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Wrecking Ball comes from the Magic Element and has the slogan "Wreck-N-Roll!"  He should be an interesting Skylander...check out the unboxing and look below for stats and more info:



Wrecking Ball (Magic Element)
-Elemental Power: 35
-Armor: 90
-Speed: 50
-Luck: 60

Wrecking Ball looks like a load of fun to play with.  I had honestly figured he would have had a higher Elemental Power, but I guess the developers equated the small size to Armor.  He is the 3rd Magic Element Skylander to be released and joins:

Spyro (Dark Spyro via 3DS Starter Pack, Legendary Spyro via Legendary Triple Pack)
VooDood
Double Trouble (Not yet released as of 11/30/2011)

I picked up Wrecking Ball in a single character pack for the retail price of $7.99.  You shoulld soon be seeing him in a triple pack with Stealth Elf and Sonic Boom.

Hex is a Skylander from the Undead Element and her slogan is "Fear the Dark!"  Out of all the second-wave of releases, Hex is who I have heard about the most.  I have had countless people tell me how great of a character she is once powered-up.  I'll investigate that claim ASAP, but for now, here is the unboxing and check below for stats and more info:



Hex (Undead Element)
-Elemental Power: 70
-Armor: 70
-Speed: 40
-Luck:50

Hex, as mentioned, is supposed to be a great character.  She is the 3rd Undead Element Skylander to be released and will join:
Chop Chop (Legendary Chop Chop)
Ghost Roaster (Dark Light Crypt Adventure Pack)
Cynder (Not yet released 11/30/2011)

I picked Hex up in the form of a single pack for the suggested retail price of $7.99 at my local Toys'R'Us.  I believe she will be part of a Triple Pack that will include Dino-Rang and Zap for $19.99.

Dino-Rang is an Earth Element Skylander and his slogan is "Come 'Rang or Shine!"  Check out the unboxing and look below for statistics:



Dino-Rang (Earth Element)
-Elemental Power: 45
-Armor: 80
-Speed: 40
-Luck: 85

Dino-Rang looks like an awesome Skylander and is the 4th and Final Earth Element Skylander to be released.  He is joined by:

Bash (Legendary Bash)
Prism Break
Terrafin (via Pirate Seas Adventure Pack)

You can pick Dino-Rang up in a single pack for a suggested retail price of $7.99 and I believe he will soon be released in a Triple Pack for $19.99 along with Zap and Hex.

Somehow I have been able to get this information compiled, I'll try and get pics up soon.

Triple Pack #1
-Drobot
-Flameslinger
-Stump Smash

Triple Pack #2
-Prism Break
-Boomer
-Voodood

Triple Pack #3
-Eruptor
-Chop Chop
-Bash


Triple Pack #4
-Zap
-Hex
-Dino-Rang


Triple Pack #5
-Wrecking Ball
-Stealth Elf
-Sonic Boom

Zap's hails from the Water Element and his slogan is "Ride the Lightning."  Check him out:




Zap (Water Element)
-Elemental Power=30
-Armor=70
-Speed=65
-Luck=65

I was in the market for some long-life, multi-use batteries for a new camera and couldn't pass up this offering from Rayovac.

For $9.99 (at Target) I got a charger, (2) AA, and (2) AAA Batteries...most NiMH batteries and chargers run $19.99-$29.99...big savings!

Plus, I should probably mention that I am a big Rayovac fan.  I have run their standard AA alkaline batteries in the Wiimotes and Balance Board for years.  I get great life cycles and can pick up 24 or 36 packs for $10 or less when they are on sale!  Given my positive sentiment for the company and their batteries I decided this was the way to go.

In addition to the Charger and included batteries I picked up a 4-Pack of AA Batteries for $7.99.

That's basically $17.98 for a charger, (6) AA Batteries, and (2) AAA Batteries...I don't think I could find a better deal anywhere!  If these NiMH hold up as well as the standard alkaline batteries I will be very happy.

As mentioned, my primary use for these NiMH batteries is a digital camera.  However, the Wiimotes (and all Nintendo accessories take standard issue alkaline batteries), BUT you can run NiMH batteries, just not lithium ion.  The issue is simply voltage and not overpowering the Wiimote (which will create "noise" and in some cases damage the Wiimote). 

That said, I might see how a pair of these NiMH hold up in the Wiimote and since they were included, I plan ot use the (2) AAA in the EA Active Heart Rate Monitor and Motion Sensor (which really drained batteries down fast!).  I think the packaged AAAs lasted a week in the motion sensor.  I will gladly take a shot with these NiMH AAA batteries.



Overall this is a great set-up.  The charger itself is compact and durable...it will charge (2) or (4) batteries at a time and you can charge (2) AA with (2) AAA or (4) AA/AAA, or just (2) AA/AAA.  Just make sure that the batteries are side-by-side AA, AA, AAA, AAA for example, not AA, AAA, AA, AAA.  The way it was packaged is a bit misleading, but there is a nice diagram to explain it.

Again, for under $20 you get a charger, (2) AAA, and (6) AA Batteries, and the satisfaction of knowing you can run the same set of batteries for roughly 400 charge cycles!  That means the batteries and charger will literally pay for themselves in no time!

If you've got any questions on this product feel free to ask and I will do my best to answer...I am hopeful that I will get great battery life for the new digital camera!

Whirlwind is a unique Skylander in that she is only available at Target.  There is no price increase ($7.99), but you will have to hit-up Target to add her to your collection...If you purchase her online through another medium you will likely pay more, so keep that in mind.



Whirlwind (Air Element)
-Elemental Power: 65
-Armor: 30
-Speed: 65
-Luck: 75

Stealth Elf: Life Element
-Elemental Power: 60
-Armor: 30
-Speed: 100
-Luck: 70

Pirate Seas is the other of the 2 Adventure Packs, the other being "Darklight Crypt."  This is a similar set-up featuring the location piece (Pirate Ship), character (Terrafin), and two magic items (Ghost Swords and Hidden Treasure).  Let's check it out:


This looks like an awesome set and I am excited to try it out...Terrafin is one of my favorite characters (at least as of now and not having played with him in the game).  He has an awesome part in an early cut scene in the game.  Speaking of which, let's close this post by taking a look at his stats:

Terrafin (Earth)

-Power=70
-Armor=80
-Speed=25
-Luck=50

Again, tired right now...I'll edit this with vids/pics later, but your main interest is likely the stats, so here you go:

Ghost Roaster (Undead)
-Power=60
-Armor=85
-Speed=40
-Luck=40

Terrafin (Earth)
-Power=70
-Armor=80
-Speed=25
-Luck=50

Thus far in my explorations Sonic Boom is only available as a single character (ie no Triple Pack to save cash).  He is one of the few "Air" characters out yet, and the only one currently out that isn't exclusive (Whirlwind at Target).  That said, I thought he looked like an awesome character and picked him up.  You can get a good look here, remember single packs run about $7.99:


Now that you've seen what Sonic Boom looks like, let's take a look at the stats:
Sonic Boom (Air)
-Power=50
-Armor=60
-Speed=60
-Luck=55

The Triple Packs are definitely the way to go when you look to expand your Skylanders collection.  You save a little bit over buying 3 single characters and usually get 3 unique elements, which is very helpful for advancing thru certain portions of the game.  They retail for $19.99 and this one features Drobot, Flameslinger, and Stump Smash.  Check it out:



Now that you've seen the characters, lets take a look at their stats:

Drobot (Tech Element)
-Power=40
-Armor=75
-Speed=60
-Luck=45

Flameslinger
-Power=40
-Armor=25
-Speed=90
-Luck=80

Stump Smash
-Power=90
-Armor=70
-Speed=20
-Luck=40

On October 21st, 2011 (the day of the Legend of Zelda 25th Anniversary Concert), Nintendo of America launched the first of what is looking like it will be a regular video series.  It was basically Reggie, the COO, talking about things to come for Nintendo, here is the link:

http://www.nintendo.com/nintendo_direct

If you are looking for a quick run-down, here it is.  As a big Nintendo fan and with more and more checking out the YouTube Channel I figured I would do my part to keep you "in-the-know."

Hulu: Hulu is coming to the Wii and 3DS.  I believe it will run $8 per month.  I'm not interested, but for some it will be a big hit and go nicely with Netflix.

3DS System Update: Ok, this was totally worth listening to the bit on Hulu to hear.  Towards the end of the month (November) there will be a nice update to the 3DS.  How about nice meaning we can now record true 3D Video and store up to 10 minutes!  There will also be Stop Motion Animation.  I'm sure all of us will enjoy this feature, some might buy a 3DS because of this feature, and it is if nothing else something to brag about being able to do!

Street Pass: Mii Plaza.  Big news here as there will be more puzzles and new challenges for you to enjoy with your collection of Miis.  A lot of folks who enjoy this feature have been anxiously waiting and hoping something like this would happen and you can now go back to scurrying about to complete the challenges!

Skrek Characters do Thriller in 3D: Again, this one isn't that big to me, but if you are a Michael Jackson fan or big on the Shrek series you might enjoy it.  For the rest of us it will probably be hilarious to see, but takes a back seat to the system update.

Game Library: Yeah, we knew this was coming and it will no doubt result in 3DS systems flying off the shelves (go thing you've already got your 3DS...you do have a 3DS don't you?!). 

On the eShop you'll finally see the E3 teased Dillon's Rolling Western where you basically play the role of an armadillo defending an old west town by rolling thru enemies.  Also specifically for the 3D game play is PushMo where you will face over 250 3D puzzles.  And keeping with the 3D capabilites you have Freaky Forms where you can draw a character and then have them explore a 3D landscape.  Last but not least, is SwapNote where users can hand write/draw 3D messages with pictures and voice.

Awesome...that best describes this set of characters.  This Toys'R'Us exclusive Legendary Pack features 3 Skylanders that feature special coloring (blue and gold) and enhanced attributes, check it out:

Again, just like the title says, we take a look at the Darklight Crypt Adventure Pack for Skylanders: Spyro's Adventure:

This is one of two add-on expansion packs known as "Adventure Packs."  I got this FREE with a Toys'R'US promotion for buying the Starter Pack.  The other "Adventure Pack" is the one called "Pirate Seas."

This Adventure Pack features: The Crypt (Special Level), Healing Elixir and Time Twister (2 Magic Items), and Ghost Roaster (Skylander).  It looks awesome and being free I can't complain...it was actually a cool promo seeing how this was 2 days before Halloween!

The video covers most of the details, if you've got questions just leave a comment and I'll do my best to help you out.

Edit 11/9/2011: I wanted to get Ghost Roaster's stats here, even though I created the new post with he and Terrafin's statistics.  This will just be another source

Ghost Roaster (Undead)

-Power=60
-Armor=85
-Speed=40
-Luck=40

Just like the title says, check it out:


This is going to be a hot item this holiday season!  Skylanders: Spyro's Adventure is available across all the platfroms (Wii, 3DS, XBOX 360, PS3, and PC), and has a very cool approach to the gameplay.

In order to play you will need a "Starter Pack."  This includes the game, 3 characters, and the Power Portal.  You can start the game, and the place a character on the Power Portal to have them appear in the game.

The cool thing is that say you have progressed thru 50% of the game...Your characters will increase their attributes as you go along.  So what you are thinking...Well if a friend just gets the game, and you head to their house you can take your character, regardless of the system, and place it on their power portal and be in the mix with your "leveled-up" Skylander....very cool!

If you buy the game for a 3DS and get Dark Spyro you can then play him on your Wii version and at friends houses who have a PS3 or XBox etc.

When I was in Toys'R'Us this past Saturday they had a promotion going where you can buy the game and get a free Adventure Pack (Darklight Crypt).  I had to take advantage of that...The thing is every kid that walked by just the add-on character packs went in a frenzy for them...

I thought that was pretty crazy until I made my way to the gaming section (the local Toys'R'Us had them on separate ends of the store) kids were mezmerized.  Parents got into it too.  The lady running the demo, who had a snazzy Skylanders shirt by the way, would even continue playing and swapping characters when no one was around.

I think it is well worth the $69 to get in on the action and don't mind the expense of the add-ons because it is such a ground breaking concept.  It is much like downloadable content, but you (the end user) have something physical to show for it. 

I'll quit rambling as the video covers most everything, if you've got any questions just let me know and I'll do my best to help you out!