on the screen as written words, emphasizing the value of reading - even to video game enthusiasts. Our only reservation about the game is that is it is a novelty item; once the magic of talking to Pikachu wears off there isn't a lot of "game" here. Nintendo 64, (425) 882-2040.

6-9

IntelPlay Sound Morpher (Mattel $50) This sci-fi looking portable digital device records short clips on a chip. Kids connect the gadget to the computer's sound card for transfer. Once on the computer the sounds can be distorted, changed in pitch, given special echo or robotic effects. Then the sounds can be attached to animations and sent by email to friends. Both Intel and KB Gear came out with portable sound recorders this year. We found the Intel gadget easier to use and more reliable. 6 & up, Win 95/98, (888) 628-8359.

Hoyle Kids Games (Sierra $29.95) Over the years we've recommended many of the Hoyle titles, even though they had not specifically been designed for kids. Classic games develop good thinking skills and the computer provides a ready opponent. Now, Sierra has taken some of the best classic games and given them kid-friendly treatments. There are goldfish playing tic-tac-toe and a checker board populated by frogs that give a whole new meaning to "jumping" pieces. Unfortunately, the battleship game is point and click, it does not impliment the board game's system of calling out coordinates (a good math concept); instead focusing on missle launches and explosions. 5-12, Win 95/98/Mac, (800) 757-7707.

Backyard Baseball 2001 (Humongous $19.99) Humongous continues to hit home runs with Backyard Baseball. Although many kids play it as an arcade game, wise managers use math skills when going through the graphs of player skills to create their teams. We've always applauded the diversity of the kids depicted: the cast is multiracial, gender neutral and includes kids with special needs. "Junior" versions of real-life major league players are new this year. 5-12. Win 95/98/Mac, (800) 499-8386.

Lego Land (Lego $24.95) Lego Land, the California theme park, is a dream destination for many kids. Now, they can actually build and operate their own virtual version in this simulator. Although superficially similar, Lego Land is not a clone of last year's Platinum Award Winner RollerCoaster Tycoon. It is substantially easier to use - designed for a younger audience. 6-10, Win 95/98, (800) 510-5773.

IntelPlay Me2Cam (Mattel $69.99) Smile, you're on TV with this web cam/software bundle. What separates this model from grown-up cameras is the included software. Kids can use the camera to control games by interacting with the action on-screen. They can ski, by leaning, or act as the paddles of a pinball machine! They actually see themselves on the computer monitor inside the game. Of course the camera can also be used for creativity projects as well. 6 & up, Win 95/98, (888) 628-8359.

Star Wars Math: Jabba's Game Galaxy ($29.95 Lucas Learning) Too many math programs simply take the same old math drills and slap on a new licensed character. This one is different: the games are novel, fun, and develop logic and math skills at the same time. At the same time, set in the Star Wars universe, the game has instant appeal to young fans who want to play against Jabba the Hutt and his henchmen. There are estimation games, a futuristic Chinese Checkers and the promise of building your own space ship. It captures a child's imagination, enabling them to bring their fantasy life into their learning life. The games are more about outsmarting the computer than drilling, but at the same time lots of good math skills are reinforced. By succeeding at games that challenge arithmetic and logic skills, players accumulate credits they can spend on parts for their customized space ship. 6-8, Win 95/98/Mac, (888) 887-7909.

Mario Tennis (Nintendo $59.95) Tennis games have been among the most popular electronic games since the time of Pong. This game is not about realism, but action and fun. The mix of popular characters, power-ups and multiplayer action made this one of the most requested games by our kid testers. 6 & up.

10 & Up

LEGO Studios Steven Spielberg MovieMaker Set (LEGO Systems $179.99) This is the best computer product of the year. With it kids can make real movies on their computers. The set includes software, video camera (that records on the computer) and a Godzilla-like movie set made out of Legos. The buildings can tumble to the ground, the roadway splits apart and there is even a "giant" version of the monster's leg that can be used in close ups. Kids record the movie in short "takes" which are then put into a timeline to make the movie. They can add sound effects and music. Our toy testers ended up using the supplied Lego pieces and just about every other toy in the house to make their special effect movies come to life. Their collaborations were often noisy, heated affairs as they tested new ideas, developed storylines and designed sets. This is a completely open ended toy, designed to bring out the creative impulse within us all. 10 & up, Win98, (800) 453-4652.

Samba De Amigo (Sega $40 game plus $80 maracas) Up until now there haven't been many music programs for kids, and most of the ones that exist haven't been much fun. That has all changed with Samba De Amigo, the most fun filled video game of the year. In fact, this game is reason alone enough to buy a Sega Dreamcast! You plug special maraca game controllers into the Sega and then have to shake to the beat and in the direction dictated by the game -- kind of like "Simon says". It teaches music, counting, meter, rhythm, sequencing and strengthens coordination -- but most of all, it's hysterically fun to play and gets everyone up and moving. 10 & Up, (800) 872-7342.

Nascar Heat (Hasbro $39.95) Formula Force GP (Logitech $99.95) Hasbro has changed the nature of race games with Nascar Heat - the first racer designed to keep players in the action. Too often race games get boring because kids can't keep up with the drivers controlled by the computer; kids' cars end up outside the tight pack of zooming around the track. This game adjusts its difficulty to match the player so they won't get left in the dust. The near-tv quality graphics are truly breathtaking. Our favorite controller for playing this game is Logitech's Formula Force GP Steering Wheel with brake and gas pedals. It simulates the road by vibrating as you drive. 10 & up, Win 95/98.

Star Wars Dark Side Developer Kit (Lego Mindstorms $99) Remember the walking four legged robotic tanks called AT-ATs from Empire Strikes Back? Now kids can build their own, customized walking droids (including the AT-AT) with this motorized, computerized assembly kit. And in doing so, kids are getting hands-on fine motor and logic skills -- while getting a great introduction to motors, gears, programming and the "way things work". 9 & up. (800) 510-5773.

MTV Music Generator (Codemasters $29.99) You won't say turn down the volume when you hear your child making music with this creative program. Instead of using staff and notes, kids order music clips on a moving time line known as a sequencer. Making a complete composition takes time and effort. Like a word processor, this is a tool, not a game. Musically inclined students will appreciate the power you've put in their hands with this challenging, inspiring program. 10 & up. PC (also available on Playstation), 559/683-4468 Ext. 2.

Virtua Tennis (Sega $39.95) A debate raged at our office over whether Mario Tennis or Virtua Tennis is the better game. Ultimately it depends on your preferences: Virtua is aimed at an older crowd who want single or multiplayer realistic action. The graphics are so good, you will occasionally ask whether you're watching a game or a television broadcast. 10 & up. (800) 872-7342.

Microsoft Strategic Commander (Microsoft $59.95) This novel game controller is designed to work with strategic games like Age of Empires and Starcraft, and as such is primarily of interest to 'tweens and teens. It allows users to play without the keyboard, by programming a set of buttons on the controller. A large controller works like a mouse, by default moving around the map. 10 & up. Win98/WinME (800) 426-9400.

BLUE CHIP 2001

I Spy School Days (Scholastic $29.95) BLUE CHIP When I Spy School Days first came out it was one of the most beautiful and well thought out children's programs of all time. The newly expanded version continues the tradition, combining the best visual puzzles with the best artwork. Unlike many other programs for kids that rely on the same old games, these have been artistically crafted to entertain and challenge. Go get this program; you'll enjoy playing it with your child! 5-9, Win 95/98/Mac, (800) 724-6527, www.scholastic.com