Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
The Fortnite before Xmas
Board game version of hit is top of toys
MONOPOLY’S version of video game Fortnite has been unveiled as the musthave toy this Christmas.
The £21.99 board game has already sold out, with US maker Hasbro working around the clock to get it back in stores.
Craig Wilkins, Hasbro’s senior marketing director, said: “We’ve ramped up production after preorders sold out. We’re restocking shelves as quickly as we can.”
The game is one of 12 Dreamtoys, an independent prediction of gifts tipped for kids’ wish lists.
Monopoly Fortnite fans say it is “more relaxing and fun” than the hit video game, where the winner is the last one standing in a battle for survival.
It uses Fortnite locations and dishes out health point tokens instead of Monopoly cash.
Fortnite gamer Ashton Eiman, 12, of Gerrards Cross, Bucks, said: “It has all the characters, locations and features of Fortnite but is less intense.
“You can stop any time to go to the loo or have dinner and it’s good all the family can join in.”
The Toy Retailers Association dream dozen includes familiar brands such as Lego’s Harry Potter Hogwarts Great Hall and Mattel’s Barbie Ultimate Kitchen along with modern hits including a unicorn that poops glitter and last year’s success LOL Surprise!.
The line-up is set to drive high street sales of around £750million this Christmas, with a further £450million, and rising, being spent online.
Figures from global analysts NPD Group reveal Christmas will account for just over a third of annual toy sales.
Yesterday, industry bosses backed our Have a Happy High Street Christmas Campaign.
Gary Grant, Dreamtoys chairman, said: “You can’t beat the fun and magic of buying a toy for a child from a shop. It’s like going into an Aladdin’s Cave.”
Mr Grant, founder of toy store The Entertainer, added: “Everyone says they love their high street but they must support it before it’s too late.”
Independent retailer Peter Allinson, who owns Whirligig Toys stores in Brighton, Chichester, Canterbury and Tunbridge Wells, said: “You can’t beat the personal touch and walking out with a purchase in your hands.”