This question brings back happy memories of my younger days. Back then things were so much simpler. Rather than sit slurping my Guinness down the pub, asking if the world financial crisis is going to plunge the country into recession, I’d be stood in the school playground with my Ribena, pondering over very different (and arguably more important) affairs:
“Who’s the fastest, Road Runner or Sonic?”
“Who’s the strongest, He-Man or The Hulk?”
“Who’s the ‘ardest, Batman or Superman?”
(That last one I’d still like to know, if anyone can shed some light)
Well, ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, without further ado it’s time to introduce the latest clash of the titans.
In the blue corner, weighing in at a measly 1.6kg, and standing 7.5” tall, it’s the baby Camarasaurus, the dinosaur that knows it all… It’s Pleoooooooooooo!
And in the red corner, weighing in at a massive 17kg, and standing over 2.5ft tall, it’s the newcomer this year, the triceratops everyone’s talking about… It’s Kotaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!
Yes, much chitter-chatter has gone on over the past couple of months over which dinosaur will be victorious this Christmas. But joking aside, I think the simple answer is that both of these prehistoric toys will sell like crazy this year.
For a start, they aren’t really in direct competition. Kota the Triceratops is primarily aimed at pre-schoolers. Kids of 2 years or more. Whereas Pleo is an altogether more advanced toy, requiring the attention of an 8 year old (or adults with the mind of an 8 year old).
Kota is much more of a physical hands-on toy, more robust to the torment that a 2 year old will provide. Pleo is more delicate and intelligent for the calmer, more mature child.
If the two dinos were to enter mastermind, there’s no doubt who would win. Pleo possesses 4 different emotions including happy and curious, playful and lively, scared and surprised, and sad and vexed. Pleo has the ability to change his mind and mood whenever he feels like it. He has more sensors than you can shake a stick at, so Pleo can react to your touch and sound.
Kota on the other hand has other strengths. You can ride him (if you weigh less than 80lbs), he also has sensors so can interact when you touch and stroke him. He comes with some leafy snacks so you can feed him, in addition Kota also plays music whilst you bounce up and down on his back.
Kota is designed to be altogether more stimulating for younger children. Whereas Pleo takes a little more patience to fully appreciate.
So if I imagine myself stood in that cold playground with my large duffle coat and carton of Ribena, and my best friend asking ‘What’s best, Kota or Pleo?” I’d reply with a much more pedantic answer, “It depends…”
For those of you that want more information on Pleo, take a look at the Pleo Amazon Product Page.
The internet should continue to exert pressure on high-street rivals. Amazon UK’s managing director Brian McBride is predicting its ‘biggest Christmas ever’ as it goes head-to-head with bricks-and-mortar retailers on eagerly anticipated electricals and toys. “In tough times people will do without a couple of pints or a night out to buy their children something for Christmas,” he says. “Very few retailers come out of a recession unchanged, but it’s up to you whether you are the agent of change or a victim of circumstance.”
