[trebleshot]

To clarify my thoughts on gimmicks in general:

In its broadest (and original) definition, a gimmick is:

Quote:

1. a) A device employed to cheat, deceive, or trick, especially a mechanism for the secret and dishonest control of gambling apparatus. b) An innovative or unusual mechanical contrivance; a gadget.

2. a) An innovative stratagem or scheme employed especially to promote a project: an advertising gimmick. b) A significant feature that is obscured, misrepresented, or not readily evident; a catch.

(taken from Free Online Dictionary)

In the toy industry, I would say gimmicks refer to features or abilities of an item that are used as a selling point for said item. Not necessarily in a shady or underhanded way, but simply to spark buyer interest. Like power doors or remote-starters for cars.

There are some toys I think have crappy gimmicks and others have some that I really like. Then there are others where all I can say is "WTF? Who's bright idea was this?"