{"id":190861,"date":"2026-04-10T10:01:00","date_gmt":"2026-04-10T14:01:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/?p=190861"},"modified":"2026-03-29T15:19:25","modified_gmt":"2026-03-29T19:19:25","slug":"toy-fair-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/roomescapeartist.com\/2026\/04\/10\/toy-fair-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"Toy Fair 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Winter in New York City means a lot of things for different people, but for me it\u2019s the season of Toy Fair! The North American International Toy Fair<\/a> (Toy Fair, for short) is The Toy Association\u2019s annual trade show. For one long weekend each year, it takes over Manhattan\u2019s Javits Center in a sprawling, multi-floor expanse of booths.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Toy Fair is an exclusive show, in that you need to be in the industry (or press) to get a ticket. But every area of the industry is represented: manufacturing, design, insurance, shipping, and more. The most attractive booths to someone like me, of course, were those showing off the coolest and newest games. A few interesting games caught my eye while I was wandering dozens of aisles of displays.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Jumbo Games<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Jumbo Games<\/a> is a large international toy and game brand with many, many products on the market. At previous Toy Fairs, we had seen their line of Wasgij jigsaw puzzles<\/a>. These puzzles don\u2019t 100% match what is pictured on the box, but instead reveal a different perspective of the box image or a moment before or after the box image takes place. The most interesting new product they had on display was Pieces of Evidence<\/em>, a jigsaw-based detective game. The first box in this line, \u201cThe Last Voyage!\u201d, will contain three jigsaw puzzles that each offer clues to help resolve the final mystery. We\u2019re looking forward to seeing it in stores in late 2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Fizz Creations<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Fizz Creations<\/a> is a toy company that has recently dipped into the at-home puzzle game experience. Their display had a few notable games on their puzzle shelf, each with an interesting form factor. There was a pop-up book, a manga box set, and miniature cardboard briefcases with puzzles inside. The pop-up book, Cryptic Circus<\/em>, was a murder mystery. While the format definitely seemed geared for children, the content was not. Wheels of Time<\/em><\/a> promised five different games set in different eras. This seemed to be a theme of Fizz\u2019s puzzle offerings: many of their games said that they had multiple ways to play or different paths to take.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Professor Puzzle<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

We reviewed<\/a> a few games from Professor Puzzle\u2019s Quick-Fire Escape Rooms a few years ago. Since then, Professor Puzzle<\/a> has released new games in the same line as well as a new murder mystery line. Escape Through Time<\/em> will be their newest entry in the escape room line when it releases, and Death in the Alps<\/em> is the title for the upcoming murder mystery game. Both games are slated to release in Q2 2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

University Games<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

University Games<\/a> has been a long-time presence in the desktop puzzle space. Their BePuzzled series produces Hanayama<\/a> puzzles and 3d crystal puzzles<\/a>, but also mystery jigsaw puzzles and boxed murder mystery party games. Their Murder Mystery Party boxed games come with roles for six participants, as well as a suggested food and drink menu. The newest item in this line is Mistletoe & Malice<\/em>, which tasks your dinner guests to solve the Christmas time murder of the No\u00ebl, Queen of Puddings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Quick Thoughts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n