If you’re plugged into Ebay’s most wanted list then you are aware of what season we’re drifting into; Christmas. Retail stores are beginning to stockpile their aisles full with action figures, dolls, play sets and board games. Not to mention video games, which is quickly becoming one of the largest industries in the U.S. If you are looking to earn a little extra cash this holiday season then you should give consideration to my following list. Below you will find my slightly biased top 5 list for toys (I consider Video Games Systems to be toys) that either are or will be in demand through December 2006. Obviously, this is my personal list and there are lots of other toys that are going to be really hot this year.

 

If you head down to your local toy aisle today you will surely find Hasbro’s hot selling Star Wars electronic lightsabers. These flew off the shelves quite fast back in 2005, but now Hasbro has modified them. Spring activated lightsabers are electronic and the blade collapses all the way into the handle. I have no idea when they will be available, but they should be out before Christmas. They are apparently available in Australia.

 

Odds of finding a spring activated Star Wars lightsaber for retail price: Could be any day and anywhere. If Hasbro does not release this product until after Xmas then void this entry off the list. Check your local K-Mart.

 

Bounty for selling one on Ebay: HOT, HOT, HOT and yes HOT… Watch this item. Buy this item. When it comes out it is going to be on fire. Just make sure you keep your receipt if I am wrong. :)

 

4. Marvel Legends (Variants) – I’m talking about action figures here and their “variant identities”. Toy Biz is responsible for bringing us these comic book heroes with super articulation. What you want to look for are either older series figures or variant (chase) versions. Variant pictures can be found on the back of any Legend toy in the small circle above the figure. (Not all figures have variants). Toy Biz makes smaller quantities of the variants and they are highly collectible.

 

Odds of finding a Marvel Legend “variant” figure for retail price: Very difficult, but not impossible. I found my first one at a retail store last night. Of course the employee told me that they found it stashed away behind some junk. (An employee had hid it to buy it.)

 

Bounty for selling one on Ebay: Depends on the figure. Variants can go for 30% - 250+% more than retail price. The value goes up the longer time passes. This is a long term investment.

 

3. TMX Elmo - Aka 10th anniversary Elmo is already selling on Ebay for close to $100. Retail price for the TMX Elmo (code name: Tickle Me Extremely Annoying Toy that won’t go away) $39.99. As far as supply goes it looks like Fisher Price produced about 400,000 to a half a million Elmo’s(http://money.cnn.com/2006/09/19/news/companies/elmo_tmx ). Be warned Fisher Price might release a few hundred thousand more before Christmas, which could affect price, but might allow you to still make a profit.

 

Odds of finding a TMX Elmo for retail price: One time I saw Roy Schneider destroy a Great White shark with an oxygen tank so anything is possible. There might be a few lingering in small towns. If you all the sudden see a bunch appear it is probably because Fisher Price shipped more.

 

Bounty for selling one on Ebay: Currently, $100 - $120. Depending if Fisher Price ships more out it could be anywhere from $80 - $250+. If you get one consider holding it till late November, however you’ll be taking a risk of the supply going up. Personally, I would sell it now.

 

2. Nintendo Wii – Nintendo’s “next-gen” video game system has sparked talk of a Nintendo revival in the console wars. Unlike Sony or Microsoft, the Wii is trying to revolutionize game play with a wireless controller that acts as a pointing device which can detect motion and rotation. This system is rumored to be on many a child’s (and adult’s) wish list. The Wii is due out on November 19, 2006 and will cost $250 and will come with the game Wii Sports. Nintendo, despite rumors (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wii ), is claiming that 4 million systems will be shipped by Dec. 2006 with the majority heading to the U.S. market. I’ve placed the Wii at number 2 for hottest item, because the search “Wii” on Google shows 133 million links and it’s affordable to the middle-class. The supply and bounty greatly depend on how many units are shipped. Please note some games might be hard to find as well.

 

Odds of finding a Wii for retail price: Probably, if you get up really early on the 19th. Keep an ear out for pre-booking opportunities. (Amazon.com immediately stopped pre-booking due to demand)

 

Bounty for selling one on Ebay: Once again it depends on supply. $400 - $600 conservative estimate. If the rumor holds true that there will only be 1 million in the U.S. then you might see an $800 ceiling, I stress might.

 

1. Playstation 3 – This “next-gen” video game system is by far the hottest bounty of the year. The exact phrase “Playstation 3” draws more than 52 million links from Google alone! The Sony PS3 is due out on November 17, 2006 here in the U.S and you can expect a very limited supply. (Possibly less than last year’s Xbox 360, think along the lines of 400,000 http://www.kotaku.com/gaming/sony ) Wow, you say, 400k huh? Here comes the worst part; there are two “bundles” being sold, a basic system $500 and a premium system $600, the premium is the only one worth buying. Compare the basic “bundle” to a car with no A/C, no tires and no stereo to the $600 bundle that is the special luxury edition. Keep in mind I have a side bet with a friend that the PS3 won’t even come out before Christmas.

 

Odds of finding a PS3 for retail price: You’ve got a better chance of destroying a Death Star with a peanut butter sandwich. Go wait in line at Wal-Mart right now.

 

Bounty for selling one on Ebay: You will have enough money to buy a Death Star. $1,000 - $2,500 (2 hours before Christmas because people are crazy)