Did you catch Toy Story 1 and 2 in 3D yet? The run’s been extended (yay!) but even if you miss seeing them in the theater, you can still go to “infinity and beyond” with Woody and Buzz right in your own home with Toy Story Mania! exclusively for the Wii system. Based on the popular attraction featured in Disney parks, this interactive shooting game is fun for the whole family (yes mom and dad, you too). We’re giving away 10 copies of the game. Click here for your chance to win!

The American Girl Company has had its triumphs (the introduction of Rebecca, a historically accurate Jewish girl!) and its defeats (the discontinuation of the line’s classic Samantha). But the recent controversy over Gwen, the newest AG doll, has us just downright confused.

It appears that Gwen was released back in February 2009, but is just now seeing all kinds of hype; the HuffPo recently ran an article about the doll’s most prominent characteristic: homelessness.

Wait, what?

Though many commenters, both on and offline, have tried to make the “Oh, she’s just a doll!” argument, the fact is the issue at stake goes beyond the toy. At $95 a pop, with not a penny going toward fund-raising for homeless children and teens, Gwen becomes a joke. While the intention to teach children about homelessness, a very real problem, is noble, selling that lesson for $95 in the form of a shiny doll that an actual homeless girl could never afford doesn’t exactly have us running out to Fifth Avenue to pick one up.

Gwen will continue to stir up controversy, but we can’t help thinking both sides of the argument should take a breather from discussing the American Girl dolls and start focusing on all the real American girls out there. Maybe if we put as much effort into solving the problem of homelessness as we do into arguing about a homeless doll, these “lessons” would become obsolete.

We’ve got good news for parents saving up for the holidays. Nintendo has finally discounted its uber-popular Wii from $250 to $200. Nintendo doesn’t allow retailers to offer their own discounts on the system, so this 20% is the best deal you’re going to get unless you take your chances on Craigslist.

The new price goes into effect on September 27.

And you thought Tickle Me Elmo was bad! The Huffington Post just dubbed these items the most cringe-worthy toys for kiddos; the list includes a pole-dancing doll (and no, it’s not Miley), a hirsute baby who can be shaved (private parts and all), a wacky breastfeeding doll we’d already wondered about, and the not-so-subtle plush STDs. I don’t really understand the problem with the stiletto-wearing doll or the fake tattoo gun. Little girls walk around in play heels all the time, so why not a doll (yes, it’s a baby doll, but still, what’s the big deal?) And temptoos are part of kiddie culture these days. What’s the harm in a fake tattoo gun? Better that than a fake handgun! Weigh in: Would you buy any of these things for your kid?

With so many different gaming platforms, it’s a challenge to keep up with (and pay for!) all the latest games to satisfy your tech-savvy kids. But beginning Sunday, September 13, you can save yourself a little cash by exchanging used (or new and unwanted) video games for gift cards at Toys “R” Us. The retail chain is taking a page from video game giant GameStop (who’s been doing this for a while now) by accepting trade-ins at the Guest Services desk from myriad systems, including Wii, Xbox 360, PlayStation 1, 2 and 3, Nintendo DS, PlayStation Portable, even games from ancient platforms such as Atari 2600, Intellivision, Sega Genesis. (Better start dusting off those old cartridges!) Games must be in their original cases with artwork intact. No word on how much each title will be worth, but right now, the abandoned games stashed under your kids’ bed are worth nothing, so you can’t lose…unless the brood convinces you to spend even more than what you get on the gift card. That’s clearly what the folks at Toys “R” Us are banking on.

We’re always searching for new dolls for our kids, so you’d think we’d be happy about the latest addition to the toy shelves. Guess again.

May we introduce Bebe Gloton. Hailing from Spain, the name translated literally means “Baby Glutton,” but don’t worry, this isn’t a rant about obesity, eating disorders or body image. This is a rant about nipple daisies.

You’re probably puzzled now…so are we. We’re puzzled why anyone would conceive of this doll, which comes with a smock adorned with bright pink daisies that your daughter can put on and then “breastfeed” the “baby.”

Yes, daughters like to emulate their mommies in many ways, but do prepubescent girls really have the urge to play breastfeeding? If a little girl wants to pretend to be mom, she can use her imagination. What’s next? A toy that simulates pregnancy so she can get in on that fun too?

Watch the demo below and then weigh in: Would you let your little princess play “breastfeeding baby,” or dump those detachable daisies, stat?

Samantha Parkington and her entire portfolio are tanking faster than the NASDAQ. The most popular doll in the entire American Girl line–hello, she’s a New York City girl–is going the way of the Cabbage Patch Kids, into the dreaded corporate archives. Come early 2009, Samantha and all her very fabulous accessories (we LOVE the four-poster brass bed), along with her servant-friend Nellie, are moving off the inventory to make way for a new American Girl. No matter how much I tried to cajole her, AG spokesperson Julie Parks refused to even give me a hint about the new doll, but I’m hoping it’s a 1980s girl, with big bad hair and a big bad attitude to match.