This week's best-selling toys and games: Syma 3 helicopter reclaims top spot

With Christmas fast approaching, the consistent appearance of the Syma 3 remote controlled helicopter in the amazon.com best selling charts means it could be one of this year's most popular toys. In the United Kingdom, this Christmas looks to be all about innovative board games, as Bananagrams' once again tops the charts, while in France LEGO game Minotaurus moves into pole position.

The best-selling* toys and games worldwide are:

Amazon.com: New Syma 3 Channel S107 Mini indoor co-axial metal body frame & built in gyroscope RC remote controlled helicopter ($30.95 /€23.36 reduced from $129.95 /€93.40)

The Syma 3 remote controlled helicopter has proved a consistent favorite over the last four weeks and despite dropping to third position last week the flying toy is back to top this week's charts. The helicopter is 19.05 cm (7.5 inches) long and comes fully assembled; however, it is probably best suited to those with roomy accommodation as, according to Amazon, the toy is suitable for indoor flying only.  

Amazon.co.uk: Bananagrams Game - Winning Moves (£8.45/ €9.98 reduced from £10.00/€11.81)

This word game doesn't require a board, pens or even paper and comes in a case shaped like a banana. The game has consistently been among the most popular toys and games on amazon.co.uk and this week retains its top position on the best sellers list.

Amazon.fr: LEGO Games - Minotaurus (€15.60)

This popular build-it-yourself LEGO game is based around the Greek myth of the beastly Minotaur and the heroic Theseus; the game comes complete with LEGO blocks and LEGO dice; once built, each game lasts approximately 20-30 minutes. The game was the second best-selling toy on amazon.fr last week and moves up one position to the top of this week's charts.

Amazon.de:  Schlag den Raab! Das Spiel (€18.38)

Translated into English as "Beat the Star! The Game," this board game is based on the popular German television series Beat the Star, which inspired the UK show of the same name. The game tests players' knowledge of trivia as well as their reaction speed, combining classic rounds from the television series with new challenges specially designed for the board game version.

Amazon.co.jp: ??????? ??????? ????? (2,288 Yen/ €20.67 reduced from 3,991 Yen/ €36.07)

Roughly translated in English as "Super Auto Tomikabiru Tomica," this five-story garage features a refueling depot and even a helicopter pad. This is the second week the toy has appeared in the best-selling charts, and it moves up one place to become this week's best-selling toy on Amazon Japan.

*Best-selling as defined by Amazon within the category "Toys and games" at 11:30 am GMT on December 10, 2010.