My daughter has taken over the top two shelves of my dvd cabinet...

Okay, that was awesome. Any time you're going to reference a classic Spike Jonze video, you're probably on the right track.

Why they didn't release an official case for the eight Giants is beyond me. It's only eight spots and it would compel people to buy all eight figures.

So if there are 256 combos, I assume that's 16 figures, one old and one new for each element. Seems reasonable, but I've been fooled before.

I don't understand why someone didn't make a case that actually *works* for Skylanders. Those from Power-A are a joke and the Stanley cases are somewhat a cludge (but at least offer protection during transportation). A good quality Stanley type case designed specifically for Skylanders would sell very well *if* priced like a tool storage box and *not* a game box aimed at kids (with the typical 400% markup).
My understanding is that's *just" the new Swap-Force characters. I didn't get that there'll be "reposed" characters with the swap ability but that all 16 will be new to the series. There are an additional 32 "regular" characters (16 new, 16 reposed with a new "top tier" power - no mention yet if *any* of these will be Giants) that do *not* have the swap ability *plus* 8 new Light Core. That's 56(!) new figures to hunt down which doesn't include Legendary, merchant variants, etc.! The game looks *very* cool but I may throw in the towel due to the volume of new figures... Especially if they keep the $15 price point for the swapable figures.

I know they want the money train to keep running but what's wrong with keeping the current roster in print a while and just making a new game to go with existing figures *without* introducing any new figures to the mix?

*EDIT*
I just stumbled across this blog:

http://1ofwiisdom.blogspot.com/2013/...formation.html

It has many of the same points I've made time and again about Skylanders (although I *do* like the wireless portal and rechargable batteries better than the wired). I almost made the Guitar Hero analogy here but didn't. This franchise seems to be headed down that same road. Now if Activision would just listen...

I ended up preordering disney infinity from amazon since they're offering a free figure and power pack. I'll cancel if it ends up being garbage.

I wonder if Activision will release Swap Force earlier than October. Inifinity comes out in August and I doubt parents want to buy figures for both Swap Force and Infinity.

Last night, I was digging out some old toys for the kiddos to play with and think I stumbled onto what should be the next toy driven game:

MuSCLES!

In the past few days I have seen:

Walmart - 7 Molten Hot Dogs sitting on the shelf (today)
TRU - a few 3-packs from Series 1 with Camo, Warnado, and Ignitor. (Monday)
Sam's Club - The Empire of Ice Adventure Pack and the Dragon's Peak Adventure Pack. (Monday)

Anyone looking for these? I might be going back in the next day or two and could snag one for you.

So finally got to play a bit more of Giants. My daughter still can't play on her own but loves to watch them, and put the characters on the portal. Since I sunk so much money into the figures, I'm glad I'm finally getting some use out of them (and at least now I'm more familiar with which ones I had... in the B2G1F sale at Target last week I mistakenly picked up two figures I already had from three packs).

Are there only two "portal" three packs out there right now (the ones with the mushroom and Hot dog)?

Also, if you bought the game for the same system, does it keep the ownership of them? I had to change owners for a lot of my series 1 figures, but I figured that was because I moved consoles (from 360 to WiiU), but I was hoping I wouldn't have to do that again next time.

MUSCLE would be great. Like I said earlier, Japan is so into little Gashapon figures and RFID toys that I'm very surprised nobody licensed the technology out there (to my knowledge, Skylanders either hasn't even been released there, though Square Enix has the license). I mean, Pokemon is coming out, but they release like hundreds of little Gundam figures every month. They have arcade games that work off of barcodes on cards and rfid chips in toys. They have tons of anime and manga based off of bringing toys or models to life and competing with each other. I really don't understand the holdup.

I would be interested in the two adventure packs, if they are under $20 each. It's been driving my son crazy to know those levels are there, but he can't get to them. I can send Paypal for the total + shipping. His birthday is in April, so it would be perfect. Let me know.

From what I've seen "ownership" is for the current save game. We have the Wii and I have to take "ownership" on my game if the grandkids have put it on the console in theirs. Without that "ownership" it doesn't register for overall completion stats. Once you "own" it the figure stays on your save slot even if someone else later takes ownership.

I think the adventure packs at Sam's were $25 each. I'll check next time I'm there.

I think the original adv packs are $19.xx at samsclub.

Have you checked the targets in your area?

It wouldn't be under $20, but I know one of the Walmart's here has shelves full of the Empire of Ice playsets.

I've seen Empire of Ice at Target the last few times I've been there.

I, too, have seen Empire of Ice at both Target and Wal-Mart - $19.95 at each location. My grandson picked up a copy of Dragon's Peak that he told me he found at Target. I'm thinking I saw that one a couple of weeks ago when I was there to pick up a Jade Flashwing but since it really wasn't on my radar I can't be 100% sure. According to Zoolerts GameStop has had both in stock online for a few minutes each several times up until 3/14. If you have a store local I'd check there too. Also Hastings. They tend to have less traffic on these (at least here) and I've seen lots of the older figures/sets there.

Yeah, I found Pirate Seas at Walmart, but haven't seen the others. I'll keep my eyes peeled at Target and Sam's.

I'm heading to Sam's tomorrow. I'll see if the other two are there.

Not sure about the power pack, but Best Buy is also offering a free figure with the base set. Since BB has local pickup as well as the RZ points, I preordered it from there. Now, I have to decide if I want the Cars 3-pack ($35 seems high compared to the $25 skylanders 3-packs)

BJ's has the 3 packs for $19.99, Giants for $9.99 and singles for $4.99. I don't remember how much lightcores are. They only have wave 1 figures at my store but they have pretty much every wave 1 figure as no one seems to buy them there.

I got the Wii-U Skylanders Giants pack with the portal and Tree Rex, Jet Vac and Cynder. They all work, but none of the three show up in my collection. They work in every other way. Anyone seen anything like this? I searched for a bit, but didn't see anything like it. Thanks.

Try changing ownership.

That did the trick, Thanks!

When are they releasiing the rest of the lightcore figures? The only figures left are S2 Drobot, LC Chill, LC Hex and LC Pop Fizz. You would think that they would have released those figures with an earlier wave as that is a pretty crappy wave by itself...

At my Sam's Club, I found Ice and Dragon for $17.98 each. Grabbed them for you. I'll PM you when I get home and we can settle.