aprilefisher
Staten Island, NY

Was that the toilet? Nope--just RoboReptile!

2 star rating

Into Technology, Child-at-heart
Pros

    Amusing, Life-like tail

Cons
    Not so intelligent, Runs into walls, cheezy noises

DEC
5
2007

RoboReptile gets a rating as high as "2" (I think that is generous) for two reasons: it's neat looking and it was pretty cheap ($60 originally, $30 on sale at TJ Maxx).  The articulated tail is very cool and moves with tail-like motion.  However, all of the other features of this toy are less than impressive:

  • Low quality and not many sounds.  One sound is so distorted, it sounds like a toilet flushing, rather than a dinosaur/reptile noise!
  • Range of motion.  While RoboReptile can turn around, it needs a LOT of space to do it.
  • Runs into things.  Although the box says that it avoids running into things it sees in its "eye" sensors (infrared)...it doesn't!
  • Need a screw driver to get it out of the package.  Since when did toy companies start screwing their toys into the boxes??  Is this really necessary??  They didn't do that back in my day!
  • Repetitive nature.  RoboReptile kind of just does the same things over and over again...I'm sure the designer picked a good subject for this toy by picking a reptile, because reptiles aren't too bright...but RoboReptile does not even live up to the IQ of the creature it is named for!

What is good about this toy?

I feel like this toy represents a wider endeavor on toy-makers' parts to build "smart" techno-toys.  Really, this is a step in the right direction towards that endeavor; it's just not a big enough step!!



I_thumb_down WowWee RoboReptile is not recommended by aprilefisher

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I_comment_shdw24 Comments about aprilefisher’s Review

 


aprilefisher wrote on Dec 7, 2007 at 8:23AM

In response to Fardreamer's comment from Dec 5, 2007 at 3:16PM:

Haha! Too funny...I guess they needed to get rid of that surplus of super tiny screwdrivers...

Thanks for the compliment! I always enjoy your reviews too ;-)

aprilefisher wrote on Dec 7, 2007 at 8:21AM

In response to DanaNicole76's comment from Dec 6, 2007 at 10:24AM:

Oh no! Aww....I'm sure it'll be completely and totally un-toilet-like! (I hope!). ;-) It was pretty amusing, actually...at least, after we got it out of the packaging!

GeorgeChabot wrote on Dec 6, 2007 at 6:45PM

Interesting toys they have nowadays. :>

DanaNicole76 wrote on Dec 6, 2007 at 10:24AM

I'm scared now. I bought both my daughters a Squawkers McCaw for Christmas and they were around $70 each. They are suppose to have some of the qualities you mentioned here and now I am afraid they are going to sound like a dying cat (I really hope that because they are BIRDS they won't sound like a toilet flushing!!) I did hear them say Hello and sing a song but if that is ALL they can do I am going to go insane! I already have 25 parakeets and a love bird on the way!! Yikes! Thanks for the review it sure was entertaining! Sorry I had to get a laugh at your expense!! :)

Meredith wrote on Dec 6, 2007 at 6:40AM

I'm with Fardreamer... there could be a screwy conspiracy going on. Sounds like we could all save our selves some trouble & money by bypassing this toy and appreciating the sound of our own toilets. Nice review April :)

Fardreamer wrote on Dec 5, 2007 at 3:16PM

Maybe the screws are a clever ploy by the hardware industry to get frustrated parents to buy new screwdrivers?

Great review, as always.

aprilefisher wrote on Dec 5, 2007 at 11:39AM

In response to mrkstvns's comment from Dec 5, 2007 at 9:54AM:

I KNOW!! And they weren't even regular screws..they were itty bitty, so my husband had to buy a new screw driver before we could open it!

MacGyver wrote on Dec 5, 2007 at 9:54AM

In response to Buggheart's comment from Dec 5, 2007 at 9:49AM:

Oh what a laugh at this one, Thanks for the great write up!

mrkstvns wrote on Dec 5, 2007 at 9:54AM

I am SOOOO tired of toys that are hard to get out of the packaging. Bilster-packs are bad enough, but SCREWS?!?!? TOO MUCH!

Buggheart wrote on Dec 5, 2007 at 9:49AM

It DOES kind of sound like a toilet! LOL

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