Skylanders series mints $500 million

Activision's Skylanders toy and game franchise has generated $500 million in the United States alone since the series launched in 2011, Activision announced today, citing data from NPD Group. According to Activision, the Skylanders series reached the sales milestone faster than any other children's game property and even outsold action figure lines like Beyblades, WWE, and Stars Wars.

Skylanders Giants, the sequel to 2011's Skylanders Spyro's Adventure, generated more than $195 million in 2012 US sales. This figure represents sales of accessory packs, action figures, and the games themselves. In addition, Activision claimed that Skylanders Giants revenue surpassed the US box office sales for Disney's Wreck-It Ralph and DreamWorks' Rise of the Guardians.

Toys "R" Us executive vice president and chief merchandising officer Richard Berry had high praise to give for the Skylanders series, saying in a statement that it is "one of the most innovative and exciting toy properties to hit the market."

The Skylanders series is developed by Activision subsidiary Toys For Bob, which is based in Novato, California. For more on the franchise, check out GameSpot's review of Skylanders: Spyro's Adventure and previous coverage of Skylanders Giants.