Zhu Zhu Pets: Electronic Hamsters

The absolute hottest toy of 2009 is the Zhu Zhu Pets. For the uninitiated, Zhu Zhu Pets are basically realistic interactive plush electronic hamsters. But they’re much more than just moving hamsters- these guys interact with their environment with intelligent audio and mechanical responses. A press on it’s back switches it from “nurturing mode” where it just coos and purrs when you pet it, to “adventure mode” where it explores and moves around. Of course there’s more than just hamsters- there’s an entire Zhu Zhu World of add-on accessories for your Zhu Zhu Pets out there:

The playsets range from skateboarding ramps and slides to garages with cars to more traditional hamster toys like adventure balls and hamster wheels. Some of the items like the Zhu Zhu Pet Funhouse come with hamsters while with others they are sold separately. You can buy Zhu Zhu Pets via companies listed with Amazon (if you can find any other store with them in stock, leave a comment because they appear to be sold out almost everywhere already). Prices vary widely.