At gamescom 2024 in Cologne, Germany, The LEGO Group dropped some exciting news: the highly anticipated LEGO® Super Mario™: Mario Kart™ sets are racing into the spotlight! For the first time ever, Nintendo’s iconic Mario Kart universe is coming to life in the form of LEGO bricks. Fans of both LEGO and Mario Kart can gear up for this all-new immersive experience launching on January 1, 2025.

LEGO Mario Kart

These six brand-new LEGO Mario Kart sets were first teased during the MAR10 Day celebration in March, but today’s unveiling offered a full, tantalizing look at the new collection. The sets bring beloved Mario Kart characters like Yoshi, Donkey Kong, Toad, Baby Mario, Baby Luigi, and Baby Peach into play, allowing fans to build, customize, and race their favorite karts on creative, brick-built tracks.

What makes these sets even more thrilling is the seamless integration of digital play. By adding a LEGO® Mario™, LEGO® Luigi™, or LEGO® Peach™ (sold separately) to the mix, players can enjoy interactive features like Mario Kart sound effects, scanning Item Boxes for extra coins, and even boosting their race score! The digital and physical elements collide to create a truly dynamic experience.

A Closer Look at the Sets:

1. LEGO® Super Mario™: Mario Kart™ – Yoshi Bike (72031): For fans of the ever-popular Yoshi, this 133-piece set includes a Light-Blue Yoshi figure and a brick-built bike. Perfect for drifting through creative obstacles and launching shell items.
2.  LEGO® Super Mario™: Mario Kart™ – Standard Kart (72032): The classic Standard Kart set (174 pieces) features Toad in his red pit crew uniform and a detachable Super Glider, along with a buildable model of the Mario Kart vehicle.
3.  LEGO® Super Mario™: Mario Kart™ – Donkey Kong & DK Jumbo (72033): Featuring Donkey Kong’s signature DK Jumbo kart, this 387-piece set is packed with launchable items like bananas and shells to slow down your competitors.
4.  LEGO® Super Mario™: Mario Kart™ – Baby Mario vs. Baby Luigi (72034): Get ready for a Balloon Battle! This 321-piece set features Baby Mario in his Biddybuggy and Baby Luigi in his Tri-Speeder, plus six buildable balloons.
5. LEGO® Super Mario™: Mario Kart™ – Toad’s Garage (72035): Customize and tune up your karts with two Blue Toads in this 390-piece set, featuring the B Dasher kart and a functional garage.
6. LEGO® Super Mario™: Mario Kart™ – Baby Peach & Grand Prix Set (72036): The largest set (823 pieces) features Baby Peach, Lemmy, and Toad on their respective karts, ready to race through an obstacle-packed course.

Simon Kent, Design Director at The LEGO Group, expressed his excitement: “We are beyond excited to turbo-charge our LEGO Super Mario universe with these Mario Kart sets. We can’t wait for fans to bring Mario Kart races to brick-built reality with their friends and family.”

More Fun with LEGO Animal Crossing!

In addition to the Mario Kart news, The LEGO Group also announced three new sets from the LEGO® Animal Crossing™ universe:

1.  Stargazing with Celeste (77053)
2.  Leif’s Caravan & Garden Shop (77054)
3.  Able Sisters Clothing Shop (77055)

These charming sets invite fans to continue building their own Animal Crossing villages, expanding the fun of Nintendo’s cozy life simulation game into the LEGO world.

The LEGO Super Mario: Mario Kart™ and LEGO Animal Crossing sets will be available globally starting January 1, 2025, giving fans of all ages plenty to look forward to as they get ready to build, race, and explore!

Stay tuned for more highly classified, top-secret intel on two of the most pressing matters of our time: the thrilling Mario Kart escapades at www.lego.com/themes/super-mario/mario-kart/about and the cute yet undeniably crucial happenings in Animal Crossing at www.lego.com/themes/animal-crossing/about.

Our Lifestyle section on STM Daily News is a hub of inspiration and practical information, offering a range of articles that touch on various aspects of daily life. From tips on family finances to guides for maintaining health and wellness, we strive to empower our readers with knowledge and resources to enhance their lifestyles. Whether you’re seeking outdoor activity ideas, fashion trends, or travel recommendations, our lifestyle section has got you covered. Visit us today at https://stmdailynews.com/category/lifestyle/ and embark on a journey of discovery and self-improvement.

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(Family Features) For many homeowners, the heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system is among the home’s most important, and most costly, features. This system ensures the home remains at a comfortable temperature, and it also plays a significant role in the home’s energy usage.

HVAC

If you’re in the market for a new HVAC solution, you probably know there’s no shortage of installers. Before you hire a contractor, there are some important factors you should consider, according to the experts at Mitsubishi Electric Trane HVAC US (METUS), a leader in heating and cooling innovation.

Product Options
A qualified technician will have the knowledge and flexibility to install a wide range of products and solutions. As the country moves toward electrification, your contractor should be well-versed in conventional HVAC systems and more sustainable options such as energy-efficient, mini-split ductless and ducted heat pumps.

It’s also important to know about a prospective contractor’s experience with the equipment, including installation, maintenance, and repair. Accreditation, licensing, and training will give you a good idea, but you should also explore the contractor’s reputation and reliability through references and reviews.

Price
When exploring your options, get a written quote that details the proposed equipment and labor costs. Ask about incentives available at the time of service, including discounts, rebates, or other pricing specials. If you are installing an energy-efficient heat pump, you might also be eligible for incentives through the Inflation Reduction Act, such as tax credits and state rebate programs.

Financing
Replacing or repairing your HVAC system can be an unexpected expense. More HVAC contractors are beginning to offer financing options to help customers with upfront costs. Ask about financing options – preferably low-interest options – early on in your conversations with contractors. If any are offered, ensure the contractor is working with a trusted, reputable lending provider. If you are investing in an energy-efficient system, your heating and cooling savings may even allow you to recoup your loan over time.

Warranty
Many HVAC manufacturers offer equipment warranties that can help offset future repair costs, but it’s important to understand what’s covered. For example, Diamond Contractors, specially trained in installing Mitsubishi Electric equipment, allow for a 12-year warranty on parts and a 12-year warranty on compressors after equipment has been registered.

Equipment Issues
A qualified technician can help you understand the various options and explain terms you don’t know. You should feel comfortable asking questions and requesting the information in writing.

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Learn what else you need to know before making a big investment in a new HVAC system at mitsubishicomfort.com.

Asking the Right Questions Matters

You’ve done research, budgeted for upfront costs, and compared units, but can’t make sense of the different HVAC systems. Hiring the right contractor can help alleviate these concerns.

Asking the right questions is especially important if you have specific energy goals in mind. Consider these questions:

1. Are you certified in HVAC installation, repair and maintenance?
2. Do you have insurance?
3. Do you have references I can speak with?
4. What are the indoor unit options for my home’s design and square footage? How many units do I need? How many of these systems has your company installed in the last few years?
5. Does my home’s design support ductwork, or are ductless systems the best option for me? What are the pros and cons of each?
6. What’s the temperature range this system can manage?
7. How does this system handle partial loads? (“Load” is the amount of heating or cooling needed to bring a space to a comfortable temperature.)
8. How frequently does the system need to be serviced? What kind of maintenance does the system need? What kind of maintenance program do you offer?
9. What kind of utility cost savings can I expect comparing a split-ductless heat pump system to a conventional HVAC system?
10. Will I need any supplemental equipment to achieve my energy usage goals?

SOURCE:
Mitsubishi Electric Trane HVAC US (METUS)

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This fall, families can collect toys with tiny books inside, featuring characters from Paramount’s PAW Patrol^™, Tales of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and PMI’s very own Monster Tales!

Booksy’ collectible toy line

TEL AVIV, Israel, Sept. 11, 2024 /PRNewswire/ – Uniting the exciting world of toys with the imaginative world of books is the brand new patented and trademarked ‘Booksy’ collectible toy line by renowned global toy company, PMI Kids World. In an era where screens dominate, this collectible toy line offers children and families a unique way to foster a love for play and reading. Featuring tiny books cleverly housed inside unique collectible figures, Booksy engages children in the tactile and imaginative experience of play and reading, one Booksy at a time. The line will launch in October with PMI’s original Monster Tales at Amazon, followed by an expansion in November with licensed character versions from the hugely popular worlds of PAW Patrol, produced by Spin Master Entertainment and airing on Nickelodeon, and Paramount+ original series Tales of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, at Walmart.

Designed, written, and illustrated for children and families, Booksy collectible figures are the perfect steppingstone to nurturing children’s literacy through the excitement of collecting both books and appealing figures. The core Booksy collection, titled Monster Tales, introduces a series of original characters, stories, and a special Monster Tales bookcase for young readers to place and display their growing mini book collections. Characters from mega popular franchises, such as Chase and Skye, pups from PAW Patrol, and Raphael and Michelangelo from Tales of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, will also bring familiar faces to the world of Booksy, making reading even more exciting for young fans of the beloved franchises.

Patented and trademarked, the Booksy toy line and the Monster Tales brand are PMI’s very own intellectual properties that introduces an innovative story-focused product variety featuring the talents of Christian Tremblay, branding specialist and a titan of the family entertainment industry with over 30 years of experience.

“As a parent and lifelong reader, I understand the importance of encouraging children to discover a love for reading and play that truly ignites their imaginations,” says Omer Dekel, CEO at PMI Kids’ World. “Booksy is particularly special to me because it’s an IP we’ve developed in-house and patented, blending the excitement of toys with the educational value of relatable life lessons and adventures in collectible books. I’m incredibly excited to see how Booksy will inspire and nurture the next generation.”

In October 2024, the Booksy Monster Tales Six Pack, featuring Monster Tales Dome figures, will launch on Amazon in the USA. This collection offers six unique characters for children aged 3-8 to collect. Additionally, the Booksy Monster Tales Bookshelf Collector Set, including a Monster Tales Booksy figure and a Collector’s Bookshelf, will also be available on Amazon. The first licensed version will be launched November 2024, introducing Booksy One Pack PAW Patrol and Tales of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Dome figures at Walmart, and offering 12 beloved characters for young fans. Globally, the Booksy Monster Tales toy line is set for a Fall 2024 release, with key markets including the United States, United Kingdom (exclusively distributed by Character Options), France (exclusively distributed by Bandai France), the Middle East (exclusively distributed by iBrands), Canada (exclusively distributed by Red Planet), and more. The Booksy PAW Patrol and Tales of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles toy lines will be sold exclusively at 3,000 Walmart stores across the USA.

Renowned for turning trending IPs into must-have toys, PMI Kids World is excited to introduce their very own brand and line of Booksy toys, right in time for the holidays.

About PMI Kids World
Established in 1995, PMI Kids World is a leading gaming-sector toy manufacturer focused on licensing consumer products in over 170 countries. PMI Kids World gives licensed intellectual properties (IPs) a vibrant existence by creating high-quality, innovative, affordable toys and collectibles. We’re here to bring the mega children’s brands and the coolest lines to kids worldwide. Our lineup includes esteemed names like Sonic Prime, Pudgy Penguins, Brawl Stars, and many others. Rooted in our purpose is the aspiration to ensure that every child can partake in the delight of play, irrespective of their circumstances.

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For more information on PMI Kids’ World, follow PMI on:

• Instagram: @pmi_toys
• Facebook: @pmiltd
• Twitter: @pmitoys
• TikTok: @pmi_toys

About Booksy
Patented and trademarked by PMI Kids World, Booksy is the global toy company’s newest innovation in collectible toys and storytelling. Launching with PMI’s very own Monster Tales IP in October 2024, each Booksy character figure houses a miniature, full-colored storybook that empowers kids’ imagination by merging engaging play patterns with storytelling. Following Monster Tales, Booksy will also release versions based on popular kids licenses such as PAW Patrol and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles in November 2024. Designed for boys and girls ages 3 to 8, each story introduces kid-relatable life lessons that children, families, and teachers will love and enjoy.

About Paramount Consumer Products

Paramount Consumer Products oversees all licensing and merchandising for Paramount (Nasdaq: PARA, PARAA), a leading global media and entertainment company that creates premium content and experiences for audiences worldwide. Driven by a diverse slate of consumer brands, Paramount Consumer Products’ portfolio is based on content from platforms including Paramount+, CBS (including CBS Television Studios and CBS Television Distribution), cable networks (including MTV, Nickelodeon and Showtime), and Paramount Pictures. Additionally, the division operates Paramount Game Studios. With properties spanning animation, live-action, preschool, youth and adult, Paramount Consumer Products is committed to creating the highest quality product for some of the world’s most beloved, iconic franchises. To view our range of consumer products and Paramount branded apparel, visit ParamountShop.com.

SOURCE PMI Kid’s World

Looking for an entertainment experience that transcends the ordinary? Look no further than STM Daily News Blog’s vibrant Entertainment section. Immerse yourself in the captivating world of indie films, streaming and podcasts, movie reviews, music, expos, venues, and theme and amusement parks.

Discover hidden cinematic gems, binge-worthy series and addictive podcasts, gain insights into the latest releases with our movie reviews, explore the latest trends in music, dive into the vibrant atmosphere of expos, and embark on thrilling adventures in breathtaking venues and theme parks.

Join us at Looking for an entertainment experience that transcends the ordinary? Look no further than STM Daily News Blog’s vibrant Entertainment section. Immerse yourself in the captivating world of indie films, streaming and podcasts, movie reviews, music, expos, venues, and theme and amusement parks.

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Discover hidden cinematic gems, binge-worthy series and addictive podcasts, gain insights into the latest releases with our movie reviews, explore the latest trends in music, dive into the vibrant atmosphere of expos, and embark on thrilling adventures in breathtaking venues and theme parks. Join us at our Entertainment Section and let your entertainment journey begin! https://stmdailynews.com/category/entertainment/