Gadget Bloggers

It’s been ten years since the first Tickle Me Elmo delighted kids and frustrated parents who stood in extremely long lines at toy stores.  Elmo shortages led to childhood crises in millions of homes.

There have been Elmo variations since - giggling, dancing Elmos - but nothing like this, we’re told.  The new TMX version (the X stands for 10th anniversary, or Xtreme, either one) has Elmo laughing, slapping its knee and rolling on the floor.

It’s hitting stores like Toys ‘R’ Us and selling out instantly.  Wal-Mart is out of stock, as of this writing.  Retail is $40 - there were reports that the toy was fetching $90 or more on eBay, but a spot check this morning indicates those prices seem to be dropping a bit. 

Still, if Elmo ranks at the top of your crumb-crunching kid’s celebrity list, you might want to snap one of these up soon.

[via Business Week]