Toys"R"Us® Introduces Monster 500™, An Exclusive Toy Assortment Set To Unleash In Stores Nationwide And Online On October 14

WAYNE, N.J., Oct. 3, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Toys"R"Us^® announced that it is about to unleash the fiendish fury of Monster 500^™, a new, exclusive line of toys, as part of the company's ever-growing assortment of differentiated merchandise offerings. Building on the company's expertise in product development, this collectible line was designed and created by Toys"R"Us in collaboration with Creata®, a kids marketing and toy company, and is inspired by kids' love for all things ghoulish and gross. This distinctive line features ten characters as small and large vehicles, as well as two fabulously freaky playsets. Plus, kids will fall in love with the interactive entertainment offered by the Monster 500 app, allowing fans to bring their favorite monster characters to life in an action-packed racing game. Monster 500 toys are available for presale now online at Toysrus.com and will begin racing into stores nationwide on October 14.

"As a global toy retailer, we're always on the lookout for the latest trends destined to hit kids' toy boxes, and as little ones' affinity for all things gross and ghoulish continues to grow, we knew we wanted to create a creepy-cool brand – and characters – that our customers could fall in love with," said Ira Hernowitz, Executive Vice President, "R"Us Brands, Toys"R"Us, Inc. "We're thrilled to introduce the Monster 500 toy line and app in time for the holiday season, and we expect to see these fabulously freaky toys topping kids' wish lists. Not only are kids and collectors of all ages sure to enjoy the hands-on, wheelin' play and collectability of the line, but the fast-action, digital element of the app. Start your engines!" 

Monster 500 Vehicles and Playsets Race Into Toys"R"Us Stores Everywhere
Mini daredevils will enjoy browsing – and collecting – all ten of the hilariously creepy Monster 500 characters of Invasion One and Invasion Two. From CrocPot^™, the potty animal, to Captain Heinous^™ (from Uranus), the unbelievably fast outlaw, these one-of-a-kind creatures boast incredible personalities and live to race for one of five fiendish teams in the ultimate speed competition – Monster 500. Each character will be sold as a small, 3-inch diecast vehicle. Customers can also collect select large character feature vehicles standing 4 inches high and 5 inches long. At launch, Toys"R"Us will offer little racers even more twisting, toxic monster action with two playsets. The company plans to expand the Monster 500 assortment with additional characters and new products, including the introduction of Invasion Three and Invasion Four, beginning in Spring 2014.

Invasion One Characters

• Zoom Zombie^™ (Team: The Driving Dead) A lowly chauffeur in his earthly life, he thrives on his new-found power and is rotten to the corpse.
• Lead Foot^™ (Team: Lunatic Legends) He'll squash the competition, and he does everything in a big way.
• Flattop Frank^™ (Team: The Experi-Mentals) He may be a little slow-witted, but he's flat out fast.
• Evil Clownevil^™ (Team: Freak Force) He's fearless, loves to perform amazing stunts and has one killer sense of humor.
• CrocPot^™ (Team: Animal Asylum) Always quick with a one-liner on the track, he likes to make jokes and is especially fond of potty humor.

Invasion Two Characters

• Drac Attack^™ (Team: The Driving Dead) With royalty in his blood, Drac feels like he's better than all of the other monsters.
• Captain Heinous^™ from Uranus (Team: Lunatic Legends) Wanted in 12 different universes for overdue parking tickets, he's one Unbelievably Fast Outlaw.
• Dr. Jerkyl and Mr. Ride^™ (Team: The Experi-Mentals) He's racing against himself as much as he is against the other drivers.
• Turbo Chainsaw Maverick^™ (Team: Freak Force) A deranged destructor, he's a cut above the rest.
• Werewolf Blitzer^™ (Team: Animal Asylum) His road to the Monster 500 was a little hairier than most. This greedy growler worked his way up the ranks the hard way.

Beginning Sunday, October 20, customers will discover a dedicated Monster 500 display in Toys"R"Us stores nationwide, featuring ghoulish graphics and eye-popping signage, making it even easier for customers to find this hot new product.

Monster 500 Racing App Offers Digital Fun for Small Speedsters
With the growing popularity of items that combine physical and digital play, Toys"R"Us has introduced the Monster 500 app, designed to bring the action of Monster 500 to life in the digital realm. Each Monster 500 vehicle and playset will come with a trading card that can be used to unlock a mystery, "blind box" character. As fans collect the figures, they will have the opportunity to advance through numerous race tracks in their effort to reach the Monster 500. This complimentary app is available now for Android and iOS.

A Monster-rific Digital Campaign Includes Dedicated Website, Social Media and More
The company has launched a dedicated microsite, Toysrus.com/Monster500, which serves as an online hub for shoppers who want to learn more about and purchase this distinctive assortment. In addition, fans of this one-of-a-kind brand can visit Monster500.com to discover more about each creepy character, learn their story and follow in their quest to finish first in the Monster 500 race. Plus, a special QR code found on the packaging of each vehicle and playset will direct mobile users to Monster500.com.

To generate excitement among the social media community, Toys"R"Us will leverage its Facebook page, Facebook.com/Toysrus. The company's more than four million Facebook fans will get an insider's view of the Monster 500 collection through exclusive updates on products, access to special photos and video and more. In addition, fans can visit Facebook.com/Monster500 beginning October 15 for even more creepy content. Customers can also join the conversation on Twitter by following @Toysrus or @Monster500Buzz and using the #Monster500 hashtag.

Company to Support Launch with National Broadcast Advertising, Email Marketing and Trading Card Giveaway
On Sunday, October 20, the company will begin airing a national TV commercial to support the Monster 500 launch. It will air throughout the holiday season on cable networks, including Cartoon Network, Nickelodeon and Disney Channel, among others. Print advertisements also will appear in Toys"R"Us catalogs and circulars throughout the fall, and dedicated Monster 500 emails will be sent to Toys"R"Us customers to notify them of savings opportunities and special events.

In addition, on Saturday, October 26 and Sunday, October 27, shoppers at Toys"R"Us stores nationwide will receive a special Monster 500 trading card giveaway, while supplies last.

The Fall 2013 Monster 500 toy assortment includes:

Monster 500^™ Small Vehicles from Toys"R"Us^®
Kids can collect each of the 10 fast and freaky Monster 500 character 3-inch diecast vehicles, which will be available in a single or 3-pack. And, there's more to collect than meets the eye. Fans should be sure to keep their eyes peeled for chaser vehicles. No batteries required. Ages 4 years and up.

Monster 500^™ Large Vehicles from Toys"R"Us^®
For even bigger action, mini daredevils will love collecting each of the 4 large Monster 500 vehicles standing 4 inches high and 5 inches long, including Zoom Zombie^™, CrocPot^™, Lead Foot^™ and Flattop Frank^™. With the touch of a button, scary-good lights and sounds are activated on each vehicle for additional fabulously freaky fun. 3 "AG13" batteries required (included). Ages 4 years and up.

Monster 500^™ Graveyard Gauntlet Track Set from Toys"R"Us^®
Little racers will enjoy the ultra ghoulish action this spooky set has to offer. It's a battle to the finish line for kids, as they press down on the starting skull to begin! With one included vehicle, Drac Attack^™, and compatible with any small Monster 500 vehicle, daredevils can send their cars racing past the pendulum of peril and into the jaws of doom of the eye-popping, giant skull. A checkered flag will rise to signal the winner. No batteries required. Ages 4 years and up.

Monster 500^™ Toxic Terror Trap Playset from Toys"R"Us^®
Unleash the fiendish fury! Kids and kids at heart will enjoy the twisting, toxic, monster action this ghoulish playset has to offer. With one included character, Evil Clownevil^™, kids can smash through the doors of the freaky factory and topple the toxic, terrorizing monster, while avoiding being gobbled by the mutant gator all at the same time. Then, cars can be placed on the elevator before the hazmat mutant brings each vehicle up again. Compatible with all small Monster 500 vehicles. 3 "AA" batteries required (not included). Ages 4 years and up. This item was named to the 2013 Toys"R"Us Holiday Hot Toy List.

For high-res images of Monster 500 products, as well as a Monster 500 app demonstration video, please click here.

About Toys"R"Us, Inc.
Toys"R"Us, Inc. is the world's leading dedicated toy and juvenile products retailer, offering a differentiated shopping experience through its family of brands. Merchandise is sold in 878 Toys"R"Us and Babies"R"Us stores in the United States and Puerto Rico, and in more than 690 international stores and over 170 licensed stores in 35 countries and jurisdictions. In addition, it exclusively operates the legendary FAO Schwarz brand and sells extraordinary toys in the brand's flagship store on Fifth Avenue in New York City. With its strong portfolio of e-commerce sites including Toysrus.com, Babiesrus.com, eToys.com and FAO.com, it provides shoppers with a broad online selection of distinctive toy and baby products. Headquartered in Wayne, NJ, Toys"R"Us, Inc. employs approximately 70,000 associates annually worldwide. The company is committed to serving its communities as a caring and reputable neighbor through programs dedicated to keeping kids safe and helping them in times of need. Additional information about Toys"R"Us, Inc. can be found on Toysrusinc.com. Follow Toys"R"Us, Babies"R"Us and FAO Schwarz on Facebook at Facebook.com/Toysrus, Facebook.com/Babiesrus and Facebook.com/FAO and on Twitter at Twitter.com/Toysrus and Twitter.com/Babiesrus.

SOURCE Toys"R"Us