The $85 gift every child will want for Christmas: Meet ‘Rizmo’ the wildly popular interactive toy which ‘evolves’ from a ball into a fluffy monster
- Christmas 2019 is a mere six weeks away which means shopping is in full swing
- This year’s hot seller has been revealed, and it is an interactive which costs $85
- The ‘Rizmo’ starts as a fluffy ball which requires attention to turn into a plush toy
- According to eBay, there is a growing trend for toys that require more nurturing
An interactive toy priced at $85 is on track to becoming this Christmas Day’s hottest gift – and it’s proving so popular Australian parents may struggle to find it in-store.
The plush creature dubbed ‘Rizmo’ by TOMY is an ‘evolving’ toy that can grow from a ball to a fluffy monster as you nurture it.
The interactive toy gained even more popularity after it was named the Best Toy in the Variety toy category at the Tokyo Christmas Toy Trade Show 2019.
Interactive toy Rizmo (pictured) is on track to becoming this Christmas Day’s hottest gift
The product was first reviewed by YouTube influencers and industry experts in September where it received a plethora of rave reviews.
According to online marketplace eBay, the toy is starting to trend as a top seller with sales expected to increase the closer it gets to Christmas.
‘We’re definitely seeing that Aussies love Rizmo and again it’s linked to that trend of toys that you need to nurture, and encouraging that element of patience among children,’ eBay spokesperson Sophie Onikul told News Corp.
Ms Onikul said the rise of the toy’s popularity, along with others similar, comes as parents look to reduce how much time kids spend looking at screens.
Children can choose from three different Rizmo colours including Berry, Aqua and Snow, each of which feature a specific musical style
Rizmo, a name which is a combination of ‘Rhythm Monster’, begins its evolution from a fur ball the moment it is removed from the box.
However, it’s growth in regard to its interactive nature is entirely dependent on how much ‘care it receives’ from its owner.
This means as children engage with it by talking, singing or cuddling, it responds with the words, phrases and as well as songs its learned over time.
The ‘evolving musical friend’ is available in three colours including Berry, Aqua and Snow, each of which feature a specific musical style.
While in some ways it is similar to Tamagotchi (an early ‘evolving toy popular in the 1980s), what makes Rizmo different is it is designed to ‘listen, learn and remember’ as it grows.
The Rizmo has three growth stages, baby, kid and fully-fledged, and develops in response to being ‘cared’ for
The toy’s manufacturer TOMY explained the interactive is designed to keep kids entertained for hours.
It comes with seven play modes including a feature that allows children to sing to it and it will sing the same sone back to a ‘Rock-a-bye, Rizmo mode that will help put the toy to sleep.
‘TOMY is globally recognised as a pioneer of innovative and imaginative toys, and this heritage has led to perhaps the most engaging and charming toy ever,’ Pete Henseler, president of TOMY International told PR Newswire.
‘We have identified a unique play pattern that differentiates Rizmo from the competition with the first-ever toy that truly evolves.’
In addition to being available online, Rizmo is also on sale at Baby Bunting, Big W, Catch.com.au, Kmart, Kogan, Myer, Target and Toy Universe.