This is an amazingly sturdy product, with tight fitting lids, a heavy glass blender jar, and a motor that chops meats or ice with equal aplomb. Most attachments go in the dishwasher, and the flat touch pad, which has seven settings, including "ice crush" and "pulse," is easily wiped down with a sponge. This dual appliance comes with a booklet detailing how to use all the features, and 48 recipes, from cranberry-orange mimosas to classic mayonnaise. --Maria Dolan

CirKis Ages: 8 and up

What We Think Fun factor: Durability: Ease of assembly: Educational factor: Novelty factor: The Good: Easy to learn, but involves deep, strategic gameplay. The Challenging: Game comes with no replacement pieces. In a Nutshell: An addicting, challenging game that will provide hours of competitive play.

Take turns placing pieces and compete for control of point-scoring zones in this addictive, award-winning game.

Although CirKis is easy to learn, winning requires spatial reasoning and cunning tactics. View larger.

The game's rules are straightforward: the youngest player begins by placing one of his or her pieces inside the center ring/star. The next player is then free to place a new piece on the board -- just as long as it directly touches the last piece played. Pieces can make edge-to-edge contact with one another, or can simply touch point to point. As more and more pieces are placed, the board becomes a stunning kaleidoscope of different colors. Unfortunately, CirKis only comes with the 20 necessary pieces for play and no replacement pieces, so care should be taken not to lose any of the pieces.

Scoring occurs when certain parts of the board are captured by a player's pieces. Scattered across the board are ten circle areas and six star areas. Any time one of these shapes is completely filled in by pieces, points are awarded. The first player to reach 40 points wins. As the board becomes increasingly crowded, the game becomes a mad-dash for these special point-awarding "territories." Games are brisk and fast-paced, and typically take a little more than 15 minutes to resolve.

Easy to Learn, Tough to Master
Although CirKis is easy to learn, the game can involve a surprising depth of strategy. Winning against skilled players will require serious spatial reasoning and cunning tactics. As you gain experience playing the game, you will come up with your own unique strategies.

The game plays out like a colorful game of chess. There are nine different types of pieces, each with their own unique strategic purpose. "Big Slice" pieces, for instance, can be used to secure circle areas on the board, thus ensuring you ten points. As you play more, you will learn how to use these, and other, pieces to defend hot spots on the board or encircle your opponents. Just plan ahead, and you'll be racking up points in no time.

What's in the Box
Dimensional plastic gameboard, four sets of colorful playing pieces, four scoring pegs, and illustrated instructions.

What We Think Fun Factor: Durability: (what this means) The Good: Detailed robot moves, makes authentic movie sounds, and holds your beverage The Bad: R2-D2 occasionally has trouble deciphering voice commands In a Nutshell: Star Wars collectors are sure to enjoy this cool, interactive droid At a Glance Ages: 8 and up Requires: 4 "AA" batteries and 4 "D" batteries

The realistic details of R2-D2 will please collectors young and old. View larger.

More than 15-inches tall, this sophisticated R2-D2 model boasts a secret cargo compartment, a unique swing-down utility arm that's also a beverage holder, a removable sensor scope, a working light beam, sound-processing microphones, and an adaptable droid mood-status indicator. Sonar navigational technology and infrared location sensors help make him one the most advanced droids around.

Take Advantage of Three Interactive Modes
Intergalactic missions will be more fun with a reliable droid at your side. In companion mode, R2-D2 responds to commands like "Go on patrol," "Light Beam," and "Play Message." Star Wars fans are sure to appreciate the accuracy of the messages, which are culled from famous missions he remembers.

You can even ask R2 about friends including Luke Skywalker, C-3PO, Darth Vader, and Jabba the Hutt. He has a different reaction to each name based on his "feelings" for the characters. And if you hit R2 on the head, he'll make irritated beeping sounds and try to move away from you. As you get to know your droid, you'll realize that the noises and motions he makes correspond to his "mood."

In game mode, R2 responds to more complicated commands. He'll act as a sentry to protect your important stuff, dance to cantina music, spin around, or play light tag. The third mode is the most complex. This command mode lets you give pointed directions that control R2's movements. Tell him to turn left and right or go forward whenever you want, or set a preprogrammed course for him to follow.

While R2 responded to simple commands with no problems, we had difficulty getting him to respond reliably to more complex requests. We trust that, like with any voice-operated electronic system, over time it will get easier to produce a wider range of commands that R2 consistently responds to. Until then, his movie-accurate look, the way he responds to simple commands, and the convenient beverage holder make him a fun comrade.

What's in the Box
Droid body, two steering legs, projector piece, telescope piece with sensory array, and an operation manual.

R2-D2 can respond to commands. View larger.

And can double has a beverage holder. View larger.