US 2010 Release Dates: School, Africa

Good news, everyone! Playmobil's web site updated with release dates for two major themes this year. The Africa Sets should start showing up in April, while the School theme will be out around August.

Of course, these could show up at a mass market outlet earlier but nobody knows just yet. The pricing was also announced, with most sets being a little pricey side. The school, for example, is $169.99. The ostriches (pictured) will be only a mere $7.99, though, so this line is going to be all over the place in 2010.

2010 Mass Market US Sets Hit eBay Target

So far, four sets have appeared which mix existing parts into pleasing ways. We have not yet spotted these in the wild, but odds are they're hitting Targets. Here are some links to auctions showing the images which, if you're too far in the future, will be long dead.

5897: Orca Whale Watching - Orca, boat, figure, similar to a set sold about 14 years ago
5898: Alaska Set - SUV, moose. Gotta get a moose.
5884: Deluxe Mermaids Blister Pack - Mermaid (adult), Mermaid (girl), big seahorse, little seahorse, clam, etc.
5888: Deluxe Knights Blister - Horse, weapon rack, knights, weapons, helmets, the works

Happy Hunting, and Happy New Year! UPDATE DECEMBER 31 2009: The large blisters showed up at a Los Angeles-area Target for $5.99. The large moose set was $19.99. No sign of the Orca at press time. UPDATE JANUARY 1 2010: The 5897 Orca set was spotted by us at a Target around Oxnard, CA. $9.99, cheep.

Playmobil Specials Return to Toys "R" Us?

It seems like the single-boxed figure has returned to Toys "R" Us! We spotted a whole rack of 4685 Zulu Warrior figures at $3.49 a pop. There were no other Specials available, but seeing as US TRU stores haven't had these in some time, this might be a good sign for these guys returning to American big box toy stores. Happy hunting!

New Sets Released in Germany, Unboxed!

Klickywelt added pages of pics from the new Adventurer/Temple theme whose English name is presently unknown to us. See rock figures which seem like Go-Bots' Rock Lords mixed with Bionicle! Admire giant lizard creatures and new snakes!

These new sets should be out in the USA in 2011-- after all, they're just hitting Germany right now. The USA should be getting the school and Africa in 2010, and they seem pretty promising. Particularly the new animals.

Two New Playmobil Video Games This Week

For reals! It's been slow on the toy front but a Playmobil Circus game is coming to the Nintendo Wii this week, and a Playmobil Pirates game is coming to the Nintendo DS. It is presently unknown if any cool exclusive figures will be offered as mail-ins or some such, but hey-- heads up, gamers!

And apparently you can gamble with the dead. Truly, the pinnacle of electronic entertainment has arrived.

Rumor Mill: Playmobil's 2011 and 2012 Product Lines

Over on Playmofriends is an English translation of the German forum Klickywelt concerning possible lines for 2011 (Germany). These include:
- Modern life/subway
- Winter Sports
- Fairy Tale
- Western
- Race Cars

While completely within levels of reason concerning what is (and isn't) on the market, remember, nothing is official until Playmobil says it is, or the right catalog scans hit the web. It sure would be nice to see Western again, wouldn't it?

New 2010 Sets at the DB, New Dragon Knights in DE (not Delaware)

Looking to see some new sets you can't buy yet, you American scum you?

First up: PlaymoDB.org posted a number of scans from a catalog of 2010 German releases. 27 new planes, Easter Eggs, vacation homes, zoo animals, and other items were added. Of note, we particularly liked the "Ferienhaus" which looks like about 70% of the restaurants in Scottsdale, AZ.

Also new: Playmofriends has a thread with new Dragon Knights from Germany. These are 4 unique figure packs, with 1 or 3 in each. They come in green and red, and should augment the sets which will be coming out in the USA about this time next year. Enjoy waiting! We won't.