[February 08, 2007]

Bandai America Expands Its Youth Electronics with New Portable Girlz Connect(TM) Tech Toys

CYPRESS, Calif. --(Business Wire)-- Bandai America Incorporated, creator of the world's first and top selling "virtual pet" tech toy, is leveraging its success in the red hot youth electronics category to introduce Girlz Connect, an exciting new lifestyle brand for young, savvy girls 5-13 years old. Taking a page from the interactivity of the wildly popular Tamagotchi Connection, Girlz Connect features two colorful and portable toys called LocketPal and Destiny. Both offer endless hours of fun through a touch screen and stylus that put games or quizzes, horoscopes, a matchmaker and more at your fingertips--at home, at school, on the go or while sharing with friends.

Additionally, Destiny features online interactivity at Girlzconnect.com, where girls can log onto the Web community to create and share their own personal quizzes, as well as download new ones into the toy via its USB drive.

"The youth electronics category has grown by about 22% in the last year alone, and we believe what's driving this phenomenon is the technology and interactive social play that allows girls to connect with their friends with handheld toys, just like our successful Tamagotchi," said Michael Riley, vice president of marketing. "We were inspired by the tremendous opportunity within the girls electronic category to launch Girlz Connect and further this trend of handheld electronics for girls that increases their ability to interact with their friends."

With distinct designs targeting two different age groups, LocketPal and Destiny are launching at all major retailers in July, just in time for the back-to-school rush. LocketPal is reminiscent of a PDA device and shaped like a small cosmetics case, so it represents the perfect first tech toy for younger girls 5-8 years old. It features four categories of activities, including games, such as Secret Code and Tic Tac Toe; a daily horoscope finder; friendship matchmaker; and cool Mood Meter, which can actually read what you're feeling when you press your thumb against the sensor. LocketPal also offers a datebook and alarm, so anyone can keep their busy social schedule organized easily.

Destiny is for the social and savvy tween girl aged 8-13, and allows groups of friends to connect together--both offline and online. After taking the 20 different personality quizzes, they can log on to the Girlzconnect.com Web site to compare their results with others. Additionally, they can utilize the toy's USB port to download new quizzes from the site. This way, Destiny is always fresh, new and interactive.

As the ultimate fashion statement, both LocketPal and Destiny come in various stylish colors to suit any mood and any girl. They can be attached to purses, backpacks, belt loops, or even worn around the neck. This way, girls are never too far from the fun and sharing with their friends.

About Bandai America Inc.

A leader in introducing Japanese toy trends to the United States, Bandai America Incorporated is a subsidiary of NAMCO BANDAI Holdings (USA) Inc., a new entity that resulted from the integration of Namco Ltd. and Bandai Co. Ltd. of Japan. Global interests encompass five strategic business units: toys and hobby (toys, models, apparel and sundries), amusement facilities, game content (home and arcade console gaming), mobile content, and visual and music content (including home entertainment). Bandai America is the manufacturer and master toy licensee of some of the most popular brands in children's toys and entertainment today, including Power Rangers, Ben 10, Team Galaxy, Tamagotchi and Girlz Connect. The company is headquartered in Cypress, California and information is available at www.Bandai.com.

Visuals available upon request.

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]

Discussions: