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The gaming system Nintendo of America is partnering with Jakks Pacific to create a line of costumes and toys featuring favorite characters from popular games, including Donkey Kong, Zelda and Mario. From toys, novelties, key chains, plush and games to accessories, Jakks Pacific plans on expanding the offering for Nintendo characters. "We are eager to offer a robust and comprehensive lineup of products to satisfy our fan base and generations of Nintendo enthusiasts," says Steve Singer, vice president of licensing at Nintendo of America.

Parent company of Pac-Man, 41 Entertainment, announced last week that the construction toy brand is the worldwide license for Pac-Man building toys, except in Japan. The toys will hit shelves this fall, just in time for the new television show Pac-Man and the Ghostly Adventures. The line will feature Maze Assortments, Mystery Figure Packs, and the Ghost Regeneration Chamber/Power Pellet Tree Assortment. "Our partnership with 41 Entertainment is a win-win," says Michael Araten, president and CEO of K'Nex Brands.

Lucasfilm and creators of Angry Birds, Rovio Entertainment, have partnered to develop an Angry Birds' game based on the hit movie series. Launching November 8 for Android, Kindle Fire, iOS, Mac, PC Windows Phone and Windows 8, the "Angry Birds Star Wars" app will showcase Star Wars stories and lands, including the planet Tatooine as well as the Death Star. Merchandise will also be released starting Oct. 28 featuring Star Wars characters in Angry Bird-style, including action figures, plush toys, Halloween costumes and apparel.

Kids can now hurl Angry Birds at K'Nex structures they built themselves. Early next year, Tomy will introduce an Angry Birds inspired K'Nex construction collection. Based off of the popular app, children can construct structures, complete with green pig, and then knock them down with the Angry Birds character. Each set features a buildable launcher and accessories that can be used in other available toy sets. The target consumer for the K'Nex sets is boys over the age of 5. 

Hasbro is breathing new life into the classic Tinkertoy brand through its recent partnership with K'NEX Brands. Tinkertoy was originally created in 1913 for children ages 3 and up, and K'NEX has now developed a sturdy, kid-friendly building set with parts made from plastic instead of wood so that the new sets snap and stay together.

Sega is bringing back its popular hedgehog at sonic speed. The brand has signed toy producer Meccano to create a line of Sonic the Hedgehog construction toys including figurines, vehicles and play sets, set to launch in Fall '12. In addition, Sega teamed up with RHM Solutions to launch an online store for Sonic the Hedgehog merchandise. While the site is currently only available in Europe, plans are in place to launch a similar e-commerce site for the U.S. and other American markets in the future.