NEW YORK -- Sure, it features countless numbers of kids' playthings; but at the American International Toy Fair in New York every year, it's the adults who get to have all of the fun.

The annual event -- the largest of its kind in the Western Hemisphere -- took place Monday through Wednesday this week in New York City, where more than 1,500 toy manufacturers, distributors, importers and sales agents came in from 30 countries to show off their new toys.

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The event gives every major toymaker, such as Hasbro and Mattel, the opportunity to shine and collector-driven outfits like the National Entertainment Collectibles Association, McFarlane Toys and Sideshow Collectibles a chance to strut their stuff.

Here's a look at some of the various products that were introduced to the media this week.

Dolls:

Barbie is not only getting a makeover, she's also going interactive. Mattel said that a new management team is spearheading a makeover for the iconic doll.

In addition, the Chat Diva Barbie will not only be able to lip-sync to the music on Apple's iPod, it will be able to chat on the phone. One of Barbie's chief competitors, MGA's Bratz, is getting into the interactive act, too, with a movie studio play set that will be released in conjunction with the dolls' first theatrical movie release in August. The play set, which connects to televisions, will allow kids to make their own movies.

While some dolls are going Hollywood, some Hollywood stars are venturing into the valley of the dolls. Play Along Toys, a division of Jakks Pacific (known predominantly for its professional wresting and "Rocky" movie action figures), is planning on making dolls based on the Disney Channel singing sensations Hannah Montana and The Cheetah Girls. The dolls will sing their hits and have such rockin' accessories as electronic musical instruments and even a tour bus.

Interactive/Tech Toys

The technically advanced TMX Elmo, which caused a mad rush at toy and department stores in the fall, is getting some company this October. Mattel's Fisher-Price division announced two more, smaller, TMX units are on the way: Elmo's friends Ernie and the Cookie Monster.

On the interactive front, Hasbro is giving flight to Squawkers McCaw Parrot, which repeats words and responds to touch. Vtech's Gadget triples as a digital photo camera, a video camera and a music player. LeapFrog is taking a jump into the computer world, as its ClickStart system, which plugs into a television, looks and operates like an adult PC.

Hoping to develop children's musical abilities, Fisher-Price is rocking out with the I Can Play Guitar system that plugs into your television. Zizzle is taking stage, too, with its Rockerz Jammin' Guitar, a collection of musical instruments tied to the hit Disney Channel movie "High School Musical." With it, kids can add their sound effects with a push of the button.

Hasbro is tuning up, too, with its Power Tour Electric Guitar -- which features a strum bar, some touch sensors and multicolored lights.

Toys Go Online

Taking the LeapFrog concept one step further, some toy companies are offering toys and gadgets this year that can be used online. Fisher-Price is also catering to the preschool set with the Easy-Link Internet Launchpad, with which parents can connect to their computer to allow kids to safely visit preschool-appropriate Web sites.

Hasbro's Tiger Games division is coming out with Net Jet, a game system that features a controller that children plug into their computer's USB port to experience more than 40 online games, such as Super Soaker and Mission Paintball. Meanwhile, Bandai toys introduced Power Rangers helmets, which store secret missions found online and play online games in a safe, secure manner.

Bandai is also ramping up the interactive capabilities of its Tamagotchi virtual pet product by offering more activities on the TamagotchiTown.com site.

Kids who want their virtual pets to look more traditional can leash MGA's Web Pups. The plush dogs come with registration codes that kids can punch into the Web-pups.com Web site to tap into games and activities.