The Inside Line on the Hottest Holiday Toys

The Hot Toy for Boys: Star Wars Electronic Lightsaber

Attack of the Clones, the second episode in the latest Star Wars trilogy, may have disappointed adult fans, but children are still enraptured with George Lucas' creations. This holiday season, both retailers and children are extremely excited about these electronic lightsabers, which make noise and have retractable blades. There are two versions, one featuring Obi Wan Kenobi and one with Anakin Skywalker.

Other movie-related tie-ins for Spider-Man, X-Men and Harry Potter are incredibly popular, but Star Wars was the best-selling license in 2002, according to industry tracker NPD Funworld. Lightsabers are the franchise's second-biggest seller, outside of action figures, and this year, total lightsaber sales will be more than double the number sold in 1999, when Episode One: The Phantom Menace was released.

Other Good Picks: Spider-Man Dual Action Web Blaster, Spider-Man action figures, Singing Starz Video Karaoke, Star Wars R2D2 Droid, He-Man action figures

Close, But No Cigar: Star Wars Lightsaber. The regular lightsaber looks nearly identical to its electronic counterpart but is a rather featureless toy that doesn't make any noises. Pay attention to the package. The electronic lightsaber has a "Try Me" feature.

The Violent Video Game They Want: Grand Theft Auto: Vice City

Last year, Grand Theft Auto 3 was such a blockbuster that it shattered sales records and was impossible to find as Christmas approached. Take Two Interactive (TTWO Quote) hopes to repeat that success with the sequel, Grand Theft Auto: Vice City. In the next installment, gamers play a cocaine dealer in Miami during the 1980s, hell-bent on ruling the criminal underworld by carjacking, stealing and murdering the way to the top.

Vice City has more in common with its predecessor than just a controversial plotline -- it's already tough to find. The game sold out everywhere after just one day on the market, forcing Take Two to scramble to get more units in scores. And with a price tag of $50, it's a reasonably priced game that you will have to work to find.