The 10 Best App Controlled Toys

Help keep the streets of Gotham safe from villains with the Lego Batmobile (about $75), which features 4-wheel drive and dual stud shooters. It's compatible with other DC superheroes toys of its kind, so friends can join in to make sure justice wins in the battle against evil.

With over 400 snap-together pieces and animated step-by-step building instructions, the Ubtech Jimu (about $135) is a fun and educational project to undertake with your family. It uses a Blockly coding platform that allows you to program this robot to perform a myriad of activities.

Be a speed demon of the roads with the WowWee Robotic Enhanced Vehicles (around $29). Pit your favorite car against up to 15 different players and track other units with BeaconSense technology, or choose the single-player mode to battle a series of A.I. competitors.

If you have engineering in your blood or enjoy a little high-tech tinkering, the Lego Mindstorms EV3 (around $349) allows you to build your very own brick-based comrade that can be transformed into multiple prototypes and can be programmed using an intuitive drag-and-drop interface.

Take to the hills while on a covert operation surveying hostile territory with the Remoking Military Truck Off-Road (about $79). It's the perfect height to travel under hedges and vehicles without being seen, and is equipped with an HD camera to collect intel to bring back to base.

The Drocon Ninja (about $56) is a pocket-sized drone with a built-in camera that offers a 120-degree field of view and real-time WiFi image transmission, allowing you to take to the skies from the virtual cockpit and survey the scene from above without ever leaving the ground.

For Star Wars enthusiasts of any age, the Sphero BB-8 (around $100) is a great companion to spend time with. Complete with a droid trainer, your little buddy can be programmed to patrol the area for any signs of Darth Maul, or just chill out and watch the full saga with him.

Step back in time to the Mesozoic Era with the WowWee Miposaur (appx. $80). Send him into battle against others of his own kind, feed him various treats to see his reaction, or sit back and watch his moves as he dances to any song stored in your music library.

If you are a connoisseur of all things train-related, the Lionel Pennsylvania Flyer (about $219) may be just what you are looking for to add to your growing collection. Use your smartphone to man the controls, including engine selection, speed, and volume.

Available with a range of interchangeable, colorful shells to suit your mood, the Sphero Mini Blue (appx. $45) is a palm-sized orb that you can maneuver around tiny cones to test your skills, or have a little team fun trying to get a strike playing a miniature game of bowling.