Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, My Little Pony vie for toy hall of fame

The National Toy Hall of Fame recognizes toys "that have inspired creative play and enjoyed popularity over a sustained period." This week, the institution announced the 12 finalists for induction into the hall. Click through the gallery to see the finalists.

Bubbles is one of the finalists vying to join the company of 51 other toys in the National Toy Hall of Fame, which includes Barbie, Etch A Sketch, Nintendo Game Boy, Radio Flyer Wagon, G.I. Joe and Mr. Potato Head.

The game of chess is also in the running for the honor, which is based on the following criteria: icon status for being widely respected and recognized; longevity, for being more than a passing fad that has entertained multiple generations; discovery, for its ability to foster learning or creativity; and innovation for having profoundly changed play or toy design.

Leonardo, Michaelangelo, Donatello and Raphael comprise the fearsome fighting team known as the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. They're also among the finalists for induction into the National Toy Hall of Fame.

The board game Clue is also among the finalists. Two honorees will be announced in November.

The Fisher-Price Little People are also on the short list, which is narrowed down from a list of public nominations by an internal committee comprised of curators, educators, and historians. The honorees are chosen by a national selection committee, which reviews the list of finalists and votes on top picks for induction.

The little green army men are already on TIME's list of All-Time Greatest toys. Can they add another honor to their resume of distinctions?

The Magic 8 ball claims to have the answers to all of life's questions. Can it predict whether it will win a spot in the National Toy Hall of Fame?

My Little Pony is also competing for a spot in the hallowed halls of the National Toy Hall of Fame at The Strong, an educational institution devoted to the study and exploration of play in Rochester, New York.
The nonprofit claims to house "the world's most comprehensive collection of historical materials related to play."

"It's NERF or nothing," as they say. NERF toys come in many forms -- balls, discs, artillery -- all of which have been nominated as a finalist for induction into the National Toy Hall of Fame.

The character Pac-Man is one of 12 finalists up for induction in the National Toy Hall of Fame.

Rubber ducky, are you the one? (Or two, rather, that will make it into the Hall of Fame?) It's a finalist for the honor this year.

Will scooter manage to whiz past the competition? We'll find out November 7, when the winners are announced.

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2013 National Toy Hall of Fame finalists

Bubbles

Chess

2013 National Toy Hall of Fame finalists

Clue

Fisher-Price Little People

Little green army men

Magic 8 Ball

My Little Pony

NERF toys

Pac-Man

The rubber duck

The scooter

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(CNN) -- Which toys will make it into the National Toy Hall of Fame this year? Maybe the Magic 8 Ball, one of 12 finalists announced this week, has the answer.

Each year, the National Toy Hall of Fame in Rochester, New York, recognizes toys that have "engaged and delighted multiple generations, inspiring them to learn, create, and discover through play."

The beloved fortune-telling toy is up against stiff competition: bubbles, chess, Clue, Fisher-Price Little People, little green army men, My Little Pony, Nerf toys, Pac-Man, the rubber duck, the scooter and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

Two winners will be announced November 7 to join the rarefied company of 51 toys honored in previous years, including Barbie, Mr. Potato Head, Nintendo Game Boy, the bicycle, Silly Putty, the skateboard, Slinky and the baby doll.

Who would you vote for? Tell us in the comments or on Facebook.