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The
Dirty Dozen
12 Toys To Avoid
For 2000 - 2001
Wrestling
Figures
Goldberg
Smash & Bash Game, Tiger/Hasbro
Recommended age:
5+
Description:
An electronic talking action figure based on a World Championship Wresting
figure.
Why we chose it:
The packaging suggests that preschoolers act out
wrestling moves with this toy. “You
must quickly react by smashing his head, bashing
his chest or twisting his arm before he comes at you with his next move,” the
package says. Children learn by
imitation.
Bone Crunchin’
Buddies, Jakks
Pacific
Recommended age: 3+
Description:
A large plush doll depicting an angry World Wrestling Federation figure.
Why we chose it:
This figure suggests that children “crunch” the
figure’s elbows and knees, to hear “bone crunching action.” There have been incidents where young children have
accidentally injured or even killed their friends while imitating such moves.
ACTION
Figures
BASED ON
ADULT VIDEO GAMES
Metal Gear
Solid, Revolver Ocelot, McFarlane
Toys
Recommended age:
5+
Description:
An action figures that comes with two Colt single-action Army revolvers,
two ammo belts and a torture table.
Why we chose it:
This action figure introduces pre-schoolers to an adult-rated violent video
game, although the packaging does not reveal this link.
The adult video game includes moves such as “snapping a guard’s neck
from behind, shooting an enemy’s back with a silencer, and sniping craniums
from far away,” according to gamefan.com. The industry trade group Entertainment Software Review
Board (ESRB) rated the game “M” for Mature, citing “animated blood &
gore, animated violence, and mature sexual themes.”
Turok
Primagen, Omniversal Annihilator, Playmates
Recommended age:
4+
Description:
An action figure that “seeks total domination of both the Lost Land and
Earth.”
Why we chose it:
This action figure, labeled as appropriate for children four and up, is
based on an ultra-violent adult video game.
The packaging does not warn parents of the link to an adult game, but it
entices children to play the video game by offering a “cheat sheet” inside
the package. “Join the blood
battle with Turok in Turok 2: Seeds of Evil for N64,” the package reads.
Hollywood-based
FIGURES
Wolverine
Battlin’ Bop Bag, Toy Biz
Recommended age: 5+
Description: A four-foot tall punching bag figure that talks
when hit, based on X-Men the Movie.
Why we chose it:
This figure, based on a PG-13 movie, is marketed to pre-schoolers.
When punched, it says the following: “Try to hit me … in the gut!”
and “Hit my head … again … if you dare!”
TELEVISION-based
FIGURES
Pokemon
Battle Stadium, Hasbro
Recommended age:
6+
Description: A “high tech”
mini-stadium to “let you create the ultimate battle!”
Why we chose it:
Pokemon figures generally look cute and appeal to young children, but
they promote violent play. The
packaging suggests that strategy is involved, but the strategy is related to
fighting. “Figures get stronger by winning battles!”
the packaging reads. “Win
by choosing the right attack and timing it just right!”
Dragonball Z, Action Figures,
Irwin Toy
Recommended age:
4+
Description: Plastic action figures based on the Cartoon Network
program.
Why we chose it:
Dragonball Z is one of the most violent of the children’s cartoon
programs, and these action figures invite preschoolers to re-enact the violence
they see on TV. “Recreate the
exciting battles of Dragonbal Z with these detailed action figures!” says the
packaging. “Each figure comes
with a Blasting Energy Weapon!”
TOY
GUNS
Laser
Challenge, Gotcha Extreme!, Toymax
Recommended age:
8+
Description:
A laser gun and sensor vest with “aggressive styling” and a 350’
firing distance.
Why we chose it:
This laser gun urges children to “put down your game controller” and
“step into a video game!” This gun attempts to make the virtual violence of
video games real through actual play. The packaging says:
“It’s you against your opponents! 10 hits equal elimination!”
Nerf WildFire, Hasbro
Recommended age:
8+
Description:
An “automatic blaster” with “full or semi-automatic trigger” and
darts which are referred to as “ammo.”
Why we chose it:
This automatic blaster – with “massive 20 dart firepower!” –
simulates an automatic weapon. It
requires children to shoot at each other as a form of play.
Video
Game
Bionic
Commando Elite Forces (for Color Game Boy), Capcom
Recommended age:
Everyone (ESRB rating)
Description: A hand-held video game where “you are the
ultimate weapon.” The game
includes a “sniper mode” for both the male and female “commandos.” The male commando goes “charging through enemies with
barrels blazing” and “leaves only destruction in his wake.”
Why we chose it:
This game requires both boys and girls to become virtual snipers in order to “take
out” enemies.
GATEWAy
Games
VIDEO
GAMES BASED ON ADULT-RATED GAMES
Turok3,
Shadow of Oblivion, (for Color Game Boy), Acclaim
Recommended age:
Everyone (ESRB rating)
Description: This fighting
game features virtual weapons such as a “basic semi-automatic” pistol with
“extra ammo clips,” a shot gun, an Uzi, blade launcher (“bouncing blades
mean some nasty cuts”), a missile launcher, and more. Children start out with a knife and a bow, but “earn”
more weapons as they become more proficient killers. The “hints” for this game suggest that children “use
many weapons, don’t become dependent on one of them” and “get your hands
on long-range weapons as soon as you can.”
Why we chose it:
This adult-rated video game is marketed to children through both a Game Boy
version and action figures. The
packaging does not mention the link to an adult game.
Metal Gear
Solid (for Color Game Boy), Konami
Recommended age:
Everyone (ESRB rating)
Description:
A Game Boy video game that invites children to “build up an arsenal of
weaponry” and “take out” the
enemy.
Why we chose it:
This game is marketed to children, but
is based on an adult-rated, violent video game
of the same name.
Neither the packaging nor the directions acknowledge this connection.
While most children know – Joe Camel-style – what they are playing
with, most parents are unaware of the marketing connections.
If you believe that violence
is not child's play, and would like to make your feelings known, please visit
our listing of the toy companies who produce the
Dirty Dozen.
If you have any suggestions for
toys for our next list, please
contact us here at The Lion and Lamb Project via any of
the methods listed
at the top of the screen - or use our easy online Toy
Recommendation Form!
If you send us a toy
recommendation, please include all the relevant details
of the toy, including those seen above.
If we pick your recommendation
to be included in one of our lists,
you'll receive a free Parent Action Kit!
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