'Transformers' sparks toy mania déjà vu: Retailers weep

By Stone Martindale Jun 20, 2007, 16:42 GMT

03/31/2007 - Shia Labeouf - Nickelodeon\'s 20th Annual Kids\' Choice Awards - Pauley Pavilion - UCLA - Westwood, CA © Glenn Harris / Photorazzi

Can a toy line celebrating "more than meets the eye" actually get a do-over with jaded American kids?

The short answer is yes. 

Despite the Roman rocket effect currently happening with summer movies, rising quickly then fizzling out, the anticipation for this summer movie is mounting - the magic release date of July 4, 2007. 

Courtesy Radio Shack

There is a real nostalgia here with this product, as the parents of some younger kids actually grew up with these toys that morphed from robot to car to dinosaur-like creatures.

This fact is not lost on retailer RadioShack, who will offer an incredible selection of exclusive Transformers RCs and other officially licensed toys. 

Whether you choose to side with the DECEPTICONS or AUTOBOTS, RadioShack claims they have something for everyone.

What to buy?  There are ZipZaps® Micro RC Starter Kit Transformers®.  Available in the Bumblebee, Optimus Prime and Barricade characters, these pocket sized RCs charge right on the controller in about a minute.  

Car collectible nuts can scoop up Micro IR Transformers Cars.  An infrared remote (IR) lets you control this Transformers car with forward and reverse turn movement and race up to three other Transformers at once.  It also converts old school style into the Transformers character.  

Aviation your thing?  RC Transformers™ StarScream™ Micro Flyer. This RC plane is realistically designed and delivers a fun flying experience. It has digital proportional throttle plus left and right controls for precision aerial maneuvers and is micro-sized so it's ideal for use in most backyards. The landing gear lets you take off and land like a pro.

Gimmicky items abound too. Transformers™ Optimus Prime® Voice Changer Helmet.  This Optimus Prime helmet fits people ages 5 and up and delivers five different sayings in Optimus Prime's voice.  The voice changer mode makes your voice sound like a robot, a winner in the office for sure.

Action figure purists note: Transformers™ Cyber Stompin'™ Robot Action Figure. This tough, posable action figure is ready to battle evil to the finish.  Light-up eyes, cool battle sounds and speech, laser blasting lights and sounds, as well as a launching robot fist will fly off the shelves too.