Puppy and Kitty Surprise are revivals of the beloved early 90s toy lines of the same names. If the current products follow suit, perhaps we'll even see updated versions of ponies, bunnies, and/or bears rejoining the 'Surprise' menagerie! :)
These toys feature a simplistic but nonetheless charming gimmick: the 'mother''s belly can be opened via Velcro to reveal a 'litter' of smaller plush. The exact number of puppies or kittens you receive is random--ranging from three to five--and variances in gender, patterns, colors, etc. keep the mystery entertaining.
The retro aesthetic was a major selling point for me; there's a certain 'look' to 80s/early 90s toy lines that's seldom found on modern shelves. Very rarely does a current franchise venture into the cute, pastel-rainbow world of yesteryear--and that's a shame. If--like me--you're feeling a bit nostalgic for those days of Popples, Jem, and Fairy Tails, these will fit the bill just fine.
In fact, this latest incarnation of the brand is virtually unchanged from the original--right down to the molded plastic faces! Even the packaging has a 90s feel to it (and also doubles as an adorable "pet carrier" for your toy). The major difference is in the quality of the plush; these newer dolls feature far softer, more 'clumping'-resistant plush than their predecessors.
Compare to the original toys, shown below (photo credit: Hasbro, provided by Pranceatron and Ghost of the Doll):
Bottom line: A charming, quaintly retro plush toy with a twist. Just Play did a wonderful job of recreating these classic toys, capturing nearly every detail of the originals. A worthy purchase for children and collectors alike!
