Jakks ‘Close’ to New Lease in N.Y.

Jakks was among the few major companies displaying new products at the historic Center during last week’s American International Toy Fair. The Center’s 2 buildings at 200 Fifth Ave. and 1107 Broadway -- where the yo-yo, Mr. Potato Head, Etch-A-Sketch, G.I. Joe, Furby and other classics debuted -- were sold in 2005 to the Chetrit Group, a partnership led by developer Joseph Chetrit. Since then, a relocation committee has been working with tenants to find a new N.Y.C. home for the toy industry.

Jakks also exhibited last week at the Javits Center in N.Y.C., “as we do each year, [but] mostly with our Go Fly a Kite and other seasonal lines geared towards specialty retailers,” the spokeswoman said.

Radica -- another major company that displayed products at 500 Fifth Ave. in 2005 -- was among last week’s notable absences. But that’s because last year Mattel bought Radica, and this time its products were part of its new parent’s showcase located near the Toy Center.

Toy companies recently sued Chetrit Group in Manhattan Supreme Court over poor conditions at the Center, the Daily News reported. Chetrit Group wasn’t immediately available for comment.

New products on display last week at Toy Fair included Daze Products’ Game Chamber, a new locking storage organizer for videogames. A version for use with Nintendo DS and Game Boy Advance titles is available, and Daze said other versions “are currently being developed for release in 2nd quarter” for Nintendo’s Wii, the PSP, PS2, PS3, Xbox 360 and Leapfrog software titles.

Techno Source demonstrated Rubik’s Revolution, an interactive multigame twist on Rubik’s Cube, shipping this summer at $19.99. The device’s 6 core games are Light Speed, Rapid Recharge, Pattern Panic, Cube Catcher, Code Cracker and Multiplayer Madness. Techno Source created the product after signing a licensing deal with Cube owner Seven Towns. Terms weren’t disclosed by Techno Source.

Cold Fusion Entertainment is in talks with retailers interested in carrying its Nano Wireless Headset, shipping in June, probably at $39.99, said David Elmekies, pres. of the company and parent Shalom International. Retailers voicing interest include Target and even Apple for its retail stores, he said, but no deals have been completed. The headset has slots on each side for connecting iPod Nanos. Other new Cold Fusion products include a Bluetooth phone connection and remote control for iPods at $39.99, dual alarm clock radio with Bluetooth at $129.99, Bluetooth music/cellphone dongle at $29.99 and Bluetooth adapter for iPod docking systems at $69.99. Elmekies is an ex-Majesco Entertainment developer who worked on games including BloodRayne, before leaving to start Cold Fusion; that company joined Shalom about 6 months ago, he said.

This year, for the first time, Pressman is offering DVD games that don’t feature traditional boards, including games based on the Cartoon Network show Ben 10 (April) and The Land Before Time animated movies (June), at $20 each. Pressman still offers DVD games with boards as well, with new items including the Scooby-Doo! DVD Board Game at $25 in June. The company’s DVD board game based on hit Fox TV show 24 is still “doing well,” a company spokesman said, but he declined to provide specific sales numbers.

New SKUs from Screenlife -- which largely created the DVD board game category with its Scene It? line -- include Scene It? Movie 2nd Edition, Scene It? Harry Potter 2nd Edition including content from the coming movie Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, and Scene It? Disney 2nd Edition, each shipping this summer at $34.95. Arriving first, however, will be 3 portable, non-board “Travel Edition” SKUs: Scene It? Movie Travel Edition, Scene It? TV Travel Edition and Scene It? Junior Travel Edition, each shipping in spring at $19.95. Also coming this spring at $19.95 is Thomas & Friends DVD Bingo for children 4 and up. -