Toys and Games Key Terms

Play around with key terms for toys and games

By L. Newton

Toys and games have been part of human history for thousands of years and have developed into thousands of different types. In recent decades, technology has brought video games into the home and has enhanced traditional children’s toys. With each new invention comes new lingo for the industry. Toys and games key terms can cover topics from how a doll opens her eyes to the setting of the video game you play.

Console

A console is a term used for electronic games. The console describes the device that is the home to the game disc, cards and controllers. The console hooks to the television for game play. Consoles today are compact enough for small apartments.
Try: View the definition of a console from PC Magazine. The site gives a definition and discusses the console in terms of handheld games and proprietary systems.

Pull-back motor

A pull-back motor describes the type of propulsion used to make certain toy trucks or cars move. The vehicle launches forward after it is pulled backwards across the ground. These toys require no batteries.
Try: View a basic answer to how pull-back motors operate from Answers. The site also gives a link for more information.

Sleeping eye

Asleeping eye is a feature of dolls that enables the doll to close its eyes when it's lying down and open them when it's is upright. This works through weights in the eyes.
Try: Find a definition for sleeping eye under the letter "S" in the Golden Era Dolls glossary.

Simulation game

A simulation game is a type of video game that represents a real-life or real-world activity, and the player controls what happens. The game can depict sports, shopping, school, war and more. Designers create the game to be realistic and use computer-generated graphics to enhance the feeling of reality.
Try: View a discussion of simulation games from Wise Geek.

Puzzle game

Puzzle games are challenging games in which the player must think in order to play. The games vary in difficulty and include variations such as jigsaw puzzles and Sudoku, a game involving numbers.
Try: My Puzzle discusses puzzle games and gives examples.

Wind-up toys

Wind-up toys operate by turning a dial or a key in the toy. Once you turn the dial or key, the tightly coiled spring within the toy will keep it operating until the spring winds down. These toys require no batteries to operate.
Try: Learn how wind-up toys work from eHow.