Rival Gangs Target Young Boys

Rival Gangs Target Young Boys

Two new rival gangs – running riot all over the world – have hit the streets of New Zealand in force and armed for combat.

But parents needn’t fear for child safety, the gangs come in the form of intelligent, motorised hamsters known as Kung Zhu Pets™ – the latest toy craze to land in New Zealand.

Hot on the heels of Zhu Zhu Pets’™ international success, this new addition was created to appeal primarily to boys aged 4 years and over.

Zhu Zhu Pets’™ local sales are expected to hit $8MM by the end of the year and more than NZD$200m worldwide. International distributors struggled to keep up with demand for the furry toy hamsters with time on retail shelves in the US averaging between 30 seconds and 3 minutes

In stark contrast to their cute and cuddly Zhu Zhu counterparts, new Kung Zhu Pets™ are warrior hamsters armed with battle gear, vehicles and sophisticated training arenas. Eight original Kung Zhu characters are split into two battling groups called Special Forces and Ninja Warriors.

“There’s no blood and no shooting, but the bad-boy hamsters will fight to the end – or at least until they topple over,” says Jeremy Kirk-Smith, CEO, Planet Fun Ltd.

All Kung Zhu hamsters start off as “cute mild-mannered pets”, but once owners put them through tough preparation in their training ground play-sets, smart chip technology takes the toys through a distinct personality transformation as they become fighting warriors.

Once transformed, owners can arrange ultimate combat between Special Forces and Ninja Warriors Kung Zhu Pets™ in the Kung Zhu Battle Arena.

“It’s a simple, easy-to-use toy with a complex and intelligent design. And action you just can’t get from real live pet hamsters. The formula was bang on with Zhu Zhu Pets™ and we are bracing ourselves for what Kung Zhu and future exciting extensions will bring to the Zhu-niverse,” says Jeremy.

Kung Zhu Pets™ are available in eight different characters:

Ninja Warriors
• Kung Zhu Pets™ Drayko – A fast learner of the ancient art of stealth. Will stop at nothing to be the best dragon he can
• Kung Zhu Pets™ Yama – Only a student in the clan but definitely the strongest
• Kung Zhu Pets™ Azer – Drayko’s older brother
• Kung Zhu Pets™ Thorn – Rough, tough and isn’t afraid to cheat
Special Forces
• Kung Zhu Pets™ Sergeant Serge – Out to make sure everyone’s having a great day
• Kung Zhu Pets™ Rivet – Master of demolitions and leader of the Special Forces
• Kung Zhu Pets™ Rock-o – Has the biggest brain of the bunch. In charge of communications and technology
• Kung Zhu Pets™ Stonewall – Loud and crazy
In addition to the eight hamsters, multiple Kung Zhu Pets™ accessories are available for purchase, allowing kids to collect and connect them all to create their own customized hamster training and battle ground. Kung Zhu Pets™ accessories include:

• Assorted vehicles for Special Forces and Ninja Warriors
• Training grounds including Alpha, Bravo, Samurai and Ninja
• Special Forces HQ and Ninja Warriors Do Jo bases
• Kung Zhu Battle Arena
Kung Zhu Pets™ are available for sale at Kmart, The Warehouse, Farmers, Toyworld and other select retailers and are expected to sell out quickly. Prices for each individual hamster and add-on accessories start from $29.99 each.

Kung Zhu Pets™ are distributed by Planet Fun Ltd For further information, visit www.planetfun.co.nz

ends

© Scoop Media