Skylanders SWAP Force FunPlay HideAway Skylands

What?  PowerA's Skylanders SWAP Force FunPlayHideAway Skylands
Where Can You Get It?  Toys'R'Us Exclusive
What Does It Cost?  $69.99 plus tax
What is Included: Large Island & Top, Small Island with Waterfall, Collapsible Bridge, Tiki Statue, Cannon with 2 Cannon Balls, 5 Island Stands

Unboxing PowerA's FunPlayHideAway Skylands

Today was a great day...PowerA's much anticipated Skylanders SWAP Force FunPlayHideAway arrived!

This thing is EVEN BETTER than I anticipated!  Having seen it first hand at E3, albeit within the safe confines of a display case, I knew this was going to be a big hit come Christmas time for Portal Masters of all ages...I see no reason to change that prediction.

It is hard to peg down exactly who is best suited to PowerA's FunPlayHideAway Skylands.

Most folks will likely think of it is a playset for kids.

Some will view it is a handy way to store and display a few favorites.

Hard core collectors will likely view it as the perfect display piece for their growing collection.

The funny thing is, the FunPlayHideAway fits all of those needs.

It is durable enough to serve daily use at the hands of even the youngest Portal Masters.  Purists and Collectors alike will love having something so close to the game to both store and display figures.  The purely practical will likely see it is a combination of storage and display.  Families with younger Skylander fans will no doubt hit upon the maximum uses...It will look great and serve as a conversation piece at a dinner party, holds figures for quick cleanup, and brings the world of Skylanders even more into your living room.

Front of Box...Look for it at your TRU!

Back of the Box

Top of the Box

Side of the Box

Side of the Box

I have to admit, I'm in my late 20s and I have had fun just staging pics for this article.

Let's take a look at why I'm having fun with it.

First off, you can display your personal favorites.  For my Nephew and myself this would mean featuring Slam Bam and Terrafin.  Second, the Cannon actually shoots!  I don't care how old you are, this is ALWAYS a plus!  The "cave" access and hidden door are added perks I was unaware of...

Cannon Staged in front of Portal on Big Island

The other thing I didn't know from E3 is that the Portal is sitting on a TRAP DOOR!  Yep, you read correctly...And the catch is, it is fully functional!  PowerA includes a Tiki Statue, which I thought was cool, but wasn't sure why it was included...After reading the instructions it became clear...The Tiki Statue fits over a plastic button that actuates a trap door...This is a very, very cool feature! 

Innocent Looking Tiki Statue Actually Activates the Trap Door

Side Access and Trap Door Open on the Big Island

View from the Trap Door: Note the Elemental Treasure and Story Scroll...Great Detail!

Something minor, is that the "small island" isn't attached to the "big island."  This is a big deal for the simple fact it reduces the overall footprint and let's the end user select where and how to display the small island.  You can place the big island on a coffee table or end table near the TV and then put the small island up on a higher shelf, or even in a different room.

Front of Small Island with Waterfall

Backside of Small Island, Open Access for Easy Storage

While the Stackable Tackle Box remains the best solution for bulk storage, no one can deny how cool this is to add to the collection.  It looks great and truly is just like having a piece from Skylands in your home.

The FunPlayHideAway Skylands is available for $69.99 from Toys'R'Us.  Stores should be getting stock any day now and I expect this to be a big hit come Christmas time.  Collectors may want to get in early to avoid having to jump stores looking for stock etc.

The quality is great and that is apparent just from the way the item was packed.  I know my videos are a bit longer than some, but that is because I put a lot of time into the details and intricacies of the product.  I want to err on the side of giving you all the facts as opposed to skipping them.  There is a LOT to see with this one.  The FunPlayHideAway will make the perfect gift for any Skylander fan and serves multiple purposes on several fronts.  It really is a must have for anyone interested in expanding their playing and showcasing their collection!

If you have any questions, feel free to ask and I will do my best to help you out.

Lightly Staged FunPlayHideAway Skylans

Skylanders SWAP Force Character Reveals on GameStop Display Box

While my plan for today was to waltz into GameStop and pick up my pre-ordered Pumpkin Eye-Brawl, that didn't happen.  For some reason, GTA V has apparently altered their shipping schedule.

Anyway, I was a bit disappointed and while leaving I turned back just to check the stock on Skylanders.  While doing so, I saw the SWAP Force display box.  I hadn't seen it before, so I figured I would make the trip worthwhile by lining it up with the Dark Edition Starter Pack inset poster...

While trying to stand it up I noticed something unusual...the "display" box had a backside!  So many times those big, oversized paper boxes just have a colorful front to get your attention and then nothing on the backside...or in some cases, the exact same thing as the front so as to fool proof the display.  This was inherently different....it had a more "polished" feel to the back with the game's story, box art, highlights for the S2, S3, LightCore, and SWAP Force Skylanders, AND a lineup for 4 of the Elements!!

Yep, you read right...4 of the Elements were listed out with characters from each...

They covered: Life, Air, Fire, and Undead.

They were listed out as follows: SWAP 1, SWAP 2, LightCore, Repose, Repose, SF New, SF New

Wow...talk about an unexpected find!  My disappointing trip just turned into quite the find!

This is one of many posts/conveying of information where the blog is far superior to a video.  The pictures in standard, widescreen, and any HD setting look like garbage.  With my narration you can tell what is going on, but here on the blog they are so much easier to view and take in...

As usual, I realize many people only watch videos and rarely head to blogs or forums, so I made a video...but it is being posted with the caveat that you should really just come here and enjoy the pictures.

I've known of most of these, but it is cool to see the final figure poses...Especially of interest are Thorn Horn Camo and Scratch.  This means that our lingering Life returnee is in fact, Camo.  Quite fitting that he and Warnado both returned.  Scratch also looks quite interesting.

So without further ado, why don't I quit rattling off info and let you see it for yourself?  If you want to get a better look, head to your local GameStop and look for the Skylander SWAP Force display...The backside was very sneaky, but much appreciated!  I wonder how many people have seen this display and NOT realized there was a backside?  Anyway, here you go:

*Please note that you can click on any image to bring up a gallery where they will be enlarged!*

And if you want more of my thoughts, and less clear pics, here is the video:

PowerA's Skylanders SWAP Force Display at PAX

This weekend PAX Prime took place in Seattle.  It is a HUGE gaming convention that really caters to the core players.  PowerA was on site with even MORE in way of their product offerings for Skylanders SWAP Force.

Here is the video to recap their display:

PowerA at PAX Prime 2013

If you want a closer look at the products, check the pictures out below.  If some look familiar it is likely because we got a first look at E3.  Here is the previous blog post and video:

http://www.1ofwiisdom.com/2013/06/e3-2013-power-as-skylander-displays-box.html

I can't stress enough that PowerA truly puts out a quality product.  That is why I buy their cases!  My 3DS case has been with me pretty much EVERYWHERE I've been and has yet to fail...it still looks brand new.

The issue with SWAP Force is that we are going to have a TON of Skylanders.  Just starting with SWAP Force might be overwhelming to many bedrooms, living rooms, and homes...Toss in complete collections from SSA and Giants and you have a real mess.

You only have so much display space...that means you have to carefully select who gets displayed.  Is it the latest and greatest, your personal favorites, variants, special editions, or some combination of those entities?  The bottom line remains the same...something's got to give.

Luckily, PowerA has us covered with innovative storage solutions to fit pretty much any requirement.
-Kid Friendly and Accessible?  Show & Go Case

-Soft, Durable, Easy to Travel?  Adventure Case

-Quality, Durable, Stacking Storage: Stack & Snap or Tackle Box

-Something Easy to Access and Out of the Way?  Over the Door Storage

Plus, they are continuing to innovate and develop new products.  If you, or your kids, have an iPad or iPhone there are soft, squishy cases, hard shell cases, and tablet sleeves to protect your investment while making it unique.

This year there is a new Light Up Game Bag that actually has LED piping and a ton of storage.

We are at a point where no one can deny or debate the success of Skylanders.  You could literally put a Spyro sticker on an off-brand cereal and watch it fly off the shelves.  The great thing here is that PowerA isn't just cashing in on what is hot...They have been making video game accessories for a long time now and work with other franchises like Nintendo, Pokemon, Star Wars, Star Trek and more.  They crank out quality products.

There is so much that goes into making a good accessory: aesthetics, initial appeal, initial quality, and ultimately generating the desire to acquire by a fan, or player looking to step up to something better.  That first purchase will be the most heavily critiqued.  If you are not satisfied, you will tell people...much more so than if you like what you've got.  However, when and if the consumer is satisfied, they come back...when friends need to replace their broken PS3 controller, they ask around.  PowerA is still here, still innovating, and still cranking out products because of the reputation for quality.

Their recent venture into the mobile side of the market is testament to that.  They continue to build quality and innovation into practical pieces for gamers.

One other showcase comes not in a controller, or stereotypical storage tote, but in a display.  Two of the products I was most intrigued by at E3 were not cases (although those are no doubt gaining functionality given the sheer number of Skylanders), but rather displays.  Flynn's Ship and the Fun Play Hideaway don't just store Skylanders, they put them on prominent display in something that otherwise would only be dreamed of by the most hardcore Skylander fans.

As Skylander fans we should be glad that Activision and PowerA teamed up...we get great storage and display solutions, with unique qualities, that are delivered at economical prices.  The quality covers the cost.  When you buy the cases, displays, or controllers you know that you aren't just getting a temporary fix, but rather something that will be with you for the long haul.  As fans, it doesn't get much better than that.  Form and function working in conjunction to truly amplify our experience with the game.

What PowerA product are you looking most forward to this fall?  What are you currently using to store your Skylanders...Which ones do you display?

As always stay tuned for the latest!